Category: Sports

Two relief pitchers for the Milwaukee Brewers suffered injuries during Thursday’s home matchup against the San Francisco Giants, forcing both players to leave the game.

DL Hall was the first to get hurt in the fifth inning when he appeared to injure himself after throwing his 27th pitch of the game. After discussions with Brewers manager Pat Murphy and Milwaukee’s training staff, Hall was taken out of the contest.

Grant Anderson suffered his injury later when a line drive hit by Bryce Eldridge struck him in the right forearm. The Milwaukee pitcher was also pulled from the game following the incident.

Before his injury, Hall had pitched effectively for 2 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and no runs after the Giants had scored six times against starting pitcher Coleman Crow. Anderson pitched 1 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on three hits.

At the time of the report, San Francisco was leading 12-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has yet to determine his starting quarterback as the battle continues between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray.

Murray joined the team following his release from the Arizona Cardinals and is now challenging McCarthy, the incumbent starter. McCarthy, who was selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, moved into the top quarterback position after Sam Darnold departed to join the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent before the previous season.

According to O’Connell, a “transparent competition” is currently underway between the two quarterbacks.

“I’ve been really happy with the way both of those guys, J.J. and Kyler, have kind of attacked it in their own individual kind of ways knowing that they’re competing. It’s a competition,” O’Connell stated. “These guys are working every day, they know that. But the greater good of the Minnesota Vikings and our team ceiling is the most important thing that’s clear to both of those guys.”

During a recent interview, McCarthy revealed that he and Murray sit on “opposite sides” of the quarterback meeting room, suggesting the two former first-round selections aren’t particularly close friends.

O’Connell indicated he doesn’t require the quarterbacks to maintain a close relationship and isn’t concerned about external opinions regarding the competition. Many observers believe the Vikings acquired Murray with the intention of making him the starter when O’Connell reaches his decision.

“What actually matters is what I care about,” O’Connell explained. “Did we take the right footwork on a play? Did we have our eyes in the right spot? Did we make a protection call against one of (our practice) blitz looks? Did we do our jobs to manufacture the starting point and potential path to success for the offense? And there’s enough that goes into that, that I don’t have a ton of space left over for who says what and how they say it.”

“… It’s all a reflection of how people handle competitive situations and we’re all going to handle them differently. What I care about is when they step between the white lines, that there’s growth and development and that it really is a competition.”

Transportation officials in New York are getting ready to accommodate an additional 100,000 passengers per day during upcoming FIFA World Cup games.

The massive influx of sports fans heading to New York and New Jersey for matches is prompting significant transit planning efforts as the city’s mass transportation network prepares for the surge in ridership.

Officials are working to ensure the transit infrastructure can handle the dramatic increase in daily travelers expected during the international soccer tournament and NBA championship games.

Wide receiver Christian Watson has reached agreement with the Green Bay Packers on a massive four-year contract extension valued at $110.5 million that will keep him with the team through 2030, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.

The source confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on Thursday under the condition of anonymity since the contract has not been officially completed. The extension includes a $31 million signing bonus, with ESPN being first to report the agreement.

The 27-year-old Watson suffered a torn right ACL during Green Bay’s final regular season game in 2024, but returned last season to haul in 35 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns across 10 games. Despite being sidelined for much of the campaign, he shared the team lead in scoring catches and finished second in receiving yards.

When questioned Wednesday about potential contract talks, Watson expressed optimism about reaching a deal.

“Yeah, that’s the hope,” Watson said during the Packers’ organized team activities. “I mean, I kind of just put it all in my agent’s hands, and you know, when it’s getting to that point down the wire, he’ll obviously let me in on it. But for now, I’m just worried about what I can worry about, and just let him do his job.”

Watson had previously signed a one-year, $13.25 million extension last fall while rehabilitating his torn ACL, which extended his deal through 2026. This new agreement provides him with much greater long-term security.

Watson joins teammate Jayden Reed as the second Packers receiver to secure an extension this offseason. Reed inked a three-year deal in April featuring $50.25 million in new money with $20 million guaranteed.

These two players are anticipated to anchor a receiving corps that saw departures when Romeo Doubs joined the New England Patriots and Dontayvion Wicks was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles.

“It was definitely tough to see those guys go because they’re great friends of mine, great teammates,” Watson commented this week. “This thing always keeps on moving. I definitely think they’ll be a lot more opportunities for the guys who are out there this year, myself included. Just got to embrace that and continue to make plays when our numbers are called.”

Selected in the second round of the 2022 draft from North Dakota State, Watson has established himself as a reliable deep threat for Green Bay when healthy. However, various injuries have restricted him to just 48 games during his initial four professional seasons.

Watson discussed this week how beneficial it has been to experience a complete offseason while healthy instead of rehabbing from injury.

“It makes a big difference between just finding a rhythm and building that confidence with the whole offense and personally just being able to work on my craft and get a feel for things,” Watson explained. “It’s definitely a lot smoother of an offseason for me this year, being able to do everything.”

Through his career, Watson has recorded 133 receptions for 2,264 yards — averaging 17 yards per catch — along with 20 touchdown catches. He has also scored twice on rushing attempts.

Only Billy Howton and James Lofton are the other players in franchise history to maintain at least a 17-yard average per reception while recording a minimum of 125 catches during their first four seasons.

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens remains absent from the team’s voluntary offseason workouts during their opening week, though head coach Brian Schottenheimer reports the player is “handling his business” and maintaining strong communication with the organization.

The Pro Bowl receiver put his name on a $27.3 million franchise tag contract just over a month ago but has chosen to stay away from team facilities. Pickens faces no obligation to appear until the team’s required minicamp scheduled for June 16-18.

“Communicated with (Pickens) yesterday,” Schottenheimer said Thursday. “He’s got a football camp this weekend that he’s doing. So communication is good, and as you guys know it’s voluntary and he’s taking care of his business.”

The 25-year-old receiver delayed signing the one-year deal for two months before committing to the contract that pays him three times more than his previous four-year rookie agreement.

Before April’s draft, Pickens informed the Cowboys of his intention to sign the franchise tag, leading to rumors that Dallas might consider trading him. Team leadership quickly dismissed any such possibilities, and Pickens signed approximately one week following the draft.

Following his acquisition from Pittsburgh in a trade last season, Pickens flourished playing opposite CeeDee Lamb, recording personal bests with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns as part of one of the league’s top offensive units.

Lamb enters his second season under a four-year, $136 million deal that places him fourth among NFL receivers with a $34 million annual average.

Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones has expressed the organization’s long-term commitment to Pickens, who has been working with quarterback Dak Prescott during the offseason.

“I’m not sure exactly what they do,” Schottenheimer said. “You guys know Dak does a great job working with all the guys, whether they’re here, whether it’s this time of year, whether it is in the summer, they always go someplace. They’ll go someplace this summer and train and throw, and it’s a chance for them to develop their timing.”

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge remained sidelined Thursday for his third consecutive game as the team continues to evaluate a bone bruise on one of his right ribs that has resulted in shoulder discomfort.

“I absolutely expect something in the next couple of hours,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees concluded a three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians. “He went for more testing today just because he’s got edema there. So, they want to get (the most) specific images they can to try and see exactly what we have.”

Judge received a CT scan Thursday morning and had undergone an MRI scan earlier this week during a consultation with a medical specialist. The rib bruise was initially discovered during testing conducted on the team’s day off Monday.

“I’m obviously not a doctor, I don’t know how it all works, but there’s a lot of people involved in trying to make sure we get the right diagnosis,” Boone said.

Judge previously dealt with a stress fracture in one of his right ribs in March 2020. That injury stemmed from diving for a ball in September 2019, though Judge avoided missing games due to the pandemic-delayed 2020 season.

Currently batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs, the three-time AL MVP has managed just one homer over his past 18 contests since May 10. He broke an 11-game streak without a homer or RBI with a walk-off two-run blast on May 24 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Prior to facing Tampa Bay, Judge was mired in a 1-for-24 stretch that had lowered his batting average to .246. He had gone hitless in 15 consecutive at-bats before collecting a single in the opening inning.

Last season, Judge captured the batting crown with a career-best .331 average alongside 53 homers and 114 RBIs across 152 games. He sat out 10 games from July 26-Aug. 4 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow suffered during a throw home on July 22 in Toronto. He received a plasma-rich injection and avoided requiring surgery during the offseason.

