Watch: Two men are making $50,000 to watch the World Cup, with nowhere to hideThe World Cup is ramping up with six matches scheduled each day until the end of the group stage, which makes tuning in something of a full-time job. That is literally the case for Kevin Akoto and Austin Franklin, who are getting paid $50,000 (£37,800) each to watch all 104 World Cup matches.The BBC caught up with the two football fans, just over a week into their roles as Fox One "Chief World Cup Watchers" to see what the experience has been like.It's hard to miss their custom-built glass cubicle in the middle of New York's Times Square, which fans can peer into. The space is outfitted with recliners, a matching brown leather sofa, two large screen televisions and even a foosball table. It also has all the football merchandise and snacks to make this feel like a proper fan's space."It's like any 20-year-old's imagination, if you could put anything in here, this is what you'd put in as a soccer fan," Kevin tells the BBC.Kevin, a line cook from Florida, and Austin, an influencer from Philadelphia, beat out thousands of others for this role, which requires them to not just watch every match, but also to create content for fans.With several more weeks to go, the men say they're trying to pace themselves."I've gotten worn down, Austin's gotten a bit worn down, so just learning to keep up with everything going on," Kevin says.Austin agrees, comparing the experience to summer camp where the days start to blend into one another."It is a total marathon. It's a relatively easy job, I'm sitting on a couch watching football, but it has been tiresome and I'm making sure I'm getting my eight hours when I can." Luckily, the job doesn't require them sleeping in the glass box in Times Square, so they are able to leave at the end of their shifts to recharge for the next day.Already, the pair have witnessed historic moments. They saw Lionel Messi break the all-time World Cup scoring record, while they were eating Argentinian barbecue. Another perk of the role is being served cuisines from the countries competing.In between matches, they've also had the opportunity to interact with fans, such as the thousands of Brazilians who flooded Times Square. The tourist area has been a magnet for World Cup visitors, including the Norwegians who performed their famous Viking rowing celebration there. Austin says that has been his favourite part, meeting fans from all over the world and talking football, culture and how they're experiencing the US."The craziest part of it is how frequently I forget that I'm in Times Square with people watching me. I'll be watching a match for 10, 15 minutes and get sucked into it and I look to my right and see Kevin and see all these people walking around Times Square and you totally forget."As for their predictions?Kevin is betting Spain takes the golden trophy, though he is supporting the US and Ghana because of his roots. Austin wears Norway's jersey, not for any personal reasons, but because of how they and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland have played so far."I think it's an easy pick to say, oh Spain will win or France, and I think Norway is right on the cusp. And if the chips fall where they may, I could totally see them bringing it home."But spectators are split on whether they'd want their job.Norway fan Eimund Liland, 52, and his 15-year-old daughter Camille believe it's probably a bit of an "overdose" to watch all 104 matches without any privacy. And 18-year-old Matthew Mendez tells the BBC spending the time with friends or family would be a better way to experience the World Cup.But 20-year-old Miguel Sanchez can't believe their luck."What? It's even better than going in person, getting paid to watch the World Cup, that's crazy, that's really crazy."Produced by Pratiksha Ghildial and filmed by Andrew Sarge Herbert'This could only exist in America': What are foreign football fans finding in the US?Blood ties and opportunity: Why more World Cup players than ever are not representing their birth nations

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Subscribe to The CooligansApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeChristian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros kick off the show with six spicy World Cup predictions that could either make them look like geniuses or get them roasted by fans. Alexis predicts that Canada will fail to beat Switzerland, Kylian Mbappé will break the World Cup scoring record and England will advance despite failing to hit top gear. Christian counters with bold calls of his own, including Cape Verde reaching the knockout rounds, Uruguay crashing out of the tournament and Lionel Messi starring in Argentina's final group-stage match.Next, The Cooligans preview the USMNT's final group-stage game against Türkiye and debate how Mauricio Pochettino should approach what feels like a glorified friendly. Should Matt Freese keep his place? Does Christian Pulisic need minutes to stay sharp? And can Gio Reyna play his way into the starting lineup for the knockout rounds? The guys also discuss Folarin Balogun's likely summer transfer and make their cases for AC Milan and Barcelona as potential destinations.To wrap up the show, Christian and Alexis react to Cristiano Ronaldo's historic two-goal performance that made him the oldest player ever to score a World Cup brace and the first player to score in six different World Cups. They also break down England's frustrating draw against Ghana and explain what changes the Three Lions need to make moving forward, before previewing the latest action in Group C as the tournament heads toward the knockout stages.Timestamps:(2:00) — 6 Matchday 3 predictions ahead of the Knockout Rounds(20:30) - USMNT vs Turkiye preview: who should be the starting XI?(33:30) - Folarin Balogun on the move: what club should he go to?(42:00) - Ronaldo breaks his duck: can he kick on from here?(47:00) - England’s shock draw vs. Ghana: what has to change?Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates his goal with Ousmane Dembele #7 (left) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I football match between France and Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium on June 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA, United States. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out all episodes of The Cooligans the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

IRVINE, Calif. — Christian Pulisic did not even bother waiting for the first question from reporters before the U.S. training session Wednesday.He shared what was on everyone's mind: How was he feeling after missing 1½ World Cup matches with a calf injury?"I'm feeling good," he said in his first comments in 12 days. "I joined the team the last couple days, and yeah, I'm hoping to play a part in tomorrow, for sure."Thursday marks the third and final Group D match, against last-place Türkiye at SoFi Stadium. Having already clinched first place and a Round-of-32 assignment July 1 in Santa Clara, California, the U.S. has nothing substantial to play for.For Pulisic, though, the game could provide an opportunity to gain competitive minutes before the knockout stage begins next week. He said he would discuss his status and possible time limitations with the coaching and medical staff."Obviously, [there's] not a good chance I'll probably go and play 90 [minutes] right away after you come back and miss a game, but we'll see," he said.Coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to address Pulisic's status later Thursday.Pulisic has not played much since the beginning of May: three substitute appearances for AC Milan and no more than 62 minutes in three U.S. roles spanning friendlies and the World Cup. If he were to sit out again Thursday, he would have logged just 45 minutes in 24 days leading to the round of 32.Pulisic played down such a situation, saying, "I don't think that's enough time to lose sharpness. I've been touching the ball every day and whatnot. I'm working a lot. Get a couple training sessions in, I'd say I'll feel ready."He had played a starring role in the 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12 but left at halftime after aggravating a left calf injury. He worked almost exclusively with athletic trainers last week and revealed Wednesday that he had been close to returning for the 2-0 win over Australia last Friday in Seattle."I was pushing, and I was really close to trying to be available for the last game, for sure," he said.Scratched from the active roster, Pulisic watched from the bench as the U.S. won consecutive World Cup matches for the first time since 1930."It was obviously a different set of emotions, for sure, not being able to play, but I enjoyed just being on the sideline, being around the team," he said. "I wanted to be there and just still living that World Cup game. I obviously just couldn't be happier and prouder of how the guys handled that whole situation. I had faith in them."In Pulisic's place, Ricardo Pepi partnered with Folarin Balogun on the frontline.This week, Pulisic rejoined his teammates for daily training sessions at Great Park Sports Complex.With no consequences against Türkiye and four starters carrying yellow cards — another would result in a one-game suspension — Pochettino is expected to make numerous lineup changes. There is also the matter of resting players who have played most, if not all, minutes in the first two matches."Everyone on this team is ready to step up, so I feel like it would just be a normal thing for us" if Pochettino turns to a reserve-heavy lineup, Pulisic said. "We're going to support and push everyone the same way, whoever gets the opportunity tomorrow to play, whatever the decisions may be."He added, "I see what this team can do. We have depth. We have really strong players in a lot of positions. I don't need to do everything. It's such a strong team. Everyone has each other's backs. That's what's so fun about it."

The Jacksonville Jaguars and tight end Brenton Strange have agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $48 million that includes $25 million guaranteed, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garofolo both reported on Wednesday.The Jaguars and standout TE Brenton Strange have agreed to terms on a 3 year extension worth up to $48M, with $25M guaranteed per his agents Jim Ivler, JR Roggio, and Jon Perzley @SPORTSTARSNYCpic.twitter.com/c0hKrVqP63— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 24, 2026This story is being updated.

PREVIEW | Norway vs France: team news, lineups, predictions (World Cup 26/06)Norway and France face off this Friday at the Gillette Stadium in World Cup. The match will be broadcast live at 20:00 on ITV 1.In their last match, Norway prevailed 3-2 against Senegal (World Cup 2026). In their last game, France won 3-0 against Iraq (World Cup 2026).The last meeting between the two teams ended with France winning 4-0.UnavailableNoruegaFrançaLast starting XIsNorway ( vs Senegal 2026-06-23): Orjan Nyland, Julian Ryerson, Torbjorn Heggem, Kristoffer Ajer, David Wolfe, Martin Odegaard, Fredrik Aursnes, Sander Berge, Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio NusaFrance ( vs Iraq 2026-06-22): Mike Maignan, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Digne, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Koné, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, Kylian Mbappé

Real Madrid bet on Sweden’s next big star in Felicia SchröderFor most 19-year-olds, winning league titles and starring in European finals would be enough. Felicia Schröder is just getting started.Real Madrid have completed the signing of the Swedish striker from BK Häcken, handing one of Europe’s most sought-after young talents a four-year contract through 2030. It proves to be yet another step forward for Madrid towards building a squad capable of challenging for the biggest trophies.Schröder arrives in Spain carrying plenty of ambition and momentum. Just a few years ago, she was making her way through Häcken’s academy system. Now, she is one of the most talked-about young forwards in Europe, among the likes of Vicky López.A rapid rise to European prominenceHer breakthrough season in Sweden turned heads across the continent, and it wasn’t difficult to see why. Goals followed her everywhere. The teenager played a key role in helping Häcken win the 2025 Damallsvenskan title, establishing herself as one of the league’s most dangerous attacking players. From clever runs behind defenders to arriving in the box at the right time, Schröder consistently found ways to make an impact.It was her performances on the European stage that truly made her stand out. In May, she became the story of the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. Häcken reached the final against Swedish rivals Hammarby. Schröder scored the winning goal in the first leg before delivering a hat trick in the return match. By the end of the final, she had scored all four of Häcken’s goals across the two matches and lifted the trophy as the competition’s top scorer.For a player still in her teens, it was the kind of performance that gets attention and changes careers. That journey now brings her to Madrid. Real Madrid have spent the last few seasons investing in young talent. There is a belief that the club can become a genuine force in European football, more so now with Barcelona’s major departures. Schröder fits that vision perfectly. She is young enough to develop further but experienced enough to contribute immediately.An elite attacking profileWhat makes Schröder stand out is not the number of goals but how she scores them. She has a natural feel for the game inside the penalty area. She reads situations quickly and anticipates where the ball will fall. There is also a fearlessness to her game that is often noted with younger players these days. Despite her age, she has never looked intimidated. That quality will serve her well at a club where every match comes with high expectations.Of course, there will be challenges ahead. Moving abroad, adapting to a new league and handling the pressure that comes with wearing the Real Madrid shirt is no small task. The pace and physical demands of Liga F will be different from what she’s experienced in Sweden.But, if her rise has shown anything, it is that she adapts quickly. For Real Madrid, this signing is also about her future potential. The stage will be bigger than ever. So will the spotlight.Based on everything she has shown so far, Schröder looks ready for it all.Related articles from Her Football Hub:Real Madrid top goalscorer Caroline Weir signs for OL LyonnesMary Earps returns to Women’s Super League with London City Lionesses moveReal Madrid sign Lineth Beerensteyn as free agent after departing VfL Wolfsburg

