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“Almost Dropped Dead”: Heat Legend Chris Bosh Shares Health Scare That Put Him in Hospital for a Week

Adrija Mahato — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:13:44 GMT

Things have never truly been the same for Miami Heat legend Chris Bosh. What began in 2015 brought one of the NBA’s brightest careers to an abrupt end and changed his life forever. The two-time NBA champion retired in 2019 after recurring blood clots made playing impossible. Now 42, Bosh has revealed he recently endured another terrifying health scare that nearly cost him everything.

“I had an episode in January. I almost dropped dead pretty much and came back to life. I’m not joking,” the Hall of Famer shared in an interview with Sam Yip of HoopsHype. “I had another pulmonary embolism. It was in January this past year. I was in the hospital for a week.

“I’m taking my medicine every day, taking care of myself every day and watching this. I mean, no symptoms came either. But it’s kind of have to do with it for the rest. Yeah, you’ve got to deal with it for the rest of your life. I thought I was past it. I am not. So, it’s just making sure I stay on top of my regimen.”

That moment was extremely terrifying for him, and he in fact shared how deeply it affected him in a personal essay published on his Substack, The Last Chip.

“I blacked out. There was only confusion. Everything happened so fast,” he shared in his essay titled Return from the Darkness.

In the same article, he laid out how an ordinary evening turned into one of the scariest moments of his life. He recalled walking from his closet to the bathroom, getting ready for what he thought was going to be a relaxing evening out with his wife. Instead, in a flash, everything changed when he felt a sudden numbing sensation shoot down his left leg. Then, he collapsed.

When he did regain consciousness, he found himself lying in a pool of his own blood. Meanwhile, his wife was desperately trying to speak with 911.

“I tried to move my body the way I always had, and it didn’t respond,” he shared. That undoubtedly is a scary experience, but he revealed that it was also one that changed the way he looked at life.

He admitted that he had become too caught up chasing all that momentum and measuring success against what he saw online. But surviving another life-threatening health scare urged him to focus more on the people and passions already in his life.

The latest scare is a painful reminder of the silent battle that Bosh has been fighting for more than a decade now.

In 2015, while playing for the Miami Heat, chest pain led doctors to discover a dangerous blood clot in his lungs for the first time. Doctors performed emergency procedures to drain fluid, and after recovering, he returned for the following season. However, that relief proved temporary.

In 2016, another round of blood clots changed everything. Blood thinners became essential, leaving professional basketball far too risky to continue. As a result, the Heat eventually waived Bosh, and he officially retired in 2019.

Now, Bosh, after going through so much, understands better than most what athletes face after getting such a diagnosis. So when Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama saw his season cut short by deep vein thrombosis, Bosh understood what the young star might be feeling. Drawing from his own experience, he had one simple piece of advice.

“Take your medicine. Make sure that he’s staying on top of his regimen to make sure that doesn’t happen again because it only takes one more time. It happened one more time for me, it happened twice, and I couldn’t play anymore. So I guess with him, just making sure he does everything necessary to keep that blood as thin as possible and take care of that body off the court.”

These stories are a reminder of just how dangerous pulmonary embolism can be, even years after an initial diagnosis.

What is pulmonary embolism?

Pulmonary embolism, also known as a lung clot, happens when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, often after traveling from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs or pelvis. As blood flow drops, oxygen levels fall, creating a medical emergency.

Common warning signs include sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, fast breathing, coughing up blood, dizziness, and fainting. Risk also rises after surgery, long trips, pregnancy, birth control pills, cancer, heart disease, and inherited clotting disorders.

Moreover, pulmonary embolism remains alarmingly common. It ranks as the 3rd leading cause of cardiovascular death after heart attacks and strokes. Around 1 in 1,000 people develop it each year.

Doctors diagnose around 600,000 cases annually in the US and nearly 10 million cases of DVT and pulmonary embolism worldwide. Although the disease affects fewer than 1 in 100,000 children, it strikes about 1 in 100 people each year after age 75. It also appears in roughly 1% of hospital admissions.

Looking back at everything that Bosh had gone through, he left his fans and readers a little message in his essay:

“Why wait? Pay attention to yourself and those around you. The ordinary parts of life don’t feel meaningful until they’re taken away. And by then, it’s too late.”

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“Take a Back Seat”: NBA Legend Urges LeBron James to Make Major Sacrifice for 76ers

Ubong Richard — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:57:44 GMT

The Philadelphia 76ers have been in the news following their blockbuster offseason. With LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey now sharing the same locker room, concerns about how they’ll fit in have dominated as much as their title chances.

NBA legend Byron Scott gave his take on how to solve it. “See, this is where I think LeBron can really, really help this team in that aspect,” The former LA Lakers champion said on The Byron Scott Podcast. “He’s been there, he’s done all that, and they know he’s an alpha, but it has to be one alpha that takes a back seat.”

“You know, kind of like in Miami, when they lost the first year, y’all remember they came out the next year, and D-Wade said, hey, hey, Bron, this your team,” he continued. “It’s got to be the same type of attitude in Philly. He’s going to have to sit down with one of those guys.”

The former NBA guard also added that it would benefit James regardless of the outcome. Scott’s comments come amid growing debate over how Philadelphia will manage its star-studded roster.

ESPN insider Brian Windhorst warned that one of the organization’s biggest priorities should be ensuring Jaylen Brown remains comfortable after arriving from Boston following the best individual season of his career.

“The 76ers have to do now is with Jaylen Brown, and explain to him what his role is. This is a guy who was sixth place in MVP last year… they gotta worry about making Jaylen Brown comfortable more than anything.”

Analysts have questioned whether Brown, Embiid, Maxey and LeBron James can all thrive offensively while maintaining clear roles. Several observers have identified ego management as one of head coach Nick Nurse’s biggest challenges entering training camp.

Not everyone believes chemistry will become an issue, though. According to Shams Charania, Brown actively recruited James to Philadelphia and has already embraced the challenge of sharing the spotlight.

“There is no LeBron James in Philadelphia without Jaylen Brown,” Charania said on NBA Today. “Jaylen wanted LeBron there… One person around Jaylen told me today he’s gonna approach this season with no ego.”

Tyrese Maxey reportedly also played a significant role in recruiting James. The report suggested that Philadelphia’s stars entered the partnership with a shared goal of competing for a championship rather than protecting individual status.

Whether that mindset carries over once the season begins remains to be seen. But if Scott is right, the 76ers’ championship hopes may depend less on James’ scoring and more on his willingness to embrace a different role than the one that defined most of his Hall of Fame career.

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Jets Legend Fires Back at Plaxico Burress for Comparing His New York Stint to 20 Months in Jail

Keshav Pareek — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:56:22 GMT

Plaxico Burress’s feelings about New York are likely mixed. On one hand, the former wide receiver cemented his legacy by winning a Super Bowl with Eli Manning and the New York Giants, helping upset the heavily favored New England Patriots. On the other hand, his stint with the New York Jets never reached the same heights.

Much of that was the result of his own circumstances, as Burress joined the Jets after spending nearly two years in prison following his accidental self-inflicted shooting incident. So, when he was recently asked which was worse, serving time in prison or playing for the Jets, Burress didn’t hesitate with his answer.

“So, they’re both kind of similar because when I walked into the prison on my first day, I was like, ‘Damn, man, you are fu****g loser,” Burress said when he recently sat down with Lil Wayne on The Joint Venture Show. “And I had the same damn feeling every day I walked through the door with the Jets. I’m like, ‘Dang, I hope we can win this weekend.’ Loser!”

Of course, his comments against the Jets didn’t sit well with the fans or the Jets’ legend. As one fan ranted against the ex-receiver’s comments in an Instagram post, former Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis dropped a brutal comment, saying, “We should have never signed him.”

Revis shared the locker room with Burress during the 2011 season. So it’s safe to say that the former NFL CB wasn’t exaggerating while taking a dig at Burress. Before signing with the Jets, Plaxico Burress was playing on a four-year, $35 million deal with the Giants and had already won a Super Bowl.

He was in the middle of a stellar 10-1 season with the franchise. However, on November 28, 2008, Burress accidentally shot himself with his own pistol in the thigh.

While the injury wasn’t life-threatening, the Jets legend had to spend 20 months in prison for carrying a gun illegally. By the time he was released, the Giants had already moved on from him, while he was left with two options: Either sign with the Jets or the Pittsburgh Steelers. Burress ultimately signed a one-year, $3 million deal.

The Jets entered the season after an 11-5 finish the season before. In the 2011 season, New York went 8-5 by early December but lost the final three games of the season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Burress, meanwhile, finished his Jets stint after recording 45 receptions for 612 yards and 8 touchdowns. After the 2011 season, he signed with the Steelers, but following a torn rotator cuff, his NFL career came to an end.

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Richard Childress’ Grassroots Driver NASCAR Debut Ignites RCR’s Silly Season Talks

Vikrant Damke — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:47:43 GMT

Richard Childress Racing is undergoing a major overhaul heading into the 2027 season. Over the years they’ve identified and nurtured talents like Jesse Love and Austin Hill. And it looks like their latest recruit, Carson Brown could land a big opportunity as he’s slated to make his O’Reilly Series debut at Iowa this weekend.

The 18-year-old driver will drive the No. 32 Distributor Wire & Cable Chevrolet for Jordan Anderson Racing at Iowa. However, veteran reporter Bob Pockrass has linked him to RCR’s plans for 2027.

As shared by Bob Pockrass on X, “Brown would be the likely driver of an RCR car in the O’Reilly Series if Austin Hill remains in the No. 33 Cup car in 2027.”

Brown, a native of New London, North Carolina, has put together one of the best resumes in grassroots racing this year. As of now, he is leading the ASA STARS National Super Late Model Tour title. In just six outings, he has won four races and finished second twice with Anthony Campi Racing.

Brown has already achieved victory lane in both ARCA and Trans-Am racing, beyond late models. Additionally, he is also battling for wins in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour with Lee Pulliam Performance.

His Iowa debut will add another milestone. Brown is set to become the youngest driver to take the green flag in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

“I’ve been fortunate to race with great teams, filled with really smart and driven people, who have prepared me for this moment. The O’Reilly Series is a big step, but it’s the right step and I’m definitely ready for it. It’s an awesome opportunity and I’m proud to be doing it with Chevrolet, Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport and Distributor Wire & Cable.” The 18-year-old driver said in a press release.

Brown’s debut might have significant silly season ramifications for Richard Childress Racing beyond this weekend. In 2027, Jesse Love is already scheduled to become a full-time member of the NASCAR Cup Series. At Wood Brothers Racing, he will be driving the No.21 car. As for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 Cup Series entry for the next season, Austin Hill remains a strong contender.

Should both promotions materialize, RCR would need to significantly reshape its O’Reilly Series lineup as both cars could be without drivers. Brown has long been viewed as one of the organization’s top developmental prospects.

This debut presents a perfect chance to assess him in comparison to national-series opponents. The Iowa appearance may turn out to be more than a one-time start if he does well. It could become the first step toward a full-time RCR O’Reilly seat in 2027 as the team’s next generation begins to take shape.

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"He Was So Good For Me": Matt Rhule Pays Tribute to Buffalo Bills' Pro Bowler He Recruited Out of High School

Isha — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:46:06 GMT

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule has coached countless players throughout his career as a head coach. But among them all, Dion Dawkins stands above the rest, whom he recruited during his Temple tenure.

“He’s probably one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached,” Matt Rhule said on Pardon My Take on August 3 when he was asked about Dion Dawkins. “I’ll be sitting there. I’ll get a FaceTime at 1 o’clock in the morning. It says “shnow” on it. He keeps changing his contact.”

“He ends up being a second-round draft pick. And he was so good for me because, you know, I’d be losing my mind, snapping out at someone. He’d go, “Coach, people skills, man, people skills.” I think if you want to be the coach you want to be, you have to have guys like that, who aren’t intimidated by you. And I’m so proud of what he’s done, man. He is an overcomer. He’s done amazing things.”

Buffalo Bills’ Pro Bowl left tackle Dion Dawkins and Matt Rhule met during Dawkins’ high school recruitment. The story is as dramatic as it gets. The left tackle initially committed to play college football for Cincinnati. However, before he could join the Bearcats, Dawkins had to spend time at Hargrave Military Academy, a prep school program in Virginia.

Rhule, who had just become the head coach at Temple, reviewed Dawkins’ unpolished but incredibly athletic tape. He was looking at under-the-radar talent in New Jersey who could fit into the program’s ‘Temple Tuff’ philosophy, and Dawkins fit perfectly into that role.

Rhule drove straight to Dawkins’ house on a Friday night and asked him a single question: “Can you dunk a basketball?” Dawkins’ uncle immediately offered to take them to a park right then and there to prove it. Rhule stopped him, skipping the demonstration to avoid any potential NCAA violation, and told Dawkins right then, “If you’re at Temple by 1:00 PM this Sunday, you have a scholarship.”

The left tackle flipped his commitment away from Cincinnati and signed with Temple in January 2013. Dawkins would go on to play a prominent role in Temple’s success under Rhule.

During his college years, the left tackle anchored an offensive line that led the program to back-to-back 10-win seasons. This was a historic feat for a program that had only achieved a single 10-win season in its previous 74 years of existence. Along the way, he earned plenty of personal accolades, including a First-Team All-AAC selection in 2016.

Rhule’s staff frequently pointed to Dawkins as the ultimate example of a culture where players worked hard because they wanted to, not because they were being forced. Dion Dawkins is currently in New York participating in training camp as the starting left tackle for the Buffalo Bills, entering the 10th season of his NFL journey. He was picked by the Bills in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.

