New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo celebrates after a win. | Getty Images Every year it seems as though a team makes the leap from the basement of their division to the penthouse. The New York Giants are a prime candidate to make the same leap from 2025 to 2026 as the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears did from 2024 to 2025 — at least according to ESPN’s Football Power Index.Of the eight teams to finish last in their respective division, ESPN gives the Giants the third-best odds to win their division in 2026.2025 record: 4-13Odds of winning division: 11.6% (third in division)Odds of making playoffs: 22% (25th in NFL)The Giants got to take two highly skilled players in the top 10 of the 2026 draft. They have wideout Malik Nabers, their best target on offense, coming back from a knee injury that cost him most of last season. They’re also getting back running back Cam Skattebo, who was an exciting part of the offense until a midseason ankle injury. And they’ve added a good amount of veteran talent to improve the defense, including linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and linemen Shelby Harris and DJ Reader.The Giants also have a new coaching staff, led by John Harbaugh. New York fans are hoping Harbaugh’s strong track record in Baltimore means he’ll turn things around quickly.This is all well and good, but of course the biggest reason why the Giants might win their division would be QB Jaxson Dart making huge second-year improvements. It worked for the Bears and Patriots last season, so it could work for the Giants this season. Dart was already a surprising 17th in QBR (57.5) among qualifying QBs in 2025, thanks in part to his value as a runner. You can’t expect him to suddenly become a top-10 quarterback, but it’s possible, especially with Nabers back to catch his passes.The Giants have finished last in the NFC East in each of the last two years, similar to both the Patriots and Bears who were in last place in their respective divisions in 2023 and 2024 prior to their leap. Unlike the Patriots, the Giants have the relative misfortune of playing in a division that could be highly competitive in 2026. The Eagles are just a season removed from winning the Super Bowl and the Commanders from playing for the NFC Championship. The Cowboys, meanwhile, always have a potent offense and have sunk considerable resources into rebuilding their defense. However, there’s a good argument that the Giants have (significantly) underperformed their talent level in recent years. There’s a good argument that the Giants probably should have finished as an eight or even nine-win team last year despite a brutal schedule. And considering one of those “shoulda-been” wins would have been over the Cowboys, the Giants would have finished with the second-best record in their division by two or three games. They face a schedule that looks to be easier this year, at least on paper, while accumulating more talent and getting big upgrades in coaching.The Giants should have greater attention to detail and situational football under John Harbaugh than under Brian Daboll, which will be a significant boost for both the offense and the defense. Likewise, the additions of defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, secondary coach Donald D’Alesio, and defensive backs coach Addison Lynch, as well as the retention of outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen, should make for a better scheme fit and better coached players at premium positions.The lynchpin to the Giants’ success will be Jaxson Dart and his development. As we’ve noted recently, development is rarely linear. There will likely be improvements in some areas and not others, or perhaps even some regression as Dart learns and grows. There are a few key areas in which Dart needs to improve to take the next step, and the team take the next step along with him. Footwork — Dart’s footwork isn’t a “mess”, and in fact there were plays in which it was quite good. However, he doesn’t consistently sync his footwork up with the structure and timing of the play. That impacts how he’s able to progress through his reads as well as his lower-body mechanics to consistently deliver the ball with velocity and precision. There were times when it looked as though Dart wasn’t progressing through his reads, but was in fact progressing too fast because he didn’t have his feet to serve as that metronome to time his eyes with the receivers coming open. Simply being able to consistently operate within the structure of the play will be a huge unlock for him. Dealing with pressure – While not the worst quarterback in sack rate and pressure-to-sack rate in the NFL, Dart was among the bottom quartile, even when including backups and spot starters. Dart’s willingness to scramble and extend led to some absolute magic at times, but also missed opportunities as he went Big Play Hunting rather than taking slight profit and moving on. Dart is a “boom or bust” player when pressure leaks through, and part of taking the next step will be becoming more consistent on those high-leverage plays.Making mature decisions — In Dart’s own words he needs to become a more mature decision maker with the ball in his hands. He might not be the same kind of freak athlete as Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, and doesn’t have blazing speed or rare size and power. However, he does have legitimately good vision and twitchy agility as a runner. His ability to simplify the defense and make them pay for losing contain is too much of a weapon to take away. However, teaching him when it’s worth putting his body on the line when scrambling will be key to his development. There’s a time to take on risk to make a play, but more often he needs to learn when to go down or step out of bounds. Dart has the potential to be a similar kind of quarterback as a young Russell Wilson, but he needs the reps to develop. He won’t get those reps if he’s on the trainer’s table because he got hurt trying to convert a second-and-7 in the first quarter.The biggest question in whether the Giants can make good on their potential for a leap in 2026 is Malik Nabers’ health. There are real questions as to whether Nabers will be ready to start the season and when he’ll be back to full speed following his ACL and meniscus repairs. The Giants have added 6 receivers this off-season, plus TE Isaiah Likely, to help upgrade the receiving corps as well as mitigate the loss of Wan’Dale Robinson and the injury to Nabers. Dart’s ability to simplify the defense helped to keep the offense (relatively) productive despite losing Nabers, but the hope is that all the additions will give the Giants enough reliable options that the offense is able to take a step forward. Of course, even ESPN’s third-best odds to win the division is only 11.6%, and those are pretty long odds to make the leap from worst to first. The Giants absolutely can make that leap and shock the football world, just as the Patriots, Bears, and Jacksonville Jaguars did a season ago.But even being in contention to win the division, or even for a Wild Card, spot should be considered a win after the last three years.

The S&P 500 fell more than 2 percent on Friday, on course for its worst one-day drop of the year and ending nine weeks of gains.

The party’s politicians, officials and strategists wrestled with how to respond to new reporting about Graham Platner, with worries rising about his vulnerabilities in a general election.

OKLAHOMA CITY — If there is one player that can benefit the most from a disappointing early end to their season, it's Oklahoma City star forward Jalen Williams.Williams, the Thunder’s All-NBA forward, enters an offseason that has been much-needed since OKC’s playoff run last season. The Thunder, which ended its season Saturday in a Game 7 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, played much of this season without Williams and a loss in the playoffs proved OKC needs Williams in order to repeat the success it had last season.Williams missed Game 7’s 111-103 loss due to a recurring left hamstring issue. He tried to give it a go in Game 6, playing just 10 minutes off the bench, but ultimately couldn’t do much with his nagging injury that kept him sidelined for a majority of the second half of the season.Williams missed four entire games in the historic series against the Spurs while also missing the second half of Game 2 and essentially not playing in Game 6.Williams basically missed all but one game in the seven-game saga, and Game 1 — the only game he played fully — was his return from a hamstring injury he suffered in the first round of the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns.OKC conducted its exit interviews with the media Sunday and Williams said he felt if he were at full-strength, he could’ve helped change the outcome of the Western Conference Finals.“I think I could have made an impact. I think we could have won if I played,” Williams said. “Went to seven with them without me playing. I don’t think I make us worse… What do you want them to do about me being hurt? They still have to go out there and try and beat us. That’s what it is and they did that.“But they’re a good team. It would have been a challenge if I played or not, but I definitely think I could have changed the series. But we’ll just have to wait until we meet again at some point.”It’s been a long, long season for Williams.Williams ended last season’s championship season with surgery on his shooting wrist, needing to fix a ligament damaged in his shooting hand.That hindered his ability to shoot the basketball the entire offseason and that hindrance also leaked into the start of the regular season, missing the first 19 games of the 2025-26 season.He made his season debut Nov. 28 against the Phoenix Suns and played through December and January, returning to his All-Star form from a season ago.Then, in a Jan. 17 loss at the Miami Heat, Williams exited the game with a sore right thigh that turned into him missing a month of games.He returned for two games in February before aggravating his right hamstring injury that forced him to miss another month of action.Williams returned in the late stages of March to help OKC secure the top seed in the Western Conference. He played nine consecutive games, including the first two games of the NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns before straining his left hamstring April 22.He missed the final two games of the first round and missed the entirety of the second round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.He returned for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs, but that was his lone full game he played. He flared his left hamstring strain in Game 2 and gave it a go in Game 6, but ultimately was a nonfactor in the series after Game 1.Williams ultimately played just 38 games this season and never got more than a month of consecutive playing time without an injury.Despite his absence for a lot of the season, OKC still found success. Though, him missing the WCF is a key reason why the Spurs will be playing in The Finals over the Thunder this week.“Not having Dub for the whole year sucked,” said OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “He’s just such a unicorn out there. He’s a 20-point per game scorer, guards 1 through 5. Last season he got all NBA for offense, all NBA for defense, and was an All-Star at maybe 24 years old. So losing a guy like that just hurts. He’s just uber talented. Having that on the court 24/7 is just a luxury, and we just didn’t have that luxury this year. Sometimes it just goes like that.”Williams obviously had a difficult season, both mentally and physically.From the recovery of wrist surgery to constant hamstring injuries in both legs, Williams said outside distractions — especially movies — helped him get through a mentally-draining season.“This year was big. I got into movies a lot just because it helps me not think about basketball,” Williams said. “Doing regular things makes me feel normal and doesn’t make me feel like the weight of not playing was on my back. Because when you’re not doing those things, it’s like usually playing basketball and stuff, so trying to fill the void with that time. I thought I did a pretty good job of it.“I realized I was a lot mentally tougher than I was, and I already thought I was pretty tough.”His summer routine is yet to be determined as this is his first somewhat healthy offseason in two years with a little bit more time on his hands, compared to last season when the Thunder won the championship June 22.He’s hopeful to figure out why his hamstrings continued to flare up and finally get some time to rest.“I don’t know how my summer is going to play out,” Williams said. “I won’t have had this long of a summer in a good minute. It’s just going to be a rest thing. Like I’ve been saying, I just haven’t had time to really play, and to dive deeper into my hamstring, some of it was my body felt so good because I hadn’t been running around. I hadn’t been playing. I was lighter. I just don’t think my body could keep up with how I was moving.“So it’s just going to be more of like strengthening some of the stuff that I found out.”