The Trump administration’s zealous pursuit to remove transgender athletes from girls’ sports teams has snared an embarrassing catch in Colorado: boy mascots. Last June, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launched an investigation of Colorado public schools, wielding the Trump administration’s trans-exclusionary interpretation of Title IX to purge trans student-athletes from school sports in the state under threat of losing federal funding. Related Girls will be forced to undergo vaginal inspections if voters approve anti-trans sports measure In March, the OCR announced its findings: a remarkable 61 boys were playing on girls teams in the Jeffco Public Schools district outside Denver. But these boys weren’t playing sports at all, Chalkbeat Colorado reports. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today In a letter published last week, Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado’s second-largest school district, shared details of the investigation with the school community, as well as its absurd result. “Some teams had male managers, trainers, or mascots — not athletes,” the letter explained. “Because the OCR never asked us to clarify the role of any individual listed on those rosters, we did not learn of this confusion until the OCR issued a press release. Since that moment, we have repeatedly and respectfully asked the OCR to address this factual error. They have declined to do so,” the school district noted. According to the district’s letter, the OCR publicly stated that over 60 male students were competing on Jeffco girls’ athletic teams, despite evidence to the contrary. “That is simply not true,” the district said. “The girls’ sports rosters we provided to the OCR did not show that any athletes were male.” The false finding is either a clear embarrassment for the Trump administration and the mostly dismantled Department of Education — it’s also a convenient lie. The weaponized Office for Civil Rights is now at the center of the department’s mission to attack civil rights protections in schools across the country. Beyond calling out the OCR for advertising its false conclusion, despite the district’s best efforts to correct the record, Jeffco Public Schools explained the now-precarious position it finds itself in as President Donald Trump pursues his anti-trans crusade in school districts across the country. “The federal government’s current interpretation of Title IX differs significantly from that of prior administrations, and it directly contradicts the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), which requires schools to accommodate students consistent with their gender identity,” the letter explained. “This places school districts in an impossible position. We must navigate conflicting requirements with clear state law on one side and non-binding federal guidance on the other,” the letter continued, noting that Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws require state government facilities, like schools, to treat people equally regardless of their gender identity. The OCR remains unmoved, however. Earlier this month, the office issued an “impasse” letter, stating further discussion with the district would not be “productive.” “That development was as surprising as it was disappointing,” the letter said. School officials remained steadfast in defending the students in their care, however, despite the Trump administration’s false accusations. “We at Jeffco Public Schools are guided by the belief that every Jeffco student deserves to learn in an environment free from discrimination. Our antidiscrimination policies reflect that core value and comply with established law. Because both our values and the law remain unchanged, so do our policies.” How Trump is using Title IX to attack trans-friendly schools This past February, Trump signed an executive order to block federal funding for schools that allow trans girls and women to participate in school sports as their authentic selves, and the order told the Department of Justice to prosecute schools that allow trans students to play sports. Title IX is the federal law that bans discrimination on the basis of sex in education. President Joe Biden’s administration interpreted that law as banning anti-trans discrimination since it’s impossible to discriminate on the basis of gender identity without taking sex into account. That is, banning trans girls from playing school sports but not cis girls, solely because of their sex assigned at birth, is the kind of discrimination that Title IX was intended to prevent, the previous administration believed. The current administration is arguing that allowing trans girls to play school sports takes away “critical visibility for college scholarships and recognition” from cis girls, who are also “denied awards” if trans girls win. The administration has also argued that the presence of trans people in sex-segregated school restrooms and locker rooms harms the privacy and dignity of girls and women. Trans journalist Erin Reed wrote that the current administration’s transphobic arguments are “a common and contrived talking point for the right, whose concern for students and women’s athletics seems to evaporate when it comes to issues like addressing the gender wage gap in sports or supporting student survivors of sexual assault.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The Justice Department had sought information about care provided at New York City hospitals, which were the subject of the ruling.

Alex Bores’s close loss in New York could pave the way for other Democrats to take political advantage of being attacked by the increasingly unpopular A.I. industry.

BOSTON — The last time the Celtics fought and clawed for their playoff lives, they were without their face of the franchise in Jayson Tatum. The C’s star was still going through return-to-play protocols, so after a left knee issue popped up, he was shut down ahead of Game 7 against the 76ers.Tatum now gets a full offseason to recover after playing in 22 combined games between the regular season and playoffs. While he wasn’t at 100% coming back from his Achilles injury, Tatum still played at a high level in his return. Celtics president Brad Stevens, speaking after the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday, gave a health update on the Celtics star.“He’s been good,” Stevens said. “A lot of the younger guys have been here because they are ramping up to play in Summer League. We haven’t been done as early as we’ve been done in a long time. They actually went away for awhile and came back for a couple weeks so they have spent a lot of time together. Jayson joined them last week to start to ramp up. He’s good some travels coming up. He’s got his camp coming up and I think he’s excited about getting on the court with some of those young pups a little bit.”The Celtics have been in the thick of trade rumors in the past few weeks in their failed attempt to land Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Where the front office goes from here is the big question mark ahead of the offseason. There’s also the Jaylen Brown factor after he was the main piece going to Milwaukee in a potential trade.But regardless of what the Celtics do this summer, Tatum’s health is one of the most important pieces. Tatum remarked how, at the end of the season, his right calf was still smaller than his left one coming back from his Achilles injury. It was one of those realities that, yes, despite his great play, he wasn’t close to 100% yet. He’ll have a chance to get back to full strength now that he has a full offseason ahead of him.“I‘m very happy that I came back to be a part of his team,” Tatum said back in May. “To get back to doing what I love, to help us, give us a chance to compete for a championship, to prove to myself that I can get back to being the guy who I was, and hopefully better. And just to kind of defy what this injury kind of means.”BETTING: Jayson Tatum is listed at +2500 on FanDuel to win MVP next year. Our comprehensive FanDuel Sportsbook review provides a trustworthy guide on how to use their app. More Celtics contentFormer Celtics champion signs with overseas teamCeltics trade rumors: Rival All-Star big man is new Boston target Brad Stevens reveals Celtics offseason priorities after Giannis Antetokounmpo trade pursuit Brad Stevens makes candid admission about Jaylen Brown trade rumors Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

CINCINNATI – After waiting nearly a month for a verdict, Milwaukee Brewers reliever Abner Uribe dropped the appeal of his one-game suspension and will serve it June 24 in the series finale against the Cincinnati Reds.Major League Baseball issued Uribe a suspension May 29 for his triple crotch chop toward the St. Louis Cardinals dugout three days prior. The right-hander instantly appealed, allowing him to remain active while awaiting a decision.That verdict never came down despite nearly the full month wait. So, with the schedule working out as it has, it made sense for Uribe for drop the appeal and serve the suspension in Cincinnati. Uribe would have been unavailable for the Brewers out of the bullpen anyway, having pitched four of the past five days. With an off-day June 25 ahead of 18 games in 17 days leading into the All-Star break, the Brewers talked Uribe into accepting the punishment so he could be fully fresh. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers reliever Abner Uribe drops his appeal and will serve suspension

Britain's Jack Draper says his recent injury problems left his confidence levels "below the floor".But the 24-year-old continued his comeback with an assured win over compatriot Jack Pinnington Jones to reach the Eastbourne quarter-finals.Draper played his first competitive match in more than two months on Monday after a knee injury sidelined him in April's Barcelona Open.That was the latest in a long list of injury issues which meant he has played just 13 matches in the past year.He will face Canada's Gabriel Diallo in the last eight on Thursday after defeating his good friend Pinnington Jones 7-5 6-4."My confidence levels were below the floor a couple of weeks ago," admitted Draper."I hadn't played in a long time, I wasn't match fit, I didn't play Queen's because I wasn't ready. So to come here and to be on court and to be competing and playing at a high level very quickly I'm very grateful."GB's Evans out of Wimbledon qualifyingPlayers to expand prize money protest at WimbledonDraper's injury troubles began at Wimbledon last year, when he was having the best run of his career after reaching the 2024 US Open semi-finals and rising to a career-high fourth in the world rankings.He added: "I've spent a lot of time off court with injury, I was on a great trajectory last year."My body stopped me in my tracks. I wasn't able to play and the last year has been really difficult."But Draper continued his strong start under new coach Sir Andy Murray with another confident performance on the south coast on Wednesday.The left-hander started brightly and broke serve early on, but he squandered a set point at 5-4 up and Pinnington Jones, 23, struck back thanks to a lucky net-cord winner.But Draper restored his lead immediately and his serve, which has looked impressive upon his return, saw him through the opener with back-to-back aces.The former British number one carried the momentum into the second set and, after breaking early again, he didn't face a break point before wrapping up the success and sharing a warm embrace with Pinnington Jones at the net."Jack's a great friend, so it's tough playing against a good friend. He's still young, he recently came out of college and he's been building his way up the rankings," said Draper."I believe he's going to be a top, top player and I think he showed that today."Draper was joined by fellow Britons Jan Choinski and Toby Samuel in the last eight.Choinski defeated compatriot Felix Gill 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 to reach his first ATP Tour quarter-final, while lucky loser Samuel claimed his first Tour-level win with a 6-1 7-6 (9-7) victory over Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante.Gill, also a lucky loser, had been a late replacement for defending men's champion Taylor Fritz, who withdrew in order to give himself the "best chance of being 100%" for Wimbledon after injury issues.In the women's draw, American second seed Madison Keys breezed past Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain 6-0 6-1, while Latvian third seed Jelena Ostapenko came from behind to beat Hungary's Panna Udvardy 3-6 6-1 6-2.Live scores, results and order of playGet tennis news sent straight to your phone

NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets went into Tuesday's first round of the 2026 NBA Draft armed with the No. 6 overall pick and they used that selection on Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. While Brooklyn taking Brown wasn't the biggest surprise in the world given everything reported in the pre-draft process, Brown still felt every emotion and expressed himself in the best way he could."Man, first of all, I want to give glory to God. Without Him, I wouldn't be here. I just felt like I was the right pick. I think I fit into the system really well and what Coach Jordi [Fernandez] has building with them," Brown said during his post-draft interview with the media on Tuesday. There was some drama leading into the Nets' pick given that Brown was still on the board along with Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., but Brooklyn went with the former Cardinal."I got to see the team. The team was there when I came to work out. You could see the bond and the maturity and the camaraderie that they had. I feel like I fit right in, as well as the whole staff," Brown continued before explaining what the team is expecting from him from the beginning. "Just come in and just be an impact guy right away and do what I do best. That's creating for others and also creating for myself to score."Brown is coming off an impressive freshman season with Louisville as he averaged 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 41.0% from the field and 34.4% from behind the three-point line. However, Brown played in just 21 games (19 starts) due to a back injury, but he showed over the course of the pre-draft process that the back issues are a thing of the past.Brown explained that he met with the Nets twice prior to the Draft and because of that extra time, he was able to get to know head coach Jordi Fernandez, general manager Sean Marks, and the rest of Brooklyn's brass. While the Nets are looking for good people, they are also looking for good players and in the early going, it seems that Brown fits both of those qualities. He's ready to get the work started.Welcome home, @MikelBrownJr1 🏠 pic.twitter.com/N0AYZlQAyn— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) June 24, 2026This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Mikel Brown Jr. reacts to being No. 6 pick in 2026 NBA Draft

EA Sports continued its ranking release week for College Football 27 on Wednesday by unveiling the top 10 offensive players by position.While the Colorado Buffaloes did not have any players make the top 10 at quarterback or running back, transfer wide receiver Danny Scudero landed as the game's eighth-best wide receiver. Scudero's top attribute is his change of direction at 93, which is the sixth-best mark at his position.Scudero begins the year with a 91 overall rating tied with Alabama's Ryan Coleman-Williams and Texas A&M's Mario Craver for the fourth-highest rating for a wide receiver.Ohio State's Jeremish Smith leads the group with a 99 overall rating, followed by Miami's Malachi Toney (96), Texas' Cam Coleman, Florida State's Duce Robinson, and Rutgers' KJ Buff, who all have 92 ratings.9️⃣9️⃣ leads the way. Top 10 WRs in #CFB27Anyone missing here? pic.twitter.com/9TYqBXuIDz— College Football 27 (@EASPORTSCollege) June 24, 2026Scudero being rated a 91 overall should not come as a surprise, given that Scudero is coming off a sensational season with San Jose State. He finished with 88 receptions for 1,297 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Those numbers led him to be named a second-team All-American and Blienikoff Award semifinalist.Colorado revamped its wide receiver room through the transfer portal this offseason, headlined by Scudero, Miami (OH)'s Kam Perry, and Texas' DeAndre Moore Jr.Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram.Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football WR Danny Scudero rated highly in College Football 27

Is Seattle Seahawks rookie Jadarian Price an elite option to draft in dynasty fantasy football leagues this year?Price is expected to be heavily utilized in the Seahawks’ ground game from the onset of his career in 2026. He is likely to be the starting running back for Seattle to start the season, but in the event that Zach Charbonnet is able to return for Week 1, he may split carries with the star running back next season. However, Price’s upside is high, and the Seahawks’ run-heavy offense will prime him to assume that in his career.According to CBS Sports’ Heath Cummings in his 2026 dynasty fantasy football rookie only mock draft, Price gets selected No. 6 overall, as the second running back taken off the board.Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals), Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans), Jordyn Tyson (New Orleans Saints), Makai Lemon (Philadelphia Eagles) and KC Concepcion (Cleveland Browns) were selected with the first five picks before Price.It is reasonable to envision Price playing up to the level that Kenneth Walker III did in 2025 in his best years with the Seahawks, so long as Charbonnet remains in town. That may cap Price from being able to amass as much yardage on the ground as possible.However, Price will need to prove that he is capable of being as prolific a running back as Bijan Robinson or Saquon Barkley to be the crème of the crop at the position. Nevertheless, he still will be able to give fantasy owners a foundation at running back for years to come as a potential 1,000-yard rusher on a yearly basis with the ability to be a threat in the passing attack as well.This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Is Seahawks RB Jadarian Price elite fantasy football dynasty option?