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Rocket Classic Director Chokes Back Tears as He Sends Strong Message to PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp

Sudeep Sinha — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:35:48 GMT

Some partnerships become far more than business. For Rocket Classic Tournament Director Mark Hollis, the event in Detroit became deeply personal over thirteen unforgettable years. But on Sunday, as the final edition of the tournament came to a close at Detroit Golf Club, so did that journey. Speaking to Brad Galli beside the 18th green, an emotional Hollis struggled to hold back tears as the reality of the moment sank in.

“Let’s not get too sentimental because I will start crying. It’s a lot of work over the eight years. Got to work with my son,” Hollis said before choking up. “Look at all these people [who] put so much into something that’s so important. It’s the city, the people that live here… Today, it’s a time to celebrate… everything that… Dan Gilbert wants for this city. And we delivered. We delivered at the highest level this year. Our team was incredible from top to bottom.”

Rocket Mortgage, formerly Quicken Loans, Chairman Dan Gilbert has long had a deep love for Detroit. In 2010, he even moved Quicken Loans’ headquarters downtown. It was no secret that he wanted to bring a major professional golf tournament within the city’s limits. Quicken Loans first entered the PGA Tour as a title sponsor in 2014 with the Quicken Loans National, held at Congressional Country Club in suburban Washington, D.C.

In 2018, however, Quicken Loans ended its sponsorship of that event to launch a brand-new PGA Tour stop in Detroit—the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club—while also rebranding as Rocket Mortgage. When 2026 arrived, the company had the opportunity to extend its partnership with the PGA Tour through 2027, but chose not to, officially declining the extension last month.

In a statement to The Detroit News, Hollis said the company’s mission in launching the tournament was to “shine a national spotlight on Detroit,” adding that they had successfully “accomplished” that goal. However, several other unconfirmed factors may have also influenced the decision, including changes to the PGA Tour schedule, weaker fields, declining attendance, and more.

Now, with the Rocket Classic’s departure, the PGA Tour has replaced it on the schedule with a tournament sponsored by Japanese insurer Sompo. The yet-to-be-named tournament, however, will not happen in Detroit. As the Rocket Classic partnership came to an end, Tournament Director Mark Hollis had a direct message for PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp.

“Detroit deserves a PGA Tour event,” he added. “And I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know where the tour is going… But we’ve got to work our hardest to make sure that we bring a PGA Tour event back to Detroit, and it ought to be right here on this course… I think there’s always hope… If there’s anything that I could instill [in] Brian Rolapp and the entire tour, … focus in that direction…”

The good news is, when the news broke about Rocket Classic’s final event in June, the PGA Tour didn’t abandon the possibility of hosting a different event in Detroit. The American tour claimed that they “remain interested in the Detroit market” as they continue to explore new sponsors. Rickie Fowler, who has played every Rocket Classic event, supported that idea.

“I’d love to have an event back here at some point,” Fowler said. “Never say never.”

But with Rocket Classic’s exit, only time will tell whether that actually happens.

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Michael Thorbjornsen's 'Hungry' Confession After Maiden PGA Tour Win Says Everything About His Personality

Roshni Dhawan — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:28:41 GMT

On Sunday, August 2, Michael Thorbjornsen, also known as “Thor,” overcame a four-stroke deficit in round 4 of the Rocket Classic to win his maiden PGA Tour title, but the win was not on his mind. It was food.

At the post-round press conference, Thor was asked about the significance of clinching a playoff spot after entering the winner’s circle. But the 24-year-old dismissed the question, stating he’s more focused on basic human needs.

“I haven’t really thought about it yet. I think for the next few hours there’s just going to be more people telling me like, ‘Oh, you’re going to the Masters,’ or ‘Oh, this and that.’ I don’t know; I’m still thinking about what I’m going to eat; I’m really hungry right now.

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t know if I’m playing next week. The plan is to still go and play. Yeah, just to be in the Playoffs first time is very exciting. Always great to be playing against the best players in the world.”

Thorbjornsen’s answer says a lot about him. He’s grounded, nonchalant, and completely unbothered by the external noise of professional golf. Instead of letting the win inflate his ego, the Norwegian showed that he’s an athlete who respects golf.

Notably, Thor’s win at the Rocket Classic didn’t come easy.

For most of the front nine of the final round, he didn’t climb the leaderboard. A 35-foot chip-in at the 12th sparked his charge. Thor strung 5 birdies without a single dropped shot.

Back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th had pulled him level with the field jammed at the top. He surpassed overnight leaders Davis Riley and Xander Schauffele, who were charging behind him, and carded a birdie at the 18th, sinking a 26-foot putt to finish at 7-under 63. The 24-year-old pumped his fist after stealing the win with a splendid putt.

The road to this win took patience. Thorbjornsen turned pro in June 2024 and delivered consistent performances, yet he couldn’t convert. Lifting his trophy, Thor reflected on his journey.

“It kind of got to the point of a little bit it wasn’t ever going to happen.”

As big as the win is for the 24-year-old, Thorbjornsen isn’t looking too far ahead. His jokes regarding his appetite aren’t new. Last year, on Matt Every’s show, he admitted that tour life gets lonely fast. Asked about his relationship status, Thorbjornsen joked it was tough watching other players’ girlfriends or wives around the course while he ate his lunch solo. Matt Every joked about the irony: a 24-year-old nicknamed Thor, yet eating lunch alone.

The Champions Golf Club tested his habit of turning serious questions into food talk. Thorbjornsen was asked to build his ideal sandwich. With visible enthusiasm, he listed turkey, layered with American or Swiss cheese, lettuce, avocado, tomato, and, after a long thought, declared chipotle aioli sauce—the must-have. Smiling, he said that was the sandwich he had in school. Almost as an afterthought, he requested bacon too.

The talent underneath his humor hasn’t gone unnoticed by his peers. Rory McIlroy has praised his game at the 2025 Scottish Open, calling it rare to get experience in the sport’s wave as a teammate this young. Xander Schauffele also congratulated him on the win and said, “He just beat me straight up, so hats off to him.”

Whatever’s next up for Thorbjornsen, he is not thinking much about it.

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NASCAR's Rival Series Owner Makes $570 Million Claim Against Elon Musk & Co. Amidst Ongoing Controversy

Vikrant Damke — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:01:45 GMT

When Darryl Cuttel purchased the IHRA in 2024, he would have hoped for better circumstances to bring him into the limelight. He wanted to compete with NASCAR, with the sanctioning body establishing a stock car series that debuted in 2026. But midway through, they cancelled the entire season. Financial mismanagement was reported to be one of the major reasons, and amid the fallout, Cuttell has claimed that an organization owned by the world’s richest man owes him hundreds of millions of dollars.

Cuttell, a former drag racer who is the CEO of Ohio-based Darana Hybrid, has alleged that Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI owes his company approximately $570 million for construction work completed on large-scale data center projects in Tennessee and Mississippi. These claims were first reported by the Daily Memphian and later by drag racing magazine Competition Plus, although they have not been adjudicated in court.

According to the report, Darana Hybrid recently filed two mechanics’ liens totaling roughly $137 million. Cuttell says they represent only a portion of the money his company believes remains outstanding. He claims Darana Hybrid completed nearly $1.5 billion worth of construction work beginning in 2024. This includes the Macrohard data center in Memphis, Tennessee, and another major facility in Southaven, Mississippi.

Cuttell further alleged that payments stopped after the merger of xAI and SpaceX earlier this year. As a result, he claims Darana Hybrid has been left struggling to meet its own financial obligations, with around $200 million allegedly owed to subcontractors and vendors.

Cuttell and the IHRA have been in hot water within the racing community. After purchasing the series in 2024, Cuttell began investing heavily and aggressively, even buying popular tracks such as Rockingham to directly challenge NASCAR’s grip on American motorsports. He also purchased several drag strips, including National Trail Raceway and Milan Dragway. He was so confident about succeeding that he admitted he didn’t have a backup plan, as revealed by his COO, Scott Woodruff, during an episode of the Herm & Schrader podcast earlier this year. “I do not fail,” he told Woodruff.

But following the June IHRA Triple Crown event at Darana Raceway, several racers, sponsors, and vendors publicly claimed they had not received the payments they were owed. Legendary drag racer Don Garlits even said he didn’t receive the $5,000 Cuttell owed him as an appearance fee.

The fact that Musk’s company allegedly hasn’t paid him yet may have added to the crisis he’s currently facing. But it doesn’t excuse the reported spending spree he embarked on or the bridges he burned with key stakeholders in pursuit of his ambitions.

At this stage, the accusations against Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI remain allegations made in lien filings and have not been tested in court. Likewise, no court has ruled on whether the claimed payments are actually owed. That leaves the dispute unresolved, with questions still surrounding both the construction project and the financial troubles tied to the IHRA.

Regardless of how the legal dispute unfolds, the financial strain surrounding Cuttell has already taken a visible toll on the IHRA. Its biggest expansion project, the Stock Car Series, lasted just four races before being shelved.

IHRA Stock Car Series’ future in limbo

“This decision was not made lightly. After a thorough review of our operations, resources, and long-term objectives, IHRA believes the responsible course of action is to pause the series and dedicate our full attention to building a stronger, more sustainable Stock Car program for 2027.”

That was the statement issued by the IHRA in mid-July as it officially canceled the remainder of its 2026 Stock Car Series season.

The series debuted in March with plans to become a major grassroots short-track championship. Built around the Pro Late Model and Limited Late Model divisions, it aimed to give local racers another place to compete in a space long dominated by NASCAR’s weekly racing program.

However, operational issues began surfacing early in the season. Staff were laid off, and uncertainty over the series’ future continued to grow. Planned events at Tri-County Motor Speedway, Lonesome Pine Raceway, and the highly anticipated Rockingham round were ultimately scrapped.

The final event took place on June 27 at Anderson Motor Speedway. And rather than attempt to salvage the remainder of the calendar, the IHRA opted to reset entirely. The organization says it will now spend the coming months rebuilding the Stock Car Series to return in 2027 on a stronger and more sustainable foundation. At least, that’s what the plan is to the public.

Richard Freeman, owner of Elite Motorsports, was in talks with Cuttell to purchase the IHRA, but soon realized that he was being played. He shockingly revealed that Cuttell was not focused on repaying the debts to people he owed money to.

Freeman also revealed, via FloRacing, that Cuttell was desperate to sell the IHRA. He claimed Cuttell even sent him a text message offering to sell the organization for $500 million. For those who believe the IHRA will return stronger and begin climbing again, Freeman had a simple message:

“Anyone who is holding their breath for payment, thinks next year is happening, or ever thought for a second this guy was the savior we needed, has no clue,” he said.

For now, the future of both Cuttell’s legal dispute and the IHRA remains uncertain. Until the courts weigh in on the payment claims and the organization proves it can regain the trust of racers, teams, and sponsors, questions will continue to surround both.

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Travis Etienne's Replacement Targets 1,500 Yards and 16 TDs as Liam Coen Set to Ride the Hot Hand

Tony Pauline — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:54:11 GMT

After claiming the AFC South title last season only to lose a heartbreaker to the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the playoffs, the Jacksonville Jaguars sustained some major losses in free agency. One of the departing players was Travis Etienne Jr., the team’s leading rusher in three of the last four years, who totaled more than 1,000 yards on the ground during each of those seasons. The thought process was that Jacksonville would select a running back in last April’s draft, specifically Jadarian Price. Yet when Price was out of reach for the team, they decided to lean on their existing depth chart.

The No. 1 back on the Jaguars depth chart is Bhayshul Tuten, a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft out of Virginia Tech. The 104th selection of the process that year, Tuten did an admirable job backing up Etienne last season, rushing for 307 yards and five TDs. It’s a different story this year, as the Jaguars are expecting big things from the middle-round pick, and Tuten has high expectations for himself.

Graded by scouts as a middle-round pick prior to his senior season of 2024, Tuten slogged through an injury-plagued campaign, dealing with a high-ankle sprain most of the year. Yet despite the injury impeding his play, Tuten still rushed for 1,159 yards and 15 TDs. He also caught 23 passes that year.

He pushed through the predraft process despite the ankle never being 100% and was fantastic. He had a solid Senior Bowl outing, then turned in a tremendous combine performance. Tuten timed 4.32 seconds electronically in the 40 (though some stopwatches clocked him as fast as 4.28 seconds) and hit 40.5 inches in the vertical jump. The fourth round of the draft seemed a bit late for Tuten’s talents, though he was the seventh running back drafted, and all the ball carriers that preceded him carried high grades. The Jaguars targeted Tuten as he started to fall on Day 2 and even considered moving up into the third round to secure his services.

Now, after a rookie year where he successfully played backup to Etienne, Tuten will be relied upon as the feature ball carrier in Jacksonville, as long as he performs.

The Jaguars signed Chris Rodriguez Jr. this offseason to add to the list of available running backs on the roster. And though he’s a different sort of ball carrier, a big and strong grinder on the inside, while Tuten is a breakaway threat who can score from any point on the field, I’m told head coach Liam Coen will go with the hot hand. In other words, there are no guarantees, and the job is Tuten’s to lose; and he expects to RB1 for the team all season long. Tuten has set lofty goals for himself this season and is looking for 1,500 yards rushing with 16 TDs. Even if he comes away with 400 yards fewer on the ground, that will be a huge help for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense.

The early signs have been more than promising, as Tuten has looked tremendous in prior OTAs and the early stages of training camp. He’s also catching the ball extremely well, which will be added value for the Jaguars offense.

The franchise hopes Tuten will be the natural replacement for Etienne, who was a first-round pick in 2021. The second-year player has all the confidence he can reward the team’s faith in him. If all goes according to plan, Jacksonville will be making another trip into the postseason.

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“He Looks Worse”: Shedeur Sanders’ Biggest Weakness Is Becoming an Even Bigger Concern, Says Browns Reporter

Keshav Pareek — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:51:09 GMT

The first week of the 2026 training camp is officially in the books, but the Cleveland Browns still have a big question mark on their quarterback for the season. While Deshaun Watson continues to work his way back from a long-term injury layoff, Shedeur Sanders has also shown some flaws, with one Browns beat reporter offering a less-than-encouraging assessment of the rookie’s early camp performance.