During Judge’s absence last year, Giancarlo Stanton appeared in 17 outfield games. Stanton has been unavailable since April 24 with a strained right calf and began taking live batting practice Wednesday, although he won’t join New York’s upcoming road series.

José Caballero has started the opening two games against Cleveland and has made four right field starts since his acquisition from Tampa Bay at the July 31 trade deadline. Max Schuemann made his first career right field start Thursday.

Judge had started 52 of New York’s initial 59 games in right field. Rookie Spencer Jones made four right field starts before being optioned May 22, while Cody Bellinger has started two games there.

The world’s top soccer organization announced Thursday it will debut a new video game called FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition through Netflix Games on June 11, strategically timed with the opening of the 2026 World Cup tournament.

Netflix subscribers will gain access to the game at no extra charge, representing the soccer governing body’s effort to enhance fan interaction through its updated digital approach.

Created through a collaboration with Netflix Games and Delphi Interactive, the title serves as a user-friendly soccer simulation that lets participants experience tournament action firsthand.

Gamers can select any of the 48 competing national teams and compete in matches throughout all 16 tournament venues, featuring more than 1,200 individual players within the game.

The system utilizes mobile phones as game controllers, allowing players to link with televisions through QR code scanning, the soccer organization explained.

The multiplayer capability supports up to four participants simultaneously.

The organization stated this release represents part of a comprehensive transformation in its gaming strategy after concluding its extended collaboration with EA Sports, now pursuing a multi-partner approach designed to expand its presence across various platforms and demographics.

Officials characterized the game as an initial phase of an extended initiative, with plans for enhanced features and expanded platform availability following the debut launch.

The 2026 World Cup tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico begins June 11.

MONACO, June 4 – Formula 1 championship frontrunner Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes teammate George Russell pledged to maintain their aggressive racing approach for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, even after team boss Toto Wolff hinted he may need to step in and control their battles.

During last month’s Canadian Grand Prix, the 19-year-old Antonelli became frustrated following contact with Russell in their sprint race, which Russell ultimately won.

The teammates clashed once more the next day during the main event while battling for first place, before Russell’s race ended due to a power unit problem, giving Antonelli his fourth straight victory.

Though Wolff acknowledged their battle made for “good cinema,” he noted their fight cost both drivers valuable time and warned he would step in if their rivalry threatened the team’s point totals.

According to Antonelli, team meetings occurred several days prior to their Monaco arrival to analyze the Canadian incidents.

“Basically, the end of the discussion was that you can race each other fairly as long as there is respect and you don’t put yourselves in a situation where you could damage one of you or both of you,” the Italian driver explained to media on Thursday.

“The team doesn’t want to put rules, but understandably they want both cars to finish and to get as many points as possible. That is in our minds as well because we race for ourselves to be the best but also we race for the team to reward the 2,000 people who work for the team.”

“We’ll keep racing each other like in Canada but a bit more smartly. But definitely the team wants us to race freely because you can’t really put a leash on a driver.”

Russell, the British driver who captured the season opener in Melbourne but now trails Antonelli by 43 points, dismissed any worries about their competitive relationship.

“We have to be trusted and this is what we do, we are drivers and we push ourselves to the limit every single lap,” he said to reporters. “When we race we push each other to the limit.

“I know when you are sat on the sidelines in the pit wall like Toto of course it’s stressful and tense because you can’t control it but ultimately we have to be trusted and we are trusted. We’ll keep fighting but we know the boundaries.”

Antonelli has become the first Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1952 to claim four consecutive race victories, and represents the first F1 driver ever to win his initial four races in succession.

As Monaco begins an demanding stretch of the racing calendar and presents a track that could challenge Mercedes’ current dominance, Antonelli finds himself as the driver to beat.

Following the Canadian race, Russell declared the championship is now Antonelli’s to lose, though the Italian downplayed any mounting pressure.

“It’s so early in the season, there are 17 or maybe more races to go and it’s too early to talk about the championship,” he stated. “You can’t lose something you haven’t achieved.

“I feel pretty relaxed about the situation. I just want to keep on doing what I’m doing, raise the bar and try to win as much as possible.

“George is a super strong team mate and he will make my life very hard, but I just try to deal with every situation and then try to excel at what I do.”

The National Basketball Association issued lifetime arena bans to two individuals Thursday following a court invasion incident during the opening game of the NBA Finals in San Antonio.

One person was taken into custody after rushing onto the playing surface Wednesday evening and seemingly trying to snap a photo with San Antonio’s star player Victor Wembanyama. The disruption happened during the middle portion of the final quarter as the Spurs faced off against the New York Knicks.

League officials also barred a second person permanently for their participation in the Wednesday night disruption, though the NBA declined to reveal details about that individual’s specific actions.

“The individual who entered the court area during Game 1 of The Finals was arrested and will be banned for life from all NBA arenas,” an NBA spokesman said in a news release. “A second individual will also receive a lifetime ban for his role in the incident.”

The arrested individual appeared to access the playing surface from the sideline across from where the teams sit, beginning from behind the action and sprinting toward San Antonio’s scoring area. Security personnel swiftly removed the person from the court, and no physical contact seemed to occur between the intruder and Wembanyama or any New York team members.

The San Antonio star seemed unaffected by the disruption both during and following the incident.

“I’ve never been in that situation,” Wembanyama said. “I didn’t know how to act.”

Officials halted play for 1 minute and 29 seconds before continuing with a jump ball situation. Security escorted the court invader from the playing area through a tunnel near the baseline.

“I don’t think it was an event at all,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I thought security got him out of there. I think everybody moved on to the next play.”

RALEIGH, N.C. — Just three players remain from the Vegas Golden Knights’ original roster spanning all nine seasons. For William Karlsson, Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb, this marks their third Stanley Cup Final appearance, yet the excitement remains unchanged.

“It’s the same feeling as Year 1,” Karlsson said.

While their inaugural season concluded in disappointment, it established championship-level expectations for the franchise. Vegas captured their first Cup in 2023 during their sixth season. Hoping for another celebration on the Las Vegas Strip, these veteran Golden Knights immediately made their presence felt in the series opener against Carolina.

Both Karlsson and Theodore found the back of the net, while McNabb recorded his first career three-assist NHL performance during Tuesday night’s 5-4 triumph. The Golden Knights relied heavily on their most experienced players to overcome yet another multi-goal disadvantage and plan to continue depending on their leadership.

“They’re calm,” said coach John Tortorella, who has only been in charge since late March. “The foundation of our team, the guts of our team, has been through this before. … Those guys kind of lead the way by not panicking. They don’t say much, they just play, and I think other people follow behind them. I think that’s so important this time of year.”

The Golden Knights’ regular season struggles partly stemmed from Karlsson’s extended absence due to an undisclosed injury. He remained sidelined from early November through the beginning of the second round.

“I learned not to take anything for granted,” Karlsson said. “It wasn’t always just a straight line. Some minor setbacks. But I always have the mind to come back for playoffs, and I’m very happy to be able to be a part of it.”

Karlsson’s return enabled Mitch Marner to move back to his preferred right wing position from center. Since then, Karlsson has tallied six points while Marner has collected 15 across 11 games.

“It’s super fun to play hockey, and I’m happy to be getting a lot of minutes and help the team,” Karlsson said.

The Golden Knights entered this season facing a significant gap on their defensive line, with top defenseman Alex Pietrangelo unlikely to return due to a chronic hip condition. Former coach Bruce Cassidy noted during the ’23 championship campaign that while he recognized Pietrangelo’s talent, he gained new appreciation for his comprehensive skill set.

Theodore has filled that leadership void during Pietrangelo’s absence.

“Shea’s game this season has just added a completely different layer than what we were used to because he’s always been a great puck-mover, always been a very good offensive defenseman,” general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “Shea has become a penalty killer. He never killed penalties prior at all. He’s on the ice when it’s 6 on 5 against, where in the past he would not have been. And I’m really proud of him, to be honest with you. I think he’s really grown into it.”

Tortorella commended Theodore for recovering in Game 1 after being “spanked” on Carolina’s opening goal just 25 seconds into the contest.