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange scored six touchdowns through his first three seasons. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPIJune 24 (UPI) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars and tight end Brenton Strange agreed to a three-year, $48 million contract extension, his agency confirmed Wednesday.Sportstars. Inc., said Strange's pact includes $25 million in guarantees. Strange, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was entering the final year of his rookie contract.The 6-foot-4, 253-pound pass catcher totaled a career-high 540 yards and three scores off 46 catches over 12 appearances last season. Strange hauled in 91 catches for 986 yards and six scores through his first three seasons.Jaguars rookies will report to training camp July 25 at Miller Electric Center. Veterans are set to report three days later in Jacksonville.

Red Sox most likely to make disappointing Jarren Duran trade decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Boston Red Sox are looking likely to be trade deadline sellers this summer, and there are plenty of interesting trade chips who could be on the move.Jarren Duran is one name to keep a close eye on, as he's been in rumors for a while now, and could be on the move this summer. However, the current outlook doesn't look too good.As MLB.com's Mark Feinsand notes, the Red Sox are more likely to make a disappointing decision with Duran at this year's deadline. That decision would involve Duran staying in Boston, and the club hoping he builds up some trade value.Red Sox likely to hold onto Jarren Duran and hope he increases trade value"What could Boston get back for the 2024 All-Star Game MVP?" Feinsand writes. "Would the return be worth it? The more likely scenario is for the Red Sox to hold Duran for the rest of this year, hope he has a strong second half to regain some value, then look to move him in the offseason."If they can't get something decent in return for Duran this season, then keeping him and hoping he can turn things around isn't a terrible idea.But what it does do is make their decision not to trade him last season look a whole lot worse. The Red Sox were getting a lot of interest in Duran, and might've been able to trade him for a huge return.MORE: Red Sox looking likely to trade Aroldis Chapman, Sonny Gray, Jarren Duran, and Willson ContrerasHowever, with Duran struggling this season with a .199 batting average, 0.5 bWAR, and a .624 OPS in 292 at-bats, there might not be a lot of value placed on Duran this summer.As someone under club control through the 2028 season, Duran will have some inherent trade value, but it's not going to be anywhere close to what they could've gotten a year ago.If this trade projection from Feinsand comes to fruition, and the Red Sox keep Duran since they don't get good trade offers, it will be a very disappointing decision.The 29-year-old outfielder might lose even more trade value the longer the Red Sox hold onto him, barring a significant turnaround. This is a bad situation for the Red Sox, and one that could lead to disaster if handled poorly. More MLB news:Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani might not be able to pitch during MLB All-Star GamePhillies reportedly turn down Bryce Harper's outfield offer to help at trade deadlineGiants are ‘hopeful ‘ they can trade Matt Chapman by MLB deadlineAngles can demand more in trade for Reid Detmers than Tigers can for Tarik SkubalGiants are 'pessimistic' they can trade Rafael Devers or Willy Adames

When the NHL draft lottery determined the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks were the Nos. 1 and 2 picks, respectively, the NHL world recognized the Vancouver Canucks as the biggest losers. But the team just behind the Canucks in the order — the Chicago Blackhawks — were similarly left in the cold at No. 4.Chicago made the stunning move to ship that pick to the Sabres for Bowen Byram, a free agent after the 2026-27 season, in a package that also involves the No. 45 overall pick and Louis Crevier being sent to Buffalo while the Blackhawks absorb Jordan Greenway. It's the first time since 2008 a team has shipped off a known top-five pick, making it a wildly risky move for Chicago.REQUIRED READING: Bowen Byram trade grades: Blackhawks take big gamble moving top-5 pickSo why would the Blackhawks take such a desperate swing? The answer is that GM Kyle Davidson is, in a word, desperate. In the current iteration of the NHL postseason, it can be extremely easy to find yourself in purgatory. Teams can scratch and claw their ways to competing for a playoff spot until late February to early March, come up short of the playoffs after a push, and retool in the next offseason.Retooling, however, isn't an option in this offseason. The free agent class is barren, with Rasmus Andersson and John Carlson likely set to get big contracts as the best defensemen available. And the Blackhawks have a former No. 1 overall pick in Connor Bedard that they have to build around now. Bedard is a restricted free agent, which means Chicago has exclusive negotiating rights with the 20-year-old budding star. But with the Blackhawks in a six-year playoff dearth, and an eight-year drought leaving out the shortened 2019-20 season, the trade for Byram is a swing made out of necessity verging into recklessness.Why did the Blackhawks trade for Bowen Byram?In short, Byram changes the timeline for the Blackhawks. At least, he hopefully does. When Chicago lost the first or second pick, it lost the chance to pick a player like Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg. That put Chicago in a position where it was drafting for need at No. 4, rather than the best player available.The most likely picks in that slot would have been either Keaton Verhoeff out of North Dakota or Chase Reid from the Soo Greyhounds, both defensemen. While both will likely be solid blue-liners in their own right, it's hard to imagine either coming out of the draft as a top-four defenseman. That would set the Blackhawks back, and the Blackhawks don't have time for setbacks at this point. They were the last team in the Central Division last year and the second-to-last team in the league. With Jeff Blashill going into Year 2 and Chicago actively figuring out Bedard's future, there's a lot to hash out that a draft pick likely complicates.Enter Byram, who will likely take point on a power play that ranked 29th in the league last season. He wasn't the main point-man in Buffalo — the Sabres had too many options for that — so this could present a new opportunity alongside Bedard.To be abundantly clear: That does not entirely justify the move. It may rationalize it, but in the end, teams trying to speed up their rebuilds tend to fail. In a poetic bookend, the Blackhawks traded with the team who set the blueprint on how to fully rebuild. Now, they can only hope Byram becomes an immediate difference maker on one of their top pairings.The Original Six problemHockey, arguably more than any other North American sport, places a lot of emphasis on team traditions. Floundering in obscurity as a relatively new franchise is treated differently than struggling as an Original Six team. If the Rangers, Red Wings, Canadiens, Bruins, Maple Leafs or Blackhawks struggle, it's simply viewed through a different scope.So, with the Blackhawks in a six-year playoff drought, they don't have to look far to see what can happen. Indeed, they need only look at what's going on on the other side of I-94. The Detroit Red Wings are in a league-high 10-season playoff drought, and that's coming off a 25-year playoff streak. To make matters worse, their star Dylan Larkin's future is clouded with Larkin having requested a trade, they have no real options to immediately improve in free agency, and their first round pick has been shipped to the St. Louis Blues.The New York Rangers may be entering an era of irrelevance of their own. While their situation isn't quite as dire, general manager Chris Drury tied up an outsized amount of money in the likes of J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck. It's likely going to take a few years to get that roster back into truly competitive shake, and that's making optimal moves.In short, the Blackhawks' front office knows it needs to turn things around quickly. Byram gives the Blackhawks a top-four defenseman who will make an impact next year and doesn't tie up a bunch of money into a huge contract. So for Davidson, the hope will be to reset the clock for the time being and show Chicago, Bedard in particular, that the Blackhawks can be competitive again.Connor Bedard contract negotiationsBedard's contract negotiations as a restricted free agent are still ongoing, but the good news for Blackhawks fans is that — even amid increasing instances of players looking to move on to greener pastures — the Canadian star has voiced no interest in leaving Chicago.Bedard has said very publicly he loves playing in Chicago, wants to be there for a long time and even wants to be the captain. However, the Blackhawks have to build a team that can win around Bedard. In that sense, it's good to try to get his foot in the door of the postseason and try to reload and be seriously competitive in 2027-28. That might not be the way it pans out, but the vision is there.This feels like a desperate move, but the Blackhawks feel desperate. It's not a team that should be finishing near the bottom of any standings, and Chicago is at risk of feeling the worst thing it can feel about a team: Apathy. When the Blackhawks are good, the city is abuzz. Banners fly and fans excitedly starting talking about their seventh date with Lord Stanley's Cup. Some course correction from Davidson, who promised a full rebuild due to the Blackhawks' lack of developmental talent ahead of 2022, has been needed.This move flies in the face of that. It undermines the desire for developmental talent, but to Davidson's credit, he really has tremendously helped the Blackhawks' prospect pool. Anton Frondell, Roman Kantserov and Nick Lardis are all waiting in the wings as scorers, with Frondell in particular looking like a possible Bedard linemate. But Chicago has desperately craved defense.The greatest risk Davidson runs is being perceived the same way his predecessor Stan Bowman is in Edmonton now. Someone who lucked into a potentially generational talent and was unable to build around them long-term. Bedard is nowhere near his prime and he is still on the first page of his legacy with the Blackhawks, if they retain him for a new contract in the seven- to eight-year range. But this trade is the move of someone worried they'll only be in the foreword. If Byram brings the Blackhawks back to the playoffs, it's a wash. But if they come up short, Byram walks and Davidson traded No. 4 for nothing, expect the microscope zoom to increase that much more.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blackhawks Bowen Byram trade: Why move for defenseman is practical

Leeds United Hold Positive Talks To Sign Winger For Free: The Right Man For Farke?The heartbreak of last summer’s transfer deadline day still stings at Elland Road. A done deal, collapsed at the eleventh hour because Fulham couldn’t secure a replacement. Now, Leeds United are back for Harry Wilson.Leeds United are holding positive talks to sign Harry WilsonThis time, the playing field looks vastly different. The 29-year-old winger is a free agent, having officially parted ways with the West London club. According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Leeds have already jumped into positive discussions, desperately trying to iron out a deal. It won’t be a free run. Champions League clubs are interested.Why the Welsh wizard suits the tactical blueprint of Daniel Farke at Leeds United?LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: Harry Wilson of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham and Burnley at Craven Cottage on March 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Wilson is coming off an absolute blinder of a Premier League campaign. 10 goals, seven assists. He was quite rightly named Fulham’s player of the season.He is exactly what Daniel Farke needs. The German manager craves absolute control over possession, transitioning into a fluid, suffocating attacking shape. Wilson brings sheer technical quality to the right flank. He naturally stretches opposition defensive lines, but that lethal left foot means he is always ready to cut inside and cause chaos. 19 domestic goal contributions last term prove he delivers when it matters.Farke has been tweaking things lately, shifting between a wide 4-3-3 and a more direct 3-5-2 system. Wilson is clever enough to thrive in either. He can whip world-class crosses into the box for physical forwards, yet he rarely loses the ball under intense pressure.Snagging a proven top-flight performer without paying a single penny in transfer fees is just brilliant business. However, the financial package will be tricky. Aston Villa and Benfica are watching closely, which inevitably drives up wage demands. Wilson holds all the cards here.Leeds United need serious depth to survive the brutal winter schedule, and the Welshman offers an instant upgrade. He walks straight into the starting XI. No adaptation period required. Elland Road chiefs just need to get this over the line before European football’s heavy hitters close the net.

