MUMBAI: At a time when there is huge speculation around whether he would stay on as India’s T20 captain for the tours of Ireland and England, Suryakumar Yadav’s poor form shows no sign of relenting.On Tuesday, the 35-year-old, captaining Triumph Knights in their opening match of Season 4 of the T20 Mumbai League, was out for 19 off 11 balls as his team lost by 21 runs against North Mumbai Panthers at the Wankhede Stadium. Surya started off well, adding 37 in 25 balls for the third wicket with youngster Nutan Goel, who smashed a valiant 93 off 56 balls, but was caught at deep square leg off spinner Rahul Sawant (2-32 in four overs) in the seventh over.Chasing 189, Triumph Knights were restricted to 188 for eight. Even as captained India to their second consecutive T20 World Cup title in Feb-March, Surya endured ordinary form in the tournament, managing to score merely 242 runs in nine matches at 30.25, with a highest score of 84 not out against USA in the opening match at the Wankhede Stadium in MumbaiThe veteran batsman’s fortunes with the bat didn’t improve in IPL-2026, where he scored just 260 runs in 13 matches at 20.76, with a strike rate of 147.54, with just two fifties, for the Mumbai Indians, who crashed out in the league stage. 131477709India are set to play two T20Is against Ireland later this month in Belfast. The first T20I is scheduled for June 26, and second T20I will be played two days later on June 28.

New Episode of TSA: World Cup '26 is a Stress Test for the Modern Sports Business ModelThe Sports Advisors podcast is a biweekly roundtable discussion for decision-makers, hosted by their peers, on the stories that matter and their second-order effects. It is actionable intelligence from senior operators who have actually built, bought, sold, programmed, monetized, and scaled sports businesses.In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors turn their attention to the 2026 World Cup. The event is serving as a stress test on the modern sports business model. The core four unpack pricing power, real estate optionality, and what MLS and its clubs can do to capitalize on the once-in-a-generation moment and become more culturally relevant.The cast for the third episode in a row includes:Former Carolina Panthers CEO, former Verizon VP of Sponsorship, and current Encore Sports & Entertainment CEO Nick Kelly.Former Washington Commanders Chief Strategy Officer, former Shop Your Way Chief Digital Officer, and current Next League Chief AI & Innovation Officer Shripal Shah.Former Learfield CRO, former WWE Global Head of Sales & Partnerships and Head of International, and current DIRIGO Advisory, LLC Founder John Brody.Former Fox Sports SVP of Programming, Research and Content Strategy, and current Crakes Media President Patrick Crakes.You can always connect with a member of the JohnWallStreet Advisory team by sending a note to info@JohnWallStreet.com. Key insights and takeaways from the conversation:The Tension Between Short-Term Yield and Long-Term GrowthFIFA is using dynamic pricing for the men’s World Cup for the first time, and the price of tickets has become one of the dominant pre-tournament business stories. The question is whether the organizing body’s focus on revenue maximization is souring the market long term.“Dynamic pricing [has] been around forever, but you use dynamic pricing to optimize for a [single] night or a match. When you're doing brand building, you're optimizing for a decade. FIFA is choosing the night. It's very short-term thinking,” Shah said. The problem is “when your cheapest seat is $380 and the [U.S.] opener is at $4,000 you're not [just] pricing a match, you run the risk of pricing out the next generation of fans; and that's going to be one of the key things that [other rights owners should] really think about…What [does the cost] do [to fans] from an experience point of view and who [are you] targeting and who [you are] excluding, [because all of] that is going to have ramifications, especially when soccer is not a mature market in the U.S. yet.”The Real Cost of AttendanceTransit and parking costs/logistics have also drawn fan backlash in cities across the country. The World Cup was always going to play in established NFL stadiums. But the controversy has spawned a broader venue-development debate. Should rights owners evaluating future district projects think a bit less about real estate optionality and more about the total cost of attendance, including considerations like time, friction, and whether the trip is easy enough for fans to make it a habit?“The research we did at Fox and afterwards when I was [at] InVivo and elsewhere [indicates] that the brand experience begins when you leave the house. [In fact,] it probably starts when you purchase your tickets,” Crakes said. “And understanding each touch point and the friction you create, from how long it takes to get in and out of the parking lot to what the food costs at the stadium, are all things that [rights owners] need to rethink [in] the whole revenue versus brand experience [consideration].”The Cultural Relevance TestThis summer’s tournament is going to generate record revenue and TV ratings. But neither is the KPI that will dictate whether the event was a true success.“[Judge the ‘26 WC on] whether there becomes a [cultural] movement from this. And you can't judge that within a month after the event is over. [It takes time…But] does soccer take that next step forward,” Brody asked? “Because right now in America, [MLS] is not a leading sport. It is a second-tier sport. How does it become a tier one [property]? That's what the hope is coming out of the World Cup. Ultimately, we'll find out based on the voting of [the American] people with where they spend their time and money [in the] future.”Turning WC Fervor into MLS DemandMLS is almost assured of seeing a post-World Cup bump. But fully capitalizing on the opportunity will require the league to understand what it is selling to fans.“The biggest piece is [being prepared] to take the momentum you have coming out of mid-July, and the fervor around actual global soccer, and you [have to] highlight a lot of the players in the league who participated in the World Cup; [market that] you can continue to see them play here in the U.S. That has to be a heavy push,” Kelly said. “As uncomfortable as it is, it [should be] less about teams at that point [and] more about the sport. It's more about the players ...There's [Messi and] other players in the league that are playing in the World Cup where they should be able to highlight [those individuals and] carry on that fandom for at least [the last] four months [of the season]...[MLS is] going to see an inherent lift on the back half of the season [either way], just because [fans who] may have been priced out of World Cup games can go watch [a league game in] Dallas for 30 bucks.”📺Watch the full episode on JohnWallStreet’s YouTube page.🎧 Listen or watch on Spotify.Catch previous episodes of The Sports Advisors, including the debut on the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s decision to stop funding LIV Golf at the conclusion of the 2026 season and our second episode on rumblings Vancouver Whitecaps FC could be relocating to Las Vegas, on JohnWallStreet’s YouTube Channel.Don’t forget to like and subscribe!The next episode will be released on Wednesday, June 17.

Donald Trump Jr. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images A group of lawmakers demanded answers from the White House this week following a ProPublica investigation revealing that a top aide to the president intervened to secure a $620 million Pentagon loan to a startup linked to the president’s eldest son. ProPublica’s reporting “reveals a staggering level of corruption and influence peddling that superseded this process, enriching the President’s son at the expense of U.S. national security and taxpayer dollars,” wrote the group of Democratic lawmakers, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii as well as Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado and Mike Levin of California. Read More The White House Intervened to Get a $620 Million Deal for a Company Tied to Donald Trump Jr. Last year, the Pentagon announced the loan to Vulcan Elements, a small North Carolina startup, about three months after Donald Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm took a stake of undisclosed size in the rare-earth magnet company. Interviews and Defense Department records reviewed by ProPublica show that the request to lend to the firm was made by Peter Navarro, who serves as the president’s senior counselor for trade and manufacturing and is a friend of Trump Jr.’s. Of the dozens of companies the Pentagon was considering funding at the time, Vulcan’s was the only deal initiated by a top aide to the president, an official at the Pentagon who was not authorized to speak publicly told ProPublica. After defense officials got the White House request, they asked Pentagon staff to move at an unusually rapid pace, said another person who was involved in the deal at the Pentagon but not authorized to speak about it. “The call came from the White House: We have to get this done,” the person said. In their letter, addressed to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the lawmakers asked a series of questions about Navarro’s involvement in the deal, including whether he intervened at someone else’s direction, if the president was aware or involved, and who Navarro communicated with at the Pentagon. They also asked more broadly about whether White House officials have communicated with federal agency officials about other companies linked to the Trump family. “The American public — and service members that are in harm’s way — expect that the DoD contracting process is fair, unbiased, and competitive to ensure that only the best companies, providing only the best products, receive taxpayer dollars,” the lawmakers wrote. Navarro, who served as trade adviser in the president’s first term, and Trump Jr. have formed a close bond in recent years. The president’s son visited Navarro in prison while he served time for defying a subpoena from lawmakers investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Trump Jr. was one of the small group of people Navarro dedicated his latest book to for having “my back when it was against the wall.” And a week before the Vulcan deal was announced, Trump Jr. hosted Navarro on his streaming show, encouraging his nearly 2 million subscribers to buy Navarro’s book. That interview was not long after word came down from Navarro to Pentagon staff to make the massive loan to Vulcan, one of the defense officials involved in the deal said. Asked to respond to the lawmakers’ allegations and ProPublica’s reporting, Navarro in a text message wrote “Staggering level of hyperbole. More fake news” but did not elaborate. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Navarro did not respond to questions from ProPublica sent to him directly before the initial article was published. But in a post on X afterward, he called the story “fake news on steroids.” Vulcan has not commented. A White House spokesperson had said in a statement that the administration is working “in the best interest of the American people,” adding, “The President’s entire team, including Senior Counselor Navarro and officials at the Department of War, is working together and with private industry to secure America’s critical mineral supply chain at Trump Speed.” Trump Jr.’s spokesperson said last week that the president’s son does not discuss companies he has invested in with federal government officials and did not speak to Navarro about Vulcan. He “has no knowledge about how this deal came together,” the spokesperson said. A spokesperson for 1789 Capital, the venture firm where Trump Jr. is a partner, said it also played no role in Vulcan getting the loan and did not learn about the deal before it was public. “No company receives preferential treatment,” a Pentagon spokesperson said. “Outside affiliations, investors, or political connections play absolutely no role in the Department’s funding decisions.” The loan was part of the Pentagon’s effort to fund companies that could help the U.S. reduce dependence on China’s critical mineral supply chains. It represented a big win for Vulcan and its investors. Estimates of the company’s valuation grew tenfold after the deal was announced. The deal is one of many actions by the administration of President Donald Trump that have helped companies in which his family holds stakes. Government contracts and other benefits have gone to various Trump-linked companies. But ProPublica’s reporting on the Vulcan loan represented the first time the awarding of a contract from a federal agency was directly linked to White House intervention. A number of other lawmakers also criticized the Vulcan deal following ProPublica’s investigation. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, called it “corruption to the highest degree,” alleging on X: “They are looting this country. Dismantling it, selling it for parts, and lining their own pockets.” Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, called for a congressional investigation. “It’s just nonstop corruption from this White House, and Republicans in Congress are content to twiddle their thumbs and look right in the other direction,” she posted on X. “Congress should be investigating and putting a stop to this kind of crooked self-dealing—not enabling it.” The post Lawmakers Demand Answers After the White House Initiated a $620M Loan to a Firm Tied to Donald Trump Jr. appeared first on ProPublica.

👀 Real Madrid unveil home shirt with green and pink detailsReal Madrid officially unveiled their home kit for the 2026/2027 season. The big new feature of the white shirt is the dark green and pink details.Green appears on the collar and sleeves, while pink is used for the adidas stripes on the shoulders and upper sleeves.Another new feature this year is the textures. The shirt has visual details inspired by the diamonds and pearls in the Spanish crown jewels.What do you think of Real Madrid's new shirt?This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Former NBA champion Jeff Teague recently said that LeBron James should consider leaving the Los Angeles Lakers if the team is truly prioritizing Austin Reaves over him in free agency this offseason.According to Los Angeles Lakers reporter Jovan Buha, the franchise will likely prioritize Reaves over James in certain contract scenarios, as the former fits better in Luka Doncic’s timeline, unlike James, who is approaching 42 this December.“It’s time to go, Bron. N****s start putting Austin Reaves over you. And I like Austin Reaves, but y’all would never disrespect a GOAT like that,” Teague said on the Club 520 podcast. “Rip Hamilton wasn’t prioritized over Michael Jordan when Michael was 41. He was the owner. They told Jerry Stackhouse, ‘Get out the way. Mike’s back.’”If James does leave the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, the four-time NBA champion will still garner suitors in the open market, and he’s been linked to a potential transfer to either the Golden State Warriors or Cleveland Cavaliers.May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) speaks with official Tony Brothers during the first half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesLos Angeles Lakers Rumors: LeBron James could join Western Conference rival by taking significant pay cutAs noted, the Golden State Warriors have been floated as a potential landing spot for LeBron James if he ultimately leaves the Los Angeles Lakers. However, according to Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard, the four-time league MVP would likely take a huge discount to make it happen.“If they maneuver their roster and payroll just enough, the Warriors could offer LeBron the $15.1 million nontaxpayer midlevel exception, which is monumentally short of the $52.6 million he made this season but is more than some other possible teams could pay him,” Kawakami wrote.“I think the Warriors would be a very live option. Check that: I think the process has already started and the Warriors are a live option,” he continued.

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever endured a tough two-game road trip.The Fever (4-4) dropped consecutive games at the Golden State Valkyries and at the Portland Fire. Clark scored just six points on 1-of-7 shooting in the loss at Portland as she battled foul trouble. It was just the seventh single-digit scoring performance of Clark's WNBA career.Clark and Fever head coach Stephanie White's bench exchange drew headlines as tempers seemingly flared between the two.In the aftermath of the team's poor play and that bench blowup, Sophie Cunningham and Kelsey Mitchell confirmed the Fever held a team meeting to address some of its recent issues.As the Fever look to get back on track, when can fans watch Clark and Co. again and what does the upcoming schedule look like?Upcoming Indiana Fever scheduleThursday, June 4: vs. Atlanta Dream (6 p.m. CT on Amazon Prime Video)Saturday, June 6: at New York Liberty (7 p.m. CT on CBS)Monday, June 8: at Washington Mystics (6 p.m. CT on NBCSN / Peacock)Thursday, June 11: vs. Chicago Sky (6 p.m. CT on Amazon Prime Video)Saturday, June 13: at Connecticut Sun (5 p.m. CT on NBCSN / Peacock)Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnHawksThis article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Indiana Fever schedule: When does Caitlin Clark play again?