Following the fourth day of camp, Tony Rizzo asked Justin Cooper whether Sanders looks good in getting rid of the ball. Cooper’s assessment, however, was brutal as the reporter bluntly said, “No, he looks worse.”

Throughout his football career, Shedeur Sanders has faced scrutiny over his struggles in getting rid of the football. It was evident both in college and during his rookie NFL season with the Browns. Coming out of Colorado, his average time to throw was 2.96 seconds, well above the FBS average of 2.76 seconds, as he ranked 110th in the FBS.

Once he became Cleveland’s starting quarterback in the second half of the 2025 season, those issues remained a talking point. According to the Next Gen Stats, Shedeur Sanders’ average Time to Throw for the 2025 regular season was 3.23 seconds. The quarterback started in 7 games, went 3-4, and recorded 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. During the stretch, he also took 23 sacks.

CINCINNATI, OH – JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 before the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104055

Fast forward to the 2026 offseason, and Sanders is competing for the starting quarterback role against Deshaun Watson. While it’s true that he might start at some point this season, Cooper’s assessment of his throwing time could be a major concern for Todd Monken. At the same time, however, the second-year signal-caller has managed to turn heads in the first four practices of training camp.

Per reports, Shedeur Sanders completed 13-of-22 passes with four touchdowns and just one interception on the fourth day of camp. In total, across four practices, Sanders completed 70.3% of his passes with four touchdowns and an interception. Watson, on the other hand, was 12-of-19 for three touchdowns and 3 interceptions on day four, while completing 64.4% of his passes in the first four practices.

The Browns will open their preseason against the Chicago Bears in a couple of weeks. Whether Monken names his starting quarterback before that game or waits until the preseason concludes remains to be seen. For now, the competition appears set to continue as both contenders look to strengthen their case.

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NFL Legend's $25M Lawsuit Over Brett Favre Incident Dismissed as Judge Rules in Favor of ESPN

Shreyashi Bhattacharjee — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:10:31 GMT

After losing his NFL single-season sack record, New York Jets legend Mark Gastineau has taken another hit. Back in 2002, New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan broke Gastineau’s long-standing 1984 sack record after bringing down Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre in a game. In 2024, another side of that play was revealed in a scene from ESPN’s “30 for 30: The New York Sack Exchange” that showed Gastineau confronting Favre at a 2023 memorabilia convention for intentionally going down to help Strahan break his record.

By March 2025, Mark Gastineau filed a lawsuit against ESPN and NFL Films, claiming that the footage damaged his reputation and cost him endorsement opportunities. While Gastineau was seeking nearly $25 million in damages for the past year, the final verdict on the case has just arrived.

According to TMZ Sports, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer has dismissed the $25 million lawsuit with prejudice, effectively shutting the door on any refiled claims from the plaintiff. Engelmayer ruled that Mark Gastineau had already granted broad authorization for the use of his name and likeness in the ESPN documentary.

“Gastineau consented, in writing, to the use of his name and likeness in the film and related promotional materials… authorization was broad and encompassed Gastineau’s name and likeness as reflected in extrinsic footage, such as that of the encounter with Favre,” Engelmayer stated in a 20-page opinion while noting what the talent agreement for the project reflected.

The Jets legend had signed an agreement with ESPN in January 2024, which was just months after the memorabilia convention. In exchange for $10,000, Gastineau had agreed to appear on camera, including a filming session at the New York Stock Exchange and a sit-down interview.

Mark Gastineau’s Lawsuit Against ESPN Dismissed https://t.co/ODOaDaRxnM pic.twitter.com/jVIg9ARm8v

— TMZ (@TMZ) March 16, 2026

But Mark Gastineau had insisted in his complaint that the contract didn’t specifically mention his exchange with Favre. Gastineau also claimed the agreement required his approval for how he would be portrayed, and that he never consented to filming or publishing that particular interaction with Favre.

“You hurt me, Brett,” Gastineau told Favre in the viral scene from the ESPN documentary.

In his complaint, Gastineau argued that the clip misrepresented him as editors made the interaction appear more aggressive, which led to “ridicule, scorn, and contempt” against him online.

Gastineau further claimed that the footage was incomplete, alleging ESPN “intentionally and maliciously” excluded his handshake with Favre at the start of their conversation. That sequence might have portrayed Gastineau more favorably after Favre had publicly admitted to not intentionally letting Strahan break the Jets legend’s record.

“I booted out of a run thinking it would be wide open, saw Strahan standing there, and ducked down.” Favre had admitted via Instagram back in 2024. “Maybe it crossed my mind to help Strahan. I didn’t think it through.”

But whether it was intentional or not on Favre’s part, Gastineau took that issue directly to the Packers legend when they met at that convention in 2023.

Was Mark Gastineau’s exchange with Brett Favre a private conversation?

The conversation between Mark Gastineau and Brett Favre took place at the Chicago Sports Spectacular convention in November 2023. The event welcomed fans, celebrities, and star athletes, like Peyton Manning, so it was hardly a private setting.

Still, Gastineau had argued in his complaint that his conversation with Favre happened “behind a curtain in an area of the show not opened to the public,” which, in his view, made it a private encounter. But the footage of the Gastineau-Favre exchange told a different story.

October 1, 2017 – New York, New York, U.S. – MARK GASTINEAU at the New York Jets vs Jacksonville Jaguars game at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey. NFL American Football Herren USA 2017: Jets 23:20 Jaguars – ZUMAg53_ 20171001_sha_g53_102 Copyright: xJeffreyxGellerx

At least seven people were present at the scene, including a camera operator, and others nearby could have easily recorded the moment between the NFL legends. Judge Engelmayer also emphasized the broader context, stating that Gastineau’s conversation with Favre was newsworthy, so its recording will be constitutionally protected.

“It is newsworthy in that the participants were nationally recognized football stars, the exchange between them concerned a venerated NFL record, the incident featured prominently in the film, and, as the film reflects, Gastineau’s aggressive conduct appears to have driven a wedge within the Sack Exchange quartet that was the subject of the film,” Engelmayer wrote in the opinion.

Ultimately, Engelmayer made it clear that Mark Gastineau had no right to veto parts of the ESPN documentary. That decision handed a clear legal victory to ESPN and NFL Films, but is the story really over? Gastineau still has the option to appeal. And whether the Jets legend chooses to move forward with the lawsuit or not, one thing is clear: his decades-old sack record remains a point of conversation.

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Retired 37-YO NFL Star Demands Mental Health Care From the League After Rondale Moore's Death

Avik Das — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 01:10:31 GMT

The NFL contract may come with fame, fortune, and million-dollar paychecks, but the pressure behind them has a less glamorous picture. The latest casualty in the NFL’s mounting mental health crisis was Rondale Moore, who passed away last month. His death draws urgent attention to a problem that can no longer be ignored, a sentiment echoed by the late wide receiver’s former teammate.

“And one way I would start is by making it mandatory,” wrote A.J. Green, the retired WR, on The Players Tribune recently.

“If you have a major injury, that you see an independent mental health counselor as part of your rehab. And by also making it mandatory, if you have a second major injury, that you see an independent mental health counselor for an extended period of time, even after your rehab.”

🚨Former #Bengals star WR A.J. Green calls for better NFL mental health care after Rondale Moore’s death.

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 18, 2026

Green and Moore became teammates in Arizona when the Cardinals drafted the young receiver in 2021. They shared a locker room for two seasons before Green retired, building a bond that went beyond the field.

Being wide receivers, the two shared a great friendship off the field. The 37-year-old has two sons, but he shared a close bond with the late player, calling him “third and oldest son.” They reportedly talked regularly, and he even invited Moore to spend time with his family amid his mental crisis due to the recurring injuries.

Moore, who was last signed by the Vikings, had to deal with constant injuries that affected both his career and possibly his mental state. In 2022, he missed nine games due to a groin injury, while knee injuries sidelined him for the entire 2024 campaign with the Falcons and then the 2025 campaign with the Vikings, meaning he didn’t play a single NFL game in the previous two campaigns.

The late WR was found dead on February 21, 2026, because of a self-inflicted gunshot.

In 2019, the NFL established the Comprehensive Mental Health and Wellness Committee to provide players with better mental health resources. However, Moore didn’t benefit from it during his crisis, as several other players had a similar fate in the past.

Players who lost their lives to mental health battles recently

Aside from Rondale Moore, there have been multiple casualties due to the mental health crisis, including in recent years. Marshawn Kneeland, the former Dallas Cowboys defensive end, died from a similar self-inflicted gunshot in November 2025; he was reportedly battling a serious mental health crisis. Although he didn’t have repeated season-ending injuries like Moore did, he had suicidal thoughts before.

The former two-time Pro Bowler and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin died last year at the age of 36. He was struggling with severe mental health issues, as his family described.

The former Pro Bowler and Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson was another recent victim of mental health struggles, who passed away due to suicide on September 23, 2025. His family confirmed that his mental health crisis was primarily the reason behind the death, alongside the potential impact of CTE.

In the wake of these tragedies and Green’s powerful plea, the pressure is on the NFL to implement the mandatory mental health support systems its players clearly need.

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Miami Open Disrupted as Chair Umpire Nearly Falls After Equipment Malfunction

Supriyo Sarkar — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:10:31 GMT

This year’s Miami Open has unraveled into chaos, with relentless disruptions derailing its rhythm from the outset. Severe weather delays forced opening-day matches off schedule and shifted play from Hard Rock Stadium, compounding the logistical turmoil. The drama escalated further when Daniil Medvedev’s shock loss to Francisco Cerúndolo was overshadowed by the chair umpire almost falling after a startling equipment malfunction.

At the Stadium Court of the Miami Open, No. 9 seed Medvedev was preparing to serve at 2–3 in the third set. The moment turned chaotic when the spider-cam suddenly malfunctioned. Its wires became tangled with the umpire’s chair mid-play, prompting chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani to react immediately in panic.

“One second! Wait there!” he shouted.

The Russian tennis player quickly sensed danger and stepped away from the baseline. He walked straight toward the chair with concern. Francisco Cerúndolo also moved in to check the situation. Lahyani then hurriedly climbed down from his chair to the court.

CASI OCURRE UNA DESGRACIA 😳

El cable de la cámara se enganchó en la silla del umpire y casi lo tira al suelo. #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/R7duza4VIG

— Todo Sobre Tenis (@Tsobretenis) March 23, 2026

“Well, there’s something happening here… Medvedev straight over,” said commentator Mikey Perera. “Well, I believe the spider-cam has just made contact with the umpire’s chair, so Mohamed Lahyani has come down from his perch.”

ATP supervisor Gerry Armstrong rushed onto the court to assess the situation. An attendant joined him to help move the chair aside.

“’It’s dangerous,’ Lahyani could be heard saying during the tense moment. The risk of injury was clear. A couple of deep breaths from Mohamed Lahyani. Gerry Armstrong was there as well,” Perera added.

“Gave him a bit of a fright, didn’t it? I think it’s the wire that is maybe caught on the back of the chair,” Naomi Broady said.

The cameras zoomed out as officials worked to resolve the issue. A loud cheer from the crowd signaled that things were under control.

“The camera is moving away. It’s just shifted the umpire’s chair slightly,” Perera said as calm returned.

Play resumed, but there was another brief delay when Medvedev noticed that the net had shifted. Just after Lahyani returned to his chair, he had to come down again to check and measure the net.

“I wonder if the wires were pulled for the net cam, so potentially just adjusted the height of the net,” Broady said.

“You’re watching on the spider-cam here, and then what has happened is that the spider-cam, which seemed to be a bit out of control on that shot in the air with Cerundolo, has collided with the umpire’s chair,” Jonathan Overend said.

“And it’s Mohamed Lahyani in the umpire’s chair. I mean, he’s alright. There are now live pictures. It’s taken a little bit of sorting out. It’s a big old heavy bit of kit, and it’s attached to wires which are controlled by a remote control. But it could have been very nasty, that.”

INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 14: Daniil Medvedev RUS waves after winning an ATP, Tennis Herren semifinals tennis match played during the BNP Paribas Open played on March 14, 2026 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA. Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire TENNIS: MAR 14 BNP Paribas Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon506260314027

Despite the chaos, play continued with intensity. Medvedev saved break points to level the score at 4-4 in the deciding set. He denied Cerúndolo the chance to serve for the match at that stage. The pressure kept building on both players.

The Argentine then saved a break point in the next game. He held firm in a tense stretch of play and eventually pulled off another upset at this year’s Miami Open. He defeated Medvedev 6-0, 4-6, 7-5.

And this was not the only disruption in the tournament. Matches on the women’s side were also halted mid-game due to separate incidents.

Victoria Mboko’s fourth-round clash with Mirra Andreeva paused due to net issues

On the WTA side of the Miami Open, the all-teenage clash between Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva was suddenly halted in just the third game.

Mboko was serving for a 2-1 lead when both players unexpectedly walked back to their benches. The sudden pause left the players and spectators confused.

“What’s going on? It’s not the end of the game,” said Jonathan Overend on commentary.

Chair umpire Marija Cicak quickly addressed the crowd and confirmed that the net on the Butch Buchholz Court had broken and required repairs. The unexpected technical issue forced a temporary stoppage.

It took several minutes for the staff to reach the court and begin fixing the net. Cicak stood near the net alongside a ball kid and another official as repairs were carried out.

Mboko and Andreeva waited patiently on the sidelines. After eight minutes, play finally resumed with Mboko leading 40-30 in her service game. She held serve comfortably and stayed composed despite the delay. Soon after, she saved a break point to edge ahead 3-2, while Andreeva fought back to level at 3-3.