While speaking on CNBC on Wednesday about the need for AI regulations, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) stated that “AI doesn’t get to engage in a bunch of funky, hinky bookkeeping so that investors can’t tell what’s going on and keep pumping up our economy.” But the person in charge of the chyron misinterpreted the moment, clearly thinking Warren said “kinky,” instead of “hinky,” the latter of which is a slang term meaning suspicious or dubious. Related Pete Buttigieg shares his “radical” ideas to make America better: “We should take those big swings” The chyron read: “Sen. Warren: AI doesn’t get to engage in funky, kinky bookkeeping.” Folks on social media are having a field day with the gaffe. I knew Elizabeth Warren was awesome, but not this awesome. https://t.co/W7cgJ2XX5x— Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) June 24, 2026 Kinky bookkeeping baby. pic.twitter.com/CvOshcplfm— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) June 24, 2026 Plot twist. The chyron writer is AI. https://t.co/RFWBi4LVlR— David Marler (@Qldaah) June 24, 2026

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01986-8Carbon dioxide bubbling up from underground material can solidify into formations of up to five metres tall.

Nature, Published online: 24 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01987-7The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae has evolved resistance to most antibiotics used to treat it, but a machine-learning screen reveals potential therapies.

Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy ForecastApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeThe calendar has flipped to June which means it’s time for our ‘Flip The Script’ summer series. Justin Boone and Fantasy Life's Dwain McFarland conclude the series by trying to identify who will be ‘This year’s Tucker Kraft’ and find the TE currently going outside the top 10 in drafts that can finish as top 5 TE in fantasy in 2026.(3:00) - The rise of TE premium in fantasy and importance of landing a sleeper TE in drafts(16:00) - Lessons we can learn from Tucker Kraft's 2025 season and apply for drafting TEs in 2026(23:30) - Candidates: Dalton Kincaid, Isaiah Likely, Chig Okonkwo, Kenyon Sadiq, Dallas Goedert, Mark Andrews(46:45) - Candidates: Rams and Chargers TEs, Gunner Helm, AJ Barner, Brenton Strange(55:40) - Long shots and finalists and winner of who 'This Year's Tucker Kraft'The calendar has flipped to June which means it's time for our 'Flip The Script' summer series. Justin Boone and Fantasy Life's Dwain McFarland conclude the series by trying to identify who will be 'This year's Tucker Kraft' and find the TE currently going outside the top 10 in drafts that can finish as top 5 TE in fantasy in 2026.Jason Jung🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out all episodes of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

When New York Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose decided to fire former head coach Tom Thibodeau last offseason, it was no doubt a roll of the dice.After all, Thibodeau played a big hand in the Knicks righting the ship in recent years and had led New York to back-to-back 50-win seasons and a trip to the Eastern Conference finals in 2025.Rose pulled the trigger on firing Thibodeau anyway and decided to replace him with Mike Brown — and the rest, as they say, is history.Rose, who doesn’t say much publicly, was a guest on the Roommates Show hosted by Knicks guards Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart and explained why the Knicks moved on from Thibs.MORE: Becky Hammon refuses to apologize for Jalen Brunson criticism“It was tough. Thibs is a great coach. Did so much for the organization. We were right on the doorstep. Just felt that, just needed a change in voice, a change in philosophy,” Rose said.Rose revealed that the Knicks had a list of about five candidates before landing on Brown as their guy.Leon Rose explains Mike Brown hireJun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown speaks to the media after the Knicks defeat the San Antonio Spurs during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesAs far as his reasoning for hiring Brown is concerned, Rose pointed to his “openness and his willingness to share ideas with the front office, his staff and the inclusion of everyone.”“He really was open to things, open to people’s suggestions, open to ideas. I believe that’s what led to some of the changes that were made throughout the season. We started out a certain way, he may have had an idea about how something was gonna work and how he wanted it to work, but he kind of evolved throughout the season, as did our team,” Rose added. “I think that all went into the fact that we went into another gear in the playoffs.”At first, it didn’t seem like there was much different about the transition from Thibodeau to Brown.Sure, there were small examples that showed the difference along the way, but the Knicks won just two more games under Brown in the regular season.MORE: Wolves trading Randle proves Knicks won Towns swapBut the Knicks just hit a different level in the postseason and went on a historic run that saw the team rip off 13 straight wins before finally losing a game in the NBA Finals to the San Antonio Spurs.New York quickly turned things around after that loss and went on to win the next two games to close out the Spurs in five.How much credit Brown deserves for the Knicks’ incredible playoff run to their first title in 53 years is up for debate.What isn’t up for debate is how right Rose was to make the switch, and that decision is yet another shining example of how everything Rose has touched in New York has turned into gold.

Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish football head coach Brian Kelly has a surprising new gig.Kelly, who most recently was the head coach at LSU before being fired in October 2025, will be joining CBS Sports to work as an analyst on broadcasts of Mountain West games.Kelly didn't coach in 2026, though he did work informally with some teams. He was the head coach at Notre Dame from 2010 until he left for LSU in 2021. He finished with a 92-39 record at Notre Dame, including a loss to Alabama in the national championship game for the 2012-2013 season. He also got the Irish into the playoff twice, losing to Clemson and Alabama. Notre Dame had to vacate wins in 2012 and 2013 due to violations.NEW: Brian Kelly will join CBS Sports as a college football analyst this upcoming season, @FOS reports📺Kelly will call Mountain West games in 2026.https://t.co/RkzSPQkyp9pic.twitter.com/PKpOuLiYju— On3 (@On3) June 24, 2026Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.Follow Tim on X: @tehealeyThis article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly will call Mountain West for CBS

49ers defensive end Nick Bosa cast doubt on his older brother Joey playing in the NFL in 2026 in May when he said that his brother is not "thinking too much about football" while working on his golf game. Adam Schefter of ESPN provided more reason to think that the elder Bosa will not be signing with any team before Week 1. During his podcast, Schefter was asked about the prospect of the two brothers playing together and said that there's a better chance of Joey Bosa playing for no one. "It is more likely than not that Joey Bosa has played his last NFL down," Schefter said. "Now, again, could a situation like the 49ers come along that entices him enough to come out and play again? Yeah, absolutely. We saw it happen last year with Philip Rivers, so you never know when a player is fully done and when he's not done. But the fact of the matter is, I think if the Niners wanted to pair those two together, it probably would have happened already. I think if Joey Bosa wanted to play football, it probably would have happened already."Bosa had 72 sacks in nine seasons with the Chargers and had five sacks with the Bills during the 2025 season.

Jun. 24—OTHELLO — The Othello Little League All-Stars are the district 5 champions and have punched their ticket to the Washington State tournament."It's a good group of kids," Head Coach Rudy Ochoa II said. "It's a really fun group, they're hard working, they come with a lot of baseball experience, so it's been fun with my staff and with the kids."The All-Stars strung together three strong wins on their way to the district title. They defeated the AC 10U All-Stars 16-0, PYBA All-Stars 17-2 and 7-5 in a tight rematch. Over the course of three games, everything just came together, Ochoa said."We had a couple breakout innings where the bats got hot, and everyone was piecing things together at the right time," he said. "So we're able to get some runs across (home plate), but both of those teams are pretty good. They come with a lot of travel ball experience also."AC 10U All-StarsOthello got the job done in just three innings, earning six runs in the bottom of the first inning, before doubling down in the second with 10. Jayven Madera, Caius Valdez, Rudy Ochoa, Luke Garza and James Valdez each scored two runs for their team. Landon Lemus, Jace Valdez, 3J Perez, Derek Valdez, Zeke Garza and Jasper Hafer also got home to help their team to a 16-0 win.Not only were they strong at the plate, but they were also aggressive in stealing bases. James led with five, Jace had three, while Caius, Derek, Jasper, Luke and Zeke each had one."They're an aggressive bunch for sure, and they come with a lot of speed and experience on the bases, so they see opportunities and they get after it," the coach said.Jayven and Landon took shifts on the mound, both pitching no hitters and striking out a combined six batters in three innings.PYBA All-Stars 10U (game one)The Othello All-Stars advanced to play the PYBA All-Stars in their second game, who gave them a challenge early on. After Othello took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, PYBA eventually tied the game in the bottom of the third.However, Othello responded with five runs by Jayven, Rudy, Luke, Landon and James in the top of the fourth inning to give themselves a 7-2 lead. Strong pitching forced PYBA to go scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, setting up Othello for another strong offensive outing at the plate.From there, they erupted for 10 runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a commanding 17-2 lead, which they held on to the rest of the game. Jayven and Rudy led the team with three runs, while James was close behind with two.Continuing their aggressive base stealing was Rudy who led the team with four. Jace, James and Landon each had three. Derek and Jayven stole two bases, while Zeke snagged one for himself.The win set them up for a rematch with PYBA just a few days later.PYBA All-Stars (game two)The rematch brought about a competitive game that saw a much tighter score. Othello started strong with three runs by Jayven, Caius and Rudy in the bottom of the first inning.PYBA responded with a single run in the top of the second inning but managed to halt Othello in the bottom of that same inning. From there, they took a 5-3 lead after scoring four runs in the top of the third."There was good play on both sides the entire game. It was just a really fun championship from start to finish," Ochoa said.It wouldn't take Othello long to rebound as they strung together four runs in the bottom of the third inning. Jayven, Caius, Landon and Rudy getting home gave them a 7-5 lead heading into the fourth inning.From there, it became a defensive battle between the two teams. Jayven finished his pitching shift in the fourth inning, allowing three hits, one earned run and striking out five batters. Rudy took over for the remainder of the game, preventing any hits or earned runs while striking out four batters.Combined with the rest of the team's defensive effort, it was enough to hold on to the lead and claim the district 5 title."I know the energy was high on both sides," the coach said. "Both teams were making plays. We had some hits taken away by good defensive plays, and we also took away some hits from some good defensive plays. Pullman is a really sound group. It was an intense battle, and Jayven started off really well for us, and then Rudy came in to close, it was good to see them make plays behind them."Closing out the final game with a tighter score provided good experience for his players, Ochoa said."I think it's good for them to feel that pressure, to feel that that close game," he said. "It's going to make them stronger ball players and stronger competitors, not just in baseball."Ochoa also noted that his players responded well whenever mistakes happened. Those are just a part of the game, he said."It's the ones who forget it and flush it and move on," he said. "It was fun to see them rally behind their teammates that maybe didn't pick up a hit or made an error, they were there for each other, and I think that's the experience that baseball and sports give these kids, for not just baseball, but for life."The Othello All-Stars will have a few weeks to prepare for the Washington State tournament, which will be in Woodinville beginning July 18.Throughout this experience, Ochoa also expressed his gratitude to the Othello community who have come out to support the team this summer."That was pretty impressive to see how many people showed up at that time, middle of the day, middle of the summer," he said. "We're thankful for the support and encouragement, whether it be words or donations we've had."BOX SCORES:Game oneAC10: 0-0-0: 0OTHL: 6-10-X: 16Game twoOTHL: 2-0-0-5-10: 17PYBL: 0-0-2-0-0: 2Game threePYBL: 0-1-4-0-0-0: 5OTHL: 3-0-4-0-0-X: 7

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby. © IMAGNBrendan Sorsby was widely expected to enter the 2026 supplemental draft after he parted ways with the Texas Tech Red Raiders a few days ago.After getting banned by the NCAA over his gambling addiction, Sorsby did get an injunction to play in the 2026 season; however, the ruling received a lot of flak.Now that the NFL has announced that the supplemental draft will not be taking place this year, it means that Sorsby will have to wait for the 2027 NFL draft for a team to pick him.While some people expressed their disappointment for Sorsby, Colin Cowherd said that the Texas Tech star has no one else to blame except himself.“Probably best to just take an L and get his act together. So if you’re Brendan Sorsby, I would take an L. This is all your fault. I feel bad for you. I can have sympathy for you with the addiction. I have had it in my family. But, you know, if you can’t modify your gambling usage, that’s on you. Totally. Because most people can. Overwhelmingly statistically, over 90% of people can. So Brendan Sorsby’s attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, says it’s a violation of the CBA and the law. We will pursue this with the NFLPA immediately. So that’s pretty predictable.” Cowherd said.NFL Insider Weighs In On Brendan Sorsby’s Situation Amid NFL’s Supplemental Draft DecisionShortly after the NFL released its decision on not keeping a supplemental draft this year, NFL insider Adam Schefter shared his thoughts on what it means for Brendan Sorsby’s situation during a conversation with Pat McAfee.Schefter highlighted that the league does not want any part of the gambling world, and added that even if the NCAA says there was no violation of the game’s integrity, it wouldn’t matter to the league.“The league does not want to create a supplemental draft this year for a player who has been accused of gambling.”Schefter added that Sorsby is now shut out, pointing out that he is ineligible to play in the 2026 college football season and that he doesn’t have an avenue to play in the league.Read More:Aaron Rodgers’ Brother Reveals Stance On Brendan Sorsby Ahead Of NFL Supplemental DraftAnalyst Expects NFL to Break Silence on Brendan Sorsby as Supplemental Draft Deadline ApproachesCollege Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!