The Detroit Lions hope that their work throughout the offseason positions the franchise for a big bounce back in 2026.ESPN is a believer in the Lions' ability to roar back this coming season. In its bold predictions for the 2026 season, ESPN predicts that Detroit will go worst to first in the NFC North "in dominant fashion."Defensive injuries have derailed Detroit in recent seasons, but this roster -- when healthy -- is terrific on both sides of the ball. Add in one of the league's easiest schedules, and the Lions are primed for a Super Bowl push. -- Mike Clay, ESPNGiven its schedule and the talent on the Lions' roster, Detroit is a trendy pick to make a quick return to championship contention.DraftKings lists the Lions as its NFC North favorite with +186 odds to win the division.While some fans are naturally pessimisstic after a disappointing 9-8 finish in 2025, ESPN's thoughts on Detroit are a nice reminder that many think things will take a positive turn in 2026.For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLionsThis article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN includes Detroit Lions among its 2026 bold predictions

Motorsport photoThe Monaco Grand Prix weekend has always been the most glamorous event on the Formula 1 calendar. It is no coincidence that teams often choose the streets of the principality to showcase special liveries, and this year Aston Martin will roll out a bespoke look for the event.In recent days, McLaren unveiled the livery it will use to celebrate its 1000th Formula 1 Grand Prix. This morning, Aston Martin revealed a new colour scheme created in collaboration with Maaden, one of the Silverstone team's sponsors.The AMR26 cars will temporarily abandon Aston Martin's traditional green in favour of the "From Rock to Racetrack" campaign. The livery is said to trace the journey of metals and minerals from extraction to high-performance engineering. The aim is to demonstrate how materials extracted by Maaden are transformed into the fundamental components that contribute to powering modern society.Aston Martin F1The livery features an iridescent, colour-shifting finish, created using a special coating material being used by Aston Martin for the first time. The result is a design that visibly changes colour as the car travels around Monaco's iconic street circuit, symbolising the transformation of raw materials into advanced technology.The same design will also appear on the race suits of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, as well as on the helmets and overalls of the team's mechanics."This weekend, we are proud to celebrate our principal partner Maaden through this unique livery takeover at the Monaco Grand Prix," said Aston Martin’s managing director, commercial, Jefferson Slack.Aston Martin F1"More than a livery alone, the whole campaign highlights the important role Maaden plays in shaping and transforming materials into components we all use – including in the world of Formula 1."We look forward to seeing the striking Maaden design on the streets of Monaco this weekend."Aston Martin has faced a tough start to its 2026 campaign, its first with an Adrian Newey-designed racer. However, the team’s new works partnership with Honda has gotten off to a rocky start, with engine vibrations and reliability issues hampering its progress this year. See also: McLaren celebrates 1000th F1 GP in Monaco with special livery Charles Leclerc reiterates Ferrari F1 title desire as he extends contract To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

The president’s pick for governor of Iowa lost his primary, while Democrats in the state chose their nominee in what they hope will be a competitive Senate race.

Trump officials said they planned to impose levies of up to 12.5 percent on countries that failed to crack down on goods made with forced labor.

Mr. Pulte has had difficulty boosting the housing market as head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Now he will also serve as acting intelligence director.

From Spike Lee to die-hard fans haunted by the 1999 finals, New Yorkers have descended on San Antonio in hopes of witnessing the franchise’s first championship in more than 50 years.

The arts school and camp is still contending with the fallout from its former ties to Mr. Epstein, an alumnus and donor accused of preying on two girls he met there.

NBA basketball was at the height of its superteam era from 2015 to 2018. During that stretch, the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers met in the NBA Finals for four consecutive seasons. As thrilling as those battles were, there was a growing desire for more parity around the league.Nearly a decade later, the NBA has achieved that goal. Since Golden State’s 2018 championship, eight different franchises will have won titles in eight seasons, including this year's Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks.When expanding the count to different teams that have reached the Finals since 2018, the number jumps to 14. That means nearly half the league has won a conference championship during that span.The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the 16 teams that have not experienced that feeling. In fact, the franchise has never reached the NBA Finals in its 31-year history.Professional sports are often copycat leagues. Once a team reveals a championship blueprint, others are quick to follow.Here are three lessons the Grizzlies can take from the Spurs and Knicks.Winning takes a little luckWhile the most talented teams often make the Finals, that is not always the case. Injuries are part of the game, and many championship runs require a few fortunate breaks along the way.In the Western Conference semifinals, the Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, who had a hobbled Anthony Edwards and was missing starter Donte DiVincenzo, who had a torn Achilles. San Antonio completed its conference finals victory over Oklahoma City without having to face Ajay Mitchell (right calf strain) or Jalen Williams (left hamstring strain) in Game 7.The Knicks' impressive run included defeating a Philadelphia 76ers team led by an injured Joel Embiid. The Knicks were expected to face the Boston Celtics in the second round, but an injury to Jayson Tatum altered the series and helped pave the way for Philadelphia’s upset of Boston.Championship teams still have to capitalize on those opportunities, but postseason success often requires a combination of talent, health and good fortune.Small point guards can winThis lesson comes primarily from the Knicks. The Spurs are a better example of the modern trend toward bigger, more versatile guards. But winning with a smaller lead guard remains possible. The Knicks are led by Jalen Brunson, who is listed at 6-foot-1.What they have done particularly well is build a roster around him. He is surrounded by tall, versatile wings who can help cover for him defensively, while strong rim protection provides another layer of support.The Knicks likely cannot afford to pair Brunson with another undersized guard without sacrificing too much defensively. However, Brunson’s offensive production, combined with four above-average defenders who possess size and versatility, has proven to be a winning formula.Youth can winAfter the 2023 season, Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman publicly questioned whether Memphis needed to “triple down on youth.” At the time, it was a fair question.Since then, Oklahoma City and San Antonio have helped provide the answer.The Thunder won the 2025 championship with a roster built primarily through the draft and with limited playoff experience. Now, the Spurs are showing that youth can win when the right talent is in place.Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have a combined six seasons of NBA experience, yet they have not looked overwhelmed by the moment.As the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement places greater restrictions on expensive veteran rosters, more teams will look to contend while their best players remain on rookie-scale contracts.The Grizzlies have a chance to follow that path. They have produced four NBA All-Rookie selections the past three seasons and now own the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. If those young players continue to develop, Memphis could be positioned to take the next step sooner rather than later.Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Memphis Grizzlies can learn from NBA Finals, Spurs, Knicks

Scottie Scheffler, the Memorial Tournament defending champion, will tee off in the afternoon in the 2026 edition of the tournament at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.As always, Upper Arlington native Jack Nicklaus is the host.Brian Campbell and Pierceson Coody are the first pair to tee off in the first round at 7:45 a.m. Min Woo Lee and Mac Meissner are the last pairing at 1:55 p.m.See the rest of the tee times below.When is the Memorial Tournament? What's it worth to the winner?The Memorial Tournament is June 4-7 at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin.The winner gets $4 million from a purse of $20 million.Memorial Tournament tee times Round 17:45 a.m. - Brian Campbell and Pierceson Coody7:55 a.m. - Ryan Fox and Daniel Berger8:05 a.m. - Jason Day and Jordan Speith8:15 a.m. - Billy Horshcel and Sam Stevens8:25 a.m. - J.T. Poston and Ryo Hisatsune8:35 a.m. - Adam Scott and Alex Smalley8:45 a.m. - Nico Echavarria and Nick Taylor8:55 a.m. - Keegan Bradley and Corey Connors9:10 a.m. - Andrew Novak and Hideki Matsuyama9:20 a.m. - Chris Gotterup and Sepp Straka9:30 a.m. - Shane Lowry and Sungjae Im9:40 a.m. - Akshay Bhatia and Sam Burns9:50 a.m. - Wyndham Clark and J.J. Spaun10:00 a.m. - Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler10:10 a.m. - Cameron Young and Tommy Fleetwood10:25 a.m. - Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas10:35 a.m. - Kurt Kitayama and Michael Kim10:45 a.m. - Matt Kuchar and Bud Cauley10:55 a.m. - Tom Hoge and Alex Noren11:05 a.m. - Patrick Rodgers and Nicolai Hojgaard 11:15 a.m. - Jhonattan Vegas and Sudershan Yellamaraju11:25 a.m. - Taylor Pendrith and Tony Finau11:40 a.m. - Ryan Gerard and Mark Hubbard11:50 a.m. - Brandt Snedecker and Eric Cole12:00 p.m. - Sathith Theegala and Si Woo Kim12:10 p.m. - Harry Hall and Denny McCarthy12:20 p.m. - Harris English and Robert MacIntyre12:30 p.m. - Alex Fitzpartrick and Jacob Bridgeman12:40 p.m. - Kristoffer Reitan and Maverick McNealy12:55 p.m. - Ben Griffin and Brian Harman1:05 p.m. - Gary Woodland and Patrick Cantlay1:15 p.m. - Russell Henley and Matt Fitzpatrick1:25 p.m. - Xander Schauffele and Ludvig Aberg1:35 p.m. - Aaron Rai and Scottie Scheffler1:45 p.m. - Matt McCarty and Lucas Glover1:55 p.m. Min Woo Lee and Mac MeissnerWhat channel is the Memorial Tournament on today? Time, TV schedulePortions of the Memorial will be broadcast on the Golf Channel and CBS. Here is Thursday's broadcast schedule.Thursday, June 4Live First Round coverage: Golf Channel, 2-6 p.m. Where to watch the Memorial Tournament on streamingThe Memorial can be streamed on any platform that includes the Golf Channel or CBS, including Paramount+, YouTube TV and Fubo.Memorial Tournament oddsBetMGM Memorial Tournament winner odds as of June 1:Scottie Scheffler (+300)Rory McIlroy (+950)Cameron Young (+1400)Ludvig Aberg (+1600)Xander Schauffele (+1600)Matt Fitzpatrick (+2000)Si Woo Kim (+2200)Patrick Cantlay (+2500)Russell Henley (+2800)Where is the Memorial Tournament played?The Memorial is played at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Memorial Tournament tee times, how to watch first round

LEBANON − Ryan Blaney is a man of manifestation.Mr. Manifestation, if you will.Or Mr. Mustachio.Or Mr. Ryan "Inside" Laney.The 32-year-old NASCAR driver is a third-generation racer with an affinity for horsepower, fancy facial hair, tattoos and the "Cars" movie series. He is known around the garage as "YRB," (Young Ryan Blaney).Ryan Michael Blaney could, and probably would, answer to any of those names.Let's start with Mr. Mustachio."You look like Dale Earnhart," a fan remarked to Blaney on May 30 during a meet and greet at an Advanced Auto Parts store in Murfreesboro, pointing to his mustache."Really?" Blaney replied, a humble grin beginning stretch out that 'stache.He then strummed his thick, brown lip rug, which takes Earnhardt's old go-to 'stache to higher hair-raising, horseshoe-looking like level. One that results in a bushel of whiskers that is meticulously manicured around the corners of his mouth and past his lips."People ask me about it all the time," Blaney told The Tennessean four days before the Earnhardt comparison, ahead of the Cracker Barrel 400 on May 31 at Nashville Superspeedway, where he won last year and finished eighth this year after leading 46 laps.Blaney, who is third in points behind Tyler Reddick and 2026 Cracker Barrel 400 winner Denny Hamlin, explained that his plan last offseason was to grow a "big old beard."Blaney will race in the FireKeepers Casino 400 at 2 p.m. on June 7 in the NASCAR Michigan race at Michigan International Speedway.So he did. Then he spent about a week "playing with it and shaving it down.""And then I got to the mustache part," he said.And?"My wife liked it, so I decided to keep it and here we are," said Blaney, who has 18 career Cup Series wins and 177 top 10s in 392 career races.Disney's 'Cars' factsRyan Blaney was a kid who grew up watching Disney's "Cars" movie.Over and over.He was 12 years old when it was released in 2006.By the time he was 23 he was in one of those movies, doing the voice of the character Ryan "Inside" Laney in "Cars 3," which was released in 2017."I was a big fan of 'Cars,' " Blaney said. "That movie was unbelievable ... as a fan of racing."When they asked me to be a part of that third movie, in a small, little role, that was kind of a childhood thing. I definitely jumped on it. I have a lot of kids coming up to me and ask me to sign that diecast car. ... That's really special to me."CRACKER BARREL 400: Shane van Gisbergen earns milestone finish, more NASCAR Nashville winners, losersTHE LATEST: NASCAR points standings, Cup Series points update after Nashville raceWhile his character, a Next Generation rookie, had only one line, that line went a long way with Blaney."McQueen's still not here?" Inside Blaney asked. "Didn't he pull this when he was a rookie? At least that's what my grandfather told me."NASCAR video game factsRyan "Inside Laney competed for the Piston Cup in 2017 (in the "Cars 3" movie), which he didn't win.Blaney competes in the NASCAR Cup, which did win in 2023.But when Blaney has a video game controller in his hand, he's never in control of himself.Blaney, you see, also grew up in High Point, North Carolina, a kid who was hooked on the NASCAR video game series. "I would never choose myself," Blaney said. "I would always choose somebody else. Switch it up."I didn't really mind too much who I was. I just liked to play with everybody, random people. It was pretty fun."RARE AIR: Tyler Reddick's NASCAR journey started with Bigfoot, Barbie cars before Michael JordanBlaney's go-to pick growing up, of course, was his father, Dave Blaney, a veteran of 473 Cup races spanning 17 seasons. He'd also drive as his other favorite drivers, such as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart.After Blaney reached the Cup Series in 2014, he found himself racing for real against the latter three.In 2025, Mr. Manifestation, along with Christopher Bell and William Byron, was on the cover of NASCAR video game."I had all the NASCAR games growing up, and I was always curious to see who was going to be on the cover," Blaney said. "I remember Jimmie and Jeff and Tony and some of those guys being on covers."I was like, 'Man, that'd be cool to have my cover on a game.' I hope it's the same way with another kid who loves racing. Maybe I'm their favorite driver. I just relate to that."Ryan Blaney's racing family heritageRyan Blaney, the son of a former NASCAR driver, said he looked up to his father.But the real roots of his racing DNA trace back to his grandfather, Lou Blaney, a member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame. Grandpa won 600 races during a 47-year career, mostly driving a No. 10 car his father, a local sawmill and lumber company owner, helped fund.His racing career ended in 2002, when Ryan was 9.So not long after the younger Blaney began racing professionally, he decided to pay homage to his grandfather in a permanent and painful way: By getting his Sprint Car tattooed on his left ribs.The procedure took six hours, but out of the pain Blaney gained his favorite tattoo."He's the one who really started the racing side of my family," Ryan said. "I wanted to have something I could see every day and remind me of my family."It just reminds me of where this all started."Where it all goes from here remains to be seen.Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach him at pskrbina@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina.This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ryan Blaney went from losing to Lightning McQueen to winning Cup title

