Category: Sports

NFL quarterback Taylor Heinicke has called an end to his professional football career, announcing his retirement Thursday after seven seasons in the league.

The 33-year-old signal-caller shared his farewell message on social media, expressing gratitude to fans who supported him throughout his journey with seven different teams, including Minnesota, New England, Houston, Carolina, Atlanta, Washington, and the Los Angeles Chargers.

Heinicke’s most notable chapter came during his stint with Washington, where he compiled a 7-8 record across 15 starting appearances in 2021. His remarkable story began in December 2020 when Washington brought him onto their practice squad as a COVID-19 safety measure, keeping him isolated from the other quarterbacks on the roster.

At the time of Washington’s call, Heinicke was living on his sister’s couch in Atlanta while completing his degree through online courses at Old Dominion University. His most recent football experience had been serving as a backup in the XFL during 2019.

Just one month after joining Washington’s practice squad, Heinicke found himself starting in a playoff game against Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite the 31-23 defeat, his impressive performance – 306 passing yards, one touchdown throw, and one rushing score – secured him a starting role for the 2021 season.

“Many ups and downs throughout the years, but the ups outweigh the downs tenfold,” Heinicke wrote. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would’ve been able to live this life. … Excited for this next chapter of my life.”

Following his Washington years, Heinicke spent a season with Atlanta before joining Los Angeles for the 2024 campaign. The Chargers cut him last August, and he remained without a team for the rest of the season. During his brief 2024 appearance with the Chargers, he participated in four games with just five pass attempts.

Throughout his NFL journey, Heinicke started 30 games, including that memorable playoff appearance, accumulating 6,969 passing yards with 40 touchdown passes and 29 interceptions. He also contributed three rushing touchdowns to his career statistics.

Cleveland Browns management completed contract negotiations with eight of their 2026 draft selections on Friday, headlined by offensive lineman Spencer Fano who inked his rookie deal.

The Utah product, selected ninth overall in this year’s draft, secured a four-year contract worth $32.2 million in guaranteed compensation, featuring a $19.9 million signing bonus. The agreement includes a fifth-year option that remains under team control.

During his collegiate career, Fano appeared in 37 contests with 36 starts across three seasons, demonstrating versatility by playing both left and right tackle positions. His outstanding performance earned him the 2025 Outland Trophy, recognizing the nation’s top interior lineman.

The Browns simultaneously finalized deals with seven additional draft picks: Washington receiver Denzel Brown (second round), Florida tackle Austin Barber (third round), Alabama center Parker Brailsford (fifth round), Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson (fifth round), Cincinnati tight end Joe Royer (fifth round), Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (sixth round), and BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (seventh round).

Two selections remain unsigned: Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion (first round) and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (second round).

BURGAS, Bulgaria – French cyclist Paul Magnier from the Soudal Quick-Step team claimed victory in Friday’s opening stage of the prestigious Giro d’Italia, narrowly defeating Denmark’s Tobias Lund Andresen in a dramatic sprint finish that was disrupted by a late-race accident.

The collision occurred approximately 600 meters before the finish line, significantly reducing the number of competitors able to contest the final sprint to fewer than 10 riders. Despite the chaos, Magnier managed to stay clear of trouble and edged past the Danish cyclist at the line to secure his first-ever Grand Tour stage win. British rider Ethan Vernon rounded out the podium in third place.

The stage took place in Burgas, Bulgaria, marking an international start for one of cycling’s three major tours. The dramatic finish sets an exciting tone for the remainder of the three-week race through Europe.

Washington has officially locked in their top 2026 draft selection, finalizing a four-year deal with linebacker Sonny Styles on Friday.

The Ohio State product, selected seventh overall in this year’s draft, secured a lucrative contract worth $37.2 million in guaranteed compensation, featuring a $23.5 million signing bonus. Washington also holds a fifth-year option on the agreement.

The franchise completed their rookie signings by inking deals with their remaining draft selections: wide receiver Antonio Williams from Clemson (third round), defensive end Joshua Josephs from Tennessee (fifth round), running back Kaytron Allen from Penn State (sixth round), center Matt Gulbin from Michigan State (sixth round), and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis from Rutgers (seventh round).

Originally a safety before transitioning to linebacker, Styles dominated during his final collegiate campaign, posting 82 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss across 14 games while earning first-team All-American honors at Ohio State.

Throughout his time with the Buckeyes, the defensive standout compiled impressive numbers over 53 games: 244 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, nine quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

Oklahoma City Thunder stars Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each put up 22 points Thursday night, leading their team to a commanding 125-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at home and securing a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference second-round playoff matchup.

The Thunder continue their flawless postseason run as the best-of-seven series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 this Saturday.

Oklahoma City managed to dominate despite Gilgeous-Alexander struggling with foul issues throughout the contest, which restricted his playing time to just 28 minutes.

“I’ve got the utmost confidence in our whole team,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault commented regarding playing without Gilgeous-Alexander. “We’ve shown that during the year. … We’ve tried to train that muscle and we’ve got guys that are competitors. They see the challenges of the game as opportunities and they attack them.”

During the opening moments of the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander received a flagrant-1 offensive foul call while Austin Reaves was defending him.

With four fouls accumulated, Gilgeous-Alexander was forced to the sideline as Los Angeles gained a five-point advantage.

Nevertheless, even without their star player on the court, Oklahoma City responded with an impressive 25-7 scoring streak that gave them a 13-point cushion late in the period.

“Guys stepped in and made confident plays up and down,” Daigneault noted.

The momentum shift featured Jaylin Williams converting a four-point play that pushed Oklahoma City ahead 85-74 with under three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Holmgren initiated the sequence by stealing the ball from Reaves near the basket on the defensive end.

Oklahoma City capitalized on Los Angeles’ seven third-quarter mistakes for 11 points and finished the game with 26 points generated from the Lakers’ 21 total turnovers.

Los Angeles managed to narrow the gap to five points early in the final quarter, but Holmgren responded with five straight points to restore the double-digit margin.

Approximately four minutes into the fourth quarter, both Gilgeous-Alexander and Lakers superstar LeBron James fell during the same sequence after Reaves fouled Gilgeous-Alexander.

James, attempting to block the shot from behind, tried to jump over Gilgeous-Alexander along the baseline but couldn’t prevent contact with the Thunder player.

Both players went down, with James clutching his right wrist after hitting the floor while Gilgeous-Alexander briefly showed signs of discomfort.

Neither Gilgeous-Alexander nor James left the contest following the incident.

Reaves, who managed only 3 of 16 shots in the series opener, performed significantly better Thursday evening, leading all scorers with 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting.

“I thought he (Reaves) did a good job touching the paint,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick observed. “Those touch shots were there tonight, got some good looks from three. He played a solid game.”

James contributed 23 points for Los Angeles, which shot 50% from the field as a team.

Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell provided 20 points in support. Holmgren connected on 7 of 11 field goal attempts while recording nine rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots.

Jared McCain delivered 18 points coming off the bench for the Thunder, whose substitute players outproduced the Lakers’ reserves 48-20.

The Minnesota Vikings have bolstered their wide receiver group by signing former San Francisco 49ers pass-catcher Jauan Jennings to a contract on Thursday.

While Minnesota has not revealed contract specifics, reports from The Athletic indicate the agreement is for one season with an $8 million base value that could reach $13 million through performance bonuses.

The 28-year-old Jennings was selected by San Francisco in the seventh round of the 2020 draft and developed into a key offensive weapon. His standout 2024 campaign featured 975 receiving yards and six scoring catches on 77 receptions, while he paced all 49ers receivers with 643 yards the previous year and hauled in a personal-best nine touchdown passes.

Throughout his five-year tenure in San Francisco, Jennings accumulated 210 receptions for 2,581 yards and 22 touchdowns.

With the 49ers choosing not to retain him during the offseason, Minnesota was able to enhance what is already considered one of the NFL’s top receiving units as Jennings will team up with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

This talented receiving trio will provide excellent targets for whichever quarterback emerges from Minnesota’s competition between 2024 first-round selection J.J. McCarthy and newly-acquired free agent Kyler Murray.

Most universities in the Big 12 Conference are passing on a groundbreaking private equity loan program that could have provided each school with as much as $30 million in credit, according to a Thursday report from Front Office Sports.

The financing arrangement with RedBird Capital Partners and Weatherford Capital received approval from conference university presidents in late April. Under the program’s structure, participating schools would repay the loans through reduced annual revenue payments from the Big 12.

The investment firms had prepared to distribute up to $500 million total if every school participated, but numerous universities have already announced they won’t join the program. Texas Tech, Iowa State, and Colorado directly told Front Office Sports they’re declining the offer. Local media reports indicate TCU, Cincinnati, Baylor, West Virginia, UCF, Houston, and Kansas State have also decided against participating.

Schools have a full year to decide whether to join the program, and RedBird Capital Partners emphasized this won’t be their only opportunity.

“This partnership is much bigger than just capital to schools — it’s a commercial partnership where RedBird and Weatherford are delivering commercial revenue to the Big 12,” RedBird Capital Partners told Front Office Sports. “We are playing the long game where schools have one year to opt in for when the landscape becomes clearer for the ecosystem and individual needs. It’s not intended to be a one-time offer, it’s a long-term feature of a broader agreement for the Big 12 and their member schools.”

While this marks the first conference-wide private equity agreement in collegiate athletics, similar arrangements have been attempted before. The Big Ten Conference came close to finalizing an investment partnership with UC Investments, the University of California system’s pension fund, in the previous year, but abandoned the plan after several member schools objected.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will stay away from this summer’s World Cup soccer matches in Miami, according to organizing committee leadership.

Miami host committee co-chair Rodney Barreto said Thursday he has received guarantees from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that ICE will not have a presence at the international soccer tournament.

“ICE is not going to be at the stadium,” Barreto said in an interview with The Athletic. “This is not going to turn into some ’round them up’ type of thing. That’s not the purpose of this.”

Barreto expressed optimism about the event’s success, stating: “It’ll be a great experience for everybody. I think that we’re lucky that we do have a president who loves sports and has given us the resources to reimburse the cities for their police protection.”

The committee co-chair also discussed passport processing for international visitors, saying: “I spoke to Marco and, first of all, he’s going to make sure that the passports get processed and people can get here and there is an orderly process so people won’t be held up. It’s going to be a major undertaking by the federal government to do that. We feel very comfortable that we’re going to be in good hands.”

Immigration enforcement operations have expanded under President Donald Trump’s second administration, creating nationwide political tensions around the issue.

Miami’s selection as a World Cup venue comes after security problems during the 2024 Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, where ticketless fans broke through barriers, causing injuries and delaying the Argentina-Colombia championship match.

Reflecting on those incidents, Barreto explained: “(The Miami World Cup organizing committee) took the position that we didn’t want to be critical of the planners of that event. It wasn’t our event. But now that time has passed, I would tell you that where the failure was, which was that there were no perimeters.”

He continued: “People without tickets should have been nowhere near the entrance ways of that stadium. It didn’t take much to overrun an entrance. But listen, you learn from all these events, and you learn to do it better and come up with different scenarios which mitigate this from happening in the future. So that’s where we’re at.”

Professional hockey teams will be allowed to spend a record-breaking $104 million on player salaries during the 2026-27 season, according to a Thursday announcement from the National Hockey League and its Players Association.

The new spending limit represents an $8.5 million boost, marking an 8.9% jump from the current 2025-26 ceiling.

Teams must spend at least $76.9 million on player contracts, with the midpoint set at $90.4 million. The league’s explosive financial growth is evident when considering that today’s minimum spending requirement surpasses what teams were allowed to spend as recently as 2018.

According to PuckPedia data, seven franchises went beyond the spending cap during 2025-26, with the Vegas Golden Knights leading at $107.49 million. Organizations can exceed these limits without facing penalties by utilizing salaries of players on long-term injured reserve.

The rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks invested $82.35 million in player salaries, which remained well above the required minimum spending threshold.

Broadcasting partnerships with ESPN and TNT Sports are projected to push league revenues beyond $7 billion in combined currencies this season. The NHL recently achieved unprecedented television ratings during the opening round of Stanley Cup playoff action.

“It’s a really good time, and we don’t even have the biggest markets (involved in the playoffs),” league commissioner Gary Bettman said recently in an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “This is about how good the hockey is.”

Individual players will be eligible to earn up to $20.8 million during the 2026-27 campaign.

Early forecasts suggest an even more dramatic increase for 2027-28, with projections showing a potential $9.5 million rise to $113.5 million.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The intensity of Stanley Cup playoff hockey has a way of transforming teams. The elevated stakes and electric atmosphere push players who can rise to the occasion toward new heights of determination, skill and excellence.

The Anaheim Ducks represent the newest young squad flourishing under their inaugural experience with postseason intensity.

While breaking their organization’s seven-year absence from the playoffs, the Ducks struggled defensively throughout the regular season, frequently accepting lackluster defensive coverage and inconsistent goaltending that often went unpunished due to their scoring prowess. Anaheim gave up the fourth-highest goal total in the NHL, by far the worst among playoff qualifiers, then allowed 21 goals against the equally offensive-minded Edmonton in round one.

However, when the Ducks needed to preserve a 2-0 advantage against the experienced Vegas Golden Knights with under seven minutes remaining in Wednesday’s Game 2 of the second round, they demonstrated the postseason’s transformative power.

In one chaotic sequence near the goal, three short-handed Ducks threw themselves onto the ice to stop multiple shots — Mikael Granlund even used an extended toe to make one block — while netminder Lukas Dostal scrambled frantically from post to post, later joking he was “playing more soccer goalie than hockey goalie out there.”

The additional playoff intensity was unmistakable, and their bench teammates jumped up in celebration. Anaheim held on for a 3-1 victory, tying the series and building another layer of crucial experience for a young roster planning to compete for Stanley Cups for years ahead.

“A lot of us are going through it together for the first time … and the whole experience is just bringing us closer together,” Ducks forward Troy Terry said Thursday. “I think what you’re seeing, we can feel in our room, just how much we’re coming together at this time of year. Whether it’s a blocked shot, a goal, whatever it is, you can feel the closeness. All of us have just been so hungry for this opportunity. We were all well aware of what it would take to be successful in the playoffs, but you never really know until you get in these positions.”

Postseason action continues Friday with the Montreal Canadiens traveling to face the Buffalo Sabres before Anaheim welcomes Vegas for Game 3.

Most of the Golden Knights’ veteran core has played together for several seasons, developing the chemistry and responsibility needed for peak postseason performance.

This represents uncharted territory for the Ducks, and they’re welcoming the challenge. Anaheim has surrendered just four goals across two contests against Vegas, including an empty-net goal in Game 1 and an inconsequential power-play score with 5.6 seconds remaining in Game 2.

“I know this team had some growing pains we had to go through, but all year long we said, ‘I just can’t wait to get to the playoffs so we can see just how good these guys can be,’” coach Joel Quenneville said. “Across the board, I would have to say for sure we’re playing the best hockey we’ve shown all year.”

Anaheim posted a perfect 3-0 record at Honda Center during the opening round versus the Oilers. Orange County supporters haven’t witnessed May hockey since 2017, when the Ducks reached the Western Conference finals.

When/Where to Watch: Game 2, Friday, 7 p.m. EDT (TNT, HBO MAX).

Following some mistakes, the Buffalo Sabres executed their fast-paced, aggressive offensive style in capturing Game 1 against Montreal.

Now the Canadiens must rediscover their approach while adjusting to a contrasting opponent after Wednesday’s 4-2 defeat.

Despite Montreal’s resilience and skill in the opening round during their seven-game victory over the slower, more physical and defensively-focused Tampa Bay Lightning, the Canadiens must adjust their strategy against Buffalo.

“I can’t say that I learned anything yesterday, but I will tell you that I know we can play with them,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “We’re just going to have to do some things a bit better.”

An improved beginning would benefit them, as the Sabres established a 2-0 first-period advantage. Though Montreal outshot Buffalo 11-1 in the final period, most attempts came from outside scoring areas.

Beyond that, the result — from Montreal’s viewpoint — was determined by several unlucky bounces.

Defenseman Lane Hutson lost his footing and lost possession in a turnover that created Buffalo’s first goal. Mike Matheson’s clearing pass was then deflected by Buffalo’s Ryan McLeod, leading to Bowen Byram’s goal that extended the lead to 4-1 during the second period.

“It’s a little bit different, but we know what to expect now,” forward Cole Caufield said when contrasting Tampa and Buffalo.

Following his team-high 51 regular season goals, Caufield focused on rediscovering his scoring ability during a four-game scoreless stretch.

“As a whole, not where I want it to be. I expect more out of myself, and my teammates do too,” he said. “Just trying to get better every game and just trying to make a difference.”

Montreal has avoided consecutive wins or losses this postseason, coming off a Tampa Bay series where all seven contests were decided by single goals — with four settled in regulation.

The Sabres also recognize room for improvement after managing just 16 shots, their lowest playoff total.

“Some of our puck decisions, I thought, weren’t up to the level that we had,” coach Lindy Ruff said, suggesting their four-day layoff may have contributed.

“I hate to say rust — but you haven’t been up and running, your game tempo isn’t quite there,” he added. “Some of our puck decisions led to opportunities, what I call giving up free offense. It wasn’t from lack of effort.”

Australia’s Lucas Herbert delivered a stunning opening round performance, shooting 8-under-par 64 to claim a two-shot advantage after Thursday’s first round of LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National DC in Potomac Falls, Virginia. The highlight of Herbert’s round came with an eagle on the par-5 second hole.

The 30-year-old golfer has claimed victories across multiple professional tours including the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Asian Tour, but remains in pursuit of his inaugural LIV Golf championship during his third season with the circuit.

Herbert admitted he was genuinely shocked by his exceptional first-day showing.

“I don’t know that my expectations could have been any lower than what they were today, having not seen the golf course, feeling pretty under the weather and struggling with a back issue for a couple of weeks and struggling with my game definitely the last few events,” Herbert explained.

“I think over the last 12 months I’ve developed some habits that I wasn’t happy with, and I’m just sort of starting to get my teeth into fixing those. Yeah, I think my goal was to try and feel like I made some progress on those this week. Strangely, here I am sitting here in front of you with a two-shot lead after the first round.”

Starting at the 15th hole due to LIV’s shotgun format, Herbert recorded birdies on holes 16 and 17 before reaching the second green in two shots. He then sank a 15-foot putt for eagle.

Herbert’s momentum continued with an impressive stretch where he collected five birdies across six holes (numbers 6-11), solidifying his position atop the standings.

Though many LIV competitors are gearing up for next week’s PGA Championship, Herbert won’t be participating in that major. Nevertheless, he could earn entry into the U.S. Open by maintaining his position this week, as a victory would likely place him among the top three in individual season rankings by May 18, earning automatic U.S. Open qualification.

“For about two seconds, I wondered whether a win would be enough to do that,” Herbert noted. “Other than that, no. I got to where I am today pretty much not really caring where I was on the leaderboard, just trying to make progress in my game and my golf swing and being in a good frame of mind hitting shots.”