“It doesn’t bother him, and he probably plays one of the better games,” Tortorella said. “He just played. I think it’s a really good lesson for all of us to see.”

Theodore not only netted Vegas’ first goal after trailing 2-0 but also delivered a perfect shot-pass to Brett Howden for a third-period score.

“His vision is unbelievable,” said Howden, whose 11 goals leads the postseason. “He wasn’t even looking at me, but I feel like he knew that I was going there and he made an unbelievable pass there. I just had to chip it in.”

McNabb has served as a reliable defenseman throughout his decade-plus career. Preventing goals while defending and hitting opponents remains his main responsibility. He doubled his postseason assist count Tuesday evening, adding to his previous total of just three assists across 15 games in the first three rounds. Theodore joked, “He’s an offensive guy.”

“My partner did most of the work on all of them, really,” McNabb said, crediting Theodore. “But, yeah, the guys made great plays, and it’s nice to chip in offensively when I can.”

While Vegas has acquired considerable talent since their remarkable first season, including captain Mark Stone, top center Jack Eichel and Marner, deep respect remains for the original Golden Knights roster, including Reilly Smith, who was traded away and later reacquired and had been playing until Karlsson’s return.

“They mean everything,” Howden said. “They’re the ones that built this team from the ground up. They built a culture here, starting from the top down. But those guys were here from the start, and they lead the way. They’re unbelievable leaders in the room.”

NEW YORK — An early injury concern nearly derailed Jalen Brunson’s night, as the star guard hobbled to the locker room in the opening quarter with apparent knee and ankle problems during Wednesday’s NBA Finals opener.

His absence was brief, and by the game’s final moments, that early scare was a distant memory.

The 2025 NBA clutch player award winner reminded everyone exactly why he earned that honor, delivering a spectacular closing performance over the last 7½ minutes that powered the New York Knicks to a 105-95 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday evening.

Brunson finished with 30 points overall, including 13 during that decisive final stretch — personally outscoring San Antonio in those crucial minutes.

“He’s a tremendous player that’s skilled, picks his spots, knows his angles, shoots contested shots without being sped up,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “He’s a phenomenal player. We just got to keep making him work. Again, he had a phenomenal game. He got going.”

The statistics from that game-changing final surge, beginning with 7:37 remaining and the score knotted at 86, tell the story:

— Brunson connected on 5 of 9 attempts, compared to San Antonio’s 2 of 11 shooting.

— While Brunson alone outscored the Spurs 13-9, New York as a team dominated 19-9.

— The guard sparked a personal 8-0 scoring spree that gave the Knicks a 94-86 advantage, and after San Antonio responded with their own 9-0 run to take a 95-94 lead, Brunson nailed a corner three-pointer that restored New York’s lead permanently.

— San Antonio failed to score another point.

“I think we know what we have to do,” Brunson said. “I think we are a pretty together group. Be able to trust each other and still have each other’s back and know that we just have to keep chipping away, chipping away. It’s just a credit to the mentality that we have as a team.”

The victory marks New York’s 12th consecutive win, making them just the third franchise to accomplish such a feat during a single postseason. The previous two teams to achieve this — San Antonio in 1999 (ironically against New York in the finals) and Golden State in 2017 — both captured NBA championships.

For the Knicks to reach that pinnacle, they’ll likely need Brunson performing at peak level. When he returned from the locker room after his early exit — while not quite matching the legendary Willis Reed moment in Knicks history — it immediately eased concerns for teammates like center Karl-Anthony Towns.

“When we all saw him limp off, we were worried not only because he’s Jalen Brunson but more because he’s our brother and we are a family in our locker room,” Towns said. “But when we were on the court and I saw him walking back out to the bench, it was a relief feeling just to know he’s safe.”

Though many contests during New York’s current winning streak have been dominant victories, several have featured gutsy rallies from significant deficits. Wednesday marked the third playoff game where the Knicks overcame a double-digit disadvantage to claim victory. They previously erased a 22-point deficit in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against Cleveland, overcame a 12-point hole in Game 3 of the East semifinals versus Philadelphia, and now battled back from 14 points down against the Spurs.

“It’s a position we obviously don’t want to be in but it’s always a next-play mentality,” Brunson said. “We have to control the things that we can control and our team is going to go on runs. Things are going to happen and somehow we bounce back. We continue to find a way and just kind of keep chipping away. We knew one play was not going to bring us all the way back but we just kept chipping away.”

Nineteen-year-old Russian tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva secured her spot in her first Grand Slam final Thursday with a commanding 6-1, 6-3 defeat of Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the French Open semifinals.

The eighth-seeded Andreeva dominated the match from start to finish on Court Philippe Chatrier, using powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play to overwhelm her Ukrainian opponent. She will now face either compatriot Diana Shnaider or Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska for the championship.

The semifinal carried political undertones due to ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Following a pattern established by Ukrainian players since Russia’s 2022 invasion of their homeland, Kostyuk declined to participate in the customary pre-match photo opportunity with Andreeva and avoided handshakes both before and after their contest.

Andreeva quickly established control by jumping to a 4-0 advantage in the first set and maintained her momentum throughout the match. This marked the third encounter between these players, with Kostyuk having won their previous two meetings.

While Kostyuk showed signs of mounting a challenge during the second set, Andreeva quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback before closing out the victory on her serve.

Following her triumph, Andreeva expressed her emotions about reaching this milestone. “I’m still very nervous, very nervous coming to this match as she’s had an amazing season, she hadn’t lost on clay, so that put pressure,” Andreeva explained.

“She’s an amazing player, a tough opponent, so I’m super happy with the way I played. I’m happy I got revenge for the Madrid final, and to reach my first Grand Slam final,” she continued.

“All of these feelings combined, I’ve never felt anything like this, I’m very excited about the last match here in Paris,” Andreeva concluded.

Tennis superstar Serena Williams is making her highly anticipated comeback to professional tennis, teaming up with Canadian player Victoria Mboko for doubles competition at the upcoming Queen’s Club Championships, Mboko announced Thursday.

The 44-year-old tennis icon, who has captured 23 Grand Slam singles titles, hasn’t stepped onto a professional court since competing at the 2022 U.S. Open. Williams and the 19-year-old Mboko have been granted a wildcard entry into the doubles competition at Queen’s Club.

“The Queen is back. An honor to share the court with one of the greatest athletes of all time this week,” Mboko wrote on Instagram, having previously dropped hints about Williams’ comeback following her second-round victory at the French Open. “Even more excited to play doubles together! Tennis is pretty special.”

Williams confirmed her comeback through social media posts after months of growing speculation, particularly following her return to the anti-doping testing program last year. This came despite her previous statements about “evolving away from tennis.”

The tennis legend will compete in London at the WTA 500 event, which runs from June 8 through 14.

Williams has captured 14 Grand Slam doubles championships playing alongside her sister Venus, with the siblings maintaining a perfect record in major tournament finals.

The ninth-ranked singles player Mboko previously described Williams as her “idol” during last week’s competition at Roland Garros.

BARCELONA, Spain — The race for Real Madrid’s presidency has intensified as both contenders ramp up their campaigns before Sunday’s crucial vote by club members.

Current president Florentino Pérez, 79, has made Jose Mourinho a centerpiece of his reelection bid, suggesting the Portuguese manager’s return to the club depends on electoral success. Mourinho previously managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013.

On Wednesday evening, Pérez posted on X with the message “MOUcha historia por hacer” (“So MOUch history to make”), accompanied by footage of Mourinho saying “Si” (“Yes”).

Reports indicate Mourinho was already being considered for a comeback before Pérez announced the elections last month. The potential appointment would see him replace Alvaro Arbeloa following the team’s second consecutive season without capturing a major championship.

Challenger Enrique Riquelme, a 37-year-old renewable energy businessman, made waves during a late-night television appearance Wednesday by declaring his plans to acquire Haaland from Manchester City. The show’s host displayed a mock Madrid jersey bearing Haaland’s name as the audience cheered.

“Haaland has a clause (in his contract) and wants to come to Madrid,” Riquelme stated during the broadcast. He also expressed interest in negotiating for Spain midfielder Rodri.

Manchester City responded forcefully on Thursday, issuing a statement that called the Spanish reports “untrue.”

