Category: Sports

Diego Aponte’s powerful swing proved to be the difference-maker as the Hawks secured their series-opening victory and earned a doubleheader split on the road at New Haven.

The standout performance from Aponte featured a crucial two-run home run that propelled the Hawks to victory in the first game of the twin bill. His offensive showcase didn’t end there, as he compiled an impressive stat line across both contests.

Throughout the doubleheader, Aponte demonstrated his versatility at the plate by collecting a home run, a double, and driving in five runs total for the Hawks. His production was instrumental in helping the team salvage a split from their road trip.

The series-opening win gives the Hawks momentum as they continue their campaign, with Aponte’s bat emerging as a key weapon in their offensive arsenal.

A 27-year-old screenwriter named Rylee White discovered the high-energy sport of handball through an unexpected source: her roommate showed her a TikTok video advertising tryouts for the U.S. Olympic women’s team in Los Angeles, with no prior experience required.

White felt compelled to attend the tryouts, and she wasn’t alone. The viral social media post drew more than 150 women to the January event, representing a five-fold jump compared to typical attendance numbers.

Now, five months after those tryouts, White has joined a small group of women who relocated to Florida to participate in USA Handball’s national residency program. Their ultimate goal is earning selection to compete for the United States at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Since the U.S. will serve as the host country, it receives automatic qualification in every Olympic sport.

The United States hasn’t fielded a women’s handball team at the Olympic Games since 1996. Securing adequate funding and resources to create a competitive American squad remains an ongoing struggle. Team rosters typically include athletes with dual citizenship from European countries where they compete professionally.

Although handball receives little attention in America, the sport enjoys widespread popularity in Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, and various Balkan countries in southeastern Europe. These nations typically excel in Olympic competition.

Men’s handball made its Olympic debut in 1936, with women’s competition beginning at the 1976 Games. Unlike many Olympic athletes who begin training during childhood, American handball players frequently transition to the sport during adulthood.

The sport features two six-player teams using their hands to move a ball coated in sticky resin toward the opposing team’s goal, which a goalkeeper defends. The action is rapid, involves full contact, and attracts tens of thousands of spectators in other countries.

Female handball athletes often come from Division One college sports backgrounds or professional basketball careers. Most players range from their 20s to 30s, though some continue competing into their 40s.

White had aspired to compete collegiately in basketball and lacrosse, but injuries and multiple knee surgeries derailed those plans. Handball represented an opportunity to return to competitive athletics.

“I think a lot of people would describe me as the most competitive person they’d ever met,” White said. “I definitely was raised in a house where we had big, big dreams.”

Following the tryouts, she informed the coach: “I’m ready to go do this and I will work as hard as you want me to work.”

The residency program aims to develop players sufficiently to earn professional contracts overseas.

Many participants, including White, have left romantic partners behind to pursue this opportunity.

“I told him I’m going to take him to Europe with me,” she said.

The final Olympic team roster won’t be determined until several months before the LA Games. While dozens of women are participating in residency training, only approximately 14 to 18 athletes can represent the country in tournament play. The commitment involves considerable risk.

Sarah Gascon, a longtime member of the women’s national team, recently assumed the role of head coach. She’s working to reconstruct both the team and the broader program in the United States following years of deterioration.

“We’ve had great successes in my career and some really great moments but still didn’t get an opportunity to play in the Olympic Games because we just weren’t good enough,” Gascon said.

According to Gascon, the most effective players have competed in multiple sports. Basketball provides dribbling skills, volleyball teaches ball-blocking techniques when facing shots, and softball or rugby develops throwing abilities. Handball combines all these athletic elements.

“It’s really about their athleticism,” Gascon said. “Do they have a good foundation that we could build upon? And how are they able to adapt with learning something new at 22 or 23 years old?”

While Gascon has assembled motivated athletes in Florida, their primary obstacle involves limited resources.

USA Handball stands as the sole national governing body for an Olympic sport that receives no financial support from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and the women’s team is the only squad that lacks any assistance, including access to elite athlete health insurance, according to Gascon. The committee did not respond to an Associated Press email seeking comment.

Gascon and her coaching staff work as volunteers, while athletes must maintain full-time employment alongside their training.

“Some of our best athletes haven’t been able to go to tournaments or go to events because they can’t afford it,” Gascon said.

Devyn Holbrook also had no knowledge of handball before attending the tryouts.

The 30-year-old, who calls herself the “queen of side quests,” participated in ballet, soccer, basketball, softball, and javelin during track and field while growing up. She developed an immediate passion for handball after just a few days of play.

“I just loved it and then I couldn’t stop watching videos online of past Olympic Games,” Holbrook said. “You don’t get a lot of chances to do like women’s team sports later in life.”

She decided the opportunity presented minimal downside risk.

“There will never be a chance again that I could go to the Olympics in this capacity,” Holbrook said. “So why not give it everything that I have? And if I don’t make it, then I don’t make it.”

PITTSBURGH — Kyle Schwarber admits he can’t pinpoint exactly why his bat has been so hot lately.

“It’s a great question,” Schwarber said.

But the Philadelphia slugger isn’t too concerned with finding explanations. What matters is that he’s discovered his groove, and more crucially, his entire team has followed suit.

Even after launching two two-run home runs that brought his season total to a major league-best 20 and drawing a bases-loaded walk during a dramatic ninth-inning comeback, Schwarber preferred highlighting his teammates’ contributions in Friday’s thrilling 11-9, 10-inning triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Schwarber’s 20th homer came on the earliest calendar date in MLB history, according to Stats Perform, surpassing Arizona’s Luis Gonzalez, who reached the milestone on May 17, 2001. The Philadelphia star also matched a franchise record with 20 home runs through the team’s first 45 games, originally established by Cy Williams in 1923.

Bryce Harper, hitting in the cleanup spot, collected four hits, including a game-tying single after Pirates closer Gregory Soto issued four straight balls to Schwarber, bringing the Phillies within two runs. Reserve catcher Rafael Marchan came through with a two-run single in the 10th inning. Orion Kerkering earned his first save of the season and third of his professional career.

“There’s so much good that went on today that we were able to respond and fight back,” Schwarber said. “That’s a really positive thing for us.”

The victory improved Philadelphia’s mark to 13-4 since Don Mattingly took over for Rob Thomson as manager, bringing the Phillies within one game of .500 at 22-23. The team’s resurgence has coincided perfectly with Schwarber’s offensive explosion.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Mattingly said. “He’s a different cat from the standpoint of how he does it. … He’s dangerous all the time. Doesn’t matter really lefties or righties, either one.”

Schwarber connected against both types of pitching to spark Philadelphia’s comeback from a six-run hole. He launched a shot off Pittsburgh right-handed starter Braxton Ashcraft beyond the outfield wall in the fifth inning. When the Pirates brought in left-hander Mason Montgomery with a runner on base and two outs in the seventh, the result remained unchanged. Schwarber pounced on a 96 mph fastball that caught too much plate and drove it into the right-center field seats, cutting the deficit to three runs.

Those two blasts gave Schwarber nine home runs across his past eight games. It marks the second occasion in his career he’s accomplished such a feat over an eight-game stretch. Former slugger Albert Belle remains the only other major league player to achieve that level of power production twice in eight-game spans.

“One of the cooler things I’ve seen in baseball,” Harper said. “Just the ways he puts the bat on the ball. Yeah, it been pretty fun to watch.”

For Schwarber, the excitement comes not from watching baseballs disappear into the stands but from what the final score shows when the game ends.

A 10-game losing streak in April led to Thomson’s dismissal despite his popularity. Mattingly — who will miss Saturday’s contest to attend his son’s graduation at Purdue — has brought stability to the clubhouse. The turnaround has been aided by one of baseball’s most talented (and costly) lineups finally delivering on expectations.

Despite his current hot streak, Schwarber remains grounded in his approach. His most crucial plate appearance Friday may have been one where he never swung the bat.

Trailing by three in the ninth inning, Schwarber watched four consecutive sinkers from Soto pass by rather than attempting to force the action. He walked to first base, setting up Harper’s long single off the right-center field wall that tied the game.

“Greg’s got great stuff and he’s got a really nasty sinker in the bigger slider, so it’s just kind of really keying in on what you want,” Schwarber said. “And once I get 3-0, I was happy with the take.”

He felt even better about what followed as the Phillies moved closer to resembling the squad that has reached the postseason in four of the past years. While division-leading Atlanta maintains a substantial advantage in the NL East, Philadelphia’s early-season struggles appear to be behind them, with positive momentum building — something Schwarber values more than any individual statistics.

“Obviously we know it’s not anywhere near complete, right?” Schwarber said, later adding, “It’s been really cool to see the guys go out there and getting their results and us as a team, to be able to kind of get the results that we want.”

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a broken right fibula when struck by a 111 mph line drive during Friday night’s game, dealing another crushing injury blow to the struggling franchise.

Holmes, who has been among the Mets’ most reliable performers this season, was struck just above his right foot on a leadoff single during the fourth inning by Yankees rookie Spencer Jones in the Subway Series opener at Citi Field.

The ball bounced past first base into foul ground as Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and a trainer rushed from the dugout to assess Holmes. The right-handed pitcher tossed a couple of warmup throws and continued playing.

Holmes walked the next six batters he faced, but then struck out two consecutive hitters and got Aaron Judge to fly out with runners on all three bases, completing a shutout inning.

The pitcher was removed after issuing a walk with one out in the fifth frame. Holmes threw 95 total pitches, with 26 coming after Jones’ line drive made contact with his leg.

Following the contest, Mendoza revealed that X-rays confirmed a fractured right fibula that will keep Holmes out of action for an undetermined period.

Holmes, a former Yankees reliever who trains with Jones at the same Nashville, Tennessee facility, has been a steady rotation member since transitioning to starting after joining the Mets as a free agent prior to the 2025 campaign. He ranked third in the National League with a 1.86 ERA entering Friday’s matchup.

Holmes (4-4) allowed four runs on seven hits across 4 1/3 innings in the 5-2 defeat, pushing his ERA up to 2.39. He recorded eight strikeouts while issuing two walks.

Through his first eight outings this season, Holmes had completed at least five innings while giving up two runs or fewer in every start.

The expensive Mets fell to 18-26 with the loss. Four expected starters are already on the injury report — shortstop Francisco Lindor, catcher Francisco Alvarez, first baseman Jorge Polanco and center fielder Luis Robert Jr. — alongside struggling starter Kodai Senga and reserves Ronny Mauricio and Jared Young.

Right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes of the New York Mets sustained a broken fibula during Friday evening’s matchup, manager Carlos Mendoza announced after the team’s 5-2 defeat to their crosstown rivals, the Yankees.

The injury occurred when Holmes took a line drive from Yankees player Spencer Jones directly to his right foot during the fourth inning of play.

Holmes entered the game with a 4-3 record and 1.86 earned run average, but struggled significantly in what became his poorest performance of the year. He allowed four runs on seven hits while walking two batters and recording eight strikeouts.

Despite the injury, Holmes continued playing and completed the inning by striking out two batters and getting Aaron Judge to pop out after team trainers examined him on the field.

The pitcher even returned for another out in the fifth inning before leaving the game, having thrown 95 pitches total while playing through the fracture.

Mendoza informed reporters after the game that Holmes would be out “for a long time” due to the injury.

This latest setback adds to what has been a difficult season for the 18-26 Mets, who have been plagued by numerous injuries to key players. The team’s injured list currently includes Luis Robert Jr. with a back injury, Francisco Lindor dealing with a calf problem, Jorge Polanco sidelined with Achilles and wrist issues, and Francisco Alvarez out with a meniscus injury.

Officials at the Indianapolis 500 announced Friday that Hollywood actor Brendan Fraser will serve as the honorary starter for this year’s race.

Fraser joins an impressive roster of celebrities who have waved the green flag at the prestigious racing event. Recent years have featured actors Christian Bale, Matt Damon, Chris Hemsworth, Jake Gyllenhaal and Chris Pine in the ceremonial role.

The list of notable figures who have started the Indy 500 also includes Mark Cuban (2014), Jack Nicholson (2010), Peyton Manning (2007), Sugar Ray Leonard (2006) and Reggie Miller (2005).

The 57-year-old Fraser, recognized for his performances in “The Whale” and “The Mummy” series, has Indianapolis roots as his birthplace.

“We’re incredibly excited to give him a warm Hoosier welcome as he returns for ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’” said Indycar and IMS President J. Douglas Boles.

The Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24.

HOUSTON — A Houston pitcher’s bid for baseball perfection came to an end just five outs short of completion Friday evening when Texas Rangers newcomer Justin Foscue lined a single into left field during the eighth inning.

Spencer Arrighetti’s quest for a no-hitter ended with that hit, prompting his removal from the mound. The 26-year-old right-hander had issued four walks during his 102-pitch outing — just one pitch below his personal best — with 62 of those throws finding the strike zone.

The rookie Foscue had managed only ground outs in his previous two trips to the plate and came into Friday’s contest with a .182 batting average across 11 plate appearances this season.

Coming into the game, Arrighetti sported a 4-1 record with a 1.88 ERA across five starts after starting the season playing for Triple-A Sugar Land. His previous career-best performance came on Aug. 28, 2024, when he recorded 11 strikeouts during 7 2/3 shutout innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Houston held a 1-0 advantage thanks to Isaac Paredes’ solo home run in the third inning.

Relief pitcher Bryan King took over for Arrighetti and prevented Texas from scoring in the eighth by getting Joc Pederson to fly out to right field, followed by catcher Christian Walker picking off Foscue at first base.

Left fielder Zach Dezenzo helped preserve the no-hit attempt earlier in the game with a spectacular diving grab on Alejandro Osuna’s line drive for the second out in the fifth inning.

First baseman Christian Walker handled a difficult bounce off Brandon Nimmo’s grounder to begin an inning-ending double play during the sixth.

The Astros franchise has recorded 17 no-hitters throughout their history, with Ronel Blanco throwing the most recent one on April 1, 2024.

Since relocating to Texas in 1971, the Rangers have been victims of five no-hitters, with Corey Kluber of the New York Yankees delivering the latest on May 19, 2021.

Former MMA fighters Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey successfully completed their weigh-ins Friday, setting up their featherweight clash scheduled for Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

Rousey hit the scales at 142 pounds, while Carano registered 141.4 pounds.

Following the official weigh-in, Carano shared details on social media about her weight achievement, describing it as a significant personal accomplishment.

“I just weighed in at 141.4 lbs. Since Sept 2024 to today, May 15, 2026, I have lost 100lbs,” Carano disclosed in an X.com post. “It hurts to say that and share but I am going to share it because I worked so damn hard every week for over a year and a half to shed this weight. It did not happen overnight.

Carano expressed gratitude to Rousey, “who waited patiently while I lost this weight,” and acknowledged that Rousey provided her “something to aim for.”

Both fighters are considered legends in mixed martial arts, though neither has competed since 2016. Carano’s last bout dates back to 2009. Their upcoming match is part of Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions event streaming on Netflix, featuring several former UFC competitors.

The 39-year-old Rousey built her reputation with a 12-2 record primarily competing at bantamweight (135 pounds), while 44-year-old Carano should be comfortable at the current weight class, having achieved a 7-1 record fighting predominantly around 140 pounds.

TEXCOCO, Mexico – The fifth Street Child World Cup concluded Thursday with championship victories, celebrity appearances, and a powerful message about youth empowerment as teams from around the globe gathered in Mexico for the international tournament.

Young athletes from 28 teams representing more than 20 nations competed in the event, which kicked off May 6 and held its championship rounds in Texcoco, located outside Mexico City.

The famous Irish rock group U2 brought celebrity attention to the finals, with drummer Larry Mullen Jr. conducting the ceremonial coin toss for the boys’ Shield championship match. Band members Bono, the Edge and Adam Clayton watched the action from the sidelines, with Bono at one point encouraging spectators to redirect their attention to the young athletes competing on the field.

According to Street Child United CEO and co-founder John Wroe, the tournament serves a mission beyond sports competition.

“This is the fifth Street Child World Cup. It’s about creating a global platform for young people’s voices to be heard. On their demands on identity, access to education, protection from violence and gender equality,” Wroe explained to Reuters.

“And we invite them to play a world cup where the World Cup is. And it’s all about getting the eyes of the world’s media on them so they can amplify their voices and bring about lasting change on behalf of street-connected children all over the world.”

In championship action, Brazil’s boys squad defeated India to claim the Cup title, leading to exuberant victory celebrations. Mexico’s girls team captured their Cup division championship with a win over Kenya. Indonesia’s boys and Brazil’s girls emerged victorious in their respective Shield divisions.

Brazilian boys team captain Joao JV, an 18-year-old from Rio de Janeiro, described the championship as the culmination of extensive preparation.

“I want to thank God, first of all. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be here in Mexico, especially to be with my teammates. We’ve been training for a long time, two years. And so, it is so gratifying for us to be here because we’ve all dreamt of this.

“To represent Brazil outside the country is indescribable. And so, we’re all really happy. And I thank God for us getting the title.”

Participants emphasized that the tournament offered valuable experiences extending far beyond athletic competition, including cultural exchange opportunities and educational workshops addressing challenges facing street-connected youth worldwide.

“The thing I like the most about being at the World Cup is the opportunity to mingle with players from other countries. I also really liked the light show,” commented India girls captain Pavithra Vellaiyangiri, 17, from Chennai.

The tournament concluded with a festival-style celebration featuring a performance by American rapper and singer Paul Russell, who performed while players celebrated their experiences.

“Yeah, it’s wild to hear that for some of them, it’s their first time on a plane; for some of them, it’s their first time meeting someone from another country. So, it’s cool you can see the way it’s just broadening their own understanding of the world and of their place in it. Yeah, it’s super cool to see,” Russell observed.

Texas Rangers infielder Josh Smith will spend a minimum of one week in a Dallas-area medical facility while receiving treatment for viral meningitis, the team announced Friday.

Team officials stated that Smith will continue his hospital stay until he achieves complete recovery, which medical professionals anticipate will occur within seven to 10 days. Once Smith resumes physical activities, team staff will develop a strategy for his return to playing baseball.

According to the Rangers, Smith visited a physician on Wednesday after experiencing illness symptoms.

“Our only concern right now is Josh’s health,” president of baseball operations Chris Young said. “This is obviously an unexpected illness, but we hope to see him return to full health and rejoin the club very soon.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meningitis involves inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which can result from viral infections.

Smith has been placed on the 10-day injured list since May 4 due to a right glute strain. The 28-year-old player, currently in his fifth major league season, has also experienced left wrist inflammation while recovering from his previous injury.

Following the Rangers’ offseason trade of Marcus Semien to the New York Mets, Smith assumed the starting second base position. Through 31 games this season, he maintains a .217 batting average with zero home runs and six RBIs.

The Rangers were scheduled to begin a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Friday evening.

The Vegas Golden Knights face significant penalties from the NHL after breaking league media requirements following their Thursday night playoff victory against the Anaheim Ducks in their Western Conference semifinal matchup.

The team must surrender a second-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft due to what the league called “flagrant violations” of media policies after their 5-1 win in Game Six.

Head coach John Tortorella received a $100,000 fine for failing to speak with reporters following the Golden Knights’ victory.

The organization also prevented media access to their locker room after the game ended. Only forwards Mitch Marner and Brett Howden addressed reporters at the main podium, while defenseman Shea Theodore gave a brief interview in a separate room at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Tortorella additionally skipped the traditional post-game handshake line after the win.

According to an NHL statement, Vegas had received previous warnings regarding “compliance with the media regulations and other associated policies.”

The Golden Knights acknowledged the league’s punishment in a Friday post on X, stating they are aware of the penalty and will not comment further.

Vegas can challenge the NHL’s decision next week through an appeal to commissioner Gary Bettman’s office.

The Golden Knights advance to face the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference championship round.

The New York Yankees have sidelined left-handed pitcher Max Fried for at least 15 days after medical scans revealed a bone bruise in his left elbow, the team announced Friday.

The 32-year-old starter had been experiencing difficulties on the mound during May, giving up 11 earned runs and 17 hits across 14 1/3 innings in three outings. His most recent appearance Wednesday against Baltimore lasted just three innings, during which he surrendered three earned runs while throwing 61 pitches.

This marks a significant downturn from Fried’s exceptional performance earlier in the season. Through his first seven starts in March and April, he compiled a 4-1 record with a 2.09 ERA across 47 1/3 innings pitched. His current season statistics stand at 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA.

Fried joined the Yankees organization after inking an eight-year, $218 million deal before the 2025 season, following eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves from 2017-24. During his first year in pinstripes, he earned his third All-Star selection while posting a 19-5 record and 2.86 ERA over 32 starts.

Throughout his decade-long major league career, Fried has appeared in 210 games with 194 starts, accumulating a 96-44 record and 3.04 ERA.

Team officials have not established a timeline for his return to action. Fried will undergo additional imaging in several weeks or once symptoms subside to determine when he can begin throwing again.

The Yankees had not announced a roster move to fill Fried’s spot as of Friday afternoon.

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg received Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Friday, bringing his 2025 season to an early close, according to an industry source and multiple reports.

The 27-year-old player, who participated in the 2024 All-Star game, initially sustained a right oblique injury during early spring training. While recovering from that setback, he began experiencing elbow discomfort during throwing activities, leading team officials to halt all his baseball-related activities.

On Feb. 20, Westburg chose to receive a PRP injection and was progressing through his throwing routine in Florida before being sidelined again earlier this month. Following consultations with Dr. Neal ElAttrache and team physicians on Monday, he decided to proceed with the surgical procedure.