Four players share second place at 6-under 66: England’s Tyrrell Hatton, Australia’s Marc Leishman, Spain’s Sergio Garcia, and Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz. Hatton appears to be peaking at an ideal time, coming off a third-place finish at last month’s Masters Tournament.

“I think my major record has been horrific, to be honest, with the amount of majors I’ve played,” Hatton acknowledged. “It’s good to play well, and hopefully I can finish well here this week and take momentum into next week.”

The strong performances by Herbert and Leishman have positioned their all-Australian squad Ripper GC at the top of team competition standings after round one. At 15-under par, they hold a four-stroke advantage over Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team.

“We’ve been having a lot of fun,” commented Leishman, whose Cameron Smith-captained team currently leads the season-long team standings by fewer than two points. “Obviously, the start we got off to was pretty pleasing as a team. Certainly excited for the rest of the season. I think all the boys are playing well. We’ve bonded really well as a team. We have a lot of fun together off the golf course. We’re really competitive on the course.”

The Boston Red Sox have sidelined left fielder Roman Anthony for at least 10 days after he suffered a right hand injury, with the move officially dated back to Tuesday.

The 21-year-old player hurt himself during Monday’s contest against Detroit. While the organization initially described it as a wrist injury, Anthony provided more specific details on Thursday, explaining that he had sprained a ligament beneath his right ring finger.

This season, Anthony has appeared in 30 games with a batting average of .229, an on-base percentage of .354, and a slugging percentage of .321. He has recorded one home run and driven in five runs.

To fill the roster spot, Boston brought up 30-year-old Mickey Gasper from their Triple-A affiliate in Worcester. The versatile catcher and infielder, who joined Team Italy for the World Baseball Classic in March, has been performing well in the minors with a .296 batting average, six homers, and 27 RBIs across 28 games.

Manager Alex Cora plans to shift Masataka Yoshida into the designated hitter role to replace Anthony in the starting nine. The outfield duties will be handled by Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu.

Anthony could potentially return as early as May 15, when Boston begins a road series in Atlanta. The young outfielder expressed confidence about meeting that timeline based on guidance from the team’s medical personnel.

“It kind of heals on its own,” Anthony told reporters before Thursday’s game. “So, it’s one of those things, when you feel like you’re able to go, you’re good to go.”

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck believes his challenging college journey will serve him well as he transitions to the NFL.

The 24-year-old signal-caller was selected in the third round of this year’s draft by first-year head coach Mike LaFleur, who appreciated Beck’s experience navigating difficult situations during his six seasons in college football.

Beck could emerge as Arizona’s new starting quarterback following the end of the Kyler Murray era, which concluded poorly last season. During his introduction at the team’s practice facility Thursday, Beck discussed how his struggles — including three seasons as a backup and a serious elbow injury — might benefit his professional career.

“I think going through things and facing adversity helps you — if you respond to it the correct way,” Beck explained. “Just going through stuff doesn’t give me a leg up on anyone if I don’t use that or respond to it the correct way.

“Yes, I’ve faced a lot of adversity in my career. It’s never been perfect. There’s been ups, there’s been downs, there’s been really good moments and really low moments. All that has accumulated and created who I am today as a quarterback.”

The quarterback competition in Arizona features several veterans but lacks high-potential candidates. Jacoby Brissett, 33, took over the starting role for the final 12 games last season after Murray’s foot injury, posting impressive statistics but managing only one victory in 11 starts. The veteran has started 65 games across 10 NFL seasons.

Gardner Minshew, who turns 30 this month, represents the other experienced option. He’s played for five different franchises over seven seasons. Together, Brissett and Minshew have compiled a 37-75 record as NFL starters.

Beck brings extensive college experience, having started 43 games between Georgia and Miami. He guided the Bulldogs to an SEC title in 2024 and led the Hurricanes to a College Football Playoff runner-up finish last season.

Despite Beck’s credentials, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort emphasized a measured approach to the rookie’s development.

“We just want to get him in the building here, show him where the cafeteria is, where the locker room is and get him fitted for his gear,” Ossenfort said in April. “We’re excited to add him. There will be great competition in that room and we’ll see how it shakes out.”

Beck acknowledged his immediate focus isn’t on securing a starting role. Instead, he plans to concentrate on mastering the playbook, adapting to professional football, and absorbing any valuable insights from teammates and coaches.

“Everybody wants to play football, especially at the position of quarterback,” Beck noted. “You want to be the guy out there. It’s such an interesting position. That’s why I think it’s the best position on Earth — there’s only one guy out there.”

The quarterback is approximately 18 months removed from major elbow surgery following a December 2024 injury. This setback prevented him from practicing extensively during his transfer from Georgia to Miami, forcing him to focus on studying film and learning the Hurricanes’ offensive system mentally.

He believes this experience will help him adapt to Arizona’s scheme.

“You come in, you put your hard hat on and you go to work,” Beck said.

Beck represents the Cardinals’ highest quarterback draft selection since Murray was chosen first overall in 2019. Murray arrived with enormous expectations after winning the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma, earning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and two Pro Bowl selections. However, he struggled with injuries and inconsistent performance.

Murray finished his Arizona tenure with a 38-48-1 record as a starter over seven seasons, leading the team to just one playoff appearance in 2021. He now plays for the Minnesota Vikings.

The Cardinals’ 3-14 record last season resulted in the dismissal of third-year coach Jonathan Gannon. LaFleur, brother of Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur, was hired after three seasons coordinating the Los Angeles Rams offense.

Beck feels physically prepared for the challenge ahead.

“My arm is as strong as it’s ever been,” Beck said. “I feel like I’ve been throwing the ball really well. Obviously, finally having an offseason to train and work and lock in … making sure the mechanics are 100% exactly where I want them to be. I think that will really help.”

NEW YORK — New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby is dealing with a right hamstring strain but appears to have dodged a major injury after exiting during the final moments of Game 2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

According to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday, Anunoby’s status for Friday’s Game 3 matchup in Philadelphia remains uncertain, with team officials listing him as questionable. The injury will be monitored on a day-to-day basis.

The source requested anonymity since no official team announcement had been made regarding Anunoby’s condition. ESPN initially broke the news of his injury status.

During Wednesday’s contest, Anunoby was delivering another solid performance when he appeared to injure his leg and signaled to be substituted out of the game. He departed for the locker room and never returned to the sideline as the Knicks secured a 108-102 win, extending their series advantage to 2-0.

The talented forward contributed 24 points in that victory and has been exceptional throughout the playoffs, posting averages of 21.4 points per game while connecting on an impressive 61.9% of his field goal attempts and 53.8% from beyond the three-point arc.

The 6-foot-7 Anunoby, who serves as New York’s premier defensive player, previously dealt with a hamstring issue during the second round two seasons ago when the Knicks held a 2-0 series lead against Indiana. That injury sidelined him for four consecutive games, and he managed only limited minutes in Game 7 as the Pacers mounted a comeback to eliminate New York from the playoffs.

A Triple-A baseball manager for the Detroit Tigers organization has been dismissed from his position after acknowledging he sent an inappropriate text message to a female coworker.

Detroit’s front office announced on Tuesday that Gabe Alvarez was terminated due to what officials described as a “violation of club policy,” though they declined to provide specific details about the infraction.

Speaking to ESPN on Wednesday, Alvarez explained that he had sent “a single text message to a colleague that I intended as a lighthearted joke.”

“Shortly after sending it, I recognized that the message was inappropriate and did not reflect the values and judgment I strive to uphold, and I immediately reached out to clarify my intent,” Alvarez stated.

“I never intended to cause discomfort or offense, and I regret that the message created this situation. This was an isolated incident and not reflective of my long-standing record of professionalism, respect for colleagues, and conduct over the course of my career.”

The 52-year-old Alvarez spent portions of three major league seasons playing third base for Detroit and the San Diego Padres before transitioning to coaching at USC. Detroit brought him aboard as a minor league hitting coordinator in 2021, where he managed Double-A Erie starting in 2022 before his recent promotion to oversee Triple-A Toledo in 2025.

This dismissal comes amid broader concerns within the Tigers organization regarding workplace conduct. Last September, The Athletic published findings showing that Detroit had at least eight staff members facing allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women during a two-year period. That investigation spanned from April 2025 and involved interviews with 45 current and former personnel, plus examination of emails, HR files, text communications and legal documents.

According to the report, six of the eight men allegedly involved in harassment and abuse were either fired or not offered contract renewals, while another received a suspension following The Athletic’s inquiry about the accusations.

At the time, the organization released a statement emphasizing its “commitment to a culture of respect, safety, and inclusion.”

With Alvarez’s departure, hitting coach Mike Hessman has stepped into the interim manager role. Speaking to media in Toledo on Tuesday, Hessman indicated the team’s focus remains on baseball despite the recent upheaval.

“There will be questions, we don’t have a lot of answers,” Hessman remarked. “Main message is getting back to baseball. Things happen throughout a season. … One hurdle we’ll jump over.”

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees dominated the Texas Rangers with a 9-2 victory on Thursday, extending their impressive streak to 16 victories in their last 19 contests, though the win came at a cost when outfielder Jasson Domínguez sustained an injury.

Domínguez was carted off the field after colliding with the outfield wall while making a catch on Brandon Nimmo’s fly ball to start the game. Following the contest, team officials announced that Domínguez suffered a minor AC joint sprain in his left shoulder and will be placed on the injured list. Initial concussion evaluations came back negative.

Trent Grisham delivered the decisive blow with a three-run double during a decisive six-run rally in the sixth inning, helping the American League-leading Yankees capture their sixth consecutive series victory while the Rangers dropped their seventh game in their past 10 outings.

The Yankees faced an early challenge when scheduled starter Ryan Weathers was ruled out due to illness. Paul Blackburn took the mound for the opening frame, while 27-year-old right-handed pitcher Brendan Beck made his major league debut, surrendering two runs on two hits and three walks across three-plus innings.

Brent Headrick earned his third victory of the season by throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings without allowing a hit. Both Grisham and Cody Bellinger collected three hits apiece in the offensive showcase.

Max Schuemann made his season debut at shortstop and recorded his first Yankees hit and RBI with a double in the seventh frame.

Texas right fielder Joc Pederson, making his first outfield appearance since 2023, contributed to the Yankees achieving a rare feat – recording two triples in the opening inning for the first time since Carlos Beltrán and Chase Headley accomplished it on April 22, 2015.

The Rangers struggled with difficult sun conditions throughout the afternoon, mishandling four separate plays. Pederson and center fielder Evan Carter both pursued Paul Goldschmidt’s opening drive off MacKenzie Gore (2-3), allowing the ball to carom into center field for a triple. Pederson later attempted a diving backhand catch on Bellinger’s liner, but the ball bounced to the wall as Goldschmidt crossed home plate.

Additional defensive miscues plagued Texas when Grisham’s fourth-inning popup landed on the infield grass in front of shortstop Corey Seager after third baseman Josh Jung retreated. Later, following Bellinger’s sixth-inning walk, left fielder Alejandro Osuna initially broke backward on Amed Rosario’s routine fly ball and couldn’t adjust as it dropped for a single.

After Ryan McMahon drew a walk, Grisham connected on an opposite-field double that reached the left-center wall, giving the Yankees a 4-2 advantage. J.C. Escarra, Aaron Judge, and Bellinger then delivered consecutive RBI singles against the Rangers’ relief pitching.

Ezequiel Durán provided Texas with two RBIs, highlighted by a third-inning home run. Rangers right-hander Peyton Gray exited the game after taking a line drive from McMahon off his pitching hand in the eighth inning.

Looking ahead, the Rangers will send RHP Kumar Rocker (1-3, 4.71) to the mound Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs, while the Yankees will start LHP Max Fried (4-1, 2.39) in Friday night’s series opener at Milwaukee against RHP Jacob Misiorowski (2-2, 2.84).

College basketball’s biggest tournament is getting bigger. The NCAA revealed that March Madness will feature 76 teams in both men’s and women’s brackets beginning next season, adding eight additional spots to each tournament.

The expanded format will include 12 preliminary games featuring 24 teams during the opening week, with victorious squads advancing to join the traditional 64-team field. Men’s games will begin on Thursday, while women’s competition starts Friday. Officials expect most of the additional berths to benefit major conference programs.

In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid is making a desperate appeal to 76ers supporters not to sell their playoff seats to New York Knicks fans. With the Knicks holding a commanding 2-0 series advantage, Games 3 and 4 will take place in Philadelphia on Friday and Sunday.

The 2023 NBA MVP missed the second game due to injury concerns, leaving his team in a precarious position. Despite Philadelphia’s attempts to restrict ticket sales to area residents using geographic restrictions, secondary market platforms continue to make seats available to visiting fans. The true test of this strategy will be visible in the arena’s crowd composition Friday evening.

New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Domínguez suffered a left shoulder sprain during Thursday’s contest against Texas after colliding with the outfield wall while making a spectacular catch on Brandon Nimmo’s first-inning line drive. The team confirmed Domínguez sustained a minor AC joint sprain and will be placed on the injured list, though concussion evaluations came back clear.

Playing left field for just his second appearance this season, Domínguez sprinted 81 feet to snare Nimmo’s 101 mph blast, making the grab 375 feet from home plate before his shoulder struck the video board. The impact sent him tumbling to the warning track, prompting manager Aaron Boone and trainer Tim Lentych to rush onto the field.

Despite the injury concern, New York dominated the Rangers 9-2, with Trent Grisham delivering a crucial three-run double during a six-run sixth inning rally. The victory marked the Yankees’ 16th win in their last 19 games and extended their winning streak to six consecutive series.

Soccer’s upcoming World Cup faces potential star power shortages as injuries pile up just five weeks before kickoff. French superstar Kylian Mbappe is currently dealing with a hamstring problem, while Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal and Brazilian talent Estevao are both sidelined for the remainder of their club seasons.

While Mbappe is anticipated to return for Real Madrid this month with no indication the injury threatens his World Cup participation, any setback to France’s premier player raises concerns. Yamal, recovering from a leg muscle strain, is also expected to make Spain’s roster for his debut World Cup appearance.

Tennis players are escalating their fight for increased prize money at major tournaments, with world number one Jannik Sinner joining calls for better compensation at the French Open and beyond. Fellow top-ranked player Aryna Sabalenka suggested earlier this week that athletes might consider boycotting tournaments.

“It’s more about respect. Because I think we give much more than what we are getting back,” Sinner explained, though he stopped short of committing to a boycott. “I think in the next couple of weeks we know also the prize money we’re going to have in Wimbledon. We truly hope that it’s going to be better. Then, of course, U.S. Open.”

The WNBA’s groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement is establishing new benchmarks for women’s professional sports, providing a template for emerging leagues including the WPBL, PWHL and WER. The historic deal features revenue sharing arrangements, significant salary cap increases, and enhanced travel and healthcare benefits.

These improvements reflect years of player activism and the league’s growing commercial success. Leaders of newer women’s leagues are closely examining these achievements, particularly how player solidarity drove meaningful change, though they acknowledge that differences in funding and organizational maturity mean similar progress will require time and sustained investment.

Detroit Tigers Triple-A manager Gabe Alvarez revealed he was terminated this week following what he described as sending an “inappropriate” text message to a female coworker. While the Tigers announced Tuesday that Alvarez was dismissed for violating team policy without providing specifics, the 52-year-old told ESPN he sent “a single text message to a colleague that I intended as a lighthearted joke.”

Alvarez, who played three major league seasons with Detroit and San Diego, joined the Tigers organization as a minor league hitting coordinator in 2021 before managing Double-A Erie in 2022 and earning promotion to Triple-A Toledo this season.

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby has been diagnosed with a strained right hamstring and is listed as questionable for Friday’s Game 3 in Philadelphia, according to a source familiar with the situation. The injury appears minor, with Anunoby considered day-to-day after leaving late in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd underwent surgery to repair a partial meniscus tear in his left knee that occurred while playing with his children on Wednesday. Manager Craig Counsell expects the 35-year-old left-hander to miss approximately six weeks, adding to an injured list that already includes starters Cade Horton, Justin Steele and Jordan Wicks.

Three decades of former Ohio State football players, including several who went on to NFL careers, have decided to become part of a federal legal action against the university regarding sexual abuse committed by a team physician years ago, according to an attorney involved in the case who spoke Thursday.

Attorney Rocky Ratliff explained during an interview that these men decided to step forward approximately eight years following the initial filing of the lawsuit because they had to work through feelings of shame about disclosing their sexual abuse by another male and concerns about publicly challenging the university.

The former players are “tearful and living with it,” Ratliff explained. “But as this case progresses on, they see how Ohio State’s treating athletes from the university and I think they want people to know it’s OK, even if it is male to male (sexual abuse), to come forward.”

Since 2018, Ohio State has been defending against federal court cases brought by former student athletes regarding the university’s inability to prevent abuse committed by Dr. Richard Strauss. Hundreds of individuals claim they experienced abuse from Strauss, who served at the institution between 1978 and 1998. Strauss passed away in 2005.

According to Ratliff, the men have executed agreement letters to become part of a legal case filed by other student-athletes who identify as Strauss victims.

Among the 30 individuals, just three have consented to public identification, Ratliff noted. These individuals are Al Washington, Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson. All three were part of the 1980 Rose Bowl squad and were brought to the team by and competed under famous coach Woody Hayes. The Associated Press maintains a policy of not naming individuals who report being sexual abuse victims unless they voluntarily make their identities known.

According to Ratliff, some additional former football players have reached confidential settlement agreements with the institution that maintained their anonymity.

Ohio State issued a statement saying it has “sincerely and persistently tried to reconcile with survivors, including former football student-athletes, through monetary and non-monetary means, including settlements, counseling services and other medical treatment.”

Through April 15, the university has reached settlements with 317 survivors totaling over $61 million, and continues active participation in mediation processes, the institution stated.

During an interview, Washington described the difficulty of discussing his abuse experience and remembered enduring “unlawful” physical examinations from Strauss when he was 18 or 19 years old. He and fellow players attempted to cope by making light of the situation and joking among themselves.

“But it was really uncomfortable,” Washington, who is now 67, stated.

He avoided discussing the matter with others for decades, but viewing the 2025 documentary “Surviving Ohio State” brought the memories back to the forefront.

“As a matter of fact, I couldn’t make it through that movie,” Washington explained. “The pain and anguish that I saw, I just couldn’t take it.”

Strauss served on Ohio State’s faculty and medical team. He stepped down in 1998 with emeritus recognition. University trustees removed that honorary designation three years ago.

The New York Jets selected Washington in the 1981 draft, and he competed for one season with the franchise. Ellis, who played defensive back, enjoyed a seven-year NFL career spanning 1981 to 1987 with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. Ferguson, a former defensive end, competed in the NFL from 1981 to 1990, including time with the San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions.

Basketball committees for both men’s and women’s Division I programs gave unanimous backing Thursday to grow the NCAA tournaments from their current 68-team format to 76 teams, according to reports from several media outlets.

The decision came during what sources described as an urgent joint session between the two committees.

Before the changes can take effect, the proposal must still receive approval from basketball oversight committees for both tournaments, the Division I cabinet, and ultimately the NCAA Board of Governors.