Mboko claimed the first set 7-6(4) in a tight tiebreak. Andreeva responded by winning the second set 6-4 despite a back issue and treatment, but Mboko dominated the decider 6-0.

And with this year’s Miami Open plagued by weather delays, rain interruptions, and repeated in-match halts, organizers now face mounting pressure to ensure the remaining schedule runs smoothly for the players.

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NASCAR Legend Richard Petty Echoes Denny Hamlin’s Frustration as NASCAR Package Falls Flat at Darlington

Shaharyar — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:10:32 GMT

NASCAR’s introduction of more horsepower and a short-track aero package at Darlington had Denny Hamlin a little worried even before the race. Known to be one of the toughest tracks to compete in, the Darlington Raceway already had its set of challenges, and while the drivers welcomed the idea of the new package, it did not seem to make much of a difference, according to Hamlin. He also managed to get the support of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series winner Richard Petty.

Richard Petty and Denny Hamlin are on the same page about NASCAR’s latest package

Before last Sunday’s race, the Next Gen cars were running a 650-horsepower package, which many fans and drivers had deemed low and a direct factor in the quality of passing and racing. Hearing the feedback from drivers and fans, NASCAR decided to give everyone what they wanted – more horsepower. However, the end product wasn’t as exciting as it was expected to be.

Petty noted this and gave his assessment on what could have been the reason behind the failed experiment.

“The cars were supposed to have a little bit more horsepower and a little bit less aero drag. To me, watching a race and watching races before, I didn’t see any difference. I didn’t talk to the driver to see if that made any difference to them,” said Petty on Petty family racing. “It didn’t have as much drag, so it didn’t seem to affect the race any, from what I can see. If it did, it affected everybody the same, so it didn’t make any difference.”

Hamlin, whose race was filled with problems, including two crashes that happened subsequently, finished 11th. During a post-race press-conference, Hamlin claimed that the changes from more power and the new aero setup weren’t ‘drastically different’ and still led to the same problems with passing.

“You need a good three-tenths advantage to overtake here at this track. Maybe two,” said Hamlin. “That’s a lot of difference in speed. So that’s why you see a lot of people pit on different laps, is that they’re trying to gain either, you know, the track position to have one lap better tires, or they’re trying to stay out two more laps to get, you know, a better entire run. So I just didn’t notice that much.”

The introduction of the package with 750-horsepower, reduced downforce, and a 3-inch spoiler has helped tackle short-track racing issues. Despite taking from veteran drivers and legends, it seems like the new package has already started serving its purpose.

NASCAR’s new package helped a few drivers

Ahead of the race at Darlington, John Probst, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer, gave the reasoning behind moving to the new package.

“The drivers were pretty adamant that we should err on the side of high power, low downforce for those tracks,” said Probst in an interview with RACER. “So, a large percentage of driver feedback and fans wanted us to get more aggressive with this, and that’s what we see this weekend. It’s as much hype and uncertainty in a race that I can remember in a long time.”

The lower downforce and high horsepower enabled drivers to execute more overtakes. There were significantly higher turnarounds in results. Carson Hocevar started the race at the rear, but did extremely well to finish fourth in the standings.

Ryan Blaney, who finished third, credited the package for the unpredictability it offered on the day.

“You could **** the bed quickly if you were kind of rough on your stuff,” said Blaney. “There were tons of fall-offs. I think you saw guys kind of get too much early, and then they were done.”

The new package is set to be tested a few more times this year. Bristol, Dover, Nashville, WWTR, and Phoenix are the races where it is set to be implemented.

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Caitlin Clark Shares Special Message for Teammate Lexie Hull Following Bachelorette Celebration

Soumik Bhattacharya — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:40:11 GMT

For Caitlin Clark, 2026 isn’t just about pay raises; it’s about a teammate’s wedding bells, too. Clark’s Indiana Fever counterpart, Lexie Hull, has caught the headlines ever since the last season for her engagement to former Stanford baseball player Will Matthiessen in 2026. But ahead of their wedding date, Hull recently had another major celebratory occasion, prompting CC to drop a three-word message.

Hull and her entourage hosted a bachelorette party in Scottsdale, Arizona. It comes nearly a year after Hull and Matthiessen got engaged in April 2025. With Hull, her twin sister, Lacie was also present at the only-girls party. Hull shared a few glimpses from their celebration, where they were enjoying themselves near the pool and whatnot.

“Already counting down the days until we run it back in Mexico 💒,” the caption of the post read, showcasing eagerness for her new journey. Clark, Hull’s close teammate, shared her enthusiasm for the wedding with a comment, though she wasn’t at the party. “Can. Not. Wait,” CC stated.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lexie Hull 🙂 (@lexiehulll)

The wedding dates and the location haven’t been publicly announced. Although Hull’s comments suggest that it can be in Mexico. The soon-to-be bride has confirmed that her teammates, Clark and Sophie Cunningham, the two members of their infamous trio at Indiana Fever, will definitely be present at her wedding. “They’ll definitely be at the wedding, but we’ll see about the bridal party lineup,” Hull had said.

“Honestly, we (Will Matthiessen) haven’t had too much time to dive into the details yet, but it’s been fun so far. That’s probably the hardest part, trying to plan while we’re both so busy,” Hull added further about her wedding plans.

Clark and Hull have built a great relationship, thanks to their two years together with the Indiana Fever. As Clark’s comment shows, the dynamic duo also doesn’t hesitate to celebrate each other’s personal milestones, regardless of whether they are physically present. Hull had also done the same a week earlier, when Clark was named MVP amid her Team USA debut at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers.

“She’s back,” Hull had shared on her Instagram stories after Clark won the award, after nearly being eight months off the court due to an injury. It perfectly shows the camaraderie CC and Hull share, even off the court, but this bonding’s shelf life might be in question in the coming weeks.

Caitlin Clark-Lexie Hull Partnership Uncertain for 2026 WNBA Season

While Caitlin Clark and Lexie Hull are, of course, set to have a wedding bash ahead in the year, their time with the Indiana Fever is in jeopardy for now. Clark is still under contract and will be donning the Fever shirt in May. But the same can’t be said for Hull. The 26-year-old shooting guard is currently a restricted free agent, which, though, gives some hope to Fever fans.

Being a restricted free agent means Hull can negotiate a new contract and a new team. But the Fever has the right to match that exact deal to bring her back to the team. It’s a possibility, given her chemistry with her teammates like Clark and the improving performances she’s pulled off for the Fever from the bench. For Hull, it has never been a doubt, and she has expressed her excitement to return to Fever in the upcoming season.

IMAGN

“I’ve loved my years here in Indiana. Obviously, with a lot of uncertainty, you don’t know what’s to come, but I’ve built a life here. I love this franchise. I love the people, the fans, so we’ll see what comes,” Hull said last season.

But, at the end of the day, it will also come down to finances for the Fever front office. It’s true that with a new CBA in place, the team’s salary cap has grown to a staggering $7M. But along with it, the players’ salaries will also tend to grow. For instance, Clark alone is in reports to see a five-fold increase in her salary. On top of that, the Indiana Fever also has several other key starters to get off the market first.

Fever’s 3-time WNBA All-Star, Kelsey Mitchell is currently an unrestricted free agent. It means the Fever will have to make a substantial offer to keep Mitchell interested in their camp. With so many complications and signings to be made, the Indiana Fever has a tough decision to make. Questions like how the finances hold up in this regard, and who the priority non-negotiable re-signings will be for next season will define their upcoming weeks as a unit.

April 9-11 marks the schedule of free agency negotiations. This will give Fever fans the exact answers they need regarding the future of the Caitlin Clark-Lexie Hull duo.

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49ers Owner Accuses $63M Star’s Agent of Making ‘Excuses’ After Failed Pursuit

Avik Das — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:40:33 GMT

Can the state tax benefits sway an NFL player’s team selection? The question was raised when veteran defensive end John Franklin-Myers chose to go with the Tennessee Titans over the San Francisco 49ers, despite a reportedly strong interest from the latter. The Niners owner, Jed York, recently shared his thoughts on that question.

“It’ll come up, but I think it comes up as an excuse from the agent,” York said, referencing the failed pursuit of defensive end John Franklin-Myers. “It comes up after the fact, but he has a connection with [Robert] Saleh. I don’t believe that’s really what made the decision. Mike Evans came here from a zero-tax state. I don’t think it’s a major issue.”

When NFL free agency opened in March 2026, the 49ers reportedly had real interest in Franklin-Myers, a 29-year-old defensive end who had become one of the more productive defensive ends in football. Coming off two dominant seasons with the Denver Broncos, Myers had earned a payday. The Titans also delivered it with a three-year, $63 million deal with $42 million guaranteed. That’s nearly triple what he earned annually on his previous deal with Denver, which paid him $7.5 million per year.

The 49ers never got him to the finish line. According to York, the agent cited California taxes as a reason, a claim that York flatly dismissed as a post-hoc justification rather than the real driver.

#49ers owner Jed York says the agent of John Franklin-Myers brought up California taxes in free agency talks after signing with #Titans

“It’ll come up, but I think it comes up as an excuse from the agent. It comes up after the fact, but he has a connection with Saleh. I don’t… pic.twitter.com/Ql19bmMxax

— NinerStats (@NinerStats) March 30, 2026

To be fair to the agent, California’s tax burden on professional athletes is not trivial. The state levies the highest income tax rate in the country at 13.3%. Under the NFL’s “jock tax” structure, players are taxed on earnings allocated to every game and practice day spent in a given state. It means that even visiting players face California tax bills when their teams travel to face the 49ers or Rams.

For a player like Myers earning $21 million a year, the difference between California and Tennessee could amount to over $2 million annually in take-home pay. And teams in states with no income tax, such as Tennessee (Titans), Texas (Cowboys, Texans), Nevada (Raiders), and Florida (Jaguars, Buccaneers, Dolphins), have long used the tax advantage as a recruiting edge.

But in Myers’ case, the numbers only tell part of the story. The moment Robert Saleh was hired as Tennessee’s head coach in January 2026, Myers reportedly had what he described as a “light bulb moment.” The Titans instantly became his top destination.

The two go back to 2021, when Saleh joined the New York Jets, where Myers had finally found his footing in the NFL after three years of struggle. Under Saleh’s system, Myers transformed into a starter and a force, racking up 106 tackles and 14.5 sacks across three seasons.

“Our relationship — we have one of the best relationships in football, I would say,” Myers said of Saleh after signing. He added that joining Tennessee meant being surrounded by “people that you trust and bled with and sweated with,” describing Saleh as “a leader of men” who “knows how to relate to players” and “never puts you in a bad position.”

That is not the language of a man who chose his team because of a tax bracket. It is the language of a player who knew exactly where he wanted to be the moment Saleh got the job.

Mike Evans and other deals highlight 49ers’ pull beyond tax disadvantage

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar Mike Evans was arguably the biggest signing of the Niners this offseason— an example Jed York brought up during the interview. The twelve-season veteran signed a new contract of $42 million for three years, keeping him in the Bay Area until the end of the 2028 season.

The wide receiver, who has a Super Bowl, six Pro Bowl honors, and eleven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to his name, could be a difference maker for Kyle Shanahan, especially as a replacement for Brandon Aiyuk. Evans played for the Buccaneers, where he had to pay no tax. Despite the financial advantage, he signed for a California-based team, showing the income tax isn’t an obstacle.

Likewise, another newly signed 49ers wide receiver, Christian Kirk, came from the Houston Texans, where he previously paid no tax on his income. The 29-year-old agreed to a one-year deal worth $6 million. Guard Rob Jones also made a move from the Dallas Cowboys, and the California tax situation similarly did not influence his decision. Besides the Niners, the other two California-based teams, the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, haven’t struggled to lure players because of the high income tax.

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Broncos Issue Significant Update on Aaron Rodgers Talks Amid Bo Nix Injury Concerns – Report

Ishani Jayara — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:10:29 GMT

April Fool’s Day kicked off with a wild rumor that veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers might be joining an AFC West team. It all started when Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggested that the Denver Broncos could be interested in bringing in the future Hall of Fame quarterback, with Bo Nix dealing with an ankle injury. While the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait for Rodgers’ comeback, the Broncos have now reportedly shared an update and shut the door on the Rodgers-to-Denver rumors.

“Aaron Rodgers is not coming to Denver for a visit. When the Broncos take the field to start OTAs, they will be quarterbacked by Bo Nix. Carry on,” Broncos reporter Nick Kosmider posted on X.

With Bo Nix considered the starter once he makes a full recovery from the ankle injury, Rodgers suiting up for the Denver Broncos becomes highly unlikely, as he would want to stay a starter on the team. Nix is expected to regain his position as the starter, and it would be difficult to envision where Rodgers would fit in unless he is willing to be a backup quarterback.

It cannot be denied that the signing of Rodgers would be a significant move with the potential to affect the rest of the NFL teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s probably how Florio got the best bait to trick everyone.

“There’s talk of the Broncos possibly bringing Rodgers in for a visit,” Florio wrote. “The motivation comes from the possibility that current starter Bo Nix won’t be fully and completely back to 100 percent when Week 1 rolls around.”

There were already concerns about the willingness of the team’s head coach, Sean Payton, to move away from Nix in favor of the short-term solution. The reports from Kosmider on Wednesday morning only add fuel to the fire, bringing Kirk Cousins into the conversation.

The quarterback is currently a free agent and would be considered the ideal candidate if the team wants to go with an older quarterback. The reason for this is the experience the head coach already has in this situation. The quarterback the team has worked with in the past was in his mid-30s when the team began the 2015 season. The quarterback was Drew Brees, who was entering the age-36 season in 2015. Brees remained with the team until 2020, posting a 55-30 mark in the process.

