Category: Sports

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has appeared in only 23 contests during the last four seasons and is no longer considered among the NFL’s elite pass catchers.

However, the 33-year-old veteran is grateful for a fresh start with the New York Giants, the team where he flourished during his initial five NFL campaigns from 2014-18.

“God has given me one more opportunity to play,” Beckham stated following Wednesday’s practice session with the Giants, just two days after the team signed him. “Whatever I do with that, is that. I’m not saying this is my only year, I’m not saying I’ve got five more for you. I’m looking at it like this is my opportunity now, and we’ll see where it goes from there.”

During his tenure with the Giants, Beckham surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in four out of five seasons and recorded 25 touchdown receptions in his initial three years. He earned Pro Bowl honors each of those seasons.

However, a serious ankle injury at the start of the 2017 campaign derailed his trajectory, and his relationship with New York deteriorated the next year. Following a trade to the Cleveland Browns, he reached 1,000 yards in 2019, marking the final time he exceeded 600 yards in a season. Subsequently, he has moved between three different franchises.

Currently, he faces no guarantees beyond an opportunity. He’s neither the team’s featured player nor considered a guaranteed starter. Yet if he can recapture his previous excellence, the Giants offer a platform to contribute meaningfully.

“It has always been about proving it to myself,” Beckham explained. “There’s always a little bit of you want to prove it to everybody else. Deep down inside to me, it was about proving to me, believing in me, believing in what God had given me and my abilities.

“I like it this way. I feel like it’s going to elevate me, it’s going to bring me up to have to earn it.”

Beckham suited up for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 under John Harbaugh, who joined the Giants as head coach in January.

Beckham and Harbaugh engaged in conversations during the early offseason, and the Giants evaluated Beckham in April without offering a contract. Harbaugh and Beckham maintained their dialogue, and the coach recently became convinced that Beckham had achieved adequate conditioning despite missing last season.

After Beckham impressed during a group receiver evaluation on Monday, the Giants moved quickly to secure his services.

“I think the biggest thing is him being in really, really good shape,” Harbaugh commented. “We talked about this, he would tell you this. You can’t be just OK. You’re Odell Beckham. You’ve got to come out here and you have to be performing at a high level in workouts, you’ve got to be performing at a high level in practice. You got to be a guy capable that we can see would have a chance to make a difference in NFL games. You have to be that kind of player.”

This return to his roots evokes memories for Beckham, who became famous for dramatic sideline outbursts and spectacular catches during his original stint in New York.

“At the end of the day, like I said, I never wanted to leave here,” Beckham reflected. “I just wanted us to have a better team, better people, better players. I sound like a Papa John’s commercial. I just wanted to be great. I care about it that much.

“As far as regrets, I’m kind of one of those people, for better or worse, never regret anything, because at one point in time it was exactly what you wanted. I don’t hang my hat on it. I learn from it.”

Throughout his career, Beckham has accumulated 575 catches for 7,987 yards and 59 touchdowns across 119 games (97 starts) with five different teams.

Milwaukee southpaw Rob Zastryzny found himself back on the 15-day injured list Wednesday after spending only three days on the active roster, as the Brewers sidelined him due to a left trapezius strain.

The roster move was made retroactive to Sunday, which was the same date the 34-year-old pitcher was brought back from the 60-day injured list following a left shoulder strain he suffered during spring training.

To fill the roster spot, Milwaukee brought up southpaw Robert Gasser from Triple-A Nashville, with the team announcing he would take the mound for Wednesday evening’s home matchup against the San Francisco Giants.

During his brief stint on Milwaukee’s active roster, Zastryzny did not appear in any games. Last season with the Brewers, he posted a 2-1 record alongside a 2.45 ERA across 22 innings in 26 outings, including one start.

Throughout his major league career, Zastryzny has compiled a 6-1 record with a 3.84 ERA, recording 41 walks and 74 strikeouts across 89 innings in 80 appearances (six starts) while playing for the Chicago Cubs (2016-18), New York Mets (2022), Los Angeles Angels (2022), Pittsburgh Pirates (2023) and Brewers (2024-present).

Gasser, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Sunday, has struggled this season with an 0-1 record and 6.48 ERA, allowing six walks while striking out seven batters in 8 1/3 innings across two starts.

Since making his major league debut on May 10, 2024, he holds a 2-3 record with a 3.43 ERA over 42 innings in nine starts.

Hunting for NBA Finals tickets? The New York Knicks are putting two prime celebrity row seats up for auction — the same area where stars like Ben Stiller and Spike Lee watch games.

The team is offering these exclusive seats for Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, marking the first time the NBA Finals have come to New York since 1999.

With the league’s largest market finally competing in the championship series, ticket costs have surged dramatically. Seats at the Garden have become so difficult to obtain that Knicks supporters have purchased tickets in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland to follow their team during the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Monday night game seats are positioned in section VIP 10, row AA, seats 25 and 26, which the organization describes as directly off center court. The typical price for these seats remains unknown since the franchise doesn’t normally sell them. These spots are typically reserved for celebrity supporters like Tracy Morgan and Timothée Chalamet who regularly attend games courtside.

Bidding starts Thursday at noon through knicks.com/celebrityrowauction, with all proceeds supporting the Garden of Dreams Foundation, an organization that partners with MSG’s companies to help children in need throughout the tristate area.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed deep concerns that ownership’s latest salary cap proposal might trigger a work stoppage reminiscent of the devastating 1994-95 strike that led to the World Series cancellation, while defending the plan as necessary due to the failure of the current luxury tax framework that has been in place since 2003.

Team ownership presented their first salary cap proposal since 1994 last week, marking a return to the contentious issue that sparked a 7½-month strike and resulted in the first World Series cancellation in nine decades. During those earlier negotiations, Manfred served as a junior attorney on ownership’s bargaining team.

The players’ union has pledged unwavering opposition to any cap implementation. When questioned about potential parallels to the 1994-95 crisis, Manfred acknowledged his fears, stating: “Of course I do.”

“We’re open to whatever ideas people have, but we need a realistic framework that addresses the fans’ concerns about competitive balance and you just can’t ignore that financial penalties have not gotten it done for us,” Manfred explained during Wednesday’s press conference at an ownership meeting.

The current luxury tax framework began with the 2003 season, with subsequent negotiations increasing penalty rates and adding additional surcharges over the years.

“We have tried mightily over several rounds of bargaining to use a competitive balance tax to address competitive concerns and sometimes you got to admit you failed,” Manfred acknowledged.

Recent seasons have seen increased willingness among franchises to exceed tax thresholds, culminating in a record nine teams facing penalties in both 2024 and 2025. The Dodgers alone received a $169.4 million penalty bill. Overall tax collections jumped dramatically from $78.5 million in 2022 to $222.8 million the next year, then to $311.3 million in 2024 and $402.6 million in 2025.

“We never thought about the CBT as a revenue-generating device,” Manfred explained. “And when you see more and more tax getting paid, you realize that it is not the kind of speed bump that would help on the issue of competitive balance.”

The current five-year collective bargaining agreement, finalized in March 2022 following a 99-day lockout, reaches its expiration on December 1. Industry observers anticipate management will implement a lockout, effectively freezing all free-agent signings and trade activity.

Manfred declined to discuss publicly whether ownership believes a work stoppage would justify achieving their salary cap objectives.

“I’m not going to speculate about work stoppages,” he stated. “I think that the proposal we’ve made is grounds for constructive dialogue and back and forth with the MLBPA about how we can address the number one concern of our fans and that is a lack of competitive balance in the game.”

Under the ownership proposal, spending would be capped at $245.3 million beginning in 2027, calculated using luxury tax payroll figures that incorporate $20.1 million for benefits and the pre-arbitration bonus pool. The plan also includes a spending floor of $171.2 million, requiring some franchises to increase their payrolls. For comparison, the Dodgers operated with a $415.2 million payroll on opening day this season.

The players’ association has countered with demands for expanded free agency and salary arbitration eligibility, nearly doubling the major league minimum wage, and enhanced revenue sharing arrangements.

Since 1972, baseball has experienced nine work stoppages, with the most recent being the 99-day lockout that caused a brief delay to the 2022 season.

Other major professional sports leagues have operated under salary cap systems for years, including the NFL since 1994, the NBA since 1984-85, and the NHL since 2005-06.

The head of the National Football League has turned down a request to appear before lawmakers next week regarding the organization’s television contracts and its growing trend of placing games behind streaming service paywalls.

Roger Goodell refused the invitation to attend a House Judiciary Committee session scheduled for June 10 because of “ongoing litigation related to the topic of the hearing,” according to a Wednesday letter from the organization’s general counsel, Ted Ullyot, addressed to committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

Jordan represents one of multiple lawmakers who have expressed worry about the financial burden placed on supporters trying to view NFL contests and questioned whether the organization’s streaming agreements follow the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which provided the league with a restricted antitrust exemption.

The legislation covers only broadcast networks. Previous court decisions have determined it excludes other media formats, such as cable, satellite and streaming platforms. Politicians from both parties have shown support for modernizing the statute.

Earlier this year, the Justice Department launched an investigation into the NFL regarding possible anticompetitive behavior connected to its broadcasting agreements.

In his correspondence to Jordan, Ullyot noted that 87% of the organization’s contests will be accessible through over-the-air broadcasts this season, with every match available on broadcast television in the participating teams’ local markets. He mentioned that the growing number of contests on streaming platforms has coincided with a small decrease in games broadcast on cable.

“The NFL’s decision to license a few more games to widely adopted streaming services is simply a reflection that those platforms now offer significantly more reach than the current pay TV ecosystem and that broadcast television remains the foundation of our media distribution,” Ullyot wrote.

A spokeswoman for Jordan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The organization also forwarded a letter to Jordan bearing signatures from 21 members of Congress advocating for careful consideration before modifying the broadcasting statute. Ullyot’s correspondence stated the SBA helps preserve competitive balance by supporting “broad media distribution, substantial revenue sharing among the clubs, and a collectively bargained salary cap.”

“If the league were not to handle media distribution as it has since the passage of the SBA,” the letter said, “the result would be to harm NFL fans through increased cost and confusion and the undermining of the competitive balance that makes NFL games so exciting.”

The San Diego Padres released outfielder Nick Castellanos on Wednesday, ending his brief stint with the team after a disappointing start to the season.

Castellanos joined the Padres in February on a one-year minimum salary contract following his release from the Philadelphia Phillies, who cut him before the final season of his five-year $100 million deal. This season with San Diego, the veteran posted a .191 batting average with four home runs, 20 RBIs and a .560 OPS across 39 games, striking out 34 times while drawing just five walks.

The timing of the release created an unusual situation, as Castellanos was back in Philadelphia when the Padres made their decision. Citizens Bank Park showed a video honoring Castellanos before Tuesday’s contest, though he remained on the bench for that game.

Castellanos’ departure from Philadelphia was partly attributed to his conduct, including multiple confrontations with manager Rob Thomson. In an unexpected turn, Philadelphia dismissed Thomson in late April.

To fill the roster spot, the Padres promoted infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor from their Triple-A affiliate in El Paso.

The 34-year-old Castellanos owns a .270 career batting average with 254 home runs and 940 RBIs across 1,727 games during his 14 seasons with the Detroit Tigers (2013-19), Chicago Cubs (2019), Cincinnati Reds (2020-21), Phillies (2022-25) and Padres.

Taylor, 27, will make his first appearance with the Padres. The utility player has compiled a .205 career average with four RBIs in 38 major league games split between the Kansas City Royals (2023) and Seattle Mariners (2024-25). At El Paso this year, he has posted a .319 average with seven homers and 25 RBIs through 51 games.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes’ top goal scorers from the regular season — Seth Jarvis, Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov — have gone ice cold when it matters most in the playoffs.

While other players stepped up during the first three playoff rounds to compensate, this scoring drought has become a critical issue that threatens their Stanley Cup hopes.

Carolina faces a formidable opponent in the Vegas Golden Knights, an experienced team without obvious flaws who captured the series opener 5-4. As Game 2 approaches Thursday evening, the spotlight falls on the Hurricanes’ star players to deliver before time runs out.

“I know we have a better in us, and we’ve got to show it,” Aho said Wednesday. “It’s on us to figure it out.”

Across 14 postseason contests, Jarvis, Aho and Svechnikov have found the net only three times at even strength against opposing goaltenders. The production from Carolina’s second line — featuring Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake — helped the team cruise past Ottawa, Philadelphia and Montreal with just one defeat across those three series.

Vegas presents a completely different challenge, and the opening game revealed growing frustration within the first line.

“This league is weird: You grip your stick a little tight and you get into a weird matchup, and it can look worse than it is,” Hall said. “But things can change on a dime, especially this time of year.”

Carolina has waited almost two months for that turnaround. Coach Rod Brind’Amour had shown patience for weeks, praising Jarvis, Aho and Svechnikov for their defensive contributions that help the team win, despite their lack of offensive production.

His approach has shifted now that the team faces elimination pressure in the championship series.

“They got to play in the other team’s end,” Brind’Amour said. “They’re too much one and done and not even one (scoring chance), and it’s not a lot of time. So, they got to get a little more offensive zone time. Kind of like that last shift they had. That was one of the shifts you could say: ‘OK, there you go. That’s how it needs to look.’ We need them to get going.”

That closing shift occurred with the game tied late in Tuesday’s third period, pinning the Golden Knights in their defensive zone and creating quality scoring opportunities. Jarvis saw one shot blocked, followed by two more saves from Carter Hart, including a spectacular glove stop that led to Tomas Hertl’s game-winner 21 seconds afterward.

This represented a significant upgrade from earlier moments when Jarvis declined an open shooting opportunity while seeking a pass, then later missed an empty net.

“The chances are there,” Jarvis said. “We’ve had our looks. We just have to capitalize now more than ever. We can’t dwell on the past, can’t dwell on the stuff we missed. It’s about the next shift, the next shot.”

That’s easier to accomplish in theory since Vegas will make adjustments as well. Coach John Tortorella has emphasized maintaining their current strategy, and there’s good reason the team has won 20 of 25 games since he assumed control in late March.

“We have thoughts on how to play this team,” Tortorella said. “We need to be patient. In a number of things, how we have to play, I think, requires patience — and when you get a little antsy against that team, they can capitalize. They’re that good. I think we have an understanding of how we have to go.”

Although Jarvis, Aho and Svechnikov have appeared out of sync at times, there’s little indication this stems from insufficient effort. Perhaps they’re pushing too hard.

“It’s not about work ethic or trying harder, but it doesn’t matter at the same time,” Aho said. “There’s also a part that we almost sometimes try to do too much, instead of just letting the game happen and play the game, let the game come to you in a way.”

Fellow players are working to maintain morale and keep those struggling forwards mentally focused. Defenseman Jalen Chatfield emphasizes staying positive.

“Everybody’s giving everything out there,” Chatfield said. “That’s not the question. Sometimes it’s bounces. Sometimes things happen in hockey, but I think as a group, (it is about) leaning on each other to help each other play our best.”

Hall, selected first overall in 2010 and the 2017-18 MVP who has found success with his sixth NHL team at age 34, doesn’t believe he needs to mentor other struggling players. He remains confident that Jarvis, Aho and Svechnikov will break through.

“Those guys are great players,” Hall said. “They had their chances and their looks (in Game 1). Some of the looks didn’t turn into chances. But we know how good they are, and we know how good they can be and it’s only a matter of time.”

Authorities in Santa Clara County, California have issued an arrest warrant for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on a misdemeanor exhibition of speeding charge.

Sean Webby, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office, confirmed Wednesday that the warrant was issued following a social media video Aiyuk shared last December. The video allegedly depicted him driving at excessive speeds on the roadway in front of Levi’s Stadium.

The California Post was first to report on the arrest warrant.

Following the video’s posting, Aiyuk shared an apology several days later after the footage appeared to show him driving significantly above the 40 mph speed limit.

“Sorry ya’ll, my car content won’t come with speeding anymore,” Aiyuk wrote in a social media post. “Was praying with my son tonight and wouldn’t want anybody else to miss out on an opportunity to do the same with their loved ones! My apologies.”

The wide receiver is presently on the reserve/left squad list following his absence from team activities late last season while recovering from a knee injury that has kept him out of action since October 2024.

Tensions between Aiyuk and the 49ers organization date back to last summer when the franchise voided $27 million in guaranteed money from his contract for the upcoming season due to his failure to attend meetings and participate in required team activities.

General manager John Lynch has stated he does not anticipate Aiyuk returning to play for the 49ers. The organization is exploring potential trade opportunities with other teams, though they may choose to release him or maintain him on the reserve list.

The 28-year-old player still has three years left on the four-year, $120 million contract extension he signed last year, though no guaranteed money remains.

Since being selected in the first round of the 2020 draft, Aiyuk has recorded 294 receptions for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Boston’s baseball team has sidelined utility infielder Nick Sogard for a minimum of 10 days Wednesday after he suffered a strain to his right oblique muscle.

The roster move dates back to Sunday. To fill the vacancy, Boston brought up utility infielder Anthony Seigler, 26, from their Triple-A affiliate in Worcester.

The 28-year-old Sogard’s most recent appearance came Saturday when he went hitless in two at-bats during Boston’s 9-1 victory over Cleveland on the road. The ambidextrous hitter started experiencing discomfort in his right side during the weekend and found himself unable to swing from the left-handed batter’s box, team reports indicated.

This season, he has compiled a .257 batting average with nine hits in 35 at-bats and has driven in two runs across 12 contests. Throughout his major league tenure, he maintains a .264 average with 19 runs batted in over 73 games spanning three partial seasons.

Seigler entered professional baseball as a first-round selection, taken 23rd overall by the New York Yankees in the 2018 amateur draft. He joined the Milwaukee organization as a free agent this past November before being dealt to Boston on February 9th alongside infielders Caleb Durbin and Andruw Monasterio in exchange for infielder David Hamilton and left-handed pitchers Shane Drohan and Kyle Harrison.

During his first major league campaign last year with Milwaukee, Seigler managed a .194 batting average, collecting 12 hits in 62 at-bats over 34 games. At the Triple-A level in Worcester, he has been performing well with a .298 average, three home runs, 21 RBIs, a .425 on-base percentage and .471 slugging percentage.

Italian tennis player Flavio Cobolli has revealed he’s been channeling some unusual inspiration during his remarkable French Open performance – by using the same shower stall that tennis legend Rafa Nadal has claimed for over a decade.

The 24-year-old Italian advanced to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal Wednesday with a comeback victory over fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, winning 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 in Paris. During his post-match interview, Cobolli shared that he’s been maintaining strict routines throughout the tournament, including keeping identical tension in his racket strings.

The 10th-seeded player explained he’s sticking to his daily patterns so religiously that he chose not to stay and watch fellow Italians Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi compete, opting instead for dinner with friends as usual.

“I am a little bit (superstitious), but not crazy,” Cobolli explained to reporters afterward.

“But you know, this week, I’m a little bit more crazy than the others. I just go same restaurant, same menu, same shower.”

“Actually, I think I said in the first press conference that I used the same shower as Rafa Nadal, because I had memories with that shower.”

Cobolli recounted an encounter where the former world number one actually approached the locker room shower door while he was inside, asking him to hurry up.

“He told me that it has been his shower since 14 years,” Cobolli said.

“So I think the best thing that I’m doing (this year) … the shower.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s national soccer team remains optimistic about finding a new venue for their World Cup preparation match against Chile following a Spanish city’s refusal to host the game over health safety concerns tied to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

Officials in La Linea de la Concepcion, located in southern Spain, announced their decision to block next Tuesday’s friendly match, expressing worries about potential health risks connected to the Ebola crisis affecting the African nation.

Congo’s soccer federation confirmed they are actively working with Spain’s soccer federation and other international organizations to identify alternative solutions for the scheduled warmup game.

The team was set to face Denmark in a preparation match in Liege, Belgium, on Wednesday as part of their World Cup readiness efforts.

A dangerous strain of the Ebola virus has been spreading through Congo and Uganda, prompting the World Health Organization to classify the situation as a public health emergency requiring international attention.

The outbreak has already forced Congo to scrap a three-day training camp for World Cup preparation and cancel a planned fan sendoff event in Kinshasa, the nation’s capital, due to the health crisis affecting the country’s eastern regions.

The entire Congo squad and their French coach, Sébastien Desabre, currently live and work outside the central African nation, with the majority of players competing in French leagues.

FIFA, soccer’s international governing organization, released a statement acknowledging their awareness of the Ebola situation and confirmed they are staying in regular contact with Congo’s soccer leadership to provide necessary medical and safety protocols.

Congo has been placed in Group K for the upcoming World Cup competition. Their tournament opener is against Portugal in Houston on June 17.

Following that match, the Leopards will take on Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23, then conclude group play against Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27.

This marks Congo’s first World Cup appearance since 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire, creating widespread celebration throughout the nation that has endured years of internal strife and warfare.

Reflecting on five decades of pursuing whitetail deer, a seasoned hunter recalls both the trophy bucks displayed on his wall and the painful memories of missed opportunities caused by poor decisions and inadequate preparation.

Growing up in southern West Virginia during the 1950s and early 1960s, whitetail deer were rarely spotted in local hunting areas. Time was spent fishing and hunting smaller game while dreaming of future deer hunting opportunities. That dream became reality at 15 when a friend extended an invitation to hunt Peters Mountain near the Virginia border. Armed with borrowed orange clothing and a rifle, he felt prepared despite minimal planning but unlimited enthusiasm as he climbed the mountain seeking a good vantage point.

Within moments, rustling leaves caught his attention, stopping in a nearby laurel thicket. Four to six deer moved through the vegetation, and antlers were briefly visible. Straining to see clearly through the peep sight on the 03A3 bolt action rifle proved challenging. With buck-only regulations in effect, shooting a doe by mistake was not an option. When the buck’s body finally appeared, he quickly disappeared down the ridge with his does following. Dreams of a trophy were shattered by a gunshot from below. With no further activity, lunch beckoned from down the mountain. Next to their truck stood a hunter with the massive 14-point buck that should have been his. After offering congratulations, the realization hit that unfamiliarity with equipment, terrain, and whitetail behavior had cost him a tremendous opportunity.

Despite the disappointment, deer hunting had become an obsession, sparking excitement about learning before the next outing. During the 1960s, hunting information and equipment knowledge was limited to Outdoor Life magazine and conversations with fellow hunters. The following year, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources held a lottery for the first firearm doe permits in select counties. A tag was drawn for the opening week at Sherwood Lake in Greenbrier County. His father and two friends would accompany him on the season’s first Saturday. Equipment choices included a 12-gauge Browning with slugs or a single-shot .30-30. Five quick shots seemed preferable to one.

The temperature was 10 degrees with heavy snow when he left the station wagon on a gravel road. A logging trail led to fresh deer tracks in snow heading into dark timber. An old fallen tree provided wind protection for his stand. After four hours of freezing conditions, returning to the road seemed wise. Before moving, brown shapes appeared running through snow 100 yards away. A nice buck led the group, and two shots resulted in dirt flying five feet in front of his hooves. The shots caused does to run toward him, turning broadside at 40 yards. Two more shots were fired at the largest doe as they continued running. After settling down, he walked to where the deer was last seen and discovered blood droplets in snow. Two additional shells were loaded, and the trail was followed to where she lay in the frozen creek bed. His father witnessed the entire episode and assisted with field dressing and dragging the deer out.

After securing the doe on the luggage rack, an older hunter approached offering a Centennial Model 94 Winchester in trade for the deer. That lasting memory with his father and first deer held more value than any firearm he would ever own. Though successful, the lesson learned was never to borrow an unsighted rifle—one accurate shot surpasses five poor ones.

Christmas that year was exceptional. A Marlin 37 lever-action .35 caliber rifle arrived along with blaze orange coveralls, cap, and boots. The next hunt would surely produce a large buck. Limited hunting time during his high school senior year due to varsity football and wrestling led to a full scholarship at Marshall University pursuing his passion. During sophomore year, a break allowed hunting on Thanksgiving Day. A teammate drew a map to public land in Mason County, West Virginia, bordering the Ohio River. He knew it held nice bucks with few hunters on the property.

Daybreak found him parked and heading toward thickets along the river. A small clearing with several shooting lanes was discovered, and he settled against a large pine tree. After two hours without action, he dozed off but was awakened by shouting and shots from his left. Opening his eyes revealed a nice buck in the clearing looking back at the noise. Like a dream, crosshairs aligned with vital organs and the rifle fired. A few leaps later came the crash, accompanied by voices asking if he got him. A farmer with two sons congratulated him but noted he was on private land. After apologies and stern discussion, he was permitted to load his first buck and return to school. Proudly hanging and processing the buck behind the apartment complex provided a reality check on some people’s feelings about hunting.

Fast-forwarding 10 years, accumulated knowledge from previous hunts began producing seasonal success with both bow and rifle hunting. Bowhunting—observing deer and waiting for quality shots—quickly improved rifle and muzzleloading success. Having three months to hunt and observe deer was transformational compared to two weeks of firearm season. With liberal big game tags and magazines featuring exciting deer adventures and hunting tactics, both the orange army and camouflaged bowhunters were growing. He joined a local archery club, began year-round bow shooting, and learned of superior hunting areas in the tri-state region bordering Ohio and Kentucky.

The realization soon came that trophy buck opportunities now existed locally, and expanding to new locations could increase success odds. This recalled an old-timer’s advice: “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you always got.” Finding new hunting locations in Ohio and Kentucky just an hour away proved adventurous. Permission was easily obtained during the 1980s and 1990s, especially for bowhunting. Tom Nixon became an excellent hunting companion who enjoyed scouting and sharing hunting trips. Both were attempting to break the 150-inch mark, making trophy hunting solo and extremely competitive.

While driving to a Kentucky job, an exceptional buck was spotted on a 300-foot-high wall bordering Kentucky Power property. The landowner was located and permission granted—but no one else could be brought. The first year brought two buck sightings but ended with taking a doe at season’s end. The nine-point had perfect bedding in a dense thicket with his back to the highwall and nose in thermals rising from both ridge sides.

The only opportunity to take him would be during the rut or when checking scrapes on his rub line during daylight. A climbing stand was positioned on a flat above and downwind of the scrapes. After two weeks of seeing only does and smaller bucks, he decided to wait until Kentucky gun season began at the rut’s start. While bowhunting with Tom locally and filling the freezer, trophy hunting tactics in private areas remained a discussion topic. Finally, gun season morning arrived with fog, wind, and rain forecasted. Upon reaching his parking spot, a familiar truck was noticed—Tom’s. He had discovered the hunting property and gained permission without disclosure. Visibly upset, he headed up the ridge to his stand without speaking.

After settling in, rain intensified, and Tom was visible 100 yards away on the same flat. Thirty minutes later, three does, a spike, and a six-point headed Tom’s direction. He took the shot, field dressed the six-point, and left the ridge. All day was spent in rain, watching several more deer and younger bucks cruise by—wondering why this betrayal occurred. The entire week was hunted, finally killing the large nine-point on the last day as he followed a doe 40 yards below the stand. Elation and pride came with finally killing a trophy whitetail—but a good friendship was lost.

After becoming a professional firefighter, more time could be devoted to archery and whitetail hunting passions. Soon, 40 acres and a country house were acquired, beginning construction of an excellent wildlife area for his family. With new property and hunting across three states, whitetail heaven was achieved. Trophy pursuits could be enjoyed while filling the freezer hunting with family and friends. With increasing deer populations and availability of more property and additional tags, success became normal. However, tagging a 4- to 5-year-old trophy buck remained the ultimate challenge.

More hunting brought increased learning—and missed opportunities. A large Ohio buck walked across his bow when it was lowered too early before dark. On his property, two nice 150-class bucks chased a doe under his stand when he was late pulling his bow up. Both stopped at 20 yards and watched the bow slowly ascending before walking away.