Penn State's recruiting class of 2027 just took a massive hit. Because of it, they may take another. Four star wide receiver Deshawn Hall chose to commit to Auburn rather than head to Happy Valley. This comes as a massive hit for Penn State not just for the immediate impact, but for the potential aftereffects. Now, there may be no guarantee that in-state wide receiver Khalil Taylor will commit to them either.Hall's and Taylor's recruiting journeys have been intrinsically linked forever as they were the two players at their positions who many expected would be crucial targets for the Nittany Lions. Still, other schools have crept into the picture as Penn State has started to take a back seat. Hall's commitment did not necessarily seal the fate of the Blue and White, but now all eyes are now on Taylor. While Penn State still are strong favorites, Nebraska has entered the race, with Taylor visiting just this past weekend.While the Nittany Lions will have time before Taylor's official commitment date to cover some lost ground, time is ticking for Matt Campbell to be able to recruit an elite level prospect. Another failure would be detrimental to this class and most importantly, to how Campbell is viewed early in his Penn State tenure. This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Four star wideout commits to Auburn over Penn State

Sunderland Are Locked In A Three-Way Battle For This Talented Midfielder: Good Option For Le Bris?In a recent report, 225 Foot claimed that Sunderland are locked in a three-way battle for Trabzonspor midfielder Christ Inao Oulai this summer. It has been mentioned that the Black Cats would have to compete with Fulham and Brentford in the race to land the Ivory Coast talent this off-season.Inao Oulai’s Impressive Rise In Turkish FootballInao Oulai managed to shine at times with his performances at the heart of Trabzonspor’s midfield in the previous campaign when he put in a run of solid displays for them at the centre of the park. The 20-year-old registered two goals and picked up four assists in 31 matches for the Turkish outfit last season across all fronts.The Ivory Coast sensation is currently one of the most promising young midfielders in the Turkish Super Lig. Thus, Sunderland would do well to win the race for his services in this transfer window.Inao Oulai’s current contract at the Turkish club will run out in the summer of 2030. Therefore, the Black Cats would have to make a convincing offer if they are serious about recruiting him later this year.TORONTO, ONTARIO – JUNE 20: Christ Inao Oulai #26 of Cote d’Ivoire runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D’Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)Will Inao Oulai Be A Good Option For Sunderland Boss Regis Le Bris?Inao Oulai is a solid tackler of the ball and can scan the danger well to secure possession back for his team inside his half. He doesn’t mind clearing his lines when the opposition are on the offensive and is a good passer as well.The Ivory Coast midfielder can chip in by scoring and creating the odd goal for his team. Inao Oulai is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also serve as a defensive midfielder or play in the number ten position if told to do so. However, there are some concerns over whether he can adapt to the physical side and high intensity of the Premier League if the Black Cats manage to land him later this year.We can expect Inao Oulai to improve the quality of Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris’ midfield in the long run. He is already good enough to serve as a good rotational piece in the Wearside club’s squad.At 20, the future looks quite bright for Inao Oulai as long as he continues to improve with each year. He will also help the Black Cats compete across all competitions in the coming seasons. With all things considered, Inao Oulai would be a decent option for Sunderland to consider before the end of this transfer window.

Liverpool one step closer to dream right-back transfer after Fabrizio Romano updateFabrizio Romano's latest update puts Liverpool one step closer to their dream target. Let's be honest, this summer isn't shaping up to be quite as exciting as last year's transfer window.At this stage 12 months ago, Liverpool had already secured Jeremie Frimpong and were pushing hard to complete deals for Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.This summer, Victor Munoz is the only new arrival through the door so far, while several players have already moved on.A lot of that can be attributed to the World Cup. Transfer activity is often slower during a major international tournament, and that's understandable. For many players, representing their country at a World Cup is the pinnacle of their career. With the tournament only coming around once every four years, it's no surprise that many are focused solely on performing on the biggest stage.Selling clubs are also likely to be reluctant to do business until the tournament is over, hoping strong performances will drive up the value of their players.Right now, it feels very much like the calm before the storm. And when the market really starts moving, Liverpool could find themselves at the centre of a very busy window.After all, there is still plenty of work to be done.Richard Hughes' itinerary includes replacing Mo Salah, signing a centre-back, right-back and potentially more midfielders. At the same time, he may also need to replace Cody Gakpo.That's before we even discuss the midfield situation.Liverpool on paper don't look like a team in dire need of midfield reinforcements. However, that's before you take into account the fact that Curtis Jones is clearly angling to move. Alexis Mac Allister is also open to an adventure elsewhere. Who knows what the future holds for Wataru Endo.And on top of that, let's be honest Liverpool do need a holding midfielder. The Reds still haven't replaced Fabinho since he left the club.There's a lack of proper true no.6s in the market. A lot of teams don't really play with a sitting midfielder anymore. The game has become a lot more dynamic and fluid and it means a player like Fabinho needs to do a lot more.Arguably though the most interesting area of the pitch that Liverpool could strengthen is the right-back department.Liverpool don't quite trust Jeremie Frimpong in that role and it remains to be seen how fit Conor Bradley comes back from his injury.Given the uncertainty, change is needed.

Video: Alajbegovic wonder goal shows Roma and Atalanta his qualityKerim Alajbegovic has been linked with potential Serie A moves to Atalanta and Roma, so he showed what he can do with a stunning goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup.The teenager is not set to reach his 19th birthday until September, but is already a sensation on the global football stage.Alajbegovic stunner lights up World CupSEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 24: Kerim Alajbegovic #19 of Bosnia and Herzegovina scores his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar at Seattle Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)He dribbled past two Qatar players and then smashed a screamer into the net from well outside the penalty area, giving Bosnia and Herzegovina the lead in this evening’s Group B game.Bayer Leverkusen allowed the player to flourish in their youth academy, then sent him to RB Salzburg, where he scored 13 goals with four assists in 44 competitive games this season.The Germans activated their buy-back option for €8m, but Alajbegovic is not expected to remain, as he is reportedly eager for a Serie A move.Roma would be his preferred choice, especially after qualifying for the Champions League, but Atalanta may well get there first with more funds at their disposal.1 – 🇧🇦 Kerim Alajbegovic (18 Jahre, 276 Tage) ist der jüngste Spieler mit einem Tor von außerhalb des Strafraums bei einer FIFA-Weltmeisterschaft seit detaillierter Datenerfassung 1966. Er löste damit Kylian Mbappé ab (19 Jahre, 207 Tage bei der WM 2018).

Gay and bisexual male students in Australia who migrated from anti-LGBTQ+ countries are being targeted by men on gay dating apps who then assault and extort them with threats of outing them in their home countries, The Guardian reported today. Similar attacks are occurring in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., one Australian LGBTQ+ advocate said. Police in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria have identified 95 such attacks since June 2024, resulting in 42 arrests; though the number of actual incidents may be far higher since some victims may not have told police out of shame or fear of the legal system. Related Teen mob assaults & humiliates gay Grindr users in shocking viral videos Jenna Tuke, the chief executive of Switchboard Victoria (an LGBTQ+ support services hub), told legal investigators that predators tell their victims to meet in public before physically assaulting, filming, and extorting them. “We’ve heard a lot of stories of people who’ve been… contacted after the offense and asked to deposit tens of thousands of dollars in an account – ‘otherwise, this video will be shared with everyone in your contacts,’” Tuke told investigators. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “It does appear that they may be targeting people who they think are not ‘out’, and for whom the kind of consequences of being outed as gay or queer will be greater,” she added. “[The] family implications for those people are absolutely massive.” Families from anti-LGBTQ+ countries may disown or cut off financial and emotional support from relatives who are outed as queer. Some LGBTQ+ students face threats of police harassment, violence, imprisonment, and even death in countries with anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Chad Hughes, the chief executive for the Thorne Harbour Health center for LGBTQ+ people, told investigators, “The attacks are deliberate and humiliating. The victims are forced to recite slurs on camera and footage is shared online to give the perpetrators status with their target audiences: others in the manosphere.” He said some of the perpetrators are as young as 13. One man named David Brown was chatting with a person on a dating app before agreeing to meet somewhere in public on an August 2024 day. When Brown arrived, two teens attacked him: “They turned up to a park with a knife bigger than any of you have in your kitchen and held it to me… It was just pure hatred.” One of the teens in the case was found guilty, but the other wasn’t charged, Brown said. Heather Corkhill, legal director of the country’s lead LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Equality Australia, told investigators that similar crimes are taking place in the United Staes, United Kingdom, and Canada. Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

People have long gathered in solidarity by the Reflecting Pool, but amid the turmoil of President Trump’s attempted repairs there is little unity to be found.

The president has sought to recast the Iranian government as he pursues a peace deal. But there are signs that a softening on Iran in the Republican Party goes well beyond him.