The NBA Finals haven’t even begun and already the fixation with the New York Knicks is exhausting.Did you know this is their first trip to the Finals since 1999? Did you know they haven’t lost in more than a month? Did you know they have the most famous fans in the world? Did you know tickets to games at Madison Square Garden cost more than a car?Stahhhhhp.Fortunately for folks who aren’t Knicks fans, which is pretty much the rest of the country, New York’s opponents in these Finals are the San Antonio Spurs, who might just be the most down-to-earth team in the NBA.The San Antonio Spurs are America's team in the NBA FinalsThey’re small market and worth about half what the Knicks are. Their nickname does not bring instant recognition. Their arena does not have name recognition in their own state, let alone the whole world. Their most famous fans are nuns, not celebrities. And while Victor Wembanyama is the undisputed future of the NBA, he’s an unassuming superstar.Instead of hanging out with Kardashians, Wemby spent last off-season with monks. While not an actual alien, he is interested in outer space and can talk at length about it. He’s responsible for an uptick in reading in San Antonio, for goodness sake.View this post on InstagramThe Spurs are what you want in a championship team.The Knicks are … what New York wants in a championship team.Knicks are a team only New Yorkers can loveEvery sport has at least one team that everyone else loves to hate. The Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. The New York Yankees in Major League Baseball. Duke in men’s basketball.It’s usually a byproduct of success, a toxic owner or an arrogant fan base. In the Knicks’ case, it’s a little bit of everything. Well, maybe not the success part. Not lately, at least. But the owner and the fan base more than make up for that.Longtime Knicks owner James Dolan is easily the worst owner in the NBA. With Dan Snyder having sold the Washington Commanders, he can make a case for worst owner in all of sports. He’s picked fights with superfan Spike Lee and Knicks legend Charles Oakley. He provided cover for Isiah Thomas after he was the subject of a sexual harassment lawsuit. Dolan treated his WNBA team like something he found on the bottom of his shoe.Dolan also has reportedly used surveillance technology to track those who are critical of him and ban them from Madison Square Garden in retaliation. Even Knicks fans hate the man.As for those fans, they’re brash, they’re loud and, let’s be honest, they’re a little arrogant. And that’s just Timothée Chalamet! New Yorkers see New York as the center of the universe and don’t have much use for anything outside the five boroughs.Maybe New Jersey.Maybe.That kind of smugness is as annoying as a pebble in a shoe to people who aren’t from New York. Since we can’t take our irritation out on the city itself, its teams become the proxy. The Knicks, the Yankees, the Mets, the Rangers — whoever they’re playing becomes everybody else’s second-favorite team.(Yes, I know I left out the Giants and the Jets. They’re too pathetic to hate.)And if it’s the post-season? The loathing ratchets up to another level.San Antonio Spurs are easy to root forWhich brings us back to San Antonio. The Spurs are an incredibly likeable team on their own. This is the franchise of David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich. This is the franchise that showed it really is possible for people from all corners of the world to work together. This is the franchise that has Wemby, who is revolutionizing the game in real time while also being an utterly decent human.San Antonio’s bandwagon would need extra room regardless of who they were facing in the Finals. That they’re playing the Knicks makes them America’s Team.C'mon Spurs. Do the rest of the country a solid. The last thing anyone needs is to give New York another reason to brag about itself. Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: San Antonio Spurs are America's Team in NBA Finals. NY fans can have the Knicks

There are many ways to rehab an injured shoulder at Brady Martin's family farm in Ontario.Throw old tires into a pit silo. Haul dairy cow feed. Carry farm equipment from one barn to the next.Farm life is practical, if nothing else. And it's where Martin, the Nashville Predators' top pick in 2025, has returned after finishing his third junior season in Sault Ste. Marie."Chopping, planting, hauling, all that stuff," Martin told The Tennessean on May 26. "Just getting ready for the summer work."Summer work for Martin doesn't mean hockey, at least not yet. Brady's father, Terry, and mother Sheryl aren't willing to let him dodge farm chores. After he puts his hours in at the Martin farm, he'll be at Predators development camp in early July and then, hopefully, the 2026 World Junior Showcase in Windsor, Ontario.Until then, it's lifting, throwing, carrying and planting — all of which help rehab his shoulder."(The shoulder) feels pretty good now. It still bugs me a bit sometimes, but it's healing up good," Martin said. Martin suffered a serious shoulder injury during Canada's semifinal game Jan. 4 against Czechia at the 2025 World Junior Championships. The injury ended an impressive run at the tournament, where he had eight points in six games. It also delayed his return to the OHL in January and was a significant setback in what was supposed to be a dominant junior season for Martin. "When you sit out for that long, it's tough to get back in the swing of things," Martin said. "I came back and played and wasn't feeling 100% . . . the second half of the season was definitely a battle for me."Brady Martin's injury and junior hockey adjustments When the Predators selected Martin at No. 5 overall in June 2025, it followed a breakout season with the Soo Greyhounds in the OHL. He scored 33 goals and added 39 assists in 57 games, rocketing into the top-10 in most mock drafts. It was a bit of a surprise Nashville took him, but it made sense given his profile: a hard-hitting, cement-wall center with flashy puck skill and an incredible work ethic.Martin was a surprise again by making the Predators out of training camp. He made his NHL debut on opening night, then scored his first point in his second game. He was sent back to the OHL after three games, and most expected another dominant junior hockey season.That's not exactly how it played out. He was solid to begin the season, with five goals and 11 assists in his first 13 games. Then he was arguably Canada's most important player through six games at the world juniors.But the shoulder injury — suffered while trying to lay a hard check on Czechia's Matyas Man — derailed everything. He missed nearly two months of hockey, and when he came back, he just wasn't the same."I play a physical game, that's why I was drafted where I was. So it's tough to stay that physical with (an injury)," Martin said. Lacking his usual punch, his production dipped. He scored eight points in his final 11 games, dropping his season total to an even point-per-game (24 points in 24 games). He managed 10 points in 10 playoff games, but it wasn't enough — the Greyhounds lost in five games to the Kitchener Rangers in the second round of the OHL playoffs.Martin, who was the Greyhounds' captain this season, expected more of himself. "It's hard when you go from playing with top talent in the NHL and the world juniors, then you come back (to the OHL)," he said. "We had an all-star team for Team Canada, but obviously your club team isn't going to be as strong. For me, I've got to adjust and be able to adapt more."When his OHL season ended, Martin was added to the Milwaukee Admirals ahead of their AHL playoff run. He even scored his first pro goal in his debut with the Admirals. But then their season ended two games later in a series loss to Manitoba.Martin said it was a good experience, but now he's focused on getting his body ready for training camp in the fall. He still remembers playing against NHL talent in October, an experience that prompted a memorable (and honest) self-assessment:"Everyone's a lot stronger than me, I think I've got to hit the gym," he said after the Predators' 2-1 win on Oct. 9.Entering the league at 6-foot, 187 pounds, Martin says he has been working on adding muscle. Though the shoulder injury delayed his strength training, he thinks that by the time training camp hits, he'll be strong enough (and healthy enough) to earn another spot on the Predators' roster.Until then, there's plenty of rehab work on the farm."It's getting hot (in Ontario), so that helps with the workout for sure," Martin said.Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators' Brady Martin recovering from difficult season with farm rehab

Newly appointed Beaumont ISD Superintendent Sandi Massey speaks during a school board meeting in Beaumont, Texas. Danielle Villasana for ProPublica No state has taken over as many local public school districts as Texas. Just since 2020, the Texas Education Agency has installed its own hand-picked leaders in eight districts. Four of those came this spring. At least another 10 are at risk of takeover, including, as of last week, the Austin Independent School District. And to lead some of these districts, Texas is turning to a cadre of officials with ties to Mike Miles, the man the education agency chose in 2023 to oversee the Houston school district, the state’s largest. Miles is also a close ally of Mike Morath, Texas’ powerful education commissioner. Already, at least two of these new district leaders have started to adopt policies similar to the contentious reforms Miles has pursued in Houston. He has touted improved test scores under his charge. Houston ISD had no F-rated campuses and fewer D-rated campuses in the state’s latest ratings compared with previous years. But Miles has also sparked widespread protests in response to the district’s rigid adherence to scripted lessons and repetitive testing, the firing of principals and teachers, mass school closures, and the conversion of schools into charters. Miles did not respond to requests for comment from the Texas Observer. Houston ISD officials, in a statement to the Observer, said the district did not achieve better ratings by maintaining the status quo but “made difficult decisions” to improve academic performance, noting the majority of its campuses are now rated A or B. These school districts whose new leaders have connections to Miles should prepare for “upheaval and chaos,” warned an elected Houston school board member. “If anything doesn’t align with improving test scores, it will be taken away,” said Maria Benzon, who was elected in November to the Houston ISD board but is not permitted to serve under the ongoing state takeover. Under Miles, for example, Houston ISD eliminated librarian positions and turned some libraries into what Benzon called “detention centers,” because they are being used, in part, for students with behavioral issues. Morath, the TEA commissioner, has said the centers are used for more than just punishment. Texas law allows the TEA to take control of districts with multiple failing school ratings or governance issues and to replace their superintendent and elected boards. The recent takeovers include Beaumont, Lake Worth and Connally independent school districts, whose new superintendents worked under Miles when he was superintendent in Dallas ISD; two of them also worked for him in Houston. In Fort Worth ISD, one of the state’s largest districts, the new state-appointed superintendent chose Daniel Soliz as his second-in-command, another person who worked under Miles in Houston ISD. Soliz did not respond to requests for comment for this story. Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath attends a meeting at Harmony Hills Elementary School in San Antonio in 2025.The pace of state school district takeovers has increased during Morath’s time as commissioner. Scott Stephen Ball for The Texas Tribune At least two of the state’s new superintendent appointees — Sandi Massey, who now helms Beaumont ISD in southeast Texas, and Ena Meyers, TEA’s appointee for Lake Worth ISD, a small district near Fort Worth — also worked for the controversial Colorado-based charter network Third Future Schools, which Miles led prior to becoming superintendent in Houston. In April, the Observer revealed that Miles had an ongoing $120,000 annual consulting contract with the charter network, an arrangement that likely violated a new statewide ban on public school administrators’ moonlighting. After questions from the news organization, Miles canceled the contract. The district said Miles “remains fully focused on leading Houston ISD and delivering results for students.” Third Future’s charter network is expanding around the state as districts turn campuses over to the nonprofit’s Texas subsidiary, often as a means to delay possible state takeover. The nonprofit did not respond to the Observer’s request for comment. School district takeovers often involve layoffs, school closures and an increase in charter schools, as has happened in Houston, said Domingo Morel, an associate professor of political science and public service at New York University, who found Texas has had more district takeovers than any other state since 1989. What’s unique to Texas, Morel said, is that the low bar required to take control has led to more takeovers. Since 2015, five consecutive failing state ratings at just one school can trigger a takeover, as occurred in Houston, which has 273 campuses. Texas has also made it harder for districts to appeal these seizures. The Legislature passed a law in 2021 that barred districts from using public funds to challenge the education commissioner’s “final and unappealable” decision to take them over. The threshold that defines a failing school was also lowered. Then, in 2025, the state passed another law restricting districts from using public funds to sue the state when challenging its accountability ratings. The state “is the player, the referee, the coach, the scorekeeper,” when it comes to rating schools and deciding when to seize control, said Steven Nelson, an associate professor of education policy and leadership at the University of Nevada who’s been studying school takeovers for more than a decade. He said he suspects the TEA-appointed leaders connected to Miles will also focus on standardized testing, which will result in “a narrow curriculum when all is said and done.” The acceleration of takeovers, and the state’s increasingly stringent rating system, comes just as Texas rolls out a school voucher program that will, in most cases, award parents $10,000 in state funds to send their children to private schools. State accountability standards do not apply to private schools, where students don’t have to take the standardized tests required in Texas public schools. TEA spokesperson Jake Kobersky said the agency does not expect the four school districts that have recently been taken over to adopt the same reforms that Miles implemented in Houston. “During an intervention, state law requires the agency to appoint a new superintendent and a board of managers. All other staffing and operational decisions are made locally by the district,” Kobersky said. But last August, Morath told lawmakers other districts “should be copying the changes that we see in Houston.” Massey, the new superintendent in Beaumont, has also cited the changes in Houston ISD as a blueprint. “The model that we are implementing here is a very similar model to Houston. And why? Because of the success that Houston has had,” Massey said at a May 21 board meeting, referring to her time working with Miles at Houston ISD, where he selected her to be chief of schools. A speaker addresses the school board in Beaumont. Danielle Villasana for ProPublica People clap as Massey speaks during a school board meeting. Danielle Villasana for ProPublica Under Massey, the newly appointed board of managers voted at their first meeting to temporarily suspend a number of policies related to governance and hiring practices, including employees’ rights to present grievances to the board and principals’ ability to approve new hires without district permission. Board of managers member Jeff Wheeler said at the meeting, “We are requesting that they be suspended until the board can move, can more fully evaluate our local policies.” The board has taken other steps that mirror what happened in Houston after the takeover there: On May 14, the district announced it was cutting 34 positions that support student mental health, and on May 21, it announced a high school would close. Massey did not respond to the Observer’s requests for comment about whether she’s following the Houston playbook. Jackie Simien, a spokesperson for Beaumont ISD said, “Massey has worked alongside successful educational leaders with demonstrated results in improving systems, instruction, and student performance.” Students protest against the state’s takeover of Houston ISD in 2023. Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribune The late Sylvester Turner, then mayor of Houston, speaks about the takeover of Houston ISD during a press conference in 2023. Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune Benzon, the elected Houston ISD board member, said Miles is sidelining parent and teacher voices in her district, and they are leaving in droves as a result. “They are trying to escape the New Education System and Miles’ bad policies,” Benzon added, referring to a program Miles transplanted from his former charter school network that is characterized by scripted lessons and repetitive testing. The Houston Chronicle reported the district “is losing students at an accelerated pace” under the takeover, spurring the district to shutter 12 schools ahead of the next school year. In its statement to the Observer, Houston ISD cited a survey of families reporting a “favorable perception” of the district and said it retained many exemplary teachers. Nelson and Morel said they believe the ultimate objective of any takeover is to disenfranchise local communities. Black and Hispanic students make up the majority of the population at all four of the districts now headed by Miles’ associates. “It all begins at the school board level to then completely disempower the community,” Morel said. On April 23, Houston ISD moved to fire a veteran teacher and president of the Houston Education Association teachers union after she protested requirements to comply with Miles’ New Education System. Meyers, the new Lake Worth superintendent who at the time was Houston ISD’s deputy chief of strategic initiatives, testified in favor of the teacher’s termination. “We do not allow our staff to make decisions about curriculum in a New Education System school or in Houston ISD,” Meyers said, according to a transcript of the hearing. “If they are not following expectations, we would not allow them to stay in HISD as an employee.” Since taking over in Lake Worth, Meyers and the board of managers have temporarily suspended board policies related to governance procedures, hiring and employee assignments and schedules, similar to what Massey and her board did in Beaumont. In response to the Observer’s inquiries about replicating Houston ISD’s reforms in her new role, Meyers wrote in an email that “Lake Worth ISD is very different from Houston ISD. We are a district of five schools serving a much smaller community, so our approach must reflect the unique needs of our students, staff, and families.” Her email continued, “I believe educators should learn from successful practices wherever they exist.” As in Beaumont and Lake Worth, the takeover in Fort Worth ISD has been characterized by swift changes. After less than a month under the new leadership, the 68,000-student district has suspended local board governance and hiring policies and has cut dozens of staff positions, including those supporting English-language learners. Parent organizer Zach Leonard said a new instructional model Fort Worth ISD is rolling out in 19 schools, called “Elevate,” is essentially the same as what Miles has done in Houston, an assertion district spokesperson Tierney Tinnin refuted. Leonard, along with other parents with his organization, notes the similarities between the programs: “scripted slide-by-slide lessons, rigid timed instruction, and ‘demonstrations of learning’ reduced to data points.” “This isn’t education reform,” Leonard said, referring to Miles’ model of learning being transported to Fort Worth. “It’s a franchise being handed to our children without a vote.” The post Texas State Takeover of Local School Districts Expands, Raising Concerns appeared first on ProPublica.