An opportunity arose to hunt Illinois where a 180-plus buck had been spotted during summer. The first morning showed him walking into a thicket and wood lot hit by a tornado the previous year. Scouting the next day revealed a trail to the middle, and within minutes of climbing into the stand, six to eight nice bucks were chasing does in every direction. It seemed only a matter of time before getting a shot at that monster buck. For two more days, rut activity and deer action were amazing. The mega buck was seen daily with no clear shot.

The final day brought a large six-point following a doe 20 yards from the stand. With three hours remaining, he let him walk. As the buck turned and walked straight away, the thought came: “That’s a 140-plus six-point.” As sunset approached on the final day before gun season, regret set in about letting him walk. Experiencing the excitement of hunting a magnificent buck was an unbelievable adventure. The following week, his host’s in-law killed the six-point that scored 146, and the neighbor killed the large buck scoring 193. In hindsight, the six-point should have been taken, but the possibility of a chance at a world-class whitetail was too strong. These choices would determine many future hunt outcomes.

Over the next 30 years, numerous great days were experienced in the woods hunting whitetails with bow, gun, and muzzleloader. While occasionally hunting for particular bucks still appeals to him, hunting for enjoyment and filling the freezer with developed friendships brings greater satisfaction. Tom and he eventually reconciled after apologies and admitting friendship’s importance over any buck. All mistakes made over the years cannot be listed, but each provided lessons bringing future success.

New hunting methods and better equipment can provide advantages, but nothing beats experience, persistence, and luck. Hunting friends should be chosen carefully, as they ultimately affect field trip pleasure. If equal joy comes from a friend’s success as your own, that’s the right person to share time with. Trophy hunting can be extremely challenging and rewarding, but shouldn’t prevent enjoying hunting with friends and family.

It’s amazing that despite latest technology, information, and game cameras, mature bucks can evade our best daily efforts. Undoubtedly, the more we learn about Odocoileus virginianus, the more they learn about us. This explains why whitetail deer hunting is America’s most popular game animal pursuit. With the participation level and money invested, it always will be.

Looking back over 50 years of hunting—despite all mistakes—he has been blessed with considerable success. The big secret is simply getting out there and hunting. Try new areas and methods. Don’t fear making mistakes and learn from every field and woods trip. That next mistake might just be the key to your buck of a lifetime.

Stay safe and have a successful hunting season.

Legal proceedings against Atlanta Falcons first-year wide receiver Zachariah Branch have concluded with prosecutors dropping all misdemeanor obstruction charges, his legal representative confirmed Wednesday.

The former Georgia player was taken into custody on April 19 in Athens, Ga., facing allegations of obstructing a police officer and blocking public sidewalks and streets.

Days later, Atlanta chose Branch during the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the 79th overall selection.

“After reviewing all evidence, including videos, and discussing the case with us, the State agreed to dismiss all charges against Mr. Branch,” attorney Kim Stephens said in a statement, per The Athletic. “Zachariah cooperated fully with law enforcement and did not commit a crime on the night of his arrest and never should have been arrested. We are glad this matter is over and that Mr. Branch’s excellent reputation and good name restored.”

During his single campaign at Georgia in 2025, after transferring from Southern California, Branch topped the Bulldogs with a program-best 81 catches for 811 yards and six scores. Georgia finished 12-2 but fell 39-34 to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.

Across his three collegiate seasons, with his first two at USC, Branch accumulated 159 catches for 1,634 yards and nine touchdowns over 37 contests.

A highly anticipated college football season opener between North Carolina State and Virginia has been relocated from its planned international venue back to the United States.

The two Atlantic Coast Conference universities revealed Wednesday that their matchup will now take place August 29 in Charlottesville, Va., instead of the originally planned location in Brazil.

The game had been promoted as the inaugural college football contest to be staged in South America and was initially set for Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Officials made the venue change following what they described as an “extensive review with the operational partners and international stakeholders” connected to the event, according to their announcement.

“This change follows communication from Athlete Advantage, which informed the ACC and participating schools that the event could not be conducted,” the statement explained.

Those who bought tickets or travel arrangements for the Brazil game will be issued full refunds.

New York Liberty star guard Sabrina Ionescu will be sidelined for Wednesday’s matchup against the visiting Toronto Tempo due to back problems and general soreness, the team announced.

The four-time All-Star was initially listed as questionable for the game after being absent from the team’s previous three contests. Earlier this season, she missed the opening five games due to a foot injury before returning to score 11 points with seven assists and five rebounds in New York’s 91-76 loss to the Dallas Wings on May 24.

The 28-year-old Ionescu has posted averages of 18.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals across 38 games this season, starting in each appearance for the Liberty in 2025.

Selected as the top overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft, Ionescu has compiled career averages of 16.7 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds over 182 career contests, making 178 starts for New York. She was instrumental in helping the Liberty capture the WNBA championship in 2024.

WASHINGTON — Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban appeared before lawmakers Wednesday to advocate for bipartisan legislation designed to reform a college athletics system where student-athletes can now earn substantial sums while transferring between universities with few restrictions.

Senate Commerce Committee leaders conducted the hearing as they advance legislation revealed last week that backers believe could end congressional stalemate over college sports regulation.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., would oversee athlete compensation, restrict players to a single “free” transfer throughout their collegiate careers, and establish a “Lane Kiffin Rule” preventing coaches from departing programs mid-season. Cruz described the measure as “the last, best hope we have to save college sports.”

“If you had the biggest, baddest Ferrari that you could ever have and it was going 150 miles an hour toward the Grand Canyon, somebody needs to tap the brakes. And I think that’s what we all need to do here,” Saban said in his opening remarks.

Missing from the witness roster, which featured Notre Dame’s athletic director and the commissioner of the PAC-12 conference, was representation from the Southeastern Conference, where Saban captured seven national championships between Alabama and Louisiana State University.

The SEC and the Big Ten, college sports’ two dominant conferences, have voiced opposition to the legislation, claiming it “leaves critical issues unresolved.”

Cantwell explained the bill aims to restore competitive balance in college athletics by ensuring victories depend on how schools “build a team, and not because they have a billionaire in their back pocket.”

She directly confronted the conferences’ resistance, suggesting they worry “that somebody’s going to come in and rearrange the deck chairs of those conferences, steal the eyeball schools, and then basically leave everybody with everything else.”

A rapidly expanding wrestling organization called Real American Freestyle is making its international debut with an event scheduled for Tbilisi, Georgia, marking the company’s first venture beyond North American borders. The July 11 competition will showcase former UFC champions Merab Dvalishvili, a Georgian favorite, and American fighter Henry Cejudo.

Unlike the entertainment-focused wrestling shows typically presented by organizations like World Wrestling Entertainment, RAF aims to bring wrestling back to its competitive foundation while creating opportunities for amateur and college wrestlers to pursue professional careers.

“Wrestling has always been a global sport. What it has lacked is a global platform,” stated Chad Bronstein, CEO and co-founder of RAF, when announcing the Georgian event on Wednesday.

“RAF was built to change that. Georgia is home to some of the greatest wrestlers in the world and one of the proudest wrestling cultures anywhere. We couldn’t imagine a better place to launch our international expansion,” Bronstein added.

Freestyle wrestling enjoys widespread popularity across North America, Europe and Asia, offering mixed martial arts competitors like Dvalishvili and Olympic wrestling champion Cejudo a competitive outlet that’s less physically demanding than MMA fighting.

Several current and former MMA athletes including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier have used their wrestling backgrounds to achieve UFC championship success. RAF’s future events will include appearances by former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and recently retired fighter Colby Covington.

RAF competitions follow a format of three two-minute rounds with point scoring, where matches can end immediately if one wrestler pins their opponent’s shoulders to the mat.

Calling wrestling “a part of Georgia’s identity,” RAF’s Georgia country lead Tevdore Makashvilli expressed hope that the upcoming competition would give former Olympic wrestlers a chance to continue their athletic careers.

“Our athletes have spent decades proving themselves on the Olympic and world stage, and now RAF is bringing a new level of opportunity, visibility, and excitement to the sport,” Makashvilli commented.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been chosen as the featured athlete for “Madden NFL 27,” marking the first time in franchise history that a Bears player has earned this honor.

EA Sports revealed the much-awaited selection on Wednesday morning.

The cover showcases Williams performing a jumping pass, similar to his fourth-down throw to Rome Odunze during Chicago’s 31-27 wild-card playoff comeback against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 10. The Chicago skyline serves as the backdrop for the image.

“When I received the call from Madden, it was like my childhood dream was coming true,” Williams said, per ESPN. “Being on the cover of ‘Madden NFL 27’ is a full-circle moment.

“I grew up playing Madden and imagining what it would be like to be part of the game. I know fans are going to love what’s new in this year’s game, and I’m looking forward to getting my rating up to a 99 by the end of the season.”

Williams explained that his airborne stance on the cover pays tribute to Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan.

“That was the whole thing. I was like, everybody knows the Air Jordan, the sunrise of him doing his Air Jordan with the skyline behind him,” Williams said on the “New Heights” podcast. “I was like, I want to recreate it, football, bring it back 30 years later, however many years later. We did that one and this one obviously had to go in it. This had to go in it. This was a really cool photoshoot.”

The 24-year-old Williams guided Chicago to its first division championship since 2018 while throwing for a team-record 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions during the previous season. Chicago selected him as the first overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft from Southern California.

“Caleb Williams is what a true face of the franchise looks like — the culmination of many moments in the Chicago Bears’ incredible history that has led them to their electric, generational quarterback,” said Evan Dexter, EA Sports’ vice president of franchise strategy and marketing.

“‘Madden NFL 27’ aims to put more of those critical moments and key management decisions, with meaningful consequences that echo across the NFL, in the hands of our players so that they can build a league that’s truly their own. Just like Caleb, the future of football in ‘Madden NFL 27’ is thrilling and more dynamic than ever before.”

“Madden NFL 27” launches on Aug. 13.

PARIS, June 3 – Poland’s Maja Chwalinska is experiencing a career breakthrough at the French Open, where the 24-year-old has become only the second qualifier in the Open era to advance to the tournament’s semifinals. The world-ranked 113th player is celebrating her decision to return to professional tennis following a mental health hiatus.

Chwalinska’s path to the semifinals required her to win three qualifying matches in Paris, and she has lost just one set during her remarkable eight-match journey to the final four. Her latest victory came Wednesday with a 7-6(3) 6-3 triumph over Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya.

The Polish player took a significant career break in 2021 when she publicly revealed her battle with depression that had lasted more than 18 months.

“I pushed at the beginning. I thought that I just need to stay very strong, tough, and just keep practicing,” Chwalinska explained to reporters following Wednesday’s victory.

“But then I just couldn’t get out of bed anymore. I was just lifeless, to be honest. I knew that I need to take a break, because otherwise I’m just not able to live.”

“I honestly didn’t know if I’m gonna come back or not. After, like, months, I decided to come back. I needed to figure out a few things in my head, I would say. And I came back. I’m happy that I did.”

Prior to this tournament, Chwalinska had never advanced beyond the second round at any Grand Slam event. When asked about managing her unprecedented success, she described her strategy for handling the pressure.

“I’m not into social media, I would say, I feel like it would be too much for me at this moment,” she revealed.

“So that’s one of the things that I’m doing now is just I post, and then I quit.”

“Other than that, I have great people around me, that are with me for many, many, many years. So I can trust them and tell them anything that I feel.”

During their junior careers, Chwalinska competed alongside fellow Polish player Iga Swiatek. The duo helped Poland capture the European Under-14 Girls’ Team Championships in 2015 and claimed the European Junior doubles championship together.

The pair also reached the Australian Open girls’ doubles final in 2017, but their professional careers have followed dramatically different trajectories. Swiatek has captured six Grand Slam titles, including four French Open championships.

While Swiatek was eliminated in the fourth round this year, Chwalinska’s prize money from her current Paris run has already exceeded her entire career earnings. However, she’s postponing any celebration until after the tournament concludes.

“I feel like I just, for some reason, don’t process it,” she explained.

“I’m just focusing on every single match. I honestly don’t feel like it’s a huge, huge moment for me. But definitely after the tournament finishes, I will have time to be grateful for what happened and process it as well.”

Chwalinska’s semifinal opponent will be another Russian player, 25th seed Diana Shnaider, who defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in Wednesday’s other quarterfinal match.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Basketball enthusiasts in the Philippines are assured of having a champion to cheer for once the current NBA Finals conclude.

Jordan Clarkson from New York and Dylan Harper from San Antonio — who will compete against each other in the Finals beginning Wednesday — were both born in America but share connections to the Philippines through their mothers. Clarkson expressed admiration for Harper, whose first season has been remarkable.

“He’s been really good throughout the whole year,” Clarkson said. “I’ve been watching him, keeping up with him, as well. Him being so young and having so much poise throughout this whole playoffs, it’s a great sight to see a young star coming in this league and doing what he’s doing.”

Harper also understands the importance of this moment.

“I think me and him get to do something really special, representing our country, where we’re from, represent everything on the biggest stage in basketball,” Harper said. “I feel like over there in the Philippines, basketball is probably the biggest thing. I think we’re very excited for that and we’re just very blessed and grateful to be in this position.”

Just six players between the Knicks and Spurs have participated in prior NBA Finals contests.

From San Antonio, Harrison Barnes competed in 13 Finals games with Golden State, Luke Kornet appeared in six with Boston, and Kelly Olynyk participated in five with Miami.

From New York’s roster, Mikal Bridges competed in six Finals games with Phoenix, Dillon Jones appeared in three with Oklahoma City, and Jordan Clarkson participated in two with Cleveland. OG Anunoby, another Knicks player, was part of Toronto’s 2019 championship run but didn’t participate in any of those six Finals contests.

Together, these six players with previous Finals experience have accumulated 265 points in championship series.

The most recent 44 NBA Finals contests have all concluded in regulation time, representing the longest streak without overtime in Finals history. Previously, there was a 34-game stretch without overtime from 1984 through 1990.

Naturally, overtime opportunities are limited when games lack close finishes. Among the past 81 Finals games, 50 have been settled by double-digit margins.

A yearly observation: Division titles hold little significance… except during the NBA Finals.

Should San Antonio capture the NBA championship, it would represent the 14th occasion in the past 15 seasons that a division winner claimed the title.

The sole exception during this period was Golden State in 2022. Prior to that, Dallas in 2011 was the last team to win the NBA championship without claiming their division.

New York finished second in the Atlantic Division behind Boston this season, attempting to break this pattern.

After 19 years, Mike Brown returns to the NBA Finals as a head coach. The New York coach previously led Cleveland to the championship series in 2007 — where San Antonio swept them.

Simply reaching this point places Brown in an exclusive group of coaches who have guided multiple franchises to NBA Finals appearances.

Pat Riley (Los Angeles Lakers, New York, Miami) and Alex Hannum (St. Louis, Philadelphia, San Francisco) brought three different franchises to the Finals. Brown now joins Rick Carlisle, Phil Jackson, Larry Brown, KC Jones, Bill Fitch, Gene Shue, Bill Sharman and Red Auerbach among those who have taken two different franchises to the championship round.

San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama has delivered a postseason performance unlike any in league history, with his statistics continuing to grow more remarkable.

During these playoffs, Wembanyama has recorded 394 points, 183 rebounds, 100 successful free throws, 60 blocked shots and 30 three-pointers.

These are solely playoff numbers. Only 19 players — including Wembanyama — achieved these combined totals during the entire regular season. (No Spurs player has ever recorded a regular season with all these statistics, except Wembanyama.)

Since the introduction of three-pointers, no NBA player has ever accomplished all of this in a single postseason until now.

Should this NBA Finals extend to seven games, Spurs players Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie could match an NBA record.

Or surpass it, depending on the calculation method.

Johnson and Champagnie both begin these NBA Finals having played 100 games this season. That places them seven games short of the NBA record for games played in one season — held by Charles Oakley and Tayshaun Prince.

Both played 107 games. However, Johnson and Champagnie also participated in the NBA Cup championship game, which would technically bring their total to 108 games this season — though the league doesn’t include the Cup final in official statistics.

The Spurs and Knicks are competing for $5,157,417 in bonus money. This represents the difference between winning and losing the NBA Finals from the league’s playoff pool, which exceeded $35 million this season.

San Antonio has already earned $6,594,508 from this pool this season. New York has secured $6,438,024.

EA Sports revealed Tuesday that Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will grace the cover of Madden NFL 27 as this year’s featured athlete.

The standard edition showcases Williams in a stance that mirrors his crucial scrambling jump pass on fourth-and-8 to Rome Odunze during a dramatic comeback win against Green Bay in their wild card playoff matchup on Jan. 10.

Williams is shown with his throwing arm ready and legs positioned wide, appearing to leap above an outline of Chicago’s skyline against a blue background.

The deluxe version presents a close-up image of Williams with his arms folded across his white uniform, surrounded by falling snow against a dark, nighttime setting.

Appearing on the video game cover is “like my childhood dream was coming true,” Williams said. “I grew up playing Madden and imagining what it would be like to be part of the game.”

Williams and the 2025 Bears developed a reputation for dramatic finishes throughout last season, executing multiple comeback wins along with several near-comeback attempts that fell short — including their playoff elimination loss to the Los Angeles Rams that ended their season.

During 17 regular-season contests, Williams threw for a team-record 3,942 yards along with 27 touchdown passes and seven interceptions in his sophomore campaign after being selected first overall from Southern California.

LIEGE, Belgium, June 3 – Officials from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national soccer team are working to salvage a crucial World Cup preparation match after Spanish authorities blocked the game over concerns about the African nation’s Ebola situation.

The cancellation came from the mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion, despite the fact that Congo’s squad has been training in Belgium and nearly all team members and staff live in Europe.

The team is scheduled to face Denmark in a friendly match Wednesday in Liège, and had arranged for a second tune-up game in Spain this coming Monday before departing for the World Cup, which will take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

However, La Línea’s mayor, Juan Franco, withdrew permission for the match on Tuesday.

“The health situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo regarding the Ebola virus, together with the documentation that has been provided to us, which does not fully demonstrate that there is no risk whatsoever, means that this is the most prudent decision,” a statement released by his office said.

The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) responded Wednesday by stating the squad had met all necessary health, athletic and regulatory standards. Officials said they were working with appropriate authorities and Spain’s Football Federation to identify an alternative that would permit the match to proceed.

Congo’s coach Sebastien Desabre appeared caught off guard by the mayor’s action when reporters questioned him about it during Tuesday’s press conference.

“I’m sure a solution will be found,” he said, suggesting the possibility of playing the match at a different stadium in Spain.

“The DR Congo national team respects the decision, which is based on fears of Ebola. We speak with FIFA every day about Ebola. Our doctors are constantly in contact with FIFA, and we strictly follow the health protocols.”

Congo’s national team, making their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, will establish their base in Houston. Their Group K schedule begins with Portugal on June 17, followed by Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23 and Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27.

Cincinnati secured a thrilling 4-3 extra-inning victory over Kansas City on Tuesday evening when Blake Dunn delivered a clutch RBI single in the 10th frame to complete a dramatic comeback at home.

Spencer Steer powered the Reds’ offense with a pair of home runs and crossed the plate as the automatic runner to score the winning run. The victory marked just Cincinnati’s second win in their previous six contests.

The game-tying heroics came courtesy of Will Benson, who entered as a pinch-hitter and launched a home run to right field off Kansas City closer Lucas Erceg to start the bottom of the ninth, knotting the score at 3-3. Dunn’s decisive blow came against John Schreiber (0-3) and represented the only Cincinnati hit that didn’t leave the ballpark. Brock Burke (2-2) captured the victory after throwing a clean 10th inning.

Kansas City starter Noah Cameron delivered an outstanding performance that went unrewarded, retiring 20 of 21 batters he encountered. The defeat extended the Royals’ recent struggles, as they’ve now dropped seven of their last eight games.

Tigers 8, Rays 0

Gleyber Torres marked his return from a month-long injury absence by homering in his first plate appearance, leading Detroit to a commanding series-clinching victory over Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Wenceel Perez contributed 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs, while Matt Vierling collected a double, triple and walk while driving in two runs. Riley Greene added a solo blast. Jack Flaherty (1-7) snapped a five-game losing streak by allowing five hits across five shutout frames.

Detroit battered Tampa Bay starter Steven Matz (4-3), who struggled through 1 2/3 difficult innings in his second consecutive poor outing. The southpaw surrendered five runs on six hits as the Rays fell to 2-7 in their past nine contests.

Rockies 8, Angels 2

Hunter Goodman, Willi Castro and T.J. Rumfield all went deep to power Colorado past Los Angeles in Anaheim, Calif.

Tomoyuki Sugano (5-4) surrendered two runs and five hits across five innings for the Rockies, who have captured four of five games, including the opening two contests of their current three-game set.

Wade Meckler collected two doubles and drove in two runs for the Angels, who have dropped four of five. Grayson Rodriguez (2-2) was hammered for eight runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Braves 4, Blue Jays 3

Matt Olson recorded two of Atlanta’s six hits, including a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning, propelling the Braves past visiting Toronto.

Ozzie Albies contributed two hits and two RBIs as the Braves captured their fourth victory in five games. Atlanta starter Bryce Elder (5-3) worked 6 2/3 innings and surrendered three runs on six hits. Raisel Iglesias tossed a clean ninth to record his 11th save.

Toronto starter Kevin Gausman (4-4) allowed four runs on five hits across six innings. Kazuma Okamoto belted a two-run homer among his two hits.

Phillies 3, Padres 2

Bryce Harper launched a two-run homer and Brandon Marsh recorded four hits as Philadelphia narrowly defeated visiting San Diego.

Aaron Nola surrendered two runs and four hits in five innings, fanning eight without issuing a walk. Alec Bohm’s double-play grounder plated the decisive run, and four relievers, including Jose Alvarado (2-1), guided the Phillies to victory.

Randy Vasquez yielded two runs and five hits in five innings for the Padres, who have lost seven of their last eight contests. Gavin Sheets homered, while Fernando Tatis Jr. added three hits.

Marlins 7, Nationals 3

Heriberto Hernandez belted two of Miami’s four home runs as the visiting Marlins defeated Washington.

Joe Mack, Hernandez and Otto Lopez connected for consecutive home runs in the fifth inning. Mack’s blast was his first career homer. Three Miami pitchers combined to hold the Nationals without a hit until the sixth inning. John King (2-1) threw 1 2/3 perfect innings.

Richard Lovelady opened with two hitless innings for Washington, before Miles Mikolas (1-5) was charged with six runs on six hits in six-plus innings. Daylen Lile went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 5

Shohei Ohtani doubled, tripled, drove in two and scored twice, Freddie Freeman belted a two-run homer and Los Angeles held on to defeat Arizona in Phoenix.

Freeman collected three hits and Dalton Rushing added two hits and two runs for the Dodgers, who have won 15 of 19. Reliever Blake Treinen (2-1) recorded one out for the victory.

Corbin Carroll had two hits including a homer and Nolan Arenado delivered a two-run double for the Diamondbacks, who have lost four of five. Michael Soroka (7-3) allowed four runs and six hits in six innings.

Guardians 9, Yankees 4

Jose Ramirez smacked a go-ahead double with one out in the fifth inning and visiting Cleveland earned a victory over New York.

Ramirez recorded three doubles for the fifth time in his career, and the first since Aug. 26, 2024 against Kansas City. Joey Cantillo allowed four runs on six hits in four innings.

Paul Goldschmidt drove in all four runs for the Yankees, who suffered their second loss in eight games. Schlittler endured his shortest start this season and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Orioles 4, Red Sox 2

Coby Mayo and Pete Alonso homered in consecutive innings, providing all the offense that visiting Baltimore needed to support starter Shane Baz in a victory over Boston.

Alonso (2-for-4) launched a two-run homer in the third for the Orioles, who scored all their runs in the second through fourth innings en route to their eighth win in an 11-game stretch. Baz (3-5) struck out six across seven innings of two-run, four-hit ball.

Ceddanne Rafaela went 2-for-4 for the Red Sox. Connelly Early (5-3) allowed four runs on six hits and struck out six in 5 1/3 frames.

Twins 6, White Sox 4

Tristan Gray went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Minnesota held on for a victory over Chicago in Minneapolis.

Luke Keaschall added two hits and drove in two for Minnesota, which secured a series victory. Alex Jackson finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Miguel Vargas went 1-for-4 with two RBIs to pace Chicago, which has dropped consecutive games after winning five straight.

Twins left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-3) allowed four runs on six hits in six innings. White Sox right-hander Davis Martin (8-2) surrendered six runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. The loss ended a six-game winning streak in his first defeat since April 10.

Athletics 2, Cubs 1

Gage Jump threw seven outstanding innings in his second major league start and Zack Gelof delivered the decisive go-ahead single to lift the Athletics over host Chicago.

Jump (1-1) surrendered one run and three hits and retired the final 14 batters he faced. Nick Kurtz homered to help the Athletics win for just the third time in the past 10 games.

Alex Bregman had the only RBI for the struggling Cubs, who lost for the 13th time in their past 16 games. Jameson Taillon (2-5) allowed two runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Brewers 8, Giants 3

Jake Bauers launched a three-run homer and Kyle Harrison, facing his former team, matched his career high with 12 strikeouts as Milwaukee posted a victory over visiting San Francisco.

Harrison (7-1) carried a shutout into the sixth inning before allowing a two-out solo homer to Willy Adames. He surrendered a run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Adames’ ninth homer ended Harrison’s streak of 23 consecutive scoreless innings.

Christian Yelich and Brice Turang each recorded two hits and two RBIs for the Brewers, who are 7-1 in the past eight contests. Starter Trevor McDonald (2-3) allowed three runs on five hits in five innings for the Giants, who suffered their seventh loss in eight games.

Rangers 7, Cardinals 4

Joc Pederson collected three hits, including a go-ahead RBI single in a three-run ninth inning, and visiting Texas defeated St. Louis.

Josh Jung followed with a run-scoring single against Riley O’Brien (3-3) to help Texas extend its winning streak to a season-high five. Cal Quantrill (3-0) recorded the final out in the eighth before Jakob Junis worked around a two-out single in the ninth for his fourth save.

Nolan Gorman launched a solo homer for St. Louis, which lost for the seventh time in its last nine games. Alec Burleson and Jimmy Crooks each contributed two hits and an RBI. The Cardinals went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 baserunners.

Pirates 10, Astros 6

Oneil Cruz crushed a three-run, go-ahead home run, fueling a four-run sixth inning as visiting Pittsburgh rallied for a victory over Houston in the opener of a three-game interleague series.

Cruz belted the second of two homers off Astros right-hander Mike Burrows (3-7), who made his first start against his former club. Bubba Chandler (2-6) allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits over five innings to snap a seven-start winless streak in Pittsburgh’s fourth straight victory.

Houston’s Yordan Alvarez belted his American League-leading 21st home run 363 feet to left-center field. Burrows allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits over five-plus innings. He has surrendered an AL-high 15 homers.

Mariners 8, Mets 3

Patrick Wisdom, Jhonny Pereda and Julio Rodriguez clubbed home runs as Seattle defeated visiting New York for its eighth consecutive victory.

Logan Gilbert (4-4) allowed three runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings, as the American League West-leading Mariners won a third straight series for the first time this season.

Carson Benge went deep twice for the Mets, who will try to avoid a three-game sweep Wednesday afternoon. Jonah Tong (1-1) was tagged for five runs, four earned, on five hits in 3 1/3 innings.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — A routine fly ball turned into an embarrassing moment for Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell during Tuesday night’s game when his defensive miscue resulted in one of baseball’s most unusual home runs.

The mishap occurred in the fourth inning when Adell attempted to catch a deep fly ball hit by Colorado Rockies player TJ Rumfield. While stretching upward for the catch, the ball clipped the edge of Adell’s glove before striking his head and sailing over the outfield wall for a solo home run.