José Mourinho wants relegated Premier League star at Real MadridIncoming Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho has set his sights on the signature of West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes.Midfielder Fernandes is for his part fresh off a stellar individual campaign in the Premier League, giving rise to three goals and four assists across 36 appearances in England’s top-flight.Such exploits did not prove enough to stave off relegation for the Hammers, however, now facing up to a season back in The Championship in 2026/27.Fernandes, still just 21, is therefore expected to be on the move before the summer is out.And as alluded to above, adding his name to the list of interested parties over recent days has been fellow countryman José Mourinho.As per a report from Diario AS, amid an ongoing search for reinforcements to the engine room setup at Real Madrid:‘Mourinho has drawn up a list of suggestions, and on it is the name of Mateus Fernandes. Mourinho wants him, and Real Madrid are already making moves to please the manager.’It is also noted that both Arsenal and Liverpool are in the hunt for the West Ham standout.Conor Laird – GSFN

Milan fans warning of ‘unprecedented’ protest against CardinaleMilan ultras have called on fans to ‘prepare for an unprecedented’ protest in person against owner Gerry Cardinale. ‘It’s going to be a long summer, and the worst is yet to come.’ITALY – SEPTEMBER 03: Gerry Cardinale of AC Milan looks on before the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 03, 2022 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)The Rossoneri plunged into crisis after failing to qualify for the Champions League, suffering a final round 2-1 home defeat to Cagliari to seal their fate.There had already been protests before that from the ultras, who urged the club to sack CEO Giorgio Furlani.However, when Cardinale did dismiss coach Max Allegri, director of sport Igli Tare, technical director Geoffrey Moncada, and Furlani, it still wasn’t enough, with Special Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic seemingly given more powers.None of those roles have been filled yet, and the Curva Sud group expressed its frustration in a formal statement.Milan ultras plan big statementITALY – APRIL 26: Fans of AC Milan are seen with a lit red flare inside the stadium prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)“While OUR club is plunging into the abyss between improvised casting and head hunters, with all the key directorial roles still empty (no wonder everyone is wary of accepting a contract with Milan now), there is a city, a group of fans, a population who cannot sleep at night due to these owners who continue to burn away the passion for the jersey and this glorious club.“There is no better way to damage someone who is worried only about appearances, of increasing revenue, of growing the brand for business, all at the expense of Milan’s sporting results, than to hurt their image.“The owners are absent, trying to pass on their nauseating version of football via their few chosen media outlets, and must be insulted wherever they go in the world, letting the message reach them that the fans will not tolerate this situation.“Many are asking us for a big protest: WE can assure you that these fans always gave a strong and united response every time we had to prove something (just think about last year).“This is going to be a long summer, and the worst is yet to come. With civility, determination and passion, we mustn’t give them any leeway. We are asking all the fans to get ready, because when the time comes to protest, social media won’t be enough and we must prepare for an unprecedented gathering.“Milan do not have owners, Milan will always belong to its fans. It is a matter of the heart, and we cannot allow these undignified speculators to transform it into a private enterprise lacking values and identity, destroying a love that has lasted over a Century.”While other clubs are preparing to sign new players and working out a transfer strategy, the Rossoneri do not have anyone in a position to hold negotiations, let alone put together a plan for the kind of squad they are looking for.

Blue Jackets' Kent Johnson gets major trade update after frustrating end to season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Kent Johnson could hardly get on the ice down the stretch of the season for the Columbus Blue Jackets.That has him looking like a trade candidate as rumor season gets underway in the NHL.With that in mind, Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin has named Johnson a top candidate to breakout if he gets a "change of scenery," listing Johnson first in a new article about that topic on Friday.Johnson's skill has apparently not matched the view of his physical attributes on the ice."Johnson’s breathtaking natural skill with the puck has never been in question, but the rest of his game has not caught up, to the point he’s looking like the second coming of Sonny Milano, another Blue Jackets’ first-round bust," Larkin writes. "Johnston appeared to have new life after a midseason coaching switch to Rick Bowness but, by April, Johnson was playing just 11:11 per night, and he was a healthy scratch on occasion, with the coaching staff feeling he was getting muscled off pucks too often."MORE: Canucks make Gavin McKenna decision that Maple Leafs, Sharks don't makeIt's a classic conundrum for coaches -- do you play the young player with work still to do in order to develop the future, or do you play the grizzled veterans for the present?Some would argue Johnson is good enough that he should be getting the playing time now to help win games, too, but that's clearly not what the Blue Jackets thought."Johnson actually generated individual scoring chances at the highest rate of his career this season at 5-on-5," Larkin writes. "He’s still just 23, and a team that trusts him more in a role that maximizes his razzle-dazzle could reap major rewards buying low."There are plenty of teams in a rebuilding stage that could snag Johnson in the hopes of developing him into a top-six forward down the line. It seems like a potentially good opportunity both for the winger himself and for a new team.Someone ought to pick up the phone and call Columbus to make this happen.More NHL news:Canadiens had a trade agreed to, but they missed by 1 minuteHenrik Sedin's son is excelling in a different sportElias Petersson trade plans may be missing a key pointWould the Maple Leafs trade Easton Cowan?Alex Ovechkin's mom is playing a role in his retirement decision

In the NFL, almost every year we see a team go from last place to first place in their division. Last season, the New England Patriots did it and made it to the Super Bowl. Aaron Schatz looked at the eight last-place teams from last year and the likelihood each would bounce back and win their division. The Arizona Cardinals, of course, were the worst team in the NFC West. Cardinals fans should know what is coming from Schatz. It might feel like trolling at this point, but it really isn't. The Cardinals are the least likely last-place team to win their division. They have a 0.1% chance of winning the NFC West and a 1.2% chance of making the playoffs. The Cardinals led the NFL in adjusted games lost last season; they were completely pummeled by injuries. They also faced the hardest schedule in the league by DVOA. These facts might make them an interesting prospect for 2026 improvement except for two things. First, they have questions up and down the roster, especially at the QB position. Second, they're still going to have one of the hardest schedules in the league because they are stuck in the NFC West with the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers -- three of the five top teams in the league based on the FPI.That makes a division title almost absurdly unlikely for the Cardinals. They go into the season ranked 29th in the FPI.Even if 34-year-old QB Jacoby Brissett has his best season, and the defense improves enough to make the Cardinals one of the top 10 teams, the team still has to hope that the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers all collapse. A Cardinals division title in 2026 would probably be the most unlikely division title in NFL history.Looking at the Cardinals' schedule, it feels hard to pick four games they can win. They are underdogs in every game. Most position groups aren't improved, and they play in an impossible division. Would it be the most unlikely division title ever? Probably. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals are least likely last-place team to win division in 2026

After a screwworm infestation was confirmed in a South Texas calf, officials launched an aggressive effort to prevent the parasite from spreading in the nation’s largest cattle-producing state.

As India prepare to swap the fast-paced world of T20 cricket for the demands of the longest format, captain Shubman Gill believes there is still nothing in the game that compares to Test cricket.India begin their red-ball season with a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur on Saturday. While the fixture does not count towards the World Test Championship standings, Gill made it clear that the occasion carries plenty of significance for a side looking to build momentum ahead of a crucial stretch of Test cricket.Speaking in a video released by the BCCI, Gill described Test cricket as the format that gives him the greatest satisfaction as a player."For me, this is the most satisfying format. If you do well in this format, that's how I feel most good about myself. The feel of wearing the whites, wearing the baggy cap. Nothing beats that, it's the traditional way, the OG way of playing cricket," he said.The timing of the Test presents a unique challenge for India's players. Just days after the conclusion of another IPL season, many members of the squad must now readjust to the physical and mental demands of five-day cricket.Gill acknowledged that the transition is far from straightforward."The weather is very different. You play T20 at night and now it's almost 40 degrees so there's a lot of mental challenges that comes into play. And apart from all the technicalities you have to change, adapting for this format especially is why the format is so great and gives you so much respect around the world," he explained.India's squad also features several younger faces, many of whom Gill has encountered during his journey through the national setup. The captain expressed confidence in the next generation and believes they have the potential to serve Indian cricket for years to come."I have played with most of them in the Indian setup and whenever we have had a series, be it abroad or in tour games, they have shown they are very exciting young talents. Hopefully they are going to represent, work hard and serve the country for a very long time."For Gill personally, leading India remains one of the proudest moments of his career. The Punjab batter grew up playing cricket in the region and admitted captaining the national side in front of familiar surroundings makes the occasion even more special."To be able to lead my country, I always dreamt about playing for the country, let alone leading the country. It's a very big privilege for me to do it here in front of my home ground where I grew up playing."While India enter the contest as favourites, Gill was quick to dismiss any suggestion that Afghanistan should be underestimated. He pointed to the remarkable progress Afghanistan have made since the two teams first met in Test cricket in 2018."I remember the Test we played against them and the journey that they have had from there. Playing a World Cup semi-final, a T20 World Cup semi-final, they have done really well in all the ICC tournaments. The kind of talent that they have, they are not a lesser opposition for us. They have got really good talent, they are an amazing team and it's going to be a very interesting Test match."Although the match does not offer World Test Championship points, Gill believes it could prove crucial in helping India prepare for what lies ahead. Following the Afghanistan fixture, India have nine championship Tests remaining in the current cycle, making this encounter an important opportunity to fine-tune combinations and regain their red-ball rhythm."We've got a very exciting opportunity to play this Test match and then we've got nine Tests before the WTC final. So this Test match is very important for us for preparation."For a young Indian side navigating a period of transition, the Afghanistan Test may not impact the standings, but it offers something equally valuable: a chance to sharpen habits, build confidence and lay the foundation for the challenges that await in the months ahead. 131538742

Thomas Tuchel ‘concerned’ about Florida pitchEngland manager Thomas Tuchel says he is “concerned” about pictures he has seen of the pitch at the Raymond James Stadium in Florida where England will play New Zealand.England play New Zealand in the first of two friendlies before the World Cup begins, but the German manager was not happy with images he saw of the pitch, which did not look in great condition. “No, it will not affect my team selection because what I heard until now is that it should be okay and we want it of course to be okay. I saw just a photo from your colleague that made me a little bit worried and concerned. “But let’s decide when we are there. If there are any issues, we can always react to it. The plan is tomorrow to play two sets of 45 minutes with two complete teams to expose everyone to the same amount of minutes. “I think tomorrow is maybe the focus more on the minutes. So we will share the minutes that we can continue in the training process together and we don’t have to split the group up and take care of the guys who played a bit less and take care of the guys who played a little bit more. “We just will give everyone the minutes and everyone a go finally here at the World Cup. But at the same time it’s also like to reconnect to our identity and the stuff that we did good. So we had a lot of meetings offensively and defensively and we want to see how far we can push this already.”England play Croatia in their World Cup opener on June 17, but Tuchel said he isn’t even thinking about them. “I think against Croatia it will be a very different game and we have still four training days in Kansas to prepare for Croatia. So Croatia at the moment does not exist in the talk to the players or it’s not a theme in the training sessions.”

Former Ohio State linebacker Jonathon Cooper was arrested today on domestic violence charges, according to our news partners at WBNS. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]WBNS, citing their sister station in Denver, reported that jail records showed the 28-year-old was held on suspicion of domestic violence and criminal mischief in Douglas County, Colorado. TRENDING STORIES:Bat tests positive for rabies in Darke CountyBullet grazes man in head during fight in Xenia; 2 taken into custodyDuo Florida Georgia Line ends hiatus with unexpected CMA Fest performanceAn arrest affidavit obtained by CBS News states that Cooper and a woman were arrested after what police called a fight over phones. The two were reportedly arguing over cheating allegations when the woman threw his phone and bit her phone. The Associated Press reported he had his first court appearance on Friday and is due back in court on Monday. Cooper, a Gahanna native, played for the Buckeyes from 2016 to 2020. As WBNS reported, he was the first player ever selected to wear the “Block O” jersey. He was also a two-time team captain. He was a seventh-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos in 2021 and is entering his sixth season with the team. In a statement to the Associated Press, the Broncos said they were “aware of the matter and are gathering more information.” [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Tarik Skubal is scheduled to make a rehab start on Sunday, roughly four weeks since he underwent a new procedure to remove a loose body from his pitching elbow. If all goes well, the reigning two-time Cy Young winner could return to the Detroit Tigers’ rotation soon as he’s the subject of trade rumors ahead of MLB’s trade deadline. Manager A.J. Hinch announced the rehab plan to reporters on Friday. Skubal will make his rehab start with the club’s single A affiliate in Grand Rapids, Michigan due to weather concerns elsewhere. “He’s gonna go on rehab and pitch on Sunday in West Michigan,” Hinch said. “It’s weather-related. Looks pretty nasty in Iowa, looks pretty nasty in Richmond. Looks great in Grand Rapids. “The Caps will get a pretty good starting pitcher for Sunday, and we’ll him started competitively with his outing. We’re excited for that.”Tarik Skubal could return to Detroit's rotation as soon as next week.ASSOCIATED PRESSHinch also announced that starting pitchers Casey Mize (adductor) and Justin Verlander (hip) will throw off the mound Saturday amid their own rehab from stints on the injured list. He didn’t offer a precise timeline for either’s return. How will Skubal look after new surgical procedure?Skubal will make his rehab start a month since undergoing a new procedure on May 7 to remove a loose body from his left elbow. Pitchers were previously projected to miss a minimum of three months for undergoing such a procedure. How Skubal performs and reacts after his procedure will be the subject of great scrutiny.Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournamentSkubal’s agent Scott Boras, who called the procedure the “Skubal scope,” likened the less-invasive procedure to remove a “lima-bean sized particle” to an “an injection” rather than surgery. He told ESPN’ Buster Olney in May that the procedure would cut his return timeline to “well less than half” than what would be expected from a traditional arthroscopic procedure and allow Skubal to pick up rouhgly where he left off upon his return to the mound. “We really feel that the buildup will be, really — he will not lose the buildup that he had, you know, prior to the surgery,” Boras said “And he'll be able to return to performance at just a much, much earlier stage.”A return to Detroit’s rotation as soon as next week would put Skubal almost two full months ahead of the timeline projected from an arthroscopic procedure. How long Skubal would remain in Detroit’s rotation is unclear. With the Tigers (25-38) sitting 10.5 games out of first place in the AL Central, Skubal has been the subject of trade rumors ahead of MLB’s Aug. 3 trade deadline. Prior to his elbow procedure Skubal (2.70 ERA, 0.946 WHIP) was in the midst of another outstanding season on the heels of consecutive Cy Young campaigns. He’s be a difference-making addition for a contending club seeking to upgrade the top of its rotation. Whether or not the Tigers are seriously considering dealing their ace is unclear. The AL playoff race remains wide open, and the Tigers have time to return to contention ahead of the August trade deadline.