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Talent Agency have added Ian Machado Garry to their roster. The next UFC welterweight title challenger joins heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall as only the second UFC fighter to work with the agency.After signing Aspinall in March, Matchroom’s Hearn knew it was a matter of time before more UFC stars came knocking at his door. However, with Garry, Hearn was the one to pursue Ireland's latest superstar contender, he said. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that they put pen to paper, preceding Wednesday’s official announcement. Speaking in-studio on "The Ariel Helwani Show," Hearn explained how the deal came to be."We've taken our time, to be honest with you," Hearn told Uncrowned. "Because what we've done with Tom has been quite incredible, and we'll come back to that. Through that signing, we had over a dozen UFC or MMA guys come to us and say, 'How do we be a part of this? Can we get representation with you guys?'"We're a sports agency. We're looking to represent high-profile global stars across sport and entertainment, not MMA. But of all the approaches we had, I don't even think Ian was an approach. I think I actually reached out to him because I know his team and everybody around him."I looked at this guy for a long time, and I love his spirit. I love his personality. He's a good, tall, good-looking guy who speaks incredibly well. I've long felt this is a guy I actually think has the attributes to be a superstar. As I learn more about the sport, how good he is, we met, we had a lot of deep conversations, talked a lot of strategy. Then of course, he finally secured the big fight, and particularly with our work in Ireland and understanding the country, the audience, how passionate they are for their own, I just felt like this was the guy we wanted to bring to the team, and I couldn't be happier."Garry, 28, forms his alliance with Hearn at a unique time. While the welterweight recently landed his first title fight — a matchup against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 — Hearn has been embroiled in a promoter feud with UFC CEO Dana White.Hearn never planned to add a long list of UFC fighters to his agency roster, but Garry seemed too obvious from a brand perspective. Regarding actual fight negotiations, Hearn said he and Matchroom will be hands off, leaving that to Vayner Sports, who remain Garry's management team."We won't be having dealings with the UFC regarding Ian Garry," Hearn said. "That contract is set; he's got his fight coming up. It's very different to the Tom Aspinall scenario. "I didn't feel this was a sort of confrontational signing. ... I look at Ian Garry as a potential superstar of sport. And I'm building a representation agency of representing great athletes with high commercial power and demand. Ian sits within that mold."This isn't about us having meetings with UFC. He's got his own team of people that do that side."On the Aspinall side of Hearn's work, the partnership is much more fluid overall. The reigning UFC heavyweight champion has yet to fight since joining Matchroom. Aspinall has been sidelined for an extended period, stuck healing from eye injuries suffered against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October. Accidental eye-pokes rendered the bout a no-contest toward the end of Round 1.Aspinall is finally medically cleared to resume training and fight again, said Hearn. After Gane's latest interim title win against Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, a return would presumably be for a Gane rematch."He doesn't care [where]," Hearn said. "Honestly, this is a dangerous fight, and some people still refuse to acknowledge that he had four eye operations and was told quite clearly he could have lost his vision. You got to go back in there, do the same kind of thing — could happen again. This time it could be worse, or it could be a back-of-the-head blow. All these other fouls that you see, but you know it's going to be that kind of fight. It's not going to be easy. So, if you're going to put yourself through that, if you're going to risk not just your legacy, but your health and beyond — not to get too negative about things — you've got to be respected."“We’ve reached out to the UFC and we’ve told them — Andy Aspinall, who’s got that relationship with Hunter [Campbell] and those guys, ‘Tom’s ready,’” Hearn continued. “There’s going to be a conversation coming up about date and numbers. Look, we’re not coming in there to cause a big argument. What we’re coming in to say is that there’s a huge amount of money in the fight between Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall. Now, contractually — and the contract is a little bit out of date because it talks about pay-per-view and that obviously doesn’t exist anymore, but contractually — the numbers are, we’ll veer on the peace side, just completely unfair in terms of the value that Tom Aspinall brings into that fight. So what we’re asking for is just to be respected, and we’ll give it everything.“Just respect the fighter — that’s it. And we’re not difficult to work with. Tom’s really not difficult to work with. But that has to be acknowledged, in my opinion.”Tom Aspinall is ready to return.Jordan Pettitt - PA Images via Getty ImagesDespite Aspinall's recent inactivity during his recovery, the Matchroom partnership has paid off big time. Literally. According to Hearn, Aspinall has already made significantly more money outside of the Octagon than he would have in it. Obviously, Hearn and company's plan is to change that going forward. But as time goes on, anticipation for Aspinall's return continues to grow."He's making more money now outside the Octagon than he's making in it, commercially," Hearn said. "He's driven over seven figures already in terms of commercial value — DAZN deal, his Cloudbet deal, another one that's literally about to be announced today, appearances, his podcast. This guy's social and digital numbers across his podcast, they're doing huge numbers. "But right now, amongst all the commotion and all that noise, you've got a guy who's one of the most talked about guys on the UFC roster in Tom Aspinall. Fact. So yeah, important that we drive, but also, what we're doing internally, you have a fight in front of you with Ciryl Gane against Tom Aspinall that's one of the biggest fights that can get made in the UFC. And Tom Aspinall right now sits as one of the biggest stars in the UFC. "We're actually driving a huge amount of value, not just for Tom, but for the UFC because they've got a monster fight on their hand with that, if it can get made."

Toulouse set Guillaume Restes asking price amid Aston Villa interestToulouse have set an asking price in the region of €20m for French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes (21) during the summer transfer window, according to a report from Fabrizio Romano. The French youth international stopper could be on the move with Les Violets setting a firm asking price for his services. Restes is a highly-rated young goalkeeper. The Frenchman has been linked with a move away from the Stadium de Toulouse for some time, and this summer could be the time where he eventually seals a transfer away from his boyhood club. Aston Villa considering a move for RestesThe goalkeeper is being considered by Aston Villa. Foot Mercato understands should Emiliano Martinez leave Villa Park this summer, the stopper will be one of the names considered to be his replacement. The Premier League club are also considering Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser. GFFN | Liam Wraith

So ex-college quarterback Brendan Sorsby suddenly finds himself with a year off, an unexpected interlude between the rigors of college and the pressures of a real job. Many recent college students, given this kind of gap year opportunity, will go backpacking across Europe or work a ski lift or sit in a lifeguard chair. Anything to stave off the real world a few months longer. Sorsby probably won’t be staying in any Italian youth hostels or carving up ski slopes. But then, he’s got a much larger opportunity awaiting him than most gap-year ex-students … as long as he takes advantage of it. Sorsby, of course, isn’t taking this career siesta by choice. Thanks to his incredibly foolish gambling habits, he went from leader of a College Football Playoff-level program to pariah faster than you can say three-team parlay. He’s got no one to blame but himself, even though he and his team have tried to rope in the University of Cincinnati, Texas Tech, the NCAA, the gambling-industrial complex, the NFL, and probably even the Vatican too, just to muddy the waters. But that’s the past, and we’re not here to re-litigate the past. (Not even with a Texas judge.) No, let’s discuss Brendan Sorsby’s future, specifically the next 10 months of that future. Between now and the 2027 NFL Draft, Sorsby has a unique opportunity, a chance to completely rewrite the narrative that’s grown up around him, a narrative he and his lawyers have fed with heaping doses of fertilizer. Sorsby gambled his way out of a starting job for one of the elite college programs in the country, and with it a potential gateway to the first round of the NFL draft. And for what? A few taps on an app, a few winners, a lot more losers. That’s how quickly you can gamble away what could have been a Heisman-level year, and that’s the kind of story Sorsby ought to be telling right now to every college student, every rookie in every league, everyone who’s used a promo code to get free bets and believed they were on the way to riches. The NFL is not allowing Brendan Sorsby to enter its Supplemental Draft after gambling on his own team.AP Photo/Annie RiceYou want a scared-straight story? “I gambled my way out of a guaranteed $5 million, don’t be like me” is a pretty terrifying pitch. Granted, Sorsby has a massive task ahead of him, because he did the one thing you don’t do in sports: he chopped at the roots of the game by gambling on outcomes of his own team. You can come back from any number of misbehaviors, misdemeanors and felonies, but when you start messing with the integrity of the competition, well … that’s where the real problems begin. The whole “the NFL employs felons” defense only goes so far. Yes, the NFL has proven that it will accept convicted felons despite the public outcry against their continued employment. (See: Michael Vick, Greg Hardy, and many more.) But from the NFL’s perspective there’s a huge difference between moral, legal and ethical concerns, and concerns about games being on the up and up. Put another way: A convicted domestic abuser on the field is a bad look for the game, but it doesn’t undermine the game’s fundamental integrity. A gambler who bet on his own teams? Well, that cuts at the very heart of the NFL’s business. The NFL survives bad press every season. A potential gambling scandal that undermines the integrity of the games themselves is another whole level of crisis. That’s why the NFL didn’t want anything to do with Sorsby for the 2026 season. And that’s where Sorsby can start to rewrite his story in a very public fashion. He undid the usual PR car wash — acknowledgement of his problem, rehab stint — by aggressively attempting through the courts to force his way back onto the Texas Tech roster and, if appears, he’s trying to do the same to get on an NFL roster, too.Sorsby has two major factors working in his favor. First, America loves a redemption narrative. If he can face his demons with enough honesty and authenticity, he’ll be the subject of countless soft-focus profiles, game-day segments and TikTok clips heading into the 2027 season. Yes, Americans thrive on scandal, but reputational rehabilitation draws eyeballs, too. More importantly, think about how long a year is in our hyperspeed, social-media-jacked world. A year in Internet time is like a decade in human terms; by this time next year, a dozen new scandals and mini-dramas will have rocked the world of sports. Plus, Sorsby will be entering the draft at the same time as Arch Manning, Jeremiah Smith, Dante Moore and whatever Fernando Mendoza-esque phenom rises to the top this season, meaning Sorsby won’t be the sole focus of any pre-draft coverage. Of course, all of this depends on Sorsby himself. He can’t fake his way through this image rehabilitation any more than he could fake his way through an NFL-level playbook. He can’t keep trying to shirk the consequences of his own actions through the minutiae of a court ruling. In other words, he can’t keep playing the victim. He ought to tell his lawyer, Jeffrey Kessler, to ditch whatever inane appeal to the NFLPA he threatened to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, and focus on building a remorseful pathway to the 2027 NFL Draft. This next part reads as impossibly naive in 2026, but let’s go ahead and say it anyway: If Sorsby commits to his personal growth, if he acknowledges his sins, if he takes responsibility both for his current situation and for his own role in finding a way out, then his NFL goals are still within reach. But if he doesn’t approach this career pause with absolute devotion to his next level, if he thinks he can approach this gap year just like any other potential draft target, if he assumes this will all just blow over, well … that would be one of the worst in a long line of bad bets.

Editor's note: Wednesday's game between the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago is being delayed by rain. We will update with more information as it becomes available.Fueled by successive one-run victories over the rival Cleveland Guardians, the Chicago White Sox have won nine consecutive home series.On Wednesday afternoon, June 24, Chicago will try for a sweep in an American League Central showdown that has seen the team grab a one-game division lead over Cleveland.The White Sox have won 22 of their past 26 games at Rate Field entering the finale of a three-game series."The fans, you know," Chicago manager Will Venable said of the crowds, which have averaged 26,017 in the first two games of the series. "These guys respond to our fans, who are coming out and just doing a great job of giving them energy, and we've seen it every night we've been here."Cleveland out-hit Chicago 6-3 on Tuesday but lost 2-1. Kahlil Watson and Austin Hedges contributed two hits apiece, with Watson delivering his first career home run.Starter Parker Messick allowed just two hits and struck out a career-high 10 batters in 7⅔ innings, but the Guardians couldn't break through against White Sox pitchers Sean Burke and Sean Newcomb."I think we're playing the guys that we want to play, and I think we're matching up when we need to, when we have to," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said of his offense. "But we've got to trust all 13 [position players] like we are. We're figuring it out, but we're just not getting anything going right now, and it's tough."Miguel Vargas' go-ahead solo home run leading off the sixth inning — his career-best 17th homer of the season — was the difference for Chicago."Vargy just continues to make good swing decisions, and he's putting really good swings on good pitches to hit," Venable said.Colson Montgomery drove in Chicago's first run with an RBI single, stopping a slide of four straight games without a hit.Right-hander Tanner Bibee (2-8, 4.03 ERA) will start for the Guardians on Wednesday as he aims to win for the third time in four starts this month.After blazing through Texas and Detroit, allowing two runs and five hits in 15 innings to begin the month, Bibee took the loss at Houston on June 19. He yielded four runs (three earned) and four hits in 5⅓ innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He left with the lead, but the bullpen was unable to preserve it, as Cleveland fell 9-3."Obviously, I want to stay out there," Bibee said. "But, like I've said before, it's Vogt's job to tell me when I'm done. He told me I was done."Bibee has pitched effectively against the White Sox in his career, going 4-0 with a 4.06 ERA in five starts, with 30 strikeouts in 31 innings.Right-hander Erick Fedde (2-6, 4.46 ERA) is set to start for the White Sox on Wednesday after working in bulk relief in his past three outings. He suffered the loss at Detroit on Friday, allowing two runs and four hits in 4⅔ innings with one walk and four strikeouts in a 4-3 defeat.After yielding at least one home run in nine of his 10 appearances in April and May, Fedde has allowed just one in 17⅓ innings this month.He is 2-0 with a 3.52 ERA in five career appearances against Cleveland covering 23 innings, including four starts.The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians' series finale against White Sox is in a rain delay