The unusual sequence created momentary chaos on the field as the baseball bounced back onto the playing surface. Rumfield, uncertain about the official call, initially held up at second base before completing his trip around the bases, extending Colorado’s commanding 8-0 advantage.

The embarrassing defensive mistake brought back memories of a nearly identical incident from May 26, 1993, when Texas Rangers outfielder José Canseco experienced his own head-bouncing home run mishap. During that game, Canseco misjudged a long ball hit by Cleveland’s Carlos Martínez, with the baseball bouncing off his head and clearing the fence for a homer.

The NBA is moving ahead with plans for a 16-team European basketball league scheduled to begin play in October 2027, with or without participation from the existing EuroLeague, NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum announced Tuesday.

“We remain in active discussions with the EuroLeague,” Tatum said. “We believe all parties must be aligned, and we are also realistic. We are ready to proceed with FIBA and our partners if needed. There will be a meeting with the EuroLeague in the next couple of weeks.”

The EuroLeague includes many of Europe’s top basketball organizations, such as Olympiacos, Real Madrid, Fenerbahce and Barcelona.

Sports Business Journal reports that EuroLeague organizations would be required to pay between $500 million and $1 billion to secure permanent NBA Europe franchise rights, though those financial commitments have not yet materialized.

“We’ve expressed to the EuroLeague, and we’ve talked to them about (how) the only way to guarantee a permanent spot in our league is through a successful bid for permanent franchise,” Tatum said. “But … we’re also ready to proceed with our partners and investors if we can’t come to some sort of an agreement.

“It would not be ideal, obviously, but … we continue to pursue a constructive, collaborative and aligned outcome across the entire European ecosystem. We’ve been consistent in that, in believing that all parties should align here for the best interest of basketball.”

Tatum added, “At the end of the month, the bids will be finalized, and after that, we will go through our process. There’s no specific timeline for announcements. We have to finalize our negotiations with the clubs for a tipoff in October 2027.”

Tatum also confirmed recent reports that Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is investing in an NBA Europe franchise that will be based in Rome.

“It’s amazing to have someone like Luka, who played in the EuroLeague, to return this way to European basketball,” Tatum said. “He is very excited about our project. Luka played in the EuroLeague, and he understands the need for a construct and a system that will benefit the sport.”

ATLANTA (AP) — Baseball’s current consecutive games leader delivered when it mattered most on Lou Gehrig Day, powering the Atlanta Braves to victory.

Matt Olson celebrated his 844th straight game appearance with a decisive home run in the sixth inning, leading the Braves to a 4-3 win against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The first baseman’s high-flying blast — his 17th home run this season — benefited from strong winds pushing toward the right-field area. The power hitter believed he had mishit the ball, but it continued carrying through the air until it barely made it over the high brick barrier.

“I did not” think it was a homer, Olson said. “Luckily, we had some wind blowing out that way.”

The performance was fitting on a day when Major League Baseball honored the 85th anniversary of Gehrig’s premature passing from ALS at age 37 — an illness forever associated with the Iron Horse that ended his then-record consecutive game streak of 2,130.

Olson, who also hit a double and scored the run that put Atlanta ahead 3-2 in the third inning, has appeared in every contest since May 2, 2021 — the current longest streak in professional baseball.

“We’ve talked about the streak,” he said. “It’s not something I’m hanging up on a pedestal. But to be able to show up and play while I’m able to, I want to.”

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss commended Olson’s consistency and said there’s no better comparison than to Gehrig himself.

“Lou Gehrig was one of my all-time heroes,” Weiss said. “I made all four of my sons do their fifth-grade book report on Lou Gehrig. That was mandatory in our house. What a legacy he left behind. And you’ve got our iron man hitting the game-winning homer on Lou Gehrig Day, so very appropriate.”

The Braves obtained Olson through a major trade with the Athletics before the 2022 season after failing to reach a contract agreement with their previous longtime first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Replacing such a beloved player created enormous expectations, but Olson has delivered impressive results since arriving in Atlanta. He established a team record with 54 home runs in 2023, and is tracking toward another strong campaign for the squad with baseball’s top record at 41-20.

“He’s rock-solid in every way,” Weiss said. “He’s so reliable.”

Olson explained his straightforward philosophy for wanting to play continuously rather than taking occasional rest days.

“I just don’t like sitting,” the 32-year-old said with a smile. “I’ve had days off in the past and, man, it sucks sitting there and watching everybody else play. Sure, you’re tired sometimes. But I just think you have a commitment to your teammates and the fans and yourself and the organization. If you can go, you should go.”

His current streak represents the longest in professional baseball since Miguel Tejada’s 1,152 consecutive games from 2000-07. Gehrig’s original mark was eventually surpassed by Cal Ripken Jr., who appeared in 2,632 straight games during his Hall of Fame tenure with the Baltimore Orioles.

Similar to his manager Weiss, Olson values Gehrig’s impact on America’s pastime and particularly his role in raising awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a degenerative neurological condition with no known treatment.

“I know people from my area who’ve been affected by it,” Olson said. “A brutal disease. Every time we get a chance to bring some awareness to it and do something to help people who are really affected by it, we’re all for it.”

Tomas Hertl netted the decisive goal with 3:24 left on the clock, leading the Vegas Golden Knights to a thrilling 5-4 comeback victory against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night in Raleigh, N.C.

The Golden Knights mounted an impressive rally after falling behind 2-0 early, with Shea Theodore contributing one goal and three total points in the comeback effort. Brett Howden found the net once while adding an assist, and Ivan Barbashev along with William Karlsson each contributed single goals.

Between the pipes for Vegas, Carter Hart turned away 23 shots, while Brayden McNabb recorded a personal playoff-best three assists.

For the Hurricanes, Nikolaj Ehlers lit the lamp twice, and Jordan Staal plus Shayne Gostisbehere each added goals in the losing effort despite Carolina’s early 2-0 advantage. Jalen Chatfield contributed two assists, and netminder Frederik Andersen made 18 saves.

The second contest of the best-of-seven championship series takes place Thursday in Raleigh.

As the clock wound down in the seesaw battle, Hertl executed a perfect give-and-go play with Colton Sissons, collecting the return pass in the slot before firing a shot into the upper corner of the net.

Historical data shows teams winning the finals opener capture the Stanley Cup 76.4% of the time. That percentage decreases to 65.6% when the road team takes the first game.

Carolina suffered just their second playoff loss this season, but now faces pressure to even the series before it moves to Las Vegas. The Hurricanes had controlled the early action.

Ehlers got Carolina on the scoreboard with the third-quickest goal to begin a finals game in history. The opening shot of the game deflected off the goalpost and crossed the goal line just 25 seconds into play.

Ehlers doubled Carolina’s lead with a breakaway score at the 12:08 mark of the opening period.

Vegas rallied back with three consecutive goals to take control.

Theodore got the Golden Knights on the scoreboard 80 seconds following Ehlers’ second goal, as his shot from the point deflected off a Carolina defender and found the net.

Barbashev evened the score 30 seconds into the second period, placing a shot in the top corner from the slot area. Karlsson then put Vegas ahead 3-2 at 4:35 of the middle frame, capitalizing on a scoring opportunity near the goal line.

Staal knotted the game eight minutes later. Carolina capitalized on a Vegas turnover in their attacking zone, with Staal firing a shot from the slot to make it 3-3 entering the final period.

Howden restored Vegas’ lead when he deflected Theodore’s shot-pass 81 seconds into the third period.

But Gostisbehere equalized once more, scoring from the left faceoff circle at 11:19 of the final frame.

RALEIGH, N.C. — After two lackluster conference final series drained excitement from the NHL playoffs, the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes delivered exactly what hockey fans needed in their Stanley Cup Final opener.

Tuesday night’s thrilling 5-4 Golden Knights victory showcased non-stop action, featuring everything from lightning-fast scoring to spectacular goaltending performances. The defensive systems that carried both teams to this stage took a backseat to offensive fireworks, creating an entertaining spectacle for viewers.

The fireworks began immediately when Nikolaj Ehlers found the net just 25 seconds into the game for Carolina, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The fast-paced action continued as both teams generated numerous high-quality scoring chances, including odd-man rushes and breakaway opportunities that likely gave coaches nightmares.

Vegas demonstrated their resilience by overcoming another early deficit, trailing by two goals barely 12 minutes into the contest. Ivan Barbashev’s tally 30 seconds into the middle frame created NHL history, marking the first Cup final game ever to feature goals scored that rapidly in consecutive periods.

Jordan Staal provided a memorable moment for Carolina, netting his first playoff goal at this level since 2009 while surpassing his older brother Eric’s record for the longest drought between Cup final tallies. The arena erupted again when Shayne Gostisbehere knotted the score with less than nine minutes remaining in regulation.

Carter Hart delivered his most crucial save with 3:43 left on the clock, using a spectacular glove stop to deny Seth Jarvis, Carolina’s struggling top-line winger who continues searching for offensive success.

The Golden Knights saved their best moment for last in a game filled with highlights. Colton Sissons created the winning play with a clever backhand feed to Tomas Hertl, who had also struggled early in the playoffs, for the decisive goal just 19 seconds after Hart’s brilliant save on Jarvis.

Following such an exhilarating battle between two championship-caliber teams, hockey enthusiasts can only hope the remaining games deliver similar entertainment value.

Two of college athletics’ most powerful conferences announced Tuesday they cannot back the current form of bipartisan federal legislation aimed at governing an industry grappling with rapid transformation where some athletes now earn millions of dollars.

The Southeastern and Big Ten conferences stated the legislation “leaves critical issues unresolved,” particularly failing to provide adequate federal override of state regulations – a component long viewed as essential for gaining NCAA and conference backing.

During a recent Associated Press interview, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who co-authored the measure with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., stated “the bill is drafted to preempt state laws that conflict with the provisions in this bill.”

The joint SEC-Big Ten announcement emerged just under 24 hours ahead of a planned Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the proposed legislation. Cruz leads the committee while Cantwell serves as the top-ranking Democrat.

While the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conferences have endorsed the proposal, the Big Ten and SEC wield the most influence as the wealthiest conferences with significant control over College Football Playoff decisions.

Among the measure’s main components is allowing conferences to combine their media rights – a concept the Big Ten and SEC have consistently argued would not produce the financial benefits supporters claim. The conferences’ joint statement did not address this particular provision.

A representative from Cruz’s Commerce Committee confirmed they are aware of the Big Ten-SEC stance.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams and general manager Les Snead have built their reputation over more than ten years by executing bold, high-stakes transactions that NFL supporters everywhere hope their organizations would pursue.

Their newest acquisition ranks among their most significant and dangerous — perfectly fitting their established approach.

On Tuesday, Myles Garrett arrived at the Rams’ Woodland Hills training facility following LA’s decision to surrender emerging talent Jared Verse plus three valuable draft selections to finalize one of the league’s most substantial trades in recent memory.

“To acquire a player like this, these things don’t come up often,” coach Sean McVay said.

However, this daring transaction for what many consider the premier pass rusher of his era represents just another chapter in Snead’s history of franchise-altering deals. Over the previous decade, he has orchestrated moves to obtain Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford, Jalen Ramsey, Von Miller, Trent McDuffie, Brandin Cooks and additional established players at costs many organizations would consider prohibitive.

The franchise has dedicated ten years pursuing championships with a sense of immediacy that appears focused on immediate success, but actually stems from institutional belief that McVay’s leadership capabilities will compensate for the necessary sacrifices in future draft assets and veteran personnel.

“You’re always threading that needle for sustainability, trying to win consistently,” Snead said Tuesday. “But it’s a hard one to thread.”

McVay fully embraces the organization’s aggressive timeline, as the head coach frequently serves as the most insistent voice encouraging Snead to complete major transactions: “I’m not the most patient person,” McVay said with a smirk.

“To be able to add players like (Garrett) is so rare,” McVay added. “We feel really fortunate that this feels very similar to when we were fortunate enough to acquire a player like Matthew Stafford. Things like this don’t present themselves, and we wanted to be aggressive.”

While such chances may be uncommon, the Rams have capitalized on significantly more opportunities than competing franchises — and they were already considered a leading Super Bowl candidate before securing Garrett.

Three months earlier, Snead addressed Los Angeles’ main vulnerability by obtaining McDuffie, making him the league’s most expensive cornerback while reuniting him with free-agent addition Jaylen Watson, his former Chiefs teammate.

Despite possessing a defensive front featuring four quality players all remaining under rookie deals, Snead and McVay sought further enhancement.

The general manager initiated discussions with Browns counterpart Andrew Berry following Cleveland’s contract adjustment for Garrett that indicated a potential transaction involving the All-Pro who had recently established the NFL’s single-season sacks record.

“Andrew and I have a good relationship, (and) we like talking football a good bit,” Snead said. “So I would pester him a little bit, probably jokingly at first. Kept doing that, and then we began talking a little more seriously.”

Snead initially attempted to structure the agreement using only draft selections from current and future years. Berry insisted on including Verse, the promising young defender and Snead’s sole first-round selection between quarterbacks Goff (2016) and Ty Simpson (2026).

While both Snead and McVay express reluctance about trading Verse, the Rams ultimately consented with support from owner Stan Kroenke, who has consistently endorsed his management team’s distinctive urgency.

Garrett welcomed the chance to join this organization’s tradition of elite pass rushers extending from the Fearsome Foursome through Aaron Donald. Additionally, after nine seasons in Cleveland, he sought the opportunity to compete for a perennial championship contender.

The Rams have maintained that status throughout McVay’s tenure beginning in 2017 — accumulating eight winning campaigns, seven playoff appearances, four NFC West championships, three conference title game visits, two Super Bowl trips and one championship.

“It just came down to the timing of everything,” Garrett said. “What does it look like to be a winner now, and to have the opportunity to do that immediately? That was just too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

The organization’s assertiveness extends beyond trades: Snead and McVay have demonstrated willingness to release quality performers and team legends when deemed necessary for financial or competitive reasons.

They have parted ways with Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp and star running back Todd Gurley, while trading Goff and receiver Robert Woods before their Rams contract extensions had begun.

Such decisions often appear ruthless to supporters, with players like Goff and Kupp publicly expressing disappointment regarding how Snead and McVay handled their departures. Eventually, however, most seem to accept this as the organization’s standard operating procedure.

This includes Woods, a reliable five-year contributor and clubhouse leader during McVay’s early seasons after joining as a free agent in 2017.

The Southern California native injured his knee during practice in the middle of the 2021 campaign, sidelining him for the Rams’ Super Bowl championship journey — and Snead dealt him to Tennessee one month after the celebration.

Woods spent four additional seasons with various NFL teams before retiring this year — and promptly rejoined the Rams in a coaching capacity.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Apart from capturing a Super Bowl championship, Myles Garrett accomplished nearly everything possible for a defensive player during his initial nine NFL campaigns.

Currently part of a Los Angeles Rams squad expected to hoist the Lombardi Trophy this coming February, Garrett is prepared to address the one significant gap in his professional accomplishments.

“Since the very beginning, it’s always been about winning. … And to have an opportunity to do that immediately? That was the opportunity that was too difficult to pass up,” Garrett said at his introductory news conference Tuesday, one day after the blockbuster deal that sent him from Cleveland to Los Angeles.

Garrett had reached the playoffs with the Browns in 2020 and 2023, representing his only two successful seasons in Cleveland following his selection as the top overall pick in 2017. Joining the Rams, the 30-year-old pass rusher has become part of a franchise that has qualified for the postseason in seven of head coach Sean McVay’s nine years leading the team, captured the Super Bowl after the 2021 season, competed in another championship game, and fell just short against Philadelphia and Seattle squads that ultimately claimed titles over the previous two years.

The Rams used the offseason to strengthen their roster for another championship attempt by fixing the defensive weaknesses that hurt them in the 31-27 NFC championship defeat to the Seahawks. They acquired All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie through trade, brought in fellow Chiefs defensive back Jaylen Watson via free agency, and completed their upgrades by obtaining a two-time AP Defensive Player of the Year and five-time first-team All-Pro in Garrett.

These additions have Garrett anticipating significant achievements.

“I see a position to solidify myself here as well among the very greats,” he said.

After a campaign where he established the NFL single-season mark with 23 sacks while also recording a personal-best 33 tackles for loss, Garrett thinks the Rams’ framework and resources could enable him to achieve even loftier goals. He becomes part of a defensive unit that already finished among the top 10 in points surrendered and quarterback takedowns, and Garrett anticipates an offensive attack featuring quarterback Matthew Stafford, who earned NFL MVP honors after throwing for 46 touchdowns, will provide him numerous opportunities to seal victories in the final quarter.

Such chances were rare in Cleveland, where Garrett accumulated 125 1/2 sacks across 134 career contests. The Browns posted a 58-90-1 record throughout Garrett’s tenure there.

“I mean, that did play into the decision as well, knowing I have the ability, you know, late game, to pin my ears back, not just because we need a play to be made, but because we have the lead and it’s obvious passing downs, being able to make those game-changing plays to win the game for us, those are things that appealed to me,” Garrett said.

Garrett has already begun adjusting to his new environment, reaching an agreement with nose tackle Poona Ford to obtain the No. 95 jersey.

Garrett is also eager to connect with NBA superstar LeBron James, who has played the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, for additional insight about the city. Garrett characterized James as a “positive force in my life,” having gained counsel and guidance from the Akron, Ohio, native and four-time NBA champion throughout the years since joining the Browns.

Garrett possesses some existing knowledge of the area. His girlfriend, Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim, hails from Torrance, California, in Los Angeles County. His father, Lawrence, was born in Los Angeles.

Despite all the early enthusiasm surrounding the trade, Garrett recognizes it will ultimately be evaluated based on how he and the Rams perform during competition.

“Nothing changes for me,” he said. “I don’t feel any pressure to be anything else, be anything different. As long as I’m myself and I come here to work every day and I’m a leader, the success will follow.”

Wide receiver Drake London has reached agreement with the Atlanta Falcons on a four-year contract extension valued at $141 million with $100 million in guaranteed money, according to an ESPN report Tuesday that cited London’s agent.

The contract gives London an annual average of $35.25 million, making him the third highest-paid wide receiver in the league. Only Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba at $42.15 million and Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase at $40.25 million earn more per year. London’s deal also represents the largest average annual salary in Atlanta franchise history, ESPN reported. Smith-Njigba inked his extension with the Super Bowl champion Seahawks during the earlier portion of this offseason.

Atlanta selected London with the eighth pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he became an instant contributor in the starting lineup. London topped the team in receiving yards during each of his initial three campaigns before tight end Kyle Pitts edged him by a mere nine yards in 2025, though London appeared in five fewer contests.

Across 62 career appearances (60 as a starter), the 24-year-old London has recorded 309 catches for 3,961 yards and 22 touchdowns while wearing an Atlanta uniform. His most productive campaign came in 2024, when he participated in all 17 games and established personal bests with 100 receptions, 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns.

London will compete during the 2026 season under his fifth-year rookie option valued at $16.82 million. The new extension will then carry him through the 2030 season.

The Falcons are beginning a fresh chapter this year under head coach Kevin Stefanski and with franchise icon and former quarterback Matt Ryan assuming a newly established position as president of football. Tua Tagovailoa was acquired to battle Michael Penix Jr. for the starting quarterback position.

New Zealand professional golfer Lydia Ko has an opportunity to surpass Annika Sorenstam’s record as the top earner in women’s golf history during this week’s U.S. Women’s Open, but Ko questions whether such comparisons are appropriate.

“We’re playing in a very different generation right now,” the 29-year-old Ko stated to media members at Tuesday’s press conference held at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., where this year’s tournament kicks off Thursday.

“It’s cool to be, I guess, compared to that record and hopefully surpass it at some point,” Ko commented, “but it’s like very hard to kind of like compare it because we are playing for a lot more money than she did back in that day.”

Currently, Ko has accumulated $21.8 million in career earnings, trailing Sorenstam’s $22.5 million total. Ko has captured 23 LPGA Tour victories throughout her career, while the Swedish golfer Sorenstam claimed 72 victories between 1995 and 2008, ranking third in history behind Americans Kathy Whitworth (88 wins from 1962-85) and Mickey Wright (82 wins from 1956-73).

“For me, like the win count is probably a little bit more meaningful,” explained Ko, who holds three major championship titles. “Not that the money isn’t meaningful. Obviously, we’re very grateful that we get to play for a lot more money… I just feel like I’m like an ant and (Sorenstam) is — I don’t know what the biggest bug or living thing is, but she’s that.

“So, it’s kind of hard to compare that just because we’re playing for so much more now. Hopefully in years time, they play for so much more than what we do.”

The venue, Riviera Country Club, will serve as the location for both men’s and women’s golf events when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics. Ko has competed for New Zealand in three Olympic Games, earning gold in Paris 2024, silver in Rio 2016, and bronze in Tokyo 2021 (which was delayed from 2020).

However, she does not intend to participate in another Olympics.

“The only thing that I would be like very excited for is because they’re adding the mixed team component. I love team play,” Ko mentioned. “That will be the only thing that I’m very jealous that I’m not a part of. Who knows? I could be a part of it in a different place rather than just competing, and I do take pride in competing for New Zealand at the Olympics, and I really hope that I can be a part of it somehow in some shape or form. But, no. Three Olympics, and that stress was enough.”

San Diego has sidelined outfielder Ramon Laureano due to right hip inflammation, officially placing him on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

The roster move was made effective from Sunday. To fill the vacancy, San Diego promoted outfielder Jase Bowen from Triple-A El Paso. The 25-year-old Bowen was set to make his major league debut Tuesday evening, taking the starting position in left field and hitting seventh in the lineup against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.

The 31-year-old Laureano’s most recent appearance came Saturday, where he finished 0-for-3 with one walk during a 9-4 defeat to the Washington Nationals on the road.

This season marks Laureano’s second year with San Diego, where he’s posted a .203 batting average alongside seven home runs and 21 RBIs across 53 contests. His performance started strong with a .357 average through four March games before settling to .252 by April’s conclusion.

Throughout his major league career, Laureano has maintained a .250 batting average with 113 home runs and 349 RBIs over 795 regular-season appearances. His career has included stints with the Athletics (2018-23), Cleveland Guardians (2023-24), Atlanta Braves (2024), Baltimore Orioles (2025), and currently the Padres (2025-present).

Bowen was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He joined San Diego’s organization on a minor-league deal before this season began.

At El Paso this year, Bowen has compiled impressive numbers with a .292 batting average, .362 on-base percentage, and .600 slugging percentage, along with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs in 49 games.

Additionally, San Diego moved right-hander Nick Pivetta from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation, creating the necessary 40-man roster space for Bowen’s addition.

In women’s professional golf right now, one question stands out: Can anyone challenge Nelly Korda when she’s performing at this elite level?

After experiencing her season’s poorest result at the Kroger Queen City Championship with an eighth-place tie, Korda stepped away from tournament play for two weeks. That disappointing finish followed an extraordinary opening to 2026, where her initial six tournaments produced three victories and three second-place finishes.

Her most significant triumph came at the Chevron Championship, this year’s opening major tournament. Now preparing for the second major championship, the world’s top-ranked player expresses an unquenchable competitive appetite.

Speaking to media on Tuesday before this week’s U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Korda explained her motivation. “I’m just motivated to put myself into that position, to grind on off weeks, to just play the game,” she said. “It’s really hard to explain, but it’s really there’s nothing better when you’re a very competitive person than being in the hunt on a back nine at a tournament. There’s a really big rush of emotions. Even if it doesn’t work out, you constantly want to put yourself back into that because all that work that you’ve put in in your off weeks, that’s what makes it worth it.”

The golfer outlined her demanding weekly routine, which includes early morning starts, extensive practice sessions, physical training, physiotherapy treatments, and early bedtimes following dinner.

“All those days, you kind of sacrifice your time at home with your friends or with family, but it’s just so worth it because there’s no better rush of emotions than being in the hunt,” Korda explained.

This dedication paired with her exceptional abilities makes Korda a formidable competitor. Following a winless 2025 campaign, she had previously captured seven titles in 2024, including her inaugural Chevron Championship victory. Her 2026 performance mirrors that successful 2024 season, helping her reclaim the top ranking from Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul.

During last year’s championship at Erin Hills in Wisconsin, Korda remained competitive throughout the final round but couldn’t overtake Sweden’s Maja Stark at the U.S. Women’s Open. Her second-place finish represented her strongest showing in that tournament.

Reflecting on that near-miss, she said her main lesson was “That I was just hungry for more.”

“Last year was just a weird year of kind of not necessarily playing my best, but also when I did, not getting the bounces or just missing by a centimeter here and there,” Korda noted. “But I also learned a lot about myself. It made me hungrier to be in those positions.”

A championship this week would mark Korda’s fourth major title. Betting markets favor her heavily, with odds of +340 on DraftKings and +400 on BetMGM.

However, despite her success and status as the most accomplished American female golfer of her generation at age 27, Korda dismissed suggestions that she represents the sport’s public face.

“Definitely don’t think of myself as the face of the sport, but I would say that it’s growing,” Korda responded. “I’ve seen like from my rookie year, or even just maybe 2023, I’ve seen a big interest in girls, little girls coming out, supporting us.”

She continued: “It’s amazing to see how many dads and little girls come out to our events. It is absolutely amazing to see. It has grown every single year. There are times where (caddie Jason McDede) and I catch ourselves, and we kind of look around to the crowd and we’re like, wow, it’s amazing to see how many people are here on a Thursday. So I do think that we are growing. Obviously, there’s always room for improvement in everything that you do, but I’ve seen a really big trend in the fans coming out.”

PLANO, Texas — The NHL’s Dallas Stars have revealed their intention to relocate from downtown to the suburban community of Plano within the next five years, coinciding with the expiration of their current arena lease.

Team representatives announced Tuesday they have signed a preliminary letter of intent for constructing a hockey-focused arena and entertainment complex approximately 20 miles north of their current downtown venue, the American Airlines Center, which has housed both the Stars and the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks since opening in 2001.

Both franchises face lease expirations at the AAC in 2031. The organizations have been engaged in legal battles regarding their partnership arrangement and facility management responsibilities.

The Stars revealed their relocation plans just one day following the Mavericks’ announcement of a tentative agreement for their own new facility roughly 10 miles north of downtown, remaining within Dallas city boundaries. The basketball team’s proposal involves 104 acres where Valley View Mall previously stood before demolition three years ago.

The proposed Stars venue would be integrated into an extensive redevelopment initiative at The Shops at Willow Bend, where Texas’s final enclosed shopping mall faces upcoming demolition.

The Stars have submitted their preliminary agreement to Plano city officials, who have scheduled the proposal for City Council review during Monday’s upcoming session. The document outlines plans for both the mixed-use development and arena design and construction phases.

“This project would present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our franchise,” Stars owner Tom Gaglardi said in a statement. “We eagerly await the vote by the Plano City Council and look forward to continuing the conversation to be part of the redevelopment of The Shops at Willow Bend.”

The shopping center, spanning roughly 90 acres, opened in 2001 and currently features operating restaurants and parking structures. The proposed arena would serve as the centerpiece for redevelopment potentially incorporating sports facilities, entertainment venues, retail establishments, restaurants and community gathering areas.

The hockey franchise operated as the North Stars before relocating from Minnesota and commencing Dallas operations during the 1993-94 season. In 1999, the Stars became the inaugural Sun Belt hockey organization to capture a Stanley Cup championship.

The team secured that title while competing at Reunion Arena, another facility they shared with the Mavericks following their Dallas arrival. That downtown venue, located approximately one mile from the AAC, underwent complete demolition in 2009.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams aren’t ruling out the possibility of Aaron Donald coming out of retirement, and head coach Sean McVay says the decision rests entirely with the former superstar defensive tackle if he chooses to suit up again and play with Myles Garrett.