Aaron Judge was officially moved to the injured list before the Yankees' game against the Red Sox on Friday, June 5. Top prospect Spencer Jones was recalled to take his spot in the outfield. Judge was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his first right rib and is expected to miss several weeks.The Yankees said Judge will be shut down for four to six weeks before reimaging. That means the most optimistic timeline would be a late July, early August return. Jones, a left-handed slugger, made his major-league debut last month and was underwhelming. The No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, Jones hit .167/.259./.167 in 27 plate appearance during his first stint. The Yankees are thin in the outfield at the moment with Giancarlo Stanton on the IL with a right calf issue and Jasson Dominguez also on the IL with a left shoulder strain.Jones has shown power potential for years. At Triple-A Scranton this year, he is hitting. 269 with a .571 slugging percentage, 13 home runs and 48 RBI in 43 games.The 2022 first-round pick out of Vanderbilt has also shown penchant for striking out a lot. During his first major-league stint, he struck out at a 44.4% rate. In Triple-A he has struck out 60 times in 185 plate appearances this year.While he is also 6-foot-7 like Judge, he is stepping into a big hole in the lineup left by the Yankees captain.Before the injury, Judge, the two-time reigning American League MVP, was hitting .248 with 17 homers in 261 plate appearances.It is a big moment for Jones, who fell off the Top 100 prospect lists last offseason after 109 strikeouts in 298 Triple-A plate appearances. He was demoted May 21 with instructions to work on his swing.Now the Yankees will have time with Judge on the shelf to see what Jones can do.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Judge injury update: Yankees captain to IL, Spencer Jones back

Dawa Sherpa, 57, was found alive on Thursday, nearly a week after he was last seen on the mountain. His wife says more could have been done to find him sooner.

Companies are trying to automate graduates’ futures away. No wonder they’re furious.

Western slugger Brynley Erb has been named Gatorade Indiana Softball Player of the Year for a second consecutive season.The Kentucky-bound infielder set the state’s all-time home run record this season with her 70th home run, and finished her senior year with a .659 average that included 58 hit (10 doubles, eight triples, 13 home runs). She scored 54 runs, drove in 43 RBIs and struck out just three times for the sectional champs.Erb finished her career with a .651 average, 236 RBIs and 235 runs scored.More: Meet the eight finalists for 2026 Indiana Miss SoftballGatorade Player of the Year honors the nation’s best high school athletes for their success on the court, in the classroom and in the community, and distinguishes Erb as the state’s best high school softball player.w“We’ve played Western about 10 times in Brynley’s four years and the kid is an absolute stud,” West Lafayette coach Chauncey Fry said in a statement. “She’s as good as I’ve seen at the plate, in the field and on the bases in my 13-year coaching career.”Erb has volunteered locally at the Western concession stand during sporting events and as a peer tutor for students with mild and moderate intellectual challenges. She has also donated her time as a youth softball and volleyball coach, all while maintaining a weighted 3.43 GPA.The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states across 12 different high school sports and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.Recent Indiana recipients include Erb (2025), Tri-West’s Audrey Lowry (2024), Roncalli’s Keagan Rothrock (2021, 22, 23) and Bremens’s Erin Coffel.As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $6.4 million in grants to winners across more than 2,200 organizations.Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Brynley Erb repeats as Gatorade Indiana Softball Player of the Year

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Corey Seager was activated from the injured list Friday after the slumping five-time All-Star shortstop missed 19 games for the Texas Rangers because of lower back inflammation.Seager went into the Rangers’ series opener against Cleveland mired in a career-worst 0-for-27 slump that included 11 strikeouts. The two-time World Series MVP was hitless in his previous seven games, also a career long, since an RBI single on May 6 at Yankee Stadium after he hit a home run earlier in that game.Texas also activated outfielder Wyatt Langford, who had missed 39 games since going on the injured list April 22 because of a right forearm strain.Utility man Cody Freeman and outfielder Alejandro Osuna were optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to make room on the roster.Langford and Seager played in two rehab games together this week at Double-A Frisco. That was after Langford played two games with Round Rock.Seager hadn't been in a big league game since May 13, when he had started 42 of the Rangers' first 43 games. The 32-year-old shortstop said then, after playing in all 24 games over a 27-day period, that physically he felt “completely fine.”The Rangers had an off day after that and planned for Seager to get an extra break by sitting out the series opener at Houston. But he didn't play at all in that series after waking up one morning with back spasms.When Seager went on the IL, he was hitting .179 with seven homers and 20 RBIs. His 50 strikeouts accounted for 27.5% of his 182 plate appearances. He was 6 for 61 (.098) with 23 K’s over his last 16 games.In his first rehab game Tuesday night, Seager went 1 for 2 with a single and fielded two groundballs while playing shortstop. He went 0 for 3 on Wednesday.Langford hit .238 with one homer and four RBIs in his 20 games for Texas before going on the injured list. He was 2 for 10 with five walks in four rehab games.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Donald Trump confirmed he will attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he doesn't have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who can't afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as $8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series."It’s sorta semi-free to watch it on television,” the president added. “That’s the way life goes.”Trump further noted that if the Knicks weren't successful — as they haven't been most seasons since last advancing to the finals in 1994 — “you could go very easily.”The president of course doesn't have to purchase tickets to attend major sporting events. Trump has been to a lot of them in his second term, including the 2025 Super Bowl, Daytona 500 and Ryder Cup.But a centerpiece of his reelection campaign was a promise to tame inflation and bring down the price of groceries and other cost-of-living essentials. He has increasingly come under pressure to make good on that pledge as November midterm elections draw nearer — and as the war in Iran has caused gas prices to spike and global commodities markets to wobble, raising new fears about inflation and the strength of the U.S. economy. A longtime Knicks fan, Trump said on Air Force One that he watched Game 1, which New York won 105-95 in San Antonio. “I think the Knicks have an amazing team the way they played," he said.“Started off slow and it just got stronger and stronger," Trump said of Game 1. He pointed to Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns when asked to name his favorite player on the team. Trump was also asked about Spurs star Victor Wembanyama having stood with his arms crossed for the national anthem before Game 1. That touched off a conservative firestorm online, even though Wembanyama is French, meaning his country's anthem wasn't being played. Trump was complimentary of Wembanyama, saying that he “looks like he's gonna be a great player.” But he ducked a chance to weigh in on the national anthem controversy, suggesting he'd not seen Wembanyamba's crossed arms. "Is that what he did? What did he mean by that?” Trump asked, before recommending that reporters seek the answer from Wembanyama himself. Trump confirming his attendance for Game 3 follows NBA Commissioner Adam Silver saying on Wednesday that a presidential appearance at a finals game might be unifying in “our increasingly divided society.” “It creates a sense of connectivity among people," Silver said. "It creates a sense of belonging, and I feel that every day.”___Weissert reported from Washington

World Cup 2026, group D: United States chasing a miracle 🇺🇸🇹🇷🇦🇺🇵🇾The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and Group D promises pure hype. With an epic clash of styles between North America, Oceania, Europe, and South America, this group is a genuine goldmine of surprises where anyone can bite the dust.Which players should you keep an eye on?🇺🇸 Christian Pulisic. “Captain America” arrives at the peak of his footballing maturity to lead the host nation. With his blistering pace and one-on-one ability, his mission is to put the team on his back and make an entire country roar.🇦🇺 Harry Souttar. A true human wall at the heart of the Socceroos’ defense. His towering height makes him the absolute king of the air, whether clearing missiles from his own box or hammering the opposition net on set pieces.🇹🇷 Arda Güler. Real Madrid’s young gem is pure magic and swagger with the ball at his feet. His vision, unpredictable dribbling, and deadly left foot make him the creative engine and the most unreadable player in the Turkish squad.🇵🇾 Julio Enciso. Pace, fearlessness, and a thunderous shot from outside the box define this star. His ability to conjure chances out of nowhere in the final third will be La Albirroja’s main attacking weapon.Which absences stand out the most?The biggest blow is for the United States with the loss of Johnny Cardoso, who got injured with Atleti and will miss “his” World Cup. He is joined by the absence of Australian defender Hayden Matthews and some veterans in Paraguay’s attack, reducing key options.What match can’t I afford to miss?United States-Türkiye. It’s the ultimate showdown for top spot. The physical intensity and home support of the United States will go head-to-head with the technique, young talent, and ultra-passion of the Turks. Ninety minutes of pure adrenaline.Who are the favorites to advance?United States and Türkiye start with the edge thanks to their attacking firepower and competitive rhythm. However, don’t sleep on Paraguay; the South Americans have that competitive gene that makes them perfect party crashers and genuine contenders.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

MLB analyst sets the stage for the Giants to draft UC Santa Barbara's ace originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.With the high school and college baseball seasons starting to wrap up, we are getting a better idea about who may be taken off the board early in the upcoming MLB Draft. UCLA's Roch Cholowsky is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago White Sox, while Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey are expected to be the next ones off the board. If this is how the top three play out, the San Francisco Giants, who hold the No. 4 pick, will still have some elite players to choose from. The question is, do they go the college or high school route? MORE: Giants get bittersweet trade deadline report on Luis ArraezMLB analyst sets the stage for the Giants to draft UC Santa Barbara's aceThe Giants have been a team that has drafted college talent over high school talent throughout the years. Since 2018, they have drafted seven college players and just one high school player. That is expected to remain true later this summer as Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes the Giants will draft UC Santa Barbara pitcher Jackson Flora. "Flora has been far and away the most consistent performer in the college pitcher class all spring, going 12-0 with a 1.06 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 133 strikeouts in 102 innings. With a durable 6'5" frame, a 70-grade fastball that bumps triple-digits and a pair of polished offspeed pitches, he offers the requisite mix of upside and floor to be the top arm off the board."Flora has been dominant all season long for his squad and has become arguably the top pitcher in the class. He has an elite fastball and some great offspeed pitches to pair with it, like having two different variations of a slider that he uses. He could be a great draft pick for the Giants and someone who could be the ace of the staff in the future. More MLB news:Phillies ride dominant pitching and red-hot bats to a massive May turnaroundRotation disaster and a cold week push the Athletics down the ranksMarlins drop a few spots in latest power rankings after a tough weekSweeps and blown saves have pushed the Royals into a free fall