According to ESPN’s Wednesday reporting, discussions about tournament growth have been ongoing for more than twelve months, and with media partnership agreements for the men’s competition nearing finalization in late April, the remaining approval steps are anticipated to proceed without major obstacles.

Reports from last month indicate the NCAA’s plan would place 52 teams directly into the main tournament bracket, while the remaining 24 teams would compete in a dozen matchups scheduled for the Tuesday and Wednesday following Selection Sunday. The victorious teams from these contests would then complete the Round of 64 field.

The current “First Four” designation will be retired under the new format, with officials planning to use “opening round” for the preliminary games and “first round” for what is now known as the Round of 64.

The dozen opening round contests are planned for Dayton, Ohio, which currently hosts the First Four, along with an additional location that has not yet been announced.

The women’s tournament currently holds its First Four games as individual contests at college campus venues.

This would represent the tournament’s first growth since 2011, when the field expanded from 65 to 68 teams through the introduction of the First Four format. Prior to that change, the tournament had maintained either 64 or 65 teams since 1985.

Yahoo Sports reported in April that the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference had been the primary advocates pushing for tournament expansion. NCAA president Charlie Baker has also publicly endorsed the idea.

“I said all along that I think there are some very good reasons to expand the tournament,” Baker told ESPN in February. “So, I would like to see it expand.”

Transportation officials in New Jersey announced Thursday they are cutting round-trip ticket prices for World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium from $150 to $105, according to local news outlets, following pushback from FIFA over the original pricing.

Despite the reduction, the new fare remains dramatically higher than the under-$15 cost for the same journey on regular days and surpasses the $80 round-trip price for FIFA’s dedicated shuttle to the 82,500-capacity venue. MetLife Stadium is scheduled to host eight World Cup contests, culminating with the championship match on July 19.

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri previously defended the elevated pricing last month, pointing to enhanced security requirements and anticipated passenger volume increases resulting from restricted public parking near the stadium.

Reuters reached out to NJ Transit seeking additional details about the fare adjustment.

Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer for the 2026 World Cup, had criticized the initial $150 cost, stating it would have “a chilling effect” on supporters.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill had earlier argued that FIFA should cover transportation expenses, noting that NJ Transit faced being “stuck with a $48 million bill” to guarantee fan security.

NEW YORK — Yankees outfielder Jasson Domínguez was transported by cart to NewYork-Presbyterian hospital Thursday after a dramatic collision with the left field wall during the team’s matchup with Texas.

The incident occurred in the opening inning when Domínguez sprinted 81 feet to snag Brandon Nimmo’s blistering 101 mph line drive. While successfully making the catch 375 feet from home plate, Domínguez’s shoulder slammed forcefully into the video advertising board along the wall.

The impact sent Domínguez tumbling to the warning track, landing chest-first as his sunglasses were knocked off. Center fielder Trent Grisham quickly rushed over while manager Aaron Boone and the Yankees’ medical staff — including head trainer Tim Lentych, assistant trainer Jimmy Downam, and sports medicine director Michael Schuk — hurried onto the field.

After approximately one minute on the ground, Domínguez sat up while holding his head in his glove. He gestured toward his shoulder and moved his neck during the medical examination before walking independently to the cart that transported him off the field.

Medical staff took Domínguez for an MRI of his left shoulder, and he was placed in Major League Baseball’s concussion protocol as a precautionary measure.

The Yankees adjusted their defensive alignment following Domínguez’s departure, shifting Cody Bellinger from right field to left field, moving Amed Rosario from third base to right field, and bringing Ryan McMahon into the game at third base. This marked only Domínguez’s second appearance in the outfield this season for New York.

IndyCar officials have pulled a promotional T-shirt from their online store following customer complaints that the garment’s wording could be viewed as racially insensitive.

The controversial merchandise was created to advertise the upcoming August Freedom 250 race in Washington, featuring an illustration of President Abraham Lincoln donning a racing helmet. The design included the text “ONE NATION” positioned above Lincoln’s image and “ONE RACE” printed below it.

Critics argued the phrasing might carry racist implications, sparking heated discussions across social media platforms during the shirt’s short time for sale.

“A shirt was removed from IndyCar’s online store following feedback from customers,” IndyCar officials said in their response. “We understand that some individuals found its phrasing concerning and therefore have remedied the situation.”

The Washington racing event carries a patriotic focus as part of commemorating America’s upcoming 250th independence anniversary. President Donald Trump has praised the competition as a key component of the White House’s “Freedom 250” festivities.

During the race, IndyCar drivers will navigate a course that passes by significant Washington monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial, which appears to have inspired the T-shirt’s design. Lincoln remains celebrated primarily for his leadership during the Civil War, which ultimately abolished slavery throughout the United States.

The NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Tournament moves forward with second and third round competition scheduled to take place. Teams across the nation are preparing for the next phase of championship play as the field narrows toward the final rounds.

The tournament bracket continues to unfold as collegiate lacrosse programs battle for positioning in the quest for a national title. Second round matchups will determine which teams advance to face additional competition in the third round of play.

Championship action represents the culmination of the college lacrosse season, with participating teams having earned their spots through regular season performance and conference tournament results. The elimination format ensures only the strongest programs continue their pursuit of the national championship.

While Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby battles to maintain his college playing status, multiple NFL franchises are reportedly considering him as a potential pick in the supplemental draft if his collegiate career comes to an end.

The signal-caller joined the Red Raiders from Cincinnati during the off-season and took part in spring workouts, but his regular season participation remains uncertain as the NCAA examines gambling allegations. NCAA regulations strictly forbid student-athletes and staff members from placing bets on any NCAA championship events, including football.

According to reports from ESPN and Cleveland.com, professional teams are conducting evaluations to assess Sorsby’s potential value should he decide to enter the supplemental draft before the June 30 cutoff date.

The investigation centers on Sorsby’s alleged wagering activities involving Major League Baseball and college football contests, including reported bets on Indiana football during his 2022 redshirt season with the Hoosiers.

Despite the controversy, Sorsby demonstrated strong performance on the field. During his redshirt freshman campaign at Indiana in 2023, he recorded 15 touchdown passes. Across his three seasons with both the Hoosiers and Bearcats (2024-25), he accumulated 82 total touchdowns, including 22 rushing scores, while throwing 17 interceptions.

His most recent season at Cincinnati saw him throw 27 touchdown passes against just five interceptions.

The NFL last conducted a supplemental draft in 2019. Established in 1977, this special draft was designed to provide opportunities for players experiencing “sudden eligibility changes” to transition from college to professional football. The league will likely conduct a thorough review of Sorsby’s situation before deciding whether to proceed with a July supplemental draft.

Texas Tech announced that Sorsby would participate in a gambling addiction treatment program and take an indefinite break from team activities. The university has retained Jeffrey Kessler, a prominent sports attorney, to fight for Sorsby’s eligibility restoration. Kessler served as the lead counsel in the House vs. NCAA settlement approved in June 2025, which established revenue sharing in college sports. This agreement allows schools to distribute $20.5 million annually to athletes, with yearly increases built in.

Kessler has previously represented the NFL Players Association in cases involving high-profile players including Tom Brady, Ezekiel Elliott, Adrian Peterson, and Ray Rice.

An On3 report indicates that Sorsby has placed over 10,000 sports bets since 2022, averaging up to 20 daily wagers across various sportsbook applications in multiple states.

Notable players who entered the NFL through the supplemental draft include former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar (1985), Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter (1987), and wide receiver Rob Moore (1990), who played for the Jets and Cardinals.

The University of Georgia and Florida State University have canceled their planned two-game football series that was set for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

Both universities cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for scrapping the matchup after the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference each expanded to nine-game conference schedules.

The scheduling change leaves little flexibility for both programs, as the Seminoles and Bulldogs each maintain important non-conference rivalry matchups with in-state opponents – Florida State faces Florida annually while Georgia plays Georgia Tech. These commitments mean both teams already face 10 Power 4 conference opponents each season.

Despite canceling the home-and-home arrangement, the possibility remains for the teams to meet at a neutral venue. Florida State’s athletic director Michael Alford expressed he was “optimistic” about arranging such a matchup, according to ESPN.

Historically, Georgia holds the advantage in the series between these programs with a 7-4-1 record against Florida State. Their last encounter was a decisive 63-3 victory by the Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl on December 30, 2023.

Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd underwent surgical repair on Thursday for a torn meniscus in his left knee, an injury that occurred while he was playing with his children on Wednesday.

Cubs skipper Craig Counsell anticipates the 35-year-old pitcher will be out of action for roughly six weeks following the procedure.

“It’s kind of the minor meniscus surgery so we know he’s going to miss a month, six weeks,” Counsell explained before his team faced the Cincinnati Reds. “Probably closer to six weeks with getting it ramped back up. That’s what we’re hopeful for. Obviously, we’ll see how it all goes and I think the important thing is how much time do we miss throwing. That’s probably the biggest thing right here. The knee is going to recover pretty quickly, but how much throwing down time do we have to take?”

Boyd’s injury adds to Chicago’s growing list of sidelined starting pitchers, joining Cade Horton, Justin Steele, and Jordan Wicks on the disabled list. Horton faces a season-ending elbow injury, while Steele’s elbow problem will keep him out until the second half of the season.

With Boyd (2-1, 6.00 ERA) scheduled to start Friday against the Texas Rangers, Counsell has not yet determined his replacement. Both Javier Assad and Ben Brown are being considered as potential rotation fill-ins.

“We’re just trying to think about the innings puzzle moving forward here,” Counsell noted. “And then you’re also just trying to consider what’s next. You have to play that game, unfortunately. You always have to play that game: What do we do if something else happens? We just have to make sure we’re covered there. … I don’t think we have anybody completely stretched out as a starter right now. So that’s what I’m talking about, the puzzle. We’re just going to have to put that together. We’ll just see what we get there on that day and what that means.”

The Cubs made roster adjustments this week, bringing up reliever Trent Thornton from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. On Thursday, they called up Gavin Hollowell while releasing Corbin Martin.

Martin’s departure came after surrendering three runs in Wednesday’s ninth inning, allowing the Reds to erase Chicago’s 4-2 advantage. The Cubs eventually prevailed 7-6 on a walk-off walk in extra innings, marking their third consecutive walk-off victory, 14th straight home win, and eighth victory in a row. Martin posted a 10.80 ERA across seven outings.

Thornton earned the victory in his Cubs debut by throwing a clean 10th inning.

The 28-year-old Hollowell recorded a 2.25 ERA in six games at Iowa before his call-up.

Chicago wraps up their four-game series with Cincinnati on Thursday, with Shota Imanaga (3-2, 2.40) taking the mound against Rhett Lowder (3-2, 5.09).

The National Hockey League announced Thursday that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has earned his sixth straight nomination for the league’s top defensive honor.

Makar, who has claimed the prestigious award twice previously in 2021-22 and 2024-25, will compete against Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and Columbus Blue Jackets standout Zach Werenski for this year’s recognition.

The honor recognizes the league’s top defenseman as determined by votes from the Professional Hockey Writers Association. League officials will reveal the winner at a future date.

The 27-year-old Makar compiled 79 points this season, including 20 goals and 59 assists, while posting a plus-32 rating across 75 games.

Dahlin, 26, achieved personal bests with 74 points on 19 goals and 55 assists, along with a plus-18 rating in 77 games. This marks his first nomination for the award, and a victory would make him the first Sabres player to earn the distinction.

At 28, Werenski has now earned back-to-back nominations for the honor. He accumulated 81 points through 22 goals and 59 assists over 75 games during the 2025-26 campaign.

Two major figures from the Boston Celtics organization have entered the competition to acquire the Seattle Seahawks NFL franchise, according to a Thursday report from Sportico.

Steel industry executive Aditya Mittal, who holds a stake in the Celtics, along with former Celtics primary owner Wyc Grousbeck, have formally submitted their interest to Allen & Company, the investment firm managing the team’s sale on behalf of late owner Paul Allen’s estate.

The Seahawks entered the market officially on February 18, just over a week following their second franchise championship victory at Super Bowl LX.

The duo joins other high-profile potential buyers, including technology leaders Mark Zuckerberg from Meta and Apple’s Tim Cook, who reportedly showed interest in acquiring the franchise last week according to Front Office Sports.

At age 50, Mittal serves as chief executive of Luxembourg-based steel corporation ArcelorMittal. According to Sportico, he invested approximately $1 billion as part of Bill Chisholm’s investment group that acquired the Celtics from the Grousbeck family in 2025.

Grousbeck, now 64, established the ownership consortium that purchased the Celtics in 2002 and is expected to maintain his role with the basketball team until 2028 to ensure a seamless ownership transition.

According to the Sportico investigation, “since Mittal lives in London, Grousbeck would reside in Seattle part-time and effectively operate the franchise.”

Microsoft co-founder Allen acquired the Seahawks in 1997 for $194 million before his death in 2018.

While Forbes valued the franchise at $6.7 billion in its latest assessment, industry analysts anticipate the final purchase price could range between $8 billion and $11 billion. The current NFL sale record stands at $6.05 billion, set by the Washington Commanders transaction in 2023.

A motorcycle racer lost his life Thursday during qualifying sessions at the North West 200 racing event in Northern Ireland, according to event organizers.

Officials have not released the rider’s identity, honoring the family’s request for privacy. The family has also given their consent for the racing event to proceed as scheduled, organizers stated.

“The session was immediately red flagged and emergency services attended the scene but unfortunately the rider succumbed to his injuries,” organizers said in their official statement.

The North West 200 began in 1929 as a handicap competition, originally covering 200 miles through northwestern Ireland. Today’s racers navigate closed public roadways during the event.

This marks the 21st death in the event’s history. The previous fatality occurred in 2016 when British rider Malachi Mitchell-Thomas was killed during competition.

Chicago Cubs southpaw Matthew Boyd has started his recovery process after undergoing surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his left knee, an injury that happened while he was playing with his children at home.

The Cubs added Boyd to their 15-day injured list Wednesday, and while the team hasn’t provided an exact timeline for his comeback, he’s expected to resume mound work in early June if no complications arise.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell described the injury as harmless but “kind of unexplainable.”

In a related roster move, the Cubs cut ties with Corbin Martin on Thursday following his blown save opportunity against Cincinnati on Wednesday. The team brought up towering right-handed reliever Gavin Hollowell from their Triple-A affiliate in Iowa. The 27-year-old Hollowell, who stands 6-foot-7, appeared in seven games for Chicago last year, giving up five earned runs across 9 1/3 innings while recording 10 strikeouts and seven walks.

The 35-year-old Boyd had already spent time on the injured list this season from April 2-21 due to a strained left biceps. Through five starts this year, he carries a 2-1 record with a 6.00 ERA, walking six batters and striking out 31 across 24 innings of work.

Boyd earned All-Star recognition with Chicago in 2025 and brings a career record of 62-78 with a 4.61 ERA across 218 major league appearances, including 204 starts. His career has taken him through Toronto (2015), Detroit (2015-21, 2023), Seattle (2022), Cleveland (2024), and now Chicago.

With Boyd’s absence expected to last at least a month, the Cubs now have three starting pitchers on the injured list. He joins Justin Steele, who’s dealing with a left elbow issue, and Cade Horton, who has a right elbow problem.

Martin, age 30, struggled in his final three appearances, giving up hits and runs while facing just 11 total batters. During that stretch, he allowed four hits, issued four walks, and surrendered two home runs. His season ERA sits at 10.80 through seven relief outings without recording a decision.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The International Olympic Committee announced Thursday that traditional summer sports will not be included in the 2030 Winter Olympics scheduled for the French Alps, though officials left the door open for such additions in future competitions.

Olympic officials have spent the past year examining various aspects of the Games, including the possibility of adding conventional warm-weather sports to the winter competition to enhance viewership and athlete participation levels.

Such additions could also provide medal opportunities for nations without established winter sports programs. Officials had previously discussed incorporating events like cycling and running combined with cross-country skiing or snow-based competitions.

“For 2030 we have taken the decision, no crossover sports, no summer sports,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry announced during a press conference.

Coventry indicated that any modifications would impact competitions beginning in 2034 and beyond. Salt Lake City is scheduled to host the 2034 Winter Games.

“The Olympic programme commission… will look at all avenues, and that would potentially lend itself to 2034,” she explained.

Winter sports organizations have resisted these proposals, arguing that incorporating summer events would weaken the Winter Olympics brand identity.

Adding popular competitions like track and field or cycling to the Winter Games would also require current winter sports federations to divide revenue streams with additional sporting organizations.

The bitter split between professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau and the PGA Tour may still be causing lingering resentment that could prevent any future reconciliation.

The 32-year-old golfer acknowledges that ongoing hostility from tour players, rather than new leadership under CEO Brian Rolapp, represents the biggest obstacle to any possible comeback. However, DeChambeau maintains he remains open to finding common ground through negotiation.

Speaking on Thursday’s Beyond the Clubhouse podcast, DeChambeau explained his position: “I think that there’s a way to solve any problem. It’s really about if the membership wants me back. If they want me back, that’s really what it’s about. It’s not anybody, I don’t think it’s even Brian Rolapp or anybody at the top that’s an executive. It’s about the players — if they want me back — and, if not, I understand that.”

Financial uncertainty now looms for DeChambeau and other golfers who switched to LIV Golf for lucrative contracts. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will cease funding the league and its tournaments after the 2026 season concludes. When asked about receiving remaining contract payments beyond this season, DeChambeau admitted this week that “your guess is as good as mine.”

This financial question mark has prompted DeChambeau to explore alternative options should LIV Golf cease operations.

Beyond player acceptance issues, DeChambeau expressed concern about possible disciplinary measures from the PGA Tour for his departure, calling such penalties “quite unfortunate in my opinion, considering what I could do for them.”

“The egos need to get dropped,” DeChambeau stated. “Everybody needs to come in with a level-headed playing field, with an opportunistic mindset to grow the game of golf. That’s why I came over here. That’s why I do what I do on YouTube.”

Australian golfer Cameron Smith, formerly ranked second in the world, says league officials have provided him with complete confidence that LIV Golf will operate beyond 2026, even as the organization seeks new financial backing.

Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund revealed it would end its financial backing of the golf league after the current season concludes. Smith joined the alternative tour in 2022 under a deal valued at approximately $140 million according to reports.

The golfer also leads Ripper GC, the league’s Australian squad. Speaking with Australia’s 10 News, Smith expressed that organizers are committed to bringing LIV Golf’s Adelaide tournament back in 2027, calling it one of the circuit’s most well-attended events.

Earlier this year, Smith declined an opportunity to rejoin the PGA Tour alongside other LIV players Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. In January, he declared: “I am here to stay, I’m here to support LIV.”

LIV Golf’s chief executive Scott O’Neil has expressed optimism that the league will continue operating under a structure involving multiple financial partners. The specifics of such arrangements and their potential effects on the league’s structure remain unclear.

“Since joining LIV, I’ve learned to live with, you know, speculation,” Smith remarked, chuckling when asked about potential retirement if the league disbanded. “I’m 32, so I’ve got a while yet.”