Plus, how Marcia Lucas was “the heart” behind “Star Wars.”

The league is rolling out music by the composer Nicholas Britell and the rapper Nas that, if successful, could become the sport’s sonic shorthand.

Prime tickets on the floor for the N.B.A. Finals are coveted and very hard to get. The No. 1 requirement: You must love the Knicks.

Black-crowned night herons could go the way of the passenger pigeon, vanishing from the city. Why remains a mystery.

Ms. Haaland, a former Interior secretary, took a big step toward making history as the first Native American woman to be a governor when she won the primary in her Democratic state.

🏆 8 days to go: test your knowledge in the World Cup quizThere are 8 days left until the 2026 World Cup.To get into the World Cup mood, OneFootball has put together a series of special quizzes. Every day, until June 11, a brand-new quiz about the World Cup.Click here to take Quiz 8 and show that you know everything about the World Cup.And let us know in the comments if you got a 10/10 or if it was really difficult.Missed a quiz? Take the previous ones too:Quiz 9 Quiz 10Quiz 11 Quiz 12Quiz 13Quiz 14Quiz 15Quiz 16 Quiz 17 Quiz 18Quiz 19Quiz 20Quiz 21Quiz 22Quiz 23Quiz 24Quiz 25Quiz 26Quiz 27Quiz 28Quiz 29Quiz 30This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Father of Liverpool star denies talks with Real Madrid – ‘So far…’Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for a midfielder this summer, and one of the names that has periodically appeared is Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister. However it seems the Argentina international is not on course to land at the Santiago Bernabeu, at least as things stand.Following two years of struggles in midfield after the exit of Toni Kroos, it does appear that Real Madrid will now target a central midfielder in the transfer market this time around. Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez has been heavily linked to Los Blancos, but it is not yet clear who they will move for. Mac Allister was linked to Los Blancos at the end of Carlo Ancelotti’s spell, but following a difficult season at Liverpool, that talk has quietened.Image via TNT SportsMac Allister is at a crossroads in his Liverpool career, with two years left on his deal on Merseyside. They are yet to offer him a new deal, which would suggest that they may consider cashing in on Mac Allister, who arrived from Brighton and Hove Albion for €42m this summer.Mac Allister’s father denies talk of Real Madrid moveThis week, Argentine daily Ole (via Diario AS) claimed that Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid were both interested in signing Mac Allister this summer, as they look to strengthen in midfield. Yet his father, Carlos Mac Allister, has denied at least one half of that interest to Erem News, also quoted by AS.“What has been circulating about Alexis is false. No one from Real Madrid has spoken to us so far. There is no new information about Alexis’s current situation at Liverpool.”Would Mac Allister fit Real Madrid’s needs?Image via NurPhotoIn theory at least tick a lot of boxes for the attributes that have been lacking for Los Blancos over the last two seasons. Talented on the ball, with a range of passing and good vision of the game, Mac Allister could partner Aurelien Tchouameni at the base of midfield. Where he might clash with their desires is that of late, Real Madrid have tended to sign more physically gifted midfielders, and at 27, Los Blancos tend to target younger players for big-money transfers.

India will embark on a massive multi-format tour of New Zealand later this year, with the two sides set to contest five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches across five major centres in the country. According to New Zealand Cricket (NZC), the 12-match series will be the biggest inbound international tour in the board's history.The tour, scheduled from October to December 2026, will mark India's first Test assignment in New Zealand since the 2019-20 season. It will also be the Men in Blue's first white-ball tour of the country since 2022.The white-ball leg will begin with a five-match T20I series on October 22 in Christchurch before moving through Wellington, Auckland, and Hamilton. The action will then shift to the 50-over format, with five ODIs scheduled across Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, and Tauranga.The tour will conclude with two Test matches, with Wellington's Basin Reserve hosting the opening Test from November 19 to 23, while Christchurch's Hagley Oval will stage the second and final Test from November 27 to December 1.The ODI series could provide New Zealand fans with a chance to watch Indian stalwarts such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who continue to feature in the 50-over format. With the ICC Cricket World Cup scheduled for 2027, the five-match ODI series is expected to serve as crucial preparation for both teams.India and New Zealand last met in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where India successfully defended their title with a commanding victory. The upcoming tour is expected to add another exciting chapter to the growing rivalry between the two cricketing nations. 131479907India tour of New ZealandT20Is form 22 OCT to 1 Nov1st T20I - 22 October, Christchurch2nd T20I - 24 October, Christchurch3rd T20I - 27 October, Wellington4th T20I - 30 October, Auckland5th T20I - 1 November, HamiltonODIs from 4 Nov to 15 Nov1st ODI - 4 November, Auckland2nd ODI - 7 November, Wellington3rd ODI - 10 November, Hamilton4th ODI - 13 November, Mount Maunganui5th ODI - 15 November, Mount Maunganui1st Test - 19-23 November, Wellington2nd Test - 27 November-1 December 2026, Christchurch

After 41 total seasons with the program, Nebraska softball pitching coach Lori Sippel announced her retirement on Tuesday. Sippel played at Nebraska from 1985 to 1988 and has coached the Huskers since 1990, including the last 23 seasons as associate head coach. In those 41 seasons, she was a part of 1,449 wins, 18 conference titles, 26 NCAA Tournament appearances and six trips to the Women's College World Series. She was a five-time member of the NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year and was the 2002 National Assistant Coach of the Year.Sippel also played a role in every All-American pitching award in program history. She was a two-time All-American player and coached six Husker pitchers for a total of eight All-American awards. Sippel shared some of her feelings after the end of a 40+ year career. “To all who have touched this program, you have also touched me. Thank you for your kindness, encouragement and partnership throughout the years. I leave with a deep appreciation of the many wonderful memories and accomplishments shared with this department and most certainly the Red Team.”Sippel was an accomplished international player and coach. She represented Team Canada as a pitcher in the 1996 Olympics and coached Team Canada in 2008.She is the first Husker to have her jersey retired. Sippel is also a member of the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame, the Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame and the Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame. We compiled the best social media reactions to the news. Find those reactions below. Forever a HuskerForever a Husker. Thank you and enjoy retirement, Coach Sippel. pic.twitter.com/WJIhGYKWxT— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) June 2, 2026So much loveSO MUCH LOVE, RESPECT, TRUST.GRATEFUL BEYOND MEASURE TO HAVE SHARED THIS JOURNEY WITH YOU MY DEAR FRIEND❤️‼️ https://t.co/iu0KJQyGOi— Rhonda Revelle (@RhondaRevelle) June 2, 2026Jordy to the staff?Nebraska associate head coach/pitching coach Lori Sippel announced her retirement on Tuesday after the best season in program history.Should only be a matter of time before Jordy Frahm is added to the coaching staff. I think that's the obvious move to make.…— Maren Angus-Coombs (@Maren_Angus) June 2, 2026A pillarA pillar of @HuskerSoftball for four decades. Thank you for everything, Coach Sippel! #Huskershttps://t.co/wOm3gJtWvK— Nate Rohr (@RohrOfTheCrowd) June 2, 2026WowWow. What an incredible career for Lori Sippel. https://t.co/q9CZGaN7sN— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) June 2, 2026A Husker greatNebraska softball associate head coach Lori Sippel is retiring after 37 seasons. In 41 years with Nebraska, the former Husker pitcher led NU to 1,449 wins, 18 conference titles, 26 NCAA Tournament appearances and 6 trips to the WCWS.A Husker great! Enjoy retirement, coach! https://t.co/FnKbHXIjb9— Abby Barmore (@Abby_Barmore) June 2, 2026One of one One of one coach, one of one human. Thank you will never be enough! 🤟 https://t.co/aJCMWwqo5zpic.twitter.com/lanUKc03U2— Mattie Fowler Burkhardt (@m_fowler17) June 2, 2026One of the greatsDefinitely one of the most accomplished assistant coaches in all of #Huskers sports history. https://t.co/l2srJSCM26— Adam Krueger (@AdamKruegerTV) June 2, 2026BreakingBREAKINGLongtime assistant and associate head coach for Nebraska Softball, Lori Sippel, is retiring.Sippel was the first player to have her jersey retired and holds 12 pitching records at Nebraska.#Huskers | @1011_News— Nathan Brennan (@NathanBnewsin) June 2, 2026Best armsNebraska softball Associate Head Coach and one of the best pitchers in program history, Lori Sippel is stepping down after 37 seasons.Sippel is the pitching coach behind some of the best arms this program has seen.@HurrdatSports | @HailVarsityhttps://t.co/sijhhxNGOO— Enrique Alvarez-Clary (@RadioRicoAC) June 2, 2026CongratsOne of the greatest to play and coach the game. Congratulations on your well-earned retirement ❤️ https://t.co/4PA9XK4jDw— Dr. AbbieSomething (@AbbieSomething) June 2, 2026Loved by playersA true embodiment of how to respect the game, how to love the game, and how to wear the scarlet and cream. You started coaching me in the circle and you are still coaching me today. My coach, my mentor and my friend, I look up to every single day. Love you Sip https://t.co/JyjIS2HY2j— Olivia Ferrell (@liv_ferrell39) June 2, 2026Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Social media reacts to Nebraska softball's pitching coach retiring