“There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it,” City declared, adding they were “considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”

Haaland recently extended his City contract through 2034 in January 2025, securing one of soccer’s most valuable and longest agreements for a Premier League athlete. The club has kept any buyout clause details confidential.

City’s statement did not address Riquelme’s comments regarding Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner whose current deal runs until 2027.

Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sanchez watched his remarkable scoreless innings streak reach 50⅔ before finally surrendering a run during the Phillies’ narrow 3-2 victory against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday evening.

The Dominican southpaw (7-2) maintained a perfect month of May without allowing any runs and received recognition earlier Wednesday as the National League’s Pitcher of the Month. His June debut continued that dominance until Jackson Merrill connected for an RBI hit with two runners out in the seventh frame.

Sanchez completed seven innings, giving up just one run on four hits while walking one batter and recording eight strikeouts. His scoreless run ranks as the fifth-best in baseball history and establishes the record for any left-handed hurler.

The Phillies secured the win when J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber both connected against San Diego reliever Jason Adam (2-1) during the seventh inning. Philadelphia’s Jhoan Duran closed out the victory in the ninth for his 14th save of the campaign.

Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 0

Shohei Ohtani delivered six solid innings for his fourth consecutive win while reaching base five times as Los Angeles shut out Arizona in Phoenix.

Ohtani (6-2) surrendered two hits, issued one walk and fanned six batters while lowering his ERA to 0.74. His 61 innings pitched falls just one short of qualifying for the major league rankings, where he would lead all pitchers in earned run average.

Kyle Tucker collected three hits and launched a two-run blast in the second inning against Zac Gallen (3-5), while Freddie Freeman drove home two runs during a three-run third that built a quick 5-0 advantage. Ohtani registered three singles and drew two walks, extending his consecutive games reaching base to 19, during which he’s batting .438 with four home runs, 17 RBIs and 11 multi-hit contests.

Tigers 7, Rays 2

Detroit’s Dillon Dingler knocked in four runs as the Tigers finished their sweep of Tampa Bay by plating six runs through the first four innings, pulling away from the American League East leaders in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Dingler finished 2-for-4 while getting hit by a pitch. His fourth-inning blast marked his third homer of the series and one of 10 Detroit long balls during the sweep. Gleyber Torres went 3-for-5 with a double and three runs scored. Jake Rogers collected two hits, including a solo homer. Kevin McGonigle managed a double, single and one run. Making his third start, Troy Melton (2-0) performed well and allowed two runs on four hits across eight innings.

Cedric Mullins connected for a solo blast and Yandy Diaz singled home a run, but Tampa Bay managed only four hits — none following the second inning — and dropped to 2-8 over their last 10 games. Nick Martinez (5-2), who had permitted two runs or fewer in his first 11 starts, was hammered for six runs on nine hits in four innings.

Guardians 5, Yankees 4

Jose Ramirez launched a sixth-inning homer off Gerrit Cole as part of a three-hit night as visiting Cleveland defeated New York.

Following three consecutive doubles in Tuesday’s 9-4 win, Ramirez grounded out in his first plate appearance before singling in the fourth and homering against Cole (1-1). Kyle Manzardo went deep for the second straight game, while Rhys Hoskins delivered a two-run homer in the fourth. Cleveland’s Gavin Williams (9-3) surrendered three runs on four hits over 5⅓ innings.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. connected for a tying blast in the second and Jose Caballero homered in the fourth to keep it a one-run game. After two scoreless appearances following his return from reconstructive elbow surgery that sidelined him in 2025, Cole allowed four runs on six hits in 5⅓ innings.

Giants 1, Brewers 0

Logan Webb carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning while Victor Bericoto connected for his first career home run as San Francisco edged Milwaukee.

Brice Turang broke up the no-hit attempt with one out in the seventh, lining an opposite-field single to left. Milwaukee left the potential tying run at third base in the ninth after Christian Yelich’s leadoff double. Keaton Winn retired the final three batters for his first save this season.

Webb (3-4) surrendered only that single hit across seven innings. He struck out four and walked one while throwing 95 pitches. The 29-year-old right-hander extended his mastery over Milwaukee, improving to 5-0 with a 1.79 ERA in eight career starts against them.

Astros 11, Pirates 9

Cam Smith lined a go-ahead two-run triple down the first base line, capping a six-run eighth inning as host Houston rallied past Pittsburgh.

Isaac Paredes’ two-run homer in the seventh cut Houston’s five-run deficit to 8-5. After Pittsburgh added a run in the eighth, the Astros exploded for six runs with two outs in the bottom half, finishing against closer Gregory Soto (4-1). Houston closer Josh Hader made his season debut in the ninth and earned his first save after missing time with biceps tendinitis.

Henry Davis belted his first career grand slam for Pittsburgh, while Nick Gonzales also homered and drove in three. The expected pitching matchup between Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes and Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti never materialized as they combined to surrender seven runs. Smith drove in three runs and Isaac Paredes homered with three RBIs for Houston.

Mets 7, Mariners 1

Bo Bichette collected four hits with three RBIs while Freddy Peralta tossed six quality innings as New York ended host Seattle’s eight-game winning streak and salvaged the final game of a three-game interleague series.

Peralta (4-4) permitted one run on six hits. The veteran right-hander walked two and struck out six. A.J. Ewing registered three hits and scored once, Luis Torrens went 2-for-4 with two runs and Jared Young added two hits with an RBI.

J.P. Crawford finished 3-for-4 with a double and homer for the American League West-leading Mariners. Starter George Kirby (5-5) surrendered five runs (four earned) on nine hits over four innings, walking one and striking out five.

White Sox 8, Twins 0

Rookie Sam Antonacci delivered an RBI double to highlight his career-best four-hit performance, helping Chicago cruise past Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Antonacci added another double leading off the eighth before scoring on Miguel Vargas’ RBI single. Andrew Benintendi launched a two-run homer later in the inning to complete the scoring. Rookie Jacob Gonzalez recorded his first two career RBIs with a two-run single that highlighted Chicago’s four-run first inning. Erick Fedde (1-5) scattered two hits over five scoreless frames.

Taj Bradley (5-2) allowed four runs on seven hits with five walks in 4⅔ innings for Minnesota, suffering his first loss since April 24.

Marlins 4, Nationals 1

Max Meyer surrendered just one run on two hits over seven innings for visiting Miami, which defeated Washington to complete a three-game sweep.

Joe Mack’s two-out, two-run single off reliever Clayton Beeter (1-1) in the eighth gave Miami the lead. Meyer (6-0), who fanned seven, won for the fourth time in his last five starts. Esteury Ruiz connected for his third homer this season in the second, a solo shot.

Washington starter Andrew Alvarez worked 4⅔ innings. The left-hander allowed four hits, including Ruiz’s homer, and one walk while striking out five.

Red Sox 8, Orioles 1

Wilyer Abreu provided Boston’s first three RBIs before the Red Sox unleashed a five-run fifth inning en route to defeating visiting Baltimore.

Payton Tolle (3-2) tossed six scoreless innings for Boston, which collected 15 hits and has won three of their last four contests. Ryan Watson handled the final three innings for his first major league save. Ceddanne Rafaela and Willson Contreras both recorded three-hit performances.

Chris Bassitt (4-4) lasted only three innings and surrendered six hits with three runs for Baltimore, whose three-game winning streak ended.

Royals 5, Reds 2

Michael Massey lined a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the ninth before Nick Loftin added a two-run homer, helping visiting Kansas City defeat Cincinnati.

Vinnie Pasquantino also homered, while Stephen Kolek worked seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and two walks for Kansas City, which secured its first road series victory since sweeping Seattle from May 1-3.

After being scratched Monday due to illness, Chase Burns threw six innings of two-run, four-hit ball with nine strikeouts and one walk for Cincinnati, which lost its fifth game in seven attempts. Blake Dunn provided the Reds’ runs with a two-run homer.

Braves 7, Blue Jays 3

Atlanta received a pair of three-run homers from Mauricio Dubon and Ozzie Albies and cruised to victory, giving Toronto its fourth consecutive loss.

Dubon connected in the third against starter Patrick Corbin, while Albies homered in the seventh off Adam Macko. Grant Holmes (4-2) overcame a rough start and permitted two runs on five hits and two walks. Holmes struck out four, including Brandon Valenzuela with runners on the corners to end a fourth-inning threat.