Smith’s performance has declined since joining LIV Golf. He failed to make the cut at last month’s Masters Tournament, marking his sixth straight missed cut at major championships. Though LIV players began receiving world ranking points for the first time in 2026, Smith has dropped to 235th place globally, managing just two top-10 results in the season’s opening six tournaments.

Nevertheless, Smith maintains his competitive drive as he prepares for LIV Golf Virginia before next week’s PGA Championship.

“I want to win tournaments, I want to win majors,” Smith stated. “It’s been a while since I’ve been, you know, truly competitive at the top of the leaderboard. So, the fire is really burning at the moment.

“It feels like I’m getting a lot of confidence back out in the golf once again, which I’ve struggled with.”

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has made an urgent appeal to home fans after witnessing New York Knicks supporters dominate their arena during recent matchups.

“Don’t sell your tickets,” Embiid urged. “This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”

However, what the 76ers need most urgently is their injured superstar back on the court.

The 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player sat out Wednesday’s Game 2 against New York due to a sprained right ankle and sore right hip. Philadelphia showed significant improvement compared to their devastating 137-98 defeat in the series opener, but still fell short with a 108-102 loss. The Knicks now command a 2-0 advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals as the action moves to Philadelphia for Friday’s Game 3 and Sunday’s Game 4.

Historical patterns suggest New York fans will feel comfortable when they arrive in Philadelphia.

Thanks to convenient train access, more affordable ticket prices than Madison Square Garden, and passionate support for players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks supporters have consistently invaded Philadelphia and created a road advantage for what many consider a legitimate championship contender.

Philadelphia’s defensive strategy involved implementing geographic restrictions through Ticketmaster to limit ticket purchases.

This approach, known as geo-fencing in the ticketing industry, involved specific limitations.

A weekend message on their website stated: “Xfinity Mobile Arena is located in Philadelphia, PA. Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Greater Philadelphia area. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside Greater Philadelphia area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”

The 76ers — along with other professional sports organizations that implement similar regional restrictions — essentially secure their primary entrance while leaving numerous alternative access points available. Multiple resale platforms offer countless workarounds that require no Philadelphia residency verification, making the strategy appear minimally effective.

What generated attention for one news cycle could become a harsh reality check come Friday evening — wealthy Knicks supporters can still purchase from Philadelphia season ticket holders willing to sell.

“I think they’re soft,” commented Knicks supporter Bryan Reinah from Queens during Game 2. “They’re afraid of the Knicks takeover. I think last time we played them it was 47% Knicks fans. Everybody hops on the trains and goes right down. Tickets are cheaper and the Knicks fans travel well. They’re afraid of it.”

The 76ers’ strategy generated widespread media coverage despite being neither innovative nor unusual in professional sports.

The reasoning behind such efforts: why not attempt every possible solution?

Similar examples include the Detroit Pistons implementing identical restrictions during last year’s playoffs, limiting Ticketmaster sales to Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Ontario, Canada residents. The Carolina Hurricanes employed the same approach against New York Rangers fans during both the 2024 and 2022 NHL playoffs.

Perhaps these cities simply harbor negative feelings toward New Yorkers!

Actually, enforcement of such policies has extended far beyond the five boroughs throughout the years.

Consider 2001, when Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, formerly a senior America Online executive, developed software that prevented Pittsburgh residents from purchasing tickets through the Capitals’ website.

“Pretty cool, isn’t it?” Leonsis remarked in 2001. “I got a lot of emails from Pittsburgh saying I was mean-spirited and unfair. I don’t care. I’m going to keep doing it.”

The 76ers explained this season’s initiative aimed to guarantee tickets remained with local supporters who have backed the team throughout the campaign.

Neither Philadelphia nor Ticketmaster revealed how many face-value tickets became available Sunday.

Ticketmaster released a statement explaining their geo-fencing approach through an upbeat social media video.

“Who gets to buy tickets to sports games? Let us break it down,” the video explained. “Sometimes, sports teams put limits on who can buy tickets for big, in-demand matchups. This is a way to give local fans the best shot at attending the event and to limit scalpers who are located hundreds of miles away, who are trying to flip to the tickets just for a profit.”

Ticketmaster confirmed these policies originate directly from individual teams.

During the Knicks’ 2024 first-round Game 6 appearance in Philadelphia, 76ers ownership including Josh Harris, David Blitzer, David Adelman and former minority owner Michael Rubin collaborated to purchase over 2,000 tickets for distribution to Philadelphia community members.

Thursday’s StubHub pricing for Game 3 showed upper-level seats beginning around $220 each, with lower-bowl options exceeding $1,000.

Whether supporting Philadelphia or New York, those represent substantial financial commitments.

Friday night’s crowd composition — specifically the volume of blue-and-orange attire and Brunson jerseys — will ultimately determine whether 76ers fans heeded Embiid’s request to retain tickets locally.

The University of Kansas basketball program received a major boost Thursday when Dennis Parker Jr., a prolific scoring guard from Radford University, committed to transfer to the Jayhawks.

The 6-foot-6 player revealed his choice to join head coach Bill Self’s program in an announcement to The Field of 68.

During his time with the Highlanders this past season, Parker put up impressive numbers with an 18.3 points per game average. His most memorable performance came in a December 14 matchup against Coppin State, where he exploded for 53 points. In that dominant 107-77 victory, Parker connected on 19 of his 24 field goal attempts and was nearly unstoppable from beyond the arc, sinking 10 of 14 three-point shots.

The Virginia native from Richmond originally started his college basketball journey at North Carolina State. Throughout his collegiate career spanning 88 games with 44 starts between the Wolfpack from 2023-25 and Radford, Parker has compiled career statistics of 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Olympic officials announced Thursday they will eliminate all competition restrictions on athletes from Belarus, marking a major policy change in international sports sanctions.

The International Olympic Committee’s decision represents a significant shift from the blanket bans imposed on both Russian and Belarusian competitors since 2022, when Russia launched its military assault on Ukraine using Belarus as a launching point.

The sanctions began on February 24, 2022, when Russian forces invaded Ukraine with Belarus serving as a military staging area. Four days later, the IOC’s executive board urged sports organizations worldwide to prohibit Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from competitions.

Olympic leaders stated they acted “in order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants” while acknowledging the decision came with a “heavy heart.”

Major sports governing bodies including FIFA and UEFA quickly implemented similar suspensions, removing Russia’s national and club teams from all events indefinitely.

The IOC also revoked Olympic Orders from Russian government officials, including President Vladimir Putin, who had received the movement’s highest honor in 2001.

In October 2023, Olympic officials suspended Russia’s Olympic Committee after it recognized regional councils in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces – Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The IOC determined this action violated Olympic principles and Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.

Russia’s challenge to this suspension failed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in February 2024.

During the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, only a small group of screened Russian and Belarusian athletes competed as neutral participants without national symbols or team events.

The International Paralympic Committee restored Russia and Belarus to full membership in September 2025, allowing their participation in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics.

In December 2025, Olympic officials encouraged sports federations to readmit Russian and Belarusian youth athletes under 23 to international competitions, establishing protocols for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games.

Limited numbers of Russian and Belarusian athletes again competed as neutrals at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, though team events remained off-limits.

At the Winter Paralympics that March, some Russian para-athletes successfully appealed to compete under their national flag after challenging a ski federation ban. Several countries, including Ukraine, boycotted the opening ceremony in protest of Russia’s full participation.

Thursday’s announcement removes all restrictions for Belarusian competitors, including team sports participation, while Russian athletes continue facing limitations.

SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama’s competitive fire burns bright whether he’s playing chess, drawing, or shooting hoops. After San Antonio’s narrow defeat in the opening game of their Western Conference semifinal against Minnesota, that competitive drive reached new heights.

The towering All-Star channeled his frustration into a dominant performance Wednesday evening, leading the Spurs to a crushing 133-95 victory over the Timberwolves that leveled their playoff series at one game each.

Even though Wembanyama recorded 11 points, 15 rebounds and an NBA playoff record 12 blocked shots in Monday’s 104-102 defeat, the 7-foot-4 center felt responsible for the loss and knew he had to elevate his game, particularly on offense.

Did anger and frustration fuel his desire to return to action for the second matchup? Without question.

“There always is,” Wembanyama explained. “In the playoffs, magnify that.”

The result was what Minnesota head coach Chris Finch described as a thorough beating in front of a packed, energized home crowd.

Minnesota managed just 35 first-half points while connecting on only 7 of 24 field goal attempts and a dismal 2 of 15 three-point shots.

The Timberwolves finished the contest shooting 40% from the floor and 30% beyond the arc while turning the ball over 22 times. San Antonio controlled the paint 58-36, dominated the boards 55-43, and swatted away nine shots compared to Minnesota’s two blocks.

“We got beat in every way possible, it’s as simple as that,” Timberwolves forward Julius Randle acknowledged. “There’s not really much to say from this game. They outhustled us, out-physicaled us, executed, played better defensively, more energy. They just beat us in every way in this game. We’ve got to come back in the next game and be better.”

The series shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday at Target Center.

Both teams cleared their benches with 10 minutes left on the clock Wednesday, as only the final margin remained in question.

San Antonio’s 38-point triumph surpassed Minnesota’s previous worst playoff loss of 30 points to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 29, 2003.

“I know this team’s capable of doing all of this,” Wembanyama stated. “To be honest, I’m expecting this kind of response from myself, from my teammates. So, I’m not surprised by any means and I’m just going to keep working so we approach more games like we did tonight.”

Following Monday’s collapse when they surrendered a nine-point fourth-quarter advantage, both Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox accepted responsibility for the narrow defeat.

The All-Star pair managed just 21 combined points in the series opener, going a combined 0-for-12 from three-point range with Wembanyama alone missing eight attempts.

“They acknowledged it, them being the leaders on our team,” Spurs guard Stephon Castle noted. “Coming out of Game 1, I mean, it’s going to happen. You’re going to have bad shooting nights, but I mean, we have nothing but confidence in those two. So, I expect them to play well the rest of the series like they did tonight.”

Wembanyama established his presence immediately in Game 2, tallying seven points on 3-of-4 shooting early on.

Though the Spurs misfired on their opening three attempts, Wembanyama followed up the third miss by soaring through the lane and hammering home a powerful right-handed slam to get San Antonio on the scoreboard.

The French sensation contributed 14 points and nine rebounds in the opening half while anchoring a defensive performance that held Minnesota to 35 points, the lowest first-half total by a San Antonio playoff opponent since Memphis scored 31 in 2013.

“I just think we respond well to adversity,” Castle observed. “I think we’ve done that all year. I mean, I don’t think we were too shell shocked coming out of Game 1. I think we knew why we lost Game 1 and we addressed it right away. And I feel like that’s what carried us through tonight.”

The New York Knicks moved within two wins of advancing to the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 in Game 2 of their semifinal matchup at home.

New York now holds a commanding 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series, with Game 3 set for Friday evening in Philadelphia.

Jalen Brunson delivered when it mattered most, contributing 26 points overall with eight critical points in the final quarter to help his team pull away. The Knicks finished the contest with a decisive 12-3 scoring run in a back-and-forth battle that featured 14 ties and 25 lead changes.

“Being down 2-0 after coming back to win in the first round, I think it’s more of a challenge,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “It was 1-1 after two games (against the Boston Celtics in the first round), right? So it’s 2-0. Puts a lot on this next game for sure, but that’s OK.”

Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds despite being limited to just 27 minutes due to foul difficulties. OG Anunoby added 24 points before leaving the game with 2:31 remaining after suffering what appeared to be a right leg injury, while Mikal Bridges chipped in 18 points.

“He looked like he was hopping,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said of Anunoby. “I have not talked to medical yet.”

The victory extended New York’s winning streak to five games, with their previous four wins coming by an average margin of 33.8 points. Center Mitchell Robinson was ruled out just before tipoff due to illness.

Philadelphia received 26 points from Tyrese Maxey, but the team struggled mightily in the final quarter, managing only 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting (21.1%). The 76ers held their last lead at 99-96 following a Kelly Oubre Jr. three-pointer with 6:52 remaining, but managed just one field goal in their next 10 attempts while committing two turnovers.

“At the end of the day, it came down to who was going to get more stops in that fourth quarter,” Brown said. “To hold a team like that to 12 points – and they missed some shots, we know that – to have them only score 12 points in that fourth quarter, it’s huge.”

Oubre and Paul George each scored 19 points for Philadelphia, while VJ Edgecombe added 17. Star center Joel Embiid remained sidelined with ankle and hip injuries.

Philadelphia opened strong, building their largest advantage with a 15-8 start as George scored 11 early points. New York responded with a 10-2 run to take their first lead at 18-17, setting the stage for the competitive affair that followed.

The 76ers maintained narrow leads at the end of each of the first three quarters: 33-31 after one, 62-61 at halftime, and 90-89 through three periods.

“We felt like we should’ve won it,” Edgecombe said. “It came down to shot-making at the end of the game. They were making shots, we (weren’t).”

The game’s turning point came midway through the fourth quarter when Josh Hart responded to Oubre’s three-pointer with one of his own, sparking a crucial 9-0 New York run. The Knicks extended their largest lead to that point at 105-99 on a Bridges jumper with 2:56 left on the clock.

Both teams struggled offensively in the final minutes, with four consecutive empty possessions before Maxey made one of two free throws with 1:33 remaining. Brunson answered with a pair of successful foul shots, and after Maxey’s layup cut the deficit to five points, Hart and George both missed three-point attempts. Miles McBride connected on one of two free throws with 22.1 seconds left to help seal the victory.

Maxey’s 26-foot three-point attempt missed the mark, and Brunson secured the rebound with 12.6 seconds remaining, dribbling out the remaining time to secure the win.

The NCAA appears poised to approve a significant expansion of both men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, increasing participation from the current 68 teams to 76 teams beginning in 2027, according to ESPN reports released Wednesday evening.

Sources indicate the organization has scheduled conference calls for Thursday to complete the approval process for this major format change, which has been under discussion for more than a year.

Despite multiple reports in April suggesting the expansion was moving forward, NCAA officials previously denied that any final determination had been reached.

“Expanding the basketball tournaments would require approval from multiple NCAA committees, including the men’s and women’s basketball committees, and no final recommendations or decisions have been made at this time,” the organization stated on April 28.

The proposed changes must receive endorsement from several governing bodies, including the men’s basketball committees, both men’s and women’s basketball oversight committees, the Division I cabinet, and the Division I Board of Governors.

According to ESPN’s Wednesday report, with media partnership agreements for the men’s tournament nearly finalized in late April, the remaining approval steps are anticipated to proceed without major obstacles.

Under the proposed structure reported by various news outlets last month, 52 teams would receive direct placement into the main bracket. The remaining 24 teams would compete in 12 elimination games during the Tuesday and Wednesday following Selection Sunday, with winners advancing to complete the Round of 64 field. The current “First Four” designation would be replaced with “opening round” for the play-in contests and “first round” for the Round of 64.

These 12 additional games would take place in Dayton, Ohio, which currently hosts the First Four, along with a second venue yet to be determined.

This would represent the first tournament expansion since 2011, when the field grew from 65 to 68 teams with the introduction of the First Four games. Prior to that change, the tournament had maintained a 64 or 65-team format since 1985.

Yahoo Sports reported in April that the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference have been the primary advocates for tournament expansion. NCAA president Charlie Baker has also expressed his endorsement of the idea.

“I said all along that I think there are some very good reasons to expand the tournament,” Baker told ESPN in February. “So, I would like to see it expand.”

A sprinter who once dreamed of playing rugby for New Zealand’s All Blacks and even took a shot at American football is now capturing Australia’s attention as their newest track star alongside rising teen sensation Gout Gout.

Eddie Nketia posted Australia’s quickest 100-meter time of 9.84 seconds at a U.S. collegiate competition last month, though strong tailwinds prevented the mark from becoming an official record.

Australian track fans who have been following 18-year-old Gout and 22-year-old Lachlan Kennedy now have another emerging sprinting star to watch.

The 24-year-old Nketia, who competes for the University of Southern California, says the reaction in Australia following his 9.84-second performance at the Mt SAC Relays has been almost as shocking as achieving the time itself.

“Honestly, it was genuinely a surprise, because I never expected I could run 9.84 in my life,” Nketia shared during a video interview from his California training base.

“And it’s like, ‘Look at where we’re at now’. My name is everywhere back in Australia. And it’s a lot to take in. It’s insane.”

Before this breakthrough performance, Nketia remained largely unknown to Australian athletics fans, despite the country’s renewed enthusiasm for track and field sparked by Gout’s achievements.

Born in Auckland, Nketia only changed his sporting allegiance from New Zealand to Australia this past December following a required waiting period that prevented him from competing in major international competitions.

Though he grew up primarily in Canberra, Nketia returned to New Zealand to complete his high school education.

His father, Gus Nketia from Ghana, was also a sprinter who maintained New Zealand’s fastest 100-meter record of 10.11 seconds for 28 years until his son broke it with a 10.08-second run at the 2022 world championships, with Gus serving as his coach.

While New Zealand media celebrated that emotional achievement, Nketia’s relationship with the country’s athletics federation had already become troubled.

New Zealand maintains demanding standards for Olympic team selection, only choosing athletes who can demonstrate potential to place in the top 16 of their events.

For Commonwealth Games competition, where the field is typically weaker, only athletes capable of finishing in the top six are considered.

This selection approach has frustrated numerous New Zealand athletes over the years, and Nketia openly criticized Olympic selectors after being excluded from the Tokyo 2020 Games.

When he was also passed over for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Nketia decided to make a change.

“Circumstances just kept ruining my chances of becoming a better athlete,” he explained.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Leaving his birth country behind was difficult for Nketia, who maintains pride in his New Zealand roots and had once been a talented junior rugby player aspiring to join the legendary All Blacks.

He completely abandoned track and field to join the University of Hawaii’s football program, explaining he needed a complete change of direction.

“It wasn’t essentially that I was tired of track. I was just tired of missing Games,” he said.

Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 215 pounds, the powerfully built Nketia played wide receiver before eventually returning to track with USC.

His USC coach Brenton Emanuel has nicknamed him the “Incredible Hulk” because he’s gentle away from competition but transforms into a force on the track. Emanuel believes Nketia has the potential to rank among sprinting’s all-time greats.

“He puts his superpower on and he just goes,” Emanuel said while joining Nketia on the video call.

Nketia has his sights set on winning championship medals and has marked the July 23 to August 2 Commonwealth Games on his calendar as a major target.

Before Glasgow, he wants to officially break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters during the NCAA season.

Only two Australians have achieved sub-10-second times: Patrick Johnson with 9.93 seconds and Kennedy with 9.96 seconds, while Gout’s personal best stands at exactly 10.00 seconds.

Although Gout won’t compete in Glasgow, Nketia envisions future showdowns in Australia next year against both the teenager and Kennedy.

The possibility of all three combining for relay teams also excites Nketia, as he believes they could establish Australia as a sprinting powerhouse capable of challenging the United States and Jamaica.