The young quarterback, Bo Nix, who was drafted by the Denver team in the first round of the 2024 draft, has already quickly made his presence felt.

He holds the NFL record for most wins (25) by a quarterback in their first two seasons, which made his injury even more significant. Nix suffered a broken ankle on January 17 in the Broncos’ divisional round playoff win over the Buffalo Bills, bringing his season to an abrupt end. He was officially placed on injured reserve on January 24, 2026.

Aaron Rodgers is not coming to Denver for a visit.

When the Broncos take the field to start OTAs, they will be quarterbacked by Bo Nix.

Carry on.

— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) April 1, 2026

Before the injury, Nix had a strong campaign, throwing for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns. However, his 11 interceptions were a bit concerning, and his 58.3 QBR placed him in the middle of the pack.

This week, Broncos general manager George Paton has shared some good news on the recovery of their quarterback, Bo Nix.

“He’s ahead of schedule,” Paton said. “He’s running, he’s jumping. Really proud of how he’s attacked rehab. He’s done a great job. He’ll be ready for OTAs.”

Since OTAs are scheduled for early May 2026, Denver is clearly optimistic about Nix’s health and is reportedly sending a message that they are not pursuing Rodgers. However, there’s an update regarding Rodgers’ long-awaited decision, too.

Steelers await Aaron Rodgers’ call ahead of NFL Draft

Pittsburgh is set to host the NFL Draft from April 23 to 25, and with the No. 21 overall pick, the Steelers are heading into a familiar situation, uncertainty at quarterback for the second straight offseason. Once again, all eyes are on Aaron Rodgers.

The veteran quarterback still has to make a decision on his future, and his plans may influence the Steelers’ draft strategy. Team owner Art Rooney provided a small but meaningful piece of information on the quarterback situation while speaking at NFL meetings.

“I have not talked to [Rodgers],” Rooney said. “Coach has been in contact with him pretty regularly. I think a decision is probably coming soon.”

Currently, the Steelers have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on their roster, but the decision by Rodgers weighs heavily. If he decides on or before the draft, then the Steelers can breathe a sigh of relief regarding their quarterback situation. If not, they may have to move forward as if he won’t be part of their plans.

Rodgers signed a one-year contract worth $13.65 million last season and contributed to the Steelers making it to the playoffs. At the end of the season, he accumulated 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His QBR was 44.4.

Still, at 42, retirement remains a real possibility. Although there have been positive developments, with the general manager, Omar Khan, stating that the door is open and McCarthy mentioning that the two have productive discussions weekly on The Pat McAfee Show, nothing is set in stone just yet.

The latest statements by Rooney have made one thing clear: the decision by Rodgers will have a significant impact on how the Steelers build their roster.

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Congratulations Pour In From Deshaun Watson, Jaylen Waddle & Others as Former Browns Star Announces Retirement

Avik Das — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:40:17 GMT

After the Cleveland Browns parted ways with Anthony Walker Jr. after the 2023 season, the linebacker spent a year with the Miami Dolphins and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But after nine NFL seasons, he has decided to call it a day. Following the announcement, tributes poured in from around the football world, with players like Deshaun Watson and Jaylen Waddle sharing heartfelt messages in recognition of his impact on and off the field.

“NEXT CHAPTER. Dear God, Thank You,” wrote Anthony Walker Jr., posting a series of pictures of himself from different stages of his football career.

The linebacker was a 5th-round pick from the 2017 NFL Draft when he was picked by the Indianapolis Colts. The Northwestern Wildcats graduate spent his first four seasons of his NFL career with the two-time Super Bowl champions, where he became a regular starter from the second season.

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A post shared by Anthony Walker Jr. (@awalk)

The top-performing campaign of his NFL career came when he was at the Colts in 2019 after registering 124 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks. Playing 57 games for the franchise, he started 48 before ultimately leaving for the Cleveland Browns.

Signing a one-year deal initially, he became a defensive captain of the Browns, leading the team on the gridiron with 113 total tackles from only 13 games. Had he played the entire season, it could easily have been the best season of his career statistically. Despite a promising start, his following two seasons at the organization were hampered by a torn quad injury and then inconsistency. It goes without saying that his tenure with the Browns was where he left the biggest mark of his career.

When the Miami Dolphins signed him in 2024, he played 14 games and started 8 in his lone season before his career started to falter. After getting picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was waived before the start of the season, while the Colts and the Bucs later picked him for their practice squads.

At the start of the off-season in 2026, Walker was a free agent before finally calling it a day. Considering he is only 30 years old—an age when a number of NFL players still remain at the peak—the retirement decision is quite surprising. That said, his teammates and colleagues have showered him with congratulatory messages.

Deshaun Watson, Jaylen Waddle, and others congratulate Anthony Walker Jr

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson joined the franchise in 2022 and shared the locker room with Walker for two seasons. The latter showed generosity by giving up his jersey number 4 for him. The former teammates are good friends off the field, and the QB left a message for him.

“More GLORY MY BRUDDA!!” wrote Watson.

Just like that, the linebacker was a colleague of Jaylen Waddle when they both played for the Miami Dolphins, and the wide receiver also congratulated him for his brilliant career.

“Real steppa!!” noted Waddle.

The 30-year-old’s former teams, the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins, also wished him warm congratulatory messages.

“Congratulations!” wrote both teams.

The Colts’ star, Alec Pierce, did not play with Walker, but he reached out with a thoughtful message.

“Congrats and good luck with the future!” noted Pierce.

As Anthony Walker referred to the next chapter in his social media post, it certainly leaves one curious about what are his retirement plans.

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ATP Pro’s Wild Celebration Nearly Sparks Head Injury Scare for Opponent

Supriyo Sarkar — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:40:32 GMT

Last year in the Monte Carlo Masters, Ugo Humbert battled through a first-round defeat to Alexei Popyrin, losing 6-4 in the decider while his right hand was heavily strapped. The left-hander later revealed he had competed with a broken fifth metacarpal, sustained in a fall from his hotel bedside table. Even now, danger seems to stalk him, as Maxence Bertimon’s wild UTS celebration nearly turned another match into misfortune before this year’s clay courts Masters.

Maxence Bertimon, ranked No. 736 in the world, stunned at the UTS Normal Cup by Celio by defeating fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert, who was ranked No. 34 in the ATP standings. The result was a major upset, but not as much as the celebration. He performed a backward somersault and accidentally threw his racket, which risked hitting Humbert.

Fortunately, Humbert was not injured. Bertimon immediately realized the danger and apologized for the incident without hesitation. The UTS (Ultimate Tennis Showdown) is now being staged at the historic Arènes de Nîmes. This comes just days before the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000, scheduled from April 4 to 12. The event is an experimental format, similar to the Million Dollar One Point Slam.

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The tournament featured a unique mix of amateurs and professionals. Matches were extremely fast, where two consecutive points were enough to win a game. But incidents like Bertimon’s are not isolated in tennis.

Last year in the Davis Cup qualifiers, Chile faced Belgium in a controversial tie. Cristian Garin refused to continue after being knocked over by Zizou Bergs during a changeover in Hasselt. Bergs, while celebrating, leaped and struck Garin in the face with his right shoulder. He apologized immediately, and Garin received medical attention before being cleared to play. However, Garin chose not to continue.

Bergs received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, while Chile demanded his disqualification. Instead, Garin was penalized three times for time violations. This resulted in a game penalty, handing Bergs the victory and sealing Belgium’s win.

While Bertimon’s somersault incident in Nîmes did not cause harm, it reflects a recurring pattern. Celebration-driven accidents, though unintended, have repeatedly triggered controversy in tennis.

Diego Dedura-Palomero’s wild BMW Open celebration sparks widespread criticism

Last year, German teenager Diego Dedura-Palomero grabbed headlines even before building a fanbase. Despite his breakthrough, his actions divided opinion. The 17-year-old failed to qualify for the BMW Open main draw. He lost to Alexander Bublik in the qualifying rounds.

However, fate intervened in his favor. Dedura-Palomero entered the main draw as a lucky loser after Gael Monfils withdrew. He was handed a daunting challenge. His opponent was the sixth seed, Denis Shapovalov.

By stepping onto the court, Dedura-Palomero made history. He became the first male player born in 2008 to compete in an ATP Tour match. Just over an hour later, the story took a dramatic turn. Ranked No. 549 in the world, he stunned Shapovalov 7-6, 3-0, before the Canadian retired injured.

It was a breakthrough moment with global attention. Naturally, the teenager celebrated with raw emotion. He roared loudly and threw his headband onto the clay. Then he marked a cross on the court and lay flat on his back with arms and legs stretched out.

While some fans appreciated his emotion, others strongly criticized him. The backlash focused on the fact that his win came after Shapovalov’s injury. Another similar moment grabbed attention at the Australian Open. Austrian player Sebastian Ofner experienced a painful case of premature celebration.

He thought he had won his second-round qualifying match against Nishesh Basavareddy. But the situation quickly turned against him. After building a 7-1 lead in the third-set tie-break, Ofner raised his arms and walked to the net. He expected to shake hands and end the match.

However, he had misunderstood the format. It was not a seven-point tie-break but a 10-point version used in the final sets. “Not done yet, mate,” said the umpire, “10-point tie-break.”

The realization shifted momentum instantly. Basavareddy seized the opportunity and mounted a stunning comeback. He fired winners with confidence. Meanwhile, Ofner faltered with errors and double faults.

In the end, Basavareddy completed an incredible turnaround. He won the tie-break 13-11 in heartbreaking fashion for Ofner. The moment became widely discussed for its dramatic swing. What looked like victory turned into a crushing defeat.

And as Bertimon’s celebration now draws attention, these moments highlight a pattern. Tennis continues to witness emotional, sometimes chaotic celebrations that captivate fans.

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Tari Eason’s Mother Responds to Allegations Against Rockets Star After Ex-Girlfriend’s Miscarriage

Pranav Kotai — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:47:16 GMT

Tari Eason’s offseason took an unexpected turn this week as a private relationship spilled into public view, drawing widespread online attention while an unrelated legal dispute also became public. As social media rushed to connect the developments involving the Houston Rockets forward and Marilyn Melo, Eason’s mother stepped in to challenge the narrative.

“You guys have to be so much smarter than this,” Teroya wrote on X. “I was hoping that this BULL—- never made it over to Twitter even after today she decided to post a bunch of their text messages. You know the cool part about me. I’m not stressing. That’s the thing about knowing the truth. @wagsunfilter3d got my message at 9 PM and turned the whole page private afterwards y’all wanna hear it here go. Go tag Marilyn. I don’t have to. I’ll see her in court.”

Teroya’s response came as Eason sought a domestic violence restraining order against Marilyn Maritza Melo Rodriguez. Court documents obtained by TMZ allege Rodriguez physically assaulted him, destroyed thousands of dollars’ worth of his personal property and later threatened his safety through an associate.

The petition became public less than 24 hours after online users linked Eason’s Instagram Stories to Melo’s announcement about her reported pregnancy loss, though that connection has not been independently verified by major news outlets. The petition remains pending, and no court has ruled on the allegations.

“You guys do not care whether he was making fun of her,” Teroya bluntly stated. “None of you guys care about any of this actually you just want to talk about something even if it’s people even it’s their personal lives and she knows that and she used you. And some of y’all like being used. Couldn’t be me.”

Teroya also rejected claims that her son had mocked Melo’s reported pregnancy loss. Although Eason’s Instagram Stories appeared shortly after Melo shared her statement, the posts made no mention of her, the reported pregnancy loss or their relationship, and no major news organization has independently verified that they were directed at Melo. Eason has not publicly commented on the speculation.

“Promise you he didn’t troll it. He’s been asking her for a blood test we couldn’t get that then now we’re wondering what happened to the baby cause you can’t have a miscarriage for seven months so she’s on the Internet saying that he’s making fun of her for having a miscarriage. Where is my grandchild? I’ve seen stillborn you get to keep a lock of hair or footprint or something. Where is the baby? She’s not gonna turn this narrative. Not with my crazy a– expecting a grandchild. I want answers!”

While Teroya continued defending her son on social media, attention soon shifted to the restraining order petition Eason filed against Rodriguez.

Restraining order filing adds another layer to the dispute

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Eason filed a petition on Thursday seeking a domestic violence restraining order against 32-year-old Marilyn Maritza Melo Rodriguez, whom he described as someone he “used to date.” At the time of publication, the petition remains pending judicial review, and no temporary or permanent restraining order has been granted.

In the filing, Eason alleged Rodriguez “repeatedly str*ck me in the face with a closed fist” following an argument after he drove her home at her mother’s request. He further claimed she later entered his Airbnb and “took all my clothes and poured liquid bleach on them,” causing approximately $92,000 in damage. Eason also alleged that someone associated with Rodriguez later threatened to “break both of my legs” and “k*ll me.” All three allegations originate from Eason’s petition and have not been tested in court.

TMZ also reported that a source close to Rodriguez disputed Eason’s account, calling the allegations false and defamatory while claiming the restraining order petition was filed to distract from her own grievances regarding the relationship. Rodriguez herself has not publicly addressed the petition beyond that reported response.

According to the petition, the argument began after Eason drove Rodriguez home at the request of her mother. Beyond seeking protection for himself, Eason asked the court to order Rodriguez to stay away from his residence, vehicle, workplace and any California arena where the Rockets play road games. The filing represents the first public confirmation that the two had previously been in a relationship, which neither had acknowledged publicly before the court documents surfaced.

For now, the dispute remains unresolved. The petition is still pending before the court, no criminal charges have been filed against either party and neither Eason nor the Houston Rockets has issued a formal public statement regarding the matter.

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The $2.46 Billion Campus: What If College Football Teams Could Be Sold?