Corbin (2-2) worked five innings and allowed four runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout. It marked the most runs he’s surrendered since his season opener April 10, as he absorbed his 12th straight loss to Atlanta, a streak dating to Sept. 6, 2019. Valenzuela and Nathan Lukes hit solo shots for Toronto.

Athletics 5, Cubs 4 (10 innings)

Nick Kurtz singled home the winning run in the top of the 10th, Justin Sterner threw a perfect bottom of the inning for his first career save and Oakland overcame Chicago for a road victory.

After scoring twice in the eighth to tie the game, the A’s moved automatic baserunner Alika Williams to third on a Jonah Heim infield out before Kurtz went opposite field against Cubs reliever Ethan Roberts (0-1) to deliver his run-scoring hit to left. Hogan Harris (3-0) pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth.

Cubs starter Colin Rea departed with a 4-2 lead in the sixth after allowing single runs in each of the first two innings. He limited Oakland to four hits in his 5⅓ innings. Seiya Suzuki hit a solo blast and Pete Crow-Armstrong added a two-run homer.

Cardinals 5, Rangers 3

Alec Burleson drove in three runs with a two-run double and RBI single as St. Louis defeated visiting Texas to avoid a series sweep.

Cardinals starter Andre Pallante (6-4) surrendered one run on three hits over 5⅔ innings. Riley O’Brien worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth for his 15th save. St. Louis’ Jordan Walker went 3-for-4 with three runs scored.

Joc Pederson delivered a two-run triple for Texas, whose five-game winning streak ended. MacKenzie Gore (4-5) permitted four runs on nine hits over 4⅔ innings.

Angels 11, Rockies 4

Nick Madrigal and Wade Meckler each collected four hits as Los Angeles salvaged the finale of a three-game series against Colorado in Anaheim, Calif.

Los Angeles’ Vaughn Grissom homered and drove in three runs. Madrigal had an RBI and scored once, while Meckler doubled and crossed the plate twice. Oswald Peraza went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and one run, and Jose Siri hit an RBI double and scored twice for the Angels, who matched a season high with 16 hits. Angels starter Walbert Urena (3-4) permitted three runs on three hits over six innings.

Tyler Freeman homered, Troy Johnston collected two hits with two RBIs and Hunter Goodman doubled, walked, stole a base and drove in a run for Colorado, which had won four of its previous five games. Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen (2-8) allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 3⅓ innings.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — João Victor Gonçalves never imagined that kicking a soccer ball in one of Rio de Janeiro’s most impoverished and dangerous favelas would eventually take him across international borders to compete on a world stage.

The 18-year-old Brazilian joined nine other young players on a trip to Mexico last month, where they represented their nation in the Street Child World Cup. This tournament brought together teams from 30 nations, all featuring youth from disadvantaged communities, and was held in advance of this year’s FIFA World Cup.

“I never could have imagined that one day this would happen, that I would represent my country, doing what I most love — playing soccer — in another country,” Gonçalves stated. The Brazilian squad remained unbeaten throughout the competition and claimed the championship title, making the experience even more memorable.

Gonçalves and his fellow players share the same passion as countless Brazilians, spending their childhood years playing with soccer balls and following the achievements of the Seleção, Brazil’s national soccer team. Their ultimate aspiration is to become professional players like their sporting idols.

According to the players, this program has already transformed their daily existence.

The Street Child United Brazil project operates in the Penha complex of favelas, offering participants a temporary refuge from their challenging daily reality filled with poverty and violence. The program creates an environment where young people can experience safety, community connection, and optimism for the future.

The program launched in 2014 when Brazil served as host for the FIFA World Cup. Currently, approximately 100 young people participate in training sessions that occur four times weekly throughout the year. The program accepts both male and female participants starting at age 6.

For 17-year-old Ryan Mercedes, who also made the journey to Mexico, soccer embodies “love, passion, the realization of dreams.” He explained, “When we enter the field, it’s time for us to have fun and be happy.”

However, soccer enthusiast Rafael Gomes acknowledges that the harsh realities of favela life sometimes intrude on their activities. The players have been forced to halt at least one match due to police operations occurring in their neighborhood.

“We were training when all of a sudden there were shots, we had to run and stay in the corners,” Gomes recalled.

More than 120 people lost their lives last year during a devastating police operation conducted in Penha and the adjacent Alemao complex of favelas. The operation targeted members of the criminal organization Red Command.

This drug-trafficking organization — recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration — maintains control over sections of the favela. The group poses a dangerous attraction for young people who might consider criminal activity as a rapid path to earning money.

Project coordinator Drica Santos explains that the organization works to provide an alternative to that lifestyle.

“If the project didn’t exist, we would have lost a lot of lives,” Santos noted. “We’re not going to save everyone, but the greatest number of children that we manage to save — that don’t get involved in drug-trafficking — that will already be our victory.”

Community leader Carlos Cassiano da Silva reports that parents appreciate the project because it ensures their children remain engaged in positive activities and avoid dangerous situations.

Da Silva also emphasized that the program helps showcase Penha’s positive aspects. “Many people aren’t used to seeing Penha in a positive manner, they don’t know of the good things we have here too,” he said.

With the World Cup drawing near, Gonçalves expressed his hope that the Seleção would achieve the same success as his team and return home with the championship.

“We did our part. Now it’s up to the Brazilian national team,” Gonçalves concluded.

SAN ANTONIO — More than five minutes into the third quarter of Wednesday’s NBA Finals Game 1, the New York Knicks’ 11-game winning streak appeared to be in serious trouble.

New York struggled badly to start the period, missing nine of their initial 10 attempts from the field. The San Antonio Spurs had built a commanding 14-point advantage and the Knicks looked lost.

But then an unexpected turn occurred. The Knicks discovered fresh momentum from a surprising place: San Antonio’s own mistakes.

New York fought back to even the contest by the period’s end, briefly lost their advantage in the final quarter’s closing moments, then surged ahead for good to claim a 105-95 victory.

San Antonio converted just four of 12 field goal attempts and turned the ball over twice during the third quarter’s final 5:57.

The Spurs regrouped in the fourth period, using a 9-0 scoring burst to take a 95-94 edge following Victor Wembanyama’s pair of free throws with 2:16 left on the clock.

New York controlled everything that followed, receiving significant assistance from San Antonio’s miscues. The Spurs squandered their opportunities in the closing stretch. Wembanyama turned the ball over out of bounds during a careless drive to the basket. Both he and De’Aaron Fox misfired on shot attempts, while Fox also committed another turnover.

“There were a few times it felt like we didn’t have an appropriate offensive possession in terms of trying to be greedy for our best shot, using spacing and passing, because that’s how we play,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said.

San Antonio appeared exhausted during the final five minutes while New York was the squad making crucial plays. Could this difference be attributed to the Spurs being only two days removed from completing a demanding seven-game series victory over defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Knicks enjoyed eight days of rest following their sweep of Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals?

Johnson and his players declined to blame tiredness for their performance.

“I’m sure guys got tired at times, but I didn’t feel like anyone’s performance was based on fatigue,” Johnson said. “We just need to be sharper and execute better and continue to work the game and not fight it at times and play the right way.”

Spurs reserve guard Dylan Harper, who contributed 16 points and eight rebounds, described the contest as being “like a track meet.”

Harper added, “I think the energy was high — like everyone was just getting up and down. I feel like both teams were fatigued.”

Jalen Brunson, who led the Knicks’ effort with 30 points, was eager to dismiss any suggestion that the Spurs faltered in the fourth quarter.

“(The win) was a mixture of us playing good defense and us obviously getting a little lucky,” Brunson said. “But San Antonio comes ready to play more than any other team that we’ve faced, and we have the utmost respect for them. We know we have to be ready for Game 2. We just found a way to make plays within the game tonight.”

Knicks coach Mike Brown praised his team for adjusting throughout the contest and maintaining their intensity.

“These guys are resilient, man,” Brown said. “They get better as the game goes along. They really try to pay attention to the details that we are throwing at them. They try to bring energy and multiple efforts, and that’s what we needed tonight.”

The Spurs have limited time to address the issues that plagued them in crunch time before Game 2 on Friday, but their star player remains confident.

“Obviously, we’ve been down in a series before,” said Wembanyama, referencing San Antonio’s Game 1 loss in the Western Conference semifinals against Minnesota Timberwolves. “But I’m not kicking myself about anything really. I’m not worried (in) the slightest.