NEW YORK (AP) — Dansby Swanson hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the sixth inning and added a grand slam in the eighth inning Wednesday, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 10-3 win over the reeling New York Mets in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.The Cubs trailed 3-0 before tying the game in the fifth inning, when Pete Crow-Armstrong singled with two outs against Nolan McLean (4-5) and scored on Michael Conforto’s double before Michael Busch hit a two-run homer off the advertising signage in right field.Swanson, the Cubs’ No. 9 hitter, launched a two-out, 400-foot homer beyond the left-center field fence before hitting a grand slam two innings later. Swanson also homered on Tuesday night and has three homers and 11 RBIs in the first two games of the series.The Mets, who are expected to get Francisco Lindor back from the injured list for the nightcap, played without Juan Soto (back) in the opener, suffered their fourth straight loss and fell 11 games under .500, tying a season low. The Mets have been outscored 40-14 during their skid.Javier Assad (6-1) allowed three runs and five hits in five innings — including back-to-back homers in the fourth inning by Jared Young and Francisco Alvarez.McLean allowed six runs and struck out nine in six innings.The announced crowd of 31,951 included dozens of Norwegian soccer fans adorned in soccer garb in center field. Norway is scheduled to play France in the World Cup in Massachusetts on Friday.The Norwegians chanted and danced a conga line throughout the game — even as Swanson’s first homer landed a few hundred feet to their left.Up nextCubs LHP Shota Imanaga (4-6, 4.26 ERA) opposes Mets LHP Sean Manaea (1-2, 4.64 ERA) in Wednesday’s nightcap.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)2026-06-24T15:09:42Z NEW YORK (AP) — Some of New York’s biggest basketball heroes were second-round draft picks.Like Jalen Brunson, the guy marching through Manhattan with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in his arms last week during a joyous parade celebration. And Willis Reed, the guy who limped into Game 7 of the NBA Finals to lift the Knicks to their first championship.So when the NBA draft resumes Wednesday night with the Knicks on the clock, every team will have hope of finding someone who can be a key piece of a title team. The Knicks hold the No. 31 pick that was acquired via trades when teams and some players return to Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first round, which began with Washington selecting AJ Dybantsa, finished late Tuesday night.In a much different NBA with a different draft format, Reed was the No. 8 pick in the 1964 draft, which made him the first pick of the second round. The Hall of Famer went on to lead the Knicks to championships in 1970 and 1973 and was the NBA Finals MVP both times. Brunson was the No. 33 pick in the 2018 draft, taken early in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks. The Knicks signed him as a free agent in 2022 and the franchise was on the rise ever since, culminating with their five-game victory over the San Antonio Spurs earlier this month when Brunson was MVP of the series.___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba BRIAN MAHONEY Mahoney is an editor on the AP Sports desk. He also is a pro basketball writer, primarily covering the two NBA teams in New York. twitter mailto

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Lionel Messi vs. Kylian Mbappe goals record tracker: Updated 2026 World Cup totals in race for most all time originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are continuing to add to their World Cup legacies at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Both players have already found the net during this year's tournament as they look to climb higher on the competition's all-time scoring charts. Each goal could prove significant in the race for World Cup history.The Sporting News is tracking the latest standings, including the leading scorers at the 2026 World Cup, the all-time goals rankings and where Messi and Mbappe stand among the tournament's greatest goalscorers.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsWorld Cup goals leaders 2026Stats updated after matches on June 22.RankPlayerTeamGoals (Penalties)Matches1.Lionel MessiArgentina5 (0)22. Deniz UndavGermany3 (0)2=Jonathan DavidCanada3 (0)24. Crysencio SummervilleNetherlands2 (0)2=Mikel OyarzabalSpain2 (0)2=Maxi AraujoUruguay2 (0)2=Ayase UedaJapan2 (0)2=Cody GakpoNetherlands2 (0)2=Vinicius JuniorBrazil2 (0)2=Johan ManzambiSwitzerland2 (0)2=Brian BrobbeyNetherlands2 (0)2=Harry KaneEngland2 (1)1=Erling HaalandNorway2 (0)1=Kylian MbappeFrance2 (0)1=Matheus CunhaBrazil2 (0)2=Cyle LarinCanada2 (0)2=Daichi KamadaJapan2 (0)2=Folarin BalogunUSA2 (0)2=Ismael SaibariMorocco2 (0)2=Yasin AyariSweden2 (0)2=Elijah JustNew Zealand2 (0)1=Kai HavertzGermany2 (1)2Messi moved into a share of the lead in the Golden Boot race with four goals through Argentina's opening group-stage matches, while Mbappe remains in contention after opening his account for France.Most World Cup goals all timeStats updated after matches on June 22.RankPlayerGoalsCountry1Lionel Messi18Argentina2Miroslav Klose16Germany3Ronaldo15Brazil4Gerd Muller14West Germany-Kylian Mbappe14France6Just Fontaine13France7Pele12BrazilMessi's strong start to the 2026 World Cup has seen him move clear at the top of the all-time standings, while Mbappe continues to close the gap on the players above him. The France star is the only active player other than Messi among the competition's leading goalscorers.How many World Cup goals does Lionel Messi have?Messi has scored 18 goals at the FIFA World Cup, the most by any player in the tournament's history.The Argentina captain broke Miroslav Klose's long-standing record during the 2026 World Cup, continuing a scoring journey that began with his first tournament goal against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. His most prolific campaign came in 2022, when he scored seven times to help Argentina lift the trophy in Qatar.Messi's record tally has come across six World Cup appearances and 28 matches.World CupGoals200612010020144201812022720265*Total28*How many World Cup goals does Kylian Mbappe have?Mbappe has scored 14 goals at the FIFA World Cup, tying Gerd Muller for fourth on the tournament's all-time scoring list.The France star has reached that total across three World Cup appearances and remains the youngest player among the competition's top scorers.World CupGoals201842022820262*Total14*World Cup goals record for one yearJust Fontaine's haul of 13 goals for France at the 1958 World Cup remains the benchmark for a single tournament.RankPlayerCountryGoalsWorld Cup1Just FontaineFrance1319582Sandor KocsisHungary1119543 Gerd MullerWest Germany1019704EusebioBrazil919665Guillermo StabileArgentina81930=RonaldoBrazil=2002=Kylian MbappeFrance=2022Fontaine's tally of 13 goals in 1958 remains one of the most enduring records in World Cup history. Mbappe's eight-goal haul in 2022 is the closest either he or Messi has come to matching the mark, with the Argentina captain scoring seven during his country's victorious campaign in Qatar.Both players have added to their totals in 2026, but Fontaine's record remains comfortably intact.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?Updated FIFA World RankingsHow World Cup qualifying worksExplaining the expanded World Cup bracketFull list of teams to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Mauricio Pochettino has been in charge of the U.S. Men's National Team since September 2024 -Credit:Jane Gershovich/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty ImagesHired by U.S. Soccer back in September 2024 to guide the U.S. Men’s National Team through the first FIFA World Cup on home soil since 1994, head coach Mauricio Pochettino seemingly didn’t realize exactly the scale of the challenge which laid before him.The Argentine, who is best known for his stints in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain, was walking into a team that had only recently failed to make it out of the group stage at Copa América behind Panama and Uruguay.Perhaps their performances at the tournament should have served as a warning sign of how much needed to be done to maximise the potential from an undoubtedly talented generation of players, but it appears this wasn’t the case for Pochettino.Body found in car near Iran's FIFA World Cup training base in TijuanaAustralian soccer fans' anti-Donald Trump chant could spark World Cup controversyPochettino took charge mere months after Gregg Berhalter led the USMNT to a group stage exit at Copa América -Credit:Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF“Maybe we didn’t feel or saw how difficult was going to be the process. We were so naïve when we signed the contract,” he recently told reporters, via USA Today. “We misjudged the situation. It was worse than we really believed.”Once Pochettino’s tenure began, with just under a year and a half to go until the U.S. was set to co-host the World Cup along with Mexico and Canada, he arrived knowing that time was not on their side and the pressure was on to deliver quickly. “We don't say that we have better standard, better culture, better habit. We came with different things and we wanted to make the things how we really feel, and that is always a process to change,” Pochettino said.“If you have the habit to every morning to go [somewhere] and someone say, 'No, you cannot go there,' you are going to fight because it was your comfort zone and you say, 'No, I want my comfort zone.'”It’s been a rocky road since Pochettino took charge, losing their previously vice like grip on the CONCACAF Nations League title in dramatic style with a 1-0 defeat to Panama in the semi-final before losing to Canada 2-1 in the third-place playoff. To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HEREThe subsequent Gold Cup, which featured numerous up and coming stars in a new look roster, proved more promising as Pochettino’s more aggressive style truly began to come to life, only to lose the final 2-1 against Mexico.Since then, performances have been mixed, with some extremely promising results against the likes of Japan, Uruguay, and Senegal, alongside some tough losses against Germany, Portugal, and Belgium.Thankfully for the former Argentina international, since the World Cup kicked off, the USMNT have hit new heights. Their dynamic and aggressive playing style has shone through, with Pochettino’s side looking assured and confident through both games to date, resulting in a 4-1 win against Paraguay and a 2-0 victory over Australia.For the USMNT, this uptick in form may well be down to the various hurdles they’ve had to overcome and learn from since Pochettino took charge, not least their run of four defeats, kick-started by their Panama loss last year,“That was good crash,” Pochettino explained. “When we detect all the problems, we go for the solution and … we knew that the solution will arrive. The object is to challenge people. We challenge the organization, we challenge players, we challenge everyone.Pochettino's USMNT has won both of its first two FIFA World Cup games -Credit:Jamie Squire/Getty Images“That was the process, [so] that now is not a coincidence.”Now with the USMNT riding a newfound wave of confidence and form, and with their spot in the Round of 32 already secured prior to their final group game against Türkiye on Thursday, Pochettino wants his team to absorb all of this positivity with the hopes of maybe manifesting a deep tournament run - or potentially even an unlikely title.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Petr David Josek is an award-winning AP staff photojournalist based in Prague, the Czech Republic. This is Josek’s fourth World Cup, and he has also shot five Summer Olympics and three Winter Olympics.Why this photo?It was late in a 0-0 game between England and Ghana and any scoring chance could have decided the match. The reaction of England's Harry Kane illustrates how intense the moment was and how much players valued any chance to score. Kane also is one of the main stars of the 2026 World Cup, so any goal he scores evokes conversations about other icons — Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo.How I made this photoI was shooting Kane's scoring chance on a 70-200 but when I saw him reacting I decided to quickly switch to 400 mm to get a tight frame of him to capture his emotions.Why it worksKane missed what was a great chance to score and his reaction was quite telling about how he felt about the lost opportunity. The photo also illustrates the England squad's overall perspective of the match, which was they let several chances to win slip away.___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Wales will add another chapter to the historic fixture against the Barbarians when playing a double-header in Twickenham at the end of the month.Steve Tandy's men will warm up for their Nations Championship Tests when facing the invitational side at 14:00 BST on Saturday, 27 June before Sean Lynn's women take to the field at Allianz Stadium at 17:00 BST.The teams played a double-header in Cardiff seven years ago and now meet at the home of English rugby in an event hosted by Barbarians.Before the start of another summer of international rugby, BBC Sport Wales looks back at the historic fixture.Tandy's Wales prepare for challenging summer of travel Wales' next generation getting a taste of Test lifeNorth to bid farewell for Barbarians against WalesThe first of 11 meetings between Wales' men and Barbarians took place at Cardiff Arms Park in 1915, with the Baa-Baas winning 26-10.The centenary of the Welsh Rugby Union was marked in 1990 against a star-studded side featuring Nick Farr-Jones, David Campese, Jeremy Guscott, Eric Rush, Philippe Saint-Andre, Ian Jones and Mike Teague, who took the spoils 31-24.That fixture saw Wales award caps, just as they did in 2011 ahead of the Rugby World Cup and a year later, which helped Martyn Williams bid farewell by becoming a centurion.Test novices in Tandy and Lynn's squads will not win first caps by featuring against the Barbarians this time.Barbarians won uncapped meetings with Wales in Cardiff in 2001, 2002 and 2003 before a first fixture in England in 2004.The Mike Ruddock era started with a 42-0 victory at Bristol's Ashton Gate, with the Baa-Baas nilled for the first time since 1978.Fond farewells in CardiffLeigh Halfpenny won 101 caps for Wales and Alun Wyn Jones played 158 times for his country [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Wales men last played the Barbarians in November 2023 when Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric said farewell to Principality Stadium for the visitors, while Leigh Halfpenny made his last appearance for his country.Jones scored for the Baa-Baas, but Warren Gatland's men ran out 49-26 winners.Gatland was in the other changing room in November 2019 when in charge of Barbarians after bringing his first spell as Wales coach to an end after the World Cup.Wayne Pivac enjoyed a winning start to his reign as the hosts won 43-33, scoring six tries to four.The 2012 fixture in Cardiff was also won by Wales, who featured Martyn Williams on his international century while Shane Williams said goodbye with the Baa-Baas.Barbarians' previous victory in the fixture came in 2011 thanks to Isa Nacewa's last-minute try against a Wales side that featured debutant Taulupe Faletau plus Gavin Henson on his first international appearance for two years.Bethan Lewis captained Wales in the 2026 Six Nations [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Barbarians made history in 2017 when playing a first women's fixture – with the Welsh pair of Elen Evans and Rachel Taylor featuring against Munster.Two years later the Baa-Baas – coached by Jo Yapp, who will lead the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand next year, with the help of Taylor – faced Wales for the first time.They ran out 29-15 winners at Principality Stadium with Dyddgu Hywel among their try scorers, while Lisa Neumann, Keira Bevan and Alex Callender went over for Wales in front of 12,600 supporters.Baa-Baas' magic moment in CardiffThe Barbarians have strong roots in Wales thanks to their Easter tours, which featured fixtures against Penarth, Cardiff, Swansea and Newport.Of course, the Baa-Baas' most famous moment was a try scored by a Welshman in Cardiff.Gareth Edwards' length of the field effort against New Zealand in 1973 is widely regarded as the greatest try ever scored.The Carwyn James-coached Baa-Baas won at the Arms Park and enjoyed a second success against the All Blacks in December 2009, with the help of three Welshmen.Centre Jamie Roberts started and full-back Leigh Halfpenny and number eight Andy Powell came off the bench in a 25-18 triumph, with South Africa wing Bryan Habana scoring a hat-trick.Wales will hope that Barbarians do not claim another international scalp in London as they prepare for the next stage of Tandy's rebuild.Past meetingsMen's fixtures1915: Wales 10-26 Barbarians1990: Wales 24-31 Barbarians1996: Wales 31-10 Barbarians2001: Wales 38-40 Barbarians2002: Wales 25-40 Barbarians2003: Wales 35-48 Barbarians2004: Wales 42-0 Barbarians2011: Wales 28-31 Barbarians2012: Wales 30-21 Barbarians2019: Wales 43-33 Barbarians2023: Wales 49-26 BarbariansWomen's fixture2019: Wales 15-29 Barbarians