Papiya Chatterjee — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:10:00 GMT

The Seattle Seahawks made a lot of buzz after being sold for $9.612 billion to Vinod Khosla. Now, College Football teams are also seeing that surge in team valuation as private equity firms are looking at college sports as a huge business opportunity through media rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, and hospitality. Now, one question pops up: what if even college football teams could also be bought and sold like NFL franchises? How much will the teams be worth?

College sports are changing very quickly. For many years, colleges followed the amateur model, where sports were mainly part of education and student life. Now, things are different. Rising costs, NIL deals, athlete revenue sharing, and sponsorship contracts are turning it into a big business. Because of this, private equity firms are starting to see college sports as a major investment opportunity.

That adds up to teams’ valuation, and if they are ever up for sale, Texas will rule at the top.

Texas Longhorns

Last year, The Athletic ranked every Power Four football program based on how much each team could be worth if it were sold. Texas finished No. 1 with an estimated value of $2.38 billion. The program also had the highest three-year average football revenue in the country at $183 million. Texas was the only school to make more than $200 million in its most recent financial report, and no other program came within $25 million of that mark. Its move to the SEC, huge fan base, strong brand, and recent success on the field helped keep it ahead of everyone else.

Now, Texas has held on to the No. 1 spot. Its estimated value has grown from $2.38 billion to $2.46 billion, an increase of 3.4%. Its three-year average football revenue has also increased to about $190 million, which is still the highest in the country.

Texas makes a lot of money because fans spend a lot to support the program. In the 2024 financial year, Texas earned $52.8 million from football ticket sales, the highest in the SEC. It also ranked No. 1 in ticket sales across all sports.

Image Courtesy: IMAGO

The school also gets huge support from donors. During the 2023–24 school year, the Longhorn Foundation raised nearly $200 million in donations and pledges, the highest amount in Texas Athletics history.

Success on the field has also helped. Under Steve Sarkisian, the team reached the College Football Playoff in the 2024 season.

Ohio State

Ohio State saw a massive surge in revenue from last year’s $1.9 billion to $2.3 billion, which is an increase of $400 million.

Their 2024 season championship was the main reason behind it. It increased ticket sales from $58.8 million in FY2024 to $81.7 million in FY2025.

Fans and supporters also gave more money than ever before. Ohio State received a record $68.3 million in donations from fans, foundations, and other supporters, up from $52.5 million the previous year. The school also earned more from television and radio deals, with media rights revenue increasing from $52.8 million to $64.9 million.

Because of that success, Ohio State moved up one spot to become the No. 2 most valuable college football program in The Athletic’s rankings. Along with these two teams, Notre Dame also saw a massive surge.

Notre Dame’s independent advantage

Notre Dame’s value increased from $1.85 billion to $2.1 billion, a jump of $250 million. One of the biggest reasons behind that increase is that Notre Dame has its own TV deal. Unlike other conferences, they don’t have to share any TV money and keep it all, as per their contract with NBC.

In 2023, Notre Dame and NBC extended their partnership through the 2029 season. That freedom is clearly showing in their revenue, as Notre Dame generated $143 million in three-year average football revenue in 2025. But there are some SEC teams who didn’t see that kind of jump in numbers.

The SEC’s slowest movers

Georgia and Alabama are two SEC giants in the league, which added to their rise. Georgia’s estimated value went from $1.92 billion to $1.95 billion, which is a $30 million increase, while Alabama’s increased from $1.74 billion to $1.80 billion, which is a $60 million increase.

However, their growth was much smaller than schools like Ohio State and Notre Dame. One of the biggest reasons behind this decline is the championship drought. Georgia has not won a single championship title since 2022. They have entered the playoffs but couldn’t make it to the end. The same is the case for Alabama. The team went through a major coaching change as Nick Saban retired and Kalen DeBoer took over as head coach.

Under him first they couldn’t reach the playoffs in 2024, and in 2025 they lost their quarterfinals against Indiana. So, fans might be losing interest because of that dip.

Now, it’s not like teams aren’t earning well. Alabama made $147.7 million from football during the 2025 fiscal year, and $53.6 million of that came from donations. The same goes for Georgia; since NIL started in 2021, its Athletic Department has received about $303.7 million in donations over four years from fans.

In the 2024-25 fiscal year, football alone made $42.1 million from ticket sales. Together, football accounted for 88.2% of all the money Georgia earned from tickets and contributions.

But they are still behind teams like Penn State, Tennessee, and others.

Here’s the list of the top 10 college football teams in terms of their valuation.

Conference affiliation is becoming part of the valuation

College football teams’ valuation doesn’t just depend on fans or wins but also on conference affiliation. The Big Ten and SEC make much more money from television than other conferences. The Big Ten has a media deal worth more than $7 billion over seven years with Fox, NBC, and CBS. The SEC has a 10-year, $3 billion deal with ESPN. The ACC has a $4.8 billion television deal that runs through 2036, while the Big 12 has a six-year, $2.28 billion media agreement.

Because of these big TV deals, SEC and Big Ten teams appear on major networks like ESPN, ABC, Fox, CBS, and NBC much more often.

On top of it, ESPN’s College Football Playoff media rights deal, which is worth about $1.3 billion per year through 2032, also adds to it.

The extra exposure also helps schools recruit better players and attract more investors. For example, Nike co-founder Phil Knight supported Oregon, while Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy gave Michigan $10.5 million to get Bryce Underwood.

So, hypothetically, if an investor shows interest in any of the college football teams, they will have open access to all of this.

And the numbers don’t lie.

Texas is now valued at about $2.46 billion, which is almost the same price that Steve Cohen paid to buy the New York Mets for [$2.42 billion] in 2020. The gap becomes even bigger when compared with Major League Soccer (MLS). Sportico’s valuations show that the average MLS club is worth about $730 million to $1 billion, and only a few teams are valued above $2 billion.

The difference is even larger with the WNBA. Sportico valued the average WNBA franchise at about $269 million in 2025, and only a few teams were worth $500 million or more. So, it clearly shows how valuable CFB teams actually are.

That means college football teams like Texas, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia, and Alabama are valued way higher.

Plus, they are already moving to private equity. For example, the Big 12 signed a private investment partnership with RedBird Capital Partners and Weatherford Capital. The conference received $12.5 million in new funding, and schools can also access optional $30 million credit lines if they need extra money.

The Big 12 commissioner, Brett Yormark, made the deal because the conference wanted to earn more money to keep up with the SEC and Big Ten conferences. Then there’s Utah who made history in June 2026 by signing a major private-equity deal with New York-based Otro Capital. The agreement could bring up to $500 million into Utah’s athletic department.

As part of the deal, Utah created a new business called Crimson Brand Partners to handle the commercial side of its athletic program. The plus point is that even though Otro Capital is investing a lot of money, Utah still stays in control. The university, through its Growth Capital Partners Foundation, owns the majority of the company.

The Growth Story: Who Is Winning the Valuation Race?

Investors see some major factors before putting in their money. Like team growth, valuation, and what percentage they will own. For now, there’s no rule that investors can buy any college football team. But their valuation clearly shows their actual worth.

Let’s take Ohio State’s example: it saw a massive surge of $400 million from last year, with the biggest percentage increase of 21%. Then there’s Notre Dame with a 13.5% increase, Penn State with a 16.7% increase, Tennessee with a 14.6% and USC with a 14.3% increase. Now, there are major teams lining up to be the fastest-growing ones.

But Ohio State stands out the most because of its major rise. Now, if college football programs keep growing in this manner, will investors try to play a bigger role in how they run in the future?

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Director Teases Michael Jordan Documentary Amid LeBron James’ ESPN Announcement

Adrija Mahato — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:37:20 GMT

For years, Michael Jordan guarded his story like no one else. The Chicago Bulls icon rarely faced cameras after retiring, making every interview almost impossible to secure. Even acclaimed filmmakers, including Spike Lee, failed to earn a meeting with the six-time NBA champion. In 2020, Last Dance felt like a personal achievement for ESPN Films and Netflix. Now, 6 years later, director Kirk Fraser has found a way to peep into MJ’s life.

Fraser shared a two-slide post on Instagram. In the first image, the 50-year-old with a clapperboard in hand is standing beside Jordan. In the second image, MJ is sitting on a chair with an iPad in his hands, cameras in position, capturing the moment.

“MJ rarely grants interviews, making his decision to be part of this documentary a testament to the significance of the story we’re telling. What was scheduled for 30 minutes turned into two hours,” Kirk Fraser captioned. “Before we started, I showed him some clips of what others had said. His reaction said it all—and set the stage for one of the best interviews I’ve ever done.”

He continued, “Some stories are simply too important not to tell. Honored to have his voice and legacy as part of this documentary. The 🐐 MJ. #thegoat @jumpman23 @nike.”

Michael Jordan could soon return to the spotlight, whether through another documentary or by adding his voice to a new story. Either way, the answer should arrive soon. That possibility also highlights why Kirk Fraser’s success in reaching Jordan carries real weight. Ramona Shelbourne’s 2020 report offers the missing context.

Back in 1997, Adam Silver, then leading NBA Entertainment, wanted to capture Jordan and the Chicago Bulls through their final championship run. Phil Jackson called that season the Last Dance because the dynasty was nearing its end, and access depended on support from both the coach and the players.

Even with that rare access, the project remained untouched for nearly 20 years. More than 500 hours of footage stayed inside a vault in Secaucus. Wright Thompson, despite remaining close to Jordan after retirement, never raised the topic. Curtis Polk also admitted repeated efforts never reached a meeting.

However, everything changed in 2016. After several discussions, Mike Tollin pitched a multipart series centered on Jordan’s legacy. A 2014 Allen Iverson documentary also struck an emotional chord, while Adam Silver guaranteed final editorial control, finally opening the door.

Since then, it looks like Michael Jordan has softened. Simply put, he is agreeing to documentaries. What’s more interesting is that this major announcement comes a day after LeBron James and ESPN reportedly headed towards making a Last Dance-like documentary.

LeBron James Set for Last Dance-Style ESPN Project

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported on Thursday: “LeBron James and ESPN are closing in on an agreement for a behind-the-scenes documentary series similar to Michael Jordan’s “The Last Dance,” according to industry sources granted anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the deal, which is not finalized.”

People familiar with the discussions believe LeBron James and ESPN are extremely close to reaching an agreement. One source even placed the talks at the 1-yard line. If completed, cameras will follow the 41-year-old through his Philadelphia 76ers journey, which many expect to be the final chapter of his playing career.

The project could also feature rare footage collected since his rookie season, including clips that have never reached the public. However, several details remain unresolved. Financial terms have not surfaced. And no release timeline exists yet. ESPN and James’ representatives declined to comment, while Maverick Carter said no Last Dance-style project is currently in the works.

Looks like we might have two documentaries from two of the greatest NBA stars of all time. Now which one releases first will be interesting to know.

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Kyle Whittingham Reveals Ex-OSU HC Can Enter Michigan Program “Every Week," But There’s One Exception

Isha — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:26:37 GMT

The best rivalry in college football could be entering its mature era with first year Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham speaking kindly about Ryan Day and the need to not have hatred during the run up towards it. There is one old Buckeye legend who would have disagreed with that approach back in his head coaching days.

The relationship between Urban Meyer and Kyle Whittingham goes back to their days at Utah. The former Ohio State head coach even expressed happiness when his friend was hired at Ann Arbor, despite Michigan being his arch-enemy. Whittingham was asked if his friend could visit him at the Wolverines. The Michigan head coach agreed, but there’s one exception.

“If Urban wants to come to practice, he can come every week but one,” Kyle Whittingham jokingly said at Big Ten Media Days, via On3’s Nick Schultz on July 31. “There’s one week he can’t come.”

And it’s not hard to guess which week Whittingham is talking about. That’s during the rivalry game week when Michigan takes on Ohio State. As a former Ohio State head coach, Meyer wouldn’t want to hang around Ann Arbor when his favorite team is set to go up against the team up north.

The interaction illustrates the strong bond between Meyer and Whittingham. The two started working at Utah, where the latter even served as Meyer’s defensive coordinator. When Meyer left for Florida, Whittingham became the head coach, a job he held for 21 years.

When pressed by Nick Schultz regarding the built-in hatred between the programs, Whittingham emphasized that while the matchup demands absolute competitive intensity on the field, there is no constructive place for genuine, toxic hatred in modern college football. Even Meyer understands this in his post-coaching role.

When Michigan hired Whittingham in December 2025, Meyer discussed why it was a good fit. “He’s 66 years old, but he’s a 50-year-old body and mind,” Meyer said on The Script podcast. “And then, after we talked for about 20 minutes, my comment was, ‘That’s a perfect fit. I get it. Of all the people in the United States of America that they should call, it’s you.’

“I know what he stands for; I know he’s about doing the right thing. It’s about toughness, it’s about line of scrimmage, and it’s about academics. He’s about the right stuff. And they got a great one.

All the Michigan fans are expecting Meyer’s words to come true after the whole Sherrone Moore scandal. They want some stability for their program and for the Wolverines to not be known for controversy, but rather for national championships.

As for “The Game,” Ryan Day finally ended his losing streak against Michigan during the 2025 season. The Buckeyes came to Ann Arbor and demolished the Wolverines 27-9. This year, Michigan is traveling to Columbus, and Whittingham would like to have a winning start in the rivalry.

As we have often seen, a win in the rivalry game can even brush off other losses during a season. The same happened to Sherrone Moore in 2024. However, he couldn’t take that momentum into the next season. Heading into 2026, Ohio State is in contention for the national championship. On the other hand, Cleveland.com predicts Michigan will finish as the fifth-best team in the Big Ten.

It’s a good thing for such a fierce rivalry to be led by level-headed coaches on both sides. We all remember the chaotic scene that unfolded on November 30, 2024, after Michigan pulled off a stunning 13-10 upset over Ohio State.