“When we play bad, when I play bad, is when we shoot ourselves in the foot. This is why I’m not worried. We’re going to be so much better. I’m going to be so much better.”

Following his most productive NFL campaign to date, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington has secured a four-year contract extension worth $42 million, according to multiple media reports released Wednesday.

The 24-year-old player will earn $21 million in guaranteed money as part of the deal, sources indicate.

During the previous season, Washington, who was selected in the third round of the 2023 draft from Georgia, achieved personal bests with 31 catches and 364 receiving yards across 16 games, including 13 as a starter. He has recorded one touchdown reception in each of his last two campaigns.

Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 264 pounds, Washington has become a valuable red-zone weapon while leveraging his physical advantages against opposing defenders.

“Love Darnell,” first-year Steelers coach Mike McCarthy shared with media members earlier this week. “He’s been here every day, classroom, good student. He’s a pro’s pro. I’ve been very, very impressed with him. …”

“Year 1, as you get to know your players, there’s certain schemes you may tilt one way or the other, variations of schemes. And definitely we’ve been doing that with our tight ends, and he’s a big part of that reason.”

Throughout his three-year tenure with Pittsburgh, Washington has accumulated 57 receptions for 625 yards and two touchdowns across 50 appearances, starting 29 of those contests.

Both Washington and outside linebacker Nick Herbig, who finalized his four-year, $100 million extension on Wednesday, represent the initial members of Pittsburgh’s 2023 draft class to secure new deals this offseason.

“I’d love to keep that whole class here,” Herbig commented. “I think we got a bunch of dogs in there. I’m excited. I think some things (are) going to happen. I hope so.”

The French basketball sensation received blessings from nuns before tip-off, drew the biggest cheers during player introductions, and appeared to relish his inaugural NBA Finals experience in San Antonio.

That enjoyment quickly faded as the final buzzer sounded.

Victor Wembanyama put up 26 points in his championship series debut, but had to battle for every basket — connecting on only 6 of his 21 field goal attempts, with some shots even bouncing off the top of the backboard while facing constant pressure from New York’s defense. Most disappointing for the league’s top defensive player was watching the Knicks close out the contest with an 11-0 scoring run to capture a 105-95 road win and seize home-court advantage.

“I was bad tonight,” Wembanyama stated. “It’s not more complicated than that.”

His response came across as composed and straightforward, without any hint of alarm. San Antonio dropped one contest. The championship series continues. He remains unfazed for now.

“I would say that he definitely holds himself accountable,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson commented. “I expect he’ll learn a lot of things from tonight’s game and come out with a good approach in Game 2.”

Both Wembanyama and San Antonio have experience bouncing back from early setbacks. They surrendered home-court advantage to Portland in the opening round before claiming the series’ final three contests, lost their home edge again to Minnesota after dropping the second round opener, and entered the Western Conference finals without home-court advantage against Oklahoma City — a series where the Spurs fell behind 2-1 and 3-2 before ultimately advancing.

However, they now face a Knicks squad that hasn’t tasted defeat since April. With June now here, New York has won 12 straight games, and San Antonio must now capture four of the remaining six contests to claim the championship.

“Obviously, we’ve been down in a series before,” Wembanyama noted. “Never in the finals, obviously. But I’m not kicking myself about anything really. I’m not worried the slightest.”

There’s no doubt about his ability to rebound from this performance, or whether the championship stage pressure affects him. Since joining the NBA three seasons ago, Wembanyama has managed every challenge thrown his way — including last year’s health scare when deep vein thrombosis ended his season prematurely — with apparent composure.

Defeating the Knicks will prove challenging. However, expecting Wembanyama to deliver an improved performance in Friday’s Game 2 seems reasonable.

“Players come along every once in a while that, in addition to having this incredible skill, love the promotional side of it and want to play that role for the league,” Commissioner Adam Silver remarked about Wembanyama before the contest. “We saw the role he played at All-Star, even leading the other young players, saying, let’s take this seriously, this really matters.”

Dating back to when the NBA anticipated Wembanyama’s arrival, Silver has avoided setting specific expectations for him or the league. His reasoning remains clear: sufficient pressure already exists on Wembanyama’s shoulders. Silver has wisely chosen not to increase that burden.

“He came in highly touted. He was somebody who even before he came into the NBA was blowing up the internet in terms of his highlights,” Silver explained. “Did I have a specific expectation in terms of numbers of years it would take him to get to the finals? No. But I would say, just trying to be an objective observer, he’s ahead of any timeline that people had in mind.”

That assessment may hold true. He simply trails in the current series. Friday’s challenge will be significant.

“We’re all confident,” Spurs guard Dylan Harper expressed. “I feel like that is kind of who he is. He never backs down from the moment. He always kind of steps up and meets it.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the league’s investigation into alleged salary cap violations by the Los Angeles Clippers is approaching its conclusion.

During remarks before Game 1 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio, Silver indicated the investigation is “close to the point now where I think we need to wrap this up.”

The league launched the investigation in September, hiring the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to examine whether the Clippers circumvented salary cap rules by arranging a $28 million endorsement agreement between star forward Kawhi Leonard and banking company Aspiration. The team maintained a long-term business relationship with the same company.

The banking firm has since filed for bankruptcy, and this week company co-founder Joe Sanberg was sentenced to 14 years in prison on wire fraud charges. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer claims he personally lost $60 million due to his involvement with Aspiration.

Regarding the law firm’s investigation, Silver explained, “They are doing the work independent of the league office, and my instruction to them is we can’t be investigating forever, but at some point, we have to wrap it up. But at the same time, the most important thing is that we get it right.”

“I think it’s clear they’re far along. I think those reports are (coming in) all the time from people who are being interviewed by them, and I think they understand that you can keep going on and on. But I think we’re close to the point now where I think we need to wrap this up because you also need finality. Their team has to understand what the situation is they’re going to be operating under, and so do the other 29 teams.”

Silver also discussed several other NBA topics during his appearance:

—League expansion decisions could be completed by year’s end.

“As I think everyone knows at this point, we are focused on Las Vegas and Seattle,” Silver stated. “There’s multiple groups interested in both cities. We are in discussions with them. The timeline is, as I’ve said before, it’s not a foregone conclusion that we will expand either in one city or both cities. But what we have told all interested parties, our anticipation is our (board of governors) will make a decision by the end of this calendar year.”

—The commissioner expressed confidence that recently implemented anti-tanking measures will prove effective.

“We found ourselves in a situation this year where all of a sudden it seemed like a third of the league maybe was responding in what an economist would say is very rational behavior but nontraditional behavior in terms of what they saw as a clear incentive to fall to the bottom of the standings,” Silver explained. “And it maybe or likely was compounded by the fact that there’s a perception of a very deep draft class this year. But we ultimately concluded that we needed to take immediate action.”

—The proposed NBA Europe structure would feature 12 permanent franchises, with four additional positions available for teams to earn through competition.

NEW YORK guard Jalen Brunson delivered a clutch performance Wednesday night, netting 30 points with 13 coming in the final quarter as the Knicks mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in the opening contest of the NBA Finals.

The victory marked New York’s 12th straight playoff win, matching the second-longest postseason winning streak in NBA history. The triumph also represented the franchise’s first Finals appearance since 1999.

After trailing by 14 points during the third quarter, the Knicks dominated the final period, finishing the contest with an 11-point scoring run while committing zero turnovers in those crucial 12 minutes.

Karl-Anthony Towns provided solid support with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while OG Anunoby chipped in 17 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter when New York seized control.

San Antonio struggled down the stretch, turning the ball over five times in the final quarter while shooting just 28.6% from the field and getting outscored 29-19.

Spurs standout Victor Wembanyama put up 26 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked three shots, though he connected on only 6 of 21 field goal attempts. Stephon Castle contributed 17 points and eight rebounds, Julian Champagnie recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Dylan Harper added 16 points coming off the bench.

The pivotal sequence came late in the fourth when Brunson scored eight consecutive points, capping it with a driving basket that put New York ahead 94-86 with 6:08 remaining. Wembanyama answered with eight points during a 9-0 Spurs surge that gave San Antonio a 95-94 edge with 2:16 left on the clock.