“When it comes to world championships next year … and Olympic Games as well, it’s like we’re going to go all the way, do what we can to get as many podium results as possible,” he said.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd will undergo surgery after damaging his left meniscus during what seemed like an ordinary moment playing with his kids at home Wednesday morning. The team has moved the 35-year-old southpaw to the 15-day injured list, with the placement backdated to Monday.

Manager Craig Counsell revealed that an MRI scan confirmed the knee damage, which will require surgical repair.

“It’s kind of unexplainable,” Counsell said. “Kind of an innocent, going down to the ground and getting back up.”

“He woke up this morning a healthy player,” the manager added. “He’s just trying to process it and get all the information from the doctors to figure out what’s next.”

While Counsell indicated that Boyd’s recovery timeline will depend on how the surgery goes, the organization anticipates having him back on the field before the season ends.

This marks Boyd’s second stint on the injured list this year, having missed time from April 2-21 due to a strained left biceps. Through five starts this season, he holds a 2-1 record with a 6.00 ERA, recording 31 strikeouts against six walks across 24 innings pitched.

The veteran pitcher earned All-Star recognition with Chicago in 2025 and carries a career record of 62-78 with a 4.61 ERA spanning 218 appearances (204 starts) across multiple teams including Toronto (2015), Detroit (2015-21, 2023), Seattle (2022), Cleveland (2024), and the Cubs.

To fill Boyd’s roster spot, Chicago promoted right-handed reliever Trent Thornton from Triple-A Iowa. The team also released left-hander Charlie Barnes to create space on the 40-man roster for Thornton, while sending right-hander Yacksel Rios outright to Iowa.

Thornton, 32, has posted a 3.18 ERA across 5 2/3 innings in four appearances (including one start) with Iowa this season. His major league career spans seven seasons with Toronto (2019-23) and Seattle (2023-25), compiling a 14-19 record with a 4.38 ERA.

Boyd’s injury adds to Chicago’s pitching concerns, as starters Justin Steele (left elbow) and Cade Horton (right elbow) are already sidelined on the injured list.

A federal court has set a January trial date for the high-stakes legal battle between Joe Gibbs Racing and Spire Motorsports involving former JGR employee Chris Gabehart, according to motorsport.com.

The scheduling decision came Wednesday after both sides requested different timelines. JGR had pushed for a November start while Spire and Gabehart sought to delay proceedings until May.

The racing powerhouse is seeking damages exceeding $8 million, claiming Gabehart engaged in wrongful conduct and interference when he departed JGR for a position with Spire.

JGR’s legal team had advocated for the earlier November timeline, expressing urgency about preserving evidence and beginning the discovery process quickly. Meanwhile, the defense argued that a May start would prevent depositions from disrupting the ongoing NASCAR season.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan C. Rodriguez from North Carolina’s Western District has ordered both parties to collaborate on pretrial scheduling. She directed them to “meet and confer and submit to the Court within 10 days a joint proposal as to pretrial deadlines as discussed,” requiring all sides to follow an agreed timeline for pre-trial activities.

The legal dispute has intensified following Spire’s remarkable performance improvement since bringing Gabehart aboard. Earlier this week, JGR filed an updated lawsuit addressing additional damages allegedly caused by the use of proprietary information.

Spire’s success this season has been notable, with driver Carson Hocevar currently ranked sixth in standings after claiming his inaugural NASCAR victory at Talladega on April 26 – marking Spire’s first Cup Series win since 2019. Fellow Spire driver Daniel Suarez, who joined the team this year, holds 14th place. Last season, none of Spire’s three drivers managed a top-20 finish in the final standings.

The updated legal filing directly connects Spire’s improved results to the alleged misconduct. “This sudden improvement in Spire’s Cup Series performance of course comes on the heels of Gabehart misappropriating JGR’s Confidential Information and Trade Secrets and providing Spire the same or similar services he provided JGR in the last year,” the amended document states.

Judge Rodriguez has also approved expedited discovery procedures for specific evidence, allowing quicker access to phone records that relate directly to Gabehart’s professional relationships with both racing organizations.

Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway finds himself in an unusual position – training intensively for a bout that may never materialize.

“I mean, it’s just, it sucks,” Holloway told Paramount+ during a recent interview. “I would just like to get one back.”

The Hawaiian fighter is currently in training camp preparing for a possible July showdown with two-division champion Conor McGregor at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, despite the absence of any signed agreement.

The ambiguity stems largely from uncertainty surrounding McGregor’s return to competition. The Irish superstar has been absent from the octagon since July 2021, and speculation about his comeback continues to swirl. While rumors suggested McGregor might appear on a summer card at the White House, his rumored opponent Michael Chandler will instead face Mauricio Ruffy.

Despite the contractual limbo, Holloway remains determined to secure another opportunity against McGregor. Their initial encounter took place in 2013, resulting in a unanimous decision victory for McGregor, who suffered a torn ACL during the contest.

“My head space is good, it’s straight,” Holloway explained. “I kinda know when I fight. We kinda know where we want to fight, why we want to fight, so just getting in the gym, getting there, getting it done.”

“It’s a huge fight. Anything with Conor McGregor is huge, but having history with the dude, being able to get one back would be cool.”

The 34-year-old Honolulu native is motivated to bounce back from his most recent outing – a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Charles Oliveira on March 7 that stripped him of the symbolic BMF title, awarded to the UFC’s “baddest” fighter.

“You’re only as good as your last fight, they say, and we’re going to get everybody forgetting about that last fight as soon as possible,” Holloway stated.

For McGregor, who became the first UFC athlete to simultaneously hold championships in two weight divisions (featherweight and lightweight), this would represent his return following a severe broken tibia and subsequent drug suspension that have kept “Notorious” sidelined for nearly five years.

Given McGregor’s extended absence, oddsmakers would likely favor the 34-year-old Holloway over the 37-year-old former champion.

“I mean, we have history,” Holloway reflected. “We fought a very long time ago. I told you guys, if somebody’s got one over me, I want to get him back. I’d love to get him back.”

Media mogul Ted Turner revolutionized professional sports through bold ownership and innovative broadcasting strategies

ATLANTA (AP) — As both an eccentric owner and shrewd entrepreneur, Ted Turner fundamentally changed how America experienced sports. The media pioneer purchased the financially troubled Atlanta Braves during the 1970s and used his broadcasting empire to beam their games across the country, eventually building them into a World Series contender throughout the 1990s. Beyond baseball, Turner’s sports portfolio included the Atlanta Hawks basketball franchise and the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team. His vision extended internationally when he established the Goodwill Games as a response to Olympic boycotts, creating a platform for global athletic competition. Turner’s bold personality and groundbreaking business methods established a blueprint that continues to influence modern sports ownership.

Philadelphia’s star center ruled out of crucial playoff matchup due to multiple injuries

NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has been declared unavailable for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against the New York Knicks, suffering from a sprained right ankle and hip discomfort. Team officials placed the All-Star center on the injury list Wednesday morning, just hours before tip-off of the critical contest. Embiid endured a difficult outing in the series opener, managing only 14 points while shooting 3-of-11 from the field during 25 minutes of action in New York’s dominant 137-98 victory. The big man had recently returned from appendix surgery and played a key role in Philadelphia’s remarkable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against Boston in the opening round.

Dallas star discusses recovery timeline and treatment for hamstring setback

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic revealed his frustration about missing playoff action while recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since early April. Speaking to media Wednesday, Doncic explained he traveled to Spain for specialized platelet-rich plasma treatments designed to accelerate his eight-week recovery process. The procedure required four-day rest periods between each injection, according to the All-Star player. While Doncic has resumed running activities, he has not yet returned to contact drills. His absence continues as Dallas faces elimination following their 108-90 loss to Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Tuesday night.

New England quarterback expresses confidence in head coach amid personal controversy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patriots quarterback Drake Maye voiced strong support for head coach Mike Vrabel Wednesday, describing him as “a great human being” while dismissing concerns about off-field distractions affecting the defending AFC champions. Maye shared his thoughts with reporters following his participation in the Truist Championship Pro-Am at Quail Hollow, where he partnered with PGA professional Gary Woodland. Vrabel has faced scrutiny after published photos showed him with NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. The coach acknowledged responsibility for his actions on April 24 without providing specific details about the images. Vrabel missed the draft’s final day to attend counseling sessions.

Derby champion will bypass middle jewel of Triple Crown racing

Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo will not compete in next weekend’s Preakness Stakes, trainer Cherie DeVaux confirmed. Instead, the team plans to target the Belmont Stakes scheduled for June 6 at Saratoga Race Course in New York. This marks the third time in five years that a Derby winner has chosen to skip the Preakness. The decision ensures that for the sixth time in eight years, the Preakness will occur without any possibility of a Triple Crown sweep. Only American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018 have captured all three races in the past forty years.

Detroit pitcher receives penalty for deliberately hitting Boston batter

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Tigers hurler Framber Valdez received a five-game suspension and fine following his ejection for intentionally striking Boston’s Trevor Story during Tuesday’s 10-2 defeat. Major League Baseball initially imposed a six-game ban but reduced the punishment through negotiations with the players’ union. The incident occurred during a disastrous outing where Valdez surrendered a career-worst 10 runs. He began serving the suspension during Wednesday’s series finale and should return for next Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets, weather permitting. The Tigers are already managing without injured starters Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize and Justin Verlander.

Houston infielder requires surgery for severe ankle injury

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa faces season-ending surgery after suffering a complete tear of a tendon in his left ankle. The All-Star provided the injury update Wednesday, explaining the damage occurred while taking batting practice swings before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Correa appeared on crutches wearing a protective boot after consulting with a foot specialist Wednesday morning. He plans to seek additional medical opinions before scheduling the procedure, which carries a six-to-eight-month recovery timeline.

Coaches debate expanding video review system for playoff officiating

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour advocates for increased replay assistance to help NHL officials during playoff competition. The Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Hurricanes are currently battling Philadelphia in the second round. While Brind’Amour praised league officials as “the best,” he believes they could “use a little hand” from video technology when reviewing scrums and potential diving penalties. Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged Brind’Amour’s perspective but expressed reservations, stating he’s “not a huge fan of another video review” system.

French club advances to Champions League title game with semifinal draw

MUNICH (AP) — Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike helped Paris Saint-Germain secure a Champions League final berth by drawing 1-1 with Bayern Munich in their semifinal second leg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia created the opening goal with a quick passing combination with Fabián Ruiz before finding an unmarked Dembélé, who fired home under the crossbar in the third minute. Harry Kane’s stoppage-time equalizer came too late to prevent PSG’s advancement. The defending champions won 6-5 on aggregate after taking a 5-4 advantage in last week’s first leg in Paris. PSG will meet Arsenal in the final at Budapest, Hungary on May 30.

Buffalo’s power play comes alive in playoff series opener victory

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Bowen Byram and Ryan McLeod converted back-to-back power-play chances to spark Buffalo’s struggling special teams unit in a 4-2 Game 1 victory over Montreal in their second-round playoff series. Josh Doan and Jordan Greenway added goals for Buffalo, which reached the second round for the first time since 2007 and made its first playoff appearance in 15 years. Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach responded for Montreal, which appeared sluggish following their Game 7 victory over Tampa Bay three days earlier. Goaltender Jakub Dobes made 12 saves in the loss. Game 2 takes place Friday night in Buffalo.

PRESCOTT, Ariz. — A female participant died Tuesday during an extreme endurance race spanning 250 miles through Arizona’s rugged northern terrain after suffering a medical emergency, according to race officials and authorities.

Emergency responders rushed to help a woman in her 40s who had collapsed at a trailhead near the Groom Creek area south of Prescott while taking part in the demanding competition, according to Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Paul Wick, who spoke Wednesday.

Erika Snyder, who co-directs the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon, verified the participant’s death but said she would not release additional information out of respect for the runner’s family members.

While extreme endurance competitions push athletes to their physical limits, fatalities remain extremely uncommon considering the thousands who participate in the increasingly popular sport that now features events from Death Valley’s harsh desert to the towering Himalayas.

The Cocodona ranks among America’s most challenging ultramarathons, with a route that climbs more than 5,000 feet in elevation on two separate occasions while winding through Sedona after beginning in Black Canyon City.

This year’s competition began before sunrise Monday, with champion Rachel Entrekin crossing the finish line Wednesday afternoon in Flagstaff to cheering spectators while establishing a new course record.

Due to growing interest in the event, organizers announced they will implement a lottery system for registration starting next year.

Medical teams are positioned throughout the course, and aid stations offer food, water and gear adjustments for competitors who often sleep on the ground during the multi-day challenge that can extend up to five days, Snyder explained.

In 2021, harsh weather conditions including freezing rain and powerful winds contributed to 21 runner deaths during an ultramarathon in China’s northwestern mountains.

The Los Angeles Angels secured an 8-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in Anaheim, clinching the rubber match of their three-game series behind a powerful offensive display and strong pitching from Walbert Urena.

Travis d’Arnaud launched a three-run homer to cap a decisive five-run rally in the second inning, while Urena earned his first major league victory by surrendering just one run on two hits across six innings of work.

The victory represents a significant milestone for Los Angeles, as it marks their first consecutive wins since April 16-17. Additionally, this was only their third series victory of the season and first home series win since taking three games from Seattle on April 3-5.

Several Angels players contributed to the offensive outburst. Zach Neto recorded a triple while crossing home plate twice and driving in two runs. Bryce Teodosio collected two hits including a double, stole two bases, and scored twice. Jorge Soler reached base safely four times via a single, two walks, and a hit-by-pitch while adding one RBI. Urena (1-3) recorded five strikeouts and issued three walks.

For Chicago, Colson Montgomery doubled and came around to score, while Chase Meidroth tallied two hits plus a walk and scored once. Starting pitcher Noah Schultz (2-2) took the loss in his fifth big league start, giving up seven runs on seven hits in 3⅔ innings while walking four and striking out three.

The White Sox struck first in the second inning when Montgomery opened the frame with a double that bounced off the left-center field wall before coming home on Meidroth’s bloop single.

Los Angeles responded immediately in the bottom of the second with their big inning. After Soler and Oswald Peraza both reached on singles, d’Arnaud connected on his first home run of the year, sending the ball 396 feet to left field. Teodosio then dropped a double into right field and advanced home when Neto ripped a triple to the right field corner. Neto subsequently scored when Meidroth lost Mike Trout’s popup in the bright sun.

The Angels pushed their advantage to 7-1 in the fourth inning as Soler and Jo Adell were both plunked by reliever Osvaldo Bido with the bases full.

Chicago managed to cut the deficit to 7-2 in the seventh when Sam Antonacci was hit by a Drew Pomeranz pitch with runners occupying all three bases.

Los Angeles tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning on Neto’s sacrifice fly, which brought home Nolan Schanuel after his single.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye offered strong support for head coach Mike Vrabel on Wednesday, describing him as “a great human being” and dismissing concerns that the coach’s recent personal controversies will impact the team’s upcoming season.

Speaking to reporters after participating in the Truist Championship Pro-Am golf tournament in Charlotte, where he played alongside PGA Tour professional Gary Woodland at Quail Hollow, Maye expressed confidence in his coach’s leadership.

“No, I don’t,” Maye responded when asked if Vrabel’s off-field situation would create team distractions. “I mean, he’s our head coach. I think he’s done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I’m just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready.”

The Patriots coach became embroiled in controversy following the publication of photographs by the New York Post showing him with veteran NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. On April 24, Vrabel publicly acknowledged responsibility for his behavior without discussing the specific details of the published images.

The controversy led Vrabel to miss the draft’s third day while attending counseling sessions. During his public statement, he admitted to having difficult discussions with those closest to him, including family members, players, and Patriots organization personnel.

“My previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don’t,” Vrabel stated at the time.

When questioned about whether the team needs to move past these issues before the season begins, Maye remained optimistic about the situation resolving naturally.

“I think that’ll take care of itself,” Maye said. “I know he’s got the right mindset and I know he’s a great human being. I think he’s … like I said, I love playing for him.”

The quarterback, who was selected third overall in the 2024 draft and hails from nearby Huntersville, North Carolina, guided the Patriots to Super Bowl 60 during his sophomore campaign. His outstanding performance earned him second place in the 2025 AP NFL MVP voting, finishing behind Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Maye also commented on the recent legal resolution involving former Patriots teammate Stefon Diggs, who was cleared of assault charges related to an incident with his live-in personal chef.

The charges originated from a December 2 altercation at Diggs’ Massachusetts residence, where Jamila Adams claimed the receiver struck and choked her during a dispute. Diggs had entered not guilty pleas to both felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges.

After less than two hours of deliberation, a jury found Diggs not guilty on all counts. While the acquittal removes legal obstacles to his return to football, the four-time Pro Bowl receiver could still face potential NFL disciplinary action.

“Well, you know, he’s always been a great teammate to me and I know he’ll do great things,” Maye commented about Diggs. “I was fortunate enough to have a year with him, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to him. He’s a great player.”

Regarding the shoulder problem that troubled him during the latter part of last season, Maye reported being in excellent health and confirmed he avoided surgical intervention.

“Nothing, nothing, no problems at all,” the quarterback said, indicating his shoulder has fully recovered.

The Patriots are scheduled to begin their three-day rookie minicamp on Friday at their Foxborough, Massachusetts facility.

Officials organizing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have unveiled plans for an extensive Cultural Olympiad that will spotlight the city’s diverse neighborhoods, creative talent, and immigrant populations through programming that encompasses cinema, cuisine, fashion, music, live performances, and visual arts.

This multi-year cultural initiative represents a mandatory component for Olympic host cities, designed to blend athletic competition with local cultural expression.

According to Nora Halpern, who serves as executive director of LA28’s Cultural Olympiad, the initiative will be developed “from the community level up.” She noted that organizers have engaged with over 300 area arts organizations during the past two years of planning.

“The 2028 Cultural Olympiad will be a celebration of culture by and for Los Angeles, which we will share with the world,” Halpern announced to media representatives on Wednesday.

LA28 emphasized that the programming will prioritize accessibility for both residents and tourists, including individuals who don’t possess event tickets. Officials intend to minimize or waive entrance costs for select cultural activities while promoting existing complimentary events throughout the metropolitan area.

A comprehensive digital calendar and navigation system, set to debut in January 2028, will direct locals and visitors to cultural happenings across greater Los Angeles before, during, and following the Games. LA28 indicated this platform will continue serving as a lasting community resource.

Starting in 2027, organizations may request an official Cultural Olympiad designation without charge, enabling their programming to be featured in LA28’s promotional efforts, according to officials.

LA28 additionally intends to contract 16 official Cultural Olympiad posters from regional artists — with eight dedicated to the Olympic Games and eight for the Paralympic Games. These artistic works are anticipated to be revealed in July 2027.

Expected activities include open-air movie presentations, live entertainment, community performance areas, art displays, and gatherings in parks and additional public locations. Officials indicated the initiative will utilize Los Angeles landmarks and neighborhood establishments while celebrating local cuisine, artists, and cultural organizations.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes believes NHL referees are the finest in the world, but Rod Brind’Amour thinks they need additional support to handle the mayhem that unfolds during playoff hockey.