After establishing himself as a full-time starter with the Orioles in 2024, Westburg delivered impressive performances when healthy. During 107 games in 2024, he achieved a .792 OPS while recording 26 doubles, 18 home runs and 63 RBIs. However, his season was interrupted when he fractured his right hand after being struck by a pitch on July 31, sidelining him for almost two months.

Throughout 2023-24, Westburg split time between second and third base positions before settling into the regular third base role in 2025. He managed 17 home runs across 85 games but dealt with injuries to his left hamstring, left index finger and right ankle.

Over his professional career, he maintains a .264/.312/.456 slash line with a .768 OPS across 260 games.

Defensively, Westburg is considered an above-average fielder, maintaining a .983 career fielding percentage.

In his absence, 24-year-old Coby Mayo has handled most of the third base duties for the Orioles, posting a .174/.242/.321 line through 37 games this season.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — During their second round at the PGA Championship, the trio of Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley and Cameron Young found themselves placed on pace-of-play monitoring, leaving them confused about why officials targeted their group.

The slow play wasn’t limited to just their threesome. Thomas contended that rather than causing delays for trailing players, his group was actually waiting on the golfers in front of them. Television coverage showed Thomas and Bradley gesturing toward the preceding group while on Aronimink Golf Club’s fourth hole.

“The hard part to me with the whole pace of play thing is that you, there’s so much that goes into golf and there’s so much that goes into hole to hole,” Thomas said. “… Are you hitting it close? Are you able to tap it in, or you have to mark it? Stuff like that — are you holding the group up or are you not — to where it’s very hard to make that call. And we just didn’t agree with it, to be honest.”

After picking up their pace on the following hole, officials removed the timing restriction from Thomas’s group. While multiple delays during clock monitoring can lead to penalty strokes, Thomas maintained he never felt pressured to rush his shots.

“I backed off on my first shot being on the clock, even,” Thomas said. “It’s just, it’s so hard out here, and that’s the last thing I’m going to do is make a mistake because I feel like I’m rushing.

“If we were, for some reason, to get in a position where I was getting, we were getting bad times and we were continuing to be on, I would have had more discussions with the rules officials to kind of plead my case.”

This marked the second consecutive day at the major where playing times regularly surpassed five hours, occasionally reaching 5½ hours. The group featuring world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler alongside Englishmen Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick began their round around 8:40 a.m. local time and finished shortly after 2:10 p.m.

Scheffler and fellow competitors cited the challenging pin placements selected by the PGA of America as a contributing factor to the sluggish pace.

“You just got to continue to try to hit good shots, and most of the pins today were, I mean, kind of absurd,” Scheffler said after shooting 1-over 71 to reach 2 under for the tournament.

“They were just so far into the areas where we thought the pins were going to be, and then they just — like the one on 14 was probably the hardest pin that I’ve seen in a long time just because, I mean, there’s literally just like a spine (in the green) and they’re like, ‘Oh, we’ll just put the pin right on top of it.’ And you’re like, ‘All right, well, I’ll see what I can do.’”

Chris Gotterup shared comparable sentiments despite recording an impressive 5-under 65.

“I don’t think it’s unfair, but I do think for pace of play and certain aspects, there have been a couple — you know, 14 today is probably aggressive, I will say,” Gotterup said. “You’re hitting a 4-iron to a 10-foot circle, and if it doesn’t go there, it’s off the green, and if you hit it 40 feet left, you have a very hard 2-putt.”

Course design appears to contribute to the delays as well. With 156 competitors starting from both the first and 10th tees — which utilize the same tee area — groups sometimes encounter bottlenecks. Additionally, players finishing the eighth hole must navigate through the 11th tee area to reach the ninth tee.

“Back nine requires a little bit more quality, and pace of play was incredibly slow on the back,” Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard said Thursday. “We were two groups (waiting at a time) on a couple tee boxes. It was hard to get into a rhythm. Where, on the front nine, we were on the fly.”

Slow play commonly becomes an issue at major championships due to their large participant fields, though conditions should improve over the weekend after Friday’s cut reduces the field to the top 70 players and ties.

Manchester City announced Friday that United States Women’s National Team midfielder Sam Coffey is on the road to recovery following minor knee surgery performed earlier in the week.

The club did not provide specific details about Coffey’s injury or the surgical procedure. Manchester City stated that Coffey would “work on recovery over the summer.”

The 27-year-old player transferred from the NWSL’s Portland Thorns to Manchester City in January for an $875,000 transfer fee. During her time with the English club, she appeared in 10 matches and contributed to Manchester City’s Women’s Super League Championship victory.

As a key player for the USWNT, Coffey has netted five goals across 46 international appearances and serves as one of the team’s leaders. She was instrumental in helping the squad capture the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

The surgery will cause Coffey to sit out upcoming matches against Brazil scheduled for June 6 and June 9. Medical staff anticipate she will make a complete recovery in time for World Cup qualifying matches beginning in November.

During her four-year tenure with Portland from 2022-25, Coffey recorded five goals and 17 assists over 98 appearances. She played a crucial role in helping the Thorns secure the NWSL championship in 2022.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Chris Gotterup walked through Aronimink Golf Club during the second day of the PGA Championship looking like he knew every inch of the course.

The reality is that Gotterup had never laid eyes on Aronimink until Monday. He simply feels comfortable in this region, working his shots through the wind during a chilly Friday morning.

“I slept in my own bed on Sunday, so I take that as a win when I can get it,” Gotterup said. “You know, it’s nice to be back wearing a sweatshirt and being in the Northeast.”

The Little Silver, N.J. native, who lives less than two hours east of the course near the Jersey Shore, posted an impressive 5-under-par 65 that moved him up the rankings during Friday’s second round of the PGA Championship. Through Friday afternoon, no competitor has recorded anything better than a 67 this week.

Gotterup enters the weekend at 3-under 137, positioning himself as a legitimate contender for the major championship. The 26-year-old professional, who has captured four victories since receiving his PGA Tour card in 2024, will advance to the weekend rounds at his fourth straight major tournament.

He surprised many observers last summer when he battled Rory McIlroy to claim victory at the Scottish Open, then remained competitive throughout the week at Royal Portrush and finished third at the Open Championship.

“I feel like, if I’m playing well, I can compete anywhere,” Gotterup said Friday. “That’s no different here. But I think it’s just hard to say what (the Open) did for me other than build confidence. I felt like I played some of my best golf maybe ever as a pro that week, and I came in third.

“So like it’s just one of those things where you just got to keep — I feel like you got to keep putting yourself in position, and you hope that one day it breaks through and it was your time. But as long as you can keep putting yourself there, I think that’s all you can do.”

Perhaps strong winds serve as the connecting factor between the British Isles and the Philadelphia area this week.

Wind speeds reaching approximately 30 mph have made the already challenging pin placements set by the PGA of America even more difficult. While Gotterup’s initial three birdie putts were lengthy shots from 26 1/2, 23 and 20 feet at holes 11, 17 and 3, he executed precise approach shots while birdieing his final three holes.

On the par-4 seventh hole, his 100-yard pitch shot settled just 2 feet from the cup despite the challenging wind conditions. Next came the par-3 eighth, which has proven to be the most difficult hole this week. Confronting a sand-guarded front-right pin placement, Gotterup placed his tee shot within 5 feet of the target.

“Even if it’s a generic shot, if it’s blowing 30 off the right, you’ve got to be able to craft something that is manageable to get it in the middle of the green,” Gotterup said.

“I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better since turning pro at being OK with hitting it to 30 feet being a good shot, and I think there’s a lot of that out here. So I think there’s a lot of aspects of being patient, and I feel like I’ve gotten better at that, but also just being creative and being willing to execute a shot that might, you know, you might not try and pull off in a normal week.”

Gotterup, a Rutgers graduate, mentioned that his parents attended Friday’s round and his girlfriend along with her family watched both of the opening rounds, accompanied by several friends.

“So it’s been fun in that respect. It makes it feel a little bit more like you’re at home,” Gotterup said. “For how much we’re on the road, you don’t get to feel that that much.”

His family and friends can witness directly how Gotterup is becoming increasingly comfortable competing at the highest levels of major championships.

“Every tournament that I’ve won has been a challenge. So hopefully give myself a challenge come Sunday,” Gotterup said. “I’m just trying to put myself there … and if it comes through, great, and if not, I’ll learn from it.”

FIFA has selected “Dai Dai” by Shakira and Burna Boy as the official anthem for the 2026 World Cup. The collaboration marks another milestone for the Colombian superstar, who is no stranger to creating music for soccer’s biggest tournament.

This latest project represents Shakira’s fourth musical contribution to a World Cup event. Her previous World Cup involvement dates back 16 years to when she achieved massive success with “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”

According to FIFA, multiple elements influence which songs become synonymous with a particular tournament and continue to resonate with audiences long after the competition ends.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Mike Brown accepted the New York Knicks coaching position knowing exactly what was expected of him.

The franchise already had a coach capable of reaching the Eastern Conference finals — and dismissed him right after accomplishing that feat.

Anyone stepping in to replace Tom Thibodeau understood they were taking over a precarious position, accepting a win-now role where success could only be measured by reaching the NBA Finals. The pressure intensified when the owner declared during the season that he expected the Knicks to compete for a championship.

The expectations were unmistakable, though Brown didn’t require any clarification.

“People have talked about a mandate,” Brown said recently. “Like, I’m coaching to win, so it doesn’t matter what others say. I’m disappointed if we’re not in the finals and having a chance to win it.”

Brown has guided the Knicks back to the conference finals, where they’ll face either Detroit or Cleveland. After coming within two defeats of elimination in the opening round — a failure that could have cost him his job — he made strategic adjustments while maintaining other approaches, leading to seven consecutive victories, most achieved decisively.

“He’s done a great job of adjusting our team to give us the best chance to win,” center Karl-Anthony Towns said, “and the spot we’re in now is because of his courage and the trust to change what we were doing and put us in a better position.”

Brown’s credentials certainly justified his hiring. The two-time NBA Coach of the Year became the first unanimous winner in 2023 after guiding the Sacramento Kings to their initial playoff berth since 2006, breaking what had been the longest active postseason absence in North American professional sports.

However, skepticism was inevitable with any replacement, partly because many questioned whether Thibodeau deserved termination. The Knicks managed just one playoff series victory between 2001 and his 2020 hiring, yet he delivered four postseason appearances in five seasons, including last year’s first conference finals run in 25 years.

Still, the Knicks sought a coach with a different approach. They wanted someone who could lead without being overbearing, someone who would make team decisions without creating the impression that only his input mattered.

Brown encourages input from everyone, from front office executives to players.

“He’s always wanted to have open dialogue since day one,” captain Jalen Brunson said. “And obviously he’s still the coach and he’s going to make the decisions and everything. But I mean, we give our opinions, and whether they’re good or bad opinions, they’re talked about and they’re decided on later.”

Brown, naturally, makes the ultimate decisions. His choices during the Knicks’ only postseason struggles proved correct.

Mikal Bridges struggled terribly against Atlanta, and after managing zero points in just 21 minutes during Game 3, many demanded Brown bench the guard who had started every contest during his two Knicks seasons.

Brown maintained confidence in his player, and Bridges is now indispensable. Following a 24-point performance in the series-clinching Game 6 against the Hawks, he averaged 17.5 points on nearly 64% shooting during Philadelphia’s sweep, while spearheading defensive efforts against 76ers star guard Tyrese Maxey.

Brown’s other key decision involved reducing Brunson’s role in initiating offense. Instead, the Knicks have operated more through Towns positioned high, allowing him to locate cutting teammates. His playmaking has created additional floor spacing for Brunson and others to find cleaner scoring opportunities.

Once again, discussion preceded the decision. However, demonstrating the players’ faith in Brown, the conversation was brief.

“The dialogue was: ‘OK, let’s do it,’” Brunson said.

Brown directed the Knicks to a 53-29 record, their finest since 2012-13. Yet there were periods of inconsistency following a promising beginning, and finishing a distant third in the East despite featuring two All-Stars felt disappointing.

Brown countered by explaining that teams must navigate difficult periods.

“He doesn’t listen to the outside noise and he doesn’t let that affect him,” forward Josh Hart said.

Brown maintains this comes naturally. Having worked on championship teams under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio and Steve Kerr with Golden State, he recalls criticism directed at those successful squads.

“So shoot, people can talk about Mike Brown for sure,” Brown said. “But it’s my job to ignore the noise and it’s easy for me to do that because the pressure that I put on myself, that the team puts on itself, to be great or to try to be the best team in the league doesn’t even match up with what everybody else says throughout the course of the year.”

Brown stated his singular focus all season has remained winning a championship. Given how his Knicks are currently performing, that goal appears achievable.

“The mandate and all that other stuff, like, that’s what I expect,” Brown said. “That’s what I want to do and hopefully it can happen, but who knows.”

National Football League officials say their choice to schedule Kansas City for high-profile evening games during the season’s opening weeks had nothing to do with Patrick Mahomes’ rehabilitation progress following his knee operation.

The quarterback suffered torn ACL and LCL injuries in his left knee on December 14th and has stated his aim is returning by the first week of the season. Kansas City will face Denver at home during Monday Night Football on September 14th to kick off the season, followed by a Sunday night home matchup against Indianapolis in Week 2.

“We didn’t know anything more than anyone else,” NFL executive Hans Schroeder stated on Friday.

Head coach Andy Reid mentioned on NFL Network Friday that league officials never consulted him regarding Mahomes’ condition, though he feels optimistic about what he’s observed during early offseason activities.

“He’s doing great right now and that’s kind of how you gotta go about this,” Reid stated. “People go ‘well, he’s ahead of schedule.’ Who made the schedule? Everybody’s different, let’s just take it day by day. Nobody is spending more time than he is rehabbing, he spends seven hours here going through it. He hasn’t missed a day and he wants more, all the things that are Patrick Mahomes. Let’s see where we are at as we go forward as we get a little bit closer to the game.”

Schroeder expressed enthusiasm about Reid’s remarks and noted that Kansas City continues drawing interest from television networks, evidenced by their six evening games, including a Thanksgiving night clash with Buffalo that typically ranks among the season’s most anticipated contests.

Kansas City, which finished 6-11 and failed to reach the playoffs last year after three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, also received five additional slots in the prominent late Sunday afternoon doubleheader time period.

“The Chiefs are an incredible story,” Schroeder said. “They’re one of the most popular teams in the league right now. They’ve been on an incredibly successful run for a number of years now, and have built a hugely popular fan base. We went into the year planning to play the Chiefs in the same number of windows. We didn’t know anything more than then you did, but we’re certainly hoping Patrick would be back Week 1. … We felt really good about it and certainly feel better after seeing Andy’s comments this morning with how Patrick’s rehab’s going.”

Due to Labor Day occurring later this year and the NFL’s desire to host a Week 1 contest in Australia, the season opener was shifted to Wednesday for only the second occurrence in league history.

This scheduling change might become more common.

The league revealed a new Netflix partnership extending through 2029 that ensures the streaming service gets a Week 1 game alongside NBC’s traditional opener featuring the defending Super Bowl champions. Schroeder indicated this could result in more Wednesday season starts.

The 2026 campaign begins Wednesday September 9th with Seattle hosting New England on NBC, followed by a Netflix game the following evening in the United States between Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco. That contest will start Friday morning in Australia.

“I think you’ll see us certainly playing on a couple nights, weekday nights to start the year going forward,” Schroeder said.

The NFL held an international game during Week 1 on Friday evening the past two seasons but cannot schedule another Friday night Week 1 game until 2029 due to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which prevents the league from televising games on Friday nights beginning the second Friday in September. Week 1’s Friday will again fall on the second Friday of September in both 2027 and 2028.

The only previous instance of an NFL season starting on Wednesday occurred in 2012 when Dallas traveled to New York Giants. That game moved from its typical Thursday slot because President Barack Obama was scheduled to address the Democratic National Convention that evening.

The Australian opener created significant travel demands for both San Francisco and Los Angeles.

San Francisco will establish a record this season with approximately 38,000 miles of travel due to the distant opener and a “home” contest in Mexico City during Week 11 against Minnesota. Los Angeles follows closely with roughly 35,000 miles of travel this upcoming season.

Both teams return home Friday September 11th, providing some additional preparation time before Week 2. The Rams receive an extra day since they’ll host a Monday night game against New York Giants before consecutive road trips to Denver and Philadelphia.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan openly criticized the extensive travel during league meetings earlier this offseason, and general manager John Lynch said the NFL would provide some accommodations.

San Francisco will play three consecutive home games after the Week 1 journey and won’t leave the Pacific Time Zone again until visiting Atlanta in Week 7. The team also avoided games on both Thanksgiving and Christmas after playing both holidays in 2023.

“I’m sure wave a magic wand, they would move a game or two on their schedule,” NFL VP of broadcast planning Mike North said. “But I assume the same is true for the other 31 teams as well. We were sensitive, we were cognizant, and think we landed in a fair place, not just for the Niners and the Rams, but hopefully for everybody.”

The era of every NFL franchise receiving a guaranteed primetime game has ended, with five teams failing to secure games in those prominent windows this season.

Tennessee, Miami, Arizona, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets all received no primetime games in the initial schedule. These teams rank among the bottom six in Super Bowl odds this season after Miami won seven games last year and the other four finished 3-14.

Unless one of these teams gets moved into a primetime slot late in the season, this would mark the first time since 2011 that five teams received no primetime games.

None of these five teams received an isolated game in another window either.

Even adding Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza wasn’t sufficient to earn the Raiders a primetime slot.

This represents the second consecutive season where the team selecting a quarterback first overall didn’t receive primetime games, with Tennessee getting none last season after choosing Cam Ward first overall.

“Not to be flippant, but we don’t draft our way into primetime. We play our way into primetime,” North said.

Rest disparity concerns have gained significant attention recently, though the NFL maintains its data shows the focus is excessive.

This season features notable extremes with both Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia facing four games against teams coming off bye weeks, while 14 teams don’t encounter this situation once. The Raiders and Los Angeles Rams each have three games against teams following a bye.

The Chargers will have 22 fewer rest days than their opponents this season, the largest gap since the 2012 Eagles at minus-23, according to ESPN.

“Rest disparity is not a thing,” North said. “You do not have a competitive advantage when you’re coming off your bye. You certainly don’t have a competitive advantage when you’re one day or two day or three days more well rested. If that data suggests that there’s a there, we will adjust.”

FIFA reached a broadcasting rights agreement with China Media Group on Friday for World Cup coverage, securing the deal just 27 days before tournament kickoff and accepting significantly less money than the soccer organization initially demanded.

The comprehensive deal encompasses four World Cups spanning through 2031, including both men’s and women’s competitions, according to FIFA’s announcement. This covers the expanded 48-team, 104-match men’s tournament beginning June 11 across North America, despite China’s absence from the competition.

State-affiliated Chinese media outlets reported Friday that the 2026 World Cup broadcasting rights carried a $60 million price tag.

According to Chinese media coverage in recent weeks leading up to the negotiation deadline, FIFA had initially demanded $300 million for the rights.

Broadcasting rights for India remain unresolved.

“It’s a real pleasure that we have found an agreement with CMG,” stated FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström in the organization’s official announcement. Grafström traveled to China this week, participating in discussions with Chinese soccer federation representatives.

FIFA’s negotiating position weakened due to the substantial time zone differences, with up to 15 hours separating Beijing from the 16 tournament venues distributed throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Chinese corporations have already committed substantial resources to the 2026 World Cup, which FIFA projects will generate over $11 billion in revenue.

Technology company Lenovo holds a position among FIFA’s eight premier sponsorship partners, while dairy company Mengniu and electronics maker Hisense secured secondary-level agreements.

Chinese business conglomerate Wanda had established a long-term partnership with FIFA in 2016, which ended two years ago.

FIFA did not reveal the financial terms for the 2030 World Cup television rights, a tournament China previously considered hosting as part of Wanda’s FIFA partnership strategy. The nation’s aspirations to host major international soccer events diminished during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2030 men’s competition will primarily take place in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with individual matches currently planned for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, the original 1930 World Cup host nation.

Brazil will host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, while the 2031 tournament will occur mainly in the United States, alongside Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica.

FIFA member federations are scheduled to formally approve this hosting arrangement, which faces no competing bids, in November.

The PWHL announced Friday that Manon Rheaume will serve as general manager for Detroit’s expansion franchise, bringing her pioneering hockey career from the ice to the front office.

The 54-year-old former goaltender made history as the first woman to participate in an exhibition contest for any major North American professional sport. Most recently, she worked for four years in hockey operations with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. Her appointment also marks a return to familiar territory, as she previously spent 11 years developing talent with the Little Caesars youth hockey girls’ program in the Detroit area.

“She brings an unmatched resume, a championship mindset and a lifelong commitment to growing the women’s game,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations, who oversees the hiring process.

“Her experience at every level of hockey, combined with her leadership and vision, makes her the perfect person to lead PWHL Detroit into its inaugural season,” Hefford added.

The announcement follows Detroit’s designation as an expansion franchise just over a week ago. Since then, the league has welcomed Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario as additional new teams, with plans for one more expansion to reach 12 teams next season.

Women now hold seven of the nine general manager positions across the PWHL.

“I’m incredibly honored to join the PWHL and help build something special in Detroit,” Rheaume said. “The city has such a deep hockey tradition, and the passion for hockey here is truly special.”

Her immediate responsibilities include overseeing an expansion free-agent signing period tentatively set to start May 28, followed by the league draft scheduled for June 17 in Detroit.

The Beauport, Quebec native first gained international attention in the early 1990s when she signed with Trois-Rivieres in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. She made headlines in 1992 during a tryout with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, giving up two goals on nine shots during one period of a preseason matchup against St. Louis. She appeared in a second exhibition game the following year against Boston.