However, the Spurs failed to score again. Brunson connected on a corner three-pointer to reclaim the lead with 1:50 remaining, then Mikal Bridges sank two free throws, Brunson hit a jumper, and Anunoby sealed the victory with four straight free throws.

Landry Shamet provided 13 points off New York’s bench, while Josh Hart recorded an impressive stat line of 15 rebounds, six assists, four steals and three points.

The Knicks shot 41.5% from the floor overall and made 11 of 36 three-point attempts for 30.6%. San Antonio connected on 36% of their shots and went 11 of 43 from beyond the arc for 25.6%.

San Antonio held a seven-point halftime advantage before opening the third quarter with 10 of the first 13 points to build a 65-51 lead on Harper’s basket. New York responded with a 20-6 run to tie the game at 71 on Brunson’s jumper with 2:01 left in the third.

Champagnie knocked down five three-pointers for 15 first-half points as the Spurs led 55-48 at intermission. Brunson managed 11 points in the opening half despite suffering a right knee injury in the first quarter and hurting his left ankle in the second.

Backup center Mitchell Robinson played 13 minutes despite a broken right pinkie, contributing two points and six rebounds.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series takes place Friday night in San Antonio.

The Toronto Blue Jays completed a cash deal Wednesday to bring back right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson from the Minnesota Twins, marking a return for the former organizational prospect.

The 25-year-old Woods Richardson was placed on waivers by Minnesota last Saturday following a difficult 2024 campaign where he posted a winless 0-7 record and 7.74 earned run average across 12 appearances, including 10 as a starter.

Blue Jays skipper John Schneider expressed optimism about the acquisition, stating: “He has been a pretty good stable guy in Minnesota’s rotation for a couple of years. So I think having some confidence and hopefully maybe tweaking a few things here and there can get him back on track.”

Schneider noted that Woods Richardson would not be available for Thursday’s series conclusion against the host Atlanta Braves.

Throughout his five-year major league career spent entirely with Minnesota, Woods Richardson has posted a 12-17 win-loss record alongside a 4.76 ERA. He has recorded 258 strikeouts against 124 walks across 302 1/3 innings in 65 appearances, with 61 coming as starts.

The pitcher’s professional journey began when the Mets chose him in the 2018 draft’s second round. A year later, he joined Toronto’s organization as part of the trade that sent right-hander Marcus Stroman to New York.

Woods Richardson developed within Toronto’s minor league system until July 2021, when he and outfielder Austin Martin were dealt to Minnesota in the trade for right-hander Jose Berrios.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — While no official confirmation exists regarding President Donald Trump’s plans to attend upcoming NBA Finals games in New York, Commissioner Adam Silver suggested Wednesday that athletic events continue to serve as unifying forces during polarizing times.

Without directly naming Trump, Silver addressed questions about “unique people” expected at the New York games and the league’s preparation protocols for such occasions. According to The New York Post, which cited unnamed sources, Madison Square Garden staff have conducted “security walkthroughs” in preparation for a potential Trump appearance.

The series’ third game is scheduled for Monday in New York, which is Trump’s home city. Wednesday marked the series opener in San Antonio, with the second game set for Friday at the same venue.

“I think what’s really so special about sports in our society — and it’s a little bit of a cliché, but our increasingly divided society, and that goes to people who will be attending the first home game at Madison Square Garden — it truly brings people together,” Silver said. “It creates a sense of connectivity among people. It creates a sense of belonging, and I feel that every day.”

The White House had not responded to requests for comment by Wednesday evening.

Trump has frequently appeared at high-profile sporting events. He revealed to reporters recently that Knicks owner James Dolan extended an invitation to the NBA Finals, adding he would have attended Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals — however, the Knicks completed their series victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in just four games.

Trump described the Knicks’ first Finals appearance since 1999 as “great to see.”

Throughout his political career, Trump has regularly attended major sporting competitions. His recent appearances include the College Football Playoff championship and a primetime NFL matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets shortly before the 2024 election.

Green Bay’s star defensive player Micah Parsons informed reporters on Wednesday that his return to the field is still months away, despite earlier hopes of rejoining the team during the season’s opening weeks. The All-Pro edge rusher said he remains four months from receiving medical clearance to practice.

The 27-year-old underwent ACL reconstruction surgery on Dec. 29 following a season-ending injury suffered during a Dec. 14 game against the Denver Broncos. Parsons disclosed Wednesday that doctors also performed a meniscus procedure during the same surgery.

The five-time Pro Bowl defender is expected to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, automatically sidelining him for the team’s first four contests.

“The goal for me is to complete the season — not no relapse — and playoffs and pushing towards a championship,” Parsons explained. “The goal isn’t for me to go out there and rehurt myself trying to force myself to get back the first few games. The goal has always been (to be available for the) playoffs, and I think we’re all on the same page.”

Should Parsons start the season on the PUP list, he could return to practice before Green Bay’s Week 5 home game against division rival Chicago Bears on Oct. 11. The Packers then welcome Parsons’ previous team, the Dallas Cowboys, the following Sunday.

“We have a pretty good strong nine-month rule,” Parsons said regarding the team’s approach. “Through the research and the data, there’s no good outcomes with players coming back early from an ACL, especially if you had other things that had to get fixed up. It’s just all about completing the rehab to the best of our ability and then seeing where we’re at from there.”

Prior to Parsons’ injury, Green Bay had compiled a strong 9-3-1 record, but the team collapsed with four consecutive losses to end the regular season and suffered a first-round playoff elimination at the hands of the Bears.

During his debut campaign with the Packers, Parsons tallied 12.5 sacks, 41 tackles, 27 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles, earning All-Pro first team honors for the third time in five seasons.

The Packers obtained Parsons from Dallas in a blockbuster Aug. 28, 2025 trade, subsequently signing him to a four-year, $186 million extension running through 2029. Green Bay surrendered Kenny Clark and two first-round selections to complete the transaction.

Since Dallas selected him 12th overall in the 2021 draft, Parsons has accumulated 65.0 sacks across 77 games (76 starts). He captured NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2021.

Professional basketball player Terry Rozier is challenging an arbitration decision that permits the NBA to retain the majority of his $26.6 million salary following allegations of his involvement in an illegal betting operation.

Court documents filed Wednesday by Rozier’s legal representative disclosed details of the arbitration decision and outlined the player’s efforts to modify his criminal case release terms.

The current release conditions have placed him “in breach of his contractual obligation to play.” Modified terms could enable Rozier to challenge the arbitration outcome once more and pursue free agency opportunities this summer for a new contract, although it’s uncertain if any teams would be willing to sign him.

Rozier faced indictment in October for his suspected participation in an illegal gambling operation. Following the indictment, he was released on a $6 million bond with conditions that prohibited him from communicating with current or former staff members of the Charlotte Hornets or Miami Heat.

During the time of the alleged offenses — conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering — Rozier was a Charlotte player, and subsequently spent one and a half seasons with Miami.

The 32-year-old player sat out the entire 2025-26 season following his arrest. Miami released him in April.

An arbitrator originally determined in February that Rozier should receive his salary, but this decision was reversed in a May 20 ruling when the arbitrator sided with the NBA.

Federal prosecutors filed two additional charges against Rozier in late May. However, the government simultaneously permitted Rozier to resume communication with Miami personnel while maintaining the restriction regarding Charlotte. Jim Trusty, representing Rozier, contends this arrangement is inadequate.

“With forced inactivity, Mr. Rozier is facing a potential second season of non-participation despite being entitled to a presumption of innocence,” Trusty stated in his motion. “Under the current ruling of the arbitrator, an inability to play for or against the Charlotte Hornets would constitute a ‘failure to perform services’ by Mr. Rozier and substantially diminish or eliminate any chance of being contracted by an NBA team.”

The allegations against Rozier involve informing gamblers that he planned to exit a game early while competing for Charlotte in March 2023. The gamblers subsequently placed substantial bets on the “under” projections for Rozier’s statistical performance in that game.

During the 2024-25 season, Rozier posted averages of 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists across 64 games (including 23 as a starter) for Miami. Throughout his 10-season NBA career with Boston, Charlotte and Miami, his career statistics include 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Speaking before Wednesday night’s NBA Finals tipoff, Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the league’s ambitious plan to establish an independent European basketball circuit by late 2027 remains on target.