Oklahoma basketball has had a profitable week in the NBA. First, former guard Trae Young signed a massive four-year, $212 million deal to stay with the Washington Wizards. Now, after rumors he might be moving on, former Sooners guard Austin Reaves is expected to sign his own max contract to return to the Los Angeles Lakers.On Wednesday, it was reported that Reaves intends to re-sign with the Lakers on a four-year $185 million contract with a player option for 2029-2030. The deal comes after Reaves had a career year. In year five with the Lakers, Reaves set career highs with 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. His 5.5 assists per game matched his second-best season distributing the basketball. After playing in a rotational role his first couple of seasons in the NBA, Reaves became a full-time starter late in the 2023-2024 season. He then went on to start 73 games for Los Angeles in 2024-2025 but was limited to just 51 games and 45 starts, suffering an abdominal injury. He's become one of the most important players on a Lakers roster that features LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Reaves emergence over the last few years gives the Lakers a big three to build around. Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to return to the franchise, with a player option for the final season in 2029-30, sources tell ESPN. Reaves declined his $14.9M player option for the new max deal. pic.twitter.com/5T8Ze6v0kF— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2026Contact/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 John on X @john9williams.This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Austin Reaves returning to Los Angeles on $185 million deal

Serena Williams of the US (L) speaks with Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka after victory during their women's singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on February 14, 2021. (Photo by David Gray / AFP via Getty Images) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —AFP via Getty ImagesWhen Serena Williams accepted a wildcard to play doubles with sister Venus at Wimbledon, her return to tennis felt more like a novelty and a well-received jolt to the game. Now that she’s entering the Wimbledon singles draw, Serena’s legacy and the credibility of women’s tennis are up for debate. Will Serena’s return reveal more about her excellence, or overshadow Aryna Sabalenka's dominance? If a 44-year-old mother of two who hasn’t played a singles match in four years can defeat players young enough to be her daughter, what does that say about the quality of women's tennis?During a press conference at the French Open, Sabalenka welcomed the news about Serena’s return to doubles and possibly singles at Wimbledon. “Yeah, I mean, that’s fun, that’s cool. She has a really cool personality. She’s fun, and she’s a legend. It’s inspiring to see," said Sabalenka. "I’m actually excited to see her play and probably face her, so it's very cool. It's very good news for tennis."Sabalenka will arrive at Wimbledon having been the top-ranked player on the WTA Tour for more than 85 consecutive weeks. After failing to return to the French Open finals and with semifinal points to defend at Wimbledon, Sabalenka's No. 1 ranking is in jeopardy. Her legacy could take a hit, too. Despite maintaining a grip on No. 1, Sabalenka has yet to distance herself from the field. She’s tied with Naomi Osaka with four Major titles and trails Iga Swiatek, who has five Grand Slam titles, including wins on grass, clay and hard courts. Meanwhile, Serena has little to lose. If she gets bounced in the first round, she’s 44 and hasn’t played in four years. Her status doesn’t change. She remains the GOAT. Returning to tennis is a win-win for her. If Serena advances to the second week, it elevates her standing and diminishes Sabalenka's. Sabalenka turned 28 in May. In an era when women are playing professional tennis in their late 30s and returning from maternity leave, Sabalenka’s career is far from over. Yet, with Serena back in the mix, the comparisons and questions are coming. Could Sabalenka ever reach GOAT status? Is she playing in a weak era? How would peak Serena perform against today's competition? Serena And Sabalenka At Grand SlamsMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Serena Williams poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Women's Singles Final against Venus Williams of the United States on day 13 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Getty ImagesSerena’s 23 Major titles are the most by any female player in the Open Era. Sabalenka has four, all on hard courts. By Spring 2009, Serena, then 27, had won 9 Grand Slam singles titles. This included wins on every surface. Sabalenka has reached the final of every Major except Wimbledon.In 2025, Sabalenka was the first woman to defend her U.S. Open title since Serena in 2014. Serena is the last woman to defend her title (2015, 2016) at Wimbledon. Consecutive Weeks Serena And Sabalenka Spent At No. 1RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA NOVEMBER 1:Aryna Sabalenka poses with the WTA Chris Evert World No. 1 trophy after securing the year-end WTA top ranking, during a ceremony on Day 1 of the WTA Finals Riyadh at King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 1, 2025. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesIn April, Sabalenka passed Martina Hingis (80) to climb to the Top 10 of consecutive weeks at No. 1 list. If she leaves Wimbledon, still ranked No. 1, Sabalenka could climb to No. 9. She’d still need nearly 100 more consecutive at No. 1 to catch Serena and Steffi Graf. Serena and Graf are tied at 186 for most consecutive weeks at No. 1. Sabalenka reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in October, 2024 and hasn’t let go, yet. Consecutive Weeks at No. 1 (since 1975)186 weeks: Steffi Graf (1987-91)186 weeks: Serena Williams (2013-16)156 weeks: Martina Navratilova (1982-85)114 weeks: Ashleigh Barty (2019-22)113 weeks: Chris Evert (1976-78)94 weeks: Steffi Graf (1995-97)91 weeks: Monica Seles (1991-93)90 weeks: Martina Navratilova (1985-87)87 weeks: Steffi Graf (1993-95)85 weeks: Aryna Sabalenka (2024-present)Serena And Sabalenka’s Impact On Tennis Style NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 01: Serena Williams of the United States serves to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during their women's singles fourth round match on Day Eight of the 2014 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 1, 2014 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Getty ImagesEven before Williams signed with Nike, she wore iconic custom tennis outfits. Her 2002 Puma catsuit landed in a museum. Sabalenka loves fashion on and off the court, but has yet to land the type of custom kits that Osaka has. Earlier this year, at the 2026 Australian Open, Sabalenka wore a semi-custom look designed as a tribute to Williams and Maria Sharapova. After a reporter asked her about her Nike wardrobe, Sabalenka gave an underwhelming response but was optimistic about next year. "Maybe we should just start messaging Nike on Instagram and like putting some pressure on, but let’s wait for 2027 because that year is going to be sick," she said. Sabalenka finally got her wish at the French Open when she wore a different, but not exclusive, kit. Bling is more her thing. Sabalenka routinely walks on the court with more than $200,000 dangling from her neck. Despite efforts to brand herself as a fashionista, Sabalenka hasn’t had much impact on tennis style. Serena and Sabalenka’s Success On GrassLONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Serena Williams with the winners trophy after defeating Angelique Kerber in the women's final of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at Wimbledon on July 09, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)WireImageWhen it comes to grass-court success, Sabalenka is no match for Serena. Few women are. Graf also has seven. Navratilova is the only player in the Open Era with more Wimbledon singles titles (9) than Serena. Sabalenka reached the semifinals three times but has yet to reach the final at Wimbledon. "I am a little concerned about Sabalenka, to be honest with you," said ESPN commentator and former pro Mary Joe Fernandez during an online press conference. "Because she was coming in playing really well, and I feel like her game translates to all the surfaces, and it should translate to the grass, with you know, how powerful she hits the ball, and she's got a weapon in the serve and weapon the returns."Fernandez is less concerned about Serena's chances at Wimbledon. “But Serena, at first, I kind of question why she would come back on the grass, because I think it's a tough surface, you know, right away to do well on," said Fernandez. “But I guess that’s where she feels at home. She's won it seven times.”Serena is 98-14 at Wimbledon. She’s reached the final 11 times, including twice after returning from maternity leave. She also has six Wimbledon doubles titles. She and Venus are 6-0 in doubles finals at Wimbledon. They also won a gold medal on the grass at Wimbledon during the 2012 Summer Olympics. Earlier this month, when Serena returned to doubles at the Queen's Club Championships, she told reporters, "I don't need to win." However, now that she's playing singles, she won't be able to avoid being compared to her contemporaries, no matter their age. Serena went 1-1 against Graf in the brief time they were both on the tour. Graf retired in 1999. Had she returned 10 years after retirement, age 40, Graf would have landed during the resurgence of Serena’s career. That didn’t happen, so tennis fans are left to speculate. Serena’s return will provide evidence, even if only anecdotal, as to how bygone and present eras compare. If Sabalenka is the standard-bearer of today’s WTA, Serena might serve as a barometer of the state of the game. This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Coming off the best season of his career, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has signed a three-year extension.Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has signed a three-year extension to remain with the Atlanta Falcons, worth $54 million, with $36 million guaranteed. During the 2025 season, Pitts caught 88 passes for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns. The best season of his career came at a time of crossroads when the Falcons weren't sure if it was time to move on from Pitts, who was drafted as a "generational type of talent," who hadn't lived up to expectations yet.ESPN sources: TE Kyle Pitts and the Atlanta Falcons reached agreement today on a three-year, $54 million contract that includes $36 million fully guaranteed. It is the largest three-year contract for a tight end in NFL history. David Mulugheta of Athletes First and Andre Odom… pic.twitter.com/PYEEMRs8xa— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 23, 2026The deal will make Pitts the third-highest-paid tight end in per-year average behind George Kittle ($19.1 mill) and Trey McBride($19 mill).The Falcons have already locked in Drake London as well, on a 4-year, $141.05 mill contract. Now, the Falcons will look to extend All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson next.This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Falcons extend tight end Kyle Pitts on a 3-year, $54 mill contract