Talk about Donald potentially ending his two-season retirement heated up right after the Rams completed their major trade on Monday, bringing Garrett over from the Cleveland Browns. The 35-year-old Donald stepped away from football in March 2024 following an outstanding decade-long career entirely with the Rams organization.

During Garrett’s introduction to the media on Tuesday, McVay addressed questions about Donald but offered no definitive answer about whether the retired star would return to action — though he didn’t dismiss the speculation either.

“Aaron is a guy that I stay really close in touch with, and I know the respect that he has for Myles,” McVay said. “Talked to him about the opportunity to be able to bring (Garrett) on board. If Aaron decides he wants to dust them off at the age of 35, I bet you he could still do it at a pretty high clip.”

ESPN personality Pat McAfee fueled comeback rumors on Tuesday, revealing he had exchanged messages with Donald about a possible return. According to McAfee, Donald indicated that Garrett’s move to LA “for sure got me thinking,” adding that he’s “gotta see if that fire can light back up.”

Throughout his 10 seasons in St. Louis and Los Angeles, Donald earned eight All-Pro honors, 10 Pro Bowl appearances, three AP Defensive Player of the Year titles, and a Super Bowl championship. He concluded his career at the peak of his abilities, setting a franchise record with 111 sacks while establishing himself as the league’s premier interior pass rusher before deciding he was prepared to move away from the demanding routine needed to compete at that elite level.

Since Donald retired at what’s considered a relatively early age for defensive linemen, discussions about his potential comeback have persisted throughout his two years away from the game in Los Angeles, where the Pittsburgh-born player continues to live with his family. Rams supporters actively hoped for his return during last season as the team looked positioned for another Super Bowl attempt, but Donald remained unmoved by those appeals.

Donald even trained with Jared Verse, the first-round draft selection and emerging edge rusher who was sent to Cleveland as part of the package with three valuable draft picks. The Rams sacrificed significant assets to land Garrett, the two-time AP Defensive Player of the Year and one of the few players who matches Donald’s elite status in recent NFL history.

Garrett has expressed admiration for Donald’s abilities in the past, and the Rams’ newest star player listened approvingly on Tuesday as McVay spoke highly of Donald.

The Rams’ defensive front is already formidable, with Garrett now joining 12-sack edge rusher Byron Young and solid interior defenders Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Poona Ford. Garrett has already obtained his preferred No. 95 jersey from Ford, who had been wearing that number with the Rams last season.

“There was a conversation,” Garrett said with a laugh.

“A conversation and a couple of bucks?” McVay interjected.

“Maybe more than a couple of bucks,” Garrett said with a laugh. “He was open to it.”

The New York Yankees will be without their team captain and star outfielder Aaron Judge, who is listed as day-to-day due to a bone bruise affecting his upper right rib.

This marks Judge’s first absence from the lineup this season as the Yankees kick off their homestand Tuesday facing the Cleveland Guardians. Jose Caballero will take over duties in right field during Judge’s absence.

Manager Aaron Boone explained to reporters before the game that Judge had been experiencing persistent right shoulder discomfort for several weeks, prompting medical imaging. The tests revealed a bone bruise on his rib, which doctors determined was the source of the shoulder pain Judge had been experiencing.

The three-time American League MVP currently shares the team’s home run leadership with Ben Rice, both having hit 17 long balls this season. Judge’s 2024 statistics also include 10 doubles, 38 RBIs and five stolen bases, though he’s batting .248 across 59 games. This batting average represents his lowest performance since his rookie season in 2016, when he hit .179 over 27 games.

Judge brings an impressive resume to the Yankees, having earned All-Star recognition in each of the past five seasons and seven times throughout his career. Over his time with the team, he has maintained a .291 batting average while accumulating 385 home runs, 868 RBIs, 213 doubles and 70 stolen bases across 1,204 games.

Jalen Brunson’s quest in these NBA Finals extends beyond pursuing a championship trophy.

A title victory could establish him among the greatest players to ever wear a New York Knicks uniform while securing his place in the city’s sports legend status.

Despite only four seasons with the team, he has already made his mark throughout the franchise record books for an organization that spans all 80 NBA seasons. His playoff scoring total ranks third in team history. Since Brunson joined in 2022, the Knicks have reached the postseason each year, a stark contrast to winning just one playoff series in the previous two decades.

The team now finds itself in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, seeking their first championship since 1973.

Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier and Willis Reed are commonly considered the franchise’s greatest players in various orders. Should Brunson guide the Knicks to victory, he could potentially claim the top spot among them.

“Well, right now a lot of people say he’s the greatest Knick ever because of getting them to the finals and obviously if he wins a championship,” Frazier said. “So I don’t think he’s the greatest Knick ever — I always say it’s Willis, and Willis said it’s Patrick, and Patrick says it’s Patrick. So he would definitely be on Mount Rushmore. We’ll put him up there if he can bring this title.”

Brunson’s postseason scoring average of 26.9 points exceeds his regular season mark of 26 per game. The Eastern Conference finals MVP is creating history simply by reaching the finals, as he and his father, Rick, a Knicks assistant who played for them in 1999 when Jalen was just shy of 3 years old, will become the first father-son duo to play in the finals for the same franchise.

These achievements weren’t anticipated when Brunson joined New York. This situation differs from Victor Wembanyama’s arrival in San Antonio from France as the No. 1 draft selection, a 7-foot-4 talent whose skills clearly suggested potential greatness.

Standing at 6-2 without apparent explosive athleticism, Brunson’s path led him to become only a second-round selection in 2018 despite being a two-time NCAA champion and college player of the year at Villanova. He joined Dallas alongside Luka Doncic, and observing the Slovenian star’s natural ability caused Brunson to reflect on his own capabilities.

“It made me kind of question myself to see how hard I actually had to work to be in the position I wanted to be,” he said.

He primarily served as a reserve during his four Dallas seasons before the Knicks invested over $100 million to acquire him. This decision ranks among their finest ever — and considering Brunson’s New York performance at that price for a now consistent All-Star, it represents one of the greatest free agent signings in league history.

With only two NBA championships in franchise history, the decades-long wait for a third title means Brunson could easily join New York sports legends like Joe Namath, Derek Jeter or Reggie Jackson, figures still celebrated throughout the five boroughs years after their victories, if he captures one championship now.

Achieving this goal would confirm the second-team All-NBA selection as a genuine superstar. However, the reverse scenario remains possible. Should Brunson falter against the Spurs’ strong defensive guards and the Knicks fall short, critics will quickly argue the team requires additional talent because Brunson lacks true superstar qualities.

“I mean, I don’t really care what people say, so at the end of the day I’m not going to base my judgment or evaluation of him as a player off people that never played the game and just never been in that situation,” teammate and close friend Josh Hart said. “So I know he doesn’t really care about it, I don’t really care about it. At the end of the day those quote-unquote people are irrelevant.”

Throughout New York, Brunson’s influence is unmistakable. Mets slugger Juan Soto hit a home run and performed the hand gesture Brunson uses to celebrate a 3-pointer. Jets coach Aaron Glenn said the impact the captain has on the club is evident.

“I mean, you can tell that the leadership, the fight, everybody follows that, and it’s easy to follow that,” Glenn said. “He’s a guy, and I continue to say this, that leadership really comes down to one word and that’s ‘influence.’ You really see the influence that he has, and it’s not always verbal. It’s a lot of just what he does and how he operates.”

While Brunson avoids seeking attention and lacks the flashy presence of Frazier, the stylish “Clyde” famous for his vibrant wardrobe, a championship would place him in the same exclusive group, offering enduring rewards.

“I can’t walk the street, it’s like I’m in a parade. Anywhere I go people are like, ‘Oh, there he is, there’s Clyde! There’s Clyde!’” Frazier said. “So if these guys win another title — man, I can’t spend money now in New York. I’ll never have to spend money again in this city.

“And that’s what I want to show the players. Hey man, I’ve been doing this for 50 years. Fifty years just for winning two titles! So you guys can have it if you just win one title.”

NEW YORK — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge will be absent from Tuesday’s starting lineup in the matchup against Cleveland due to a bone bruise in his upper right rib that’s causing discomfort in his right shoulder, with the possibility of missing several games.

“He’s been kind of the last couple of weeks kind of dealing with some shoulder soreness, just kind of more nagging,” manager Aaron Boone explained before the series opener against the Guardians. “Then over the weekend, the last couple of games in Sacramento, I think it became a little more than just that, where I noticed with some swings and stuff. It became a little more than just nagging. I think it was affecting him.”

According to Boone, medical examinations conducted during Monday’s off day uncovered the bruise, and Judge was set to consult with a team physician later on Tuesday.

The slugger is currently batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs. The three-time AL MVP has managed just one home run over his past 18 contests since May 10 and broke an 11-game drought without a homer or RBI by delivering a walk-off, two-run blast in the ninth inning that secured a 2-0 victory over Tampa Bay on May 24.

Prior to that Tampa Bay game, Judge was mired in a 1-for-24 cold streak that had pushed his batting average down to .246. He had gone hitless through 15 at-bats before connecting for a single in the opening frame.

“I think probably something that’s been affecting him a little bit here recently, especially this weekend,” Boone noted. “So, hopefully, it is something that we just get calmed down here and put it behind us.”

Last season, Judge captured the batting crown with a career-best .331 average along with 53 homers and 114 RBIs across 152 games. He was sidelined for 10 games from July 26 through August 4 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow suffered during a throw home on July 22 in Toronto. He received a plasma-rich injection and avoided offseason surgery, though he didn’t return to outfield duties until September 5.

During Judge’s injury absence last year, Giancarlo Stanton covered 17 games in the outfield. Stanton has been unavailable since April 24 with a strained right calf.

For Tuesday’s game, José Caballero got his 22nd career start in right field and third since joining the team from Tampa Bay in the July 31 trade.

Judge had been in the starting lineup for 52 of New York’s initial 59 games in right field. Rookie Spencer Jones made four right field starts before being sent down on May 23, while Cody Bellinger has started two games there.

The Philadelphia Eagles brought aboard running back Elijah Mitchell on Tuesday, adding another veteran to their backfield roster.

The 28-year-old Mitchell joins a crowded running backs room that features three-time Pro Bowl performer and 2024 first-team All-Pro Saquon Barkley at the top, along with Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele.

Mitchell entered the NFL when San Francisco chose him in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. During his three-year tenure with the 49ers, he accumulated 1,523 rushing yards and nine touchdowns across 327 carries in 28 regular-season appearances, starting 12 of those contests. His postseason performance included 237 yards rushing and two scores over eight playoff contests with two starts, but a hamstring injury sidelined him for the entire 2024 campaign.

In 2025, Mitchell appeared in a single game for the Kansas City Chiefs before being released in December and joining New England’s practice squad. The Patriots gave him a futures contract in February but cut him in April.

Cleveland’s first-year head coach Todd Monken believes the team should avoid potential risks if they consider selecting Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby in a possible NFL supplemental draft, given his loss of college eligibility due to gambling violations.

Speaking personally rather than for the Cleveland organization, Monken described pursuing Sorsby as a “slippery slope” despite the player’s demonstrated abilities and talent level.

“I don’t think we’re in a position to want to go down that road,” Monken stated during the Browns Foundation Golf Tournament. “That’s my opinion. That’s not (general manager Andrew Berry’s).”

“I like the quarterbacks that we have. I think that’s a slippery slope when you go down that, irrespective of talent, right?” Monken added. “In terms of the situation he’s (put) himself in, we all know what that is. He put himself in that situation. And we’ve seen in other sports with players that have been banned for life from playing in professional sports.”

“But from my end of it, kind of a tough angle to go down that road and think that’s going to be your franchise quarterback if he’s ever eligible to even play in the NFL,” he concluded.

After transferring from Cincinnati during the offseason, Sorsby was expected to be Texas Tech’s starting quarterback for 2026. ESPN rated him as the top transfer in this year’s class.

However, Sorsby’s college career hit a roadblock when extensive betting activity caused the NCAA to strip his eligibility in April and reject his reinstatement appeal in May. NCAA regulations forbid athletes and staff from placing wagers on NCAA championship events, including football.

While Sorsby pursues a court injunction to compete in 2026, entering the NFL’s supplemental draft remains a backup plan if legal efforts fail.

When questioned about Sorsby on Tuesday, Cleveland’s general manager Berry provided a less definitive response than his coach.

“No different than we do every year,” Berry commented. “We’ll do the work on all the prospects, and then we’ll make the appropriate decision for the organization.”

Cleveland’s current quarterback roster features veteran Deshaun Watson, second-year players Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, plus 2026 sixth-round selection Taylen Green.

Following Monday’s hearing in Lubbock County, Texas, Judge Ken Curry has not yet ruled on Sorsby’s temporary injunction request. Curry asked for additional paperwork before making his decision, which could come within days, ESPN reported.

Sorsby’s lawyer, Jeffrey Kessler, asked for a ruling by June 15 to give his client time to decide about applying for the NFL supplement draft, which has a June 22 application deadline.

During the hearing, Curry listened to arguments from both Sorsby’s legal team and the NCAA regarding whether the quarterback should return to competition after allegedly placing thousands of unauthorized bets on college and professional sports — including wagers on his former team at Indiana.

Court records show Sorsby made at least 40 bets on Indiana football during his redshirt freshman season with the Hoosiers.

These wagers ranged from $1 to $114, totaling at least $850 during September and October 2022 while he was redshirting. In correspondence with the NCAA, Sorsby stated he never wagered on games he participated in or bet against his own team.

Over four years, the quarterback placed approximately $90,000 in bets through sportsbook accounts registered under family members’ and friends’ names, with 2,900 bets worth more than $30,000 occurring between June 2022 and December 2023 alone. Recently, Sorsby disclosed completing a 35-day inpatient rehabilitation program in Arizona for “a diagnosed gambling addiction and anxiety disorder.”

NCAA attorney Taylor Askew argued Monday that granting an injunction would effectively make the collegiate organization the first U.S. sports league unable to penalize its athletes for betting on their own competitions.

The NFL last conducted a supplemental draft in 2019. Established in 1977, this process was designed to provide players facing “sudden eligibility changes” with a pathway from college to professional football. Nevertheless, the league would likely thoroughly examine the investigation into Sorsby’s off-field conduct before deciding whether to conduct the special draft in July.

Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus voiced his disapproval of how the PGA Tour currently arranges its tournament schedule during a Tuesday press conference before this weekend’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

“I don’t want to comment on the tour’s schedule because I’m not exactly in favor of what they’re doing right now,” Nicklaus stated, though he went on to outline what he views as upcoming difficulties for the tour.

“I hate to see tournaments bunched too much together with too many big tournaments too close together. That’s a problem, I think. And I think that’s going to be a problem for the tour in the future,” Nicklaus explained during the media session in Dublin, Ohio.

The golf icon, whose tournament debuted in 1976 as a pioneering event when active players didn’t typically host competitions, argued that the present scheduling format prevents individual tournaments from distinguishing themselves.

“If you looked at the schedule, we’re involved in the Cognizant down in Florida, and, you know, we have Pebble Beach and Los Angeles, Tiger’s event, and then Cognizant, and then we had Bay Hill and The Players. I mean, what chance does that tournament have? I mean, it sits right in the middle of those. They don’t have a chance.”

The 18-time major champion also expressed concern that the compressed schedule creates excessive demands on the golfers themselves.

“The other tournaments also say, you know, I got four out of five. It’s hard for guys to play that. See, the problem is not so much from the standpoint of players, it’s hard for the players to really be focused to play that much and be on top of their game,” Nicklaus explained.

“I look at it from the way I was as a player. I could play a couple weeks in a row, maybe three weeks in a row, but I needed some time off to be able to recharge the batteries. And I think everybody needs to recharge their batteries. So to jam it all in in one period of time, and then leave the rest of the year open, I think it’s tough.

“I don’t think it’s a problem yet, but I think it will be if we don’t address it.”

Nicklaus mentioned he has not yet discussed this matter but intends to speak with PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and outgoing commissioner Jay Monahan, joking, “I probably shouldn’t have brought it up here. I’ll get chastised for that later.”

The NBA revealed its 12-person officiating team for the 2026 Finals on Tuesday, marking a milestone moment for Curtis Blair who will referee his first championship series alongside Scott Foster, who returns for his 19th Finals appearance.

The championship matchup kicks off Wednesday evening at 8:30 p.m. ET when the New York Knicks visit the San Antonio Spurs for Game 1.

“Being selected to work the NBA Finals is the highest honor for an NBA official, and I congratulate them on an outstanding and well-earned achievement,” said Byron Spruell, NBA President, League Operations. “We are grateful for their unwavering dedication to the game and pursuit of excellence in their craft.”

NBA Referee Operation management chose the crew after evaluating their performance scores for accurate calls and additional criteria throughout both the regular season and playoffs.

Joining Blair and Foster on the Finals roster are Tony Brothers (15th Finals), Marc Davis (15th), James Capers (14th), Zach Zarba (13th), John Goble (10th), Josh Tiven (seventh), James Williams (sixth), Courtney Kirkland (fifth), Sean Wright (third) and Tyler Ford (second).

The 55-year-old Blair previously worked as a Finals alternate in both 2021 and 2022. Since joining the NBA in 2008, he has officiated over 1,000 games.

“Very emotional moment, very emotional moment for me, because I’ve been right there on the doorstep for so many years,” Blair told The Associated Press. “Yeah, very emotional. This is my 18th year and one thing I had to realize going through this journey is that everybody has their own journey. Everybody has their own timetable. You become a referee, become an umpire, you get to the first round, the second round, third round. You just have to worry about yourself and your journey.”

Among the selected crew, Foster leads with 26 Finals games under his belt, while Davis has worked 23 and Brothers has officiated 19.

The league has designated Nick Buchert, JB DeRosa, Mitchell Ervin and Justin Van Duyne as this year’s backup officials.

Specific referee assignments for each game will be published on the league’s official website around 9 a.m. ET on game days.

Professional golfer Aaron Rai believes his disappointing performance at the Myrtle Beach Classic last month, where he dropped from the lead to fifth place, actually played a crucial role in preparing him for his later PGA Championship victory.

The 31-year-old Englishman is now drawing on those same experiences as he gets ready for this week’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.

Speaking at Tuesday’s press conference, Rai explained how valuable the Myrtle Beach experience proved to be. “That experience at Myrtle Beach was absolutely invaluable for the PGA, and I’m not sure I would have handled the situation as well as I did at the PGA if I hadn’t experienced it the week before at Myrtle Beach,” he stated.

The English golfer highlighted that being in the final group at Myrtle Beach was particularly beneficial, since he hadn’t been in that position for at least five months beforehand. He described the experience as “huge.”

Rai also pointed to specific challenges during his final round that better prepared him for his breakthrough major championship win. “Bits from the crowd, bits from a couple of mistakes that I made in the midsection of the round. I think I made four bogeys in a row around the turn. I think just kind of where my mind went, certain things that I could have dealt with better, I was very aware of even on the Saturday of the PGA,” he explained.

He emphasized how the recent timing of that experience made it easier to make necessary adjustments. “I think when you’ve had that experience so recently before, it’s a lot fresher in the mind and it’s a lot easier to make those adjustments. So, yeah, that was crucial, really,” Rai said.

Looking ahead to this week’s competition, Rai expressed enthusiasm about returning to Muirfield, describing it as one of his preferred venues on the professional tour. “It’s an absolutely incredible event, a course that I absolutely love,” he commented. “Very demanding. I think it requires a complete game no matter what your skill set is, whether you’re a little shorter, whether you’re a little longer, whether you’re straight, whether the short game is good. It requires everything to be successful around this event.”

This marks Rai’s fourth tournament appearance at Muirfield. While he achieved a T26 finish in 2022, he failed to make the cut in both 2023 and 2025.

Reflecting on his previous struggles at the venue, Rai acknowledged the course’s difficulty but expressed confidence in his improved preparation. “Certainly after playing it a little bit more, it definitely requires a little bit more understanding, and I probably haven’t done as good of a job as I could in terms of my preparation, especially last year,” he said, referring to his 9-over-par performance that included rounds of 79 and 74.

“I think just trying to approach it a little bit better. Got here slightly earlier this week as well in order to do so. And to just learn from a couple of the mistakes that I’ve made in previous years,” Rai added.

Rai faces stiff competition from two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who claimed victory last year with a 10-under finish, defeating Ben Griffin by four strokes.

According to ESPN reports on Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins have added wide receiver Jalen Reagor to their roster. The contract details have not been made public.

The 27-year-old receiver will be playing for his fifth NFL franchise after being selected as a first-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020.

Reagor did not appear in any games during the 2025 season, having spent portions of the year on the Los Angeles Chargers’ injured reserve list and practice squad.

Throughout his professional career spanning 64 games with 27 starts, Reagor has recorded 86 receptions for 1,037 yards and four touchdowns while playing for the Eagles from 2020-21, the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, the New England Patriots in 2023, and the Chargers in 2024.

In the 2020 draft, Reagor was chosen 21st overall, picked just one selection before current Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — During Tuesday’s practice sessions, both the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks worked out on a court featuring the NBA Finals logo painted at center court. Players conducted interviews against the backdrop of the championship emblem and encountered finals branding throughout their surroundings.

While this scene appeared routine, it represented anything but ordinary circumstances.

The championship stage represents uncharted territory for nearly every player on both the Spurs and Knicks rosters, leaving very few athletes on either team with genuine understanding of what Wednesday night will bring when the league’s 80th championship series begins in San Antonio.

Both teams share two significant characteristics: the experience will be fresh for most, and reaching this point required extensive journeys for all involved.

“Falling in love with basketball happened really early on in my life,” San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama said. “I mean, I have pictures of myself with a basketball at an age where I was not even old enough to have memories.”

Additional memorable moments will undoubtedly unfold during the upcoming four to seven games. San Antonio pursues their sixth championship and first since 2014, while New York seeks their third title and first since 1973.

This pairing represents a matchup that marketing executives might have conceived: New York stands as a global metropolis, the Knicks represent an legendary franchise, the Spurs bring championship pedigree, and their top performer is a 7-foot-4 French athlete who commands massive international attention.

“The best player in the world,” Spurs guard Stephon Castle said of Wembanyama.

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson — who earned Eastern Conference finals MVP honors — expressed tremendous admiration for Wembanyama, the Western Conference finals MVP.

“Watching him as a player, it’s pretty unbelievable,” Brunson said Tuesday. “The things he’s able to do on both sides of the ball, people have never really seen before from a person of his size. So, it’s incredible to watch. … He’s pretty incredible.”

San Antonio reached the championship series by capturing 62 regular season victories, defeating Portland in the opening round, eliminating Minnesota in round two, then completing a seven-game marathon that ended Oklahoma City’s reign as defending champions.

New York arrived through an 11-game postseason victory streak — claiming the final three games against Atlanta in round one, then sweeping both Philadelphia and Cleveland. Their scoring margins during those 11 victories are unprecedented in any 11-game span throughout the NBA’s 80-year existence.

“It’s a great team,” Wembanyama said. “It’s a great team of experienced guys who are not here by chance, but by relentless effort over the years. Very different career paths for all of them. They’re right where they’re supposed to be, in my opinion.”

Among all participants in this championship series, only the Spurs’ Harrison Barnes (with Golden State) and the Knicks’ Mikal Bridges (with Phoenix) have previously started finals contests. Since Barnes usually comes off San Antonio’s bench while Bridges typically starts for the Knicks, nine of the ten opening-game starters will face unfamiliar circumstances.

“When you can prepare the right way, when you do your routines, you treat it like a normal game, it allows you to be as normal as possible,” Brunson said.

Several players maintain connections to championship history despite lacking personal finals experience. Spurs guard Dylan Harper’s father is Ron Harper, who captured five NBA titles as a player. Brunson’s father — Knicks assistant Rick Brunson — competed for New York during the 1999 finals, and Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson witnessed previous Spurs championship celebrations firsthand. Growing up in San Antonio, his stepmother worked at a hotel offering prime parade route views.

“Being able to take pictures and run up on players for autographs, I was definitely that kid,” said Clarkson, whose father previously detailed vehicles for some Spurs players. “Seeing this energy and seeing how alive the city comes when the Spurs are in the finals and winning championships, it’s a great experience.”

Upon conclusion, a new champion will emerge. That franchise will become the NBA’s eighth different title winner across the past eight seasons — extending an unprecedented streak in league history. San Antonio enters as favorites, while New York embraces their underdog status.

“We’re here now, so there’s nothing more for us to say or talk about or to think,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell said. “We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing and that’s been successful for us.”

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has returned to team practice while Wisconsin prosecutors deliberate on potential charges stemming from domestic abuse allegations that led to his arrest last month.

The three-time Pro Bowl player participated in Tuesday’s organized team activities, marking the Packers’ second week of such sessions. Head coach Matt LaFleur addressed the situation before practice, stating that Jacobs’ legal issues haven’t disrupted the team’s focus.

“I would say business as usual,” LaFleur said.

Authorities arrested Jacobs on May 26 in Brown County, Wisconsin, facing allegations of strangulation and suffocation along with additional charges. According to Hobart/Lawrence Police Chief Michael Renkas, officers responded to a complaint involving Jacobs on the morning of May 23.

Through his legal representatives, Jacobs has released a statement saying he “vehemently denies the allegations.” He was freed from a Wisconsin detention facility on May 27 during the team’s initial week of organized activities as the investigation continues.

District Attorney David Lasee indicated that a formal charging decision remains premature.

“Our office has requested additional investigation, as there is reason to believe that additional evidence may exist that would impact whether criminal charges are appropriate, and what charges would be issued. … The investigation remains open and is ongoing,” Lasee stated last week.

During the previous season, Jacobs accumulated 929 rushing yards and scored 13 touchdowns. The team currently lacks any other player who achieved even 200 rushing yards for them in the past year.

This performance came after a 2024 campaign where Jacobs gained 1,329 yards on the ground with 15 touchdowns, earning his third Pro Bowl recognition.

The 28-year-old has amassed 7,803 rushing yards and 74 touchdowns throughout his seven-season professional career, spending five years with the Raiders. He received All-Pro recognition and led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards while playing for Las Vegas in 2022.

According to a Tuesday report from The Athletic, the National Women’s Soccer League championship match for 2026 is scheduled to take place on November 21 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

This will mark only the second occasion since the league began in 2013 that the championship will be held in the nation’s capital, which serves as home to the Washington Spirit. The previous time was during the 2022 season, when the Portland Thorns claimed victory over the Kansas City Current with a 2-0 win in front of 17,624 spectators.

League officials have not provided any statement regarding the reported plans.

Since the league’s first season in 2013, only one other location has welcomed the championship game more than once – Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, which hosted the event in both 2015 and 2018.

The championship will cap off a playoff format featuring eight qualifying teams from what will be a 16-team league, with quarterfinal and semifinal rounds preceding the final match.

Curtis Blair anxiously monitored his inbox throughout the weekend, waiting for word from the NBA about Finals referee selections. The anticipation was excruciating.

“Every two minutes, I’d check,” Blair explained.

After three days of silence, Blair was returning from visiting his parents in Virginia when he discovered a missed call in his driveway. The caller was Albert Sanders Jr., who oversees NBA referee operations as executive vice president.

That phone call delivered the news Blair had been hoping to receive for years.

When Blair returned the call, he learned he would join the NBA Finals officiating crew for the first time. Among the dozen referees chosen to work the championship series starting Wednesday between San Antonio and New York, Blair stands as the sole rookie selection.

“Very emotional moment, very emotional moment for me, because I’ve been right there on the doorstep for so many years,” Blair expressed. “Yeah, very emotional. This is my 18th year and one thing I had to realize going through this journey is that everybody has their own journey. Everybody has their own timetable. You become a referee, become an umpire, you get to the first round, the second round, third round. You just have to worry about yourself and your journey.”