Following the final whistle, several Michigan players carried a large Wolverines banner to the middle of Ohio Stadium and tried to plant the flag directly onto the Ohio State “Block O” logo at midfield. Infuriated by that action, the entire Ohio State team rushed the field to defend their logo.

Dozens of players threw punches, staff members collided, and Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer ripped the flag off its pole. The violence escalated so severely that law enforcement officers had to deploy pepper spray and mace into the crowd to break up the melee, leaving players and reporters coughing and blinded on the field.

After such violence on the gridiron, it would be a nice change to get through these rivalry games with some respect for the other side and mature reactions from both the winner and the loser.

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ESPN’s Paul Finebaum Calls Nick Saban’s SEC Defense “Ridiculous” After Curt Cignetti’s Statement: “Just Shut Up”

Kamran Ahmad — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:12:54 GMT

Curt Cignetti’s appearance at the Big Ten Media Days featured the same bravado that we have gotten used to seeing from the Indiana head coach. He praised the ‘Midwest’ teams and said that everything is earned, not given. While doing that, he also took a jab at the SEC, saying that they “whine and complain.” Even long-time SEC supporter and ESPN veteran Paul Finebaum couldn’t disagree with what Cignetti said.

“He’s 100% correct,” Finebaum said on ESPN’s First Take. “It was virtuoso. It was brilliant. And the SEC has lost this verbal battle just like they lost the battle on the football field. I don’t need to regurgitate the stats. You laid them out. He laid them out. But he did it so effectively, so succinctly, and with such force. Because he has the goods. He has the receipts to back it up.”

Finebaum has long been the most staunch SEC supporter in the country. He even wrote the book on SEC supremacy in 2012, which became a New York Times bestseller. And if that’s not enough, he is a Tennessee alum and built his career reporting as an Alabama beat reporter. For a man with such deep ties with the conference, his blunt take will be hard to digest for SEC fans.

“I have waved this flag for the SEC for a long time. You have to put that flag down at some point,” Finebaum said. “Just let the field do the talking. Whether it’s Nick Saban last week saying the SEC is still the best, just makes the SEC look ridiculous. And it shouldn’t look ridiculous. It’s a great football conference, but it hasn’t won the title. So, for my friends in the SEC, just shut up already. Get to September, play football, and let’s see if you can change the narrative.”

Ever since Indiana won the national title, the Big Ten has intensified its claim to be the ‘best conference’ in the nation. It’s difficult to argue against it, considering the conference has won three straight national championships. Despite that, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey appeared at the SEC Media Days and pushed back against the narrative. He highlighted the SEC’s 13 national titles over the last two decades and argued that the SEC’s 9-game conference schedule is unmatched in the nation. But Sankey wasn’t alone in pushing back against the narrative.

Nick Saban appeared on the Pat McAfee show and weighed in on the debate. He still called the SEC the best conference and described its consistent playoff record as evidence. Now Cignetti has fanned that fire again with his “we don’t cry a river” tirade, seemingly targeting the SEC.

In truth, the SEC has lagged behind the Big Ten for at least the last five years. Apart from those 3 national titles, the NFL pipeline has also dipped. In 2026, for instance, the Big Ten sent 10 players in the first round, while the SEC sent 7. Even this year, Big Ten programs like IU, Oregon, and Ohio State are the consensus favorites to win it all.

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“Not Allowed”: Portland Fire Announces Official Decision Around the ‘Sophie Cunningham Rally’ Before Game vs Indiana Fever

Ojus Verma — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 01:05:38 GMT

This season, almost every Indiana Fever game has come with a storyline that stretches beyond basketball. So as they prepare to face the Portland Fire, the attention isn’t solely on the matchup once again. After everything that unfolded during Indiana’s last game against the Seattle Storm following Sophie Cunningham’s comments on transgender athletes in women’s sports, the Fever guard’s supporters have planned another rally ahead of Friday’s game. But the Fire appear determined to prevent a repeat of the scenes in Seattle as they announce new event guidelines before tipoff.

“The Portland Fire are aware of the ‘Sophie Cunningham rally’ and seem to be ‘taking extra measures to make sure fans feel supported and safe’ at tomorrow’s game,” reporter Eddie Perez wrote on X before sharing another update.

“The Portland Fire have officially announced in a recent email, ‘content must be directly related to the event. Flags are not allowed.’ Seems like the Fire aren’t okay with having fans wave trans flags or display signs in support of the trans community at tonight’s game,” Perez added.

This decision by the Fire front office comes after the controversy that unfolded in Seattle, where two young Fever fans were confronted by Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton. According to reports, Keaton used profane language during the exchange, prompting the league to step in and suspend her for the team’s next five home games along with an undisclosed fine. So it is not hard to see why Portland is placing such an emphasis on fan safety ahead of their matchup.

Perez also shared that the Fire have informed fans that anyone who feels unsafe during the game should immediately approach a staff member wearing a red shirt. And if they believe their concerns are not being taken seriously, fans have been instructed to visit Membership HQ for additional assistance.

But despite the scrutiny around her remarks, Sophie Cunningham has made it clear that she has no intention of softening her position.

“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” she said, doubling down on her take during an interview with the media ahead of a game against the Sun. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said.”

The debate surrounding what Sophie Cunningham said isn’t going to slow down anytime soon, and neither is the attention she’s receiving, with her Instagram following jumping significantly in recent days. So as another “let’s keep the momentum going” rally outside the Moda Center takes shape, the message from the Fire franchise is clear – support who you want, but don’t let it become another Seattle.

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Stephanie White and Portland Fire Coach Address Views On Trans Athletes Amid Support Rally For Sophie Cunningham

Olutayo Inioluwa Emmanuel — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:51:12 GMT

Conversations around transgender athletes in women’s sports have been running through the WNBA ever since Sophie Cunningham’s profile published by ESPN sparked the debate on July 21. It has now been more than a week since then, and the backlash, reactions, and actions that have followed have kept the topic firmly alive and as polarising as ever.

During the Indiana Fever’s media availability ahead of their game against the Portland Fire, head coach Stephanie White was also pressed on the issue. The Fever head coach, however, declined to take a definitive position.

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t know that I would say that I’m educated enough from a scientific standpoint,” White said, responding to the question. “I don’t ever believe that exclusion is an answer.”

In the video shared by Fox News journalist Jackson Thompson on X, the reporter even pressed White again by rephrasing the question. However, the Fever head coach maintained a similar response, saying she was not educated enough to provide a definitive answer. She nevertheless reiterated that she does not believe exclusion is the answer.

White did acknowledge the frustration surrounding the conversation, explaining that she would much rather have discussions centered solely on basketball and her team. At the same time, she noted that she is well aware that conversations like these are part of the league’s growth. And that they are something that must be managed alongside everything happening on the court.

Portland Fire head coach Alex Sarama also had a similar experience during his own media availability ahead of the same game. Sarama’s response, however, went no further than expressing his general support for inclusivity.

“Yeah, I mean, my focus as a basketball coach, to be completely honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had to think about that,” he said. “And I’m completely supportive of people from all communities or walks of life. So that’s my stance completely; I’m supportive of everyone at the ball and the community.”

This exchange is particularly noteworthy given Sophie Cunningham’s stance and the WNBA-wide conversation it has sparked.

Ahead of the Fever-Fire game, a support rally for Cunningham was organized. Specifically, women’s sports advocacy groups arranged a demonstration to stand in solidarity with the Fever guard directly outside the Moda Center in Portland, preceding the matchup.

This is not the first time such a rally has taken place in the past week. A similar demonstration also occurred ahead of the Fever’s game against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, part of an emerging pattern of organized public support for Cunningham’s position that has been accompanying Indiana on the road.

Neither Sophie Cunningham nor the Indiana Fever have, however, proclaimed any affiliation with any of these demonstrations. Following the Seattle Storm game, the Indiana Fever even issued an official statement to make that position unambiguous.

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Sophie Cunningham’s Gesture Towards the Portland Crowd Caught on Camera Following Their Treatment During The Game

Olutayo Inioluwa Emmanuel — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 06:03:22 GMT

Sophie Cunningham entered the Indiana Fever’s game against the Portland Fire on Friday night with a fair share of controversy on her back. Her stance on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports did not earn the support of a section of fans. Many who disagreed had already made thier voice heard during Indiana’s last game against the Seattle Storm, and things only got worse at Portland, leading Cunningham to respond during the game.

“Sophie Cunningham getting HEAVILY BOOED in Portland…” wrote Brick Center, who uploaded the clip of Cunningham hitting back at the crowd that had been booing her by knocking down a three-pointer with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter.

“Sophie Cunningham knocks in the three and let the crowd know about it,” said the broadcast as the cameras panned to Cunningham holding up her signature three-pointer gesture at the booing crowd.

Sophie Cunningham’s opposition to transgender athletes participating in women’s sports has now more or less turned recent Indiana Fever road games into a flashpoint for fans on both sides of the argument.

During the Fever’s game against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, rallies were held by supporters and opponents outside Climate Pledge Arena. There were fans inside the arena who brought signs to publicly show their support, as well as fans who held up signs showing their disagreement.

Ahead of Friday’s game against the Portland Fire, they also held rallies in Sophie Cunningham‘s support outside Portland’s Moda Center. Counter-protesters gathered as well to demonstrate their opposition to her stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports.

However, neither Sophie Cunningham nor the Indiana Fever have stated any affiliation with these rallies. If anything, the Fever have even released a statement officially distancing themselves from the demonstrations.

However, that hasn’t discouraged fans. With another rally planned for August 1 when the Fever take on league leaders Minnesota Lynx, it won’t be surprising to see something similar from the crowd before and during the games.

In the midst of all this, Sophie Cunningham has managed to remain locked in. She continues to play an important role in what has now become a strong winning run for the Fever. Against the Seattle Storm, she logged 24 minutes. The 29-year-old finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists to help Indiana secure a 105-95 victory. Against Portland, she played 27 minutes, contributing 13 points, three assists, and two steals in the Fever’s 112-98 win.

With the victory, the Indiana Fever are now riding a five-game winning streak. They next face the Minnesota Lynx, once again on the road. Hopefully, that game will not prove to be another hostile environment for Sophie Cunningham. But so far, whether the atmosphere has been hostile or not, it does not seem to be throwing her off her game.

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“Everyone Has a Right”: Minnesota Coach Weighs In on Sophie Cunningham Rally Scheduled Ahead of Sunday’s Fever-Lynx Matchup

Siddharth Rawat — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 02:01:12 GMT

As another rally in support of Sophie Cunningham’s comments is set to take place ahead of the August 2nd matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx, one of the WNBA’s most influential voices has made her position clear. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve addressed the planned rally before team practice.

Reeve made it clear that though she believes people have the right to protest peacefully, she wants the WNBA to prioritize ensuring that fans and players feel safe.

“I don’t think we should feel like our safe space is being threatened,” she told reporters. “I don’t think these demonstrators are not being peaceful, not that I’ve seen. I haven’t seen all of it. I haven’t heard everything that’s happening. But everyone has a right to peacefully assemble, whether you agree with them or not.

“The narrative that I think that is problematic is to suggest that number one, that transgender athletes are the biggest problem in women’s sports. I think this is what’s bothersome is that there’s a faction of people in our country that are making this a massive issue.”

Reeve’s remarks come after the announcement of another rally taking place in support of Cunningham’s comments on transgender athletes in an ESPN profile and in subsequent interviews. Similar rallies have already taken place before the Fever’s games in Seattle and Portland, though Cunningham has made it clear that she has no role in organizing them.

The Minnesota coach has long supported transgender inclusion in sports, having commented on the issue on July 17th, days before Sophie Cunningham. It came after Reeve was asked about the Supreme Court ruling protecting state laws that allow them to define participation in women’s sports.

Now, the coach added that protecting transgender youth is a fundamental human rights issue, but acknowledged that the issue poses nuanced questions which deserve properly thought-out solutions instead of blanket execution, especially in the case of pro sports and elite competition like the Olympics.

“It is not the case that we have, ‘biological men’ in girls’ lockers,” she added. “The way it’s being phrased, the innuendo there that somehow transgender women are predators of some kind in the locker room. There’s a lot of narrative that is problematic that we need to address. That is simply not what’s happening. I’ve encouraged the WNBA leadership years ago. ‘What’s our stance? Are we gonna be ready?’ It would make sense for our league to be leaders in this.”

Reeve also explained that the nuance extends when it comes to the science behind transitioning and hormone therapy, and that she has chosen to educate herself by talking to families with transgender kids, and that “exclusion is not the answer.”

She concluded with a poignant statement, highlighting that there are more pressing issues that she thinks need the focus from women concerned about their rights.

“We’re still not in a space where we have equality,” she said. “We don’t even have the Equal Rights Amendment in all 50 states, right?”

With another rally expected before tipoff on Sunday, Reeve has made it clear she believes that debate and inclusion can coexist.

“What I know is that exclusion is not the answer.”

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White Sox Pull Off Insane 4-Player Bold-Deal for $108M Star Ahead of Trade Deadline

Ritabrata Chakrabarti — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 11:45:00 GMT

The Chicago White Sox entered the trade deadline weekend as the AL Central leaders. While they are in the top ten in MLB with a 4.03 ERA this season, it did not stop them from strengthening their rotation. Despite having a deep pitching staff, the front office went for one of the most eye-catching moves involving four players.

“BREAKING: The Chicago White Sox are acquiring right-hander Luis Castillo in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for reliever Seranthony Domínguez, outfielder Nolan Jones and catching prospect Boston Smith, sources tell ESPN,” Jeff Passan tweeted August 1.

Luis Castillo signed a five-year, $108 million contract with the Seattle Mariners in September 2022. The White Sox will take over approximately $30 million of his salary, which includes the remainder of this year and $22.75 million for 2027. Castillo also has a $25M vesting option for 2028 if he pitches 180 innings in 2027. In return, Chicago is sending a major league pitcher and two minor leaguers to the Mariners.