Brind’Amour has endorsed expanding video replay beyond its current scope to examine not only penalty infractions but all activities during the increasingly intense post-whistle confrontations. While opinions vary on reviewing penalty decisions, his fundamental argument about ensuring accurate calls during Stanley Cup competition resonates.

“You can’t get better officials. We have the best — I want to make sure everybody understands that — I know no one else could do a better job,” Brind’Amour said with his team up 2-0 in a second-round series against Philadelphia. “But man, it’s just hard to see some of the penalties that are getting called, that if you just took a quick peek, you’d go, ‘Oh wait a minute, that’s not what happened.’”

“We’ll get to it at some point, but I think they could use a little hand.”

This year’s playoff contests are seeing 10.6 penalties and 25.1 penalty minutes per game through Tuesday, based on SportRadar data. This marks the highest penalty average since 2009’s 10.9 per game, and only the second instance since 2012 where penalty minutes have surpassed 25 per contest (2023 saw 28 penalty minutes per game).

Currently, NHL officials can examine major and match penalties that don’t involve fighting, either upholding them or reducing them to two-minute minors. They may also review double-minor high-sticking calls to verify the correct player is being penalized.

“I don’t think there’s a harder job to officiate, and our guys don’t get the credit they deserve,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“I mean, they are moving with the flow of the game. They’ve got to skate like the players, it’s physical, they’ve got to stay out of the way. There’s a lot going on really fast. And it is remarkable how good a job they do and how much they get right. And video replay for us has really vindicated their performance even more.”

The Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Hurricanes coach initially brought up this subject following a first-round sweep of Ottawa. His frustration stemmed from an incident where Senators forward Ridly Greig threw two unprovoked punches at Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker — including an uppercut to the face — while Walker was tied up with Senators forward Warren Foegele.

Despite the obvious infractions in that 4-2 series-ending defeat, Greig escaped penalty, though the NHL subsequently suspended him for two regular-season games. Making matters worse, Brind’Amour noted, was that Carolina ended up playing shorthanded after the sequence. He proposed having a dedicated official monitor replays to assist on-ice referees.

“The only reason (Greig) did that was because he looked, no one’s watching, doesn’t get called for it, and we somehow ended up short on that,” Brind’Amour said. “That’s wrong. That’s not right. Just get it right.”

The challenge lies in determining the best approach if the league eventually adopts broader replay usage.

“That’s a good question because like a lot of times guys get away with stuff in there,” Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Dunne said about more replay reviews of scrums in particular.

“Some guy starts, another guy gets the penalty for it,” he said. “It’s hard, it’s a hard line. It’s why it’s so much on the judgment of the refs where it’s like they can only see what they see, where it’s like you never really know how these things get going.”

His coach, meanwhile, chuckled that he’s “not a huge fan of another video review.”

“I don’t mind Rod’s thinking at all,” said Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres are facing Montreal in Round 2. “I just think, boy, if now we’re going to review something, we start reviewing scrums, I just think players will start taking acting lessons.”

However, some theatrical elements already exist in the sport. Brind’Amour’s foresight proved accurate when he mentioned this before Game 1 against the Flyers.

“It is impossible to referee our sport live, it really is — it’s just everything’s happpening so fast, now you’re getting embellishment everywhere,” Brind’Amour said then. “Sticks aren’t even coming close to you, they’re doing this (leans his head back) because why? Because if this goes like this (raises arm), you’re getting a call. But if you’ve got a guy on the review that said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, that’s embellishment,’ it would be out of the game.”

Several days later, Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook received a high-sticking penalty despite video evidence showing Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler grabbing Martinook’s stick and essentially striking himself in the face to draw the call.

Dunne expressed concern about slowing down gameplay with additional replay reviews, while Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson said he generally “liked where the game is at.”

“I don’t want to make too many adjustments or critiques to the game,” Nelson said before the Avalanche opened its series against Minnesota.

“I’m a traditionalist. The more rules you make, the more you have,” said Anaheim Ducks coach Joel Quenneville, whose team is battling the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 2. “There’s always some extenuating consequences off of things like that. We got a lot of rules, so either way, I like to just get it right and move on. Either way it is, we’ll move on.”

DETROIT — Major League Baseball handed down a five-game suspension and fine to Detroit Tigers hurler Framber Valdez on Wednesday, following his ejection the previous night for striking Boston Red Sox infielder Trevor Story with a pitch during Detroit’s crushing 10-2 defeat.

The league initially imposed a six-game ban on Valdez for deliberately targeting Story with a pitch, but negotiations between MLB and the players’ union resulted in the reduced punishment. Valdez began serving his suspension during Wednesday evening’s series conclusion and should return to action next Wednesday when Detroit faces the New York Mets, assuming no weather delays.

The Tigers are already dealing with a depleted starting rotation, missing Tarik Skubal due to elbow troubles, Casey Mize with a hamstring injury, and Justin Verlander because of hip issues.

“Generally when you have an event like last night where there’s a disruption of play and there’s a guy kicked out of the game for what is deemed throwing at somebody, that doesn’t come for free,” Detroit skipper A.J. Hinch explained.

Hinch also received a one-game suspension from MLB for Valdez’s deliberate actions and served his penalty Wednesday night.

The incident unfolded after Valdez had already surrendered eight runs through three innings. Willson Contreras launched a massive 449-foot home run on the opening pitch of the fourth inning, pausing to admire the ball’s flight before tossing his bat aside.

Just two pitches afterward, Wilyer Abreu extended the lead to 10-2 with his own blast into the right-field stands, a scorching 109.1 mph rocket. Valdez’s subsequent offering was a 94.4 mph fastball that drilled Story squarely in the back between his jersey numbers. Notably, Valdez hadn’t thrown a four-seam fastball since August 3rd of the previous season, when he plunked Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela under the left arm with a 95.5 mph pitch during a 6-1 deficit to the Red Sox while playing for Houston.

When home plate umpire Adam Beck and Tigers backstop Dillon Dingler stepped between Story and the pitcher’s mound Tuesday night, both dugouts cleared along with the bullpens. The confrontation remained verbal with no physical altercations.

Valdez maintained his innocence regarding the beaning, claiming the unusual four-seam fastball simply escaped his control.

During his tenure with Houston last year, Valdez faced similar accusations when he accidentally struck his own catcher César Salazar in the chest shortly after surrendering a grand slam to the New York Yankees. Two pitches following Trent Grisham’s slam in New York’s 7-1 triumph on September 2nd, Valdez crossed up Salazar by delivering a 92.8 mph sinker to Anthony Volpe. Both Valdez and Salazar insisted afterward that hitting the catcher was unintentional.

Previously that season, Valdez had shown visible frustration with defensive positioning during a sixth-inning play that resulted in the lone run he allowed in Houston’s 2-1 setback to the Washington Nationals on July 28th.

ATLANTA (AP) — Media mogul Ted Turner, who passed away Wednesday, left an indelible mark on professional sports as both an accomplished sailor and groundbreaking baseball team owner.

Turner gained widespread recognition for his ownership of the Atlanta Braves, using his TBS superstation to beam their games nationwide while displaying his colorful personality during an era when most franchise owners preferred to remain out of the spotlight.

After purchasing the financially troubled Braves during the 1970s, Turner placed the team on his small television station and distributed the programming to cable providers throughout the nation.

“He effectively transformed the Braves into a team with a national reach and set the table for ways that local teams have now gained more of a national footprint,” said Travis Vogan, a sports media professor at the University of Iowa.

The strategy created a massive fan following that extended well beyond the southeastern United States, helping the Braves become perennial World Series contenders throughout the 1990s. Turner celebrated a championship victory in 1995 before divesting the team the following year.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement Wednesday describing Turner as a “visionary whose impact on the media landscape transformed how fans experience sports.”

Turner’s sports portfolio also included ownership of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, along with diverse interests spanning professional wrestling, sailing competitions, and Olympic events.

His sailing accomplishments included an unsuccessful bid for the 1964 Olympic team, capturing a world championship in 1971 near Long Island, and commanding the victorious vessel in the prestigious 1977 America’s Cup competition.

“There will never be a time in my life as good as this time,” he said when told he would skipper in the America’s Cup that year. “I can’t believe all this is really happening to me.”

Turner’s desire for hands-on involvement reached its peak in 1977 when he appointed himself as the Braves’ manager. Following 16 consecutive losses, Turner gave manager Dave Bristol time off and took control of the team. The Braves fell 2-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates under Turner’s leadership, extending their losing streak.

“I wanted to see what it’s like down in the trenches,” Turner said that night.

Baseball officials quickly ended Turner’s brief managerial stint after just one game, similar to how they had previously stopped him from placing “Channel” on pitcher Andy Messersmith’s jersey, who wore number 17.

Despite these setbacks, Turner embraced his “Captain Outrageous” persona, establishing a blueprint for today’s high-profile “swashbuckling” owners who leverage their franchises to enhance their public personas, according to Professor Vogan.

Contemporary sports figures like Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer “have all emulated Turner by being these kinds of celebrity entrepreneurs that use sports to build their own identities and to build their own kind of brands in the popular imagination,” Vogan said.

“Our good friend and former owner, Ted Turner, was one of a kind,” read a statement from the Braves on Wednesday.

Turner’s competitive nature extended beyond team ownership to creating new sporting events.

He established the Goodwill Games, primarily motivated by his disappointment with the United States boycotting the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the Soviet Union’s retaliatory boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Games. The first Goodwill Games took place in Moscow in 1986, featuring approximately 3,000 athletes from 79 nations.

The competition was held five times total before concluding in 2001. A Winter Goodwill Games was also organized once, taking place in Lake Placid, New York, during 2000.

“There’s nothing better for kids than sport,” Turner said at the opening ceremony of those Lake Placid Games.

Professor Vogan noted that the Goodwill Games demonstrated Turner’s “audacity,” despite the event’s ultimate lack of long-term success.

“The fact that he was involved in an initiative like that says a lot about his ambitions and his role as a disruptive force in media,” Vogan said.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic revealed Wednesday that he traveled to Spain for specialized platelet-rich plasma treatments to accelerate his recovery from a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since April 2.

The treatment involved multiple sessions with mandatory rest periods between each procedure, requiring Doncic to remain in Spain for an extended period.

“I went to Spain to do PRP,” Doncic explained to media members. “Everybody knows that its one of the best countries to do that. Obviously, you know, we talked with the Lakers doctors, so everybody agreed for me to go there.”

The recovery process demanded patience, as each treatment session required a four-day waiting period before the next injection could be administered.

“I know and trust lots of people in Spain that I used to work with before,” he explained. “I needed four days in between every shot. I did it four times, so that’s why I stayed longer.”

Currently, Doncic has progressed to running exercises but has not yet been cleared for any contact activities. His timeline for return remains at eight weeks from the initial injury date.

The Mavericks are facing playoff challenges without their star player, as evidenced by their 108-90 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday.

Watching his teammates compete without him has taken an emotional toll on the All-Star guard.

“It’s very frustrating. I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is,” Doncic expressed. “All I want to do is play basketball, especially this time. It’s the best time to play basketball. It’s very frustrating to see what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them, but it’s been very tough to watch.”

Despite his eagerness to return, the six-time NBA All-Star acknowledges the importance of proper healing, having learned from previous experiences with premature returns from injury.

“It’s a tough one for me. I’ve come back from injuries too soon before, and it wasn’t the best result,” he admitted. “This is the first time I have a hamstring injury. It’s not the same like other injuries. You have to be very careful. I’m doing everything to come back.”

The Thunder will host the Lakers for Game 2 of their playoff series Thursday evening.

NEW YORK — Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Wednesday evening’s Game 2 matchup against the New York Knicks due to a sprained right ankle and right hip soreness.

Initially, the 76ers had designated their All-Star center as probable for the contest, noting only the ankle issue. However, team officials later included the hip concern and declared him unavailable on their injury report roughly six hours before the Eastern Conference semifinals game.

During the Knicks’ dominant 137-98 victory in the series opener, Embiid endured a difficult performance, managing just 14 points while shooting 3-of-11 from the field across 25 minutes before Philadelphia’s starters were pulled due to the lopsided score.

Prior to that first game, Embiid had been designated as probable with a bruised right hip before receiving medical clearance. New York’s defense consistently exploited his limited movement to generate scoring opportunities.

The center made his return during Game 4 of Philadelphia’s opening-round matchup against Boston following a late-season appendectomy, contributing to the 76ers’ remarkable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. Through five playoff contests, he has posted an average of 25.2 points per game.

Medical staff has not confirmed whether his current hip discomfort relates to the recent appendectomy. During the first game, Embiid appeared to grimace and clutch his midsection following a collision with Knicks guard Mikal Bridges during a first-half screen.

Following that incident, Embiid questioned the nature of the contact.

“Obviously based on what’s been going on I guess I’ve got to protect it more,” Embiid said. “I don’t know if it was dirty or not, so I guess I’ve got to do a better job of protecting, especially that part.”

Without their franchise player, Philadelphia faces the challenge of containing Knicks All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns while likely requiring an enhanced performance from point guard Tyrese Maxey. The dynamic guard also struggled in the opener, converting just 3-of-9 field goal attempts for 13 points after posting 26.9 points per game during the first round.

Nevertheless, the 76ers have grown accustomed to competing without Embiid’s presence. The former league MVP has dealt with health concerns for several seasons.

Golf’s top-ranked player Scottie Scheffler has announced his participation in the Genesis Scottish Open, using the tournament as preparation for defending his title at The Open Championship.

The 29-year-old golfer is skipping this week’s Truist Championship before the PGA Championship, but has committed to competing in Scotland the week prior to the major championship.

“I always enjoy coming to the Genesis Scottish Open and taking on the challenge of links-style golf as part of an exciting couple of weeks in the UK,” Scheffler said. “The tournament always has a strong field and the Scottish fans help to make it a fun week.”

Last year’s Scottish Open saw Scheffler finish in a tie for eighth place, while Chris Gotterup claimed victory. World number two Rory McIlroy, who came up two strokes short of Gotterup alongside England’s Marco Penge in last year’s tournament, has also committed to this year’s competition. Scotland’s own Robert MacIntyre will round out the notable field.

The tournament runs from July 9-12 and carries dual sanctioning from both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, offering valuable points for both the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup standings.

Following the Scottish Open, The Open Championship will take place July 16-19 at Royal Birkdale, marking the year’s final major championship.

Professional golfer Jake Knapp has pulled out of the Truist Championship, marking the second major tournament in a row he’s had to skip because of an ongoing thumb injury.

Austin Smotherman will take Knapp’s place at Quail Hollow this week. Smotherman was originally scheduled to play in the Myrtle Beach Classic.

The 31-year-old golfer also had to bow out of the previous week’s Cadillac Championship. Both tournaments are major events featuring $20 million prize pools, guaranteed payouts with no elimination cuts, and enhanced FedEx Cup points — exactly the kind of high-stakes competitions Knapp has been striving to reach.

Last month, Knapp secured one of the final spots to compete in the Masters tournament, where he achieved an impressive 11th place finish. But his performance dipped at the RBC Heritage, another premier event, where he tied for 74th place before having to withdraw from the next two tournaments.

Despite these recent setbacks, Knapp maintains his career-high 36th position in the Official World Golf Ranking and sits 14th in FedEx Cup standings. This gives him breathing room to heal from his thumb injury, thanks to an exceptional early season that featured five straight tournaments finishing tied for 11th or better, including a tied-for-fifth showing at the Farmers Insurance Open.

This season, Knapp has posted seven top-11 results across nine tournament appearances, with his only missed cut occurring at The Players Championship. He remains scheduled to compete in next week’s PGA Championship.

DENVER — While Nathan MacKinnon has built his reputation on lightning speed and prolific scoring, the Colorado Avalanche star showed Tuesday night he can also punish opponents with bone-jarring hits.

The dynamic forward leveled Minnesota’s Quinn Hughes and Matt Boldy during the third period, capping off an outstanding performance that included one goal and two assists in Colorado’s 5-2 victory. The win puts the Avalanche ahead 2-0 in their second-round playoff matchup against the Wild.

MacKinnon, who led the NHL with 53 regular-season goals, remained humble when discussing both his physical play and offensive contributions after the Tuesday night triumph.

“Just excited to play,” MacKinnon said. “Playoff hockey, obviously, the best the time of year. Just excited and just trying to have a good start.”

With his latest three-point effort, MacKinnon achieved a rare milestone by recording his third consecutive playoff game with three or more points. According to NHL statistics, only five other players have accomplished this feat in the past four decades: Leon Draisaitl (2022), Mikko Rantanen (2025), Joe Pavelski (2010), Joe Sakic (1997), and Dennis Maruk (1986).

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar praised MacKinnon’s complete two-way performance.

“He was unbelievable tonight on both sides of the puck,” Bednar said. “The physicality, the defending details, the hunger to check pucks back in all three zones, and the speed and pace that he played with early in the game — it was like he was shot out of a cannon.”

Team captain Gabriel Landeskog echoed his coach’s sentiments about MacKinnon’s impact.

“Having Nate makes my job a lot easier, for sure,” Landeskog said. “He’s our driving force offensively and tonight, really since the playoffs started, defensively, he’s been a beast as well.”

MacKinnon was officially credited with two hits during the contest — one that sent Hughes crashing to the ice and another that sent Boldy hard into the boards. Despite the effectiveness of his physical play, MacKinnon downplayed the contact.

“It wasn’t that big of a hit,” MacKinnon said regarding his collision with Hughes. “He’s one of the best players in the world and he’s so hard to contain and you’re just trying to do the best that you can. He’s going to create a lot of stuff. I think everyone’s being more physical. The whole team is trying to ramp that up.”

Minnesota now returns home for Saturday’s Game 3, desperately seeking solutions to slow down Colorado’s explosive offense. The Wild made a goaltending change for Game 2, starting Filip Gustavsson instead of Jesper Wallstedt, but still surrendered five goals. Combined with their nine-goal outburst in the series opener, the Avalanche have netted 14 goals through two games — the highest total for the first two contests of a playoff series since Calgary scored 15 against Los Angeles in 1988.

Wild forward Matt Boldy acknowledged the challenge his team faces against Colorado’s high-powered attack.

“They’re a great team. They play super-fast, super-dynamic,” Boldy said. “Obviously, they have some incredible players. The biggest thing is just staying above them and not giving them those odd-man rushes, because obviously they’re pretty special players make special plays.”

HOUSTON — Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa announced Wednesday that he will undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a torn tendon in his left ankle.

The injury occurred Tuesday during batting practice before Houston’s matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Correa was taking routine swings in the batting cage when the injury happened.

“I was hitting in the cage, normal day, feeling great,” he said. “I went through my whole routine, took a swing and just felt a pop. It just completely snapped on me and then I fell to the ground and couldn’t put weight on it.”

The 31-year-old was seen Wednesday morning at the stadium using crutches and wearing a walking boot after consulting with a foot specialist. Correa indicated he plans to get additional medical opinions before moving forward with the surgical procedure.

According to Correa, the injury involves a “complete tear” and doctors expect his rehabilitation to last between six and eight months.

The setback adds to Houston’s lengthy injury list this season, which most recently included catcher Yainer Diaz being placed on the injured list Tuesday due to an oblique strain.