Rheaume’s competitive achievements include a silver medal for Canada at the 1998 Nagano Games, which featured the inaugural women’s Olympic hockey tournament. She also captured gold medals at the 1992 and 1994 world championships.

The sudden passing of Brandon Clarke has left many unanswered questions, and those answers may not come for quite some time.

The Memphis Grizzlies player was discovered deceased at a residence in the Los Angeles area on Monday. Following the team’s announcement of Clarke’s death, a source with knowledge of the investigation informed The Associated Press on Tuesday that drug paraphernalia was discovered at the location.

Emergency responders declared the 29-year-old athlete dead at the scene. While an autopsy has been conducted, determining the exact cause of death may require several weeks.

Back in Memphis, the community continues to process the devastating news. On Friday, the Grizzlies released a memorial video, stating that Clarke’s “legacy will carry on in the hearts of Grizz Nation, always and forever.”

Here are the key details surrounding the ongoing investigation:

The County of Los Angeles’ Medical Examiner’s Office will eventually provide an updated cause of death determination. However, this process may extend for weeks while awaiting toxicology results and additional testing.

Currently, the coroner’s office indicates the case remains active with the cause of death classified as “deferred.” The coroner has finished their examination, and officials are now waiting for test results to return.

Additional aspects of the death investigation include identifying who placed the emergency call and determining what other circumstances may have contributed.

Supporters have gathered outside the team’s Memphis arena, bringing flowers and other tributes to express their sorrow over Clarke’s passing. The Grizzlies display player banners on poles in the plaza area outside FedEx Forum, where fans have independently come to honor his memory.

The organization has not yet decided whether to hold a public memorial service or similar event to commemorate Clarke’s seven-year tenure with the team. Plans for family funeral arrangements also remain unknown.

Clarke had a contract extending through the 2026-27 season with the Grizzlies.

On April 1, Clarke faced arrest in Arkansas on charges including speeding and controlled substance possession, reportedly involving kratom, an herbal supplement marketed as a pain relief alternative that becomes illegal in Tennessee starting July 1. He was released on bond the following day. Whether kratom was present in Clarke’s system at the time of death will likely remain unclear until the coroner releases their official findings.

Health authorities have issued warnings regarding the dangers of 7-hydroxymitragynine, an opioid-like compound found in kratom. This Southeast Asian plant has become increasingly popular in America as an unregulated treatment for pain, anxiety, and substance dependency.

A 2019 federal study revealed that kratom-related overdose deaths occurred more frequently than previously documented. While most fatalities involved additional substances like heroin or fentanyl, officials recorded several cases where kratom was the sole substance identified.

The 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward from Canada appeared in only two games this season due to multiple injuries, including a right knee problem requiring surgical intervention followed by a right calf injury.

This marked the second time in three seasons that Clarke missed nearly an entire year due to injury-related issues.

Approximately six weeks prior to his death, Clarke was taken into custody in Arkansas facing charges of speeding, reckless driving, and controlled substance possession. He spent his entire seven-year professional career with Memphis after completing his collegiate playing days at Gonzaga.

NEW YORK — New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby completed his first full practice session Friday since sustaining a hamstring injury, bringing the team one step closer to having their complete starting roster available for the Eastern Conference finals.

The starting forward has been sidelined for the last two contests of the Knicks’ second-round series victory over the Philadelphia 76ers after he strained his right hamstring during the closing moments of Game 2. While he participated in limited portions of Wednesday’s practice session when the team reconvened, he was held out of high-intensity drills.

However, coach Mike Brown confirmed that Anunoby participated in all team activities during Friday’s session.

The Knicks are positioned to host the opening game of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday, contingent on Cleveland defeating Detroit in their sixth game Friday evening. Should that series extend to a seventh game, Anunoby would have additional recovery time until Tuesday.

Throughout the current postseason, Anunoby has posted averages of 21.4 points per contest while maintaining shooting percentages of 61.9% from the floor and 53.8% from beyond the three-point arc.

First-year Minnesota Lynx player Emma Cechova is scheduled to undergo an MRI examination on her right knee Friday, according to a report from The Athletic.

The 21-year-old center sustained the injury during a third-quarter collision with Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers in Minnesota’s 90-86 victory Thursday evening in Arlington, Texas.

Team medical personnel quickly attended to Cechova, who clutched her knee in obvious discomfort before receiving assistance to exit to the locker room.

The player from the Czech Republic concluded Thursday’s contest with two points and two rebounds across 11 minutes of play.

Through her first three games of the season, she has posted averages of 8.3 points and 3.7 rebounds while playing 17.3 minutes per game as a reserve.

Five members of a local softball team have been selected for National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region recognition, marking a significant achievement for the program.

The honors recognize the exceptional performance and contributions of these student-athletes throughout the season. The NFCA All-Region awards are given to standout players who demonstrate excellence both on the field and in their athletic achievements.

This recognition reflects the strong performance of the softball program and highlights the talent of the individual players who earned these prestigious honors.

The National Football League’s diversity hiring policy is facing legal scrutiny from Florida’s top prosecutor, who claims the requirement discriminates against candidates.

The Rooney Rule mandates that NFL franchises must conduct interviews with minority applicants when filling senior-level positions. However, Florida’s attorney general has labeled this practice as discriminatory.

This challenge comes as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under the current administration has been questioning similar diversity initiatives in other sectors and organizations.

The policy was established to increase opportunities for underrepresented groups in NFL leadership roles, but critics argue it creates unfair hiring practices.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Las Vegas Golden Knights’ remarkable streak of success continues as they’ve secured another trip to the Western Conference finals, marking their fifth appearance in the third round during just nine seasons in the NHL.

Las Vegas closed out the Anaheim Ducks with a commanding 5-1 victory in Game 6 of their second-round matchup Thursday evening, claiming their 14th playoff series win since joining the league in 2017 — the most of any NHL team during that period.

The franchise’s sustained excellence stems from more than just fortune. Their aggressive approach to winning has involved costly free agent signings and major player acquisitions, culminating in a surprising coaching switch this spring that has paid immediate dividends.

“Just proud of the guys,” commented defenseman Shea Theodore, who has been with the organization since its inception. “I think it comes right from (owner) Bill Foley up top. That’s the message going into every year, is to win Cups, and I think we’ve put ourselves in great positions. Guys put the work in.”

Following back-to-back six-game series wins against the Utah Mammoth and Anaheim, Las Vegas has compiled a 15-4-1 record since making the bold decision to dismiss Stanley Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy and bring in John Tortorella with only eight games remaining in the regular season.

“Torts has been a good change coming in, just getting us the right mindset going into each game, each playoff series,” Theodore explained. “I feel like we have the right tools going in and guys have been executing.”

The coaching change came after an 8-15-4 stretch that had the team struggling. The 67-year-old Tortorella’s arrival sparked an immediate turnaround, helping Vegas surge past both Anaheim and Edmonton to capture the Pacific Division title before navigating through the division’s relatively favorable playoff bracket.

“I think we were maybe doubting a little bit of ourselves about what we were trying to do out there, and sometimes that happens,” said Mitch Marner, who netted the opening goal in Thursday’s clincher after recording a hat trick in the same building during Game 3. “Torts came in and, I think, brought our swagger back to where it needed to be, and playing the way that we wanted to play. And obviously since that change, I’ve really liked our game as a team. I think we all have. We’re playing a fast-paced game. We’re doing all the little things right, and that’s what it takes.”

For Marner, who departed Toronto last summer amid fan criticism while the Maple Leafs continued their conference finals drought, his inaugural Vegas campaign has been “a roller coaster ride.” After a slow start by his standards, the veteran forward has found his groove at the perfect time.

Marner contributed a goal and assist in the series-clinching victory, bringing his postseason total to an NHL-leading 18 points. His playoff performance has silenced critics who questioned his big-game capabilities during his Toronto tenure.

“Individually wise, it feels great to be going on to the next round with this team,” Marner stated. “And the work now really just keeps getting harder, and we’re excited for it.”

The Golden Knights now face their toughest test yet against the Colorado Avalanche, who have dominated throughout most of the season. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have guided Colorado to eight victories in nine playoff contests against the conference’s second and third-seeded teams.

Despite facing long odds against what appears to be Colorado’s championship destiny, the Golden Knights carry the confidence that comes from nearly a decade of unprecedented success since entering the league.

“We’re playing a very high-talented team coming up here, so we’ve got to make sure we’re doing all those things right,” Marner noted. “And then when we get our opportunities, capitalize on them.”

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Montreal Canadiens first-year netminder Jakub Dobes says he takes pride in not losing faith in himself after Buffalo scored three times on their opening four attempts. More importantly, he remains grateful that Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis chose not to pull him from the game.

The difficult opening, which wasn’t completely the goaltender’s responsibility, ultimately helped Dobes find his rhythm and rebuild his confidence. He turned away Buffalo’s remaining 32 attempts in Thursday night’s 6-3 victory that put Montreal ahead 3-2 in their second-round playoff matchup.

“I told him thank you for leaving me and trying to prove myself,” Dobes said, referring to St. Louis. “That’s a big part, to have (the) trust of your coach, and I will never disrespect it. I appreciate it and the only thing I was trying to do just give some momentum back to the team and try to keep it tight, and it worked out.”

Game 6 is at Montreal on Saturday night.

Despite whatever difficulties Dobes experienced early in a contest where Buffalo held a 3-2 advantage by the 10:15 mark of the opening period, the 24-year-old Czech player convinced his teammates he had found his rhythm again.

This became especially clear about four minutes into the middle period when he denied Tage Thompson during a breakaway opportunity after Buffalo caught Montreal during a line change. The Sabres’ top regular-season goal scorer rushed in from the left side, moved across the goal mouth only to see Dobes track his movement and block Thompson’s attempt with his left leg pad.

Montreal answered by scoring three times during the period’s final 12 minutes to establish a 5-3 advantage.

“It was a huge save,” Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said. “We never lost confidence in him. Everyone was struggling in that first period. And I just thought that was a big moment for us.”

For Dobes, who posted a 29-10-4 record during his initial complete NHL regular season, the challenging-then-successful performance taught him about resisting frustration. The netminder admitted his spirits dropped after rookie Konsta Helenius scored Buffalo’s third goal between his legs.

“The one lesson I learned from today was just got to have a better body language for the boys — don’t let them know that I’m not feeling maybe my best,” Dobes said, noting he was reminded of that during a first-intermission discussion. Dobes has been Montreal’s starting goaltender since the playoffs opened, and is now 7-5 in which he’s allowed 28 goals.

St. Louis said it was goalie coach Marco Marciano’s decision to not pull Dobes.

“Ultimately, it’s probably my decision right? But I feel like the goalie position is probably the one position that I can help much,” said St. Louis, a former NHL forward. “So I try to stay out of it and not be emotionally driven, and being upset that we’re down.”

St. Louis described the conversation over the radio with Marciano, who was watching from the press box, as being brief.

“He said, ‘No, keep him in.’ OK, let’s move on,” St. Louis said.

Forward Juraj Slafkovsky defended Dobes by saying Buffalo’s first goal pinballed in by deflecting off Sabres forward Jason Zucker and then a Montreal defender. And Dobes was screened when Josh Doan beat him to put Buffalo up 2-1.

“We didn’t help him there, but then he came back and he was in a game, and he was once again really good,” said Slafkovsky, who had three assists. “It’s just Marty trusting him. I think it’s huge for confidence of (Dobes). And we all trust him as well.”

What unfolded could easily be described as The James Harden Experience in action.

During a crucial 22-second stretch in overtime of Game 5 in the Eastern Conference semifinals versus Detroit on Wednesday evening, Harden displayed his full range for Cleveland — converting one free throw while missing another, swatting away a shot, grabbing a rebound, and committing a turnover.

The veteran guard remained unshaken throughout the sequence, which perfectly captures his character.

“He never wavered,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson. “He has a bad game, good game, you can’t even tell. So, I think his mentality — he’s seen so much, been through so many of these series — he’s a heck of a leader.”

Cleveland’s decision to acquire Harden through a trade three months earlier was based on his ability to elevate their toughness and playoff readiness. Early results suggest their strategy is working.

With the veteran who has reached the postseason in all 17 of his NBA campaigns leading the way, Cleveland sits just one victory from advancing to the East finals. A win against Detroit in Game 6 on Friday night at home would secure their spot. Notably, Harden’s strongest three performances of the series have come in the most recent games — all Cleveland victories.

“He’s a pro’s pro,” said Cavaliers guard Max Strus following the Game 5 victory, where Harden topped all scorers with 30 points despite struggling through the final periods, connecting on just one of his last eight field goal attempts in the fourth quarter and overtime.

“He shows up every single day,” Strus continued. “He puts (an) amount of work in. You don’t become one of the best players the game has ever seen without showing up every single day. I think that’s one thing that I’ve noticed from him is the consistency, whether that’s in the weight room, whether that’s in taking care of your body, whether it’s in getting shots up. He’s a Hall of Famer in that regard and that’s why he is who he is — because he consistently puts in the work.”

Statistical evidence demonstrates Harden’s importance to Cleveland’s postseason run:

— 5-1 when he scores at least 22 points (2-4 otherwise).

— 4-0 when he shoots at least 44% (3-5 otherwise).

— 5-0 when he has at least seven field goals (2-5 otherwise).

— 6-1 when he has at least three 3-pointers (1-4 otherwise).

The transition hasn’t been without challenges. Harden continues to struggle with turnovers, though this statistic can be misleading since primary ball handlers naturally commit more turnovers than role players. He stands three points shy of matching Stephen Curry for 10th place on the all-time playoff scoring list (a positive milestone), while sitting one turnover away from tying Shaquille O’Neal for second-most playoff turnovers since the current format began in 1984 (a less favorable distinction).

Harden faces heightened scrutiny compared to many players. This comes with the territory — 17 seasons in the league, 17 playoff appearances, substantial earnings, numerous individual accolades, yet no NBA championships. However, he deserves credit for adapting to a significantly different role in Cleveland than what he’s grown accustomed to over recent years.

“This is new for me. I’ve only been here two and a half months,” Harden explained. “So, the things that we are going through is all new.”

In Cleveland, he’s accepted a secondary role, serving as Robin to Donovan Mitchell’s Batman. Such transitions don’t happen overnight. Harden has worked to make this adjustment smoothly since arriving via trade — and Cleveland now stands one win from reaching the NBA’s final four for the first time since 2018 (and without LeBron James, their first appearance since 1992).

“I think we’re building in the right direction,” Harden said. “And throughout that process, there’s going to be some times where we don’t look as great, but I think overall we’ve all got the right mindset of wanting to help each other be better. And I think we’re finding that.”

The National Football League’s game schedule continues to draw significant interest from fans and government officials alike, particularly those following the Washington Commanders or their preferred teams. However, the league faces increased examination as it allocates more contests to streaming platforms.

Out of 272 regular-season matchups, 22 will have streaming services as their primary broadcaster – one additional game compared to the previous season’s announcement. Another 14 games will air mainly on cable networks.

This distribution means 236 contests will broadcast on CBS, Fox, NBC or ABC, keeping 87% of all games on traditional broadcast television – identical to last year’s percentage. Games played in each team’s home market will continue airing on broadcast networks.

President Donald Trump expressed his frustration regarding the financial burden on fans seeking access to complete game coverage, as Federal Communications Commission and Department of Justice investigations proceed.

“You have people that live for Sunday. They can’t think about anything else, and then all of a sudden, they’re gonna have to pay $1,000 a game? It’s crazy, so I’m not happy about it,” Trump said while interviewed on “Full Measure” last weekend.

Although fans don’t actually pay $1,000 per individual game for television or streaming access, the combined cost of viewing all content through “NFL Sunday Ticket,” cable or satellite packages, plus subscriptions to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Peacock could approach nearly $1,000 for an entire season.

Despite heightened examination of its distribution approach, the league maintained its existing strategy, according to Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution.

“Our focus is on getting the best games into the best windows,” Schroeder said. “And even with the additional games that went to Netflix, we think we’re expanding the reach of those games.”

The organization created new independent time slots after reclaiming four games from Monday night doubleheaders used in prior seasons. Two games moved to Netflix (Thanksgiving Eve and the Saturday early game in Week 18), one to Fox (one of the international games) and one to NBC (a Saturday game in Week 17).

CBS and Fox gained Saturday games in Week 15 that previously aired as Sunday regional contests. Fox also secured a Christmas Day game for the first time since 2023.

Although the league and ESPN believed having dual Monday night games certain weeks would benefit viewers, it frequently divided audiences because one contest began at 7 p.m. while the other started at 8:15 p.m.

“I think our fans felt a little conflicted with having two games on Monday,” Schroeder said. “It wasn’t working as we intended. We could take these games and find a better home and broader distribution for them.”

The Netflix games should attract substantial viewership given the platform’s domestic and international presence. The streaming service boasts 81.4 million U.S. subscribers versus ESPN’s 60 million. Netflix will also distribute its five-game package worldwide.

Ten Monday night games will simulcast on ABC this season. ESPN will broadcast the Super Bowl for the first time, while ABC will air it for the first time since 2006.

Tim Reed, ESPN’s vice president of programming and acquisitions, also believed eliminating the doubleheaders helped “Monday Night Football” achieve a more comprehensive schedule.

“The ability to streamline and simplify the schedule just helps. I assume it helped the league and makes it easier to land all the games,” he said.

With 10 broadcast windows during Thanksgiving week, only six 1 p.m. games will air Sunday, split equally between CBS and Fox. Baltimore at Houston (CBS) and Atlanta at Minnesota (Fox) are anticipated to be the featured early window contests, while Seattle at San Francisco receives the late afternoon spotlight on Fox.

Christmas week will feature 11 windows – Christmas Eve, three on Christmas Day, two on Dec. 26, CBS doubleheader plus early game on Fox, NBC Sunday night, and ESPN Monday night. After ESPN selects the two games it will broadcast on NFL Network, CBS and Fox will each receive one game, likely resulting in six total 1 p.m. Sunday contests. The 49ers-Chiefs matchup serves as the highlighted late-afternoon game on CBS.

“How do you satisfy everybody? You probably can’t, but you can be fair,” said Mike Mulvihill, Fox Sports president, insight and analytics. “It leaves things a little light for the afternoon windows, but as long as we’re not shouldering more of that burden and feel we’re being treated fairly, it’s OK.”

CBS, which experienced its strongest regular season in 2025, will feature the Chiefs four times and the Cowboys twice during its Sunday 4:25 p.m. doubleheader window.

Its strongest lineup appears to be Week 15, with Bears-Bills on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 8:20 p.m., followed by Steelers-Ravens on Sunday at 1 p.m., and Cowboys-Rams at 4:25 p.m.

“That will be a great scene in Buffalo for us, and then you go from that game to Sunday and a monster doubleheader with Ravens-Steelers early, a legendary black-and-blue game, and then having the Cowboys in LA against the Rams,” said Dan Weinberg, CBS Sports EVP of programming.

CBS also features the Cowboys in Week 3 against the Ravens, which will take place in Brazil.

By broadcasting the Patriots-Lions game in Munich during Week 10, Fox will present its first tripleheader since Week 8 in 2016. Following the Sunday morning game, it will also showcase Vikings-Packers as a featured 1 p.m. contest, followed by 49ers-Cowboys in the late afternoon slot.

Tom Brady makes his initial return to Foxborough, Massachusetts, as a broadcaster when the Patriots face the Packers in Week 9.

“I think there are 60 dates this season with NFL football. That is quite different than 20-25 years ago,” Mulvihill said. “Sunday is still the core of the football experience and always will be. I think the league is mindful of not undermining the brand and power of Sunday football.”

The Chicago White Sox achieved a milestone Thursday night, defeating the Kansas City Royals 6-2 to push their record above .500 for the first time since their 2023 season opener.

Randal Grichuk powered the offensive attack with four RBIs, connecting for a two-run blast in the opening frame and adding two more runs with a base hit in the third inning. The victory marked Chicago’s fifth consecutive win, extending their current hot streak.

Chicago completed a three-game sweep of Kansas City, establishing themselves as baseball’s hottest team. With a 22-21 record, the White Sox have reached .500 after April for the first time since October 2022.

Left-handed starter Anthony Kay (3-1) delivered a solid performance for Chicago, surrendering six hits and two runs across six-plus innings. Kay walked two batters while striking out four on 97 pitches.

In other MLB action Thursday:

Cincinnati dominated Washington 15-1, with JJ Bleday launching two home runs and collecting six RBIs to help the Reds salvage the series finale. Matt McLain and Dane Myers also went deep, while Spencer Steer contributed two hits and three runs scored. Elly De La Cruz extended his multi-hit streak to six games with two hits and two runs. Chase Burns (5-1) shut out the Nationals over six innings, allowing just two hits.

The New York Mets completed their first series sweep of the season with a 9-4 victory over Detroit. Nolan McLean (2-2) worked seven innings of three-run ball for the win. Juan Soto delivered the go-ahead hit in the fifth and added a leadoff homer in the seventh. A.J. Ewing, Marcus Semien, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos also homered for New York.

Chicago Cubs avoided a sweep with a 2-0 shutout victory at Atlanta. Ian Happ homered while five Cubs pitchers combined for a five-hit shutout. Hoby Milner (1-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings. The Cubs snapped a season-high four-game losing streak.

Pittsburgh defeated Colorado 7-2 behind Ryan O’Hearn’s three-hit, two-RBI performance that included a home run. The Pirates took two of three games from the Rockies.

Seattle beat Houston 8-3 to win three of four games in the series. Luke Raley and Mitch Garver homered for the Mariners, while Brendan Donovan went 3-for-5 with a double and triple.