The NBA announced the complete roster Tuesday. Scott Foster leads the group with his 19th Finals assignment, setting the record among active officials. Joining Foster and Blair are: Tony Brothers (15th Finals), Marc Davis (15th), James Capers (14th), Zach Zarba (13th), John Goble (10th), Josh Tiven (7th), James Williams (6th), Courtney Kirkland (5th), Sean Wright (3rd) and Tyler Ford (2nd).

Game crews are typically announced at 9 a.m. EDT each game day.

“Being selected to work the NBA Finals is the highest honor for an NBA official, and I congratulate them on an outstanding and well-earned achievement,” stated Byron Spruell, the NBA’s president for league operations. “We are grateful for their unwavering dedication to the game and pursuit of excellence in their craft.”

Blair was drafted by Houston in the second round of 1992 but never appeared in an NBA regular season contest. After playing overseas, he transitioned to officiating and has worked over 1,000 NBA games since joining in 2008.

Officials chosen for the Finals receive distinctive white warm-up jackets exclusively for championship series participants. While Blair owns two from serving as an alternate in 2021 and 2022, this jacket carries deeper significance.

“This is so funny,” Blair noted. “One referee called me and he said, ‘I know you got two other white jackets, but they had an asterisk on it. So, you can throw those away. Now you got a real one.’”

Alexander Zverev moved closer to his first Grand Slam championship after defeating Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar 7-6(3) 6-1 6-3 to advance to the French Open semifinals on Tuesday.

The German second seed overcame an early setback to secure victory against the 19-year-old opponent, earning his fifth semifinal berth at Roland Garros in the past six years. With Carlos Alcaraz sidelined by injury and both world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic already eliminated, Zverev has an excellent opportunity to capture his first major championship.

His next opponent will be either Czech player Jakub Mensik or Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, with a finals berth on the line.

When questioned about reaching another semifinal, Zverev demonstrated his focus on the bigger prize ahead.

“Not really, I don’t really care. I want to keep going, be in the tournament and win the matches ahead of me, that’s my goal,” he said.

“It was a very tough test against a very good player.”

The match started according to expectations, with the highly-regarded Jodar taking an early 4-2 advantage by breaking Zverev’s serve in the opening set.

But the experienced German maintained his focus and fought back into contention, utilizing a series of crosscourt backhand shots that forced his young opponent out of position. Zverev managed to even the score at 5-5 before dominating the tiebreak to claim the first set.

After dropping that crucial opening set, Jodar was unable to recover his form and never mounted a serious challenge for the remainder of the match.

CLEVELAND (AP) — When Myles Garrett inked his record-setting contract extension last year, he made it clear that financial security wouldn’t soften the blow of missing the playoffs.

“If it’s about the money, then I can just pack it in and not go out there and give my best effort. But I plan to be the best leader possible as well as dominating on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays,” Garrett stated last March.

This perspective explains why Garrett’s tenure with the Cleveland Browns concluded Monday when the organization sent him to the Los Angeles Rams, just over a year after he penned a $204.8 million, four-year extension with $122.8 million in guaranteed money.

Cleveland shipped the two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year to Los Angeles in exchange for pass rusher Jared Verse and three future draft selections.

Garrett had requested a trade during last year’s Super Bowl week, though he ultimately agreed to the extension a month afterward that established him as the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback at that time.

General manager Andrew Berry had previously insisted that Garrett would complete his entire career in Cleveland and eventually be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame representing the franchise. However, consistent quarterback struggles, organizational turmoil, and the catastrophic Deshaun Watson acquisition have left the Browns in perpetual rebuilding mode.

“We were sincere in that desire as we entered this offseason and did not envision a world where Myles was not a Cleveland Brown,” Berry stated Monday. “However, as we embark on a new era of Browns football with a young core and a replenished asset base, we felt this move was important to our transition.”

Berry successfully completed the transaction after Cleveland and Garrett modified his contract in March, postponing option payments scheduled for the 2026-28 seasons. The initial payment of approximately $10 million was originally due March 28 but was pushed back to near the regular season’s start.

The trade will still result in a salary cap impact of $15.53 million this season and $25.56 million next year for Cleveland.

The renewed relationship between Garrett and the Browns following his contract extension proved brief.

“To lose the same way every time, it’s frustrating as hell,” Garrett expressed on Oct. 12 following a 23-9 defeat at Pittsburgh, where Cleveland’s offense failed to reach the end zone.

Rookie Dillon Gabriel was making his second start at quarterback after taking over for veteran Joe Flacco, who had been dealt to AFC North division rival Cincinnati.

Following the Pittsburgh defeat, Garrett recorded at least a half-sack in nine consecutive contests. He established a franchise record with five against New England in Week 8, collected four versus Baltimore in Week 11, and added three more the next week at Las Vegas. He surpassed the single-season record of 22½ sacks previously held by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt during the fourth quarter of his final Browns appearance in the season finale at Cincinnati.

Following Kevin Stefanski’s dismissal, numerous defensive players advocated for coordinator Jim Schwartz to receive the head coaching promotion.

“I’m committed to winning, and as long as the team (and) organization are doing so and they’re committed to that same thing, then I’m all on board. But if we’re thinking anything other than winning — tanking or rebuilding, that’s not me,” Garrett said on Jan. 2.

The organization passed over Schwartz and chose Todd Monken in late January. Schwartz departed after three seasons in Cleveland one week later.

Monken revealed two weeks ago that he had not encountered Garrett in person since his hiring.

Garrett — who holds a minority ownership in the Cavaliers — made several visits to Cleveland during the NBA playoffs but avoided stopping at the Browns’ facility.

Cleveland selected Garrett with the first overall pick in 2017. He experienced the NFL’s second 0-16 campaign during his rookie season, the initial year of five double-digit loss seasons he would endure.

Garrett contributed to Cleveland’s first playoff victory since the 1994 season, a 48-37 triumph over Pittsburgh in an AFC wild-card game during his fourth year in 2020. The Browns qualified for the playoffs again in 2023, falling to Houston in the opening round, but compiled an 8-26 record over the most recent two seasons.

Since 2017, Cleveland holds the league’s sixth-worst record at 58-90-1.

The 30-year-old Garrett — a five-time All-Pro selection — became the first NFL player to achieve at least 12 sacks in six straight seasons (2020-25) and remains the only player with double-digit sacks in each of the past eight years. His 125½ career sacks rank tied for 20th in league history.

“What I can say with complete honesty is this; I gave this city everything I had. I suited up and wore those colors with pride, and I don’t regret a second of being part of this storied franchise. Every Sunday. Every offseason. Every play, Every down. Every moment. You gave me more in return than I can ever repay,” Garrett wrote in a social media message to Browns supporters. “The best days for this franchise are ahead, Thank you for letting me grow here. Thank you for believing in me.

“Loving you is easy, leaving you is the hard part. Thank you for nine unforgettable years.”

The Browns have utilized 42 different quarterbacks for at least one start since their 1999 return, including 15 during the past nine seasons.

The constant quarterback changes represent a primary reason Cleveland has achieved just four winning seasons since returning and why Monken becomes the seventh head coach hired by Jimmy and Dee Haslam since purchasing the franchise in 2012.

Jimmy Haslam acknowledged last year that the Browns “took a big swing and miss” when they traded three first-round selections to Houston for Watson in 2022 and awarded him a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract that stands as the worst in NFL history.

Nevertheless, Watson appears favored to start Week 1 at Jacksonville despite not playing since Week 7 of the 2024 season due to two Achilles tendon injuries. Watson is competing with Shedeur Sanders, who started the final seven games as a rookie last season, posting a 3-4 record with seven touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, and a 68.1 passer rating.

Should Cleveland continue struggling at quarterback, they will possess two first-round picks in 2027.

While Garrett’s trade didn’t yield three first-round selections, it did secure a young pass rusher in Verse. Along with the 2027 first-round pick, Cleveland obtained a second-round selection in 2028 and a third-rounder in 2029.

Verse’s arrival provides the Browns with the past two AP Defensive Rookies of the Year. Carson Schwesinger captured last season’s honor after leading NFL rookies with 156 tackles and 11 tackles for loss.

Verse, selected 19th overall in the 2024 draft, recorded 4½ sacks as a rookie and 7½ sacks last season, plus three forced fumbles.

The head of the National Football League has received a congressional invitation to testify as federal lawmakers examine the organization’s television contracts and its growing use of subscription-based streaming platforms for game broadcasts.

The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, delivered a letter on Monday to the commissioner requesting his participation in a June 10 hearing focused on the league’s media agreements and their adherence to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.

This decades-old legislation provides professional sports organizations with specific antitrust protections, enabling them to combine their broadcasting rights and conduct negotiations collectively while shielding them from certain legal challenges.

However, the statute’s coverage extends solely to traditional broadcast television. Previous court decisions have determined that cable, satellite, and streaming platforms fall outside its scope. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed support for modernizing the legislation, with president Donald Trump joining those criticizing the NFL’s movement toward streaming services.

Jordan’s correspondence states that the upcoming hearing will “examine the extent to which the antitrust exemption created by the SBA has been used by the professional sports leagues to harm consumers and whether potential legislative remedies may be needed to address that harm.”

A league representative has not yet provided a response regarding the congressional letter.

This congressional action coincides with an ongoing Justice Department investigation into possible anticompetitive behavior by the NFL. When the inquiry became public in April, a government source not permitted to speak publicly about active investigations described it as being “about affordability for consumers and creating an even playing field for providers.”

Earlier this year in March, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, contacted both the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission requesting they examine whether the league’s content distribution methods align with the 1961 legislation. The FTC has also solicited public input regarding the migration of live sporting events from traditional television to streaming platforms.

League officials maintain that 87% of their games remain accessible through free television, noting that contests shown exclusively on cable or streaming remain available through over-the-air broadcasts in the home regions of participating teams.

The organization maintains broadcasting and streaming partnerships with CBS/Paramount+, NBC/Peacock, ABC/ESPN/ESPN+, Fox, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube TV. Thursday evening games transitioned to Prime Video in 2022, with the league subsequently moving playoff wild-card contests, Christmas Day matchups, and a Black Friday game to streaming services.

During the upcoming season, Netflix will broadcast an opening-week matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams from Melbourne, Australia, along with a Green Bay Packers-Rams game scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles have officially parted ways with star wide receiver A.J. Brown, completing a trade Monday that sends him to the New England Patriots in exchange for two draft selections.

The long-expected transaction brings to a close Brown’s four-year run with the Eagles, during which he established himself as potentially the franchise’s most talented receiver ever — though also one of its most challenging.

Brown’s relationship with the organization, particularly with Super Bowl MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts, deteriorated alongside his declining performance in 2025 as the team faced a June 1 deadline when his contract would become less burdensome on the salary cap. Philadelphia will save as much as $133 million in total cash.

The financial impact still carries some pain.

Philadelphia can now distribute $43.4 million in dead money across the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

The arrangement — including the 2028 first-round selection and 2027 fifth-round pick obtained from New England — appears beneficial in theory.

In practice, the Eagles will certainly feel Brown’s absence, as he recorded 339 receptions for 5,034 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns across four seasons with Philadelphia. Brown, who will celebrate his 29th birthday later this month, joined the team through a trade with the Tennessee Titans during the 2022 draft and signed a four-year, $100 million contract.

Brown posted 106 receptions for 1,456 receiving yards in 2023 following his 88-catch, 1,496-yard debut season with Philadelphia in 2022, earning him one of the franchise’s most lucrative deals.

He committed to a three-year extension in April 2024 featuring $84 million in guaranteed compensation.

Philadelphia captured the Super Bowl during the 2024 season — Brown was spotted reading a motivational self-help book on the sidelines during their playoff run — but the positive atmosphere didn’t persist much longer.

Brown served not only as Philadelphia’s primary wide receiver but also ranked among the franchise’s all-time great pass catchers. He surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four Eagles seasons — including back-to-back campaigns exceeding 1,400 yards — and played a vital role on two Super Bowl teams.

“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said at the end of the season.

Brown expressed gratitude to the Eagles, staff and supporters through a social media message, stating, “Playing for this city has been an honor. And I’m thankful for every moment in midnight green.”

However, Brown grew frustrated last season as Philadelphia’s offense struggled, ultimately resulting in a coaching change at offensive coordinator.

Brown and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni engaged in a heated sideline argument during their wild-card defeat to the 49ers, requiring chief security officer Dom DiSandro to step in. Brown angrily removed his helmet and continued shouting toward Sirianni.

Brown remained silent following that game, maintaining a pattern of avoiding media interviews throughout the season’s final weeks.

Brown had expressed displeasure about his statistical output — or lack thereof — last season and openly discussed his desire for an expanded role in the offensive scheme.

He frequently shared mysterious messages on social media, including a September update that read: “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”

Brown is now headed to New England, where he’ll reconnect with head coach Mike Vrabel, who previously coached him in Tennessee.

Philadelphia foreshadowed Brown’s departure during April’s draft by selecting Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon in the first round. Lemon earned the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s premier receiver after hauling in 79 passes for 1,156 yards — leading all Power Four conferences — and 11 touchdowns for the Trojans.

Philadelphia had previously acquired receivers Dontayvion Wicks, “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore to potentially complement top receiver DeVonta Smith.

Brown never had the opportunity to meet his new teammates in the locker room after missing last week’s voluntary organized team activities.

“For us, we’re focused on learning the offense,” Hurts said last week. “It really doesn’t change in terms of our approach to improve.”

Hurts and Brown reportedly experienced relationship issues in 2024 when Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham mentioned that “things have changed” in their connection. Both players minimized any conflict, but speculation about their partnership continued through last week’s organized team activities.

Selected 51st overall from Mississippi in 2019, Brown had been Tennessee’s most successful receiver draft pick since the franchise relocated to Tennessee in 1997. He earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2020 and accumulated 185 career receptions for 2,995 yards and 24 touchdowns before Philadelphia acquired him for a first-round pick in the 2022 draft.

Brown seeks the satisfaction, production and financial success in New England that eluded him at his previous two destinations.

“It’s going to be a hard time for me to say anything bad about A.J. Brown,” Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said at OTAs. “I’m a big fan of A.J. Brown, one of my really good friends, one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever been around, just respect him as a man. But this is the business.”

The United States has approved travel authorization for Woodensky Pierre, allowing the sole member of Haiti’s national soccer squad who remains in the Caribbean nation to join his team for World Cup preparations, according to an official announcement Tuesday.

Pierre was set to depart for Florida on Tuesday, confirmed Thecieux Jeanty, who serves as spokesperson for Haiti’s soccer federation, in comments to The Associated Press.

“It was a great moment for him, a moment of happiness,” he said.

The rest of the squad arrived in Florida the previous week to begin World Cup preparations. This marks Haiti’s second qualification for the tournament, with their previous appearance occurring more than fifty years ago.

While waiting for his travel documents, Pierre had been practicing with local athletes in an affluent section of Port-au-Prince. Security concerns at the team’s regular stadium in Haiti’s capital forced the national team to conduct their “home” qualifying matches in Curaçao instead.

Pierre hails from Cite Soleil, a coastal community that has faced ongoing challenges with food insecurity and criminal gang activity.

The team is set to face New Zealand in a preparation match on Tuesday, followed by Peru on Friday.

Haiti’s World Cup campaign begins June 13 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where they will face Scotland. Their schedule continues with a match against five-time champion Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia, and concludes group play against Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta.

Teenage tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva crushed veteran Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3 at the French Open, advancing to her second career semifinal appearance. The 19-year-old completely outplayed the 36-year-old Cirstea, who was making her first quarterfinal appearance in 17 years. Tuesday’s match took place under the closed roof at Court Philippe-Chatrier due to rain in Paris, where Andreeva’s powerful baseline shots and aggressive net play proved too much for the experienced opponent.

In a stunning NFL move, the Cleveland Browns shipped two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in a major trade. Cleveland received pass rusher and linebacker Jared Verse along with future draft picks: a first-rounder in 2027, a second-round selection in 2028, and a third-round pick in 2029. Garrett is scheduled to arrive at the Rams’ training facility Tuesday for a press conference about the deal. The star defender was notably absent from Cleveland’s offseason workouts, and Coach Todd Monken revealed two weeks ago that he hadn’t met face-to-face with Garrett since his hiring in late January.

The Philadelphia Eagles made another splash by sending wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. In return, Philadelphia will get a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection for the three-time Pro Bowler. Brown’s departure follows a disappointing 2025 campaign where he became frustrated with Philadelphia’s lackluster offensive performance as the team struggled to repeat as Super Bowl champions. His move to New England reunites him with coach Mike Vrabel, under whom Brown played for three years after Tennessee selected him in the 2019 draft.

The Stanley Cup Final features two teams with contrasting roster-building philosophies. Since their founding, the Vegas Golden Knights have pursued an aggressive approach, taking advantage of their expansion draft and making bold moves to create the most expensive lineup possible under salary cap rules. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes have taken a more measured strategy, focusing on drafting and acquiring players who mesh well with coach Rod Brind’Amour’s tactical approach. Both franchises have defied traditional team-building wisdom, but only one will claim the championship trophy this spring.

Baseball’s labor tensions are escalating as the players’ union chief vows to resist management’s salary cap demands. Major League Baseball introduced a salary cap proposal last week and appears ready to implement a lockout when the current agreement ends December 1. Interim executive director Bruce Meyer declared that the union “has never been broken” and never will be. He stressed that baseball players maintain the strongest solidarity among professional athletes, which explains why they’ve successfully avoided salary restrictions. No future bargaining sessions have been arranged between the sides.

The NBA Finals begin Wednesday with an intriguing matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, highlighting the meteoric rise of Victor Wembanyama. The promotional focus mirrors a historic 1949 event at Madison Square Garden, where the marquee advertised “Geo Mikan vs Knicks” rather than “Minneapolis Lakers vs. New York Knicks,” showcasing the NBA’s first transformational big man. Today’s series could similarly be billed as “Wemby vs Knicks” given Wembanyama’s global appeal and continued ascension to basketball’s biggest stages.

Pope Leo XIV has maintained his passion for tennis since his election last year, incorporating the sport into his weekly routine as part of his Augustinian beliefs about combining physical activity with spiritual practice. The Pope’s tennis enthusiasm gained attention during a meeting with top-ranked player Jannik Sinner. Leo typically reserves Mondays and Tuesdays for tennis at the papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo outside Rome, where he plays with his secretary. Former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic praised the Pope’s love of tennis, noting it’s “amazing to hear that Pope Leo loves tennis” and describing it as a game best enjoyed “without pressure of time, without pressure of tournaments.”

Ten years after Muhammad Ali’s passing, his widow reflects on the boxing icon’s enduring impact. Lonnie Ali says his legacy of compassion continues, noting that he “showed up every day with kindness and empathy in his heart for people who are in need.” The Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, is hosting a “Day of Compassion” this week to encourage acts of service and caring. Ali passed away June 3, 2016, following a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. Earlier this year, his image appeared on a U.S. Postal Service stamp for the first time.

Soccer passion in Latin America transcends the boundaries of stadiums and takes on almost religious significance. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, supporters throughout the region describe rituals, beliefs and emotional connections to their teams that mirror forms of collective worship. Argentine fans practice “cábalas” — repetitive behaviors they believe can influence match results. In Brazil and Chile, supporters discuss clubs and players using terminology typically associated with faith and community. From Boca Juniors tattoos to Maradona memorabilia treated as sacred relics, soccer fandom provides identity, belonging and shared happiness.

BYU freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa leads The Associated Press’ early 2026 NBA mock draft projections. The first-team AP All-American has consistently been favored for the top selection, currently held by the Washington Wizards. Joining him among elite one-and-done candidates are Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson. The next group features promising freshman guards including Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Arizona’s Brayden Burries, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. and Houston’s Kingston Flemings. Michigan could see three Wolverines selected in the first round following their first NCAA championship since 1989. The draft’s opening round is scheduled for June 23.

RALEIGH, N.C. — As the Stanley Cup Final approaches between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes, the contrasting philosophies that built these championship contenders have come into sharp focus.

Speaking before the series, one general manager outlined his team’s approach to roster construction. “We want to be aggressive off the ice,” the GM explained. “When you have a chance to add really high-end players, we never want to miss out on it.”

Surprisingly, those words came from Carolina’s Eric Tulsky, whose organization has traditionally been viewed as more cautious in their moves. Meanwhile, Vegas under Kelly McCrimmon has built a reputation for pursuing every elite talent on the market.

Since Tulsky assumed control two years ago, the Hurricanes have become more aggressive, though his challenge remains identifying players who mesh with coach Rod Brind’Amour’s intensive system. The Golden Knights have continued their pattern of adding marquee names in their quest for a second championship in their brief franchise history.

Only one strategy will conclude with a Cup celebration.

“It probably should be more fun than we appreciate in the moment,” McCrimmon reflected. “We have made a lot of big decisions over our time in the league — very bold. I always say that to be big or bold is one thing. You’ve got to make good decisions, and I think that we’ve collectively through our hockey ops have done a good job of that. It’s exhilarating to win.”

Carolina’s roster features six homegrown players who came through their development system, including top defenseman Jaccob Slavin, key forwards Seth Jarvis, Sebastien Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, plus emerging winger Jackson Blake.

Goaltender Frederik Andersen joined as a free agent, while secondary scorers Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven arrived via trades. Tulsky, who holds a Harvard degree and Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley, apprenticed under former GM Don Waddell before completing the roster construction on his own.

McCrimmon praised Waddell’s influence and commended his opponent for shrewd drafting and trading decisions.

“They’ve consistently been building their team, and they’ve done it different ways,” McCrimmon observed. “Looking at it from the outside, they’ve been aggressive in their way of doing that. They have an idea what they want it to look like, the type of players that their organization will make good use of and they go out and get those guys.”

Not every acquisition succeeds. Tulsky made a significant wager in January 2025, trading young forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury in a complex three-team deal that brought big winger Mikko Rantanen and veteran Taylor Hall to Carolina.

When Rantanen showed no interest in extending his contract, Tulsky pivoted and dealt him to Dallas in exchange for young Logan Stankoven and draft picks.

“Sometimes it doesn’t go the way you hoped, and you’ve got to be ready to figure out how you’re going to move forward from there,” Tulsky acknowledged. “One of the strengths of our organization is we’re not afraid to take those swings, but we’re confident that if we just keep staying aggressive, some will work out, some won’t (and) we’ll end up ahead of where we would be if we just stayed passive the whole time.”

Stankoven, free-agent addition Nikolaj Ehlers and other newcomers like Eric Robinson and Mark Jankowski have seamlessly adapted to Brind’Amour’s system. Tulsky, who began as a hockey blogger before entering management, applies analytical thinking while relying on his scouting staff for talent evaluation suited to their coach’s demands.

“We’ve really focused on finding people who fit the way we want to play,” Tulsky explained. “We ask players to play a very distinctive style, and our scouts have done a great job finding players who can come in and look their best playing the way Rod needs them to play.”

Vegas was constructed for immediate success from inception. Original GM George McPhee maximized the expansion draft, selecting talent from all 30 existing teams while negotiating additional deals to acquire even more assets.

That initial group delivered a shocking Final appearance during the franchise’s first season in 2017-18, anchored by goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and featuring forwards William Karlsson and Reilly Smith plus defensemen Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb. Karlsson, Theodore and McNabb have remained throughout the franchise’s existence, while Smith returned after a short departure.

Throughout their history, McPhee and McCrimmon have embraced blockbuster transactions. They’ve acquired Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin through trades, signed Alex Pietrangelo in free agency, and completed a sign-and-trade for Mitch Marner.

“We appreciate how George and Kelly operate,” McNabb said. “They’re always trying to build a winning team, and they’ve done a great job for the nine years.”

The Golden Knights have reached the playoffs in eight of their nine seasons, captured the Cup in 2023, and remained consistent championship threats.

“It’s a privilege,” McCrimmon stated. “We don’t take it for granted. We work real hard. You have to get lucky along the way at times, also. That’s kind of been our objective right from the opening season.”

McNabb believes McCrimmon is fulfilling his responsibilities. Players have no objections to Vegas constantly pursuing elite talent.

“I don’t know if he’s in on every player, but he’s trying to make the team better and that’s what you want and you appreciate,” McNabb noted. “You want to be on a team that’s trying to get better and have the best team going into playoffs and performing in playoffs.”

A distinct top group of college players expected to leave after one season has emerged for this month’s NBA draft.

BYU’s AJ Dybantsa had been extensively mentioned as the top selection before earning first-team Associated Press All-American honors. His primary competition for the number one spot is Kansas combination guard Darryn Peterson, with Tobacco Road forwards Cameron Boozer from Duke and Caleb Wilson from North Carolina following close behind.

The initial major decision point appears to be at the fifth position with a group of one-and-done guards available.

With the opening round scheduled for June 23, the AP’s first mock draft begins with the long-standing frontrunner:

The 6-foot-9, 217-pound Dybantsa led the nation with 25.5 points per game by challenging defenses through his shot creation ability, free throw success (leading nationally with 229 makes and 296 attempts) and teammate assistance (3.7 assists). Synergy gave him “Excellent” ratings in analytics as the ball handler in pick-and-roll situations (87th percentile) and post-up plays (94th). He scored 26.9 points in seven contests against top-10 opponents, including 35 points in a defeat to Final Four participant Arizona and nearly achieving a triple-double (29 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists) in defeating sixth-ranked Iowa State.

The talent and athletic ability are unquestionable, along with his playmaking and scoring capabilities. The 6-5, 199-pound Peterson scored 20.2 points per game through drives and transition play, connected on 38.2% of three-point attempts and made 82.6% of free throws. The primary concerns centered on his availability. He experienced full-body cramping requiring hospitalization before the season began, missed 11 contests due to injury or illness and often had restricted playing time due to daily health uncertainties.

The 6-8, 253-pound son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer became the fifth freshman to receive AP men’s national player of the year honors. He posted 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, able to score through contact (55.6% field goal percentage) or from distance (39.1% on threes). Synergy gave him “Excellent” ratings against man-to-man defense (94th percentile), post-up situations (86th) and catch-and-shoot opportunities (95th). He’s an effective passer (4.1 assists) when facing double-teams and running offense, notably setting up Isaiah Evans’ crucial three-pointer to defeat defending national champion Florida.

Wilson became an instant standout with dynamic athletic ability and a personality that embraced the spotlight. The second-team AP All-American scored 19.8 points and grabbed 9.4 rebounds while excelling near the basket and in fast-break situations with his relentless energy. He’ll need to add muscle to his thin build (6-9, 211) and develop his three-point shooting (25.9%). Wilson had a national-leading 66 dunks before suffering a broken left hand in mid-February, then broke his right thumb during practice when close to returning in March.

The 6-5, 188-pound freshman progressed from four-star recruit to second-team AP All-American while guiding Illinois to its first Final Four appearance since 2005, scoring 17.9 points with 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He made 39.7% of three-point shots, including nine threes in a 46-point showing against Purdue. He earned the Jerry West Award as the nation’s top shooting guard, though he has a slight build and lacks elite athletic ability.

The 6-4, 215-pound freshman combination guard possesses a solid frame and two-way capabilities. He led scoring (16.1) for a 36-win Final Four squad, shooting 49.1% overall and 39.1% from beyond the arc. He ranked fourth at the combine in standing vertical leap (35 inches).

The 6-2, 186-pound freshman is an explosive point guard who finished third nationally in scoring (23.5) and 14th in assists (6.4). His notable performances included 49 points in a double-overtime defeat at Alabama, plus a three-game stretch (91 points, 12 three-pointers) during the Razorbacks’ first Southeastern Conference Tournament championship in 26 years.

The 6-3, 183-pound freshman earned third-team AP All-American recognition as a point guard with disruptive defensive skills. Flemings shot efficiently (47.6% overall, 38.7% on threes, 84.5% on free throws) while pressuring opponents in transition and off the dribble. He maintained nearly a 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio and set a Cougars freshman record with 42 points in a defeat to Texas Tech.