Nepal batter Kushal Bhurtel continued his extraordinary run of form at the Asian Games men's cricket qualifiers, matching a rare world record with back-to-back T20I centuries just days after hammering six sixes in a single over.The explosive opener produced another breathtaking innings on Thursday as Nepal thrashed Malaysia by 167 runs to strengthen their push for a place in the tournament final.After Malaysia elected to field first, Bhurtel and wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh launched a ferocious assault at the top of the order. The pair added 134 runs for the opening wicket and raced to three figures before the completion of the seventh over. Nepal's scoring rate barely slowed thereafter, with the side reaching a staggering 230 for 2 by the end of the 16th over.Aasif provided the early fireworks, smashing 68 from only 24 deliveries before Virandeep Singh eventually ended his innings. However, the spotlight soon belonged entirely to Bhurtel.The left-hander raced to his half-century in just 25 balls and required only another 19 deliveries to convert it into a hundred. He eventually walked back after a sensational knock of 126 from 54 balls, peppered with 14 boundaries and eight sixes.Powered by Bhurtel's brilliance, Nepal piled up 275 runs before completing a dominant victory. Malaysia never threatened the target and were bowled out for just 108.The century carried added significance for Bhurtel. Having already struck a hundred against China in Nepal's opening group fixture, he became only the 10th male cricketer in T20I history to register centuries in successive innings.The achievement places him alongside an exclusive group featuring players such as Rilee Rossouw, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Phil Salt.Bhurtel's remarkable streak began in the tournament opener against China, where he produced one of the most destructive overs seen in international cricket. After reaching his fifty inside eight overs, he targeted left-arm spinner Chen Zhou Yue in the following over and launched all six deliveries for six, with most of the blows sailing straight back over the bowler's head.Despite the heavy defeat, Malaysia had already secured qualification for the 2026 Asian Games after defeating China earlier in the competition. They will now face Hong Kong, the winners of Group B, in the semi-finals. Nepal, meanwhile, will take on Oman as they continue their quest for gold.For now, though, the tournament belongs to Bhurtel. In the space of four days, he has smashed six sixes in an over, scored consecutive T20I centuries and etched his name into the record books with one of the most explosive batting displays seen in associate cricket. 131538617

Ohio State has decided to go all in on renovations to Ohio Stadium. The historic landmark is getting yet another facelift in the near future. A new playing surface is being installed that is more in line with NFL standards for the beginning of the fall season, and upgraded WiFi access points will give fans an even more immersive experience on Saturday afternoons. Now, The Columbus Dispatch has reported that plans have been approved for a new scoreboard. Joey Kaufman reported that the board of trustees approved a second phase of a $31 million project that upgrades the main video board that sits atop the south stands, along with a new sound system that will come in 2027. This comes after a new video board was approved for the north end of the stadium, as well as new ribbon boards that were approved last year and will be ready for the start of the 2026 season.Athletic Director Ross Bjork said the new board will offer fans a larger screen with more enhanced visuals. "It'll make the south board sort of stand out," Bjork said. "With modern technology, it'll be brighter. It'll be more crisp." The current board measures 42 feet by 125 feet and was last upgraded in 2012. It is expected that the new board will be larger, although the specific dimensions were not given. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion.This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football will be getting a new video board coming in 2027

FT: Republic of Ireland 3-2 Netherlands Carusa gives hosts the leadJanssen equalises with a penaltyLarkin restores home side's advantage two minutes after levellerPelova levels the score again but Barratt scores winnerKiernan sent-off in the dying secondsCarla Ward's side can qualify automatically if they beat France on Tuesday Women's World Cup qualifier: Republic of Ireland beat Netherlands as World Cup dream alive

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts to a referee’s call as he stands beside Texas forward Dailyn Swain (3) during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Very few college athletes become pros. In fact, of the more than 500,000 NCAA athletes, fewer than 2% will go pro in their sport.An old commercial showing college athletes working out and playing various sports, including swimming, basketball, football and softball, ends with this famous line: “Almost all of us will be going pro in something other than sports.”But that doesn’t stop them from dreaming of The Show, especially men’s basketball and football players.How many college athletes think they’ll go pros?A newly released survey of thousands of athletes in Division I — schools that generally have the largest athletics budgets and offer the highest number of athletics scholarships — found a majority see themselves as future professionals or Olympians.Among male athletes, 57% believe they are somewhat likely to become a professional or Olympic athlete, according to the NCAA’s Growth, Opportunities, Aspirations and Learning of Students in College or GOALS study.The percentage fell dramatically among female athletes. Only 24% see themselves going to the pros or the Olympics.Perceptions varied widely by sport, gender and division. Athletes competing in sports with more established professional or Olympic pathways were generally more likely to think they could continue their athletic careers at the next level. Utah Utes quarterback Byrd Ficklin (15) runs down the field to score a touchdown during an NCAA football game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The number of those who believe they can play professionally drops significantly among Division II and Division III college athletes.Sports in which at least half of student-athletes reported being somewhat likely or more likely to become a professional or Olympic athlete were:Division I men’s basketball (78%) and Division II men’s basketball (63%).Division I men’s ice hockey (75%) and women’s ice hockey (54%).Football Bowl Subdivision players (74%) and Football Championship Subdivision players (61%).Division I men’s golf (67%) and women’s golf (50%).Division I baseball (59%).Division I men’s soccer (56%).A total of 20,877 current athletes at 493 schools participated in the study, according to the NCAA.Athletes in the study were also asked whether they expected that their job after college would involve sports. The survey found 54% of Division I male athletes and 49% of Division II male athletes somewhat or very likely. Both rates were higher than those for Division III men’s and women’s athletes in each division.Making the NBA BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) goes up for a dunk against Texas during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament held at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News An analysis of draft-eligible NCAA men’s basketball conducted by Saint Xavier University exercise scientist Joe Eisenmann found the percentage of players transitioning from NCAA basketball to the NBA in 2023 was 1.1%.That year there were 19,213 NCAA men’s basketball players, of which 4,270 were eligible for the NBA Draft.There were 58 total draft slots but six international players not attending U.S. colleges and another six players from the U.S. club teams G League Ignite and Overtime Elite allowed 46 picks of NCAA athletes, Eisenmann found.Even among the power conferences, only 13.7% of draft-eligible players were selected in the NBA draft in 2023.Parents’ expectations of their child athletesA study published in Journal of Sport and Social Issues last November found most parents have realistic expectations of their children’s future athletic achievement. But a substantial minority believe their kids will beat the odds and become collegiate, pro or Olympic athletes.In a survey of 785 American parents, 34% thought it was somewhat or very likely that their child would become a small-college athlete, 27% thought it was likely they would become a college scholarship athlete, and 17% thought it was somewhat or very likely they would become a professional or Olympic athlete, per Ohio State News.“Most parents seem to have realistically pessimistic expectations about how much their children might achieve in sports,” said Chris Knoester, co-author of the study and professor of sociology at Ohio State University.“But there were sometimes wide differences in expectations depending on a variety of factors, including parents’ race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, neighborhood they lived in, sports fandom and whether they thought their child had a strong identity as an athlete.”Study lead author Christopher McLeod, associate professor of health and human performance at the University of Florida, said one factor in particular had a strong impact on parental expectations.“When parents believe their child thinks of themselves as an athlete, and has a strong athletic identity, that seems to be an on switch for parents to have these very high expectations,” he said.The study was based on adults who participated in the National Sports and Society Survey, sponsored by Ohio State’s Sports and Society Initiative, according to Ohio State News. The researchers used data on the adults in the survey who were parents of a child aged 6-17 and living at home. If they had more than one child, one child was selected for them to focus on in the survey.

From the hallway outside the Mediacom Stadium locker rooms, one chant rang out for the world to hear."Ole, ole-ole-ole, ole, ole."Those words echoed, minute after minute, from the Des Moines Hoover locker room. The Huskies will assuredly be celebrating until long after the sun goes down after winning their first-ever Iowa boys soccer state title.The No. 6 Huskies defeated No. 4-seed Norwalk on Friday, June 5, in a game for the ages. Des Moines Hoover rallied from a 2-0 deficit late in the second half to come out with a 4-3 victory. It is the first time that a Des Moines Public Schools program has ever won a boys soccer state title.Starring in the effort was Danny Baquedano Andino, who buried a pair of penalty kicks in the second half to tie the game. Ombewambapole Simbi scored the third goal from off the bench, while Esanda Kilozo, another reserve player, scored the game-winner and recorded an assist in the victory.Norwalk received an outstanding effort from Eli Scavo and Tyden Eng, who each recorded a goal and an assist, while Hudson Ford tallied the first goal of the game for the Warriors. Behind those three, Norwalk upended No. 4 Marion and No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier to reach the program's 11th state final, but came one goal short of winning a fifth state title.More: Iowa high school soccer boys state tournament: Scores, bracket updatesBut at the end of the game, it was Hoover who prevailed in an instant classic to claim the program's first championship. While the Huskies had been knocking on the door for the last few years, unselfishness and grit from its players up and down the roster saw the team accomplish a major milestone."Even though we were down by two goals in the second half, we worked as a team and came up and beat the odds," said Des Moines Hoover senior Isack Ramadhani.Norwalk broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, starting with a long ball down the field to open a fastbreak opportunity. Scavo was on the receiving end but had his shot blocked in transition by Hoover goalkeeper Amisi Bita. However, Ford was there to tap in the rebound for Norwalk, claiming his third goal of the tournament and giving his squad a 1-0 lead headed into halftime. In the 57th minute, Scavo got loose on a breakaway opportunity again, but converted this time to expand his squad's advantage to 2-0.Then came a barrage of goals in the final 17 minutes of play. Des Moines Hoover cut the deficit in half in the 63rd minute, as the Huskies drew a penalty kick. Stepping up for the attempt was Baquedano Andino, who buried his shot to get his team back in the match. Just four minutes later, Hoover drew another penalty kick, with Baquedano Andino coming up in the clutch again from the spot to tie the match.While Ramadhani is undeniably the focus of all opposing defenses and Hoover's leading goalscorer, he and the rest of his team all point to Baquedano Andino as the guy they can count on in high-pressure situations."I'm so proud of him," Ramadhani said. "He's a class player. Anytime I get a PK, I'm always going to look up for Danny."For a brief moment, the Huskies jumped out in front as Simbi found the back of the net. He received the ball in the center of the box in the 73rd minute, dribbled back and fired a shot through traffic to grab a 3-2 lead with the clock ticking down. However, the Warriors had an answer just 53 seconds later as Eng received a nice touch pass from Scavo and blasted a shot just inside the left post to knot the game at 3-3.While Norwalk had seized the momentum, Hoover's refusal to stop chasing after every ball with maximum effort paid off. In the 75th minute, a Norwalk defender slipped while receiving a pass from their goalkeeper. After providing the assist on the previous goal, Kilozo was there to capitalize and scored the game-winning goal to put Des Moines Hoover into the history books."We're going to eat pizza and party all night," Kilozo said.Des Moines Hoover has been to the state tournament for four consecutive years, including a trip to the state finals in 2024. They lost to Dallas Center-Grimes in heartbreaking fashion two years ago, leaving this year's group of seniors as motivated as ever to capitalize this time around.For Bita, who has started in goal the last three years for Des Moines Hoover, he said he already knows this will be one of those moments he remembers forever."These past three years, I've been always wanting to do something worth mentioning for my kids in the future," Bita said. "This is it."While down 1-0 at halftime, Hoover head coach Jonathan Rubino reminded his team of all that they had been through to reach this moment. Beyond the doubts from some outsiders that a DMPS program could win a state title, many of his athletes have come to Des Moines from across the world, from underprivileged areas. They overcame several obstacles just to be on the pitch for the state final, from learning new languages, adjusting to life in the United States and everything in between.More: Soccer a universal language for Des Moines Hoover boys squad with international backgroundThat's why on the afternoon of June 5, the Huskies were not going to let this game end any other way."I told them at halftime, they've overcome so many challenges in their lives. Obstacles, wars, poverty, just so much," Rubino said. "To go and be able to have this moment and celebrate it with their fans, their school, their community and be the first to do something, they're pioneers. They're the first ones to ever win a championship in boys soccer in Des Moines. That's an incredible feeling."Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa boys high school soccer Class 3A finals recap: Hoover vs. Norwalk