Milwaukee topped San Diego 7-1 in the series finale. Luis Rengifo drove in three runs while Kyle Harrison (4-1) threw five shutout innings with seven strikeouts.

Philadelphia edged Boston 3-1 as Kyle Schwarber hit his 18th homer of the season and Jesus Luzardo pitched six scoreless innings for the road victory.

Minnesota cruised past Miami 9-1, with Austin Martin and James Outman each driving in three runs. Zebby Matthews (1-0) scattered four hits over seven shutout innings in his season debut.

Los Angeles defeated San Francisco 5-2 to close their four-game series. Emmet Sheehan (3-1) threw six strong innings, while Alex Call hit a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth.

St. Louis rallied for a 5-4 win over the Athletics in West Sacramento. Ivan Herrera tied the game with a two-out single in the ninth, and Jordan Walker followed with the go-ahead double.

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 5-2 victory against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, splitting their four-game series behind a stellar pitching performance from Emmet Sheehan and a crucial sixth-inning rally.

Sheehan delivered six impressive innings on the mound, while Alex Call provided the decisive blow with a two-run double in the sixth that put the Dodgers ahead for good. Will Smith got things started early with a leadoff home run, and Teoscar Hernandez contributed three hits to the winning effort.

The victory allowed the Dodgers to claim the final two contests of the series after beginning the season with a disappointing 1-4 record against their division rivals. Los Angeles managed eight hits despite playing without Shohei Ohtani for the second straight game, as the star player received his first complete day off of the year while working through offensive struggles.

Sheehan improved to 3-1 on the season, surrendering just two runs on two hits while walking two and striking out six batters. Tanner Scott closed out the game with a flawless ninth inning to earn his fourth save of the campaign.

For San Francisco, Jung Hoo Lee provided the offensive highlight with a two-run inside-the-park home run. Starting pitcher Landen Roupp took the loss, falling to 5-4 after allowing four runs on six hits across 5 1/3 innings. He recorded seven strikeouts and issued two walks as the Giants dropped back-to-back games following a strong 4-1 stretch.

The Giants’ offensive struggles continued from the previous night when they were shut out by Ohtani and the Los Angeles bullpen.

Smith, batting leadoff for the first time in his professional career, wasted no time connecting on Roupp’s fourth pitch of the game, sending it just over the right field fence for his fourth homer this season.

The Dodgers extended their lead to 2-0 in the second inning when Hyeseong Kim drove in a run with a single.

Lee’s dramatic inside-the-park homer came in the fifth inning with a runner on first base. His blooper down the left field line took an unusual bounce off the retaining wall, rolling past Hernandez into the corner and allowing Lee to circle the bases for his third home run of the year, sliding safely into home ahead of the relay throw.

The decisive sixth inning saw pinch hitter Call deliver a clutch single to right field off reliever Matt Gage, bringing home two runs for a 4-2 advantage. Miguel Rojas added an insurance run with an RBI single to center field on the tenth pitch of his at-bat.

Milwaukee Brewers officials are taking a wait-and-see approach with star outfielder Christian Yelich, who has been dealing with back stiffness that may require a stint on the injured list.

The team has given Yelich two consecutive days off to address the back issues, with Friday’s evaluation expected to determine his immediate future. Yelich had just returned from missing 24 games with a left groin injury when he played Tuesday against the visiting San Diego Padres, going hitless in four at-bats during Milwaukee’s 6-4 victory.

Following Tuesday’s contest, Yelich developed back stiffness that kept him sidelined for Wednesday’s defeat and Thursday’s win that concluded the series against San Diego. Team officials believe the current problem stems from back surgery the player had in August 2024.

Manager Pat Murphy provided an update after Thursday’s 7-1 triumph over San Diego, saying, “He felt much better today. We’ll find out a lot more (Friday). I think (Friday) will be kind of a telling tale whether he needs a longer break.”

Milwaukee begins a three-game road series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday in Minneapolis.

Murphy explained that similar issues occurred previously, noting, “He had the same thing last year. If you talked to his doctor, they would tell you the same thing, that this is going to happen from time to time. Do you know anybody with back surgery that absolutely has no problems with their back? That’s just not how it is.”

The 34-year-old Yelich has posted a .291 batting average this season with a .350 on-base percentage and .418 slugging percentage, along with one home run and 10 RBIs across 16 games.

The three-time All-Star earned National League Most Valuable Player honors in 2018 and carries career statistics of a .285/.374/.464 batting line with 234 home runs, 861 RBIs and 224 stolen bases over 1,632 games.

Yelich spent his early career with the Miami Marlins from 2013-17 before joining Milwaukee via trade in January 2018.

Ukrainian boxing champion Vasiliy Lomachenko is making his return to the ring after stepping away from professional fighting, his manager revealed Wednesday.

“We are working on his comeback this fall,” Egis Klimas told ESPN.

The fighter, who compiled an 18-3 record with 12 knockouts before stepping away from the sport last summer, recently became a free agent on Tuesday and plans to pursue major bouts as part of his return to boxing.

At 38 years old, Lomachenko has captured world championships across three weight classes: featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight. His professional success built upon a stellar amateur career that featured two Olympic gold medals representing Ukraine in 2008 and 2012, along with an outstanding 396-1 amateur record.

Known as “Hi Tech,” Lomachenko’s most recent bout took place in 2024, where he scored a TKO victory over former lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. in Perth, Australia. Following his inability to line up another fight after that victory, Lomachenko considered his options before ultimately deciding to retire.

Professional football teams displayed remarkable creativity Thursday evening as they unveiled their upcoming season schedules through an array of entertaining presentations featuring artistic elements, gaming references, film nods, and even animated television shows.

The organizations also took opportunities to playfully tease their future opponents, make light of their own situations, and reference notable offseason incidents.

The Indianapolis team utilized an animated approach featuring characters from the long-running cartoon series. Their presentation acknowledged their extended losing streak in Jacksonville by showing the famous father character vanishing into bushes when displaying their away matchup against the Jaguars.

The animation also depicted the young son character repeatedly scribbling on a school blackboard: “We will not include Tyreek Hill in these videos.”

The New York franchise adopted an artistic “football is ART (craft blend)” concept, mixing specially labeled paint colors to reveal their opponents and corresponding dates.

Their opening game against the Tennessee team featured paint shades called “Dolly Denim” and “Bachelorette Blush,” referencing a city famous for a country music icon and party destinations. The Miami matchup incorporated spray tan, del boca vista, major key and finkle — nodding to the Ray Finkle character from the 1994 film “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” — while the Minnesota game used raspberry beret and minnetonka blue colors.

The New Orleans organization employed a “season forecast” theme that featured personalities including Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel. The Los Angeles team drew inspiration from the film “Napoleon Dynamite” for their “A Dynamite schedule” presentation.

The Pittsburgh franchise created an extended presentation lasting over 4 minutes and 36 seconds that celebrated local culture, traditions, cuisine, and regional dialect with “Ready to yinzify your DNA, n’at?” A Pittsburgh-born actor Billy Gardell guides a new security employee through the experience with the schedule information revealed at the conclusion.

The Los Angeles team produced an even lengthier presentation using the video game Halo Infinite for a 6-minute and 12-second reveal, beginning with a social media post asking whether they should create their schedule video using the game, with “NO” spelled out alongside the word “yes.”

This team also reminded Baltimore about backing out of their potential trade with another franchise for player Maxx Crosby.

They additionally appeared to reference the Patriots coach’s recent activities in their headlines with a mention of “Next Photo Dump 1 Mile.”

The Jacksonville organization capitalized on perhaps the most talked-about offseason haircut, featuring their quarterback Trevor Lawrence trimming his lengthy hair on camera after presenting their schedule, which then displays on screen in an edited version under 2 minutes.

The Tennessee team returned to street interviews for their schedule announcement, building on their 2023 approach. This year, they used “You never know who you’ll see on the street” set to the classic rock song “Who Are You,” asking random individuals if they were notable figures associated with specific opponents.

The Atlanta organization borrowed the style from a popular social media account known as ArtButMakeItSports for their schedule preview. They published a series Thursday morning titled “Art but make it our 2026 opponents,” showcasing paintings representing each opposing team.

Two major cities set to host World Cup matches are implementing new restrictions on pre-game festivities that will change how fans experience the tournament atmosphere.

Boston and Philadelphia announced Wednesday that tailgating activities will only be permitted for individuals who possess tickets to the matches, representing a shift from standard practices at Gillette Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field.

“The people who should come to Gillette on a game day are people who have a ticket to the event,” stated Jim Nolan, COO of Kraft Sports and Entertainment. “So, if you don’t have a ticket, don’t come to Gillette.”

The announcement provides relief to supporters who worried about a complete prohibition on tailgating following confusion last month when officials initially suggested all pre-game parking lot activities would be eliminated entirely.

However, the new policy adds another expense for fans already facing elevated ticket and parking costs for the international tournament.

“Parking in the lots is controlled by FIFA, so anyone who is looking to purchase a parking space can work with FIFA. There’s a website available where you can purchase the parking,” explained Meg Kane, CEO & President of Philadelphia Soccer 2026. “If you have a ticket for the match on the day that the ticket says, and you have a parking space, you’re absolutely welcome to enjoy the traditional fan experience. That’s something that we’re going to embrace in every way.”

Kane acknowledged the policy represents a significant departure from typical professional football game experiences.

“It is a change for Philadelphians to know that this is not like a traditional Eagles game, where there are 25,000 people here who have no tickets, and are here for that part of the party,” she noted.

FIFA has not yet disclosed whether similar restrictions will apply at all tournament locations. New Jersey has already implemented even stricter measures, completely prohibiting tailgating at MetLife Stadium. Previous FIFA communications had suggested various limitations might be implemented.

Last week, a representative from the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee told the Dallas Observer that tailgating “will have a slightly different feel but additional fan information for all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be communicated in advance of the tournament.”

MIAMI (AP) — On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays and Florida local authorities revealed a preliminary $2.3 billion pact for a new stadium that would be financed through both public and private funding sources.

The preliminary memorandum of understanding between the Rays, Hillsborough County, and Tampa city officials details stadium expenses that would involve $967 million in public tax funding. City and county elected representatives are scheduled to consider the proposal during separate sessions next week.

“The Rays respectfully but resolutely encourage Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa to approve the MOU and make possible a Forever Home for our community’s Tampa Bay Rays, breathe new life into the Dale Mabry Campus of Hillsborough College, and create a new privately financed neighborhood that will be an inviting and inclusive destination to work, live, learn, and play,” Rays CEO Ken Babby said in a statement.

Earlier this year, the team’s ownership struck a deal with Hillsborough College to construct the ballpark and a mixed-use entertainment complex on the college grounds while also upgrading some college facilities. The site sits adjacent to the New York Yankees’ spring training complex and opposite a major roadway from Raymond James Stadium, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play.

Team officials have expressed hopes to complete the new ballpark construction within three years.

The Rays have called Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg home since beginning play in 1998, though they temporarily relocated home games to the Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field in 2025 after hurricane damage affected the Trop. Their current lease extends through the 2028 season at minimum. The team resumed playing at the Trop last month when this season began.

Last year, a proposed $1.3 billion renovation project for a new stadium near the Trop collapsed, creating uncertainty about the franchise’s future after Patrick Zalupski’s ownership group purchased the team in September.

Football fans can mark their calendars as the complete 2026 NFL schedule becomes available Thursday evening, wrapping up the lineup of 272 games spanning 18 weeks. The season will begin September 9 with the Seahawks celebrating their Super Bowl championship with a banner ceremony. This marks only the second occasion the NFL has started its season on a Wednesday, following the Giants-Cowboys matchup on September 5, 2012. Multiple games have already been confirmed, including a historic nine international contests spanning four continents. The 49ers will meet the Rams in Melbourne on September 10 for the season’s first overseas game, while the Steelers take on the Saints in Paris on October 25, marking the NFL’s inaugural regular-season game in France.

At Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, the PGA Championship is delivering a stern examination for competitors. Among the morning wave, no golfer managed better than 67 strokes. Rory McIlroy encountered difficulties, carding a 74, while Bryson DeChambeau fared even worse with a 76. Four players – Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee and Ryo Hisatsune – achieved 67 by making sufficient birdies to counter their errors. Xander Schauffele sits among those posting 68, with Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka recording 69. Spieth expressed optimism about his ball-striking despite the score, noting it provides a solid foundation as he pursues the final piece of the career Grand Slam.

McIlroy’s round at Aronimink deteriorated significantly after dealing with a blister on his right pinky toe during practice sessions. The Masters champion had planned to attack with his driver and adapt accordingly, but struggled to locate fairways throughout his round. He concluded with four consecutive bogeys for his 74. Historically, no PGA champion has recovered from an opening round of 74 or higher in 27 years, leaving him facing an uphill battle. McIlroy found just five fairways, missing all of them over his final eight holes.

DeChambeau’s quest to improve his position encountered a bizarre obstacle when his tee shot found its way onto a hospitality tent’s staircase. The unusual situation contributed to his struggles in a 6-over 76 at Aronimink, representing his worst score relative to par in PGA Championship competition. This performance puts him in danger of missing the cut in consecutive major championships. Despite his on-course difficulties, DeChambeau maintains his popularity with spectators who continue celebrating his powerful drives. His association with LIV Golf faces uncertainty following Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrawing its support, potentially leading him toward social media ventures if he doesn’t secure a new agreement.

Georgia safety Ja’Marley Riddle faces legal troubles following his arrest on two felony charges for controlled substance possession plus a misdemeanor speeding violation. Police reports obtained by WGIG 98.7 FM indicate officers observed Riddle driving erratically through traffic at approximately 95 mph Friday evening. During the traffic stop, authorities noted his anxious demeanor and detected marijuana odors. A search revealed a bag containing various packages marked as marijuana and THC vapes in his backpack. The football program’s spokesperson acknowledged they are collecting additional details but refused to elaborate. Riddle joined Georgia this winter following his transfer from East Carolina University.

The WNBA’s efforts to address excessive physical play are creating adjustment challenges during the season’s opening week. Teams are currently averaging 21.6 fouls per game, an increase from 19.9 during the comparable period last season. That figure typically decreases as the year progresses, with teams averaging 17.5 fouls per contest by season’s end last year. The uptick in whistles hasn’t significantly impacted free throw attempts, with 21.9 being shot this season compared to 21.4 at this point previously.

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund strengthened its sports investments by becoming an “official tournament supporter” of the World Cup Thursday, demonstrating continued commitment despite recent pullbacks from other ventures. The kingdom’s public investment fund announced this month it would cease future LIV Golf funding, creating questions about long-term sports strategies following massive recent expenditures. However, the partnership announcement emphasized sport remains a “priority sector.” Financial terms of the agreement covering North America and Asia weren’t revealed, but it deepens connections between Saudi Arabia and soccer’s global governing organization.

Israel’s defense minister has condemned Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal for displaying a Palestinian flag during Spanish league championship celebrations. Minister Israel Katz posted on X that Yamal’s flag-waving “incites hate” toward Israel. The 18-year-old Yamal held a large Palestinian flag while riding Barcelona’s victory parade bus through the city Monday. Yamal is expected to feature prominently for Spain in next month’s World Cup tournament in North America.

The Edmonton Oilers dismissed coach Kris Knoblauch following their first-round playoff elimination, ending his tenure after leading the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. Knoblauch assumed control as a midseason replacement when Jay Woodcroft was terminated following a poor start in November 2023. This marks the organization’s sixth coaching change in 12 seasons since Connor McDavid joined the NHL and established himself as the sport’s premier talent alongside fellow MVP Leon Draisaitl. General manager Stan Bowman’s decision to release Knoblauch suggests he will continue in his role alongside president of hockey operations Jeff Jackson.

Trainer Brittany Russell has an opportunity to create horse racing history as another woman to capture a Triple Crown race victory. Following Cherie DeVaux’s Kentucky Derby triumph and Jenna Antonucci’s Belmont success, Russell seeks to finish the series by winning Saturday’s Preakness Stakes with Taj Mahal. The event occurs at Laurel Park, Russell’s regular venue, with her husband Sheldon serving as jockey. Success would establish them as the first married team to claim a Triple Crown race as trainer and rider. Taj Mahal enters as a legitimate threat, maintaining a perfect record through three starts at Laurel Park.

The Colorado Rockies have moved pitcher Jimmy Herget to the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a shoulder impingement in his throwing arm.

The 32-year-old right-handed pitcher had recently rejoined the team after being on the bereavement/family emergency list since Saturday. During Tuesday’s game, Herget took the mound and pitched one inning in the team’s 3-1 defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates on the road. He gave up one hit and issued one walk while recording one strikeout, but experienced shoulder discomfort during the outing.

The injured list placement has been made effective as of Wednesday. To fill the roster spot, the Rockies have brought up right-handed pitcher Tanner Gordon from their Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque.

This season marks Herget’s second year with Colorado, where he has compiled a 0-1 record with one save opportunity converted. His earned run average stands at 5.06 across 16 innings of work, during which he has issued four walks and recorded 17 strikeouts over 15 appearances, including three as a starter.

Throughout his major league career, Herget has posted an 8-12 record with 10 saves and a 3.29 earned run average. He has walked 77 batters and struck out 239 across 254 1/3 innings in 203 games, with six starts. His career has included stints with the Cincinnati Reds in 2019, the Texas Rangers from 2020-21, the Los Angeles Angels from 2021-23, the Atlanta Braves in 2024, and now the Rockies.

Gordon, who is 28 years old, has appeared in five relief outings for the Rockies this season, posting a 0-0 record with a 6.35 earned run average. He has walked four batters and struck out 20 in 17 innings of work. In his third major league season, Gordon holds a career 6-14 record with a 6.06 earned run average across 28 games, 23 of which were starts.

The Oakland Athletics made a roster move Thursday, bringing in left-handed pitcher Jose Suarez from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash while releasing outfielder Junior Perez.

The 28-year-old Suarez has struggled this season, compiling a 0-1 record with one save and a 6.38 ERA across nine appearances, including one starting assignment, split between Seattle and Atlanta. During his time with the Braves, he went 0-1 with one save and posted a 6.61 ERA over eight games before making one relief appearance for the Mariners that resulted in a no-decision.

Throughout his major league career, Suarez holds a 22-30 record with three saves and a 5.34 ERA spanning 115 games, 63 of which were starts. His career has included stints with the Los Angeles Angels from 2019-24, the Braves in 2025-26, and the Mariners.

The Mariners had claimed Suarez off waivers on May 3.

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Perez batted .210 with five home runs and 19 RBIs across 36 games this season while playing for Triple-A Las Vegas.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets welcomed back Juan Soto to their starting lineup on Thursday, while also receiving encouraging updates about Francisco Lindor’s recovery from a left calf strain.

Soto had left Wednesday night’s 3-2 extra-inning victory against the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning, after fouling a pitch off his right foot four innings earlier. Medical imaging showed no fractures, and Soto was inserted into Thursday’s lineup as the designated hitter for the series finale with Detroit.

Manager Carlos Mendoza reported that Lindor, who sustained his injury on April 22 while running home on a Francisco Alvarez double, received an MRI on Wednesday revealing “signs of healing,” although the All-Star shortstop remains far from returning to action.

According to Mendoza, Lindor has been authorized to increase his weight room activities before starting a running regimen.

“Positive sign,” Mendoza stated. “We’ve just got to let it heal.”

Mendoza indicated no specific timeline exists for Lindor to resume baseball-related activities. The shortstop has been absent for the team’s previous 18 contests — exceeding his total missed games from the past four seasons combined by four games.

Francisco Alvarez, who tore his right knee meniscus while fouling off a pitch during Tuesday’s 10-2 victory over Detroit, had surgery Thursday morning. The team anticipates Alvarez will be sidelined for as long as eight weeks, according to Mendoza.

The Mets currently have 12 players on their injured list, including Alvarez and Lindor, along with pitchers Reed Garrett (Tommy John surgery), Justin Hagenman (fractured rib), Tylor Megill (sprained right elbow), Dedniel Núñez (Tommy John surgery) and Kodai Senga (lumbar spine inflammation); left-handed pitcher A.J. Minter (left lat surgery); position players Ronny Mauricio (broken left thumb), Jorge Polanco (bruised right wrist) and Jared Young (torn left meniscus); and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (lumbar spine disk herniation).

Soto previously sat out 15 games last month due to a right calf strain.

MANCHESTER, England — Despite stepping away from golf financing, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund announced Thursday it has expanded its soccer investments by securing an “official tournament supporter” designation for the World Cup.

The kingdom’s public investment fund (PIF) revealed earlier this month it would cease future financial backing for LIV Golf, sparking uncertainty about its long-term athletic investment strategy following years of massive spending.

However, the partnership announcement emphasized that athletics remains a “priority sector” for the fund.

Financial terms of the agreement, which encompasses North America and Asia, remain undisclosed, though the deal further solidifies the relationship between Saudi Arabia and soccer’s international governing body.

The petroleum-wealthy nation secured hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup, while PIF served as a commercial partner during last year’s Club World Cup tournament.

SURJ Sports Investment, owned by PIF, maintains ownership stakes in online streaming platform DAZN, which provided Club World Cup broadcasts.

FIFA financial records indicate television broadcasting rights generated “the lion’s share” of its 2025 annual income, exceeding $1 billion in value.

Soccer represents a central component of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to reduce dependence on petroleum revenues while developing alternative income sources.

This approach has involved attracting premier athletes including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema to the domestic league, along with purchasing Premier League team Newcastle. Securing World Cup hosting rights stands as the most significant accomplishment to date.

Additional athletic investments encompass hosting world championship boxing events, Formula One racing and tennis competitions.