The 6-5, 180-pound guard scored 18.2 points with 4.7 assists, but demonstrated his scoring capability with 45 points and 10 three-pointers against N.C. State in February. He also had three other 29-point performances. The main concern was back problems, which kept him out for eight games at midseason then returned to sideline him for the final six games, including two March Madness contests.

There’s an appealing combination of versatility and smooth athleticism with the 6-10, 211-pound freshman, a playmaking passer and second-leading scorer (16.7) for a team that advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight. He’ll need to gain strength and relies heavily on his jump shot, with catch-and-shoot attempts representing nearly 19% of his usage according to Synergy. However, a month-long stretch in the SEC (22.8 points with 39.1% three-point shooting from Jan. 10 to Feb. 20) demonstrated his potential.

The UAB transfer earned first-team AP All-American status while helping the Wolverines capture their first national championship since 1989. He has a strong build (6-9, 241) and impressive wingspan (better than 7-3). He also shot 37.2% from three-point range in the highest volume of his career and displayed competitive toughness while playing through ankle and knee injuries during the Final Four against Arizona and in the championship game against UConn.

He was prominent in the large lineup that powered Michigan’s title run and projects as a defensive presence. The 7-3, 255-pound junior from Spain scored 12.1 points with 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists while ranking sixth nationally in blocks (2.6). He led all combine participants in standing reach (9-9) and finished second in wingspan (7-6).

The lean 6-3, 176-pound sophomore excelled as a scorer (22.0) and facilitator (5.0) as a third-team AP All-American, improving his shooting efficiency (50.1% overall, 39.9% on three-pointers). He performed well as the ball handler in pick-and-roll situations (94th percentile in Synergy) and consistently defeated man-to-man defenses in halfcourt sets (90th).

Another key contributor to Michigan’s NCAA championship run, the 6-9, 251-pound sophomore is a versatile player with physicality, and his strong frame could allow him to play small-ball center. He averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. He has better than a 7-3 wingspan and excelled as a cutter, in post-up situations and finishing near the rim.

The 6-5, 184-pound sophomore transferred after two seasons at Tennessee and flourished in a leading role with the Bears, averaging 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 49.4% overall and 37.4% on threes. He ranked among combine leaders in standing vertical leap (second at 38 inches) and maximum vertical leap (third at 42.5 inches).

The 6-8, 222-pound native of Mexico has completed two seasons in the National Basketball League’s “Next Stars” development program that produced lottery selections LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr. The 19-year-old averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds last season with his versatility, athleticism and nearly 7-foot wingspan.

Health represents the biggest concern for the 6-9, 253-pound sophomore. The former McDonald’s All-American was a physical, athletic force at Arizona State before tearing his right knee’s anterior cruciate ligament in February 2025. He transferred to Kentucky but appeared in only four games due to ongoing issues in that knee. He ranked fourth among all combine participants in wingspan (better than 7-5).

The 6-10, 248-pound native of Germany tied Duke star Cameron Boozer for the national lead with 22 double-doubles after averaging 18.5 points and a nation-leading 11.8 rebounds in his only college season. Steinbach shot 57.7% from the field, made 18 three-pointers (34.5%) and averaged 1.2 blocks with his better than 7-2 wingspan.

The 6-3, 186-pound point guard progressed from Division II to Drake and then to Iowa, where he guided the Hawkeyes to their first NCAA Elite Eight appearance since 1987. He averaged 19.8 points, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals, becoming the first player to lead Iowa in those three statistics in 26 years. Synergy rated him as “Excellent” as the ball handler in pick-and-roll situations (91st percentile), working in isolation (84th) and finishing at the rim (90th).

The 6-11, 240-pound freshman came as a McDonald’s All-American with lengthy skills and perimeter shooting that earned him MVP honors at the NBPA Top 100 camp in summer 2024. He accepted a supporting role for a top-10 team, averaging 9.5 points and a team-leading 7.9 rebounds. He made 30 three-pointers (33.3%) to demonstrate inside-outside ability, received positive ratings at the rim from Synergy and ranked fifth at the combine in wingspan (7-5).

The 6-7, 211-pound wing played two seasons at Xavier before succeeding in a primary role with the Longhorns, averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He also showed active defense by averaging 1.6 steals. He’ll need to develop his perimeter shooting after making just 34.4% last season and 29.3% through three seasons.

The 6-8, 226-pound Graves was the West Coast Conference’s freshman of the year and top sixth man in a supporting role. He averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 51.2% overall and 41.3% from three-point range. He also demonstrated defensive potential by averaging 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks.

The 6-7, 245-pound freshman was an important part of a Final Four team that spent nine weeks at number one in the AP Top 25 poll. He scored mainly in transition, on post-ups or as the roller in pick-and-roll situations while averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He hasn’t demonstrated much range (7 of 20 on threes). Peat tied for fifth at the combine in standing vertical leap (34.5 inches).

The 6-1, 180-pound sophomore was a third-team AP All-American who averaged 18.5 points while ranking fifth nationally in assists (7.4). He projects as a scoring facilitator who shot 40% on three-pointers over two seasons. He excelled as the ball handler in pick-and-roll situations (93rd percentile in Synergy) and as a catch-and-shoot option (90th).

The second-team AP All-American and senior utilized his strong build (6-8, 246) to average 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. His passing stands out; he averaged 4.8 assists with the ability to run offense and create open shots for teammates while maintaining nearly a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

The 6-1, 186-pound freshman was an unexpected star, ranking seventh nationally in scoring (23.2). He’s somewhat undersized but had the quickness to score in transition or halfcourt sets. He recorded eight 30-point games, including 40 in a victory against Georgia Tech.

The 6-11, 227-pound junior fits today’s preferred style of big men who can shoot from outside. The 22-year-old from Estonia succeeded (17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds) in a breakthrough season that included shooting 42.6% on threes (40 of 94) after making just 31.6% (19 of 60) in two seasons at Arizona.

The sophomore offers game-changing ability to get hot from outside, shooting 38% on three-pointers through two college seasons and making at least four threes in 14 games last year. He’ll need to add weight to a thin 6-6, 186-pound frame to handle physical contact.

The 6-10, 264-pound senior with a better than 7-4 wingspan developed into an interior presence as the Huskies advanced to the NCAA championship game. He posted career-high averages of 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 blocks while showing soft touch in the paint.

The 6-3, 190-pound freshman is a perimeter-stretching scorer (15.6) playing alongside top professional prospect Darius Acuff Jr. He shot 47.9% from three-point range (56 of 117) after Christmas, a 25-game period covering the Razorbacks’ run to the SEC Tournament championship and the NCAA Sweet 16.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The necklace hanging around Santiago García’s neck bore no religious symbols or holy images, but it held profound spiritual meaning for him.

Years earlier, when García’s grandmother was hospitalized in critical condition, the Argentine supporter removed his treasured Boca Juniors pendant and gently placed it around her neck.

“Boca will save you,” García whispered to his grandmother. “And it did. So now it’s hers.”

García’s unwavering belief in his team reflects the sentiment of countless fans throughout Latin America as the region looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup. Across nations from Argentina to Mexico, dedication to soccer frequently extends into daily life, creating customs and convictions centered around the sport.

“There has been an emotional connection between the public and their soccer teams for a long time,” said Mexican analyst Erick Fernández. “It fosters identity and bonds that make us feel part of a sporting process that represents us.”

In Argentina, where Lionel Messi was born, sporting fervor typically passes down through generations while allegiance to teams grows stronger with time. Pope Francis himself — an Argentine native and devoted San Lorenzo supporter — expressed agreement with those who call soccer the world’s most beautiful game.

García inherited his Boca Juniors allegiance from his father. He explained that his mother originally followed a different team, but switched to Boca after meeting his father.

“You usually support your mother’s or father’s club,” García said. “Soccer is the backbone of it all, but you develop a sense of belonging to a team and carry it with you everywhere.”

Though he gave away his Boca pendant and the power he felt it possessed, the team’s influence had already become permanently marked on his body.

When García turned 17, he had lyrics from the club’s anthem tattooed across his chest. Fourteen years have passed, yet those words hold the same significance today as when the tattoo was completed.

“It belongs to a song that is like a chant of war for us,” he said. “It’s like saying: ‘No matter the storm, no matter what happens, we will always be there for you.’”

Pope Francis once addressed an audience by saying soccer is a team sport whose appeal stems from its collaborative nature.

Among supporters as well, enthusiasm grows through community bonds. Singing team songs, crying after wins or losses, and hugging strangers in stadiums create experiences that can resemble forms of group worship.

“Each person can support a team, but the sense of togetherness that generates ‘communitas’ — a word associated with religion — is only possible when people gather,” said Argentine anthropologist Eloísa Martín.

This collective identity can produce both harmful and beneficial outcomes. A supporter who believes a fellow fan has been attacked by opponents might respond aggressively in ways he normally wouldn’t. However, the same force can build solidarity, prompting fans to assist strangers simply because they root for the same team.

“Soccer creates a community even for those who lack one,” Martín said.

Recently, among thousands of supporters walking toward Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro was Adilvania Santos. Wearing Fluminense’s maroon and green uniform, the 27-year-old explained that following the team had sustained her during challenging personal times.

“I get emotional talking about Fluminense,” said Santos, who described the passion for her club as the most important aspect of her life, apart from her family. “Some people come together to go to church. For us, accompanying Fluminense is also sacred.”

Santos attempts to attend every match despite residing nearly 100 kilometers (about 60 miles) from Rio. When watching games at home, she isolates herself in her bedroom to prevent disruptions from family members who might not share her team loyalty.

“Soccer deeply moves Brazilians because it creates a sense of belonging, identity and hope,” said Jeferson Mengali, a Catholic priest in the Bragança Paulista diocese and a lifelong fan of Corinthians. “People suffer, work hard and face difficulties, and soccer becomes a space for collective joy.”

Mengali served as a chaplain for Corinthians for many years. He conducted religious services with the team and attended practice sessions and games.

“I have always liked praying before important games,” he said. “Asking more for serenity than victory.”

Though not every soccer enthusiast prays, many follow rituals they think can affect game results. In Argentina these behaviors are called “cábalas.” According to Martín, they became common during the 1990s.

Cábalas take many forms. Supporters might use the same cup, occupy the identical seat, or put on the same undergarments for every game. Others insist on viewing matches with particular people, while some refuse to watch entirely after deciding they curse their team.

Customs continue if the team succeeds and stop if it fails. For certain fans, skipping a match can feel like a personal sacrifice made to help ensure victory.

In García’s household, his father occupies a particular chair when Boca performs well. If opponents score, he switches seats. His mother tidies the house rather than watching the game, pausing periodically to inquire about the score.

García’s present cábala involves wearing identical jerseys throughout the season and keeping a small Diego Maradona image with him constantly.

“After he died, he was rapidly sanctified by the people,” García said. “He became a figure bigger than sports.”

Argentines seldom use his surname Maradona. He’s simply “El Diego,” as one might reference a relative or longtime neighborhood friend.

“Maradona is the player, while ‘El Diego’ is the one people turn to like a family member when they need help,” Martín said. “Sacredness only works when there’s a community behind it.”

Icons like “El Diego” or Brazil’s “The King” Pelé enjoy worldwide recognition. But other Latin American soccer fans worship personal heroes of their choosing.

In Chile, Héctor Hermosilla displays a black-and-white photograph of Colo Colo club founder David Arellano in his residence.

“He founded Colo Colo in 1925 and before every match I always say goodbye to him and ask him to watch over us,” Hermosilla said.

He vividly recalls going to his first game in 1986 and becoming captivated by the energy within the venue. From that moment forward, he devotedly began supporting his team, journeying from Chile’s northern regions to Puerto Montt, regarded as the entrance to Patagonia.

To fund his travels, he and his wife transcribed Colo Colo’s famous songs and sold copies to supporters, earning him the nickname “Nano Fotocopia.”

“There were around 20 songs and I would make photocopies and sell them for 100 pesos,” he said.

Typewriters and copying machines eventually became outdated. Hermosilla now sells jewelry, accessories and other items to pay for trips he takes with his wife and teenage son.

While in Chile, Hermosilla continues attending Sunday matches and performing a ceremony he has maintained since the 1980s. Under Arellano’s photograph, he requests the founder’s blessing, gathers his merchandise for sale, and travels to a grilled chicken restaurant where fans congregate.

“He is like our God,” Hermosilla said. “He is the one who guides us.”

A decade after Muhammad Ali’s passing, his widow is reflecting on how the boxing legend’s impact reached far beyond his athletic achievements and into the realm of humanitarian service, she shared in a recent interview.

Lonnie Ali spoke with reporters this week as the 10th anniversary of her husband’s death approaches on June 3, 2016, following his lengthy fight against Parkinson’s disease.

“He transcended boxing into every space you can imagine,” she told The Associated Press this week ahead of the 10-year anniversary of Ali’s death on June 3, 2016, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Speaking from The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, where she serves as lifetime director, Lonnie Ali shared her late husband’s guiding philosophy. “Muhammad lived by this mantra: service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth,” she explained. “He showed up every day with kindness and empathy in his heart for people who are in need.”

The heavyweight champion, nicknamed the “Louisville Lip” in his birthplace, gained fame during the 1960s not only for his bold personality and boxing prowess but also for his advocacy on civil rights matters. He captured the heavyweight championship on three separate occasions and is considered by many to be boxing’s most significant and influential figure.

To mark Wednesday’s anniversary, The Ali Center is hosting a “Day of Compassion” designed to encourage acts of kindness and community service. Lonnie Ali expressed hopes that this could become a yearly tradition celebrating volunteer work and charitable efforts.

She emphasized that the event focuses on “the core values that made up Muhammad Ali” during a time when the nation faces increasing division.

“Today, we are in a place where we are losing touch with our humanity and with each other,” she said. “It’s causing rifts, not just in families and communities, but in this nation. We’re becoming increasingly polarized and separated, and sort of retreating to people who think like us, look like us, and not really reaching out.”

Lonnie Ali also called on elected officials to govern with greater compassion, referencing recent Supreme Court decisions that have weakened the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

“We should always be thinking about how we can uplift a community, not how we can make it harder for them,” Lonnie Ali said. “We want equal representation in this country. You can’t have equal representation when you’re denying people voting rights, you can’t do that.”

Despite current challenges, she remains optimistic, drawing inspiration from how Louisville united during the week-long tribute to Ali in 2016. The commemoration culminated with a funeral procession that passed by the champion’s humble childhood residence in the downtown area. Former President Bill Clinton and actor Billy Crystal delivered eulogies, while Will Smith, who played Ali in a 2001 film, served as a pallbearer.

The memorial service in Ali’s hometown was broadcast live to millions of viewers worldwide. Recently, Ali’s image appeared on a U.S. Postal Service stamp for the first time, demonstrating his lasting cultural significance.

“We’re talking about people who traveled thousands of miles to come here, who had never met the man, never laid eyes on him personally, but wanted to … give their last respects to him: kings, princes, presidents, heads of state, celebrities, sports figures,” Lonnie Ali said.

The Washington Nationals have terminated Sean Hudson from his position as Director of Community Relations following his admission that he deliberately targeted pitcher Trevor Williams due to personal disagreements with the player’s religious beliefs. Hudson acknowledged in an interview with the O’Keefe Media Group that he intentionally kept Williams out of community outreach activities and prevented his inclusion on the team’s social media platforms. The pitcher, who practices the Catholic faith, has previously posted criticism of drag queens on his social media accounts. Hudson stated that his opposition to Williams’s viewpoints motivated him to systematically exclude the player from various team-related opportunities and promotional activities.

PARIS – Nineteen-year-old Russian tennis player Mirra Andreeva secured her spot in the French Open semifinals Tuesday, delivering a dominant 6-0, 6-3 performance against Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea during rainy conditions at Roland Garros.

With defending champion Coco Gauff and four-time winner Iga Swiatek already eliminated from the tournament, Andreeva has emerged as one of the top contenders for her first Grand Slam championship. Her next opponent will be determined by the outcome of an all-Ukrainian matchup between Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk.

Playing under the Court Philippe Chatrier roof before a limited audience, Andreeva dominated from the start with aggressive tactics, completing the opening set in just 24 minutes.

“I’m super happy I was able to play aggressive,” Andreeva commented after the match. With her victory, she set a record as the teenager with the most Paris main draw wins this century, reaching 16 total victories.

“The last time I played her, it was a very tough battle. Every practice with her is very tough. We’ve practised 10 times already this year and we know each other well,” she explained.

“I knew it wouldn’t be easy and I’d have to 200% of my intensity and focus, as she would look to be aggressive and pressure me whenever she could.”

The 36-year-old Cirstea, competing in her third Grand Slam quarter-final during her final season, showed resilience in the second set by recovering a break at 3-3. However, she couldn’t stop Andreeva’s momentum.

Andreeva, who previously reached the semifinals two years ago, secured another break by forcing an error from her opponent. She sealed the victory with a powerful forehand shot before approaching the net to embrace Cirstea in a display of sportsmanship.

Iran’s preparation for their fourth consecutive World Cup has faced major obstacles due to ongoing military conflicts with the United States and Israel, creating significant challenges for coach Amir Ghalenoei as he works to get his veteran-heavy roster ready for competition.

The disruption has been particularly severe because nearly all of Ghalenoei’s players except six compete in Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League, which has been on hold for several weeks due to the ongoing hostilities.

Ghalenoei has recognized that this World Cup marks the end of an era for many of his veteran players.

“We hope to put on acceptable performances at the World Cup, and then prepare for the Asian Cup, because after the World Cup we will also undergo a generational change,” he said recently.

The team will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in group play during the June 11 to July 19 tournament, which offers what may be the final opportunity for success for many squad members who were previously anticipated to finally break through to the knockout rounds but fell short.

Throughout Iran’s six World Cup participations dating to their first appearance in 1978, the nation has been eliminated during group play every time, managing just three victories across 18 total matches.

The most heartbreaking exits occurred during the previous two tournaments, when Iran secured victories against Morocco in 2018 and Wales in 2022 but still failed to advance to the round of 16.

Several standout players from those campaigns under former coach Carlos Queiroz are still on the roster, with 16 players now 30 or older, including defenders Shoja Khalilzadeh (37) and Ehsan Hajsafi (36).

Veteran striker Mehdi Taremi, who previously starred as a prolific goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League while playing for Porto, remains part of the squad at 33 but no longer poses the same offensive threat he once did.

Taremi will be without his usual attacking partner Sardar Azmoun, who was not chosen for the squad, while captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh prepares for his fourth World Cup tournament.

Even with an older roster showing signs of wear, Iran believes they have a realistic chance of advancing to the round of 32 in the expanded tournament format, where finishing third in their group could be sufficient to continue playing.

Egypt’s national soccer team enters the 2026 World Cup with unprecedented expectations as the country seeks its first tournament victory in nearly a century of competition.

The team’s coach, who previously helped Egypt reach the 1990 World Cup as a player by scoring the decisive goal against Algeria, now leads the squad with different pressures. While past World Cup qualifications sparked massive celebrations throughout the soccer-loving nation, this year’s qualification was received with more reserved enthusiasm as fans set their sights on actual performance rather than just participation.

The increased allocation of World Cup spots for African nations has shifted expectations dramatically. Egypt’s track record shows early exits in 1934, 1990, and 2018, a disappointing history for a country that has claimed seven Africa Cup of Nations championships.

The team has been placed in Group G with Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand, presenting what many consider a genuine opportunity to advance beyond the opening round for the first time in the nation’s World Cup history.

“I see the ambition in the players. They want to achieve more than what Egypt did in past World Cups,” Hassan told CAF’s official website. “We need to perform better at the World Cup. This is my main goal.”

Mohamed Salah continues to anchor Egypt’s offensive strategy, though the 33-year-old forward is no longer considered at his prime following a disappointing final season with Liverpool. Salah, who netted Egypt’s only two goals during their 2018 World Cup campaign, remains just two goals away from breaking the national scoring record.

The squad will also count on Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush to provide additional scoring power, with these Premier League players leading a roster predominantly filled with domestically-based athletes.

In a surprising roster decision, Hassan selected 18-year-old striker Hamza Abdelkarim, currently on loan with Barcelona’s U19 squad, while excluding Nantes frontman Mostafa Mohamed from the team.

“I trust my players because their level is very high, whether it’s Mohamed Salah, Marmoush, or the players in the Egyptian league. They have great ambition,” Hassan said.

Egypt’s tournament schedule begins with a match against Belgium on June 15, followed by games against New Zealand one week later and Iran on June 27.

Cristiano Ronaldo has shattered countless soccer records throughout his career, but competing in a sixth World Cup at age 41 would represent an exceptional achievement even for the Portuguese superstar.

The 2026 tournament will mark another chapter in Ronaldo’s extensive World Cup saga, which started in Germany in 2006 and has taken him through competitions in South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Qatar – all without capturing the championship that continues to elude him.

Only Lionel Messi is expected to equal Ronaldo’s six World Cup appearances, adding another dimension to their legendary rivalry that has spanned from Real Madrid versus Barcelona matches to Ballon d’Or awards ceremonies and now extends into soccer history.

While Messi has claimed eight Ballon d’Or trophies compared to Ronaldo’s five, both players continue adding new accomplishments to their remarkable careers.

The World Cup remains the one major tournament where Ronaldo has struggled to achieve ultimate success.

His most successful campaign occurred in 2006 when Portugal advanced to the semi-finals before falling to France. Since that tournament, he has experienced two round-of-16 eliminations, one quarter-final loss, and a disappointing group-stage exit in Brazil during 2014.

For the upcoming tournament, Portugal will compete against Democratic Republic of Congo, first-time participants Uzbekistan, and Colombia in Group K.

Throughout five World Cup tournaments, Ronaldo has participated in 22 matches while netting eight goals – respectable statistics for most players but relatively modest considering his extraordinary club-level accomplishments.

The 2022 Qatar tournament appeared to signal the conclusion of Ronaldo’s World Cup career. He arrived amid controversy surrounding his Manchester United departure, managed to score but was benched by coach Fernando Santos for the knockout victory against Switzerland following a 2-1 defeat to South Korea.

However, he has made a comeback under former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez, displaying the determination of someone who refuses to acknowledge limitations imposed by age.

Portugal now features an impressive roster including Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes, though Ronaldo continues to serve as the primary attraction.

Following their disappointing quarter-final elimination at Euro 2024, Portugal bounced back impressively by defeating European champions Spain in last year’s Nations League final and enters the North American tournament in strong form with Ronaldo leading the way.

Martinez points to statistics that demonstrate Ronaldo’s continued value: 25 goals across 30 matches under his leadership – representing a higher goals-per-game ratio than achieved under any previous national team coach – plus significant contributions that don’t appear in scoring statistics.

“He is fantastic at those movements, those runs, opening spaces, splitting centre halves,” Martinez told Reuters in May.

“Somebody that has won everything has the hunger of somebody that hasn’t won a trophy yet,” he added.

The 2026 tournament might represent Ronaldo’s final opportunity on the global stage, though similar predictions have been made previously.

A broken-bat single by Cole Young in the bottom of the 10th inning drove home the decisive run as the Seattle Mariners edged the visiting New York Mets 3-2 on Monday night.

The American League West-leading Mariners extended their winning streak to seven games behind solo home runs from rookie Colt Emerson and Josh Naylor.

New York got home runs from Jared Young and Marcus Semien, but their four-game winning streak came to a halt.

Mariners reliever Gabe Speier (1-2) worked a perfect top of the 10th inning to earn the victory.

Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 1

Tommy Troy, Nolan Arenado and Ketel Marte connected for home runs as Arizona ended a three-game skid with a victory over Los Angeles in Phoenix.

Troy launched his first major league home run to even the score at 1-1 in the sixth inning. Arenado followed with a solo shot in the seventh, while Marte added a two-run blast in the eighth. Eduardo Rodriguez surrendered one run and five hits across six innings of work.

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani collected three hits and pushed his on-base streak to 17 games. Los Angeles had previously won seven of eight contests and 14 of 17. Emmet Sheehan (3-2) surrendered two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Royals 9, Reds 2

Lane Thomas connected for a first-inning grand slam while Luinder Avila delivered five solid innings as visiting Kansas City routed Cincinnati. Avila (1-2) surrendered one run on two hits while fanning five and issuing four walks for the Royals, who ended a six-game slide.

Jac Caglianone and Michael Massey also went deep for Kansas City. Both Massey and Thomas recorded three hits apiece, with Caglianone contributing two RBIs.

Lyon Richardson (0-1) started for Cincinnati in place of an ailing Chase Burns and allowed four runs in just one inning. JJ Bleday launched his third homer in four games for the Reds, who fell for the fourth time in five outings.

Brewers 16, Giants 2

Brice Turang broke out of an 0-for-21 slump with a double and two-run triple to spark Milwaukee’s 18-hit offensive explosion in a rout of visiting San Francisco.

Christian Yelich and David Hamilton each recorded three hits and scored three runs for the Brewers. Jackson Chourio contributed two hits and three RBIs, while five different players drove in two runs apiece for Milwaukee, which captured its sixth victory in seven games.

Matt Chapman launched a two-run homer for all of San Francisco’s offense as the Giants dropped their sixth game in seven tries. The Giants managed only five hits total. Landen Roupp (5-6) was tagged for eight runs on eight hits in four innings.

Twins 9, White Sox 6

Tristan Gray crushed a grand slam and totaled five RBIs as Minnesota held off Chicago in Minneapolis.

Josh Bell went 2-for-4 with a double for the Twins, who halted a five-game losing streak. Trevor Larnach finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. Joe Ryan (4-3) allowed four runs on eight hits across six innings.

Chicago starter David Sandlin (1-1) was hammered for eight runs on eight hits in four-plus innings. Miguel Vargas went 3-for-5 with a pair of homers and four RBIs. Andrew Benintendi finished 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs for the White Sox, whose five-game winning streak was snapped.

Rockies 9, Angels 8

TJ Rumfield brought home the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning while Hunter Goodman and Jake McCarthy each homered as Colorado rallied past Los Angeles in Anaheim, California.

Troy Johnston, Kyle Karros, Sterlin Thompson and McCarthy each collected two hits and an RBI for the Rockies, who prevailed despite making four errors. Antonio Senzatela (5-0) earned the victory with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, though he allowed the tying run when he entered.

Jose Siri blasted a grand slam to highlight a five-run third inning while Jorge Soler went 3-for-5 with two RBIs for the Angels. Kirby Yates (0-1) surrendered the winning run in the ninth.

Rangers 2, Cardinals 1

Jacob deGrom hurled five scoreless innings to capture his 100th career victory as visiting Texas defeated St. Louis.

Ezequiel Duran doubled home a run among his three hits while Joc Pederson added an RBI single for the Rangers, who tied their season high with a fourth consecutive victory. deGrom (4-4) fanned eight batters, and Jacob Latz worked the ninth inning for his eighth save.

Masyn Winn’s sixth-inning homer was the Cardinals’ only hit over the final five innings as St. Louis lost for the sixth time in eight games. Michael McGreevy (3-5) pitched six innings while allowing two runs.

Tigers 10, Rays 9

Detroit built a six-run early advantage but had to withstand a late Tampa Bay comeback to secure a victory in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Tigers launched a season-high five home runs while ending a four-game losing streak. Dillon Dingler went 4-for-5 and recorded his first career two-homer game. He also doubled while matching his career-high four RBIs. Riley Greene went 3-for-4 with a homer, double and three RBIs. Kerry Carpenter had a 3-for-5 performance with a homer and double.

Yandy Diaz went 3-for-5 as the only Ray with multiple hits. Junior Caminero finished 1-for-3 with two walks, three runs and two RBIs.

Marlins 7, Nationals 3

Pinch hitter Heriberto Hernandez belted a two-run homer while Sandy Alcantara threw seven strong innings as Miami came from behind to defeat Washington and end a five-game losing streak.