Correa returned to the Astros organization following a major trade from Minnesota last summer. While he primarily played third base during his first season back with Jeremy Peña handling shortstop duties, Correa has been filling in at shortstop recently due to Peña’s hamstring injury.

This season, Correa has posted a .279 batting average along with three home runs and 16 RBIs.

A billionaire Indiana University graduate played a crucial role in the Hoosiers’ historic College Football Playoff championship victory, according to a new report.

Mark Cuban, the former Dallas Mavericks owner worth an estimated $6 billion, provided the final funding needed to bring quarterback Fernando Mendoza to Indiana, he revealed in an interview with Front Office Sports for their Portfolio Players series.

The financial commitment came about during a December 2024 conversation between Cuban, Indiana Athletic Director Scott Dolson, and university President Pam Whitten at the school’s playoff opener against Notre Dame.

According to Cuban’s account, Dolson approached him about a quarterback prospect who would fit perfectly in coach Curt Cignetti’s offensive scheme, but the program needed additional resources to complete the deal.

“[Dolson]’s like, we’ve got this quarterback that we really, really like that we think would be great in (coach Curt Cignetti) Cig’s system, we just need a litttttle bit more,” Cuban explained. “I’m like, ‘How much is a little bit?’ And so he told me, and I’m like, ‘OK, you know, we’re on a roll, I’ll put up the money to get this quarterback.’”

Despite losing that initial playoff game to Notre Dame 27-17, Indiana bounced back the following season. The Hoosiers completed a perfect campaign by defeating Miami 27-21 in the championship game.

Cuban’s connection to the program extended beyond his alma mater loyalty. The 67-year-old businessman had previous ties to Cignetti and knew Mendoza’s brother Alberto, who also plays for Indiana and would chat with Cuban during Heat-Mavericks games as a Miami fan.

The additional funding helped Indiana outbid Cal for Mendoza’s services. While he earned $1.6 million at California, his Indiana contract was worth $2.6 million, according to Yahoo Sports reporting.

Mendoza’s performance justified the investment. He captured the Heisman Trophy and was subsequently selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in April’s NFL Draft.

While Cuban had previously donated to Indiana’s academic programs, his recent athletic department contributions mark his first venture into university sports funding. The entrepreneur maintains a hands-off approach with athletic director Dolson, a fellow Indiana alumnus.

“I just give Scott money, and it’s up to him,” Cuban stated. “We talk a lot, we talk about approach, understanding how to put together a team. Because I did it for 20-something years. So it’s not like I have to direct him to something specific. I understand how they’re approaching things.”

Cuban declined to specify his total athletic department investment, telling Front Office Sports only that university officials are “happier this year than last year.”

The Motor City will welcome professional women’s hockey as the Professional Women’s Hockey League announced Wednesday that Detroit has been selected as the first expansion location for the upcoming season.

The choice of Detroit stems from the strong partnership the PWHL maintains with the Ilitch family, who own the Red Wings, and demonstrates the league’s success from hosting four neutral-site contests at the NHL team’s venue.

“I think from the get-go, we have really felt the passion that this city and state have for hockey and the PWHL,” executive vice president of business operations Amy Scheer told The Associated Press. “I think it’s the perfect place for us to grow.”

During the league’s debut season in 2024, Detroit served as host for the PWHL’s inaugural neutral-site contest, which Scheer said sparked the organization’s multicity “Takeover Tour” over the past two seasons. The quartet of matches at Little Caesar’s Arena, which will become the franchise’s home venue, drew a total of 53,626 spectators, with 15,938 attending the March game that marked the PWHL’s first nationally televised broadcast in the United States.

Additionally, the PWHL revealed that Detroit will serve as host for the league’s draft and awards ceremony in mid-June. The June 17 draft will showcase a highly anticipated group of prospects rich with American talent, including Olympic gold medalists Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards, who made history as the first Black female athlete to compete for Team USA.

With Detroit’s inclusion, the PWHL expands to nine franchises, following last year’s addition of teams in Seattle and Vancouver. More growth is expected this spring, as the league previously indicated plans to add between two and four new markets.

While Scheer declined to specify how additional teams will be announced, expectations point to four new franchises being revealed in the coming weeks.

Denver appears to be a leading candidate, with the PWHL targeting the city after a January 2025 Takeover Tour game drew 14,018 fans who chanted “We want a team!” Las Vegas also emerges as a contender, with the NHL’s Golden Knights advocating for a franchise over the past two years.

Hamilton, Ontario represents another possibility, which would establish three PWHL teams in Ontario alongside Toronto and Ottawa. Located one hour west of Toronto, the PWHL believes Hamilton’s population of 570,000 is sufficient to avoid drawing supporters away from the Sceptres.

The league has also shown interest in Washington, D.C., Dallas, Alberta cities Calgary and Edmonton, Quebec City, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. However, Washington and Calgary face challenges regarding arena availability and space constraints that complicate adding another team.

Detroit satisfies multiple key PWHL expansion requirements, featuring an arena with an attached training facility while geographically bridging the travel distance between Toronto and Minnesota.

The city boasts a substantial corporate presence, including current league partners Ally Financial and Meijer grocery stores.

Detroit also maintains a strong tradition of girls’ developmental hockey programs. Among American states, Michigan ranks second only to Minnesota in developing PWHL talent.

The PWHL can claim success in bringing women’s hockey to the state ahead of its colleges. Michigan currently lacks a Division I women’s hockey program, though the University of Michigan is exploring establishing one.

“I hope it follows, right? I hope we can be a catalyst to continue to grow the game here,” PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford said. “We’re excited about the impact we’re going to be able to have here in Detroit on hockey in general, but certainly on women’s hockey.”

The unnamed franchise will sport black and silver as primary colors, with red accents honoring the Red Wings. The uniforms will also display an Ally Financial sponsorship patch.

“Bringing a PWHL team to Little Caesars Arena is an exciting next step for our city and for the continued momentum of women’s hockey,” said Chris Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Companies, which also owns baseball’s Detroit Tigers. “This moment also reflects our broader vision of using sports as a catalyst for Detroit’s revitalization.”

This expansion wave occurs during the Walter Cup playoffs and follows the league experiencing significant growth after the Milan Cortina Olympics.

The PWHL’s 120-game regular season drew over 1.1 million fans, representing a 28% increase from the previous year and marking the first time the league surpassed 1 million attendees in a single season. Online merchandise sales jumped more than 50% compared to last season, including a 190% spike following the Olympics versus the same timeframe a year earlier.

The league’s YouTube channel viewership rose 77% this year and now reaches 154 countries.

Incorporating three American markets with its four current U.S. cities — including Newark, New Jersey, and Boston — would strengthen the PWHL’s position to secure a national U.S. broadcast deal.

This season, Scripps Sports agreed to televise various games, including playoffs, on ION, which reaches 126 million American households. Both league and Scripps representatives have expressed interest in establishing a more permanent partnership for next season.

The PWHL operates under central control with private backing from Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and his wife Kimbra, who have invested hundreds of millions of dollars.

Scheer noted this expansion round before Season 4 aligns with the Walters’ vision of building a sustainable league.

“While it might be fast in terms of the way other leagues have done things, for us it’s measured and calculated,” Scheer said. “So we feel good at the pace that we’re moving, and feel confident in the way we’re growing. We’ll be here for a while.”

OKLAHOMA CITY — A defensive play gone wrong left Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt with a horrifying finger injury during Tuesday evening’s Western Conference semifinal opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The incident occurred when Vanderbilt reached from behind to swat away a dunk attempt by Thunder center Chet Holmgren, causing his finger to strike the backboard. The impact was so severe that multiple Thunder players on the sideline immediately turned their heads away.

“I mean, it just — it looked pretty gruesome in my opinion,” Thunder guard Jared McCain said. “I don’t even know, to be honest, what I was looking at. It looked pretty bad, though. So prayers for him. Sending him love.”

Despite the defensive effort, Holmgren completed the slam dunk, extending Oklahoma City’s lead to 48-39 with 5:57 remaining in the second quarter. Vanderbilt immediately doubled over, clutching his injured hand before exiting the contest.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick witnessed the severity of the situation firsthand.

“I went to go check on him because it just looked bad,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “He was audibly screaming. Knew he had done something. We’re obviously disappointed. But, that happened, and it’s just a freak injury.”

The injury forced Los Angeles to reduce their rotation from nine players to eight for the remainder of the game. Vanderbilt had contributed two points in just six minutes of action before departing.

Oklahoma City maintained their halftime advantage at 61-53 and cruised to a commanding 108-90 victory in the series opener.

KIGALI, Rwanda — On a soccer field in Rwanda’s capital, the sound of crutches clashing fills the air as players pursue both a ball and their dreams of international competition. Young spectators cheer with excitement watching a goalkeeper make a diving save using only one arm.

Over the last ten years, amputee soccer has experienced significant growth in Rwanda. This modified version features seven players per side who navigate the field using crutches, while goalkeepers play with a single arm. Participants describe discovering not just a sport they never thought possible, but also a supportive community that provides both physical recovery and emotional belonging.

In Kigali, these athletes use the game to promote healing and unity following various traumatic experiences, including the nation’s most devastating chapter: the 1994 genocide that claimed approximately 800,000 lives of Tutsis and moderate Hutus during a brutal 100-day massacre by the Hutu majority.

Nyiraneza Solange, born two years following the genocide, lost her leg at age 5 due to complications from a fall and subsequent infection. She explained that witnessing the determination of genocide survivors who had lost limbs inspired her to join amputee soccer.

The former coach of Rwanda’s inaugural amputee soccer team motivated her by explaining how she could utilize her crutches during gameplay. Any initial apprehension quickly disappeared.

“I don’t even think about I don’t have a leg,” Solange stated, describing how playing gives her a sense of freedom and has helped her overcome the social stigma associated with being an amputee.

Current estimates suggest Rwanda has over 3,000 individuals with lower-limb amputations. Some lost limbs during the genocide, while others became amputees through traffic accidents or medical conditions.

Louise Kwizera, who serves as vice president of the Rwanda Amputee Football Federation, explained that the sport helps participants rebuild trust and creates unity within a society that “was once divided.”

“In communities affected by conflict or trauma, the playing field becomes a place of peace. People who may have different pasts come together as teammates,” Kwizera shared with The Associated Press.

Rwanda aims to participate in next year’s second women’s amputee soccer World Cup, an invitation-only tournament expected to take place in either Poland or Brazil. The country sent only one athlete to represent them at the inaugural competition in 2024.

The World Amputee Football Federation oversees this sport, which is now played across more than 50 nations. Rwanda currently operates five professional women’s teams alongside ten men’s teams.

Fred Sorrels, who manages Haiti’s women’s amputee soccer team, traveled to Rwanda to assist with developing their local program. He expressed support for the East African nation potentially hosting a World Cup, though the country’s sports ministry confirmed no official bid has been submitted yet.

Sorrels emphasized the sport’s positive impact on participants.

“It’s a win psychologically and mentally for these ladies to have an opportunity to experience wholeness and wellness again,” he noted.

Gilbert Muvunyi Manier, director general of sports development for Rwanda’s sports ministry, described the sport as a “powerful tool” for promoting healing, reconciliation, and social unity.

Athletes recognize certain tactical challenges within the game.

“It’s hard to save the ball when it goes to the side with the receding hand,” explained goalkeeper Nikuze Angelique. Similar to Solange, she emphasized the sense of community she’s discovered through the sport.

Following a recent match, as players captured selfies together, Angelique expressed optimism about reaching the World Cup.

“It will be a dream come true,” she said.

With questions swirling about LIV Golf’s survival, major champion Bryson DeChambeau is weighing his options for what comes next, including a significant shift toward digital content creation and possibly rejoining the PGA Tour.

The Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund revealed last week it would stop providing the $30 million prize pools that have funded LIV Golf events.

Speaking to media on Tuesday during practice for this week’s LIV event at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C., the 32-year-old golfer shared his backup plans, which include dramatically expanding his online presence.

“I think, from my perspective, I’d love to grow my YouTube channel three times, maybe even more,” DeChambeau explained. “I would love to. I’d love to do a bunch of dubbing in different languages, giving the world more reason to watch YouTube. And then I’d love to play tournaments that want me.”

DeChambeau made the jump to LIV Golf in June 2022 and joined 10 other players in filing a lawsuit against the PGA Tour later that year. He dropped out of the legal action in May 2023. The suit claimed the PGA Tour wrongfully suspended LIV participants through monopolistic practices.

The golfer acknowledged Tuesday that he’s had discussions with PGA Tour officials but expects harsh consequences if he seeks to return. He called potential penalties “quite unfortunate in my opinion, considering what I could do for them.”

DeChambeau believes both organizations must find common ground to repair professional men’s golf.

“The egos need to get dropped,” DeChambeau said. “Everybody needs to come in with a level-headed playing field, with an opportunistic mindset to grow the game of golf. That’s why I came over here. That’s why I do what I do on YouTube.”

When asked about receiving the remaining payments on his LIV contract, which ends after this season, DeChambeau expressed uncertainty about the Public Investment Fund’s intentions: “Your guess is as good as mine.”

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout reached a significant career milestone Tuesday evening, blasting his 415th home run during a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

The milestone blast moved Trout past Darrell Evans into 55th place on Major League Baseball’s all-time home run list. Beyond the historic homer, Trout recorded a single, drew two walks, and crossed home plate twice in the Angels’ triumph.

Zach Neto contributed a 2-for-4 performance that included a home run, while Jorge Soler also went deep for Los Angeles. The victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Angels, who had managed just one win in their previous 10 contests. Relief pitcher Jose Fermin (1-1) earned the victory after striking out two batters in a scoreless inning, and Ryan Zeferjahn secured his first save by escaping a bases-loaded situation in the ninth inning.

For Chicago, Chase Meidroth delivered a home run along with two hits and two runs scored, while Andrew Benintendi also collected two hits. The loss marked the White Sox’s first defeat to the Angels this season after winning four previous matchups. Starting pitcher Erick Fedde (0-4) took the loss, surrendering four runs on six hits across 4 2/3 innings with two walks and two strikeouts.

Chicago jumped ahead with two runs in the opening frame, but Los Angeles responded immediately in the bottom half with home runs from both Trout and Soler to level the score. Trout’s blast was his 11th of the current season.

Astros 2, Dodgers 1

Houston’s Peter Lambert delivered seven shutout innings to outpitch Shohei Ohtani and guide the Astros to an interleague victory over the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers.

Lambert (2-2) equaled his career-high innings total while throwing a season-high 104 pitches. The performance provided crucial length for a Houston pitching staff that desperately needed it.

Ohtani (2-2) pitched effectively except for two costly fastballs that left the ballpark. After breezing through the first inning on just 10 pitches, Ohtani’s opening pitch of the second inning resulted in a 1-0 deficit when Christian Walker connected on a fastball that traveled 395 feet for his ninth home run of the year.

Cubs 3, Reds 2

Michael Busch delivered the game-winning hit in the 10th inning after tying the contest with an eighth-inning solo homer, leading Chicago to victory over visiting Cincinnati and extending their winning streak to seven games.

Busch brought home automatic runner Dansby Swanson from second base with a center field single off Sam Moll (1-2), giving the Cubs their second consecutive walk-off victory. Ryan Rolison (3-0) worked a clean 10th inning for Chicago, which has now won 13 straight games at Wrigley Field – their longest home winning streak since capturing 14 in a row during 2008.

Cincinnati received solo home runs from JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe but suffered their fifth consecutive defeat. The Reds also lost Monday’s series opener 5-4 on Michael Conforto’s ninth-inning solo blast.

Additional Games

In other action, Atlanta’s Matt Olson hit a ninth-inning go-ahead home run to defeat Seattle 3-2, Tampa Bay rallied past Toronto 4-3 behind Ben Williamson’s eighth-inning RBI single, and Philadelphia dominated Oakland 9-1 as Bryce Harper homered twice and Cristopher Sanchez threw eight scoreless innings.

Boston crushed Detroit 10-3 with Ceddanne Rafaela driving in four runs including a three-run homer, Minnesota beat Washington 11-3 behind Byron Buxton’s three-run blast, and Baltimore ended a five-game skid by defeating Miami 9-7 on Adley Rutschman’s pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth.

The New York Yankees overcame an early deficit to beat Texas 7-4, Arizona shut out Pittsburgh 9-0, Kansas City extended their winning streak to five games with a 5-3 victory over Cleveland, and San Diego rallied from an early deficit to defeat San Francisco 10-5.

The Houston Astros faced another injury setback Tuesday when shortstop Carlos Correa was removed from the starting lineup approximately one hour before their home matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a left ankle injury.

Correa’s injury happened during batting practice, marking the second straight day the Astros lost a starter during pre-game preparation. On Monday, catcher Yainer Diaz suffered an oblique strain while taking swings and was subsequently added to the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Houston skipper Joe Espada indicated that Diaz will be sidelined “a while.”

Nick Allen stepped in at shortstop for Correa after being brought back from the 10-day injured list earlier Tuesday, where he had been recovering from back spasms.

The Astros made several additional roster adjustments Tuesday, bringing up left fielder Zach Dezenzo and right-handed pitcher Jason Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land. The team sent right-hander Ryan Weiss down to Sugar Land and designated left fielder Dustin Harris for assignment.

The 31-year-old Correa is currently hitting .279 with three home runs and 16 RBIs across 32 games this season, splitting time between shortstop (20 starts) and third base (12 starts).

Houston drafted Correa as the top overall selection in the 2012 MLB Draft. He earned American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2015 and won the Gold Glove award for AL shortstops in 2021.

The three-time All-Star maintains a career .275 batting average with 203 home runs and 740 RBIs over 1,285 regular-season games between the Astros (2015-21, ’25-present) and Minnesota Twins (2022-25).

Diaz, 27, has posted a .248 batting average with two homers and 14 RBIs in 26 games this season. Throughout his career, all spent with Houston since 2022, Diaz has compiled a .277 average with 61 home runs, 229 RBIs, a .303 on-base percentage and .448 slugging percentage across 427 regular-season contests.

Allen, 27, has managed a .250 batting average (5-for-20) in 14 games this season with Houston.

Dezenzo, who celebrates his 26th birthday Monday, owns a career .244 average with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 53 games while playing multiple positions including outfield, third base and first base for the Astros from 2024-25.

Alexander, 33, made one relief appearance for Houston earlier this season, surrendering five earned runs over two innings for a 22.50 ERA. He allowed two hits and issued three walks in a no-decision against Baltimore.

Weiss, 29, holds an 0-3 record with a 7.62 ERA, issuing 20 walks while recording 30 strikeouts in nine appearances (two starts) during his rookie campaign.

Harris, 26, managed a .226 batting average (7-for-31) with four RBIs across 11 games this season.

Australian golf star Cameron Smith is dismissing worries about the future of the LIV Golf circuit, expressing confidence the tour will survive even after losing its Saudi Arabian financial support.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund, which has invested over $5 billion in LIV since the tour began in 2022, announced last week it would stop providing funding after the 2026 season ends. This decision has left the golf circuit searching for alternative financial backing.