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The NFL has learned that one of their historic franchises will officially have a new home. The bombshell news surfaced on Friday morning and has gone viral throughout the league. The NFL has not seen a team move locations since 2020 (the Raiders to Las Vegas) and 2016 (the Rams to Los Angeles).Now, there will be third team moving. Here are the details.Also Read: Breaking: Eagles Sign College Star Who Suddenly Became Ineligible At The Collegiate Level (Breaking)Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on stage during the 2021 NFL Draft at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsNFL Franchise To Move To New StateIt appears the Chicago Bears have taken a massive step toward moving across state lines.Earlier this month, the Bears’ board of directors approved a potential stadium for Hammond, Indiana, at a location to be determined. Now it is turning into reality:“We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city,” Bears chairman George H. McCaskey and team president and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement. “It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses.”Statement from Chairman George H. McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren: pic.twitter.com/U4lHzSV8Zv— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 5, 2026Earlier this week, the Bears said they are still working on deciding between Hammond and Arlington Heights, Illinois, where they own a 326-acre property.In June 1, Illinois lawmakers adjourned for the spring session without taking up a measure passed by the state senate. That would have created local stadium authorities which could have boosted Arlington Heights’ prospects. It was announced in May that the Bears would not be staying in the city of Chicago:“The Chicago Bears have exhausted every opportunity to stay in Chicago, which was our initial goal,” the team said in a statement. “There is not a viable site in the city. As a result, the only sites under consideration are in Arlington Heights and Hammond.”An Indiana legislative committee voted in February to establish a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority. This was to facilitate the financing and construction of a domical stadium in Northwest Indiana.Several efforts have been made since then to entice the franchise to relocate to Indiana.Related Reading: Breaking: Steelers Sign Pass Catcher Who Spent 5 Years With Aaron Rodgers (Report)Breaking: Mike Vrabel Announces Horrendous Season Ending Injury For Patriots“Ban The Number” NFL RB Accused Of Murder Has Family Ask For His Number To Be Removed (Report)“You Can Hear Screaming” Football Running Back Accused Of Stabbing Teen To Death Sees Video Released To Jury (Report)“Of Course” Chiefs Bring In NFL Star With Aggravated Assault Charge (Breaking)NFL Wide Receiver Has All Charges Dropped (Breaking News)Breaking: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Refuses Testify Before CongressThe post Breaking News: NFL Franchise To Move To New State (Report) appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.

After being left unprotected for PWHL expansion, Brianne Jenner has signed a three-year contract with the league’s new Hamilton franchise.The deal is a Standard Player Agreement — not one of the unique expansion contracts available to teams in Phase 2 of the league’s six-phase process — and runs through the 2028-29 season.The PWHL’s four new expansion teams — in Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose — currently have a three-day window, which began Friday, to acquire five players through signings and, if necessary, a player selection process.PWHL expansion rules allowed the eight existing teams to protect three players from the “roster distribution process.” As expected, the Ottawa Charge protected star goalie Gwyneth Philips and defender Ronja Savolainen, both of whom were protected last season when the PWHL added teams in Vancouver and Seattle.But, with its final slot, the team opted to protect forward Rebecca Leslie — who had a breakout season with 14 goals and 23 points in 30 games — which left Jenner, the team’s captain, exposed.As a free agent, Jenner would have needed to sign a new contract with Ottawa before Wednesday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline to be shielded from the next phase of the process. Ottawa general manager Mike Hirshfeld said in a Thursday media availability that the organization had conversations with Jenner, but that she and her family were “looking at different options.”In an Instagram post on Friday, Jenner said it was her intention to finish her career in Ottawa.“The organization decided to move in a different direction, and my time here has come to a close,” the post read. “From the bottom of my heart thank you for the memories.”Jenner was one of Ottawa’s three foundational signings ahead of the PWHL’s first season in 2024, the organization’s first-ever captain and Ottawa’s all-time leading scorer with 61 points in 82 career games.In a statement shared on X on Friday Hirshfeld said: “We want to wish Brianne, her wife Hayleigh and their three kids the best of luck in a new chapter of a brilliant career.“Brianne was pivotal in setting the foundation of the culture of a new franchise in Ottawa. She made an impact in our dressing room with exceptional sportsmanship, leadership skills and work ethic. Her contribution on and off the ice made her a pillar of our organization and the community for the past three seasons. It was an honour to have her as our first ever captain.”For Hamilton, making a player with Jenner’s leadership — and production — the team’s first signing is an easy win for new GM, and U.S women’s hockey legend, Meghan Duggan, who played several years against Jenner for club and country.Jenner is from nearby Oakville, Ont., and grew up playing youth hockey in the Stoney Creek Girls Hockey Association; Stoney Creek is a community in the City of Hamilton. The 35-year-old was also one of the best players in the PWHL in 2025-26, scoring a career-high 26 points in 30 games, which ranked fourth in league scoring, and was named a finalist for Forward of the Year.“I could not be more excited to announce that my new chapter begins today with PWHL Hamilton,” Jenner said in a subsequent Instagram post on Friday. “As a family we have deep ties to the Golden Horseshoe, and I can’t wait to get started and help build the culture and identity of the team that gets to represent this region.“Hamilton, I promise to bring my everything to this team, everyday, and I know that in return you will show up with unrivalled support and enthusiasm.”Internationally, Jenner is a four-time Olympian, winning gold medals in 2014 and 2022, and a four-time world champion.Hamilton has until Monday at 1 p.m. ET to sign four more foundational players. If the team fails to reach five signings, there will be a player selection process on Monday evening. Only players identified on an expansion team’s 20-player “Exclusive Negotiation Target List” are eligible to be signed during Phase 2.Existing teams can lose a maximum of three players who are under contract for the 2026-27 season during this phase. The PWHL’s full rules are here.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Ottawa Charge, NHL, Women's Hockey2026 The Athletic Media Company

Roger Maltbie, winner of the inaugural Memorial Tournament in 1976, is covering this year's tournament for Golf Channel as a roving on-course analyst. For Friday's second round, he broke out the outfit he wore to top Hale Irwin in a playoff 50 years ago to become the Memorial's first champion.Can we hear a little commotion for the pants 👏👏50 years after besting Hale Irwin in a playoff to become the inaugural Memorial Tournament champion, Roger Maltbie is back on course in the pants that won it all. pic.twitter.com/jWMRf73F66— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) June 5, 2026The ensemble includes a Navy blue polo shirt with loud, unforgettable red, white and blue pants. Golf Channel gave viewers a close-up look.This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Roger Maltbie wears same pants he wore when he won the first Memorial

LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and his uncle and business adviser Dennis Robertson have been interviewed by NBA investigators amid the league's probe into allegations the team circumvented the salary cap to compensate Leonard, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the investigation. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and other team executives have also sat for interviews, those sources said, as have executives for Aspiration, the now-defunct green banking company at the center of the allegations.ESPNThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Kawhi Leonard, Uncle Dennis interviewed by NBA in Aspiration case

Privately, some Clippers officials have grown frustrated trying to prove innocence for a violation that they say they didn't commit, according to several sources with knowledge of their thinking. Despite their certainty that they did nothing wrong, team officials seem less certain about the outcome of the high-profile investigation or whether the league's richest owner will face punishment, the sources said.ESPNThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Privately, some Clippers officials have grown …

Aaron Judge talked to reporters on Friday about the stress fracture in his right rib that is expected to sideline him for at least four to six weeks, after which he’ll be re-evaluated by team doctors.Judge believes he sustained the injury on April 27 while diving for a ball against the Texas Rangers. He actually batted 3-for-3 in that game, hitting his 11th home run of the season. Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournamentThe New York Yankees star added that he likely made the injury worse when hitting the right-field wall while making a catch on a deep drive by the Baltimore Orioles’ Taylor Ward on May 3. Judge can be seen wincing in pain after making the play and getting back to his feet. But it wasn’t known that he was already dealing with a rib injury that was probably affecting his shoulder as well. Going by Judge’s recount of events, that means he played the entire month of May with the fractured rib, constituting a span of 30 games. In May, the three-time AL MVP registered a .243/.368/.437 slash average with five homers, five doubles and 18 RBI. Since May 11, he’s had a .206 batting average with one home run, eight RBI and 19 strikeouts.According to Judge, the pain became so uncomfortable during the Yankees’ series at Sacramento last weekend that he stopped taking swings in pregame preparations. The injury was also affecting him during the games. Judge batted 2-for-12 (.167) in the three games versus the Athletics with four RBI and no extra-base hits. Though the Yankees said Judge would be re-evaluated in four to six weeks, he declined to put a timetable on his recovery and return. “I don’t like talking timetables,” he said, via MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “That stuff’s all made up.”Asked why he didn’t speak up about his injury sooner and sit out to recover, Judge mentioned the players already on the IL, including designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton and pitcher Max Fried. “Big G's hurt, Max Fried's hurt,” Judge said. “We had a lot of guys banged up. You’ve got to be out there. That’s what they're paying me to do, to go out there and play.”The Yankees go into this weekend’s three-game series with the Boston Red Sox at 37-25, a half-game behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East and the best record in the American League. Spencer Jones was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Judge’s spot on the Yankees’ roster. Ranked as the organization’s No. 6 prospect by MLB.com, Jones batted .167/.259/.167 in a 10-game stint earlier this season. At Triple-A, he compiled a .269/.378/.571 slash average with 12 homers and 48 RBI. The Yankees also announced that outfielder Jasson Domínguez would begin a rehab assignment with Scranton’Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

England’s World Cup qualification hopes dented by heavy defeat to SpainEngland’s hopes of qualifying automatically for next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup have suffered a blow with the Lionesses having fallen to a 4-0 defeat to Spain in Mallorca this evening.Victory would have booked England’s place on the flight to Brazil in 2027, however, opponents Spain have now moved into pole position following their sizeable win over the European champions.The hosts broke the deadlock inside 20 minutes. Patri Guijarro showed her quality to bamboozle Georgia Stanway before firing the ball home from distance.The opening goal gave Spain even more energy and flow and they added a second in the 37th minute through Alexia Putellas. She slid the ball past England keeper Hannah Hampton from inside the box.England tried to respond early in the second half but Stanway could only thump a shot wide. The Lionesses were made to rue that miss as Spain also immediately grabbed a third goal through Putellas. The forward’s initial shot was blocked before she converted at the second attempt.Guijarro then saw Hampton save her headed effort before Claudia Pina completed the scoring with a goal 12 minutes from time.Aitana Bonmati would have made it five late on if not for a good save from Hampton but in the end, the contest ended 4-0 as Spain took a big step towards FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.England will drop into the play-offs if they do not better Spain’s result on Matchday 6. The Lionesses play host to Ukraine in Liverpool while Spain go to Iceland.