The initiative — developed through a partnership between the NBA and FIBA, basketball’s international governing organization — has been under development for several years and is approaching reality during an optimal period for European basketball enthusiasm, particularly with San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama’s meteoric rise to stardom.

The player who earned unanimous Defensive Player of the Year honors this season has guided the Spurs to the championship round, and despite 2:30 a.m. tipoff times in his homeland of France, fans there are still organizing viewing events and celebrations for Wembanyama’s inaugural NBA Finals appearance.

“We are very much on schedule,” Silver said. “It is our hope and anticipation that that league will launch in the ’27-28 season in Europe. We are on track. Final bids from franchises are due at the end of this month, at the end of the month in June. We’ve seen record interest and we’re very excited about the ongoing opportunity and working closely with FIBA, our federation.”

Next season, Wembanyama will return to his home continent when the Spurs face the New Orleans Pelicans in two regular-season contests — first in Paris on January 14, followed by Manchester, England on January 17. Both Paris and Manchester are among the cities being considered for the proposed European league.

Earlier this year in January 2025, Wembanyama and the Spurs competed in a pair of Paris games against the Indiana Pacers, with tickets selling out rapidly. While the NBA’s European expansion ambitions predate Wembanyama’s entry into the league, his emergence as a superstar has undoubtedly heightened NBA interest across that continent.

“Presumably, we will be in position in the fall to award franchises,” Silver said.

During his traditional pre-finals press briefing Wednesday, Silver addressed several additional topics:

Regarding the NBA’s previously announced exploration of expansion into Seattle and Las Vegas, Silver indicated that “discussions are ongoing.”

According to Silver, several ownership groups have expressed interest in establishing teams in those markets. However, no specific timeline exists for potential expansion, though Silver maintains his commitment to reaching a decision by the conclusion of 2026 — a deadline he has referenced repeatedly.

“It’s not a foregone conclusion that we will expand … but what we’ve told all interested parties is our board will make a decision by the end of this calendar year,” Silver said.

NEW YORK — Former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson made his retirement from professional football official Wednesday, announcing through a social media video that he will be joining CBS Sports as a broadcast analyst.

The ten-time Pro Bowl signal-caller’s confirmation followed reports from earlier this week that he was completing negotiations to become part of CBS’s Sunday NFL pregame show.

“As I enter this next chapter with CBS Sports and ‘The NFL Today,’ I’m so blessed to continue doing what I love most — being around the greatest game in the world,” he said in the video.

Wilson’s professional career spanned 14 seasons after Seattle selected him in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft following his college career at N.C. State. During his decade with the Seahawks, he guided the franchise to its first Super Bowl title in the 2013 season. Following the 2021 campaign, he was dealt to Denver, where he struggled through two difficult seasons with the Broncos before spending single seasons with Pittsburgh and the New York Giants.

Throughout his career, Wilson accumulated 46,966 passing yards while throwing 353 touchdown passes against 114 interceptions.

Wilson joins an exclusive group alongside Peyton Manning and Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks to record at least 20 touchdown throws in each of their opening three seasons. He also stands among just seven quarterbacks selected to 10 Pro Bowls.

The retiring quarterback holds the unique NFL distinction of achieving at least 30 touchdown passes while throwing fewer than 15 interceptions across four consecutive seasons. Additionally, he recorded three campaigns with both 30-plus touchdown passes and 500 rushing yards, setting an NFL record.

During his approximately three-minute announcement video, Wilson expressed gratitude to teammates, friends and family while offering particular recognition to former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.

“Thanks for taking a chance on a young, 5-11 Black kid from Richmond, Virginia, that was told he was too small to ever make it in the NFL,” Wilson said.

Wilson holds the record as the shortest starting quarterback to capture a Super Bowl championship.

Wilson will step into the role previously held by Matt Ryan, who departed the broadcast booth after two seasons on “The NFL Today” to become president of football for the Atlanta Falcons. Wilson had contemplated returning for a 15th playing season, revealing to the New York Post last month that he was considering an offer from the New York Jets to serve as backup to Geno Smith.

The retirement video showcased career highlights and included footage of Wilson’s visits to patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The announcement concluded with Wilson expressing appreciation to his wife, Ciara, and the sport that defined his career.

“I thank you, football. … I am forever grateful,” he said.

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez dominated through another four innings without allowing a run Wednesday evening against San Diego, pushing his remarkable scoreless streak to 48⅔ consecutive innings and claiming third place on the all-time list.

Only Orel Hershiser of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who achieved a record 59 straight scoreless innings in 1988, and Don Drysdale with 58 in 1968 stand ahead of Sánchez on the record books dating back to 1920’s Live Ball Era beginning.

The left-handed pitcher struck out Fernando Tatis Jr. and retired San Diego’s batters in order during the first inning Wednesday evening, surpassing Carl Hubbell to become the all-time leader among southpaws.

Sánchez recorded strikeouts against Xander Bogaerts in the second frame and Jase Bowen in the third, maintaining the scoreless contest.

The 29-year-old hurler also moved past Sal Maglie, Zack Greinke, and Bob Gibson on the shutout streak rankings since 1920. He topped Gibson’s 47 consecutive scoreless innings from that same 1968 campaign as Drysdale, known as the year of the pitcher.

Sánchez — featuring a changeup that averages 86.5 mph while limiting opposing batters to a .153 batting average — hasn’t faced significant danger of surrendering a run since giving up two runs in the opening frame of Philadelphia’s 3-2 victory over the Giants on April 30.

In his previous outing against San Diego, he completed seven scoreless frames to surpass Philadelphia’s franchise mark of 41 innings, established in 1911 by Grover Cleveland Alexander.

“You don’t get to see things like this very often,” Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said before Wednesday’s contest. “It’s one of those things that’s not happened very often. It’s hard to categorize it. I don’t know if I’ve seen anything that’s really been better than this.”

Sánchez took the mound against San Diego carrying a 6-2 record and baseball’s lowest 1.47 ERA. He has delivered at least seven shutout innings across five consecutive starts.

“At some point this year, he’s going to give up a run,” Mattingly said. “I’d love to see him break the record. He’s pitching great, he’s handling it.”

Earlier Wednesday, Sánchez received recognition as NL pitcher of the month for May. During that span, he compiled a 4-0 record and struck out 45 batters while issuing just three walks across 39 innings.

“It’s pretty cool what he’s doing,” Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper said before the game. “Lot of punch-outs, as well, so that helps us on defense.”

He finished as the NL Cy Young Award runner-up in 2025 after posting a 13-5 record with a 2.50 ERA and 212 strikeouts over 202 innings. Sánchez originally signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent in 2013 before being dealt to Philadelphia six years later for infielder Curtis Mead in an overlooked offseason deal. He reached the major leagues in 2021.

“I remember they were talking about releasing him in 2020,” Harper said. “I’ve seen it from the jump, just kind of the way he approaches it. Just super special.”

Drysdale recorded six consecutive complete-game shutouts during his streak spanning May 14 through June 8, 1968. Hershiser delivered six scoreless outings in September 1988 while establishing his record-setting run. Hershiser, currently working as a Dodgers broadcaster, expressed last week that he would welcome Sánchez breaking his mark.

“I’m pulling for anybody to have a life-changing moment,” Hershiser said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stay safe and have a successful hunting season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Madden NFL 27” launches on Aug. 13.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Harper also understands the importance of this moment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Or surpass it, depending on the calculation method.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tigers 8, Rays 0

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

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

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

Rockies 8, Angels 2

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

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

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

Braves 4, Blue Jays 3

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

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

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

Phillies 3, Padres 2

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

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

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

Marlins 7, Nationals 3

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

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

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

Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 5

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

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

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

Guardians 9, Yankees 4

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

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

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

Orioles 4, Red Sox 2

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

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

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

Twins 6, White Sox 4

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

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

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

Athletics 2, Cubs 1

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

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

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

Brewers 8, Giants 3

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

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

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

Rangers 7, Cardinals 4

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

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

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

Pirates 10, Astros 6

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

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

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

Mariners 8, Mets 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vegas rallied back with three consecutive goals to take control.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These additions have Garrett anticipating significant achievements.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The financial impact still carries some pain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Only one strategy will conclude with a Cup celebration.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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