On a sweltering New York City summer afternoon a few years ago, I stumbled across a store I never expected to see tucked into a busy SoHo block. A few doors down from some of menswear’s most popular names, from the environmentally conscious utilitarian label Maharishi to Drake’s modern British tailoring and cult Japanese selvedge denim retailer Blue in Green, sat Classic Football Shirts, the online retailer that has become one of the world’s most popular destinations for vintage soccer jerseys. It was slightly removed from SoHo’s glossy luxury corridor, but its arrival still felt symbolic.Football fashion had officially landed in one of the most style-conscious neighborhoods in New York City.That day, I walked out with a vintage pink Palermo FC kit from 1991. I wore it all summer while traveling across Europe and got stopped constantly by strangers sharing compliments as if I was carrying a luxury item like my Balenciaga City Bag instead.This is hardly the first moment sportswear has crossed into fashion. Long before luxury fashion houses learned how to sell hoodies for $900, basketball jerseys and oversized sportswear had already become staples of street style and Black fashion culture. Athletes like Dennis Rodman, Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo-Jo), Gail Devers and Lisa Leslie were style icons long before fashion executives caught on, and jerseys carried cultural currency far beyond the game itself.But soccer? Not so much. Those shiny, boxy polyester jerseys occupied a different universe entirely. They were tribal. Meant for the stands, pubs and often hung on walls. You wore them to represent your club, your country, your neighborhood. Ideally while getting beer spilled on you in celebration (or mourning) in a dive bar near your home stadium.Soccer was too earnest for fashion. Too sweaty. Too working class. Too obsessed with belonging rather than aesthetics.Until, it wasn’t.When Kim Kardashian was spotted wearing a vintage AS Roma jersey in 2023, the fashion world briefly lost its mind and soccer jerseys officially crossed over from stadium culture into mainstream style obsession. From repurposed vintage kits to hand-embroidered designs, soccer aesthetics have become one of fashion’s latest fixations, blurring the line between sportswear, streetwear and luxury culture.Much of that shift has coincided with the cultural rise of women’s soccer, where fashion, identity and fandom have intersected in ways the men’s game never fully embraced. But it would be impossible to ignore the impact of the 2026 World Cup on home soil. With the tournament fast approaching, designers are increasingly leaning into soccer-inspired fashion, recognizing both the sport’s growing cultural relevance and the commercial opportunity that comes with it.“When I was a kid, you will always see the homies wearing a Jordan jersey, or their favorite Wizards players’ jerseys, they were part of everyday style long before luxury fashion caught onto it,” Domo Wells, designer and creative director of Washington Spirit, told The Athletic over Zoom from her Los Angeles home.“Soccer jerseys now fit into that same space, but on a much bigger scale because the sport is global.”Unlike basketball or football, which are largely centered around American teams and athletes, soccer offers an endless world of kits, colors and cultural references from clubs everywhere.“That’s what makes it so exciting creatively. People are not just wearing jerseys anymore. They’re customizing them, cutting them up, styling them differently and turning them into something personal. The jersey becomes less about fandom and more about identity and self-expression,” she said.Wells’ latest collection for the Washington Spirit, particularly the track jacket, one of football culture’s most enduring staples, was inspired by a deep dive into 1990s streetwear culture and reruns of the sitcom Martin. Now based in Los Angeles, she said she has been drawn to the practicality and style of track jackets, which influenced her approach to the design. The goal, she explained, was to create something that reflected the Spirit’s identity while still feeling fashionable enough to wear beyond matchday.“I’m not just designing for hardcore fans,” she explained. Through her Dead Dirt brand, Wells has created a retro-inspired NWSL collection that transcends club loyalty, the kind of shirts you’d want to wear whether or not you support the team.“I want someone with zero awareness of the Washington Spirit to see it and think, ‘That’s fire,’ and buy it anyway.”That mindset captures the broader shift happening at the intersection of football and fashion. Jerseys are increasingly being treated as lifestyle pieces meant to exist far beyond the stadium. The target audience is no longer just season-ticket holders or ultras, but consumers who may never watch a full 90 minutes and still want the shirt because it looks good.The NWSL and Dead Dirt’s knit game is hard. pic.twitter.com/pC2ndwvl6Q— VERSUS (@vsrsus) January 23, 2026 Fashion brands have quickly recognized soccer’s commercial and cultural power. From Brazilian fashion house Farm Rio to Aimé Leon Dore, the Queens-based fashion powerhouse, to H&M collaborating with Italian sportswear giant Lotto, companies are embracing football aesthetics to tap into a younger audience that sees jerseys less as sports merchandise and more as streetwear staples.For brands, the trend represents a lucrative opportunity. With authentic jerseys from Nike, adidas and Puma often selling for $80 to $150, soccer apparel has evolved far beyond matchday merchandise. The global soccer jersey market was valued at $87.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to approach $140 billion by 2034, according to market research estimates. What was once sportswear is increasingly being worn as streetwear, giving manufacturers a growing audience that extends well beyond traditional fans. Designing for non-fans dramatically expands the customer base.Take Diana Al Shammari, aka The Football Gal. Since 2017, Al Shammari has been transforming football kits into wearable art through embroidery and customization.“What drew me to football shirts was the sense of identity that they bring and seeing one group of fans wearing one kit reinforces that,” she explains on her website. “The reason I decided to customize and embellish them was to showcase that within groups, people have their own identities and individualities as well.”Her handmade jerseys have been worn by some of sports’ top athletes including Barcelona and France defender Jules Koundé, F1 Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Last winter she made a bomber jacket which took the catwalk by storm at the first fashion showcase during the Milano Cortina Olympic Games. The jacket, which took over 60 hours to complete, was a “true labor of love,” she says. “This is a piece where sport meets art and fashion,” she explained over an Instagram post. She is currently not taking any commissions, but her her waitlist is open for when she has time to customize new ones.🌷 Le printemps, un maillot third @hummelFrance, des broderies de toute beauté… Et un bijou signé @TheFootballGal_ ! ✨L’AS Saint-Étienne est heureuse d’être le premier club français à collaborer avec l’artiste Diana Al Shammari, qui mêle broderies délicates et football.… pic.twitter.com/LVVQft4SCn— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) March 29, 2026Today, not only are her embroidered jerseys in high demand, but her custom soccer cleats are having a moment of their own.Al Shammari’s breakthrough moment came with adidas’ Predator collaboration last year, when she was invited to reinterpret one of football’s most iconic boots through her own creative lens. Inspired by Spanish football culture and the carnation flower, the design reflected the broader shift happening inside the sport: football aesthetics are no longer confined to matchday. They now exist in luxury fashion campaigns, celebrity streetwear and youth culture globally.Al Shammari is far from alone in reimagining football gear as fashion.“Sports and fashion have come together and collaborate in ways more than we’ve ever seen before,” Crystal Dunn, the former USWNT and Gotham FC midfielder, told The Athletic. Dunn, a self-described fashion enthusiast who has attended New York Fashion Week shows in the past, recently stepped onto the runway herself carrying the Tunnel Walk Bag, a cleat-shaped clutch bag designed by Andrea Bergart for Haleon’s For The Assist campaign.For Dunn, the appeal lies in creators willing to challenge the predictable aesthetics long associated with sportswear.“I am most captivated by designers that step outside the box and are super creative,” she said. “People who are okay going against the grain instead of sticking to what’s considered normal.”That mindset increasingly defines modern football fashion. Cleats are no longer just performance equipment and jerseys are no longer reserved for matchday. They have become extensions of identity, creativity and personal style, worn as confidently at Fashion Week or on city streets as they are inside stadiums.That’s why this summer, I’ll be rotating my modest jersey collection around town. And if I can somehow make it off her waiting list, maybe one of them will even get the embroidered by The Football Gal.Consider this my descent into high brow blokecore.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Washington Spirit, NWSL, Sports Business, Women's Soccer, Culture2026 The Athletic Media Company

Nature, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01725-zA decade on from the launch of an ambitious project, it’s time to revisit the reasons for constructing a human genome from scratch.

Nature, Published online: 02 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01791-3Almost 40% of respondents to a survey said that their supervisor was disorganized and a poor communicator. Plus, promising results against a hard-to-treat cancer and whether AI will help or hinder social sciences.

The authorities in Britain are investigating police officers who handcuffed a student, Henry Nowak, while he was dying, in a case that been increasingly politicized.

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Megha Ganne, the electric Stanford star with the mega-watt smile, is now a pro. Ganne was still in high school when she played in the final group at The Olympic Club five years ago. Now she’s days away from college graduation at Stanford and speeding toward her first tee shot as a professional in the opening round of the 81st U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club. “Felt like I was on top of the world,” said Ganne of what it was like as a 17-year-old contending on the biggest stage in women’s golf, “but I guess it just keeps getting better.”Ganne is one of four players turning pro this week. She’s joined by USC standout Catherine Park, Louisiana-Monroe graduate Johanna Sjursen, and 19-year-old Siuue Wu, who wrapped up her sophomore year at Florida. It’s a good week to turn professional with an eight-figure purse on the line and primetime television.View this post on Instagram

Jalen Williams scratched his chin, looked at the ceiling and sighed. He was reluctant to entertain the hypothetical. “How big a difference do you feel like you could’ve made if you had not only been in this series the whole time, but felt like your complete self?”The Thunder’s Game 7 loss to the Spurs in the Western Conference finals — a game Williams didn’t play in due to a recurring hamstring injury — was less than 24 hours old. Williams, the Thunder’s second-or third-best player depending on your taste, had played a grand total of 55 minutes in the series, and he had only looked like himself for 45 of those. J-Dub gave it a go in Game 6, playing 10 minutes off the bench, but his physical powers had been zapped. The guy could barely move. But what if his hamstring(s) had held up?“To humor your question,” Williams said Sunday in his exit interview, “obviously I think I could have made an impact. I think we could have won if I played. Went to seven (games) with them without me playing. I don’t think I make us worse.” Then he tipped his cap to the Spurs … yada, yada, yada. More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said OKC Thunder 2025-26 season was 'failure'. Here's what he meantI happen to agree with Williams, whose case was based on simple logic. Williams makes the Thunder better. The Thunder almost beat the Spurs largely without Williams. The 25-year-old who made third-team All-NBA a year ago only played in one full game — a game the Thunder lost, to be fair. But no one thinks the Dub-less version of the Thunder is a more dangerous playoff team. And I’ll go a step further. I think the Thunder could have and should have beaten the Spurs without Jalen Williams. IF … that is, OKC had a healthy Ajay Mitchell. The Thunder didn’t need both of its secondary and tertiary offensive engines to survive San Antonio, but it did need one of them to ease the burden on SGA. And even then, it almost didn’t. Still, the Thunder almost won. Which brings us to the Giannis of it all. No, the Thunder isn’t going to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. And the Chet of it all. No, the Thunder isn’t going to trade away Chet Holmgren. Anyone who suggests otherwise has a severe case of short-sightedness. And anyone who thinks the Thunder would even consider such ideas hasn’t been paying attention. Thunder general manager Sam Presti is bold. Remember the Paul George trades? But he’s not impulsive. And he sure the heck isn’t going to take a wrecking ball to his precious creation at the sign of the first crack. Especially when bad luck is mostly to blame. Which, ironically enough, injury luck seemed to be on the Thunder’s side given the early-series concerns about Spurs guards De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper. But then Fox and Harper were good to go only for Williams and Mitchell to suffer debilitating injuries. OKC Thunder roster primer: Draft picks, contracts heading into 2026 NBA offseasonSpeaking of injuries, Giannis is a top-five player in the world when healthy, but that’s the catch. He’s a 31-year-old forward whose game is predicated on physicality, and who hasn’t been able to stay healthy in the playoffs. Including J-Dub in a Giannis trade is a non-starter. Williams is 25. Are his hamstring injuries really going to be a chronic issue? Even so, how does getting older and more expensive make sense for the Thunder?OK, what about Holmgren, though? His aversion to doing anything offensively against the Spurs was jarring. That he cowered when the Thunder needed him the most — when it was without Williams and Mitchell — was especially concerning. It would’ve been asking too much of Holmgren to create offense in the absence of the guards, but how about catching the ball cleanly and shooting open 3-pointers? I thought Holmgren, an All-NBA player in the regular season, was the Thunder’s playoff MVP through the first two rounds. And then the Spurs series happened. Whatever ailed him, it’s way more than a Victor Wembanyama problem. But here’s the truth: Without Jalen Williams, without Ajay Mitchell and with the worst version of Chet Holmgren we’ve ever seen, the Thunder trailed by three points heading into the fourth quarter of Game 7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was masterful in Game 7. But the Thunder got to a Game 7 despite a “C-” series from its MVP — my grade, not his. Maybe it’s not fair to judge him so harshly given how little help he received, and how terrifying that Spurs defense is, but that’s part of being a superstar. SGA needed an efficient Game 7 to crack 40% shooting for the series. Gilgeous-Alexander said he didn’t have a hard conversation with Holmgren after the series. “I also don’t feel like I need to,” SGA said. “I didn’t perform my greatest this series either. Chet won’t come to me with a development plan for the summer, you know what I mean?” Then SGA repeated something he’s said at least a dozen times about Holmgren. “The version of Chet that we have today is the worst version of Chet from now on,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He’s going to get better at basketball. He’s just going to be a better player because of the makeup he (has), the talent he has. I don’t need to advise Chet. He’ll figure it out.” More: Lindy Waters III, once a Thunder fan and player, ousts OKC with Spurs to make NBA FinalsIt might be time to retire the “worst version of Chet” line. I get what SGA is saying. Holmgren just turned 24. He’s going to improve. But we also shouldn’t act like Holmgren is still a project. He made third-team All-NBA and was the second best defender in the world this side of Wembanyama. Holmgren was a top-three player on an NBA title team. But he has to be better. Especially if the Thunder has to play the Spurs year after year. Agreed. To an extent. Because here’s another hypothetical: What if the Thunder had a healthy Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell and still got the same disappointing version of Chet? What if it had Jalen Williams OR Ajay Mitchell and still got this version of Chet? Would the Thunder have won the series? I’d answer yes and yes. Will the Thunder need Holmgren to play better against the Spurs in the future even if OKC is at full health? Yeah, because just as the Thunder is young and still improving, the Spurs are even younger with even more improvement to come. The Spurs absolutely deserve to be in the NBA Finals. They also benefited from injury luck along the way. Just as the Thunder benefited from injury luck last year on its way to the title. The Thunder has a championship core of SGA, J-Dub and Chet — three players set to enter their age 28, 25 and 24 seasons. Each of them have already inked long-term contract extensions that will kick in next season for J-Dub and Chet and two seasons from now for SGA. The bill is coming. As is a new arena, practically gifted by the city to the team with the expectation that Clay Bennett and his ownership group will pay to keep the Thunder’s stars in place. Moves, some big, will have to be made. That starts this offseason, when the Thunder will negotiate with two starters in Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein — both of whom have team options for next season. Presti planned for the moment when the primes of Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Holmgren would overlap. That’s yet to happen, by the way, and the Thunder already has one championship and was one win away from playing for another. A seismic move like acquiring Antetokounmpo or shopping Holmgren would disrupt the Thunder’s chemistry, competitive timeline and financial flexibility. And doing so after a season in which untimely injuries, more than anything else, derailed a team that we were just referring to as a potential dynasty would be the most un-Presti like move imaginable. Now that’s a hypothetical not worth entertaining. Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why OKC Thunder isn't trading for Giannis or trading Chet Holmgren

Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty ImagesWhenever the World Cup comes around, several young players emerge as superstars on football’s greatest stage.From Michael Owen in 1998 to James Rodriguez in 2013, breakout stars have long been a huge talking point at the event.The 2026 World Cup will be no different, with dozens more exciting prospects ready to showcase their skills.HITC has named the top five wonderkids for football fans to keep an eye on at this summer’s tournament.Photo by Pixsell/MB Media/Getty ImagesLuka Vuskovic (Croatia)Luka Vuskovic is one of the key reasons no one should write off Croatia from making a deep run at the World Cup.While some of Croatia’s ageing stars have either regressed or retired, Vuskovic offers them hope of achieving more success.The 19-year-old central defender excelled for Hamburg in the Bundesliga this season in his loan spell from Tottenham.Vuskovic was even voted the best player in Germany halfway through the 2025/26 campaign, ahead of Harry Kane.He also won the Bundesliga Goal of the Season award for his backheel against Werder Bremen — one of six league goals.Likely to play in the middle of Croatia’s back three at the World Cup, Vuskovic is certainly one to watch.Antonio Nusa (Norway)All the attention will be on Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, but Norway have several other quality attacking players.21-year-old winger Antonio Nusa has already enjoyed a breakout domestic season with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.The youngster provided four goals and three assists in the league, as Leipzig finished third to Bayern and Dortmund.Nusa can improve his decision-making in the final third, but his dribbling will get spectators off their seats at the World Cup.His contributions alongside Haaland and Odegaard could have a big impact on Norway’s ability to reach the latter stages.Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesYan Diomande (Ivory Coast)Antonio Nusa’s Leipzig teammate, Yan Diomande, is another exciting winger who could make some noise at the World Cup.Diomande had an extremely productive 2025/26 season, with 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.The Ivorian also averaged more than four successful dribbles per game, as he can go past defenders on either side.Expect Diomande to embarrass a few opponents at the World Cup this summer and to catch the eye of some top clubs.It would almost be a surprise to see him in a Leipzig shirt next season if he brings his A-game to the United States.Rayan (Brazil)Rayan only joined Bournemouth from Vasco da Gama in January, yet he is already considered a Premier League wonderkid.The 19-year-old Brazilian earned his place at the World Cup by scoring five goals in 15 league games for the Cherries.Rayan has undoubtedly benefited from Estevao Willian’s hamstring injury, but he was still selected ahead of Joao Pedro.And he has already vindicated Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to select him with a goal in Brazil’s recent 6-2 win over Panama.Rayan remains behind La Liga superstars Vinicius Jr and Raphinha in the pecking order, but he could be a classic super sub.Just one decisive moment for Brazil in a World Cup knockout match would change his life overnight.Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty ImagesLucas Bergvall (Sweden)Lucas Bergvall had an underwhelming season with Tottenham, but the same can be said for most of their players.At 20 years old, the midfielder remains a top prospect who could announce himself on the global stage at the World Cup.Although he may not be a match-winner, in terms of goals and assists, he has the technical ability to dictate games.With Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak up front, Bergvall’s role will be to ensure they progress the ball into the final third.Indeed, many fans will watch Sweden games expecting to be impressed by the front two and end up raving about Bergvall’s quality.READ MORE:Why the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony won’t be held in the US

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesRussell Henley has suggested how he feels about the idea of chasing more distance to try and keep up with the majority of PGA Tour players. Henley has undoubtedly been one of the most impressive players on tour in recent years. He is now up to fifth in the world rankings following his victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge this past week.The 37-year-old is something of a throwback in this era where distance is often king.Russell Henley says whether he is tempted to chase more distanceRussell Henley is 145th on the PGA Tour for driving distance this season, with the six-time winner averaging 294.3 yards.He is, however, 49th for strokes gained off the tee, largely due to his incredible accuracy. No-one has been better at finding the fairway this year.There have been plenty of players who have looked to adapt to the modern game and add significant distance. Even world number one Scottie Scheffler has added four yards off the tee from last year.Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty ImagesAnd when asked by CBS Sports whether he is inclined to try and find more power, Henley admitted that it has certainly crossed his mind.“Yeah, I think I’m tempted to do it. I feel like if I was to try and gain distance, and let’s just say I gained eight yards, which I think would be significant with the strokes gained stuff, I also don’t exactly know that to be true or not, but if I gained eight yards, but I missed one and a half more fairways a round, am I really gaining something from that? That’s the battle I have,” he said.“And I’ve started to try and ramp up workouts a little bit, go a little heavier with weight. But an issue I have is during the season, when you go on a three-week stretch, it’s hard to be consistently lifting heavier and gaining muscle. I also struggle to eat a lot. I feel like I eat a normal amount, but I guess eating enough when it’s like 95 degrees and you’re sweating, it’s hard not to lose weight really. That’s kind of where I’m at with it.“I definitely think at the age I’m at, I need to do something to fight against where the game seems like it’s going. But I still haven’t figured out how to do that. When I swing up on it, I don’t feel like that promotes a lot of my best face control. That’s what I think the first thing is, to get higher launch, but I like seeing it flat. I like seeing a flat ball.”Russell Henley reflects on Ryder Cup disappointment and contending at The MastersHenley has won in each of the last two PGA Tour seasons. He also managed to register his best ever finish at The Masters back in April as he finished tied for third.For the more casual golf fan, however, Henley may be best-known for being the player who opened the door for Shane Lowry to retain the Ryder Cup for Europe at Bethpage last September.Henley had the match under control as Team USA threatened to produce one of the greatest comebacks of all-time. However, Lowry was able to rally late on and earn the crucial half point.Henley was asked about being in contention at The Masters earlier this year. And he suggested that his performance was particularly satisfying due to the Ryder Cup disappointment.“I think the Ryder Cup I felt more pressure than that [at The Masters]. I felt like I was in a really good place on that Sunday. I feel like God gave me a peace about it, I felt very content if it worked out or not,” he said.“But I was also frustrated that I didn’t convert a couple of those putts. The one on 17 was a little tricky, but just the fact I gave myself so many, and some of them were 20-footers, like the one on 11 and the one on 16 were longer putts, but if I hit them a little harder, they might go in. So I kind of look back at that tournament and just get a little bit frustrated that I didn’t convert more of those, because I felt like I was in the right mindset.“And then, not finishing off my match with Shane Lowry at the Ryder Cup, that one hurt a lot. And I think some of that emotion came out on Sunday making those putts down the stretch. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it again. I’ve made clutch putts, but not executing on those in contention have just been bugging me a little bit.”Henley was one of three American players who only managed to contribute half a point in New York. He was on the losing side in both of his matches alongside Scottie Scheffler.The pair had looked superb together at the Presidents Cup the previous year. However, they failed to replicate that success at Bethpage.And Henley clearly feels responsible for the team’s struggles.“It was just hard because you’re on a team. You want to do well for your country, and I at least just wanted to play well and at least win a point,” he said.“I felt like I let Scottie down that first match. I didn’t putt well, just hit a couple of poor iron shots. It was just disappointing, because my game was in a good place and I just didn’t do it. You just look back and you just want to know that you helped the team and you at least played well. You played well and got beat versus just not having your stuff. I don’t know. I could probably talk about it a long time. Definitely, it hurt, and when I think about it, it still hurts for sure, just like when anybody loses the Ryder Cup.”Henley will almost certainly get the opportunity to start to put things right at this year’s Presidents Cup. It should come as no surprise if he adds a seventh PGA Tour victory to his résumé before Medinah, too.

Who would benefit from a potential Marseille exclusion from Europa League?Olympique de Marseille are at risk of exclusion from European football for next season. Back in 2022, OM came to an agreement with UEFA regarding financial fair play, which had not been respected. In meetings with authorities this week, the Ligue 1 club can – and will – highlight the drastic effect of the decline in TV rights revenue in French football. UEFA won’t announce their decision until the end of the week, however, Marseille could face severe sanctions, up to and including expulsion from European competition for next season. Habib Beye’s side finished fifth in Ligue 1, ensuring their qualification for next season’s UEFA Europa League.However, should OM be excluded from the competition by the authorities, it is AS Monaco and RC Strasbourg Alsace who would stand to benefit. It would see the Principality club bumped up from the UEFA Europa Conference League into the Europa League, whilst Le Racing, who missed out on all forms of European football, would take ASM’s UECL spot.GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Trump officials said they planned to impose levies of up to 12.5 percent on countries that failed to crack down on goods made with forced labor.

IPL 2026 was a season of extremes. A 15-year-old rewrote batting records as if they were practice drills, Virat Kohli discovered new gears at 37 and Rajat Patidar joined an exclusive club of captains with back-to-back titles. Batters routinely made 200-plus totals look inadequate, yet a handful of bowlers continued to find ways to dominate in an increasingly unforgiving format. Here is TOI’s Team of the Tournament that captures the defining stories and performances.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)Inns: 16 | Runs: 776 | SR: 237.30 | Avg: 48.50 | 1x100/5x50There was barely a debate to be had. The 15-year-old prodigy didn’t just top the batting charts; he lapped the field. By the end of the season, he had scored 44 more runs than anyone else, with a mind-boggling strike-rate of 237.30, and cleared the ropes 29 more times than his closest challenger. The numbers alone were outrageous. The innings behind them were even better. Whether judged by volume, impact or sheer audacity, IPL-2026 belonged to him.Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)Inns: 16 | Runs: 675 | SR: 165.84 | Avg: 56.25 | 1x100/5x50At one end of the spectrum stood a teenager redefining possibility. At the other stood the legend, proving reinvention has no age limit. The numbers were vintage — more than 600 runs for a fourth straight season. The approach, however, was anything but vintage. Due to his crunch knocks in Qualifier 1 and the final, he narrowly edged out Shubman Gill for the opening slot.Ishan Kishan (wk) (Sunrisers Hyderabad)Inns: 15 | Runs: 602 | SR: 182.42 | Avg: 40.13 | 6x50 | Ct/St: 9/1The finest IPL season for the keeper-bat. It was not defined merely by the weight of runs he scored, but by when he chose to score them. Six fifties decorated his season, but more importantly, they arrived when SRH needed them the most. He finished among the tournament’s most influential batters.Rajat Patidar (c) (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)Inns: 15 | Runs: 501 | SR: 192.69 | Avg: 41.75 | 5x50After leading RCB to a second successive IPL title, he found himself in elite company alongside MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as the only captains to defend the trophy successfully. With the bat, he was explosive. Only Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma hit more sixes than him, and among players who crossed 500 runs, only that explosive duo scored at a quicker rate.Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad)Inns: 15 | Runs: 624 | SR: 160.00 | Avg: 48.00 | 6x50Achieved something unprecedented in IPL-2026: more than 600 runs from the middle order, a feat no batter in a major T20 tournament had managed before while batting outside the top three. He crossed the 30-run mark in 11 of his 15 innings, often taking on the burden of holding together the SRH middle-order.Nitish Kumar Reddy (Sunrisers Hyderabad)Mat: 14 | Runs: 302 | SR: 171.59 | Avg: 30.20 | Wkts: 8 | Econ: 10.41The finisher’s spot went to the SRH allrounder. While his strike-rate sat marginally behind names like Donovan Ferreira and Tim David, what stood out was how frequently he made a difference. Nearly every other innings was a meaningful cameo. His contribution with the ball was equally valuable.Krunal Pandya (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)Mat: 16 | Runs: 226 | SR: 145.80 | Avg: 37.66 | Wkts: 14 | Econ: 8.41Not the eye-catching numbers, but his season was built on timely interventions. Whenever he was asked to step up, he seemed to find a way. His economy rate reflected control. In a team full of stars, he quietly kept turning up whenever RCB needed something done.Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)Mat: 13 | Wkts: 15 | Econ: 6.64 | Avg: 22.60 | SR: 20.4In a season where bowlers often felt like supporting actors in a batting spectacle, the KKR legend remained one of the few who wasn’t hit around the park. While teams scored at nearly 10 an over across the competition, Narine’s economy rate stood at a remarkable 6.64. Five times in 13 spells he conceded at under a run-a-ball.Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals)Mat: 16 | Wkts: 25 | Econ: 9.31 | Avg: 22.36 | SR: 14.4Finished with 11 wickets more than any other Rajasthan bowler and carried the attack for much of the campaign. His impact was felt early. He picked up 14 Powerplay wickets, making him one of the most dangerous new-ball operators in the IPL.Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)Mat: 16 | Wkts: 28 | Econ: 7.95 | Avg: 17.89 | SR: 13.5Few players have enjoyed a full-circle IPL journey quite like him. He claimed 17 wickets in the Powerplay at under seven runs an over and added nine more at the death. More importantly, he delivered in the biggest moments. The years may have passed, but his knack for deciding big matches remains intact.Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans)Mat: 17 | Wkts: 29 | Econ: 9.68 | Avg: 21.58 | SR: 13.3Dominated the first six overs, picking up 20 wickets with the new ball and giving Gujarat Titans a decisive advantage. Alongside Mohammed Siraj, he formed a devastating opening combination that played a central role in GT’s run to the final. He won the Purple Cap this season and became the fourth bowler after Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dwayne Bravo and Harshal Patel to win it multiple times. 131455552IMPACT SUBS:Washington Sundar (GT)Mat: 17 | Runs: 377 | SR: 150.2 | Avg: 37.7 | Wkts: 1 | Econ: 9.1Rasikh Salam Dar (RCB)Mat: 12 | Wkts: 19 | Econ: 9.4 | Avg: 21.3 | SR: 13.5Prince Yadav (LSG)Mat: 14 | Wkts: 16 | Econ: 8.8 | Avg: 28.7 | SR: 19.5Tim David (RCB)Inns: 15 | Runs: 305 | SR: 188.2 | Avg: 33.9 | 1x 50