Tottenham Hotspur Have Launched A Move For This Brighton Defender: Good Choice For De Zerbi?In a recent post on X, Voetbal International journalist Joost Blaauwhof stated that Tottenham Hotspur have launched a move for Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke this summer. It has been claimed that the Dutch talent is keen on a reunion with his former boss Roberto De Zerbi at the North London club.Van Hecke’s Impressive Form In English FootballThe 25-year-old was a rock at the back for Brighton last season when he put in a series of solid performances for them in the Premier League. Van Hecke scored three goals and earned three assists in 40 matches for the Seagulls in the previous campaign across various competitions.The Dutch sensation is currently among the most improved centre-backs in the Premier League. Therefore, it is no surprise that Spurs are showing interest in recruiting him later this year.His current contract at the American Express Community Stadium will expire at the end of next season, which could open the door for Tottenham to sign him on the cheap this summer.LEEDS, ENGLAND – MAY 17: Jan Paul van Hecke of Brighton & Hove Albion looks dejected after the team’s defeat in the Premier League match between Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road on May 17, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)Will Van Hecke Be A Good Choice For Tottenham Hotspur Boss Robert De Zerbi?Van Hecke is a solid tackler of the ball and can sense the danger well to earn possession back for his team inside his half. He doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when required and is proficient at playing his way out from the back.Standing at 1.89m, the Dutch sensation can use his strong frame to win a few 50-50 aerial duels for his team. He is already quite familiar with the Premier League and won’t take much time to adjust to life at the London club.Van Hecke would add more bite and steel to Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi’s defence. He has what it takes to nail down a regular first-team place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season.At 25, Van Hecke has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a great choice for Spurs to pursue this summer. The Dutch defensive ace will also help Tottenham compete for a European spot in the Premier League over the next few years. Hence, De Zerbi should focus on reuniting with his former Brighton star at the North London club in this transfer period.

Kirsty Hanson heaped praise on Caroline Weir after the Scotland captain inspired a 6-0 victory over Israel in World Cup qualifying.Weir scored a superb hat-trick as the Scots boosted their chances over topping Group B4.They face Israel again on Tuesday, while second-placed Belgium take on Luxembourg."It is just good to have a captain like that," Hanson said. "Just look up to her, play with her, all learn off her but obviously she is a role model for everyone, so we all look up to her"She sets the standards and, if she is playing well, we all play well."Very happy to score loads of goals, but we have another game and we just move on to the next one."Hanson also got on the scoresheet late on as Melissa Andreatta's side significantly improved their goal difference.Scotland and Belgium are both on 11 points, but the Scots are four ahead on goal difference before the final round of group fixtures."We just wanted to score as many goals as we can, so we did that, got the win we needed and on to the next game," Hanson added."We are just focused on ourselves."Just to be patient and play to our strengths. We maybe rushed things as we knew where we could hurt them."We had to be patient, move them around, find the gaps and we did that in the second half."

Secondary market ticket prices are decreasing in certain cities as the World Cup approaches.And no, we're not talking about the 60 tickets that FIFA accidentally sold for free earlier this week.According to data from GameTime, just over half of group stage matches have seen prices on the resale market decline by 20% or more ahead of the first game of the 2026 World Cup on June 12. In fact, there are 13 matches with get-in prices lower than $300 per ticket.As of June 3, the cheapest match to see in person was Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia in Houston on June 26. The cheapest tickets are $157 each. That's one of six games you can see for less than $200 a seat, including two in Santa Clara (Jordan vs. Algeria and Austria vs. Jordan), a game in Philadelphia (Curaçao vs. Côte d'Ivoire), one in Kansas City (Austria vs. Algeria) and another in Atlanta (Czechia vs. South Africa).[Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament]Unsurprisingly, tickets for United States games are not among the cheapest available. It'll cost nearly $1,200 if you want to see the U.S. play Australia in Seattle on June 19. The cheapest U.S. game is against Türkiye in Los Angeles … but that will still run you almost $800.One of the biggest declines in ticket prices since December's World Cup draw has actually been a game in Toronto featuring Canada. Had Italy made it out of the UEFA World Cup playoffs, the Italians would have faced Canada in the first World Cup game on Canadian soil June 12. However, Italy lost to Bosnia-Herzegovina in penalty kicks and the Bosnians are Canada's first World Cup opponent. Before Italy was eliminated, the cheapest tickets were over $2,000. Now, you can get into the game for $675.Conversely, the two biggest increases in recent weeks involve games featuring Brazil and Portugal. Getting into those games will take some serious cash. Portugal's game against Colombia in Miami on June 27 has a get-in price just north of $2,700. Only the World Cup Final on July 19 is more expensive.Brazil's game against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has seen its cheapest ticket increase from just over $1,000 to nearly $1,500.

Earlier today, transfer chatter out of Germany emerged linking 17-year-old rising star Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha with a move to Bayern Munich, with Sky Germany’s Bayern mouthpiece Florian Plettenberg claiming an exclusive that cast Ngumoha as a priority wing target and going on to suggest personal terms had been lined up with the player.This appears to have comeas a surpriseto Liverpool, and while it does appear Bayern may have registered interest in the player with his agents, that interest does not appear to have reached a level where they would have had discussions with Liverpool about him. Also, if Bayern were to reach out, Liverpool wouldn’t be inclined to consider a sale.Beyond Ngumoha’s obvious talents and upside and that he will end having additional value to Liverpool as a homegrown, club trained player, he is currently one of two first team wingers on the books and the priority this summer is strengthening that position. The real priority will be to line up a new deal for him when he turns 18 at the end of August.Ngumoha is currently on a three-year deal signed last summer, the longest contract that can be signed as a youth player. When he does turn 18 in a little less than two months he will be free to sign a longer one. If one were to engage in speculation, there would seem a decent chance that any talk of Bayern interest best serves the player’s agents ahead of that.Bayern’s interest seems to be far more preliminary than the early chatter suggested, but even a glimmer of such would provide valuable ammunition if the sides are beginning to lay foundations for a new longer-term contract for Ngumoha to potentially sign later this summer, and short of any significant developments that seems likely to be what’s going on.

Queen Creek junior shortstop Emma Reynolds has been selected the Gatorade Arizona high school softball Player of the Year.Reynolds, the sister of Clemson quarterback/center fielder Tait Reynolds, hit .588 with 10 home runs this past season, leading the Bulldogs to the 6A championship game.She was named by the coaches as the 6A Conference Player of the Year.The 5-foot-11 Reynolds has maintained a 4.07 grade-point average in her high school career. She has committed to play at Oklahoma.Gatorade also considers community impact when selected state players of the year in sports.Reynolds has volunteered in multiple community service inititates through her church. She led Queen Creek to a 31-2 overall record with a .669 on-base percentage and 1.175 slugging percentage. She had 23 doubles, 15 stolen bases and 34 RBIs. She was a member of the 18-and-under USA Junior Women's National team that won the WBSC World Cup in October.Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. Please sign up for Azcentral Preps Now newsletter. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obertThis article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Queen Creek's Emma Reynolds named Gatorade Arizona HS softball POY

The Detroit Tigers have lost an infielder for the rest of the season.The Tigers announced that shortstop Trey Sweeney will miss the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. The 26-year-old infielder has been out since spring training with a shoulder strain."He's on the mend, but after trying conservatively to get through this shoulder issue, surgery ended up being the only option," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said.The Tigers acquired Sweeney along with minor league catcher Thayron Liranzo in a July 2024 trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers for starter Jack Flaherty (who returned to the Tigers as a free agent ahead of the 2025 season). That was part of a midseason sell-off that immediately preceded Detroit's historic run to the postseason, ending in a five-game loss to the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS.Sweeney showed promise over 36 games in 2024, putting up a .642 OPS and playing above-average defense. His production regressed tremendously in 2025, however, as his batting average dipped to .196 over 326 plate appearances. He did not make the team's postseason roster in 2025 after starting in all seven playoff games in 2024.Need to catch up on the news during your lunch break? Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletter to get daily summaries of Detroit sports! You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers SS Trey Sweeney has shoulder surgery, will miss rest of season

HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 20: Jordan Leavitt poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Toyota Center on February 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC) UFC Vegas 118 is less than 24 hours away …It all goes down this weekend (Sat., June 6, 2026) inside the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main event, former Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad collides with rising Brazilian contender Gabriel Bonfim.We have a weekly series at MMAmania.com called “Weekend Lock,” where we share one bet that we predict will slap in “Sin City” when the chaotic dust settles. We also want to hear what our readers think (that’s you!), so please tell us your most confident UFC Vegas 118 betting lock in the comments section below (see full UFC Vegas 118 odds here).Last week’s recap: We cashed last weekend at UFC Macau as Alonzo Menifield and Zhang Mingyang ended under 1.5 rounds.Let’s keep rolling below:Buried on the prelims, dangerous Brazilian finisher Joanderson Brito squares off against former Lightweight-turned Featherweight Jordan Leavitt — and it’s time I take an underdog.This week, I’m locking in Leavitt’s moneyline at +154.Here’s Why:This line feels like it’s heavily influenced by Brito’s nasty finishes and explosive striking, while completely ignoring the giant wrestling elephant in the room.Leavitt is a very, very good grappler.And once he gets opponents down, they tend to stay there.That was true when he competed at Lightweight, where he controlled larger opponents and then finished them on the mat. Then, in his Featherweight debut, he absolutely mauled undefeated prospect Yadier Del Valle. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t exciting. In fact, it was downright boring.But it was extremely dominant.Leavitt repeatedly grounded one of the division’s most hyped prospects and gave him virtually no room to work. If you’re betting on fights, boring domination is exactly what you want to see.Now let’s talk about Brito.He’s powerful. He’s dangerous. His leg kicks are nasty. His finishing instincts are elite.But two fights ago, Pat Sabatini completely dismantled him with wrestling and top control.And here’s the key point: Sabatini is primarily known as a jiu-jitsu specialist.If Sabatini was able to repeatedly take Brito down and control him, what is the naturally bigger Leavitt going to do?That’s the question oddsmakers seem to be overlooking.Brito’s kicking game could actually work against him here. Every naked leg kick presents an opportunity for Leavitt to change levels, catch the kick, or shoot underneath and start his wrestling cycle. Once the fight hits the mat, the momentum shifts dramatically toward the underdog. Plus, once Brito hits the ground, he stays in half guard and does not try to advance.What could go wrong?Brito hits like a truck. Leavitt has to cross dangerous territory every time he attempts a takedown, and one clean shot could end the night immediately. Brito also possesses excellent submission skills if scrambles get messy.Still, stylistically, this feels like a nightmare matchup for the Brazilian. At plus money, Leavitt (+154) looks like one of the best value plays on the entire UFC Vegas 118 card.Jordan Leavitt To Win By KO/TKO/DQ: +2500Jordan Leavitt To Win By Submission: +600Jordan Leavitt To Win By Decision: +300Joanderson Brito To Win By KO/TKO/DQ: +275Joanderson Brito by Submission: +425Joanderson Brito To Win By Decision: +205To checkout the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 118: “Muhammad vs. Bonfim” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

The returns for Game 1’s viewership numbers show that the Knicks and Spurs may have provided the NBA with the recipe to rejuvenate its Finals viewership.Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs drew 16.93 million viewers on ABC, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel data. It’s the most-watched NBA Finals game since Game 6 of the 2019 Finals between the Raptors and Warriors (18.34 million) and the most-watched finals opener since 2018 between the Warriors and Cavaliers (17.56 million).NBA Finals viewership has lagged in recent years since the height of this century’s viewership was carried by Cleveland and Golden State and their respective stars, LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Last year’s series between the Thunder and Pacers, two small markets, was one of the least-watched in history, drawing 10.3 million viewers over seven games.But signs were pointing toward a strong 2026 Finals series. The NBA, as with all sports leagues, has benefited from changes in Nielsen’s measurement system. The company has included out-of-home viewers since 2020, but fully integrated the additional measurements last year. The changes helped the NBA draw 16% more viewers in the regular season. The league also added two new media partners in NBC and Amazon, with the former’s free TV and streaming offerings significantly driving regular-season viewership.Then came the Western Conference Finals on ABC. The Spurs beat the Thunder in a seven-game series that aired on NBC and which drew 10.83 million viewers, more than last year’s NBA Finals.In the Eastern Conference, New York only drew 7.4 million viewers for their series against the Cavs, though that was affected by the lopsided four-game sweep. The Knicks have garnered significant buzz for this series given it’s the franchise’s first NBA Finals run since 1999—when they lost to San Antonio.The get-in ticket price for Game 3 at Madison Square Garden has climbed to $8,000 since the Knicks’ Game 1 win, and President Donald Trump said he will be attending the game.Game 2 between the Knicks and Spurs is Friday in San Antonio.The post NBA Finals Game 1 Draws 16.9M Viewers, Highest Since Warriors Golden Era appeared first on Front Office Sports.