Alcantara (4-4) gave up three runs on seven hits to record his first victory since April 24. Liam Hicks launched a solo homer in the ninth inning before Kyle Stowers followed with a two-run shot. Otto Lopez collected three hits for the Marlins.

Jacob Young hit a two-run homer while Curtis Mead had two hits and an RBI for the Nationals. Richard Lovelady (2-3) allowed two runs in two-thirds of an inning.

The Vancouver Canucks announced Monday evening that they have selected Manny Malhotra as their new head coach.

The former NHL forward replaces Adam Foote, who was dismissed last month following Vancouver’s last-place finish in the NHL during his sole season leading the team.

Malhotra will serve as the franchise’s 23rd head coach and represents another former player being elevated within the organization as it undergoes reconstruction.

“Manny and I have been in the battle together before, so I know firsthand what a good teacher, leader, and quality person he is,” general manager Ryan Johnson said in a statement.

The two previously collaborated in the minor leagues with the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks.

“Manny is a great coach who has the right skill set and mentality to help players develop and get better each day,” Johnson said. “We both believe that pressure is a privilege, and learning to become a good pro takes patience, dedication and a ‘be better than yesterday’ mindset.”

Foote was dismissed on May 19 following the Canucks’ 25-49-8 record last season. Malhotra quickly became a leading contender for the position, with Johnson indicating he would meet with the 46-year-old former NHL player to “talk about the future.”

Malhotra’s coaching background includes roles as a development coach and assistant coach for the Canucks, followed by four seasons as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs before taking the head coaching position at Abbotsford.

During his tenure there, he led the AHL squad to a Calder Cup championship in the 2024-25 season. The team failed to reach the playoffs the previous season while dealing with numerous long-term player injuries.

Johnson emphasized that Malhotra’s leadership during Abbotsford’s difficult season demonstrated his character as both a coach and individual.

“To see that when you can rely on the foundation of the consistent environment and the coaching through the worst of times and really continue to propel players forward, even though the wins and losses aren’t there, it tells you a lot about him,” he said.

“That entire staff showed that they’re champions based off of not the year before, but of what they did last year, and what people around them took out of a pretty tough season.”

The appointment brings Malhotra back together with former teammates Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who were appointed Vancouver’s co-presidents of hockey operations on May 14.

The Ontario native played 16 NHL seasons after being selected by the New York Rangers in 1998.

His career statistics include 116 goals and 295 points across 991 regular-season contests with Vancouver, New York, the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.

During his time with the Canucks, Malhotra suffered a serious facial injury from a puck in March 2011, resulting in permanent vision impairment in his left eye. The injury caused him to miss significant time during the team’s Stanley Cup Final appearance that year and led to a diminished role the following season.

“He loves the game and getting to know what makes his players tick, and I am very confident Manny will help us ice a competitive and hard-working team that our fans will be proud of moving forward,” Johnson said.

Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom delivered a memorable birthday present for his family Monday night, reaching a career milestone that will forever be tied to his son’s special day.

The veteran right-hander secured his 100th major league victory by throwing five shutout innings in the Rangers’ 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, achieving the feat on his son Nolan’s third birthday.

“It’s really cool,” deGrom said. “As a kid, your goal is to just play major league baseball and for it to become a reality and win 100 games in the major leagues, it’s kind of crazy to think about. Today was Nolan’s third birthday, so I’ll always remember that being my 100th night on his third birthday.”

The two-time Cy Young Award winner had been stuck at 99 victories since his May 10 performance against the Chicago Cubs, where he delivered seven scoreless frames. His pursuit of win number 100 proved challenging, as deGrom struggled through his next three outings, posting an 0-2 record while surrendering 12 runs across 15 innings pitched.

May was particularly difficult for the 37-year-old pitcher, who compiled a 1-3 record with a 5.72 ERA over five starts. However, Monday’s performance marked a return to form as he limited the Cardinals to just four hits while recording eight strikeouts, helping Texas capture their fourth consecutive victory.

“I was trying not to do too much,” deGrom said. “Having the meeting, talking to (catcher) Danny (Jansen) I was like, ‘Hey, tonight we’re hitting the glove as many times as we can. Mechanics are what they are. We’re throwing everything else out the window. We’re going back to how I used to pitch.’”

DeGrom’s professional journey began when he was chosen in the ninth round of the 2010 amateur draft. He made his major league debut with the New York Mets in 2014, earning NL Rookie of the Year honors.

Throughout his career spanning 260 starts, deGrom has compiled a 100-69 record with a 2.61 ERA. However, injuries have limited his availability, as he has reached 30 starts in a season only five times during his first 12 big league campaigns. The 2025 season marked his first time making 30 starts since 2019.

“He’s never really felt 100%,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “I’ve said it before, he should be a Hall of Famer. I think he’s going to be a Hall of Famer. That’s how dominant he’s been throughout his career, and he’s still got a couple of years left in him, too.”

With his milestone achievement, deGrom becomes the 16th active pitcher to reach 100 career wins, following Texas teammate Nathan Eovaldi, who became the 15th on July 30, 2025, against the Los Angeles Angels.

The Minnesota Twins completed a cash deal Monday to acquire relief pitcher Justin Lawrence from the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had placed the right-handed pitcher on waivers last Friday.

The 31-year-old Lawrence struggled during his time with Pittsburgh this season, recording no wins against two losses while posting a 5.32 ERA across 23 relief outings. During his 22 innings of work, he recorded 25 strikeouts while issuing 12 walks.

Prior to joining Pittsburgh, Lawrence spent four years with the Colorado Rockies from 2021 through 2024. The Pirates picked him up on waivers this past March.

Throughout his major league career, Lawrence has appeared exclusively as a reliever in 222 games, compiling a 13-14 win-loss record with 14 saves and a 5.05 ERA. Over 233 2/3 innings pitched, he has recorded 236 strikeouts against 130 walks.

Minnesota officials indicated they will make room on their active roster for Lawrence before Tuesday’s home matchup against the White Sox. The Twins ended a five-game skid Monday night with a 9-6 victory over Chicago in the opening game of their series.

Texas Rangers starter Jacob deGrom reached a significant career milestone Monday night, recording his 100th professional victory during a 2-1 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opening game of their three-game series.

The veteran right-hander delivered five innings of shutout baseball, surrendering just four hits while walking one and recording eight strikeouts to secure the historic win.

Ezequiel Duran led the offensive charge for Texas with three hits, including a run-scoring double, while Joc Pederson contributed an RBI single. The victory marked the Rangers’ fourth consecutive win, tying their season-best winning streak. Nicky Lopez chipped in with two hits.

DeGrom (4-4) had fallen short of the milestone in his previous three starts before finally breaking through against St. Louis. The two-time Cy Young Award recipient joins an exclusive group as the 16th active pitcher to achieve 100 career victories and the first since teammate Nathan Eovaldi accomplished the feat on July 30, 2025.

Jacob Latz, working as the fourth Rangers reliever, closed out the Cardinals in order during the ninth inning to secure his eighth save of the season.

Texas pitchers dominated throughout the contest, striking out 14 St. Louis batters. Jordan Walker particularly struggled, going down on strikes in all four plate appearances.

The Cardinals managed only one hit across the final five innings, with Masyn Winn’s sixth-inning home run providing their sole scoring. St. Louis has now dropped six of their past eight contests.

St. Louis mounted an early threat in the second inning, placing two runners on base with one out before deGrom escaped by striking out Walker and Bryan Torres.

Texas broke the scoreless deadlock in the fourth inning against Michael McGreevy (3-5) when Brandon Nimmo crossed home plate on Duran’s two-out double that found the left field corner.

The Rangers extended their advantage in the fifth frame. Danny Jansen worked a one-out walk, successfully stole second base, advanced to third on Lopez’s single, and scored when Pederson delivered a single to center field. With runners positioned at first and third, McGreevy prevented additional damage when Josh Jung hit into a double play.

McGreevy completed six innings for St. Louis, allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout.

Peyton Gray took over for deGrom at the start of the sixth inning and recorded two outs before Winn connected for the Cardinals’ only run with a solo blast to left field. The 384-foot shot marked Winn’s second home run of the campaign.

A top college basketball talent has chosen his next destination after stepping back from professional basketball consideration. Milan Momcilovic, who previously played for Iowa State, announced his commitment to the University of Kentucky through social media on Monday.

The decision came less than one week after Momcilovic withdrew his name from consideration for the NBA draft. His commitment provides coach Mark Pope with one of the most sought-after players available in the transfer portal.

Standing 6-foot-8, Momcilovic dominated from beyond the arc during his time with the Cyclones. He topped all college players in three-point accuracy last season, connecting on 48.7% of his attempts while taking 7.5 shots per game from long range. His three-point production ranked fifth nationally among all players.

The forward demonstrated remarkable consistency from deep, sinking five or more three-pointers in 10 different games during the 2025-26 season. His most impressive performance came against Arizona in the Big 12 tournament, where he made eight three-pointers despite his team’s narrow defeat.

During his final season at Iowa State, Momcilovic contributed 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest. His performance helped guide the Cyclones to their third Sweet 16 appearance in five seasons. Throughout his three years with Iowa State, he maintained a 43% success rate from three-point range.

In April, Momcilovic had announced his intention to explore both the transfer portal and professional basketball opportunities. He ultimately decided against the NBA route, withdrawing his name just before last Wednesday’s deadline.

Minnesota ended their five-game skid Monday night with a 9-6 victory over Chicago, powered by Tristan Gray’s grand slam that drove in five runs total during the contest in Minneapolis.

Josh Bell contributed with a 2-for-4 performance that included a double for the Twins, while Trevor Larnach went 2-for-3 and knocked in one run.

Chicago’s offense was led by Miguel Vargas, who recorded three hits in five at-bats with a pair of home runs and four RBIs. Andrew Benintendi added two hits in four trips to the plate, including a homer and two RBIs for the White Sox, whose five-game winning streak came to an end.

Minnesota’s starting pitcher Joe Ryan (4-3) allowed four runs on eight hits across six innings of work. He issued no walks while recording nine strikeouts.

Chicago starter David Sandlin (1-1) was charged with eight runs on eight hits in four-plus innings. He walked four batters and struck out four.

Minnesota took an early 1-0 advantage in the opening frame when Larnach drove in a run with a single to center field.

Chicago tied the game 1-1 in the third inning. Sam Antonacci reached second base with a double to right field, moved to third on a fly ball, then came home on Benintendi’s two-out single to right.

Gray’s grand slam in the fourth inning put Minnesota ahead to stay. His blast sailed over the right-center field wall for his second grand slam this season, tying him for the major league lead.

Chicago narrowed the gap to 5-4 in the fifth frame. Vargas connected for a two-run homer, followed immediately by Benintendi’s solo shot.

The Twins responded with a four-run rally to extend their lead to 9-4. Minnesota loaded the bases without recording an out on a pair of walks surrounding a single, prompting Chicago to remove Sandlin from the mound.

Relief pitcher Tyler Davis entered for Chicago but struggled as well. He surrendered consecutive RBI singles to Austin Martin and Victor Caratini for the first two runs of the inning, then allowed sacrifice flies to Luke Keaschall and Gray in the following two at-bats.

Vargas pulled Chicago within 9-6 with another two-run home run in the ninth inning, his second homer of the contest and 15th this season.

Detroit built an early six-run advantage but needed to survive a furious late charge from Tampa Bay to secure a thrilling 10-9 victory Monday night in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Tigers ended a four-game skid by connecting on a season-high five long balls. Dillon Dingler delivered a stellar 4-for-5 performance that included his first career two-homer game. He added a double while matching his career-high four RBIs and setting a personal record with four runs scored.

Riley Greene contributed a 3-for-4 showing with one homer, one double and three RBIs. Kerry Carpenter also had a productive 3-for-5 night featuring a homer and double while driving home two runs.

For Tampa Bay, Yandy Diaz managed a 3-for-5 effort as the only Ray with multiple hits. Junior Caminero finished 1-for-3 but drew two walks while scoring three times and driving in two.

The offensive fireworks began in the third when Dingler launched his first homer of the contest, a towering two-run blast to center field. Carpenter and Greene immediately followed with back-to-back solo shots, staking Detroit to a 6-0 advantage. The consecutive home runs marked the first time three Tigers batters went yard in succession since August 8, 2020.

Rays starter Griffin Jax (1-4) absorbed all that early damage, surrendering six runs on seven hits and one walk across four innings while fanning five batters.

Tampa Bay began mounting their comeback in the fourth when Caminero connected on a two-run homer. Ryan Vilade added a three-run blast in the sixth. However, Detroit answered both rallies as Dingler hit his second homer in the fifth and Hao-Yu Lee contributed a solo shot in the sixth.

RBI doubles from Dingler and Carpenter extended Detroit’s cushion to 10-5 in the eighth inning, which proved crucial as the Rays plated four runs in their half of the frame.

Tampa Bay narrowed the gap to one run in the eighth on a two-run double by Nick Fortes and a two-run single from Ben Williamson. With the go-ahead run on base and just one out, Will Vest escaped the jam by getting Jonathan Aranda on a groundout and Richie Palacios on a fly ball.

Tyler Holton (1-4), one of seven hurlers used by Detroit, earned the victory after tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings during the fourth and fifth frames. Tigers pitching surrendered only eight hits but issued eight walks.

Vest replaced Beau Briske, who walked three of four batters to open the eighth, then retired the side in order during the ninth to earn his first save of the season and preserve the victory.

Detroit Tigers left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal, who has claimed the American League Cy Young Award twice, completed a four-inning simulated game Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, marking significant progress in his recovery and positioning him for a potential rehabilitation assignment this weekend.

During the practice session, Skubal delivered 64 total pitches with 45 finding the strike zone while recording six strikeouts.

“It was obviously a step in the right direction and continuing to show progress and throw with freedom,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Velo was normal, which means high. And his reactions are starting to get even more and more competitive. To me, that’s signaling that he’s getting closer to pitching competitively than he is rehabbing.”

Through seven appearances in 2026, Skubal has compiled a 3-2 record alongside a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. His dominance continues with 45 strikeouts across 43 1/3 innings pitched while issuing just six walks, maintaining his rate of more than one strikeout per inning.

Following his seven-inning performance on April 29 in Atlanta, the pitcher was sidelined and placed on the 15-day injured list May 4, with the designation backdated to May 1, due to loose bodies discovered in his left elbow. On May 6, he underwent arthroscopic surgery to clear the debris, with medical professionals confirming no additional ligament damage was present.

“I think it was another good day, another positive day,” Skubal said after the sim game. “I feel great now, went through all my post-throw stuff in the weight room and the training room and I feel good. Now I just need to sleep well, wake up and see how I feel tomorrow.

“But like I said last time, don’t expect anything to be different. I’m going to be general pitching sore, but that’s a good thing.”

Since Skubal’s most recent mound appearance, the Tigers have struggled significantly, posting a 7-22 record entering Monday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. Their overall 22-28 mark represents the American League’s poorest record.

Two Tampa Bay Rays players were forced to leave Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers due to separate injuries that sidelined key members of their lineup.

Shortstop Taylor Walls departed in the bottom of the third inning because of tightness in his left hamstring, with team officials describing his removal as a precautionary decision. Walls had not yet stepped into the batter’s box for his first plate appearance when he was pulled from the contest. The infielder had previously dealt with hamstring problems last week that caused him to miss a pair of games.

Oliver Dunn came in as a pinch-hitter for Walls during the third frame and assumed shortstop duties in the fourth inning. Ben Williamson later entered the game to replace Dunn.

During the fourth inning, Simpson encountered an unfortunate mishap while attempting to steal a base.

Simpson was running from first to second base when Detroit pitcher Ty Madden delivered a wild pitch. However, Simpson’s helmet came loose, bounced off the ground, and struck him in the mouth as he slid headfirst into the bag. Medical staff could not immediately determine if the impact damaged his teeth or caused a lip laceration.

Ryan Vilade entered as a pinch-runner for Simpson and remained in the game to cover left field.

Simpson brings significant speed to the Rays’ offense, having swiped 14 bases this season following his impressive 44 stolen bases during his first year in the majors. The outfielder also leads the American League with four triples this season. His performance on Monday, going 1-for-2 at the plate, maintains his .284 batting average.

Walls carries a .208 batting average across 44 games this year in his sixth season with the Tampa Bay organization.

Golden State Warriors basketball star Stephen Curry revealed Tuesday through social media that his Curry Brand has entered into a new partnership with Li Ning, a major Chinese athletic apparel company.

Li Ning, established by an Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast of the same name, operates as one of China’s largest sportswear retailers with over 7,600 retail locations across Asia.

“It’s amazing to see how he’s grown his namesake company as an athlete founder, knowing I have those same hopes and aspirations for Curry Brand,” Curry said.

While Curry characterized the agreement as a “long-term” collaboration, he did not reveal financial details or the specific value of the contract.

The partnership will involve establishing Curry Brand retail outlets in both China and the United States, according to Curry’s announcement.

Li Ning has previously pursued becoming a major force in global basketball, having secured sponsorship agreements with NBA players Dwayne Wade and Jimmy Butler in the past.

The Chinese company did not immediately provide a response when asked for comment regarding the new partnership.

Basketball Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman has passed away at age 79, according to an announcement Monday from the National Basketball Coaches Association.

With 1,042 career victories, Adelman holds the 10th spot among all-time NBA coaching wins. He achieved his most notable success while leading the Portland Trail Blazers, an organization where he had previously played during the 1970s. Under his guidance, the Trail Blazers captured Western Conference championships and reached the NBA Finals in both 1990 and 1992.

During his 23-season coaching tenure spanning five franchises – the Trail Blazers (1988-94), Golden State Warriors (1995-97), Sacramento Kings (1998-2006), Houston Rockets (2007-11) and Minnesota Timberwolves (2011-14) – Adelman compiled a 1,042-749 record with a .582 winning percentage. His squads qualified for postseason play 16 times, posting a 79-78 playoff record.

The basketball community recognized his contributions with his 2021 Hall of Fame induction and the NBCA’s Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.

“Adelman will be remembered not only as a coach and a player, but also as a mentor to so many in the basketball community,” the NBCA said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Adelman family during this difficult time.”

As a player, Adelman suited up for five different teams during seven NBA seasons from 1968-1975, spending his longest stretch in Portland from 1970-73.

Among his six children, Adelman’s son David currently serves as head coach of the Denver Nuggets.

The Portland Trail Blazers issued their own tribute Monday.

“The Portland Trail Blazers organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a franchise legend and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. Rick was one of the most influential figures in franchise history, a member of the inaugural 1970 team and integral coach throughout the 80s and 90s, guiding the team to Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992.

“Rick’s basketball brilliance helped shape multiple eras of Trail Blazers basketball, earning the respect and admiration of the basketball community and cementing his legacy. His thoughtful leadership, integrity, and kindness impacted all those around him on and off the court. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Adelman family, and all those in the world of basketball who were touched by his impact.”

Officials have not disclosed the cause of death.

The upcoming 2026-27 College Football Playoff will span more than a month, with 11 total games beginning December 18 and wrapping up with the national championship game on January 25 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Officials from the CFP, ESPN and TNT Sports revealed the complete schedule on Monday, including start times and television coverage details. ESPN’s expanded broadcast package will include five games that have been sublicensed to TNT Sports and its affiliated networks.

Viewers will be able to watch all ESPN network games through the ESPN App, while first-round matchups broadcast on TNT and truTV will also stream on HBO Max.

Officials will announce the campus locations for first-round CFP games on December 6.

Three quarterfinal matchups will also receive their time slots on December 6 and will take place on January 1, hosted by the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The remaining quarterfinal game at the Fiesta Bowl is scheduled for December 30 in Glendale, Arizona.

Following a two-week intermission, the semifinal rounds will occur at the Orange Bowl on January 14 in Miami Gardens, Florida, and the Sugar Bowl on January 15 in New Orleans.

The complete 2026-27 College Football Playoff timeline:

(All times Eastern)

Friday, December 18 — One first-round matchup at campus location, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, December 19 — Three first-round matchups at campus locations, noon (ABC, ESPN), 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)

Wednesday, December 30 — quarterfinal at Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, Arizona, 7:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)

Friday, January 1 — three quarterfinals, venues to be determined, noon (TNT, truTV, HBO Max), 4 p.m. (ABC, ESPN), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Thursday, January 14 — semifinal at Orange Bowl, Miami Gardens, Florida, 7:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)

Friday, January 15 — semifinal at Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, 7:30 p.m. (ABC, ESPN)

Monday, January 25 — CFP National Championship, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 7:30 p.m. (ABC, ESPN)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Several pivotal days in early March 2025 altered the trajectory of the NHL season, with Mitch Marner standing at the center of those changes.

As Marner approached the final months of his Toronto contract, indicators suggested he wouldn’t extend his stay. Meanwhile, Carolina had obtained soon-to-be free agent Mikko Rantanen from Colorado through a three-team deal in late January, though it became apparent after weeks that this arrangement wouldn’t become permanent.

Toronto and Carolina explored the potential for swapping Marner and Rantanen. However, Marner controlled his fate through a complete no-movement clause, ultimately choosing to remain in Toronto for another playoff attempt before selecting Vegas through a sign-and-trade arrangement in late June rather than entering free agency.

This choice by Marner created a chain reaction that brought Vegas and Carolina to their current position, facing each other in the Stanley Cup Final that begins Tuesday evening. Carolina responded by trading Rantanen to Dallas for Logan Stankoven — who became one of their top performers in this playoff run — plus a draft pick they later used to acquire K’Andre Miller last summer, while preserving cap space to sign premier free agent Nikolaj Ehlers.

Vegas secured Marner, who now tops all playoff scorers and demonstrates why Carolina had shown interest. When asked about the team’s attraction to Marner, general manager Eric Tulsky refused to comment since Marner plays for a different organization.

“I can answer that one,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “What don’t you like about him?”

During last spring’s speculation about a potential Marner-Rantanen exchange, personal factors extended beyond hockey considerations. Marner’s wife, Stephanie, was expecting their first child, and Marner calls the Toronto region home.

Toronto advanced to the second round before surrendering a 2-0 series advantage to defending and eventual repeat champion Florida. Carolina was swept by the Panthers in the Eastern Conference final, still lacking a crucial element.

Throughout this season, Marner maintained a point-per-game pace. He’s recorded seven goals and 14 assists for a playoff-leading 21 points.

“Mitch is playing with tremendous confidence,” GM Kelly McCrimmon said. “I think he’s really savoring the moment.”

Marner praised the coaching staff for positioning him for success and his teammates for converting scoring opportunities. Sporting a Vegas hoodie during Cup final media day, he maintains he’s not considering alternative scenarios like playing for Carolina.

“No, I’m not a guy that lives in the past,” Marner said. “I’m in the present. I’m here in the moment.”

Tulsky referenced Rantanen when discussing risk-taking, stating “Sometimes it doesn’t go the way you hoped, and you’ve got to be ready to figure out how you’re going to move forward from there.” While trading Martin Necas to Colorado for Rantanen didn’t succeed, acquiring veteran winger Taylor Hall from Chicago in the same transaction certainly has.

Pursuing Marner falls into the same category, but their backup plan succeeded remarkably. Stankoven has made a significant impact for Carolina as the second-line center alongside Hall and Jackson Blake, proving why he was the primary asset received from Dallas for Rantanen.

If Marner had chosen Carolina, Stankoven might still be playing for Dallas. Instead, he had to process the unusual experience of being traded.

“I didn’t see it coming,” Stankoven said. “Everything kind of happens for a reason. Obviously, Dallas got their player, and I just want to become the best version of myself here in Carolina. Just how welcoming everyone has been here, the fans, my teammates, I absolutely love the city and couldn’t be happier that I was able to sign long term here.”

On the same day Stankoven signed an eight-year, $48 million deal, Tulsky utilized one of the first-round selections from the Rantanen trade to obtain Miller from the New York Rangers and secure him long-term. By week’s end, Ehlers selected Carolina from multiple attractive options.

Miller has flourished with his new environment, and Ehlers, alongside Stankoven, has provided Carolina with the offensive production they missed during previous playoff campaigns that concluded before the final.

“(Ehlers) adds things to it that aren’t what we would ask a lot of players to do,” Tulsky said. “Having that kind of ability on the team — someone who could just create scoring chances out of thin air — it always makes you more dangerous.”

The basketball world is mourning the loss of Rick Adelman, a Basketball Hall of Fame coach who passed away at age 79, according to an announcement Monday from the National Basketball Coaches Association.

Adelman, whose son David Adelman currently coaches the Denver Nuggets, accumulated 1,042 victories during his NBA coaching career, ranking him 10th all-time in league history. No cause of death was immediately released.

His impressive coaching record places him among elite company – only four other coaches have managed more games while maintaining a superior winning percentage compared to Adelman. Those coaches are Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan and George Karl. During his career, Adelman guided the Portland Trail Blazers to two NBA Finals appearances and served as head coach for teams in Sacramento, Houston, Minnesota and Golden State.

The coaches’ association, which presented Adelman with its Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, released a tribute statement saying: “Adelman will be remembered not only as a coach and a player, but also as a mentor to so many in the basketball community.”

When the award was presented three years ago, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle praised Adelman’s impact, stating: “Rick Adelman’s NBA coaching career has been highlighted by innovation, integrity and excellence. His teams always played to their strengths, and Rick always found subtle ways to reinvent NBA basketball to help his players thrive. His quiet, unassuming nature belies his impact as one of the great NBA coaches of all time.”

Before his coaching success, Adelman spent six seasons as an NBA player from 1969 to 1975, serving as a point guard for five different franchises. However, he discovered his true passion behind the bench.

In their tribute, the Kings organization noted that Adelman “will be remembered for the way he inspired those around him — with humility, integrity, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork.”

Adelman’s journey to NBA coaching began unexpectedly. Initially planning to coach at the high school level, he found his lack of experience challenging. Instead, he launched his coaching career at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon.

During his Hall of Fame induction speech, Adelman recalled: “We had great success there. The one thing I did not realize is Jack Ramsey was following my team.”

Ramsey, who was leading the Portland Trail Blazers at the time, brought Adelman in for an interview when a coaching position became available. Adelman spent three seasons under Ramsey’s guidance, followed by 2 1/2 additional seasons working with Mike Schuler. He stepped into the interim head coach role with 35 games remaining in the 1988-89 season.

Reflecting on that period in 2021, Adelman said: “We had a team that was ready to win.”

Blazers owner Paul Allen gave Adelman the opportunity to coach the full 1989-90 season, launching a remarkable coaching journey. Portland achieved 59 victories that year behind stars Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Jerome Kersey and Buck Williams, advancing to the NBA Finals before losing to Detroit.

This success propelled Adelman forward. He returned to the NBA Finals with the Blazers two seasons later, this time falling to Chicago. Following his Portland tenure, Adelman spent two years coaching at Golden State before moving to Sacramento, where he compiled eight consecutive winning seasons during an eight-year period. His Sacramento teams featured notable players including Vlade Divac, Peja Stojaković, Mike Bibby, Chris Webber, Jason Williams, Bobby Jackson and current Kings coach Doug Christie.

Throughout his coaching career, Adelman worked with 210 different players who appeared in at least one NBA game under his guidance.

Veteran guard Kyle Lowry, who played for 20 seasons, shared his appreciation Monday night: “He actually challenged me and poured into trusting me. That was important for me. He didn’t have to. He could have done everything else, he could have played other players, but he believed in me. … He just trusted his players. He just wanted to win. And if it wasn’t for him, I don’t know what career I would have. It’s a sad day.”

SEATTLE (AP) — Billionaire philanthropist and business leader Melinda French Gates is set to become a minority owner of the Seattle Kraken hockey team, subject to approval from the NHL.