The controversial LIV Golf tour’s 2022 debut significantly disrupted professional golf, attracting elite players such as Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson from the PGA. LIV Golf expenditures are projected to surpass $6 billion by year’s end.

Although the flow of top soccer talent to the Saudi league has decreased following initial aggressive recruiting efforts, PIF maintains the sport plays a “crucial role in the ongoing transformation of Saudi Arabia.”

“PIF continues to expand its global footprint in sport, with football at the heart of this growth,” stated head of corporate brand Mohamed AlSayyad.

As the 2026 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse season progresses, attention turns to the upcoming regional tournament competition.

A preview of the regional tournament has been made available, offering insight into what fans can expect from the upcoming lacrosse action.

The regional competition represents a key stage in the NCAA women’s lacrosse championship tournament structure.

DENVER — Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar summed up his team’s remarkable comeback victory with one word after they overcame a three-goal deficit to win their playoff series on an overtime goal from a defenseman who hadn’t found the net since January while playing for a different organization.

“That one was,” the coach said, “something.”

Something, indeed.

The Avalanche punched their ticket to the Western Conference final for the eighth time since moving to Denver after Brett Kulak’s goal delivered a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 5. This marks only the second time in their last nine playoff runs that the Avalanche have progressed beyond the second round.

During their previous conference final appearance in 2022, the franchise claimed the Stanley Cup championship.

With Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar leading the charge, expectations remain Cup-or-bust for this organization. This season’s squad appears particularly equipped for a championship run, featuring captain Gabriel Landeskog back in action for a full regular season, impressive roster depth — 16 different players found the scoresheet during the Wild series — and exceptional performances from their star players.

Entering the season among championship contenders, they topped the NHL standings for most of the regular season while claiming their fourth Presidents’ Trophy, awarded to the team with the league’s best record.

Similar to Carolina, the Avalanche are gaining momentum heading into the conference finals. The Hurricanes reached this stage with back-to-back sweeps, while the Avalanche needed nine games, including a first-round sweep of the Los Angeles Kings. As of Thursday, Colorado holds slight favoritism over the Hurricanes for the Cup according to oddsmakers.

Colorado’s next opponent will be either Vegas or Anaheim. During the regular season, the Avalanche posted a 2-0-1 record against both the Golden Knights and the Ducks.

Bednar recognizes the elevated expectations that accompany his talented roster each season. He accepts that criticism comes with the territory.

“It’s hard to win,” Bednar said. “But I wouldn’t want it any other way. I don’t think our players would want it any other way.

“People are going to get on you because you didn’t win the Cup. I’d still rather be fighting for that, having earned that type of reputation because of the way you play through the regular season and the group that you put together as an organization and the high expectations, rather than, ‘Let’s just try and make the playoffs.’”

Little seems to shake the Avalanche’s composure these days. Even facing a three-goal deficit couldn’t rattle them, setting the stage for a dramatic finish and Kulak’s overtime heroics, as he converted a precise pass from Martin Necas into the net, sending the packed arena into celebration.

The goal marked Kulak’s first since Jan. 19 during his time with Pittsburgh, before his trade to Colorado the following month. The victory also represented the first time the Avalanche clinched a series at home since 2008, when they defeated the Wild in Game 6 of the conference quarterfinals.

“In an environment like this, where the building felt like it was going to start shaking at any moment, it was exciting,” said Landeskog, who played his first complete regular season since 2022 following recovery from a knee injury. “Now, it’s kind of a sigh of relief.”

The Avalanche have several days to recover. They played without forward Artturi Lehkonen and defenseman Sam Malinski during the final two games against the Wild due to upper-body injuries. Makar briefly exited Wednesday’s contest following a collision but returned to action.

“The playoffs are a long grind and you want to keep your focus narrow,” said Kulak, who reached the Stanley Cup Final with Edmonton last season. “We can get some rest.”

Colorado carries a 3-4 record in conference finals since relocating to the city before the 1995-96 season. However, each of their three previous advances resulted in championship banners — 1996, 2001 and 2022.

“They’re a really good team,” Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes said.

Colorado’s roster depth has proven to be a major asset. The 16 different goal scorers in the second round ties an NHL record for most in a single series, according to NHL Stats.

“The depth is what’s going to win, coming down the stretch here in the playoffs,” Landeskog said. “Guys are stepping up all over the place.”

That depth extends to goaltending, though a potential storyline may emerge regarding the position.

Scott Wedgewood entered during the second period after Mackenzie Blackwood allowed three first-period goals. Wedgewood turned away all seven shots he faced during the second and third periods (he faced none in overtime).

“Just proud,” Wedgewood said of reaching the conference final. “Proud of our group ending it and finding a way to do that because we knew going into the series, it wasn’t going to be an easy out. There’s a long road ahead, a lot of stories to write and just preparing for that.”

Football fans will get their complete look at the 2026 NFL regular season Thursday evening when the league unveils its full schedule featuring 272 games spanning 18 weeks.

Seattle will host the season opener on September 9 as the Seahawks celebrate their Super Bowl championship with a banner ceremony. This marks only the second occasion the NFL has begun its season on a Wednesday, with the previous instance occurring when the Giants welcomed the Cowboys on September 5, 2012.

While many matchups have already been revealed, the complete schedule will finalize details for what includes a historic nine international contests spanning four continents. The season’s first overseas game features San Francisco taking on the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on September 10.

France will host its inaugural NFL regular season contest when Pittsburgh meets New Orleans in Paris on October 25.

Half of the league’s 32 franchises will compete in at least one of their 17 regular season contests outside American borders. Both San Francisco and Jacksonville are scheduled for two international appearances each. The 49ers will also battle Minnesota in Mexico City during Week 11, while the Jaguars play back-to-back London games in Weeks 5 and 6 against the Eagles and Texans respectively. The Colts and Commanders will also clash in London during Week 4.

Week 3 brings Dallas and Baltimore together in Rio de Janeiro. Madrid hosts the Bengals and Falcons in Week 8, while Munich welcomes the Patriots and Lions for a Week 9 showdown.

Previously announced prime-time matchups include Dallas visiting the Giants for the season’s first Sunday night contest and Denver traveling to face Kansas City in the opening Monday night game.

Holiday football features Green Bay against the Rams on Thanksgiving Eve, with the Lions hosting the Bears and the Eagles visiting Dallas among the traditional Thanksgiving Day games.

EDMONTON, Alberta — Edmonton Oilers management dismissed head coach Kris Knoblauch on Thursday following the team’s early playoff elimination that came after he had led the franchise to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances.

Since replacing Jay Woodcroft as a mid-season hire when the previous coach was let go after a poor November 2023 start, Knoblauch guided Edmonton to three playoff berths. Under his leadership, the team posted 166 victories in 286 games, giving him a .623 regular-season points percentage that places him sixth among current NHL head coaches.

This marks the sixth coaching change for Edmonton since Connor McDavid joined the NHL in 2015 and established himself as the league’s top player, playing alongside fellow MVP Leon Draisaitl. The duo remains without a championship as they enter their 12th campaign together.

The coaching dismissal follows reports from earlier this week that Edmonton had requested and been refused permission by the Vegas Golden Knights to interview Bruce Cassidy, whom they had released as coach in late March while he remains under contract. Organizations typically wait for open positions before pursuing potential coaching candidates during the offseason.

General manager Stan Bowman’s authority to make this decision suggests he will retain his position, as will president of hockey operations Jeff Jackson, who came aboard in August 2023. Jackson assumed control of hockey operations after the team’s initial final appearance in 2024 and brought in Bowman as general manager that summer. Assistant coach Mark Stuart was also dismissed.

“Following a thorough review of this past season, we believe these changes are needed,” Bowman said. “We are grateful for the contributions both Kris and Mark have made to our organization and we wish them the best moving forward.”

The Oilers trailed 3-0 in their initial championship series against Florida before forcing the Panthers to a decisive Game 7 and falling by one goal. They returned the next year with home-ice advantage but appeared to take a step backward in a six-game series loss attributed to defensive struggles and poor goaltending.

These issues persisted throughout this season, both before and after Bowman executed a goaltender trade to acquire Tristan Jarry while sending Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh. The move backfired, as Edmonton finished 29th among 32 league teams with an .883 save percentage.

McDavid offered significant praise for Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper late in the season after the Lightning defeated the Oilers 5-2. While not necessarily intended as a critique of Knoblauch, the comments were notable from a player who typically focuses on accepting accountability for defeats.

Edmonton was ousted by the less-experienced Anaheim Ducks, as Knoblauch couldn’t solve the goaltending crisis between Jarry and backup-turned-starter Connor Ingram. Their combined .880 save percentage ranked worst in the playoffs, while the Oilers’ 4.33 goals allowed also finished last.

The three-year contract extension Edmonton gave Knoblauch in October begins next season and extends through 2028-29. The organization must continue paying him until another team employs him and would cover any salary difference during that period.

A diverse group of talented competitors, from working professionals to skilled animals, will take center stage at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County throughout this month.

Attendees can observe the impressive abilities of the country’s top electrical lineworkers during the 22nd Annual Gaff-n-Go Rodeo and Expo scheduled for May 15-16. These essential workers will demonstrate their professional expertise through demanding competitions that mirror their daily job responsibilities. Additional details are available on the Gaff-n-Go website.

The Virginia Quarter Horse Association will present the Virginia National Stock Horse Show from May 15-17. More information can be found on the VQHA website.

Canine competitors of various breeds and sizes will be featured during the B.O.B. Cluster AKC Dog Show May 22-24. This event will include participants from multiple organizations: the Mid-Atlantic Non-Sporting Club of Virginia, Mid-Atlantic Herding Group Club of Maryland, Mid-Atlantic Working Group Club of Maryland, Sporting Dog Club of Virginia, Virginia Toy Club and Old Dominion Pug Club.

Young competitors will take the spotlight during the energetic Virginia High School Rodeo Association State Finals on May 22-23. Additional information is available on the VHSRA website.

Arabian and half-Arabian horses will compete in multiple disciplines during the Virginia Arabian Horse Show May 29-31, including dressage, sport horse, pleasure and trail events. Those seeking more details can call 540-898-3522 or check the Virginia Arabian Horse Association website or Facebook page.

The month concludes with the Chesapeake Kennel Club of Maryland event on May 30-31.

Those interested in staying informed about upcoming activities at The Meadow Event Park can sign up for monthly email updates.

A highly-rated quarterback at Vanderbilt University has landed an unconventional NIL agreement that features an appearance in a Hollywood film, according to recent reports.

Jared Curtis, a five-star recruit, was given a part in the movie “The Breadwinner” by comedian and devoted Commodores fan Nate Bargatze, as reported by OutKick. The quarterback’s scene involves shopping for a vehicle while wearing Vanderbilt baseball headwear.

The comedian presented his unusual recruitment offer to Curtis during a live broadcast of ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the previous season.

Curtis changed his college commitment from Georgia to his local Commodores in December, making him the most highly-ranked recruit the program has ever secured.

According to 247 Sports composite rankings for the Class of 2026, Curtis held the No. 4 position among all prospects and ranked as the No. 2 quarterback. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound player competed at Nashville Christian, accumulating close to 10,000 passing yards and over 2,000 rushing yards during his four seasons as the starting quarterback.

New York Giants officials express confidence that wide receiver Malik Nabers will be ready for the team’s season opener despite undergoing a second procedure on his right knee, according to Thursday reports from ESPN.

Following his ACL injury in September, Nabers underwent an additional “cleanup” surgery during the offseason to address scar tissue buildup that was creating stiffness in the joint, the report indicated.

The Giants and new head coach John Harbaugh are scheduled to kick off their season at home on Sept. 13 when they face the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football.”

The 22-year-old receiver, whose initial surgery took place on Oct. 28, revealed to ESPN in February that his original procedure also included a complete meniscus repair.

During last season’s abbreviated campaign, Nabers recorded 18 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns across four games. His rookie year in 2024 earned him Pro Bowl recognition after posting 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 contests as a first-round draft selection.

The Giants have significantly restructured their receiving corps during the offseason. The team saw Wan’Dale Robinson depart for the Tennessee Titans through free agency while bringing in Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III, and selecting Malachi Fields in the third round of the draft. Veteran Odell Beckham Jr. has participated in workouts with the organization in recent weeks.

A professional golfer from South Africa faced an early setback at the PGA Championship on Thursday morning when he was hit with a two-stroke penalty for failing to arrive on time for his opening round tee time in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The 27-year-old Garrick Higgo was supposed to begin play at 7:18 a.m. at Aronimink Golf Club, where he was paired with Michael Brennan and Shaun Micheel for the round.

The penalty resulted in Higgo recording a double bogey on the first hole, which is a par-4. However, he managed to bounce back with birdies on the third and ninth holes, allowing him to reach the turn at even par for the round.

Currently ranked 85th in the world, Higgo has claimed victory twice on the PGA Tour during his professional career. This marks his fourth time competing in the PGA Championship, as he continues seeking his first top-40 result in any major tournament.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pennsylvania, May 14 – Masters winner Rory McIlroy began his pursuit of back-to-back major championships on a sour note, carding a bogey on his opening hole of the PGA Championship’s first round. The world’s second-ranked golfer was part of several marquee groups that started their rounds well ahead of defending champion Scottie Scheffler, who is attempting to become the tournament’s first back-to-back winner since 2019.

The world number two player started his round on Aronimink Golf Club’s par-four 10th hole while battling a blister on his right pinky toe. His opening tee shot found a tree, followed by a second shot that barely escaped the heavy rough before landing 14 feet from the pin, leading to a two-putt bogey.

McIlroy was paired with Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm, with Rahm being one of 11 LIV Golf competitors in this year’s second major championship. Spieth, who is attempting to join the exclusive group of just seven golfers to achieve the career grand slam by capturing all four major titles, started with a par. McIlroy became the most recent member of that elite club when he won the 2025 Masters.

One group in front of them featured another star-studded trio including 2024 PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele, five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, and LIV Golf’s Tyrrell Hatton. Schauffele got off to an excellent start with consecutive birdies.

Playing ahead of that group was LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau, who has finished second at the previous two PGA Championships, alongside Ludvig Aberg and Rickie Fowler. DeChambeau was one over par after completing two holes.

The world’s top-ranked golfer Scheffler, who increased his major championship count to four with victories at last year’s PGA Championship and British Open, was scheduled to begin his round at 2:05 p.m. ET from the par-four first hole. He will be grouped with Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick in one of the day’s final threesomes.

Scheffler dominated last year’s PGA Championship with a commanding five-shot victory. The American has posted three consecutive runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour in his recent outings, including at the Masters where he narrowly missed achieving a historic comeback after trailing by 12 strokes at the halfway point.

Other notable golfers scheduled for afternoon tee times include Cameron Young, who is enjoying his strongest PGA Tour campaign with two victories already this season, along with Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, and past champions Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas.

Stephan Jaeger held the early lead on the course after recording four birdies in his first six holes.

Multiple media sources reported Thursday morning that the Edmonton Oilers have terminated head coach Kris Knoblauch following three seasons with the franchise.

The team had not issued an official statement regarding the coaching change early Thursday.

Under Knoblauch’s leadership, the Oilers made two Stanley Cup Final appearances with star captain Connor McDavid and fellow former Hart Trophy winner Leon Draisaitl leading the roster. Edmonton was defeated by the Florida Panthers in six games during 2024 and again in seven games in 2025.

During the most recent season, the team was eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in a six-game first-round playoff series.

The reported dismissal occurs prior to the start of Knoblauch’s three-year contract extension that runs through the 2028-29 season. The 47-year-old coach signed that agreement on Oct. 3, 2025.

During his tenure, Knoblauch compiled a 135-77-21 regular season record along with a 31-22 playoff mark. He assumed control of the team following the Oilers’ dismissal of Jay Woodcroft on Nov. 13, 2023.

Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner made history Thursday in Rome, breaking a major professional tennis milestone by securing his 32nd consecutive Masters 1000 match victory. The world’s top-ranked player defeated Russia’s Andrey Rublev in straight sets, 6-2 6-4, advancing to the Italian Open semifinals while setting a new record.

The achievement puts Sinner ahead of a previous record held by Novak Djokovic. With his remarkable winning streak, Sinner now has an opportunity to achieve another milestone – matching Djokovic as the only player to capture victories at all nine Masters 1000 tournaments if he claims the championship on his home courts in Rome.

Despite the historic achievement, Sinner remained focused on his personal journey rather than the record books. “I don’t play for records. I play just for my own story,” Sinner said. “At the same time it means a lot to me, but tomorrow is another opponent. We’re going to play in different conditions – it’s going to be a night match.”

The Italian star emphasized his immediate priorities heading into the semifinals. “Now the highest priority for me is trying to recover as much as I can physically. We’ll see how it goes,” he explained.

Sinner also acknowledged the emotional challenge of competing in front of his home crowd. “Emotionally, it takes a lot playing here at home. At the same time, I’ll definitely try to do my best. It’s a win-win situation for me in any case. It was a good day today,” he said.

Sinner’s semifinal opponent will be determined by the outcome of Thursday’s match between former world number one Daniil Medvedev and Spanish rising star Martin Landaluce.

The Cleveland Cavaliers mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime, with James Harden leading the way with 30 points in his best playoff performance. Donovan Mitchell contributed 21 points as Cleveland overcame a nine-point deficit late in regulation to take a 3-2 series advantage in their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup. Detroit held commanding leads throughout the game, building a 15-point cushion in the opening half and maintaining a 103-94 advantage with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. The Cavaliers fought back to tie the contest at 103-103 on free throws by Evan Mobley with 45.2 seconds left on the clock. Cleveland then dominated with a 13-0 scoring run while keeping Detroit off the scoreboard for five consecutive minutes spanning from late in the fourth quarter into the middle of overtime.

In hockey action, Brett Kulak found the net 3:52 into overtime to send the Colorado Avalanche to the Western Conference final with a 4-3 triumph over the Minnesota Wild in their decisive fifth game. Nathan MacKinnon had forced the extra period with a late regulation goal, completing a remarkable turnaround for Colorado after falling behind 3-0 midway through the second period. This marks the eighth time the Avalanche have reached the conference final since moving to Denver in the 1995-96 season. Colorado will await the outcome of the Vegas-Anaheim series, where the Golden Knights currently hold a 3-2 advantage. Minnesota appeared in control with a 3-1 lead before Jack Drury scored with 3:33 remaining, setting up MacKinnon’s equalizer with 1:23 left. The overtime winner came when Martin Necas carried the puck behind the net before finding Kulak open in front for the decisive goal.

The PGA Championship commenced at Aronimink with some early drama and uncertainty surrounding the course. Braden Shattuck, one of 20 club professionals in the field who works approximately 10 miles from the venue, received the honor of hitting the opening shot. His initial drive veered left, prompting him to hit a backup shot fearing it might be out of bounds. Shattuck later discovered his original ball was barely in play, resulting in a double bogey to start his round. The Aronimink course presents a challenge for many competitors, as it hasn’t hosted a major championship since the 1962 PGA Championship.

Shohei Ohtani delivered a dominant pitching performance, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing just four hits to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers past the San Francisco Giants 4-0. The victory ended a four-game losing streak for the Dodgers, with Ohtani taking the mound instead of serving as the designated hitter. Ohtani recorded eight strikeouts and issued two walks while lowering his earned run average to 0.82. Santiago Espinal and Mookie Betts connected for consecutive home runs in the third inning, staking Los Angeles to a 2-0 lead before adding two more runs in the fourth. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for San Francisco, with starter Robbie Ray surrendering four runs and seven hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued an investigative subpoena to the NFL concerning the Rooney Rule, following through on enforcement threats made in March. Uthmeier sent the subpoena along with a letter to NFL executive vice president and attorney Ted Ullyot on Wednesday, targeting the 23-year-old hiring policy. The Rooney Rule mandates that teams interview a minimum of two minority candidates for head coach, general manager and coordinator roles, with at least one minority candidate required for quarterbacks coach positions. In his initial correspondence to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in March, Uthmeier characterized the rule as “blatant race and sex discrimination.”

The Trump administration has suspended bond requirements for foreign visitors from World Cup qualifying nations who have purchased tournament tickets. Previously, travelers from 50 countries were required to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the United States due to high visa overstay rates and security concerns. Five World Cup qualifying countries were affected by this policy. Citizens from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia who have bought tickets through FIFA are now exempt from the bond requirement.

FIFA has unveiled plans for a Super Bowl-style halftime show during the World Cup final, featuring performances by Madonna, Shakira and the boy band BTS. The July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will mark the first time such an entertainment spectacle has been included in a World Cup final. The show will benefit the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to improve children’s access to education and soccer opportunities. Coldplay’s Chris Martin will serve as the show’s curator.

The Atlanta Braves became the first major league team to reach 30 victories, improving their league-best record to 30-13 with a thrilling 4-1 comeback win over the Chicago Cubs. Atlanta scored three runs in the eighth inning to secure another dramatic victory, with Mike Yastrzemski delivering a crucial pinch-hit double that drove in the tying run. Mauricio Dubón followed with a two-run homer into the Chicago bullpen to seal the victory. The Braves’ diverse offensive attack and ability to win in various ways has them positioned to potentially run away with the National League East division before summer arrives.

Danny Jansen provided the walk-off heroics for the Texas Rangers in a wild 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks following a chaotic ninth inning. Both teams’ closers surrendered three runs in a frantic final frame before Jansen ended the contest with an RBI single on the only pitch thrown by Juan Morillo, who had just replaced Paul Sewald. Sewald had blown his first save opportunity in 10 attempts. Jansen remarked that the game seemed to have everything, including the dramatic conclusion, and joked afterward that he was relieved not to have to catch another inning.