FORT DEFIANCE — Five singles matches played, five singles matches won. Fort Defiance wasted little time in winning its girls tennis Class 2 state quarterfinal match over Randolph-Henry Friday, June 5, coming out on top 5-0 to advance to the state semifinals.Fort Defiance will host Bruton, a 5-3 winner over Central Woodstock, on Monday, June 8. According to the Virginia High School League website, the start time is 11 a.m., although Fort Coach Ryan Tenberg wasn't certain of the start time as of Friday afternoon. The match will be played at Fort's home courts at Stewart Middle School across the road from the high school."It's a little surreal," Tenberg said. "I knew we had a really strong team, but I also knew that we've never really done this before, so I wasn't fully expecting it."Tenberg said she was excited when Fort Defiance won the Region 2B championship, the first time in over a quarter century that has happened. Now, to win the state quarterfinal match in dominating style creates even more excitement for Tenberg and the program. This is not only Tenberg's first year as Fort's head coach, but also her last. She will be moving out of the area after the season. But what a way to go out. "It's just like I'm finally realizing, 'Oh my gosh, this team is really good,'" Tenberg said. "We could go all the way."Fort beat Central Woodstock in the regional championship a year after losing to it at that same point of the season in 2025. On Friday, Fort beat Randolph-Henry a year after losing to it in the 2025 state quarterfinals to end its season. This postseason is turning out to be the Fort Defiance revenge tour.Maecy Ann Frizzelle, Fort's No. 1 singles player, won 6-0. 6-2. No. 2 Clara Lambert won 0-6, 6-2, 10-7, the match-clinching victory. No. 4 Leah Wright, No. 5 Henley Ann Coffman and No. 6 Natalie Shaw all won 6-0, 6-0. No. 3 Savanna Monger split her first two matches, but because Lambert won she didn't have to go to the tiebreaker. Fort also didn't have to play doubles. Tenberg said one of the strengths of this year's team's is the ability to win at the last three singles positions on the ladder. A lot of teams have strong players at the top of the ladder, but not everyone is as strong across the board. That's not the case for Fort Defiance this season. "We can reliably win at all of those three positions and at all three doubles pretty consistently," Tenberg said. "Our No. 6, I mean, she can compete with our No. 1. We just have an extremely consistent ladder, and our one through three are fighters. They go out there, and they put their all in, but just to have those kind of guaranteed wins at the lower ladder has just been such a weight off, and it lowers the pressure on some of our higher players so that they can perform a little better."The last two wins has helped Fort Defiance gain the confidence to go with the talent. "I think the girls kind of started to realize that we actually have a chance of carrying on and making it all the way to the finals," Tenberg said, "so it was an eye-opening day, for sure."More: Buffalo Gap softball rallies for win to capture Region 1B championshipMore: Join the massive Staunton July 4 250th celebrationPatrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Fort Defiance moves into girls tennis state semifinals

Why Alphonso Davies missing 2026 World Cup opener is huge blow to host Canada originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Although he is one of the best left-backs in the world when healthy, Canadian star Alphonso Davies has been on the receiving end of an unfortunate career injury history. While he hasn't played to close out Bayern Munich's season or in Canada's most recent friendlies, it has now been revealed that Davies will miss Les Rouges' first group-stage game.Coach Jesse Marsch shared with Canadian news source CBC that Davies will eventually play, just not against Bosnia and Herzegovina next week.The defender has been dealing with a hamstring injury since May and has missed Munich's closeout from another trophy-winning season in the Bundesliga.Here's the latest on Canada's captain being absent for their opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?Updated FIFA World RankingsHow World Cup qualifying worksExplaining the expanded World Cup bracketFull list of teams to qualify for 2026 World CupAlphonso Davies injury detailsIn an interview with CBC, Canadian national team coach Jesse Marsch announced Davies will be held out of the country's opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12."No, he won't play in the first game. But he'll play in the tournament," Marsch said to CBC's Adrienne Arsenault. "We're going to have to manage the group phase and get out. I think for sure he can be ready once we get out of the group. And I think if we're smart, and good, and careful, that he can be ready for the third match in the group as well."Davies injured his left hamstring during Bayern Munich's Champions League semifinal second bout against Paris Saint-Germain earlier last month (May 6). He was originally reported to miss several weeks, and did not play in the team's German Cup final match against Stuttgart or any of Canada's recent friendlies.Marsch said the team will take Davies' status "step by step," but urged that the team's captain will be ready for World Cup play after the first group-stage game concludes.Will Alphonso Davies play in World Cup?According to Coach Marsch, Davies will participate in the first World Cup on Canadian soil ever. While he won't play in the team's opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Davies should be able to return. After that first game, the next game he could return to would come on June 18, when Les Rouges face off against Qatar in Vancouver.Canada World Cup schedule 2026Canada is slated to play in Group B. In that group are two UEFA teams, along with an Asian Football Confederation squad.Here is Canada's group-stage schedule, beginning next Friday:DateTime (ET)MatchLocationFri, Jun. 123 p.m.Canada vs. Bosnia and HerzegovinaBMO Field (Toronto)Thu, Jun. 186 p.m.Canada vs. QatarBC Place (Vancouver)Wed, Jun. 243 p.m.Switzerland vs. CanadaBC Place (Vancouver)Alphonso Davies injury historyWhile he has been one of the best left-backs in the world when he is healthy, Davies has unfortunately been subject to a variety of injuries throughout his career.Here is a rundown on the Bayern Munich player's history on the sidelines, according to Transfermarkt:SeasonInjuryGames missed18/19Knee820/21Ankle921/22Ankle521/22Knee121/22Thigh121/22Heart1822/23Muscle122/23Head122/23Torn muscle322/23Torn muscle523/24Internal ligament424/25Torn muscle224/25Torn muscle624/25Torn Cruciate ligament3925/26Torn muscle225/26Strained hamstring525/26HamstringTBD

$10 million Georgia NIL donor predicts future of college sports originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.History strikes in Athens with the Georgia Bulldogs basketball program receiving a $10 million donation from Adam Wexler. The founder of PrizePicks, CEO of The Hidden Jams, and 2007 UGA graduate helps strengthen the Dawgs when it's needed the most.Wexler's contribution was noted by the university as the “largest philanthropic commitment in UGA Athletic Association history support of Bulldog men's basketball.” But this was more of a strategic one rather than a resourceful one.“One thing I've learned from scaling PrizePicks and from my time consulting with the Atlanta Hawks is that resources alone don't create an advantage,” Wexler told Sporting News."Georgia isn't spending nearly as much on NIL as some other programs in the SEC, which means we have to be even more thoughtful about how we deploy our resources. There's a reason professional sports teams have front offices dedicated to maximizing every dollar and finding edges wherever they can. I think my experience can be most helpful in bringing some of that mindset to Georgia Basketball. If we're going to compete, we need to be smart, disciplined, and strategic in how we build for the future.”The new era in college athletics has everyone rethinking how business is conducted. Georgia is coming off of their second straight 20-plus win season with a first-round exit in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. They were also the third-highest scoring team in the SEC with the third-highest point differential of 9.5.This offseason has featured the Dawgs being active in the transfer portal by reloading for next season, bringing in James Scott, Andrew Osasuyi, and Freddie Dilione. All of whom were four-star transfers.Weighing in on potential NIL for equityWhen asked about the current state of the NIL and if "equity for play" would ever be a thing, Wexler hinted that he’d fully advise athletes to “think beyond immediate cash compensation.”“When cash is limited, equity gives people the opportunity to participate in the upside of something they believe in," Wexler said. "That's been true in entrepreneurship for decades, and I don't see why that same concept couldn't eventually find its way into college athletics in some form—If I were advising a young athlete with a long career ahead of them, I'd encourage them to think beyond immediate cash compensation and consider opportunities that create long-term value. Equity can be a powerful wealth-building tool when paired with the right mentorship and guidance.”More: Will Wade adds NBA guard who was Big East POTY to LSU Tigers basketball rosterGetting into the changes of the economics in college sports, Wexler mentioned that young athletes earning significant money was not bad. However, financial literacy should be required.Looking ahead to Georgia’s 2026-27 season, they’ve got some notable non-conference games already scheduled, including Duke in the Jimmy V Classic, North Carolina, and they will also play in the ESPN Events Invitational.More college basketball news:Is AJ Dybantsa about to 'pull an Eli' in 2026 NBA Draft?Keaton Wagler NBA Draft Combine statsDarius Acuff Jr. NBA Draft Combine highlightsWill Wade adds another pro prospect to LSU basketballWhy Cameron Boozer and Fernando Mendoza could soon make sports history