The 61-year-old French Gates, who was formerly married to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, brings a net worth of $30 billion according to Forbes to an ownership consortium led by majority owner and managing partner Samantha Holloway. Other investors in the group include David Wright, Andy Jassy, and veteran Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

“As a longtime Seattle resident, it means a lot to me to have the chance to make this investment in our city and its future,” French Gates said in a statement. “I’m a big believer in the power of sports, and after many years of cheering on Seattle from the sidelines, I’m excited to have an even deeper connection to the Seattle sports community.”

This marks French Gates’ first ownership position in a major professional sports organization. Her investment comes as the Kraken ownership team works to position itself for potential ownership of an NBA team, should professional basketball return to the Emerald City for the first time since the SuperSonics departed for Oklahoma City almost two decades ago.

The Kraken ownership group announced the formation of One Roof Sports and Entertainment in March, creating an umbrella organization to “oversee a growing portfolio of properties and fuel new opportunities.” During that announcement, Holloway stated that One Roof would pursue bringing an NBA franchise to Seattle if the league decides to expand.

Holloway also revealed in March that the group had reached an agreement to purchase additional ownership shares in Climate Pledge Arena from Oak View Group, making the organization the majority owner of the venue. OVG maintains a minority ownership position.

French Gates, who was raised in Dallas and earned degrees in computer science and economics along with an MBA from Duke University, currently leads Pivotal, an organization she established to advance social progress for women and young people both domestically and internationally.

She previously established and co-led the Gates Foundation, recognized as the world’s largest philanthropic organization.

“I am excited to welcome Melinda to our ownership group,” Holloway said in a statement. “Melinda is an impressive business leader, philanthropist and importantly, a Seattle sports fan. We share many of the same values, including a deep commitment to Seattle and a belief in building organizations that create lasting impact.”

SAN FRANCISCO — Basketball superstar Stephen Curry has signed a major new footwear and clothing contract with Chinese athletic brand Li-Ning.

The Golden State Warriors player’s Curry Brand revealed Monday the extended partnership designed to expand Curry’s international presence across basketball, golf and lifestyle markets. The collaboration between Curry and Li-Ning will focus on brand development and product creation, along with sports culture programs driven by what they described as “a shared commitment to inspiring the next generation of athletes around the world.”

Curry described the agreement as “the partnership of a lifetime.” During what many viewed as his sneaker free-agency period earlier this year, he tested Li-Ning footwear previously worn by both Dwyane Wade and teammate Jimmy Butler.

The 38-year-old basketball star ended his relationship with Under Armour last November following more than ten years together, then spent the remainder of the season rotating through different sneaker brands nearly every game — selecting pairs from a large container stationed beside his locker at Chase Center.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Rod Brind’Amour can pinpoint precisely when he believed the Carolina Hurricanes had what it takes to compete for the Stanley Cup.

“Eight years ago,” he stated. That marked the beginning of Brind’Amour’s tenure as head coach, starting a path of consistent playoff appearances and near-misses at reaching the final until this season.

The Vegas Golden Knights entered the league nine years ago, and from their aggressive expansion draft strategy to this spring’s run, they’ve maintained championship aspirations. Their inaugural season ended with a final appearance, and they captured the title in 2023. This third Cup Final appearance may be their most unexpected.

This matchup between Vegas and Carolina represents nearly ten years of development for two franchises in non-traditional hockey markets that have emerged as elite teams. Their paths have converged for this moment, a best-of-seven championship series starting Tuesday evening.

“It’s for all the marbles,” Golden Knights forward Cole Smith commented. “Just the way they play, they play a really fast game. So do we. It’s going to be a really great series.”

Carolina claimed their sole Stanley Cup title in 2006, when Brind’Amour served as team captain. He spent 9 1/2 seasons as a player with the organization and seven additional years as an assistant coach before his 2018 promotion. He has participated in 98 of Carolina’s 100 playoff wins since the franchise relocated from Hartford in 1997.

“Roddy’s been at the helm of it the whole time and just establishing the culture that we do have here,” said defenseman Jaccob Slavin, currently in his 11th campaign with the club. “It’s been building and building and we’ve been close and knocking at the door. I think we finally just have the right personnel, the right commitment, the right buy-in because our game really hasn’t changed.”

Slavin, captain Jordan Staal, grinder Jordan Martinook and center Sebastian Aho have remained together since Brind’Amour’s promotion, while wingers Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis and goaltender Frederik Andersen joined the established core over time. The Hurricanes captured at least one playoff round annually but had never managed three consecutive series victories.

“We’ve been trying really hard for eight years, and it’s not anybody’s fault,” Martinook explained. “It’s just we’ve fallen short.”

Logan Stankoven, obtained at the trade deadline last year when Mikko Rantanen was sent to Dallas six weeks after Carolina got him from Colorado, has excelled at center on the second line between Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake. Stankoven paces the squad with nine goals.

Hall, who arrived from Chicago in that initial three-way trade with Rantanen, leads the Hurricanes with 16 points. Nikolaj Ehlers, signed last summer as a free agent, had a monster Game 2 of the East final after they lost the series opener, including scoring the overtime winner.

“I don’t think I’ve done anything special to get this group (here),” Ehlers said. “This group was ready for it.”

Carolina stands 12-1 this postseason, the fewest defeats to reach the final since 1983. Brind’Amour believes this is where his squad has deserved to be for an extended period but acknowledges remaining work.

“I don’t think we have broken through,” Brind’Amour said. “You’ve got to win. I know everyone makes a lot about getting this far, but nobody’s going to remember who comes in second.”

Vegas finished second during its inaugural campaign when nobody anticipated the expansion franchise would compete. The Golden Knights advanced to the final before falling to Washington in five games.

“Set the tone right away,” said center William Karlsson, one of three original “Misfits” remaining from the franchise’s start. “That came out of nowhere.”

Initial general manager George McPhee’s selections of Karlsson, defensemen Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb and winger Reilly Smith — back after a year and a half absence — from other organizations positioned Vegas for success. Intelligent draft choices, free agent acquisitions and trades by McPhee and current GM Kelly McCrimmon created a culture of winning at any cost.

“It’s what you want to be as an athlete,” McNabb said. “You want to be on a team that does that.”

Additions like Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev and Alex Pietrangelo helped the Knights capture the Cup in their sixth season. They’ve reached the playoffs in all but one year.

Pietrangelo’s career-ending injury created room to acquire Mitch Marner on June 30. Marner tops all playoff scorers with 21 points, finding success during a time of year that eluded him through nearly a decade with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I think our team is deeper and a better team than what he had played on in Toronto,” McCrimmon said. “Not that Toronto didn’t have real good teams, but you have to have that depth throughout your roster because to go through three rounds or ultimately, hopefully, four rounds, everybody’s got to take their turn.”

Pavel Dorofeyev has emerged as a breakout performer in that regard, and he and teammate Brett Howden share the lead for most postseason goals with 10 each. Karlsson returned in the second round after missing the previous six months with an undisclosed injury.

Goaltender Carter Hart, a controversial signing last fall after he and four other Hockey Canada junior players were acquitted of sexual assault, has found his rhythm. Hart stopped 118 of 125 shots in a West final sweep of Colorado.

Most significantly, Vegas has won 19 of 24 games since McCrimmon dismissed coach Bruce Cassidy in late March and hired John Tortorella, whom he had never met or spoken with previously.

“We asked ourselves, ‘Who can come in and give us that kind of a bump?’” McCrimmon said. “John was the guy that we really felt strongly could do that.”

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Back in December 1949, the marquee outside Madison Square Garden advertised an upcoming event simply as “Geo Mikan vs Knicks.”

The sign didn’t read “Minneapolis Lakers vs. Knicks.” It highlighted just George Mikan. The league’s original extraordinary big man.

That scenario feels familiar today. Wednesday marks the beginning of the NBA Finals, with San Antonio taking on the Knicks for the championship. And the advertising for this matchup — whether in San Antonio, New York, Paris or anywhere else across the world — might as well read “Wemby vs Knicks.”

Victor Wembanyama continues advancing to increasingly prominent platforms. The current version of the NBA’s exceptional big man — a designation previously belonging to players like Mikan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal — will command global attention throughout this series, and likely for every contest he participates in going forward. He’s already achieved superstar status. This series provides his initial opportunity to add championship to his accomplishments.

“This is the best basketball on the planet that’s being played right now,” Wembanyama said after San Antonio won Game 7 at Oklahoma City to capture the Western Conference title. “And the crazy thing is … I want to do that 15, 20 more times. Let’s hope it doesn’t become an addiction. Maybe it is already.”

The addiction comparison seems appropriate. San Antonio has become completely devoted to him.

The city lacks Major League Baseball, NHL, or NFL franchises. When it comes to major professional sports, only the Spurs exist. Anyone traveling just five minutes in any direction throughout this city will witness the evidence.

Summer has arrived with school out in San Antonio. Monday found the city’s public library bustling with activity, and several children discovered a new exhibit near the entrance. “Read Like Wemby,” the display announced, showcasing five books that Wembanyama has reportedly enjoyed reading. An Instagram account — wembybooks — began sharing photos of him with various books, local San Antonio media picked up the story, and the library developed their concept.

“We want to make sure people have access to those and people can read them,” said Scott Williams, the marketing manager for the San Antonio Public Library. “And so, we thought, ‘Let’s do a display and let’s do a book list and make sure that people can easily find what Wemby’s reading so that they can read it too.’”

The outcome?

“The interest has been huge,” Williams said. “Ultimately, we’re looking at two things. We want people to pay attention to the library, we want people to come here and notice us, and we want people checking out these books and reading. It’s been a success on both fronts.”

Therefore, Wemby encourages literacy.

He also draws visitors to seafood establishments — even during closed hours.

Rudy’s Seafood remains closed on Mondays. During a 15-minute period Monday afternoon, four vehicles arrived. They weren’t seeking meals. They came to view the Spurs artwork — featuring current players and coaches alongside a recently refreshed Gregg Popovich, plus newly added George Gervin and Manu Ginobili, among others.

Mark and Christina Lerma have relatives in San Antonio but reside in Nebraska. They won’t attend the NBA Finals — ticket costs are prohibitively expensive — but they visited Rudy’s to honor their beloved team. Mark sported a recently purchased Spurs NBA Finals cap and Wembanyama jersey; Christina wore all black and displayed footage of a Spurs dress she had worn Sunday.

Their Spurs loyalty spans many years. And Wembanyama, predictably, has rapidly earned a special position in their devotion.

“He’s dominant,” Mark Lerma said. “He changes the game.”

They enthusiastically mentioned that Wembanyama has visited the restaurant to view the Spurs tribute, which has existed for years and receives updates when necessary.

“A lot of people stop and do selfies,” said Roland Ramirez, who owns the restaurant. “They’re doing graduation pictures with the backdrop. It’s pretty nice for the community. You know, the Spurs are pretty big right now here in San Antonio.”

He has previously met Wembanyama and was impressed by his demeanor.

“The first vibe I got off of him was he was just very humble,” Ramirez said. “He talked to my wife … he was very humble with everybody. You could see all the emotion he had when he won the Western Conference finals and the crying, he’s just a very emotional guy, very humble, very, very nice guy. That’s what people are really feeding off. He’s humble, but he’s hungry for a championship. And when he gets on the floor, he’s a whole different monster.”

He’s unique. Just as Mikan was 77 years ago. Wemby vs. the Knicks. A premier showdown awaits.

A blockbuster Monday trade sending two-time AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from Cleveland to Los Angeles has added him to a growing list of elite NFL players moved during their prime years.

The surprising Garrett trade occurred approximately nine months following another shocking move involving a premier pass rusher, when Micah Parsons was transferred from Dallas to Green Bay just prior to last season’s opening.

Los Angeles will surrender 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, along with draft selections including a 2027 first-round pick, 2028 second-round choice, and 2029 third-round selection to Cleveland in the transaction, which remains contingent on a physical examination.

Monday’s activity included additional star movement, as Philadelphia shipped receiver A.J. Brown to New England in exchange for a 2028 first-round selection and 2027 fifth-round pick.

Green Bay surrendered two first-round selections and defensive tackle Kenny Clark last August to acquire Parsons from Dallas. Parsons recorded 12 1/2 sacks across 14 contests with the Packers before suffering a season-ending knee injury that damaged Green Bay’s campaign.

Dallas utilized their initial first-round selection to move down three positions in April’s draft, selecting defensive end Malachi Lawrence in round one, plus cornerback Devin Moore and defensive end LT Overton in the fourth round.

Several other NFL superstars have been moved during their peak performance years:

Immediately before the 2018 season began, Oakland and Chicago completed a transaction resembling the Parsons deal. The Raiders sent two-time All-Pro and former Defensive Player of the Year winner Mack to the Bears for two first-round selections after contract negotiations failed.

The 2018 deal ultimately disappointed both franchises. While Mack performed excellently in Chicago, earning All-Pro recognition in his debut year, he couldn’t help the Bears capture a playoff victory during his four seasons before moving to the Chargers.

Oakland selected running back Josh Jacobs with their first pick, who performed well before departing via free agency after 2023. Their second first-round choice was squandered on cornerback Damon Arnette, who was released midway through his sophomore campaign.

Dallas history’s most renowned trade occurred during Jerry Jones’ inaugural ownership season in 1989, when the Cowboys sent Herschel Walker to Minnesota for a package eventually yielding eight draft picks, including three first-rounders. Dallas utilized those selections to draft Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and key contributors to three Super Bowl championships like Darren Woodson, Kevin Smith and Russell Maryland.

Minnesota failed to win a playoff contest during Walker’s two-plus seasons there.

Jones completed another famous transaction that powered Dallas’ 1990s dynasty by acquiring the pass rusher from San Francisco for second- and third-round picks in 1992. Haley became the defensive piece Dallas needed to capture three Super Bowls during his initial four seasons, defeating the 49ers in the NFC championship en route to the first two titles.

Moss was a three-time All-Pro and the league’s most feared deep threat when Minnesota dealt him to Oakland in 2005 for a package including the No. 7 overall draft selection. The move benefited neither franchise as Minnesota chose Troy Williamson, who managed 79 receptions across three seasons, while Oakland won six games over two years.

Moss was subsequently dealt to New England in 2007, establishing an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions in his debut season as the Patriots became the sole team to achieve a 16-0 regular season.

Six years after Minnesota traded him to the New York Giants, Tarkenton returned to the Vikings in 1972 following four Pro Bowl appearances in six New York seasons. Tarkenton guided Minnesota to three Super Bowl appearances across seven seasons in his second tenure — losing each time — and earned NFL MVP honors in 1975.

The unhappy Dickerson was moved from the Los Angeles Rams to Indianapolis in 1987 through a major deal that also sent Cornelius Bennett to Buffalo. Dickerson helped the Colts reach the playoffs for the first time in a decade during his debut season, then led the NFL in rushing during 1988.

Faulk topped the NFL with 2,227 yards from scrimmage in 1998 when Indianapolis surprisingly decided to trade him to St. Louis. The Colts drafted Hall of Famer Edgerrin James in the first round as Faulk’s successor, but the Rams clearly won the exchange.

Faulk helped create the “Greatest Show on Turf” offense as St. Louis captured the Super Bowl in his first season. Faulk accumulated nearly 1,500 more yards from scrimmage and 18 more touchdowns than any other player from 1999-2001, winning AP Offensive Player of the Year all three seasons and MVP in 2000.

McCaffrey transformed San Francisco’s offense after being acquired from Carolina during the 2022 season for a four-pick package. McCaffrey accumulated 3,233 yards and scored 31 touchdowns across his first 27 regular-season games for the Niners before injuries limited him last season.

He earned AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 when he helped San Francisco reach the Super Bowl.

Dean was coming off an All-Pro campaign in 1980 when he was traded the next year to San Francisco for a package including a first-round pick. His arrival helped launch the 49ers dynasty. He earned All-Pro honors in 1981 when San Francisco won its first of five championships across a 14-season span and recorded a 17 1/2-sack season in 1983 before Hall of Fame induction.

In a major star-for-star exchange, Denver obtained Bailey from Washington for star running back Clinton Portis. Portis achieved four 1,000-yard rushing seasons with Washington, but the Broncos emerged as the clear winner.

Bailey played 10 additional seasons, earning All-Pro recognition his first three seasons, leading the league with 10 interceptions in 2006 and gaining Hall of Fame entry.

Warfield had achieved consecutive Pro Bowl selections for Cleveland when Don Shula acquired him during his first season as Miami’s head coach. Warfield provided a crucial deep threat for the Dolphins, making five straight Pro Bowl appearances. Warfield earned All-Pro honors twice and helped Miami win consecutive Super Bowls, including the perfect 17-0 season in 1972.

Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in the French Open quarterfinals on Monday with a commanding 7-5, 6-3 victory over Naomi Osaka in an electrifying night session encounter at Roland Garros.

The Belarusian tennis star faced one of her toughest challenges yet in her quest for a first French Open title, but demonstrated the relentless power that has made her a dominant presence in women’s tennis this season. The match marked the first women’s night session contest at the tournament in three years.

“She is such a great player, she plays super aggressive tennis,” Sabalenka commented courtside, later entertaining spectators with a playful moonwalk. “I’m happy with how I was able to put back the pressure on her. It’s amazing to play the night session in front of all of you guys.”

“I’m super happy with my serve. I’m super pleased overall with the performance today,” she added.

Osaka, competing in her first French Open fourth round, started aggressively and jumped to an early 2-0 advantage following a double fault from her opponent. However, the world number one quickly regained momentum, using her signature powerful groundstrokes to fight back into contention.

The turning point came at 5-5 in the first set when Sabalenka delivered a crushing return that forced Osaka into a backhand error, securing the crucial break. In the second set, Sabalenka’s consistent heavy hitting gradually wore down her opponent, culminating in a delicate half-volley winner that gave her a 4-3 lead and ultimate control of the match.

Sabalenka’s victory extends her remarkable run of reaching at least the quarterfinals in her past 14 Grand Slam tournaments. Her next opponent will be Russia’s Diana Shnaider, who upset American Madison Keys 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 in another surprising result at this year’s clay court major.

In other women’s action, Anna Kalinskaya advanced to her first French Open quarterfinal with a hard-fought 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(7) triumph over 28th seed Anastasia Potapova. This marks only the second time the Russian has reached the quarterfinal stage of any Grand Slam event.

“I was definitely nervous,” Kalinskaya admitted after her victory.

“I meant like some moments when after losing my serve, at 5-5 in the third set, being 40-love up and then losing the game. I was frustrated because I wanted to win that game and to be up in the score and have a bit of advantage to finish the match.”

“When it didn’t work, I was upset. But it was a very fast changeover, so I had to reset and continue to play,” she continued.

Potapova acknowledged missing several key opportunities in what she characterized as a “mental” battle on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

“She played great and she held her nerve better than me in some moments,” Potapova reflected.

“I know what I need to work on to make sure that it’s not going to happen again,” she said.

Tournament officials also announced that Paraguayan player Adolfo Daniel Vallejo received a $65,000 fine for comments suggesting female umpires lacked the courage to manage unruly crowds after his Friday loss.

French hopes ended when Diane Parry, the final home player remaining in the women’s draw, fell 6-3, 6-2 to Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska.

Despite the tennis disappointment for local fans, there was celebration as Paris St Germain stars Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola displayed their two Champions League trophies to the Roland Garros crowd on Monday, following their team’s second consecutive European title with a victory over Arsenal two days earlier.

In tennis news beyond Paris, Serena Williams announced her return to competition next week at the Queen’s Club Championships, where the 44-year-old American will compete in doubles after receiving a wildcard. British media reports indicate she will partner with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko in the June 8-14 event.

On the men’s side, Italian players maintained their country’s presence in the quarterfinals after world number one Jannik Sinner’s elimination. Flavio Cobolli defeated American Zachary Svajda 6-2, 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(5), while Matteo Berrettini overcame Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-6(6).

Canadian fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime completed his collection of Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances with a convincing 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Chilean Alejandro Tabilo.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Wide receiver A.J. Brown is departing Philadelphia after a disappointing stint with the Eagles to rejoin his former coach in New England.

New England completed the acquisition of the standout pass-catcher from Philadelphia on Monday, finalizing a deal that had been widely speculated about for months.

Philadelphia announced they will get a 2028 first-round draft selection and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for the receiver who has made three Pro Bowl appearances.

The move follows Brown’s difficult 2025 campaign in Philadelphia, where he became increasingly dissatisfied with an Eagles attack that struggled with consistency as the franchise was unable to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Brown spent three years playing for Vrabel after Tennessee selected him in the 2019 draft.

The 28-year-old Brown became Philadelphia’s primary receiving target following his acquisition from Tennessee by the Eagles in 2022.

Brown delivered consecutive Pro Bowl performances in his initial two Philadelphia seasons, hauling in 88 receptions for 1,496 yards and 11 scores in 2022, followed by 106 catches for 1,456 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.

Brown captured a Super Bowl championship during the 2024 campaign, but his satisfaction declined last season as Philadelphia’s offensive production faltered — resulting in a coaching change at offensive coordinator after a wild-card playoff defeat to San Francisco.

This situation sparked increased speculation about a potential trade during the current offseason. The move was delayed past April’s NFL draft likely because Philadelphia would have faced approximately $43 million in dead salary cap penalties for 2026 versus roughly $16 million this year and $27 million next season if the trade occurred after June 1.

In the end, a valuable draft selection proved sufficient to convince Philadelphia to part with a talent of Brown’s stature.

New England had been considered a logical destination for Brown since the team cut receiver Stefon Diggs in March. Diggs topped New England with 85 catches and 1,013 receiving yards plus four scores in his lone 2025 season with the Patriots, contributing to their Super Bowl appearance where they fell to the Seattle Seahawks.

Losing Diggs made securing a top receiving threat for quarterback Drake Maye an urgent need. New England did sign former Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs during free agency. However, he doesn’t provide the immediate offensive transformation that Brown’s arrival could deliver.

Maye confirmed last week that he had heard the speculation linking Brown to New England.

“If he ends up being on our team, great. What a great player. And if he doesn’t, we’ve still got to work these guys here,” Maye said. “It’s a tough balance, but I know he’s a phenomenal player.”

Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams, who was teammates with Brown on Philadelphia’s 2024 Super Bowl-winning squad, believes the receiver would make a significant impact.

“He can definitely help our team,” Williams said. “Great dude. Monster on the field, great in the locker room, holding guys accountable and holding himself accountable. That’s everything you want in a player of his caliber.”

Brown departs Philadelphia among the most productive receivers in team history. He surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four seasons with the Eagles. Brown accumulated 339 total catches and 32 touchdowns while serving as a key contributor on two Eagles squads that reached the Super Bowl during his time there.

Vrabel was beginning his second year as Tennessee’s head coach when the franchise chose Brown in the second round of the 2019 draft.

Brown recorded 185 catches for 2,995 yards and 24 touchdowns during the following three seasons, reaching his peak with a 2020 campaign that earned him Pro Bowl recognition after recording 70 receptions for 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns.

However, Tennessee ultimately dealt Brown to Philadelphia on the second day of the 2022 draft despite having one year remaining on his rookie contract. The organization insisted it preferred to keep him but believed his contract extension demands were excessive.

Vrabel repeatedly said during that offseason that Brown would remain on the team as long as he was the head coach, but circumstances forced a different outcome.

“Unfortunately, we understand that if we’re going to be here awhile we’re not going to be able to keep every single player that we draft and develop,” Vrabel said at the time.

Four years later, he’ll get to coach him again.

The leader of the baseball players’ union declared his organization will resist management’s proposed salary cap for as long as necessary while negotiations continue amid threats of a work stoppage that could eliminate games in the upcoming season.

Major League Baseball put forward a salary cap proposal last week and seems prepared to begin a lockout once the existing labor agreement ends on December 1st.

“Our union has never been broken and never will be,” interim executive director Bruce Meyer stated Monday during a virtual press conference with reporters. “Our players have what they have, including being the only sport that doesn’t have this ultimate restriction, the salary cap, because our players have always been the most unified and that’s going to continue.”

“The unions in the other sports didn’t agree to salary-cap systems because they thought it was a good thing for players. That’s not what happened,” he continued. “In one way or the other, they were not able to fight the way that our union has and not criticizing anybody, it’s just a fact. Our union has always been the most solid, and that’s why our union has the best system.”

The league’s Thursday proposal would limit team expenditures in 2027 to $245.3 million, based on luxury tax payroll calculations that incorporate $20.1 million for benefits and the pre-arbitration bonus pool. The plan would also create a spending floor of $171.2 million, requiring certain teams to increase their payrolls. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who spend the most in baseball, carried a $415.2 million payroll on this year’s opening day — approximately $170 million above the suggested cap.

The league’s plan requests an even revenue split with players from designated income sources, including money spent on signing bonuses for high school and college players, plus international amateur players entering their first contracts.

“It’s not even a real 50%. It’s taking billions of dollars off the top before they’re proposing to even share any of that,” Meyer explained. “Players’ share under their proposal would go down. Players’ share for this season, 2026, is projected to be well over 50%. … Had MLB’s proposal been in place in 2026, players would, we estimate — would lose over half a billion dollars.”

Player contracts this season, calculated using average annual values and incorporating benefits and the pre-arbitration bonus pool, amount to $6.14 million, based on the league’s opening-day numbers. Draft slot value signing bonuses in this year’s amateur draft reach approximately $359 million, with international signing bonus pools totaling $208 million.

“They’ve effectively managed to cobble together the worst system for players in any of the major sports, and not even close,” Meyer stated.

The Seattle Kraken hockey franchise revealed Monday that billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates will be purchasing a minority ownership position in the team.

Financial details of the transaction, which must receive approval from the NHL, have not been made public.

The agreement brings together French Gates, who previously was married to Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates and holds a $30 billion net worth per Forbes estimates, with the Kraken’s ownership organization (One Roof Sports and Entertainment), led by Samantha Holloway.

“As a longtime Seattle resident, it means a lot to me to have the chance to make this investment in our city and its future,” French Gates said in a press release. “I’m a big believer in the power of sports, and after many years of cheering on Seattle from the sidelines, I’m excited to have an even deeper connection to the Seattle sports community. Seattle is an engine of innovation in so many ways, and Samantha Holloway’s leadership of the Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena reflects that.”

“I am excited to welcome Melinda to our ownership group,” Holloway added in the press release. “Melinda is an impressive business leader, philanthropist and importantly, a Seattle sports fan. We share many of the same values, including a deep commitment to Seattle and a belief in building organizations that create lasting impact.”

Since beginning play during the 2021-22 season, the Kraken have reached the playoffs only one time across their initial five seasons. In May, the organization brought in the Sportsology Group, a consulting company, to conduct an independent review of their hockey operations division.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the French Open quarterfinals Monday night, defeating Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in Paris at Roland Garros.

The Belarusian player pushed forward in her quest for her first French Open title, overcoming early struggles in what marked the tournament’s first women’s evening match in three years.

With this victory, Sabalenka extended her impressive streak of reaching the quarterfinals in her past 14 Grand Slam tournaments. She will face Russian Diana Shnaider in the next round.

“She is such a great player, she plays a super aggressive tennis. I’m happy with how I was able to put back the pressure on her. It’s amazing to play the night session in front of all of you guys,” Sabalenka told the Philippe Chatrier crowd after the match, where she entertained fans with a ‘Moon Walk’ celebration.

“I’m super happy with my serve. I’m super pleased overall with the performance today,” she added.

The match began with Osaka taking an early 2-0 advantage after Sabalenka committed a double fault. However, the top-seeded player quickly responded by breaking back and later secured a crucial break for a 6-5 first-set lead with a powerful return that the 16th-seeded Osaka couldn’t handle, sending her backhand into the net.

In the second set, after holding serve to tie at 3-3, Sabalenka broke Osaka’s serve for a 4-3 lead, concluding an extended rally with a skillful half volley.

Osaka, competing in her first fourth-round appearance at the French Open, was unable to mount a comeback and lost the final games of the match, falling on Sabalenka’s first match point opportunity.