Nineteen-year-old Macklin Celebrini will captain Canada at the world hockey championship in Switzerland, with Sidney Crosby joining the roster as the team aims to improve on last year’s fifth-place showing. Celebrini becomes the youngest player ever to captain Canada’s national team, coming off an outstanding NHL season where he set a San Jose Sharks record with 115 points. The United States enters as defending champions, looking to repeat their 2025 title – their first world championship in 92 years. The 16-team tournament begins Friday with teams split into two groups, culminating in the final on May 31. Canada, historically the most successful nation at the world championships, hopes to rebound from their disappointing finish last year.

Nineteen-year-old Macklin Celebrini will make history as Canada’s youngest-ever captain when the world hockey championships begin Friday in Switzerland, with veteran Sidney Crosby joining the roster as the United States looks to defend its 2025 title.

The San Jose Sharks center becomes not only the youngest captain in Canadian world championship history but also the youngest player on this year’s roster for the tournament taking place in Zurich and Fribourg.

The young star has enjoyed a remarkable year during his second NHL campaign, posting incredible statistics with a franchise-record 115 points through 45 goals and 70 assists across 82 regular season contests.

His outstanding performance placed him fourth in league standings and earned him Ted Lindsay Award finalist recognition alongside established veterans Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Celebrini joins an elite group, as just two teenagers in NHL history have reached 50 points faster in a season – legends Crosby and Wayne Gretzky.

These exceptional numbers secured his spot on Canada’s squad following their silver medal performance at this year’s Milan Cortina Olympics.

With 28 world championship titles, Canada leads all nations in tournament success and remains among the top contenders regardless of roster availability during NHL playoff season.

Celebrini will work alongside two veteran alternate captains, both 35 years old: John Tavares from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ryan O’Reilly from the Nashville Predators.

Crosby’s late addition for his fourth tournament appearance strengthens Canada’s chances as they seek to improve from last year’s disappointing fifth-place showing.

The 2024 NHL draft’s first overall selection previously competed in the 2025 tournament alongside Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, but Canada suffered a shocking 2-1 quarterfinal defeat to Denmark.

Canada’s most recent championship came in 2023.

The Americans captured their second world title and first since 1933 last year when Tage Thompson netted an overtime goal at 2:02 for a 1-0 final victory over Switzerland.

Thompson won’t return this year due to his Buffalo Sabres’ playoff series against Montreal Canadians. The U.S. roster retains only two players from last year’s championship team: forwards Mason Lohrei of the Boston Bruins and Isaac Howard of the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL.

American forward Matthew Tkachuk has the opportunity to join hockey’s exclusive Triple Gold Club. He captured consecutive Stanley Cup championships with the Florida Panthers and earned Olympic gold at the Milan Cortina Games with Team USA.

Currently, 30 players have achieved Stanley Cup, Olympic, and world championship victories, with 11 Canadians leading that group.

Tkachuk stands as the sole Milan Games Olympian selected for the U.S. squad. Justin Faulk of the Detroit Red Wings will serve as team captain in his fourth world championship appearance.

Host nation Switzerland, coming off consecutive runner-up finishes, aims for greater success with a roster featuring forwards Nico Hirschier and Timo Meier of the New Jersey Devils, Nino Niederreiter of the Winnipeg Jets, Pius Sutter of the St. Louis Blues, and Nashville defenseman Roman Josi.

Traditional medal favorites Sweden, featuring Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond, and Finland, with Florida center Aleksandar Barkov, will also compete for the title.

Tournament organizers have split the 16 participating nations into two preliminary round groups.

Group A in Zurich features the United States alongside Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Hungary, and first-time participant Britain. Group B in Fribourg includes Canada, Sweden, Czechia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, and fellow newcomer Italy.

Each group’s top four teams will advance to quarterfinal play. Championship and third-place matches are set for May 31.

FIFA announced Thursday that pop icons Madonna and Shakira will join forces with Korean pop sensation BTS for an unprecedented halftime performance during the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The historic entertainment spectacle, set for July 19, will be overseen by Chris Martin of Coldplay, according to the tournament’s organizing body.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final halftime show will be a truly special moment, bringing together music, football and a shared commitment to improving the lives of children around the world,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on social media.

“Together, we will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and help create greater access to quality education and football for children worldwide.”

The expanded 48-nation tournament, jointly hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to begin June 11 and conclude July 19. This edition will showcase 104 total games, a significant increase from the current 64-match format, and will include an extra elimination round.

The previous year’s Club World Cup held in North America provided a preview of this concept, featuring halftime entertainment with performances by American rapper Doja Cat, Colombian artist J Balvin, and Nigerian vocalist Tems.

Lionel Messi found the back of the net twice and recorded an assist as Inter Miami mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat Cincinnati 5-3 on Wednesday evening, with German Berterame netting the decisive goal in the 84th minute.

The match turned in Miami’s favor during the final stages when Mateo Silvetti evened the score at 3-3 in the 79th minute, sparking a late surge that propelled the Herons (7-2-4, 25 points) to their fifth consecutive away victory in MLS play.

Both Messi and Silvetti recorded assists during the comeback, while Rodrigo de Paul contributed two assists throughout the evening as Miami once again emerged triumphant in a repeat of their 4-0 victory over Cincinnati in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Cincinnati (4-5-4, 16 points) received strong performances from Kevin Denkey, who notched his eighth goal along with two assists, and Evander, who added his seventh goal with a spectacular 64th-minute strike that gave the hosts a 3-2 advantage.

Pavel Bucha also found the scoresheet for the home team, but Cincinnati’s six-game unbeaten streak came to an end as they allowed three or more goals for the fifth occasion in nine matches.

The equalizing goal came after Messi delivered the pass to Silvetti following a Cincinnati mistake in their defensive zone, finding the 20-year-old positioned on the left side of the penalty area. Silvetti showcased his skill by cutting back inside and threading a low shot through defenders into the bottom right corner.

Five minutes later, Berterame secured his fourth goal of the campaign to put the Herons ahead.

Messi played a key role once again, delivering a diagonal free kick toward the top of the 6-yard box that appeared to be an easy save for Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano. However, center back Andrei Chirila collided with his own keeper, causing Celentano to drop the ball and leaving Berterame with a simple tap-in to an empty net.

In the 89th minute, Messi nearly secured his third MLS hat trick when he met Silvetti’s cross from the left wing and fired a sliding shot that struck the inside of the right post. The ball rebounded off Celentano and crossed the goal line, but the goal was ultimately credited as an own-goal.

Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute after Cincinnati’s first major mistake, applying pressure to center back Matt Miazga and deflecting his poorly chosen pass into the open goal when Miazga should have simply cleared the ball for a Miami corner kick.

His second goal brought the match level at 2-2 in the 55th minute through a more traditional finish, connecting with de Paul’s cross at the penalty spot following combination play that also featured Luis Suarez.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Danny Jansen laughed while admitting he wasn’t eager to catch another inning in what had already been a busy game defensively.

Fortunately for Jansen, he didn’t need to after connecting on the game-winning hit that secured a 6-5 victory for the Texas Rangers over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday evening, following a wild ninth inning where both teams’ closers surrendered three runs each.

“I feel like the game had everything. Like passed balls, a couple of wild pitches, I mean, stolen bases, threw somebody out,” Jansen explained, noting he also had to block several pitches with baserunners. “A bit of everything, it was kind of a wild one. … Definitely a crazy finish.”

Texas had just evened the score and knocked out Paul Sewald (0-4), who had successfully converted his initial nine save opportunities, when the ninth-place hitter Jansen smacked an RBI single down the baseline into the left-field corner off the first pitch from Juan Morillo.

This followed a disappointing top half of the ninth for Texas, where Jacob Latz — their primary closer since midway through a run of 10 straight scoreless appearances — couldn’t record an out against four consecutive batters. His night ended after Nolan Arenado drove in a run with a double and Ildemaro Vargas connected on a two-run single to left field, putting Arizona ahead 5-3.

“Latz has been so good this year. He has given up next to no runs,” manager Skip Schumaker commented. “I pitched him two innings, day off, then back-to-back, and then running him out there, maybe not fair to him quite honestly.”

However, when the dust settled, Latz was grinning alongside his teammates after Texas secured consecutive series victories for the first time since their opening two series of the campaign.

“The boys picked him up in a big way,” Schumaker noted. “And that’s what good teams do, and good teammates do, is they pick each other up.”

The Rangers (21-22) have captured five of their past six contests heading into Thursday’s scheduled day off.

Arizona (20-22) erased a three-run deficit, eventually tying the contest before taking the lead in the ninth inning, giving their closer a two-run cushion despite stranding 13 baserunners.

Sewald retired two of the first three hitters in the ninth, beginning with a strikeout of slumping shortstop Corey Seager. Josh Jung managed a single between those outs and came home on Ezequiel Duran’s double before Alejandro Osuna drew a five-pitch walk and Jake Burger knotted the game with an RBI single that ended Sewald’s night.

“I felt like they were just on every pitch,” Sewald reflected. “It just felt like when I threw good pitchers, it didn’t matter.”

Thousands of supporters gathered in Tehran’s Enqelab Square Wednesday evening for Iran’s national soccer team send-off celebration, even as uncertainty lingers over whether the squad will be able to enter the United States for World Cup competition.

The players received enthusiastic support from the crowd as they delivered patriotic remarks from the stage, and organizers revealed the uniforms the team will wear during the June 11 to July 19 tournament. The squad plans to continue training in Turkey next week.

“This is the best send-off in the last four World Cup campaigns,” Iranian FA (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told state TV.

“The players are with the people, and the crowd stands with the country’s dignity, honour, and strength. Whatever the result, may Iran’s flag be raised there and defended.”

Questions about Iran’s World Cup participation emerged after the U.S. and Israel initiated the regional conflict by conducting air strikes against the Islamic Republic in late February.

Entry concerns intensified when Taj was denied access to co-host nation Canada for the FIFA Congress two weeks earlier due to his ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), raising worries that other Iranian delegation members might face similar obstacles entering the U.S.

Both Canada and the United States classify the IRGC as a “terrorist entity,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared that individuals with connections to the organization will not be permitted entry to the country.

Iranian officials have placed the responsibility for securing entry for players and staff squarely with FIFA, as Team Melli is set to play all three group stage matches on U.S. soil.

“Nothing has arrived yet regarding the visas. We hope it will definitely be handled within this timeframe,” Hedayat Mombeini, the FFIRI secretary-general, told state TV at the rally on Wednesday.

“FIFA has made promises, and hopefully those promises will lead to results and the players will receive their visas on time.”

Iranian anxieties were heightened by reports that some Iraq players had been denied U.S. visas, though both the White House and Iraq Football Association quickly disputed these claims on Wednesday.

“I just heard that news as well,” Mombeini added.

“I hope FIFA steps in … we have always believed sport should be separate from politics. So in my view FIFA has a duty to step in and make sure entry for all members of all World Cup teams is facilitated.”

Iran is scheduled to face Gambia in a World Cup preparation match in Antalya on May 29, and Mombeini indicated the FFIRI is working to arrange an additional friendly during their Turkey training camp.

The international players’ union for soccer expressed fresh worries Thursday following a new scientific study that shows dramatically increased chances of hazardous heat conditions during the 2026 World Cup tournament.

Research conducted by the World Weather Attribution climate group revealed that approximately 25% of the 104 scheduled games in the expanded championship spanning the United States, Mexico and Canada will likely occur under temperatures that surpass safety guidelines established by FIFPRO. This represents nearly double the heat danger present during the 1994 World Cup held in the United States.

The study indicates that roughly five contests may happen under conditions deemed too risky for play, where delays would be recommended, according to the research team.

The risk assessment utilized scheduled start times along with the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature measurement system, which evaluates the human body’s ability to regulate its internal temperature through cooling mechanisms.

Vincent Gouttebarge, who serves as FIFPRO’s medical director, stated: “The calculations to estimate the likelihood of 2026 FIFA World Cup games being played in high WBGT conditions are in line with FIFPRO’s calculations published in 2023.”

He continued: “These estimations justify the need for – and implementation of – a series of mitigation strategies with a view to better protecting players’ health and performance when they are exposed to hot conditions.”

FIFPRO’s guidelines call for cooling interventions when WBGT measurements climb beyond 26 degrees Celsius and recommend match postponements if temperatures reach 28C, which corresponds to approximately 38C under dry conditions or 30C when humidity levels are elevated.

FIFA responded to inquiries by stating it has developed comprehensive heat-management protocols, featuring three-minute water breaks during both halves of matches, cooling systems for spectators and athletes, modified work-rest schedules, and heightened medical preparedness that adjusts based on live temperature readings.

The international soccer federation declared: “FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff.”

Chris Mullington, a consultant anaesthetist at Imperial College London NHS Trust and clinical senior lecturer at Imperial College London, suggested that extreme temperatures will more likely affect game quality rather than create widespread health crises among athletes.

“It will be more of a performance issue than a health issue,” Mullington explained. “These players are elite athletes and acclimatised. You’ll see players self-pacing. That behavioural thermoregulation is very difficult to override.”

“So you may end up with more conservative football,” he added.

Air conditioning systems are anticipated to lower some dangers at three of the 16 tournament locations, the research indicates.

Nevertheless, more than one-third of matches with at least a 10% probability of surpassing 26 C WBGT are planned for venues lacking climate control, including facilities in Miami, Kansas City, New York and Philadelphia.

This encompasses the championship game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which currently has a one-in-eight probability of exceeding the 26 C benchmark and roughly a 3% chance of reaching the more hazardous threshold – approximately twice the danger level it would have faced in 1994, the study concluded.

Friederike Otto, a professor of climate science at Imperial College London, said the research underscores the importance of FIFA reconsidering scheduling for future World Cup tournaments, especially in areas prone to severe summer heat.

“From a health point of view, it would be advisable to have these (World Cups) either earlier or later in the year, so you can have a football party rather than something that is a massive health risk for the whole city,” Otto stated.

FIFPRO additionally cautioned that while climate-controlled venues in locations such as Dallas and Houston might safeguard players, supporters attending games and outdoor viewing events could still face extended exposure to hazardous temperatures.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski was forced to exit Wednesday night’s contest against the San Diego Padres due to leg cramping, marking his second early departure in just three outings.

The 24-year-old right-handed pitcher had dominated through seven innings without allowing a run, giving up just four hits to the visiting Padres. When he stepped onto the mound to prepare for the eighth inning, Misiorowski called for medical staff, who examined his right leg before the team decided to remove him from the game.

Milwaukee’s coaching staff pulled Misiorowski before he could deliver a single pitch in the eighth frame.

Following the contest, Misiorowski explained that cramping in his right quadriceps forced his exit. This marks a repeat of issues that plagued him during his May 1 outing against Washington, when he departed after 5 1/3 no-hit innings due to right hamstring cramping.

“Probably the exact same (issue) as last time, but it was the quad this time instead of the hamstring,” he said. “Nothing we haven’t seen before. It’ll be fine. I’ll be ready to go.”

Milwaukee held a 1-0 advantage when Misiorowski departed and maintained that edge until the ninth inning with two outs and no runners on base. However, reliever Abner Uribe allowed a single and issued a walk before Padres left fielder Gavin Sheets connected on a three-run home run, securing a 3-1 win for San Diego.

Before his departure, Misiorowski recorded 10 strikeouts, bringing his major-league-best total to 80 for the season. He allowed four hits while issuing no walks during his seven-inning stint.

The Atlanta Braves continue to discover fresh methods for securing victories on the baseball diamond.

Their consistent success has made them the initial Major League Baseball franchise to achieve 30 wins this season.

Atlanta enhanced their league-leading record to 30-13 following another exciting victory on Wednesday evening, mounting a three-run rally in the eighth inning to defeat the Chicago Cubs 4-1.

Mike Yastrzemski entered the game as a substitute and delivered a crucial pinch-hit double that brought home the go-ahead run, while versatile player Mauricio Dubón followed up with a two-run home run into the Chicago bullpen area to seal the Cubs’ fate.

Combined with another solid outing from their relief pitchers, who each contributed one scoreless inning from four different relievers, this squad appears poised to dominate the NL East division well before summer arrives.

Atlanta currently holds a nine-game advantage over second-place Washington and maintains a double-digit lead over all other teams in their division.

“There’s no egos here,” said Yastrzemski, who delivered his first home run of the season during the previous evening’s 5-2 triumph over the Cubs. “Nobody feels like they own any piece of this team. We’re all pulling on the same rope together, the same direction. Whatever opportunities come for you that day, that’s good enough.”

Although standout performers like Matt Olson, Drake Baldwin, Chris Sale and Ozzie Albies are enjoying exceptional seasons, several lesser-recognized players are also making substantial contributions.

This group includes Dubón, who joined the team from Houston during the offseason in exchange for journeyman Nick Allen and has stepped up whenever called upon.

Dubón began the campaign playing shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim rehabilitated from an injury but currently finds himself primarily in the outfield, even assuming the leadoff position in the batting order while former NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. remains sidelined with an injury.

The game-winning home run demonstrated the level of trust the Braves and their first-year skipper, Walt Weiss, place in their multi-position player.

“In years past for me, I would’ve gotten pinch-hit right there and they wouldn’t let me hit,” Dubón said. “But I ended up putting up a two-run homer. I think it’s that confidence he gives you when you’re playing.”

Dubón remains driven by his selection in the 26th round — the 773rd pick overall — during the 2013 draft.

“I’m trying to prove people wrong,” he said, breaking into a satisfied smile. “I’ve been doing that for a while now.”

Weiss, who assumed control after longtime skipper Brian Snitker stepped down following a disappointing 2025 season, has Atlanta firmly positioned for a postseason return.

While he avoids focusing on the broader picture, he cannot help but feel pleased with how his managerial career has begun.

“I’m so engrossed with the day to day,” Weiss said. “You want to attack each day the best you can, and these guys are doing that. They confront every challenge that comes our way.”

Yastrzemski, similar to every other player on the team, remains ready to contribute whenever the situation demands.

“Some days your role is going to be a cheerleader. Keep everyone in a good mood, pull for the guys, bring somebody a water when they’re thirsty,” he said. “Those things, it’s real. When you see that happening with other guys, you can’t help but do it yourself.”

The Miami Dolphins have locked up their star running back De’Von Achane with a lucrative four-year contract extension valued at $64 million, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The source, who requested anonymity since the team hasn’t officially announced the agreement, confirmed that $32 million of the deal is guaranteed money.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz was the first to break news of the extension.

With an annual average of $16 million, Achane now ranks as the third-highest paid running back in the league, trailing only Saquon Barkley at $20.6 million and Christian McCaffrey at $19 million per year.

The talented back posted impressive numbers in 2025, accumulating a personal-best 1,350 rushing yards across 238 attempts while topping the league with an average of 5.7 yards per carry. His outstanding performance earned him his inaugural Pro Bowl honor. Achane found the end zone eight times on the ground and added four touchdown catches, while his 488 receiving yards placed him fourth among all running backs.

In just three NFL seasons, Achane has compiled 3,057 rushing yards, setting a franchise record for any Dolphins player in their opening three campaigns. His 1,277 career receiving yards represent the second-best total among Miami running backs during their first three seasons since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

“He’s dynamic,” new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said in March. “I mean there’s plays that you’re not even blocked right for and he gets 6 or 7 yards. His vision, his acceleration, the way he can catch the ball out of the backfield, he’s so hard to defend.”

While Miami has been conducting a major roster overhaul that involved releasing or trading numerous veteran players — including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle — general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan made it evident that Achane was not on the trading block.

Selected in the third round from Texas A&M, Achane joins an exclusive group of just seven running backs since 1970 who have recorded 20 or more rushing touchdowns and 10 receiving touchdowns within their first three professional seasons.

“He’s obviously very important to what we’re doing,” Sullivan said last month amid contract talks with Achane, “and it’s all part of it. It’s part of professional sports. We’ll get where we need to be one way or the other.”

A Colorado Rockies outfielder made baseball history Wednesday evening in Pittsburgh by executing an extremely rare defensive play that hadn’t been seen in over a decade.

Jake McCarthy accomplished the first unassisted double play by a left fielder in Major League Baseball since 2013 during the Rockies’ matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The unusual play unfolded when McCarthy sprinted toward home plate to field a dropping line drive hit by Bryan Reynolds, securing the catch while running at full speed for the inning’s second out.

With Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz positioned near third base after starting the play at second, the 28-year-old McCarthy kept running toward the infield and touched second base to complete the double play and end the inning.

According to statistics from the Elias Sports Bureau, no left fielder had turned an unassisted double play since Jonny Gomes achieved the feat on July 31, 2013.

Colorado went on to defeat Pittsburgh by a score of 10-4.

Italian tennis player Luciano Darderi secured his spot in the Italian Open semifinals after defeating Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar 7-6(5) 5-7 6-0 in an exhausting three-hour battle that concluded in the early morning hours of Thursday.

Coming off an impressive upset victory against second seed Alexander Zverev in his previous match, the Italian maintained his strong form during the late-evening quarter-final match on Campo Centrale, where enthusiastic spectators remained despite weather delays that pushed the schedule well into the night.

Play was temporarily halted during the first set when smoke from fireworks at the adjacent Stadio Olimpico drifted over the tennis venue. The nearby stadium was hosting the Coppa Italia final between Inter Milan and Lazio, and the smoke reduced court visibility while briefly affecting the tournament’s electronic line-calling technology.

After competition resumed, Darderi mounted a comeback from a 2-5 deficit in the tiebreak to capture the opening set before his supportive home crowd.