Charles Leclerc will be a Ferrari driver for the foreseeable future.The team announced early Wednesday that Leclerc had signed a contract extension “for the coming seasons” in Formula 1. The announcement comes days before Leclerc’s home Monaco Grand Prix.“I couldn’t be happier to continue this journey with Scuderia Ferrari HP,” Leclerc said in a statement. “It has always been so much more than just a team to me. It’s the team I’ve loved and dreamt of being part of since I was a child, and after all these years, it has become a second family. Together we’ve shared incredible moments and some tougher ones, but I believe in this team more than ever, and I’m deeply grateful that we will keep pushing side by side toward our shared goal of bringing the World Championship back to Maranello.”Leclerc is currently third in the points standings and the best of the rest of anyone who doesn’t drive for Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli leads the points standings by a staggering 43 points already over teammate George Russell, while Leclerc has 75 points and his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton has 72.Antonelli has won four straight races heading into Monaco after Russell won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.Leclerc is in his ninth full season in F1 and his seventh with Ferrari after taking over for Kimi Raikkonen ahead of 2018. Leclerc has won eight races across his time with Ferrari, but those wins have come over just three seasons as Ferrari has struggled to be a reliable contender during his time with the team. After he won three races in 2024, Leclerc went winless in 2025 along with Hamilton as Ferrari struggled for a consistent car in the final year of the previous car regulations.Things are far better this year, even if Mercedes has a massive lead on the rest of the field. Ferrari has been reliable and has a car that’s been competitive despite not having the same top speed that Mercedes has. Both Leclerc and Hamilton have two podium finishes across the first five races of the season.

NEW DELHI: When will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi make his India debut? When will the 15-year-old don the senior India jersey? Could he find a place in the squad for the upcoming T20Is against Ireland?Those questions have dominated discussions ever since the teenage batting sensation took the cricketing world by storm.Sooryavanshi played a pivotal role in India's Under-19 World Cup triumph, smashing a record-breaking 175 off just 80 balls as India clinched a record sixth title. He carried that stunning form into IPL 2026, amassing 776 runs in 16 matches at a staggering strike rate of 237.31. The youngster also smashed a tournament-record 72 sixes.The 15-year-old earned widespread praise for his fearless batting against some of the world's leading bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins.His remarkable exploits have fuelled growing calls for his inclusion in the senior national side, with many believing he should be fast-tracked into India's squad for the upcoming tour of Ireland. India are scheduled to play two T20Is against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 and June 28.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia praised Sooryavanshi's extraordinary rise and expressed confidence that his performances would not go unnoticed by the selectors."Vaibhav is a new wonder kid in Indian cricket, and I'm sure he will also take the world by storm in the coming days. And all our selectors are part of the IPL tournament. Everybody, all the selectors are watching these matches very closely, and in most cases, they are also present at the venue," Saikia told Hindustan Times."So, in the upcoming selection meetings for the Indian team's UK trip, I'm sure the selectors will do whatever is necessary and is in his best interest, given the way he has performed," he said. 131478332"Many other players performed exceedingly well. But Vaibhav is exceptional, and I am very happy that God is kind, that a new wonder kid has been presented to the Indian cricket scene at this stage, and that he will definitely cross the boundaries very soon," Saikia added.Following the Ireland series, India will travel to England for a white-ball tour comprising five T20Is and three ODIs.

Bayern Munich named among clubs keeping tabs on Marcus RashfordBayern Munich are understood to be one of five clubs keeping tabs on Marcus Rashford.According to English publication The i Paper, Rashford is one of the options Bayern are monitoring as they look to strengthen their options on the wings.The report also mentions Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Tottenham as clubs interested in the 28-year-old Manchester United forward.FC Barcelona, who had Rashford on loan for the 2025/26 season, are the final club mentioned, but the signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle has made a permanent move less likely for the Catalan side.As for Bayern, their main priority at the moment appears to be PSV’s Ismael Saibari, with personal terms already agreed with the 25-year-old.However, if a deal with PSV can't be reached, Rashford is among the alternatives they could potentially turn to.

John McGinn packed an European plug adaptor. Lyndon Dykes follows Ryan Christie around like a dog. Liam Kelly shaves Grant Hanley's back. Often.Turns out you can learn a lot about the squad who have ended Scotland's 28-year wait for a World Cup appearance while in a Florida hotel ballroom on their media day. Perhaps too much.Steve Clarke has brought his players to hot and humid Fort Lauderdale for a pre-tournament camp to acclimatise themselves to the conditions they'll face in their Boston matches against Haiti and Morocco, and especially against Brazil in Miami.On Tuesday, they had a few hours of their busy schedule blocked out for Fifa's content day, when the players pose for photos and perform their celebrations in front of big green screens.Maybe the heat was playing havoc with them, or they'd just had enough at that stage, but they were in the mood to expose their pals' biggest secrets, worst traits and what they truly think of them.So meet the Scotland squad in their own words...Gordon to be oldest player at World Cup but Gunn handed No 1Gilmour admits struggle as World Cup dream taken awayWhat's the weirdest thing in their suitcases?In between the players' multiple kit changes and checking back on the footage from their rain-abandoned golf day on Monday, BBC Scotland asked the big questions after making the trip Stateside.What's the weirdest thing in your suitcase, boys? Findlay Curtis' massage gun didn't sound that odd, while the ever-reliable Kenny McLean's certainty that there "wasn't anything too weird" wavered the more that he thought about it. Christie is trying to improve and track his sleep so has brought his oura ring and some nose tape - thankfully he's not sharing a room with anyone, not even Dykes - while Kelly has his red-light sunglasses with him.The likely third-choice goalkeeper also conceded he "needs to bring something to the party" after being named the squad's hype-man by a few team-mates.Then there's Europa League-winning captain McGinn. He perhaps brought the same bag he took to Istanbul a week or two ago as he brought European adaptors to the United States."It was just a mistake!" he protested.The BBC can confirm Scotland's vice-captain has since invested in the appropriate appliances.Who would you not want to be beside on plane?There can be no mistakes made when picking your plane partner, though. It's a long flight from Glasgow to Miami, after all.Defender Hanley - who McGinn described as "a bear" - "takes up too much room" for Christie's liking, while 19-year-old Curtis is "me times 100" according to the Villa captain."His energy's been infectious; he's a brilliant addition to the squad," McGinn said. "A character, but I wouldn't like to sit next to him."Instead he sat with Kelly for the trip and got stuck into a few games of Traitors, Uno and Wolf. Something which late addition Tyler Fletcher impressed in.Curtis perhaps knows the son of Darren best from their time in the youth set-up, and he confidently proclaimed him "a loser". It didn't take long to get the sense that the younger cohort - who all respected their elders by calling them "experienced, cause I can't say old" when asked to describe the likes of Craig Gordon and Hanley - are comedy gold.Gannon-Doak was the worst person to sit with, reckoned Curtis. "He doesn't stop talking," the Rangers youngster said.So who did he sit beside? Gannon-Doak. And plans to do the same on the way to New York for Saturday's final friendly against Bolivia.Is 'McSauce' the biggest poser?Christie and Dykes - who McGinn said can’t be separated “but it’s not Christie’s choice" - are likely to watch the two final episodes of Netflix series, Legends. "No spoilers, please" asks the former.Curtis will be having a laugh "with my best mate".Hanley - or "Grizz" to back-shaver Kelly - might not be calling McLean his pal after exposing that story - "the big man needs it, grows quickly".Christie, meanwhile, has never been able to get his head around "leader, legend" Andy Robertson's pre-match meal. "Some weird chicken sandwich thing".It's pancakes for Christie, while John Souttar is the barista to McGinn.We all know Scott McTominay has made the switch to the Italian life seamless, so a coffee was in hand at all times during the content day. Except when it was his turn in the body scanner for VAR use. Cut toenails and breathe in, lads…McTominay knows how to work the camera, thought. He's the “biggest poser” according to both Christie and Kelly.“There's a lot of product in Anthony Ralston's hair,” countered McLean. "He's enjoying himself."”The diva“ George Hirst was the choice of biggest poser from McGinn, who also used the words “moany, thick, halfway line and bald” to describe four other team-mates. The love in the air was palpable.Answers on a postcard for those ones…World Cup fixtures and group standingsHow to watch the World Cup on the BBCEverything you need to know about the World Cup

Official: Napoli confirm permanent Hojlund move from Man UnitedNapoli confirm Rasmus Højlund has completed a permanent move from Manchester United, as the ‘conditions have been met for the permanent acquisition.’Napoli confirmed Hojlund’s permanent transfer to the Stadio Maradona with an official statement on Wednesday.Official statement: Hojlund permanent transfer to Napoli from Man United“Napoli announce that the conditions have been met for the permanent acquisition of the sporting rights of Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United,” the Partenopei said.“On September 13, our No.19 scored his first goal on his debut, helping Napoli secure a 3-1 victory away at Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. He has made 44 appearances with the Azzurri shirt, scoring 16 goals.NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 14: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Lecce at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)“He also played a key role in Naèoli’s Super Cup triumph, scoring in the semifinal victory over Milan.“Congratulations, Rasmus!”Napoli secured Hojlund’s permanent move with mathematical qualification for the Champions League with a game to spare at the end of May.Napoli already paid €6m for the striker’s one-season loan last summer, adding €44m for his permanent move.Hojlund had already played in Serie A before joining Napoli, spending one season with Atalanta in 2022-23, managing 10 goals in 34 appearances.During his three-year spell at Manchester United, Hojlund scored 26 goals in 95 matches.COMO, ITALY – MAY 02: SSC Napoli coach Antonio Conte looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on May 02, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)Napoli are set to hire Massimiliano Allegri as their new coach, replacing Antonio Conte, who has already announced his departure after two seasons at the Stadio Maradona.Napoli finished the 2025-26 Serie A campaign in second and won the Supercoppa Italiana.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is about to become one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL after agreeing to terms on a four-year, $141 million extension with the team on Tuesday. The deal includes $100 million in guaranteed money and could be worth up to $150 million in total incentives.London will make $35.25 million per year on his new contract, which ranks third among NFL wide receivers, just barely ahead of Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson ($35 million per year). Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks leads all wide receivers with an average of $42.15 million per season.Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase ranks second at $40.15 million per year. Rounding out the top five is Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb at $34 million per season.While London has been great at times, he isn't quite on the level of Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase at this point in his career. However, London has put up solid numbers without the benefit of a star quarterback. Jefferson struggled last season with J.J. McCarthy at QB, and Chase hasn't been as good without Joe Burrow. Highest paid receivers in the NFL on a per-year basis:🏈Jaxon Smith-Njigba: $42.15M🏈Ja’Marr Chase: $40.25M🏈Drake London: $35.25M🏈Justin Jefferson: $35M🏈CeeDee Lamb: $34M pic.twitter.com/zMklahdL3o— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 2, 2026London had to play with Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke at quarterback to begin his career and still put up decent numbers. The 24-year-old has amassed nearly 4,000 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns since being selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of USC.According to Spotrac, London's average annual salary will take up nearly 12 percent of the salary cap."Drake London's $35.25M AAV represents 11.70% of the current NFL salary cap, which ranks 9th among WRs, just ahead of Garrett Wilson's extension in NY," Spotrac posted on social media.The Falcons needed a new No. 1 wide receiver after trading away Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley in back-to-back years, and so far, London has gotten the job done. If Atlanta can solidify the QB position this season, London should soon become a household name.This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons extend Drake London: $35M per year edges Justin Jefferson

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko should be considered the top recruiter in the country right now based on Tuesday's results, as the Aggies landed commitments from 2027 four-star edge Frederick Ards III and rising three-star athlete Loia Valade, who both hail from Florida, another state Elko and his staff have dominated on the recruiting trail as of late.In the trenches, the addition of Ards is massive, joining five-star edge Zyron Forstall and four-star pass rusher Kaden McCarty, who recently shut down his recruitment, providing new defensive line coach Elijah Robinson plenty of NFL-level talent to develop over the next four seasons.At defensive tackle, four-star blue-chip DL Myels Smith shut down his recruitment on Sunday, and combined with four-star Elijah Patmon, both prospects continue to look like the best interior pass rushers who are perfect fits in the middle of Elko's defensive scheme. The Aggies aren't finished adding interior defensive line depth, reportedly offering Houston commit and 2027 four-star DL Raiden Cook.Standing 6'6" and 270 pounds, Cook is highly sought after, set to take an official visit with the Texas Longhorns this weekend, while the Aggies are now in play, as Cook's impressive 2025 season, in which he recorded 39 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles in eight games, drew plenty of national attention.Look for Elko and his staff to schedule an OV with Raiden Cook either this month or in early July. Texas A&M has offered top-100 DL Raiden Cook, @rivals has learnedCook is committed to Houstonhttps://t.co/jcHKgl20bupic.twitter.com/eRB5bk7om7— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) June 2, 2026Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M has offered rising 2027 4-star DL Raiden Cook