Smith, who leads the Australian team Ripper GC, joined the tour early for a reported $100 million contract and has collected approximately $50 million in tournament winnings from the team-based competition format.

The 2022 British Open champion told media members he had been assured the tour would operate beyond this year, though he declined to provide specific details.

“I promise you will hear it first from someone else, rather than me,” he said.

“I know the team are working hard behind the scenes and they’re doing everything they can for us.

“So I am excited, I know (LIV Golf chief executive) Scott O’Neil is really excited for the progress and challenge in the coming months.”

O’Neil addressed reporters before the Virginia tournament in Washington, D.C., expressing optimism about securing support from fresh sponsors and financial partners.

“I had about a dozen inbound calls this weekend from potential investors,” O’Neil said on Tuesday.

“It was a split between private equity, family office and then your traditional high net worth guys who invest in sports and sports teams. So that has been really positive.”

O’Neil avoided directly answering whether the Saudi fund would fulfill player contract obligations beyond 2026.

“I mean, they own the majority of the business now, and they’ve agreed to fund through the season, as they said. Nothing there has changed,” he said.

Smith’s performance in major championships has declined significantly over the past two years, with the 32-year-old failing to make the cut in all four major tournaments in 2025.

He acknowledged his struggles weren’t acceptable and revealed he was implementing changes to improve his performance.

“I can promise you, the fire is in the belly, it’s just a matter of time. I don’t think time is running out on my major career by any means,” he added.

Three Hawks players delivered impressive offensive performances with home run blasts, but their efforts weren’t enough to prevent a defeat against the Mountaineers in a high-scoring battle.

Julian Jimenez continued his recent hot streak at the plate, connecting for his second and third home runs over the past two games. Rodriguez and Caldwell also contributed to the power surge, each sending balls over the fence during the contest.

The offensive explosion from the Hawks wasn’t sufficient to overcome the Mountaineers’ attack in what developed into a slugging match between the two teams. Despite the individual achievements from their hitters, the Hawks ultimately came up short in the final score.

Jimenez’s consecutive games with home runs highlight his current form, building momentum from his previous strong performance. The power display from multiple Hawks players demonstrates the team’s offensive capabilities, even in defeat.

Professional football officials and the National Football League appear on the verge of finalizing a labor contract that would prevent referees from going on strike.

Following months of stalled talks, contract discussions have progressed to where the NFL Referees Association intends to conduct a ratification vote this week, according to someone familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The source requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the talks. ESPN initially broke the story.

In recent weeks, the league started preparing backup officials after contract talks had stalled.

The current collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its referees’ union expires on May 31.

Contract negotiations between both sides have been ongoing since summer 2024.

“The league remains committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement with the NFLRA but will be prepared in the event the NFLRA permits the current agreement to expire,” NFL senior vice president of officiating Perry Fewell stated in an April memo to teams.

The NFL has proposed a 6.45% yearly increase in pay over six years, while the referees’ union seeks 10% plus $2.5 million for marketing fees, according to two AP sources from March.

NFLRA executive director Scott Green disputed those figures, telling the AP “those numbers are not accurate.” He compared the current situation to 2012, when failed negotiations led to a 110-day lockout and the use of substitute referees.

“We’re taking the appropriate steps to be ready, but we’re also keenly focused on negotiations,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell commented on March 31.

NEW YORK — Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is facing a hefty $50,000 penalty from the NBA after openly questioning the integrity of game referees following his team’s playoff elimination.

NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations James Jones issued the financial punishment Tuesday evening, following comments Brown made during his personal livestream broadcast two days earlier. The All-Star player alleged that game officials “clearly had an agenda” when calling offensive fouls against him for “pushing off” during his drives to the basket.

“There’s some referees that need to be investigated,” Brown stated during Sunday’s livestream, which came one day after Boston fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 109-100 in the decisive seventh game of their opening playoff round.

“Every good basketball player does this. What are y’all talking about? They clearly had an agenda,” Brown continued during his broadcast.

This marks the second time this season Brown has been penalized for questioning officiating. The league previously issued him a $35,000 fine in January following a two-minute tirade about referees after Boston’s defeat to San Antonio.

The National Basketball Association imposed a $50,000 penalty on Boston Celtics standout Jaylen Brown Tuesday after he openly criticized game officials following his team’s playoff exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers this past weekend.

Brown voiced his complaints during a livestream broadcast Sunday, one day after the Celtics fell to Philadelphia 109-100 in the decisive seventh game of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff matchup Saturday evening.

During his appearance on the Twitch streaming service, Brown admitted he had previously criticized referees during regular season play, and he believed this influenced how officials handled calls throughout the playoff series, especially regarding offensive foul calls against him.

“Why are you targeting me? They clearly had an agenda,” he said. “Maybe because I spoke, I was critical of the refs in the regular season. So you know how they responded? ‘We’re gonna call every — you’re gonna lead the playoffs in offensive fouls.’ That was the response from the officiating crew.”

“You could clearly tell,” he continued. “I’ve actually spoken to some refs and they said it was an agenda going into each game. ‘Any time Jaylen brings his arm up, just from reputation, just call it.’”

Officials called Brown for 10 offensive fouls during the opening playoff round, which was more than double the total of any other player, according to published reports. During the regular season, New York Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns led the league with 65 offensive foul calls, while Brown finished second with 40.

The 29-year-old Brown has earned five All-Star selections and claimed the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player honor when Boston won the league title in 2024.

This season, he posted personal bests with 28.7 points and 5.1 assists per game while matching his career high with 6.9 rebounds per contest across 71 regular season appearances. During the seven-game playoff series, Brown contributed 25.7 points, 3.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Ramon Urias has been sidelined with tennis elbow, officially known as right elbow lateral epicondylitis, prompting the team to place him on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

To fill the roster vacancy, the Cardinals brought back left fielder Thomas Saggese from Triple-A Memphis, just one day after sending him down to the minor league affiliate.

The 31-year-old Urias last took the field Sunday during St. Louis’ 4-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers at home, where he went hitless in two at-bats. Nolan Gorman stepped in as a pinch-hitter for Urias in the seventh inning and took over defensive duties at third base during the eighth.

This season, Urias has struggled at the plate, posting a .158 batting average with nine hits in 57 at-bats across 25 games, along with two home runs and five RBIs.

Throughout his major league career spanning 566 regular-season contests, Urias has maintained a .254 batting average while collecting 52 home runs and 220 RBIs. His journey has taken him through the Baltimore Orioles (2020-25), Houston Astros (2025), and now the Cardinals. His defensive prowess earned him the American League Gold Glove award for third basemen in 2022.

Urias has also demonstrated clutch hitting in postseason play, batting .333 with three hits in nine at-bats during three playoff appearances for Baltimore in 2023 and 2024.

The Cardinals acquired Urias through free agency on February 21, signing him to a one-year deal worth a reported $1.5 million for 2026, with a mutual option valued at $4 million for 2027 or a $500,000 buyout clause.

Saggese, 24, has posted a .170 batting average in his current stint with St. Louis, recording nine hits in 53 at-bats with two RBIs over 18 games. His career numbers show a .239 average with three home runs and 31 RBIs across 118 major league appearances.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed the top spot in Tuesday night’s NHL draft lottery, securing the first overall pick in the 2026 draft in what could prove to be a franchise-altering moment during a pivotal period for the organization.

The lottery victory arrived just over two days following Toronto’s appointment of John Chayka as their new general manager and the return of beloved former captain Mats Sundin in an advisory role for hockey operations. While Chayka and team president Keith Pelley faced difficult questions during their recent introductory press conference, the mood shifted dramatically at the team’s headquarters following news of landing the coveted first selection.

“I’m extremely happy for the Toronto Maple Leafs fanbase, of course,” Sundin said. “Certainly this is really going to help when you’re looking into the future and try to help this team and what we’re looking for the future for the Toronto Maple Leafs, so it’s great to get the first pick.”

NHL Central Scouting has identified Penn State’s Gavin McKenna and Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg as the premier North American and European prospects available. McKenna has long been viewed as the likely first overall selection.

“I’ve kept track of him for a number of years now, and the skill level, the creativity, obviously the puck ability and then his shot and release is all pretty special,” Chayka said. “A good package, and it’ll be good to get with the scouts and talk through it all, but I know there’s a lot of passion for a lot of players, including Gavin.”

Toronto’s new leadership faces pressing decisions regarding captain Auston Matthews following the team’s first playoff absence during his tenure. This marks the franchise’s first lottery triumph since selecting Matthews first overall in 2016, with the upcoming draft returning to Buffalo where that historic pick was made.

The Maple Leafs entered the lottery with just 8.5% odds of winning, ranking fifth among all teams. Vancouver held the best chances at 18.5% despite never having secured a first overall pick in franchise history. Toronto narrowly avoided transferring this selection to Boston as part of last year’s Brandon Carlo trade, which would have triggered had the pick fallen outside the top five.

As compensation, Boston and Philadelphia will receive Toronto’s first-round selections in 2027 and 2028, though deputy commissioner Bill Daly acknowledged the complex situation requires further resolution regarding the order.

The San Jose Sharks captured the second overall pick in the lottery. General Manager Mike Grier now has another opportunity to strengthen a developing roster already featuring Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Michael Misa.

“There’s lots of options there,” Grier said. “There’s centers, there’s ‘D,’ there’s wingers, so to have the opportunity to add another very talented player to our young core is very exciting.”

A jury has cleared four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs of assault charges, opening the door for his potential return to professional football.

However, the NFL continues to evaluate the situation and could still impose sanctions against the veteran player.

“We have been monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Tuesday.

The jury reached a not guilty verdict Tuesday regarding allegations that Diggs attacked his personal chef. The criminal case originated from a December 2nd incident at Diggs’ Massachusetts residence, where Jamila Adams, who previously worked as his live-in personal chef, claimed under oath that Diggs struck and strangled her during a dispute. Diggs had entered a plea of not guilty to both a felony strangulation count and a misdemeanor assault and battery count. The jury needed fewer than two hours of deliberation before dismissing all charges against him.

“The evidence has shown what we’ve maintained from day one: Mr. Diggs was wrongly accused, and this case represents exactly the kind of opportunistic targeting that players can face the moment they step off the field,” Diggs’ attorney, Mitch Schuster, said in a statement.

During the previous season, Diggs played for the New England Patriots and contributed to their Super Bowl appearance, though they ultimately fell to Seattle. The team cut him in March, leaving him without a contract.

His employment status may shift in the near future, although potential league sanctions remain on the table.

Multiple NFL athletes, including Ben Roethlisberger, Jameis Winston and Ezekiel Elliott, have received suspensions for personal-conduct policy violations even without facing arrests or criminal charges.

The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger received a six-game suspension in 2010 following sexual assault allegations, though it was later shortened to four games after his appeal.

Winston faced a three-game suspension in 2018 during his fourth year with Tampa Bay following sexual assault accusations.

Elliott, a three-time Pro Bowl running back, served a six-game suspension in 2017 during his sophomore season with Dallas after a league investigation into domestic violence claims. An arbitrator confirmed the six-game penalty when Elliott appealed.

In his sole campaign with New England, Diggs topped the team with 85 catches and 1,013 receiving yards plus four touchdowns. He served as the primary target for Drake Maye, who came in second to Matthew Stafford in AP NFL MVP voting.

Diggs, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on November 29, has switched teams three times over the past three seasons. His professional journey started in Minnesota in 2015, where he evolved from a fifth-round draft selection into the Vikings’ top receiver over five years.

Buffalo acquired him through a trade for a first-round pick in 2020, and he earned All-Pro recognition that season. After four years with the Bills, his relationship with the organization soured. Most recently, he suited up for Houston in 2024.

Looking ahead, several franchises could potentially pursue Diggs:

Even after selecting Ja’Kobi Lane in round three and Elijah Sarratt in round four, Baltimore might seek another experienced receiver to complement Zay Flowers and provide Lamar Jackson with additional weapons.

Pittsburgh brought in Michael Pittman Jr. through a trade to team up with DK Metcalf and attempted to draft Makai Lemon in the opening round before Philadelphia selected him first. The Steelers eventually chose receiver Germie Bernard in round two, but Aaron Rodgers, should he continue playing, typically favors seasoned players, making Diggs a logical match.

Fourth-round selection Brenen Thompson joins a receiving corps headed by Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, with Tre’ Harris also in the mix. Diggs would provide Justin Herbert with a reliable receiving option.

Following their unsuccessful pursuit of an A.J. Brown trade earlier this offseason, Los Angeles might still want another veteran addition to enhance their talented group featuring All-Pro Puka Nacua and six-time Pro Bowl selection Davante Adams.

New England will probably land Brown from Philadelphia after June 1st. Still, reuniting with Diggs at the right price could make sense. He understands their system and harbored no resentment after learning of his release. Diggs expressed gratitude toward the franchise, stating: “We family forever.”

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Carlton Football Club faces a substantial penalty of 75,000 Australian dollars ($54,000) after officials determined the team inadequately managed a player experiencing a mental health crisis during competition.

Twenty-four-year-old Elijah Hollands participated in Carlton’s match against Collingwood on April 16, despite displaying concerning behavior that was captured on video and raised alarm among spectators and observers.

Game recordings revealed Hollands exhibiting disoriented behavior and irregular movements on the field, with witnesses noting strange conduct during pre-game activities, including an attempted goal kick that barely traveled a few meters.

Five days following the match, Hollands required hospitalization. His father Ben Hollands, a former AFL athlete, took to social media to express his commitment to supporting his son while encouraging others to reach out to friends who may be experiencing difficulties.

AFL Commissioner Andrew Dillon announced Tuesday that multiple warning signs were present, including observable behavior, game performance statistics, and knowledge of Hollands’ medical background, indicating “he should have been removed from play earlier than he was.”

According to Dillon, the team’s delay in removing Hollands from the field damaged the sport’s reputation, emphasizing that the penalty targets the organization rather than specific individuals. The fine will be directed to Headspace, the AFL’s mental health advocacy partner focused on youth support.

“What transpired during the game was something we haven’t seen before, and while Elijah did undergo checks, he should not have been left on the field for that period of time,” Dillon explained. “The incident has highlighted something important for our game: While our physical injury protocols are strong and well-understood, mental health presentations can be variable, and are complex.”

Laura Kane, serving as the AFL’s executive general manager of football operations, announced upcoming policy changes, including mandatory employment of full-time mental health professionals for all AFL and AFLW teams.

“This has been about care, clarity and action,” Kane stated. “This is bigger than one club or one night.”

Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson made history last season by becoming the first player to capture four WNBA Most Valuable Player trophies, and league executives believe she’s positioned to make it five.

Wilson dominated the annual WNBA General Manager Survey released Tuesday, earning the top spot as MVP favorite among league front office leaders.

The star forward secured 60% of general manager votes, capturing nine of 15 ballots in the comprehensive 42-question survey. League rules prohibited GMs from selecting players or coaches from their own organizations.

New York Liberty veteran Breanna Stewart finished second in the polling with 27% support, receiving four votes from the 15 participating general managers. Stewart has claimed two MVP honors during her career. Single votes were cast for Indiana Fever sensation Caitlin Clark and Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, both seeking their first MVP recognition.

Wilson’s MVP collection spans 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025. During last season’s championship run, she posted impressive numbers with 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game over 40 regular season contests. Her performance helped guide the Aces to their third league title in four seasons.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year earned additional recognition in the survey, with general managers selecting her as the top defensive player at 53%. Wilson also dominated other categories, earning 79% of votes for best leadership qualities, 73% for premier interior defense, and 60% as the player who most challenges opposing coaches’ game plans.

Las Vegas received the most support for the 2026 championship, with 40% of general managers picking the Aces over the Liberty’s 33%.

In rookie predictions, Minnesota Lynx second overall selection Olivia Miles overwhelmingly topped Dallas Wings’ first pick Azzi Fudd for Rookie of the Year expectations. Miles captured 73% of votes compared to Fudd’s 20%.

The new WNBA season tips off Friday.

San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth has been sidelined on the seven-day injured list Tuesday after experiencing concussion symptoms.

To replace Cronenworth on the roster, the Padres brought up infielder Sung-Mun Song from their Triple-A affiliate in El Paso.

The organization has not disclosed details about when the 32-year-old Cronenworth may have suffered the potential head injury. The veteran player has faced challenges at the plate during the early portion of the 2026 season, posting a .144 batting average and .196 slugging percentage with just one home run and four RBIs across 32 games. Throughout his seven-year major league career spanning 813 games, he maintains a .244 batting average.

For the 29-year-old Song, this call-up marks his first opportunity in the major leagues. He joined the Padres organization this past offseason, signing a four-year contract after developing his skills in Korea’s KBO league. An oblique injury initially landed him on the injured list to begin the season, and following his recovery, he was assigned to El Paso where he has performed well, batting .293 with one home run and 15 RBIs over 25 games.

Song wasted no time making his mark, earning his inaugural major league start Tuesday against San Francisco, taking the field at second base while hitting ninth in the batting order.

The Padres made additional roster adjustments Tuesday, bringing back left-handed pitcher Yuki Matsui, 30, from the 15-day injured list where he had been recovering from a groin strain. To make room, they sent lefty Kyle Hart, 33, down to El Paso. Hart compiled a 0-1 record with a 5.40 ERA, issuing six walks while recording 10 strikeouts across 16 2/3 innings in 12 relief outings.

Texas Rangers management announced Tuesday that second baseman Josh Smith will be sidelined for at least 10 days due to a strained right glute muscle.

To fill the roster vacancy, the Rangers brought up infielder Justin Foscue from their Triple-A affiliate Round Rock.

The 28-year-old Smith has struggled at the plate this season, managing a .217 batting average with six RBIs across 31 appearances. He has primarily manned second base in 29 contests while serving as designated hitter twice, after previously rotating between infield and outfield positions in 2025. Throughout his five-year major league career spanning 487 games, Smith maintains a .235 batting average along with 31 home runs and 134 RBIs.

Foscue, age 27, brings limited big league experience with just 19 major league appearances over the past two seasons since Texas selected him 14th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft. His major league numbers show a .059 batting average with three RBIs. However, he has performed well at Round Rock this season, posting a .287 average with two home runs and 14 RBIs through 30 games.

The Chicago White Sox completed a trade Tuesday, bringing in veteran pitcher Trevor Richards from the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations.

To make room on their 40-man roster for Richards, the White Sox moved pitcher Drew Thorpe to the 60-day injured list.

The 32-year-old Richards posted impressive numbers during his brief stint with Philadelphia this season, recording a 2.08 ERA across 4 1/3 innings in two relief outings. At the Triple-A level with Lehigh Valley, he compiled a 1-0 record and 1.93 ERA through nine games.

Throughout his major league career, Richards has accumulated a 24-28 record with a 4.52 ERA spanning 297 games (including 61 starts) across eight different organizations. The White Sox represent his sixth team just since the beginning of the 2024 season.

Chicago must still make an additional roster adjustment to activate Richards for their 26-man active roster. The team faces the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday evening.

The 25-year-old Thorpe remains in recovery following Tommy John surgery that was performed in March 2025.