The 18th seed seemed poised for a quick victory after jumping ahead 3-0 in the second set, but Jodar mounted an impressive comeback to even the match. The Spanish player saved two match points, held serve to reach 5-5, then broke serve again before closing out the set to force a deciding third set.

The demanding second set appeared to exhaust 19-year-old Jodar in the final set, as he lost serve twice while Darderi regained command to secure the victory.

“I think it’s the best win of my career because of the crowd and everything here in Rome,” Darderi said in his on-court interview.

“First time in the semi-finals, it’s a dream to play here. It was difficult because we started around 11, the court was very slow … I just kept fighting and I’m very happy about that.”

Darderi’s semifinal opponent will be Casper Ruud, who defeated Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-1 1-6 6-2 in Wednesday’s earlier action.

Ruud dominated early, cruising through the first set before rain halted the match for nearly two-and-a-half hours early in the second set.

The extended break allowed Khachanov to reset and shift momentum, with the Russian evening the match after recording 11 winners and just one unforced error in the second set.

Ruud regained his composure in the final set and thrilled spectators by executing a spectacular tweener shot while securing his victory and reaching the Rome semifinals for the first time since 2023.

Professional golfer Nelly Korda believes she has developed a new tool in her competitive arsenal as she works to extend her current winning streak throughout the busy LPGA Tour season — her mental approach.

The 27-year-old has captured victory in three of her initial six tournaments in 2026 while placing second in the remaining three competitions. This impressive performance has propelled her back to the top position in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings as the tour arrives in Cincinnati for the Queen City Championship this week.

This resurgence follows a disappointing 2025 campaign that concluded without earning a single tournament win.

Following her triumph in the season’s first major at the Chevron Championship, Korda honored her pledge to compete in Mexico. She claimed victory in that tournament as well before taking the previous week off from competition.

“You need to give your body a break because you played two weeks in a row with all the travel, too,” Korda explained on Wednesday. “You’re getting ready for a big summer ahead, so it’s like you can’t rest too much or the body doesn’t feel 100%.”

“I think everyone gets into that middle of the season when you travel a lot, play a lot. You don’t have too many weeks where you can rest, especially going into kind of the part of the season right now where we have kind of all the majors stacked up.”

Korda achieved six victories during a seven-tournament span in early 2024. She subsequently failed to make the cut in three straight events, including two major championships. After another underwhelming performance, Korda eventually regained her competitive edge with a second-place showing at the 2024 AIG Women’s Open.

The situation appears remarkably similar two years later, with a dominant Korda preparing for the year’s second major at the U.S. Women’s Open beginning in June. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship concludes the month three weeks afterward before the tour travels to Europe for the Evian Championship prior to the Women’s Open.

The golfer believes she is more equipped to sustain her excellent performance this time.

“My patience, for sure,” Korda responded when questioned about the strongest aspect of her current game. “Mentally being on the golf course, just really enjoying it, knowing that I am going to make mistakes and that it’s OK. It’s not going to ruin my round. That it’s OK to bounce back.”

“In the past I’ve been very scared to make mistakes, and that’s locked me up a little bit. So just kind of trying to stay free on the golf course, knowing my swing is not going to be perfect every week. Maybe to the outside they don’t see as precise of what I see, the detailing of my golf swing.”

“For me, as long as I stay mentally fresh, that’s the most important.”

Korda leads a 144-competitor field at Maketewah Country Club this week. The course layout features par-3 holes that conclude both the front and back nine.

“It’s definitely a very unique golf course,” Korda noted. “But it’s also fun to sometimes switch it up and play something you normally don’t.”

Despite coaching the Vegas Golden Knights for just over six weeks, John Tortorella brings extensive experience as this marks his sixth NHL franchise and he approaches his 22nd anniversary of winning the Stanley Cup.

Even with all that background, he remains curious about a fundamental aspect of playoff competition.

“I’m not sure what’s better: experience or youth, when you have no clue what’s going on?” Tortorella said. “They don’t understand the pressures of it because they don’t know. Or the experience.”

Tortorella’s squad demonstrated the benefits of seasoned play, securing a 3-2 series advantage against the largely inexperienced Anaheim Ducks with an overtime victory Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, the younger Buffalo Sabres defeated the Canadiens in Montreal to level their best-of-seven matchup at 2-2.

Two additional opportunities await to examine Tortorella’s inquiry.

When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT (TNT, TruTV)

Series: Tied 2-2

Right when Buffalo appeared to be struggling, they netted the first goal within seven minutes of Game 4 and survived an evening filled with video reviews and penalty calls. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff expressed frustration with opposing players “going down easy” and hoped for additional embellishment penalties, though he praised his youthful roster’s response.

“We battled through all that,” Ruff said Wednesday. “We got to make sure we’re in there but at the same time not taking anything stupid and putting our team at a disadvantage. It’s a fine line right now, but I think there’s a way to juggle around it.”

The Canadiens experienced postseason action last year, falling to Washington in five first-round contests. Several players remain from 2021 (with Phillip Danault returning), when they made an unlikely journey to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Tampa Bay.

Team captain Nick Suzuki, among those veterans, attributed their recent loss to unfortunate circumstances and appears prepared for Game 5.

“We knew we had to go to Buffalo anyway,” Suzuki said. “We’re a good road team. We’ve shown that all year, so we’ve go do it again and bring it back home.”

While some Sabres players have postseason experience, the franchise is participating for the first time since 2011 following the conclusion of the league’s longest playoff absence. The newcomers have performed among Buffalo’s top contributors and appear to embrace the experience.

“As a kid, this is what you dream of, playing playoff hockey,” said Josh Doan, who tops the team’s series scoring with six points. “There’s nothing you trade it in the world for, getting the opportunity to do this.”

When/Where to Watch: Game 6, Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EDT (TNT, TruTV)

Series: Vegas leads 3-2

Tortorella hopes experience prevails since the Golden Knights possess abundant amounts. The team recognizes this advantage.

“We’re a pretty comfortable group in there, and there’s a lot of players in there who’ve been through it and had a lot of success and won,” Vegas defenseman Rasmus Andersson said. “We’re an older team, and it’s that feeling that no moment is too big.”

Vegas will play without top defensive pairing member Brayden McNabb, who received a suspension for his illegal check that injured Ducks center Ryan Poehling.

Despite losing Poehling, Anaheim possesses numerous experienced players, including championship winners Alex Killorn and John Carlson, along with players like Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba who have advanced deep into playoffs. However, the Ducks’ foundation centers on youthful energy, quickness, and remaining unfazed by pressure.

“I’m pretty excited to see what we all got,” 23-year-old center Mason McTavish said. “It’s our first time with our backs against the wall. I’m excited for us to kind of show everybody what we got.”

Head coach Joel Quenneville, who earned three championship rings during his Chicago tenure, has sufficient experience that Tuesday’s game recalled a comparable Game 5 situation from 11 years earlier at Anaheim. During his Blackhawks days, they overcame this exact disadvantage while capturing their third title in six seasons.

“(We have) a lot of younger guys that they’ve been fine the whole playoffs and nothing seems to change their demeanor or their approach,” Quenneville said. “We’ll come back home and focus on the next game and know we’re right in the thick of things.”

Regarding the concept that young teams must experience defeat before achieving victory, Quenneville responded, “I’m not ready for that.”

Four exceptional college basketball talents are vying for the coveted first overall selection in this year’s NBA draft, with AJ Dybantsa from BYU and Darryn Peterson from Kansas leading the conversation alongside Duke’s Cameron Boozer and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson.

These four athletes stand apart from their peers in what experts consider a talent-rich draft class. The question now centers on which order teams will select them.

Washington holds the top selection for the first time since selecting John Wall in 2010. The Jazz, Grizzlies, and Bulls occupy the next three spots in the draft order.

“It would mean a lot,” Dybantsa expressed Wednesday during the NBA draft combine when asked about potentially being chosen first. “It would just mean that all my hard work is paying off. All the countless hours and all the sacrifices I made have paid off.”

The nation’s leading scorer from last season believes he would mesh well with Washington’s roster. The franchise posted a dismal 17-65 record, marking their worst season since 1967. Following eight consecutive losing campaigns, the organization may be ready for improvement.

However, Dybantsa’s selection at the top spot remains uncertain. Strong arguments exist for Peterson, along with Boozer and Wilson.

“For me, it’s just about going to the right fit, the right situation for me,” explained Boozer, who earned AP national player of the year honors. “An organization that really believes in me, and understands what I bring to the team. I understand where you go really matters for your career and how your trajectory goes, so that’s the biggest thing for me for sure.”

The son of former Duke and NBA veteran Carlos Boozer matched the national record with 22 double-doubles while posting averages of 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds. His father previously suited up for the Jazz and Bulls, and now Cameron could potentially join one of those franchises.

“He loves it here,” Cameron Boozer mentioned regarding his father’s connection to Chicago. “I think he has a very strong fan base here as well. I think he’d be very happy if I was sent to Chicago.”

Wilson compiled impressive numbers with 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds during an outstanding campaign that injuries unfortunately shortened. He suffered a broken bone in his left hand shortly after a memorable victory over Duke. Later, as he prepared to return, he fractured his right thumb during a non-contact practice session, ending his season before another clash with the Blue Devils.

Wilson reported his hand is “perfectly fine” and promised the selecting team will acquire a “winner.”

“They’re gonna get somebody who’s dedicated to their franchise, somebody who will change their city for the better,” he stated.

Peterson faced hospitalization due to full-body cramping before the season began and battled additional injuries and illnesses that sidelined him for 11 contests. Despite these setbacks, he excelled when healthy, recording 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while connecting on 38.2% of his three-point attempts across 24 appearances.

Peterson and Dybantsa held recognition as the nation’s premier high school prospects for several years. They delivered an unforgettable performance during a Grind Session matchup on the winter AAU schedule, where Peterson exploded for 58 points representing Prolific Prep and connected on the game-winning three-pointer in the closing moments. Dybantsa contributed 49 points for Utah Prep.

“I just remember me and AJ going back and forth,” Peterson recalled. “It was a great game and I was blessed to come out on top. I’m getting back to that now.”

Dybantsa characterized the contest as an unforgettable moment for spectators.

“If you were at that game, that’s probably a core memory in your whole basketball-watching as a fan,” he reflected. “That was probably a core moment. I think there was a time in the game where we went 15 for 15 straight. It was crazy. He ended up winning, so he got the best me.”

Peterson repeated his success when Kansas defeated BYU in late January, contributing 18 points while Dybantsa managed 17.

Currently, Peterson works to demonstrate that the physical challenges from last season are behind him. Those difficulties may have contributed to his evolution as a more complete player.

“I didn’t have the same step that I had before,” he acknowledged. “If one thing’s bad, something else improves. My shooting improved because of that.”

The streaming platform Netflix will broadcast its first National Football League matchup on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, featuring the Los Angeles Rams welcoming the Green Bay Packers to their home stadium, league officials revealed Wednesday.

This November 25 evening game represents the league’s inaugural contest scheduled for Thanksgiving Eve and is among five NFL matchups Netflix will stream during the current season under an extended agreement lasting until 2029, according to published reports. The streaming service has confirmed its 2026 game lineup.

The Week 12 matchup will showcase Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who earned NFL MVP honors, facing off against Packers signal-caller Jordan Love. Stafford topped the league with 4,707 passing yards while throwing a personal-best 46 touchdown passes.

Each franchise reached the playoffs during the previous campaign. The Rams finished with a 12-5 regular season record before falling in the NFC Championship Game to the Seattle Seahawks, who went on to capture the Super Bowl title.

Green Bay posted a 9-7-1 record but saw their season end with a wild-card round defeat to the Chicago Bears.

Netflix will additionally broadcast the Rams’ season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia on September 10. The platform has also secured rights to two Christmas Day games and a crucial Week 18 contest with postseason implications.

The streaming service also revealed Wednesday it has obtained rights to broadcast the NFL Honors awards ceremony during Super Bowl week.

Earlier this week, league officials announced the Dallas Cowboys will welcome the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving Day in a game televised by Fox.

The complete 2026 NFL schedule is set for official release on Thursday.

Professional football players are paying close attention to the field conditions being provided for World Cup soccer matches, particularly the installation of natural grass surfaces.

JC Tretter, who leads the NFL Players Association as executive director, has observed that seven venues hosting NFL teams are temporarily replacing their synthetic turf with natural grass for the international soccer tournament beginning next month.

These same facilities will revert to their artificial playing surfaces when football season kicks off in September.

“What we want is good grass fields. Good, solid fields,” Tretter stated during a recent appearance on the “Not Just Football” podcast with Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward. “You don’t just want to pull out the (municipal) golf course grass. On every field, you want high-quality surfaces.”

“If you ask every player that we polled, 1,700 players, 92% say they want grass over turf. There is something about the feeling of being on grass, the body feels different. I think if you ask the coaches, just standing on grass vs. standing on turf for three hours feels different. There is something there that impacts the body,” he explained.

The international soccer governing body FIFA mandates natural grass for World Cup competitions. This requirement has prompted surface changes at venues in East Rutherford N.J. (New York Giants, New York Jets), Arlington, Texas (Dallas Cowboys), Foxborough, Mass. (New England Patriots), Seattle (Seahawks), Houston (Texans), Inglewood, Calif. (Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers) and Atlanta (Falcons).

The championship match will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

“You look at FIFA, they’re rolling out the green carpet for soccer players. And that has become the norm,” Tretter observed. “Over in European leagues, that is what you do. You play on grass. They have surface standards that each thing is rolled out. It’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. And those players will not play if it’s not that.”

When the current NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement reaches its expiration in March 2031, Tretter confirmed that field surfaces will be a topic of discussion between the players union and the league.

A decades-old NFL policy designed to promote diversity in hiring has sparked fresh controversy as Florida’s top legal official takes action against the league.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday that he has issued a legal subpoena to the NFL concerning its diversity hiring policy. This move follows his March warning to the league about potential enforcement actions if the 23-year-old regulation wasn’t discontinued.

Uthmeier delivered the subpoena alongside a formal letter addressed to NFL executive vice president and attorney Ted Ullyot. The Attorney General contends the policy breaks Florida law because it mandates race-based factors in employment decisions.

The diversity policy has grown significantly since its inception and now covers searches for general managers, coordinators and quarterback coaches. Current requirements mandate teams conduct interviews with a minimum of two external minority candidates when filling head coach, general manager and coordinator roles. For quarterbacks coach openings, at least one minority candidate interview is mandatory.

Opponents contend the policy has resulted in superficial interviews meant solely to satisfy requirements rather than genuinely considering candidates for positions.

This criticism forms part of the 2022 legal action brought by former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, currently serving as Vikings defensive coordinator, who alleged discriminatory hiring practices by the NFL and three franchises.

The policy bears the name of the late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, who led the league’s Workplace Diversity Committee when it was established, and mandates teams interview diverse candidates (minority or female) for head coach, general manager and coordinator openings.

The regulation aimed to boost leadership diversity through mandatory face-to-face interviews, though it has drawn criticism throughout its existence for not substantially increasing minority hiring numbers.

The Workplace Diversity Committee initially concentrated on the historically small representation of minorities in head coaching roles. The original policy mandated every team with a head coaching opening interview at least one diverse candidate prior to making their selection.

Throughout the years, the diversity rule has broadened to encompass more positions within NFL organizations.

Indeed, in 2022, the league modified the rule to incorporate women within the minority candidate classification.

NFL franchises may count women as minority candidates for openings involving head coach, general manager, coordinators, quarterbacks coach and senior personnel roles.

Absolutely. In November 2020, team owners endorsed a plan that rewards organizations developing minority talent who advance to become general managers or head coaches elsewhere in the league.

When a team loses a minority executive or coach who served with the organization for a minimum of two years to another franchise, that team earns a third-round compensatory draft selection for two years. Should a team lose both a coach and personnel executive, it receives a third-round compensatory pick for three years.

The NFL may impose fines exceeding $500,000 on teams that violate the regulation. The league also has authority to revoke draft selections or nullify a hiring decision.

Nevertheless, the sole recorded penalty occurred in 2003 when Detroit received a $200,000 fine for hiring Steve Mariucci without interviewing a minority candidate.

The 2006 season marked what many considered a major milestone. Seven Black head coaches led teams that year, with two facing each other in the Super Bowl for the first time in history.

When Tony Dungy’s Indianapolis Colts beat Lovie Smith’s Chicago Bears in the championship game, minority coaches seemed to gain the most. Nobody could question that Black coaches performed as effectively as their white colleagues.

Minority head coaches reached a peak in 2024 with nine total, including six Black head coaches.

However, that figure dropped to five before the 2026 season began. Among the record-tying 10 new head coaches brought in during this offseason, only one minority received a position: Robert Saleh, who has Lebanese heritage, was hired in Tennessee.

Eleven franchises, representing roughly one-third of the league, have never employed a Black non-interim coach. This group consists of Baltimore, Buffalo, Carolina, Dallas, Jacksonville, the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans, the New York Giants, Seattle, Tennessee and Washington. Three of these organizations have had minority coaches: the Panthers (Dave Canales), the Titans (Saleh) and the Commanders (Ron Rivera).

The New York Mets announced Wednesday that catcher Francisco Alvarez has been added to the injured list following a torn meniscus diagnosis and is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks while recovering from the right knee injury.

The 24-year-old backstop will undergo surgical repair for the injury, with his roster spot being taken by Hayden Senger, who was called up from Triple-A Syracuse.

The injury occurred during Tuesday’s 10-2 victory over Detroit when Alvarez’s leg became twisted while making contact with a foul ball in the sixth inning. The catcher connected with a pitch from Burch Smith but lost his balance as he sent the ball into foul territory. Manager Carlos Mendoza and team medical staff pulled Alvarez from the game mid-at-bat.

This season, Alvarez has posted a .241 batting average while serving as New York’s primary catcher. Medical projections suggest his earliest possible return would be in late June or early July.

The injury adds to mounting health concerns for the Mets’ starting lineup. Outfielders Mike Tauchman and Jared Young are also currently sidelined with identical torn meniscus injuries.

Luis Torrens is expected to handle the bulk of catching duties moving forward, with newly recalled Senger providing support.

The 30-year-old Torrens recently secured his future with the organization, signing a two-year contract extension on May 2.

Through Wednesday’s action, Torrens had collected 10 hits across 48 at-bats for a .208 batting average this season. This marks his third campaign with New York, following previous stints with San Diego, Seattle and Chicago since entering the majors in 2017.

Golf’s second major championship of the year begins Thursday as the 108th PGA Championship gets underway at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia.

Will defending champion Scottie Scheffler successfully defend his title? Can Rory McIlroy capture his second straight major championship to start 2026? Or might an unexpected contender emerge from the 156 golfers competing? Golf analysts are offering their tournament predictions and preferred betting options for who will take home the Wanamaker Trophy.

108TH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Where: Philadelphia, May 14-17

Venue: Aronimink Golf Club (Par 70, 7,394 Yards)

Prize Money: To be announced ($19M in 2025; Winner received $3.42 million)

Title Holder: Scottie Scheffler

FedEx Cup Leader: Cameron Young

VIEWING OPTIONS

Television: Thursday: Noon-7 p.m. ET (ESPN), 7-8 p.m. (ESPN2); Friday: Noon-8 p.m. (ESPN); Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (ESPN), 1-7 p.m. (CBS)

Online (ESPN+): Thursday-Friday: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Social Media: @PGAChampionship

BETTING RECOMMENDATIONS

Ludvig Aberg to Beat Xander Schauffele (+100 at DraftKings): The Swedish golfer continues to demonstrate exceptional skill despite difficulty completing four strong rounds consistently. Aberg has secured five top-5 placements in his last six tournaments at premier events, with only a T21 at the Masters breaking that streak. Meanwhile, Schauffele, who already owns a PGA title, struggled last week with a T60 finish after failing to shoot under 72 in his final three rounds.

Scottie Scheffler Top 5 Finish (-110 at BetMGM): The current champion has attracted significant betting interest for good reason. Beyond defending his title, Scheffler brings momentum from three straight second-place finishes and won the AmEx in February during a run of three consecutive top-4 results.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju Top Canadian (+280 at DraftKings): The 24-year-old earned his tournament spot with a strong T19 showing at last week’s Truist Championship. This continues an impressive climb for the self-taught golfer whose family relocated to Canada from India when he was four years old. Yellamaraju has made 10 straight cuts and achieved a T5 at The Players. He faces tough competition from veterans Corey Conners (+205), Nick Taylor (+220), and PGA Tour winner Taylor Pendrith (+300).

TOP WAGERING CHOICES

Scheffler (+385 at DraftKings) captured his first victory this season and has posted three consecutive runner-up finishes, including at the Masters. He represents BetMGM’s second-largest liability, drawing 13.7% of total bets and 23.2% of money wagered.

McIlroy (+900) has claimed two PGA Championships and recorded 11 top-25 finishes in 17 career appearances. He’s attracted 5.8% of total bets, ranking third.

Jon Rahm (+1400) placed T8 last year, with his previous best showing a T4 at Bellerive in 2018.

Cameron Young (+1475) has won twice this year and was competitive last week before a final-round 74. Still pursuing his first major victory, Young’s odds have improved from +1650 at DraftKings on Tuesday. He ranks second behind Scheffler at BetMGM with 9.6% of bets and 9.8% of money.

Bryson DeChambeau (+1900) has finished second in each of the last two years and recently placed third at LIV Golf Virginia.

Matt Fitzpatrick (+2300) has already won three times this season. His best previous PGA Championship result was T5 in 2022 across 10 appearances.

Tommy Fleetwood (+2800) recorded two course-record 62s at Aronimink in 2018 and comes off a T5 at the Truist Championship.