Why Victor Wembanyama's national anthem posture is getting criticized by MAGA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.As Victor Wembanyama grows in fame and popularity thanks to his NBA success, he will be scrutinized for even the smallest of decisions.That happened at the start of the NBA Finals, when Wembanyama's posture during the U.S. national anthem caught the eye of many disgruntled fans. The San Antonio Spurs star was at the center of a controversy surrounding how he stood when Tori Kelly sang the national anthem in San Antonio before Game 1.Wembanyama is French, so he doesn't have much of a connection to the United States before moving here upon joining San Antonio. Still, that didn't stop some people from criticizing how Wembanyama approached the national anthem on Wednesday night.Here's why Wembanyama was criticized after Game 1.NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracketVictor Wembanyama's national anthem postureBefore Game 1 of the NBA Finals, ABC showed the Spurs bench standing during the National Anthem, and Victor Wembanyama, who is French, had his arms crossed for the duration of the song. Only a few Spurs players put their hands over their hearts, but Wembanyama seemed to be the only one to have his arms crossed.Singer, songwriter, producer and actress Tori Kelly performs the National Anthem ahead of Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals! pic.twitter.com/W3mWxWt9f9— NBA (@NBA) June 4, 2026Even though Wembanyama isn't American (he was born in Le Chesnay, France, near Paris), some fans viewed this as disrespectful, believing that Wembanyama should have put his hand over his heart. That led to a wave of criticism against the big man online.I heard @dpshow talking today about French citizen Victor Wembanyama becoming the “face of the NBA.” The dude can’t even respect the American National Anthem being sung. Heck, most of the Spurs (except for two players) obviously hate America, too. I considered watching the Finals… pic.twitter.com/BUmrMn5DjG— Florida Grand (@florida_grand) June 4, 2026Spurs players REFUSE to put their hands over their hearts for the national anthem!They are making millions of dollars to play a child’s game and still feel oppressed somehow…Only 2 players covered their hearts. Take note of which ones! pic.twitter.com/YHObppPNkE— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) June 4, 2026New “face of the NBA” Victor Wembanyama kept his arms crossed during the entire National Anthem ahead of the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/ZoZFKiNnqb— Bobby Burack (@burackbobby_) June 4, 2026Donald Trump comments on Victor WembanyamaPresident Donal Trump was asked about his thoughts on Wembanyama's National Anthem posture, but he didn't have much to say on the matter."What did he mean by that?" Trump asked reporters. "I guess you have to ask him."Reporter: Did you see Wemby crossing his arms during the national anthem?Trump: Is that what he did? What did he mean by that?Reporter: Nobody asked him.Trump: I guess you have to ask him. pic.twitter.com/MUdw7FJWhT— Acyn (@Acyn) June 5, 2026Trump is expected to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.Stephen A. Smith on Spurs national anthemStephen A. Smith publicly defended Wembanyama and the Spurs from this controversy, as he said that San Antonio was being respectful of the National Anthem in the team's own way."This is patently false. There are plenty of people who listen to the Nat’l Anthem and simply bow their heads with their hands in front of them or behind their backs and pay respects," Smith wrote on social media. "Holding your hand over your heart is not a requirement. The Spurs were not being disrespectful in anyway. Who is anyone to say they were just over that gesture? That is utterly ridiculous!!!"This is patently false. There are plenty of people who listen to the Nat’l Anthem and simply bow their heads with their hands in front of them or behind their backs and pay respects. Holding your hand over your heart is not a requirement. The Spurs were not being disrespectful in… https://t.co/zGVOTHKNlR— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 4, 2026

The NCAA Division I Board moved forward with age-based eligibility on Friday, making changes where the clock would start when the athlete turns 19 or enrolls in college, sources tell On3. The formal vote is not set until the end of June, when it is widely expected to pass.The adjustment follows recommendations from stakeholders in hockey, college basketball and service academies. The Cabinet plans to consider the age-based eligibility model at its June 23-24 meeting.The Cabinet also reiterated that for current athletes, any waivers regarding eligibility under current rules must be submitted by schools and conferences no later than July 31.This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

The committee that oversees the gendered swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath in London have decided to maintain the trans-inclusive policies they formalized several years ago. The decision follows the UK Supreme Court’s decision on the legal definition of a woman and a campaign from an anti-trans group to have the policy changed. “It’s clear how much these Bathing Ponds mean to the communities who swim here,” said Chris Hayward, policy chairman for the City of London Corporation (CLC). “Many people told us how they value them as calm, safe, and welcoming spaces with a strong sense of inclusion and belonging.” Related Man sues employer for not accommodating his “phobia” of rainbow flags & trans pronouns Hampstead Heath has three ipen swimming ponds and an open air public swimming pool. The Men’s Pond was opened in 1890, with the Ladies Pond joining it in 1925. There is also an even older Mixed Pond, which has been in use since the 1860s. They’re managed by the CLC, which noted in findings last year that trans people were known to have “swum there for decades without issue” and that there was a “longstanding history of inclusion.” In 2019, the inclusion of trans people in the Hampstead Heath ponds was formalized in a new policy. At the time, the majority of locals supported trans inclusion and The Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association welcomed the decision. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today However, the Hampstead Heath management came under attack last year in the wake of the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that trans women were not women and that the 2010 Equality Act was based on “biological sex.” Sex Matters, an anti-trans charity run by Maya Forstater and vocally supported by JK Rowling, announced that they were planning “legal action” over Hampstead Heath Ladies’ Pond policy. Seemingly in response to Sex Matter’s threats, the CLC launched a consultation in October. More than 38,000 people responded to the consultation, which offered six options for how to handle trans access to the ponds, which included, “strictly single-sex access,” “continuing to be trans-inclusive spaces as currently operated,” and “making all ponds mixed-sex.” The results of the consultation were published in January, and respondents overwhelming voted to continue with the current trans-inclusive policies, with 86% agreeing, with the same percentage strongly opposing strict single-sex access. Interestingly, 66% of respondents also opposed making all ponds mixed-sex. “Although our consultation was never a referendum,” said Hayward, “the message from regular swimmers and the wider community was clear – people want these Ponds to remain safe, respectful, and inclusive.” The director of Sex Matters, Fiona McAnena, claimed that the decision from the CLC was a breach of the Equality act and defying the law. “Many City of London councillors seem to think UK equality law doesn’t apply to the Hampstead ponds. The clue is in the name: female users don’t expect to encounter male people in bikinis or sometimes even naked in the showers at the Ladies’ pond, but that is what the City of London Corporation has endorsed,” McAnena said. However, Hayward’s statement appears to have predicted such a response and already included a rebuke. “Whilst the Supreme Court judgment confirmed the legal definition of ‘sex’, it did not decide that all trans-inclusive services must become single-sex services. We have continued to listen and take detailed legal advice throughout this process. The approach agreed today protects the character and unique spirit of the ponds while ensuring they remain welcoming to all.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

A pair of SEC rivals are ready to collide at Plainsman Park with a trip to the College World Series on the line as the Auburn Tigers host the Ole Miss Rebels for game one of the Auburn Super Regional. Friday's game between the Tigers and Rebels will be the first of the season despite both teams playing in the same conference. Auburn baseball grabbed the No. 4 national seed in this season's NCAA Tournament and is hosting an NCAA Super Regional for the second-straight season. The Tigers are hoping to erase last season's Super Regional result, where they were swept in two games by eventual national runner-up Coastal Carolina. Auburn earned its place in this season's Super Regional by winning four games over three days last weekend in the Auburn Regional. After dropping its Auburn Regional opener to Milwaukee, Auburn rattled off wins over NC State and UCF, and ended the weekend by getting revenge on Milwaukee by beating them in two straight games. Ole Miss swept the competition at the Lincoln Regional, hosted by Nebraska, last weekend. Ole Miss defeated Arizona State twice and Nebraska once to earn the chance to play an SEC foe on a big stage. More: Start times, TV networks revealed for the Auburn Super RegionalCheck back throughout the game for the latest updates from game one of the Auburn Super Regional on Friday between the Auburn Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels from Plainsman Park in Auburn. Weather forecast for Auburn's Super Regional openerUnlike last weekend, the weather will not play a factor in Friday's game between Auburn and Ole Miss. Accuweather data shows the temperature will be 82 degrees at first pitch and will dip into the low 70s by the end of the game, with winds topping out at 8 miles per hour. Auburn vs Ole Miss pitching matchup for FridayAuburn: SO RHP Andreas Alvarez (10-3, 3.52)Ole Miss: SR LHP Hunter Elliott (5-3, 5.21)Read More: Auburn turns to Andreas Alvarez for game one of the Auburn Super RegionalAuburn baseball vs Ole Miss time todayDate: Friday, June 5Start time: 7 p.m. CTThe Auburn Tigers will face the Ole Miss Rebels in game one of the Auburn Super Regional on Friday, June 5, at 7 p.m. CT.What channel is Auburn vs Ole Miss on today?TV Channel: ESPN or ESPN2Livestream: Fubo (free trial)Friday's Auburn Super Regional opener between the Auburn Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels will air on either ESPN or ESPN2. Tom Hart and Todd Walker will have the call from the broadcast booth at Plainsman Park. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn baseball vs Ole Miss live updates from Auburn Super Regional

It all started when the Savannah Sand Gnats announced in May 2015 that the team was leaving its home at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia, as the New York Mets Class A affiliate moved to Columbia, South Carolina.That opened the door for Jesse Cole and his Fans First Entertainment company as the former Wofford College pitcher saw an opportunity to fill the baseball void in Savannah after the Sand Gnats departed.The meteoric rise of the Savannah Bananas as one of the most successful sports and entertainment franchises in the world started in 2016 and continues to grow.The Banana Ball League brings two of its teams – the Party Animals and the Loco Beach Coconuts – to American Family Field in Milwaukee for games Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7.Here's a look at the history of the Savannah Bananas and Banana Ball:More: What it's like for Greendale native with Banana Ball's Party AnimalsMore: The rules of Banana Ball; what fans need to know for AmFam Field gamesNovember 2015: Fans First Entertainment holds an event in Savannah to announce it'll field an expansion team playing at Grayson Stadium in the Coastal Plain League, a summer college league that expanded to 16 teams.February 2016: After input from fans in a Savannah Morning News poll, the name of the Savannah Bananas is revealed. The other finalists were the Ports, the Seagulls, the Anchors and the Party Animals, a choice that would come into play later.June 2016: The Bananas host their first game at Grayson Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 4,000 fans in a loss to the Lexington Blowfish.August 2016: The Bananas go on the road to Hampton, Virginia, and beat Peninsula to take a best-of-three series, 2-1, and win the Coastal Plain League championship. The Bananas broke the CPL season attendance record with more than 90,000 fans attending games at Grayson Stadium. The team sold out 17 of 25 games in that first season and have sold out every game since.2018 season: Tyler Gillum takes over as the manager of the Bananas.June 2020: The first official game played under Banana Ball rules is played at Grayson Stadium. The concept had been developed with unofficial games dating to 2018.March 2021: The Bananas Premier Team, a professional squad playing by Banana Ball rules, faces off against the new team on the block in the Party Animals, in games at Grayson Stadium.August 2021: The Bananas win another CPL championship with a series win over Morehead City.March-May 2022: The Bananas Premier Team, coached by former Major League star Eric Byrnes, takes a tour of seven cities, playing 14 Banana Ball games.August 2022: The Bananas win their third Coastal Plain League title over the Wilson Tobs.August 2022:The Bananas announce they're leaving the Coastal Plain League to focus on expanding Banana Ball and hold games throughout the country.August 2022: ESPN+ airs five-part documentary "Bananaland" and, in 2022, Banana Ball made its television debut with six games, one aired on ESPN2 and the others on ESPN+.2023: The Bananas hold 80 games across the country, including stops in Cooperstown, N.Y., the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Another stop was at Franklin Field in Franklin to three sold-out crowds.May 2024: A third team joins the Banana Ball fray as the Firefighters are added to the league, joining the Bananas and the Party Animals.2024: The Bananas' popularity continues to skyrocket with their "World Tour" as they sell out MLB venues like Fenway Park, where they played the Party Animals in front of a crowd of 37,000 on June 8. They also sold out games at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.; Houston's Minute Maid Park; Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park; and Cleveland's Progressive Field.March 2024: Former Major League star Roger Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, pitches for the Bananas in a game at Minute Maid Park.2025:The World Tour expands to NFL and college stadiums as the Bananas make trips to Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium and at Clemson Stadium, where a crowd of 81,000 came for an April game with the Party Animals. The Texas Tailgaters team also joined the Banana Ball League.November 2025: Jackie Bradley Jr., a former Milwaukee Brewers outfielder, is taken with the first pick of the Banana Ball Player Draft by the Indianapolis Clowns, a new team in the Banana Ball League. Bradley is the first former MLB player to take on a full-time role in Banana Ball.2026: The Indianapolis Clowns and the Loco Beach Coconuts join the Banana Ball League with the Bananas, Party Animals, Texas Tailgaters and the Firefighters. They're playing 190 games this season in a tour that'll visit 45 states and 75 stadiums.Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMNThis article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Banana Ball comes to Milwaukee; a look at franchise's history