BREAKING: The Chicago White Sox are acquiring right-hander Luis Castillo in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for reliever Seranthony Dominguez, outfielder Nolan Jones and catching prospect Boston Smith, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2026

The White Sox were the only team in the AL Central with an above .500 record as of 11 p.m. EST Saturday night. They have a solid rotation with players like Sean Burke, Erick Fedde and Noah Schultz. Burke has emerged as an ace for Chicago with a 3.04 ERA and 140 SOs. Fedde (4.13 ERA) and Schultz (6.15 ERA) have tried their best to help the White Sox remain atop the division.

But Castillo has a 5.06 ERA with a 3-9 record in 2026. The ten-season veteran has the worst numbers in his career. It’s not his current numbers but the experience as a three-time MLB All-Star that made the White Sox rope him in. He has multiple postseason appearances, and the team wants someone of his caliber to help them in October.

Meanwhile, the Mariners received three players in this trade.

Seranthony Domínguez has a 4.10 ERA with 12 saves in 42 games this season. Although he has one of the worst numbers in his career, his postseason experience from the last four years will surely come in handy for the Mariners.

Nolan Jones has spent four seasons shared between the Cleveland Guardians and Colorado Rockies in MLB. But poor performance saw him stuck in Triple-A this year. The outfielder currently has a .255 batting average and .804 OPS. Meanwhile, Boston Smith is batting at .291 with a 1.039 OPS. The catcher-outfielder was picked by the Washington Nationals in the sixth round of the 2025 Draft. He’s a No. 15 prospect in Chicago.

Trade buzz surrounded Luis Castillo almost since the beginning of this season. Back in April, he was heavily involved in a rumored move to the New York Yankees. But it didn’t ultimately happen, and he remained in Seattle.

Now, he will join the White Sox to play a role in their attempt to end the two-decade-long World Series drought. But Chicago isn’t done adding pieces to the roster. Some reports suggest that they might add more pitching and catching help before the window closes.

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"Had a Couple More Surgeries": Deion Sanders Reveals Details of His Cancer Battle That "Nobody Knows About"

Kamran Ahmad — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 14:57:54 GMT

Last year, Coach Prime was diagnosed with bladder cancer during a routine check for vascular disease. Not many knew about it until his surgery. Ahead of the 2025 season, the Buffs’ head coach candidly revealed the diagnosis in a press conference. Now, in a conversation on the August 1 episode of the Duke the Scoop podcast, Coach Prime talked about major details of his cancer journey.

“I got some wonderful doctors, man. Some wonderful people. And I’ve had maybe a couple of surgeries,” Deion Sanders detailed. “Nobody knows about that. But I’m straight. I’m like, ‘I’ve been back for a minute.’ And every last one of these guys on this roster on this board, that’s what I keep peeking at. I sat down and evaluated everybody that we’re recruiting. I sat down, evaluated them, and made sure my hand is on it. If I’m going to get the blame for it, my hand better be on it.”

At Colorado University’s Cancer Center, Dr. Janet Kukreja diagnosed Sanders with a high-grade and high-risk bladder cancer. At the time, it hadn’t penetrated the bladder wall muscles, but there was a very high chance of the tumor spreading. Because of that, Coach Prime went through a surgery that involved a full robot-assisted laparoscopic cystectomy. Thereafter, the doctors constructed a ‘neobladder’ using tissues from his intestines. But at the time, even players, coaches, and his family were unaware of these details.

“My sons, to this day, don’t know what transpired. I just told them it was something with my foot again,” Deion Sanders said on July 28 last year. Only Coach Prime’s athletic trainer, Lauren Askevold, and Deion Sanders Jr. knew about his diagnosis. That was probably why we saw only Bucky spending time with his father at his Deion Sanders’ Texas ranch during recovery. Coach Prime lost 25 lbs and had to relearn to walk and basic bodily functions.

Throughout 2025, Coach Prime was visibly struggling on the sidelines. In October, for instance, he was limping against TCU and even took off his left shoe because of throbbing pain. Two days later, he had to undergo vascular surgery for recurring blood clots, which was his sixth procedure since 2021.

The cancer battle wasn’t Coach Prime’s first health complication. Before it, he had faced a long history of vascular issues. Because of it, he got his two toes amputated in 2021 after a vein thrombosis diagnosis. Not just that, Coach Prime also had a 9-hour vascular procedure in 2023 due to a similar issue. Earlier this year, Sanders announced that he was “cancer-free.”

Because of Coach Prime’s long recovery journey and a lack of involvement within the program in the offseason, Colorado regressed to a 3-win season. This year, Deion Sanders is feeling completely healthy. Never mind that he has handpicked his roster, too.

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"Never Tried to Change Anyone": Jaxson Dart Reveals Biggest Eye Opener Since John Harbaugh's Arrival

Nilaav Ranjan Gogoi — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 17:58:04 GMT

The best leaders don’t always reinvent the people around them. Instead, they create an environment where they can thrive. That’s the philosophy Jaxson Dart believes John Harbaugh has brought into the New York Giants, and it’s become the most striking takeaway since his arrival after replacing Brian Daboll.

“I would say his leadership [has been an eye opener],” Dart told Mike Garafolo and Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network. “The way that he carries himself just as an individual, a man. It’s something that you can really, really respect day in and day out. And I think the biggest thing is he’s never trying to change anybody from who they are, but he’s, you know, putting out his culture, his plan, and it’s for us to buy into it, and I think that that’s really cool to have.

“When you have all these different guys coming into a brand new system, who have, you know, different experiences and some of us being younger, a lot of the vets. But we’re all binding into the exact same plan because we trust him because of how great a coach he is, the man that he is as well.”

Jaxson Dart was drafted by the New York Giants in 2025 and is heading into his second NFL season as the franchise quarterback. Dart was present at the team facility in January 2026 to sit down with Harbaugh face-to-face during the official interview window. The 63-year-old HC was coming off an 18-season stint with the Baltimore Ravens, and when he met Dart, the chemistry between the two was instant.

John Harbaugh noted after the meeting that talking to Jaxson Dart got him so fired up that he was “ready to run through a brick wall” for him. Harbaugh’s arrival into the franchise also brought a change of perspective for the players.

“I just think that we’re very versatile. I think it starts there,” said Dart to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan in May. “I’m excited for the pieces we brought in; they’re going to help us a ton. We’re just going to be a physical, violent team. That goes for the offensive side of the ball [and] the defensive side of the ball and special teams. That’s the style that he wants us to play… We’re hungry to win, and I couldn’t think of a better coach to play for.”

Since 2012, the New York Giants have made the playoffs only twice (in 2016 and 2022). With the inclusion of Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh, alongside a veteran coaching unit that includes Matt Nagy (Offensive Coordinator), Dennard Wilson (Defensive Coordinator), and Chris Horton (Special Teams Coordinator & Assistant Head Coach), will it change the team’s fortune?

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Cheryl Reeve Details Exchange With Sophie Cunningham as WNBA Broadcasters Voice Their Stance on Lynx HC’s Trans T-Shirt

Olutayo Inioluwa Emmanuel — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:45:00 GMT

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve hold contrasting views on transgender athletes in women’s sports. Yet, that difference of opinion has not prevented the two from engaging with mutual respect, and that’s what reporters saw during a pre-game conversation between the two.

Ahead of their Sunday faceoff, cameras captured the two sharing what appeared to be an amicable conversation. When beat reporter Andrew Dukowitz asked Reeve what the conversation was about after the game, she revealed what they talked about.

“I think it’s great. I think both of us understand that we have platforms, and we both talked about more than anything wanting to educate, and there’s some things we have in common and maybe some things you differ on, just like any issues. I think it’s how you handle things, and so it was nice to be in person for sure,” the Minnesota Lynx head coach told Dukowitz.

During the game, Reeve wore a light blue “Trans Kids Belong” T-shirt expressing her stance on inclusion. Her wardrobe choice earned the approval of ESPN broadcasters who expressed their thoughts on air.

“Well, we see Cheryl Reeve wearing a shirt today in support of trans kids… in the aftermath of Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments. We actually saw Cheryl and Sophie speaking at center court pregame, and yesterday Cheryl Reeve spent a lot of time talking at length with the media about this topic. I would encourage anyone to go and listen to Cheryl Reeve’s comments. Incredibly thoughtful.”

The broadcasters referred to Reeve’s interview with reporters ahead of the game where she said she didn’t agree with how the discussion was being framed. In fact, Reeve revealed that she had urged the WNBA to clarify their stance on the broader issues years ago.

“I’ve encouraged the WNBA leadership years ago. ‘What’s our stance? Are we gonna be ready?’ It would make sense for our league to be leaders in this,” the Lynx HC told reporters.

The issue first came into focus after Cunningham said in a recent ESPN interview that it was “common sense” to bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. She later doubled down on those remarks ahead of Indiana’s 123-88 win over the Connecticut Sun during the final week of July.

“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham said. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said.”

The comments divided the WNBA community, quickly becoming one of the biggest off-court debates of the season. Since then, every Fever road game has generated headlines beyond basketball.

The Seattle Storm game was followed by co-owner Celeste Keaton being suspended and fined by the WNBA after an exchange with two teenage girls wearing shirts depicting XX and XY chromosomes.

The Portland Fire game saw head coach Alex Sarama emphasize the “inclusivity” and “respect” that define the city ahead of tip-off.

“I think as this great league grows, it attracts fans from all walks of life,” he said as per IX Sports. “But when I think about Portland and what it means to live here, it’s inclusivity, it’s respect, and that’s why I’m so proud to be here. So, I just think that’s what’s most important tonight and for our fans. I want them to come and be comfortable and be safe like normal.”

A similar sentiment was echoed by Cheryl Reeve ahead of the Fever-Lynx game, as she insisted that people shouldn’t feel like their “safe space is being threatened.”

Much like the previous two games, demonstrators gathered outside Target Center before tip-off. Pro-Cunningham supporters carried “Thank You Sophie” signs, while those who disagreed staged a counter-rally.

Throughout the controversy, Cunningham has maintained that her comments were never rooted in hatred toward the transgender community. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” she said in the same ESPN interview. “I think that I am here to extend love… I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

While Cunningham described those attending the rallies as “bold” and “courageous,” she also reiterated that she had no direct association with the organizers. Yet the hostile reception followed her into a third straight road game.

Inside the arena, Cunningham was again met with boos from sections of the crowd, continuing a pattern seen in Seattle and Portland.

However, unlike the previous games where the Fever guard responded to the crowd by scoring threes and helping her team win, the league leaders snapped the momentum they built after winning five consecutive games.

They lost to the Lynx 108-100, and Cunningham scored 3 points on 1-for-8 shooting in 23 minutes. Whether the hostile atmosphere contributed to her subdued performance is impossible to say definitively. But the combination of the boos and the result made for a difficult night.

It is not clear how long the rallies, the counter-demonstrations, and the broader controversy will continue to follow this Fever team on the road. But hopefully, at some point, the conversation finds a way to settle.

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WNBA Analyst Blasts Refs Over Controversial Decision Involving Sophie Cunningham Amid Fever Star's Hostile Reception in Minnesota

Akshat Rajput — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:30:00 GMT

The Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, saw the Minnesota Lynx defeat the Indiana Fever 108-100, but Sophie Cunningham somehow still became the center of the conversation. Amidst a hostile crowd, post-game discussions surrounded a controversial refereeing call involving Cunningham, which some fans believe was given incorrectly. Now WNBA analyst Ben Daniels has echoed a similar sentiment, blasting the league’s officiating.

“Sophie Cunningham gets elbowed in the face, and somehow this is a foul on Sophie Cunningham. The worst part is these dummies, these stooge referees reviewed this play too, and still came to the conclusion that the foul is on Sophie Cunningham.”

The sequence happened in the second quarter, when it appears that Minnesota’s Nia Coffey attempts to take the ball away from a defending Cunningham. In the process, she seemingly ends up hitting Cunningham on the face with her elbow. The on-court call was a defensive foul against the Fever guard.

Daniels believes that it should have been given as an offensive foul against the Minnesota forward, as he noted on his podcast. The disputable call came in the midst of a crowd that already held significant animosity towards Cunningham over her past comments on trans athletes.

It was a disappointing night for Cunningham and Co. as Kelsey Mitchell’s 37 points and Caitlin Clark’s double-double of 19 points and 10 assists went in vain. Cunningham was loudly booed as the saga around her comments about transgender athletes in women’s sports continues to unfold. The drama was not limited to inside the arena, as people both in support of and against Sophie Cunningham’s stance appeared for a rally outside the venue prior to the game. This is the third consecutive Fever game that has attracted such a rally.

This is not the first time that officiating has come under scrutiny in the WNBA this season. The infamous Caitlin Clark- Alyssa Thomas incident is still fresh in memory. Thomas’s fist to Clark’s throat went uncalled on the court. Thomas was only later awarded a flagrant foul 2 for this incident, and suspended for a game along with a $1000 fine.

Just a couple of days back, with just 17.9 seconds left on the clock, the referees missed an out-of-bounds call involving A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart when the Las Vegas Aces faced the New York Liberty. Replays showed a Liberty ball was given as an Aces possession, despite the ball never touching Stewart as it went out of bounds. Stewart mentioned post-game that even Wilson thought it was a Liberty ball and was seen walking away afterwards.

The league announced plans to combat these structural issues by installing a dedicated WNBA Replay Center. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced a multimillion-dollar investment for this initiative during a press conference during All-Star weekend.

It is intended to provide immediate, high-quality footage to enhance transparency and correct human errors, and the system is expected to be operational by the 2027 season. For now, Daniels and the fans will have to do with the current system, and Sophie Cunningham will hope not to receive elbows to the face on court.

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