Jordan Spieth (+6600) represents BetMGM’s biggest liability as he attempts his 10th try at completing the career Grand Slam. “Scottie Scheffer and the in-form Cameron Young are great results for customers in the outright market for the PGA Championship,” BetMGM senior trader Matt Wall said. “However, the biggest liability currently is Jordan Spieth as BetMGM customers dream of the former world No. 1 finally completing the career grand slam.”

TOURNAMENT FACTS

Originally created by Donald Ross in 1926, Aronimink hosts the PGA Championship for just the second time since Gary Player’s 1962 victory. Keegan Bradley captured the 2018 BMW Championship at Aronimink, defeating Justin Rose in a playoff. The course has been extended 114 yards since that event.

The 156-golfer field will be reduced to the top 70 and ties following the second round.

Scheffler aims to become the first repeat PGA Championship winner since Brooks Koepka in 2019, while McIlroy could become the first golfer since Spieth in 2015 to win the year’s opening two majors.

Spieth enters his 10th attempt at achieving the career Grand Slam.

Jake Knapp withdrew Monday with a thumb injury and was replaced by Tom Hoge.

No international golfer has won the PGA Championship since Jason Day in 2015, marking the longest such drought at any major. This year’s field represents 26 different countries.

Adam Scott will make his 99th straight major championship appearance. Only Jack Nicklaus has achieved more than 100 consecutive major starts.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — OG Anunoby was limited to partial participation during the New York Knicks’ Wednesday practice session as the team resumed training.

Fortunately for the squad, they have the luxury of time on their side.

The Knicks can afford to be cautious with Anunoby’s hamstring injury recovery since they have several days remaining before their Eastern Conference finals series begins. The injury sidelined him for the final two contests of their second-round series victory over Philadelphia.

Coach Mike Brown reported that the starting forward participated in certain drills but sat out when the team increased practice intensity. Brown noted Anunoby appeared comfortable with his limited activities, though acknowledged a significant difference between practice participation and playoff game demands.

Brown explained he remains uncertain about when Anunoby might increase his activity level, and the team doesn’t know exactly when that will be necessary. The opening game against Detroit or Cleveland might occur Sunday, but the series could be delayed until next week if those teams extend their current 2-2 series to seven games following Wednesday’s Game 5.

“They told me what he could do today. They have not told me what he could do tomorrow, so I don’t know what he’ll be able to do for Game 1,” Brown said.

Anunoby represents a crucial component of the Knicks’ success as an elite defender whose scoring has reached new heights during the current playoff campaign. While the team managed victories without him against a fatigued Philadelphia squad still recovering from their seven-game first-round battle with Boston, defeating the top-seeded Pistons or Cavaliers without him would present significant challenges.

Brown prefers focusing on immediate concerns rather than long-term planning. The Knicks will take Thursday off before returning to practice Friday, when he plans to request another medical update on Anunoby.

“At least for me, I’m taking it one game at a time,” Brown said. “I don’t want to know from medical or anybody else anything beyond that, because when I do that stuff I get my hopes up and I don’t like doing that at all.”

The Knicks have strong reasons for optimism following their impressive first two playoff rounds. They’ve captured seven consecutive victories since trailing Atlanta 2-1 in round one, outscoring the Hawks and 76ers by a combined 194 points — the largest margin in franchise history through 10 postseason games.

After eliminating Atlanta on April 30, they faced Philadelphia on May 4. This break could last more than double that timeframe.

“The first series we had what, four days’ break I think it was? That was good enough,” forward Josh Hart said. “This right now, I think at least a week if not nine days, that’s a long time. So obviously it’s good for recovery, but mentally I’m watching the games, I’m just like just waiting, just waiting to get back out there.”

Brown brings relevant experience to this situation. His Cleveland Cavaliers completed first-round and second-round sweeps in 2009 before waiting over a week for East finals action, which they ultimately lost to Orlando. He also stepped in for an injured Steve Kerr during Golden State’s 2017 postseason run when the Warriors swept their first three series, creating a 10-day gap before the NBA Finals.

“I’ve been part of sweeps, I’ve been part of getting swept and been part of long layoffs and short turnarounds, so you worry about different stuff at different times,” Brown said. “Like, quick turnaround you’re like: ‘Oh my God, we can’t prepare. Oh my god, guys are tired.’ And long layoffs, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, we got too much time, we’re not going to stay sharp.’”

He emphasized that extended breaks require creating methods to maintain players’ mental sharpness, and the Knicks feel confident in their approach.

“I think we have our plan,” All-Star Jalen Brunson said. “Obviously utilize rest, but then when we’re in the gym we’re doing everything that we need to do to stay in rhythm, stay having the edge that we need to have, focusing on the things that we need to focus on and continuing to prepare.”

The streaming platform Netflix has struck a significant expanded agreement with the National Football League, securing rights to broadcast five regular season contests annually along with the NFL Honors ceremony through the 2029 season.

The deal, revealed Wednesday during Netflix’s advertising upfront event, builds upon the streaming service’s existing arrangement to carry two Christmas Day contests that began in 2024. Under the new terms, Netflix will broadcast games during opening week, Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Day (two games), and a 1 p.m. ET Saturday contest during the season’s final week.

Officials confirmed two specific matchups featuring the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday. Netflix will stream the opening week contest between the Rams and San Francisco 49ers from Melbourne, Australia. Later in the season, the Rams will face the Green Bay Packers in what will mark the league’s inaugural Thanksgiving Eve game on Nov. 25.

Both contests will air during prime time hours in the United States at 8:35 p.m. ET. The season opener is scheduled for Sept. 10 in the U.S., though it will kick off at 10:35 a.m. on Sept. 11 in Australia due to the 14-hour time difference from New York and 17-hour gap from Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The Australia game between NFC West division rivals represents one of nine international contests the NFL plans to stage during the upcoming season. League officials released their complete international schedule Wednesday morning.

“We’ve seen how many fans are already on Netflix, so we thought it was a tremendous opportunity to deepen the partnership, expand the reach of those games, and to do so around tentpole events at the beginning and end of the year with big holidays in the middle, then have them extend into honors and do what Netflix has shown they do so well, which is make big events even bigger,” said Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution.

The Thanksgiving Eve and final week Saturday games come from four contests the league reclaimed after ESPN purchased NFL Network. YouTube carried the opening week game during the previous season.

The NFL Honors ceremony debuted during the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis as the league’s platform for announcing annual award recipients in a single broadcast. Initially aired the evening before the Super Bowl, the show moved to Thursday of Super Bowl week in 2022. Previously carried by whichever network broadcast the Super Bowl, the ceremony will now reach a global audience through the Netflix partnership.

The NFL Honors presentation features Associated Press awards including Most Valuable Player, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.

The complete schedule, including Christmas Day games, will be announced Thursday evening. The final week Saturday contests, which also feature 4:30 and 8:15 p.m. ET games on ESPN/ABC, won’t be revealed until six days prior as the league prioritizes matchups with playoff significance for those time slots.

League officials finalized the regular season schedule Tuesday morning.

Netflix also revealed that the third season of its documentary series Quarterback will premiere July 14. The upcoming season will follow Washington’s Jayden Daniels, Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield, Tennessee’s Cam Ward, who was selected as the top pick in the 2025 draft, and Joe Flacco, who started the season with Cleveland before being traded to Cincinnati.

Florida’s top legal official James Uthmeier has delivered an investigative subpoena to the National Football League concerning the organization’s diversity hiring requirements known as the Rooney Rule.

The state’s attorney general, who previously warned the league about potential legal enforcement in March unless the 23-year-old policy was suspended, delivered the subpoena alongside a formal letter to NFL executive vice president and attorney Ted Ullyot this Wednesday.

“All in all, the Rooney Rule and the NFL’s related ‘inclusive hiring’ policies — and the NFL’s representations about these policies — continue to raise significant concerns under Florida law,” Uthmeier wrote in the letter.

The diversity policy mandates that franchises conduct interviews with no fewer than two minority applicants for head coaching, general manager and coordinator roles. Additionally, teams must interview at least one minority applicant for quarterbacks coach openings.

During league meetings held in Phoenix this past March, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recognized the shifting political climate surrounding diversity programs nationwide, though he expressed confidence that the league’s approach wouldn’t face legal challenges. “The Rooney Rule has been around a long time,” Goodell said then. “We’ve evolved it, changed it. We’ll continue to do that.”

The league did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment Wednesday.

In his most recent correspondence, Uthmeier praised the organization for modifying the Rooney Rule description on its official website following his initial warning in March, though he noted the changes created additional concerns.

The revised language on the NFL’s website now reads: “The Rooney Rule establishes best practices designed to expand opportunity and strengthen the NFL’s talent pipeline across leadership roles. It is part of a broader effort to develop a deep and sustainable talent pipeline across all levels of the NFL. The policy is intended to ensure that qualified candidates from a wide range of backgrounds are identified and considered for leadership roles.”

The previous website language indicated the Rooney Rule sought to “increase the number of minorities hired” in executive positions and stated that diversity “enriches the game and creates a more effective, quality organization.”

“We appreciate how quickly the NFL changed its website in response to our letter and capitulated on some of their discriminatory hiring quotas,” Uthmeier said. “But their response raises more questions about the Rooney Rule, and we look forward to their cooperation with the investigative subpoena we issued them today.”

In March, Uthmeier’s initial correspondence to Goodell characterized the policy as “blatant race and sex discrimination.”

New York Yankees southpaw Max Fried was forced to leave Wednesday’s game against Baltimore after completing just three innings due to discomfort in his left elbow, according to team officials.

The 32-year-old pitcher will receive a medical evaluation from team physicians and undergo diagnostic imaging on Thursday to assess the injury.

During his abbreviated outing, Fried threw 61 pitches while allowing three runs on five hits and one walk, recording two strikeouts. His earned run average rose to 3.21 following the performance. New York was down 3-0 when Fried departed, with right-hander Paul Blackburn taking over pitching duties in the fourth inning.

Coming into Wednesday’s contest, Fried held a 4-2 record with a 2.91 ERA, having issued 18 walks and recorded 48 strikeouts across 58 2/3 innings pitched. He had faced more batters than any other pitcher in the American League this season with 227.

The veteran hurler has earned All-Star honors three times during his career, receiving the recognition in 2022, 2024 and last season. Over his professional tenure spanning 2009 regular-season appearances (192 as a starter) with Atlanta from 2017-24 and New York since 2025, Fried has compiled a 96-43 record with a 3.03 ERA, 315 walks and 1,110 strikeouts across 1,138 1/3 innings.

The San Diego Padres originally selected Fried as the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft.

NEW YORK — The New York Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer has captured the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, earning every first-place vote in the process.

The NHL presented him with the honor on Wednesday.

Schaefer, who was selected first overall in the draft, emerged as the leading candidate for the award almost immediately after his first game on opening night in Pittsburgh. The defenseman netted 23 goals, matching Brian Leetch’s milestone for most goals by a first-year defenseman, while accumulating 59 total points.

The 18-year-old emerged as the centerpiece of the Islanders organization and contributed to their postseason bid, though the team came up short during the final weeks of the regular season. He captured all 198 first-place votes for the Calder Trophy.

Ivan Demidov from Montreal finished as the runner-up, while Anaheim’s Bennett Sennecke claimed third place in the balloting conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

WASHINGTON — Foreign soccer fans holding World Cup tickets will no longer need to post bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, according to a State Department announcement made to The Associated Press Wednesday.

Last year, the department established bond requirements for visitors from nations with elevated visa overstay rates and security concerns as part of stricter immigration enforcement. Citizens from 50 countries must pay these bonds, including five World Cup participants: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia.

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar stated, “The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history. We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets” and enrolled in the FIFA Pass system for expedited visa processing as of April 15.

This represents an uncommon relaxation of immigration policies under the current administration and will reduce travel obstacles for some visitors attending the tournament, which kicks off June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Team athletes, coaching staff and certain personnel were already excluded from bond payments under previous directives prioritizing World Cup visa processing. Regular ticket holders had remained subject to the requirement until this week’s announcement.

The current administration has implemented significant immigration restrictions that opponents argue conflict with the inclusive spirit typically associated with international sporting competitions like the World Cup.

Travel prohibitions affect visitors from Iran and Haiti, though World Cup team members and support staff receive exemptions. Partial restrictions under an expanded travel ban also impact travelers from qualifying nations Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.

Additional requirements now mandate foreign visitors provide social media account histories, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been stationed at airports during recent Transportation Security Administration staffing issues.

These policies led Amnesty International and numerous U.S. civil rights organizations to publish a “World Cup travel advisory” cautioning visitors about the current U.S. environment.

A recent report from the primary U.S. hotel industry advocacy group attributed “significantly suppressed international demand” to visa obstacles and geopolitical tensions, resulting in tournament hotel reservations well below original projections.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association cited traveler concerns about extended visa processing times, higher fees, and uncertainty surrounding entry procedures.

The bond system aims to address visa overstays by requiring payments of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 from designated countries. Funds are returned when travelers follow visa terms or if applications are rejected.

By early April, approximately 250 World Cup fans were estimated to be impacted by the bond requirement, according to unnamed U.S. officials. However, they noted this figure fluctuates as ticket sales continue and some purchasers decide against traveling.

FIFA had formally requested the exemption, which required approval from both the State Department and Department of Homeland Security following months of discussions at the White House and throughout Washington, officials confirmed.

Professional basketball officials are whistling approximately 11% more personal fouls per game during this year’s postseason compared to the regular season, creating a gap that ranks among the most significant in league history.

According to the NBA, this increase is completely normal.

Despite ongoing criticism from players and coaches that surfaces every postseason, the league’s senior vice president of referee development and training openly admits there’s a clear distinction between regular-season and playoff basketball — something everyone in the organization would agree with.

However, Monty McCutchen maintains that officiating principles remain unchanged during the playoffs.

“It would be very difficult on our players, on our coaches, most certainly on our referees, if the intensity of a seven-game series that we see in the playoffs exhibited itself over 82 games,” McCutchen said at the NBA draft combine. “NBA playoff basketball is one of the great spectacles of all sport in my opinion. You get the combination of the passion and strength of our players and coaching staffs in tight spaces over seven-game series. And I think that that absolutely makes for a different game.”

With postseason stakes elevated, every moment receives heightened examination and tempers naturally flare.

— San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama received an ejection from a playoff contest this week for elbowing Minnesota’s Naz Reid, prompting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson to note his 7-foot-4 player constantly faces excessive physical contact that eventually forces a response. “At some level, you have to protect yourself,” Johnson said. “Every single play on every single part of the floor, people are trying to impose their physicality on him. I get it. We get it. That’s part of the game.”

— Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers conducted an unplanned discussion at center court with officials following a playoff defeat in Oklahoma City to express their concerns.

— Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson noted that Cavs star guard Donovan Mitchell rarely reached the free-throw line during Games 1 and 2 against Detroit; Mitchell attempted 11 free throws total in those contests (both Cleveland defeats) but averaged 11.5 attempts in the following two games (both Cleveland victories). This observation prompted Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff to respond after Game 4.

These represent just a few instances.

“Standing up for your team is a job descriptor of an NBA head coach and most certainly I don’t begrudge a head coach the desire to represent for himself, his team, most certainly his players,” McCutchen said. “That’s part of the voice of an NBA head coach that I have an understanding of. My job is to take those commentaries and decide or see what is true and what is avocation. And now, even if it is true, it’s very important that I’m not putting my foot on the scale of a series.”

Postseason officials — not every referee receives playoff duties, and the group of working officials shrinks after each round based on evaluation — review game footage afterward, identical to regular-season procedures. Every decision undergoes assessment, and McCutchen has repeatedly stated in recent years that the league’s officiating staff continuously works toward improvement.

“We’re not putting our whistles in our pocket,” McCutchen said. “That being said, I think it’s fair to debate, talk about passionately, like many of our fans and people in the media do, about whether that’s the appropriate enough of whistles to blow. But we are trying to meet the moments of the passion of the playoffs in a way that upholds our standards.”

This typically results in additional calls. The NBA has experienced rising foul calls from regular season to playoffs for the 66th occasion in its 80-year existence. This season shows a differential exceeding 10% for just the sixth time in the past 60 years. (The five largest increases in that gap, spanning from 13% to 17%, all occurred between 1949 and 1955.)

McCutchen views the playoffs through this lens: Aggression benefits the game, while roughness does not.

“We don’t like to see ejections,” McCutchen said. “Our goal would be to get through all these games where we meet this right up to the edge of rough and you have this really aggressive, passionate game that is adjudicated and an environment is created in which that environment of aggressiveness is rewarded — because we have the best players in any sport, in my opinion — but that it doesn’t creep over to rough. That’s the goal.”

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Maple Leafs dismissed head coach Craig Berube on Wednesday following a disastrous season that landed the franchise at the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings.

Berube’s departure concludes his two-season tenure with Toronto. While his inaugural campaign delivered an impressive 108-point season, the team’s performance collapsed dramatically in 2025-26.

“Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,” general manager John Chayka said in a statement. “This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig.”

Chayka recently joined the organization this month, taking over after Brad Treliving’s dismissal in March.

The Maple Leafs secured the top selection in last week’s NHL draft lottery. Toronto is anticipated to choose between Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg when they make the first overall selection on June 26 during the NHL draft in Buffalo.

During his time with Toronto, Berube compiled an 84-62-18 record, though the team managed only 32-36-14 this past season. The plunge from 108 points to 78 represented the franchise’s most dramatic single-season decline in team history.

Despite losing star forward Mitch Marner, the Maple Leafs entered the campaign with optimistic expectations.

The organization brought in three new forwards — Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy — attempting to fill Marner’s role through a collective approach on what many considered a Stanley Cup-caliber roster.

However, Toronto never found their rhythm throughout the season. Combined with significant injuries and player absences, the team appeared disjointed from the opening game.

Even with star players Auston Matthews and William Nylander leading the offense, Toronto’s power play became a major weakness.

The team’s defensive struggles created serious issues, as they posted the league’s second-worst goals-against average and were outshot more than any other NHL team with 66 instances.

“They played with more passion than we did,” Berube told reporters in December after a 4-0 road loss to the Washington Capitals. “That’s what it boils down to. It looked to me like they had way more urgency in their game, more passion in their game. That’s the difference.”

When pressed to elaborate on his assessment, he responded: “Ask those guys, not me.”

This exchange highlighted the obvious tension within the organization.

Matthews, a three-time Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy recipient as the NHL’s leading goal scorer, managed just 27 goals before a season-ending knee injury from a hit by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas in March.

The team’s lack of response to the hit on their captain drew harsh criticism from Berube — a former NHL enforcer who ranks seventh all-time in penalty minutes — along with media and supporters who questioned the team’s locker room dynamics.

The 60-year-old Berube was brought aboard in May 2024 when Treliving released Sheldon Keefe after 4½ seasons as head coach.

Under Berube’s leadership in his first year, Toronto achieved only their second playoff series victory during the NHL’s salary-cap era. The Maple Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators before losing to Florida in a series highlighted by devastating 6-1 home defeats in Games 5 and 7. The Panthers subsequently captured their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.

Toronto had initially responded well to Berube’s direct, disciplined, north-south playing style in 2024-25 after Keefe couldn’t guide the same talented roster past their postseason struggles, but failed to replicate that achievement in year two.

Berube’s coaching career started within the Philadelphia Flyers system following his playing retirement. He progressed through the ranks, transitioning from the AHL to an NHL assistant position in 2006-07.

He assumed the Flyers’ head coaching role partway through 2013-14 and remained for one additional season before his dismissal.

Following a year away from hockey, Berube coached St. Louis Blues’ AHL team. He became an NHL associate coach in 2017-18 and was elevated to head coach with St. Louis in November 2018.

Berube transformed the struggling Blues, who had occupied last place in the overall standings, into a playoff team that embarked on an incredible championship run culminating in the franchise’s first Cup title.

After three consecutive first-round playoff exits and missing the playoffs entirely in 2022-23, St. Louis dismissed Berube just 28 games into the following season.

When Toronto hired Berube, Treliving mentioned extensive discussions with individuals who had worked with, reported to, and played for the former enforcer.

“They talked about how they would go through a wall for him,” Treliving said. “There was the connection he had with his players, the accountability he had with his players, and the bond he was able to build with staff.”

The National Football League announced its most extensive overseas schedule in league history, with the San Francisco 49ers set to participate in two international contests during the 2026 season.

San Francisco will kick off the NFL’s expanded global presence by facing division rival Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia on September 10. This Thursday night matchup, which will air on Netflix, marks the league’s inaugural game on Australian soil and will actually be played Friday morning local time. The 49ers will serve as the visiting team for this historic opener.

Later in the season, San Francisco will host the Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City on November 22 for a Sunday night game in Week 11. The Vikings previously made history with back-to-back international road games in Dublin and London during consecutive weeks last season.

This ambitious international expansion includes nine total games spanning eight venues across seven cities on four different continents – the largest overseas commitment the NFL has ever undertaken. League Commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed his vision of eventually reaching 16 international contests per season.

London will host three games at its traditional venues, with Jacksonville making franchise history by scheduling back-to-back home games overseas. The Jaguars will meet Philadelphia at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, followed by a divisional clash against Houston at Wembley Stadium on October 18. Washington will also call Tottenham home when they battle Indianapolis on October 4.

The league will break new ground in Paris during Week 7, as New Orleans takes on Pittsburgh on October 25. Munich will welcome its second NFL game when Detroit hosts New England on November 15.

Previously announced international matchups include Dallas hosting Baltimore in Rio De Janeiro on September 27 and Atlanta welcoming Cincinnati to Madrid on November 8.