Jun 2, 2026; San Antonio, TX, USA; A view of the midcourt logo during San Antonio Spurs practice on Media Day for the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesAll Times EasternAustralian Rules FootballAFL Men’s — Round 13 Adelaide Crows vs. Geelong Cats — Fox Soccer Plus, 5:30 a.m. (Thursday)College Football With the First Pick — CBS Sports Network, 1 p.m. All-Access: Kentucky Spring Football — SEC Network, 8 p.m.College GolfMen’sNCAA Division I Men’s Golf ChampionshipNational Championship, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, CAAnnouncers: Steve Burkowski/John Cook//Billy Ray Brown//Emilia Doran//Jim Gallagher, Jr.// Finals: Team Match Play — Golf Channel, 6 p.m.Golf Central Pregame — Golf Channel, 5:30 p.m.College SoftballWomen’s College World SeriesChampionship Series, OG&E Energy Field at Devon Park, USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex, Oklahoma City, OK Announcers: Beth Mowins/Jessica Mendoza/Michele Smith//Holly Rowe Game 1: Texas vs. Texas Tech — ESPN/ESPN Unlmited, 8 p.m.Announcers: Courtney Lyle/Danielle Lawrie/Amanda Scarborough/Madison Shipman NCAA Women’s College World Series Pregame Show live from OG&E Energy Field, Oklahoma City, OK — ESPN2/ESPN Unlimited, 6:30 p.m. 7Innings Live: Championship Finals Special — ESPNU/ESPN Unlimited, 8 p.m.FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup 2026: Stories From the Series: Toronto — FS1, 10 p.m. FIFA World Cup 26 Preview Series: To The Wire — FS1, 10:30 p.m. FIFA World Cup 26 Preview Series: Legacy — FS1, 11 p.m.GolfPGA TourThe Memorial Tournament, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, OH On the Range — Golf Channel, 11:30 a.m.HotelPlanner Tour Series Highlights: 2026 Danish Golf Challenge — Golf Channel, 7 a.m. 5 Clubs With Gary Williams — Golf Channel, 8 a.m. The Smylie Show — Golf Channel, 9 a.m. Vanity Index Podcast — Golf Channel, 10 a.m. Live From the U.S. Women’s Open — Golf Channel, 1 p.m. The Smylie Kaufman Show — SportsGrid, 4 p.m. Golf Central — Golf Channel, 10 p.m.Mixed Martial Arts UFC Countdown: UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m. UFC Reloaded: UFC 300-Pereira vs. Hill — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m. UFC Reloaded: UFC 303-Pereira vs. Prochazka — CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m. UFC Reloaded: UFC 313-Pereira vs. Ankalaev — CBS Sports Netwok, midnightMLBAmerican League Chicago White Sox at Minnesota — Chicago Sports Network/Twins.TV, 1:30 p.m. Detroit at Tampa Bay — MLB Network (main)/Detroit SportsNet/Rays.TV, 1 p.m. Baltimore at Boston — MASN/NESN, 6:45 p.m. Cleveland at New York Yankees — CleGuardians.TV/Prime Video (NY/CT/NJ), 7 p.m.National League Miami at Washington — MLB Network (backup)/Marlins.TV/Nationals.TV, 1 p.m. San Diego at Philadelphia — Padres.TV/NBC Sports Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m. San Francisco at Milwaukee — NBC Sports Bay Area/Brewers.TV, 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona — MLB Network/Spectrum SportsNet LA/Dbacks.TV, 9:30 p.m.Interleague New York Mets at Seattle — SNY/Mariners.TV, 3;30 p.m./MLB Network, 4 p.m. (joined in progress) Kansas City at Cincinnati — Royals.TV/Reds.TV, 7 p.m. Toronto at Atlanta — Sportsnet/Sportsnet One/BravesVision, 7:15 p.m. Texas at St. Louis — Rangers Sports Network/Cardinals.TV, 7:45 p.m. Pittsburgh at Houston — SportsNet Pittsburgh/Space City Home Network, 8 p.m. Sacramento at Chicago Cubs — NBC Sports California/Marquee Sports Network, 8 p.m. Colorado at Anaheim — Rockies.TV/Angels Broadcast Television, 9:30 p.m.Announcers: Steve Phillips/Eduardo Pérez/Xavier Scruggs The Leadoff Spot — MLB Network, 9 a.m.Announcers: Robert Flores/Lauren Shehadi/Mark DaRosa MLB Central — MLB Network, 10 a.m.Host: Brian Kenny MLB Now — MLB Network, noonAnnouncers: Greg Amsinger/Harold Reynolds/Dan Plesac MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show — MLB Network, 6:30 p.m.Blue Jays Central — Sportsnet/Sportsnet One, 6:30 p.m. MLB Network Strike Zone — Check your local listings, 7 p.m. MLB Big Inning — MLB.TV, 8 p.m.Host: Abby Labar Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 12:30 a.m. (Thursday)NBA PlayoffsNBA FinalsGame 1, Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TXAnnouncers: Mike Breen/Richard Jefferson/Tim Legler//Lisa Salters New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurts — ABC/ESPN Unlimited, 8:30 p.m.Announcers: Malika Andrews/Danny Green/Chiney Ogwumike/Kendrick Perkins/Shams Charania NBA Today live from Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX — ESPN, 3 p.m.Announcers: Ernie Johson/Charles Barkley.Shaquille O’Neal/Kenny Smith NBA Tip-Off live from Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX — ESPN, 7 p.m. NBA Tip-Off live from Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX — ABC/ESPN Unlimited, 8 p.m. Inside the NBA live from Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX — ESPN, 11 p.m.Run It Back — FanDuel TV, 10 a.m. Basketcast — NBA TV, 11:30 a.m. Hoop Collective — ESPN2, 2 p.m. NBA Shot Clock: The 2001 NBA Finals: 25th Anniversary Philadelphia vs. Los Angeles Lakers — NBA TV, 5:30 p.m. The Association: Finals Pregame — NBA TV, 6:30 p.m. New York Knicks vs. San Antonio NBA Finals In-Game Live Gameday — SportsGrid, 8 p.m. Commissioner Adam Silver Finals Game 1 Press Conference — NBA TV, 7:30 p.m. The Association: NBA Finals Game 1 Postgame — NBA TV, 11 p.m.NFL Good Morning Football — NFL Network, 8 a.m. Good Morning Football: Overtime — Check your local listings/The Roku Sports Channel, 10 a.m. Pushing the Pile — CBS Sports Network, noon Ross Tucker Football Podcast — DraftKings Network, 3 p.m. NFL Live — ESPN2, 4 p.m. The Insiders — NFL Network, 7 p.m. This Is Football — ESPNews, 8 p.m.NHL NHL Now — NHL Network, 5 p.m. NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Edition — NHL Network, 6 p.m. Missin Curfew — DraftKings Network, 10 p.m.SoccerMen’sInternational Friendly, Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip), Rotterdam, Netherlands Netherlands vs. Algeria — Fox Soccer Plus, 2 p.m.International Friendly, The Stadium at South Field, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT Republic of Korea vs. El Salvator — BYUtv, 8:58 p.m.Morning Footy — CBS Sports Golazo Network, 8 a.m. Football Report — Fubo Sports Network, 9:30 a.m. Best of Morning Footy — CBS Sports Golazo Network, 2 p.m. Fútbol Picante — ESPN Deportes, 3 p.m. Scoreline — CBS Sports Golazo Network, 5 p.m. ESPN FC — ESPN+, 5 p.m. Generación Fútbol — ESPN Deportes, 6 p.m. Tricolor al dìa — TUDN, 8 p.m. Scoreline — CBS Sports Golazo Network, 10 p.m. Línea de cuatro — TUDN, 11 p.m.Sports News & Talk SportsCenter — ESPN, 7 a.m. The Early Line Live — SportsGrid, 7 a.m. Nothing Personal with David Samson — DraftKings Network, 8 a.m. Get Up — ESPN, 8 a.m. SportsCenter — ESPN2, 8 a.m. Fubo News — Fubo Sports Network, 9 a.m. Morning Buzz — CBS Sports HQ, 9 a.m. SportsCenter — ESPN2, 9 a.m. The Dan Patrick Show — NBCSN/Peacock, 9 a.m. The Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz — DraftKings Network, 11 a.m. Up & Adams — FanDuel TV, 11 a.m. The Craig Carton Show — SportsGrid 11 a.m. B1G Today — Big Ten Network, noon BYU Sports Nation — BYUtv, noon Midday Rundown — CBS Sports HQ, noon The Pat McAfee Show — ESPN, noon The Rich Eisen Show — ESPN Unlimited/Disney+, noon The Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz — Peacock, noon NewsWire LIVE — SportsGrid, noon CBS Sports HQ Spotlight — CBS Sports Network, 2 p.m. SportsCenter — ESPN, 2 p.m. The Pat McAfee Show — YouTube, 2 p.m. Trending Now — CBS Sports HQ, 3 p.m. SportsCenter — ESPN2, 3 p.m. The Paul Finebaum Show — SEC Network, 3 p.m. Ross Tucker Even Money — DraftKings Network, 3:30 p.m. CBS Sports HQ Spotlight — CBS Sports Network, 4 p.m. SportsCenter — ESPN, 5 p.m. Inside ACCess — ACC Network, 5 p.m. Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m. ACC PM — ACC Network, 6 p.m. Primetime Pregame LIVE — CBS Sports HQ, 6 p.m. SportsCenter — ESPN, 6 p.m. All The Smoke Unplugged — DraftKings Network, 6:30 p.m. Gameday Scoreboard and Highlights — CBS Sports HQ, 7 p.m. All The Smoke Dugout — DraftKings Network, 7 p.m. Mystery Crate — DraftKings Network, 8 p.m. E60: Unrivaled — ESPN2, 9 p.m. BBC Sport — BBC News, 9:45 p.m. All The Smoke — DraftKings Network, 10 p.m. Contacto deportivo — TUDN, 10 p.m. SportsCenter at Night — ESPN, 10:30 p.m. SEC Now — SEC Network, 10:30 p.m. BBC Sport — BBC News, 10:45 p.m. Scoreboard Final — CBS Sports HQ, 11 p.m. All the Smoke Dugout — DraftKings Network, 11 p.m. BBC Sport — BBC News, 11:45 p.m. El pelotazo — Telemundo, midnight SportsCenter at Night With Scott Van Pelt — ESPN, midnight Contacto deportivo — Univision/TUDN, midnight Scoreboard Final — CBS Sports HQ, 1 a.m. (Thursday) SportsCenter at Night — ESPN, 1 a.m. (Thursday) Pushing the Odds with Matt Perrault — SportsGrid, 1 a.m. (Thursday) TMZ Sports — FS1, 1:30 a.m. (Thursday) SportsCenter at Night — ESPN, 2 a.m. (Thursday) South Beach Sessions — DraftKings Network, 3 a.m. (Thursday) Mystery Crate — DraftKings Network, 4 a.m. (Thursday) Boomer and Gio — CBS Sports Network, 6 a.m. (Thursday) Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Carly and Michelle — ESPN2/ESPNU, 6 a.m. (Thursday) Maggie and Perloff — YouTube, 6 a.m. (Thursday)TennisFrench Tennis FederationFrench Open, Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France Men’s Quarterfinals: Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Flavio Cobolli — TNT/HBO Max, 7:30 a.m. Women’s Quarterfinals: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Diana Shnaider — TNT/HBO Max, 10 a.m. Men’s Quarterfinals Night Match: Matteo Berrettini vs. Matteo Arnaldi — TNT/truTV/HBO Max, 2:15 p.m.Live at Roland Garros: Day 11 Studio Show — TNT/HBO Max, 7 a.m. Live at Roland Garros: Day 11 Studio Show — TNT/HBO Max, 9;30 p.m. Live at Roland Garros: Day 11 Bridge Show — TNT/truTV/HBO Max, 1 p.m. Live at Roland Garros: Day 11, Postmatch — TNT/truTV/HBO Max, 5 p.m.Men’s Doubles Semifinals/Mixed Doubles Final/Boys & Girls Singles/Doubles — Tennis Channel, 5 a.m. (Thursday) Mixed Doubles Semifinal #1 — truTV/HBO Max, 5 a.m. (Thursday)WNBACommissioner’s CupWNBA on USAAnnouncers: Kate Scott/Tamika Catchings//Terrika Foster-Brasby Toronto Tempo at New York Liberty — USA Network/CTV2/TSN1/TSN5/WWOR, 7:30 p.m.Announcers: Meghan McPeak/Lea B. Olsen//Paris Lawson Phoenix Mercury at Seattle Storm — USA Network/KPHE/KUNS, 10 p.m.Announcers: Lisa Kerney/Chamique Holdsclaw/Renee Montgomery WNBA on USA Pregame Show — USA Network, 7 p.m.The post TV and streaming viewing picks for June 3, 2026: How to watch NBA Finals Game 1 appeared first on Awful Announcing.

With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise's history.After the 2012-13 season and the failed Andrew Bynum experiment, the Sixers decided to hit the reset button. On draft night, the Sixers sent All-Star Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the sixth overall pick which turned out to be Nerlens Noel.Noel, who was expected to be the No. 1 pick of his draft before injuries at Kentucky came into play, missed the entirety of his first season in the league due to a knee injury. In the 2014-15 season, his official rookie season, he averaged 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.9 blocks, and 1.7 assists as he showed off all of his game.Noel played 171 games for the Sixers across three seasons, averaging 10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks. He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks at the deadline in the 2016-17 season as Joel Embiid showed what he could do.Overall, Noel played nine seasons in the league with the Sixers, Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets. He played 17 games for the Pistons and Nets in the 2023-24 season.This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Philadelphia 76ers draft rewind: Trading for Nerlens Noel in 2013

Eleven police officers were wounded as demonstrators pelted them with rocks and garbage cans, scenes a British cabinet minister called “unacceptable.”

We look at the state of the Iran war three months on.