In true “Torts” fashion, he is not explaining why.

"I like our team, where we’re at," Tortorella said Friday. “We’re good. We’re ready to play. I like a lot of things about what’s gone on in the first two games. I’m not giving you specifics.”

Tortorella and the Golden Knights return home for Game 3 against the Hurricanes on Saturday night with plenty of lessons to learn from. It's the first time in NHL history that each of the first two games of a Cup final featured a team erasing a multigoal deficit to win.

Vegas trailed 2-0 in the opener and won 5-4, then led 2-0 on Thursday night until past the midway point of the third period. After Carolina scored three times in just over five minutes, it took captain Mark Stone tying it 6 on 5 with goaltender Carter Hart pulled for an extra skater to force overtime.

“We have pretty good control, and then some minor mistakes and it ends up in the back of the net,” center William Karlsson said. “Just kind of ride it out all game long and hopefully not give Carolina any chances to come back.”

Teammates credited the crowd in Raleigh for aiding the Hurricanes' comeback, and with that came an appreciation to be playing the next two games at the arena on The Strip nicknamed the Fortress. The Golden Knights have only been in existence for nine years, but their home-ice advantage quickly became one of the best in the league.

“We feed off the crowd,” forward Keegan Kolesar said. "You can tell from (Game 2), once things started going their way, they’re playing a lot faster, a lot harder when their crowd is involved. Go back to even the COVID year, it makes you realize how important fans are because when they’re not in that building, it can be pretty miserable, so really excited to have that back in our building.”

The Knights are 6-2 at home during the playoffs. They are also 7-3 on the road.

Tortorella has preached consistency since taking over when Bruce Cassidy was fired in late March, and that applies to not changing much depending on where games take place.

“There’s no difference," Tortorella said. "We’re going to play. We know how to play. We know how we want to play.”

Carolina went a perfect 6-0 on the road through the first three rounds, including the Eastern Conference Final at hockey-mad Montreal.

“I don’t think we really care, to be honest, where we play," said Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen, who has a 1.27 goals-against average and .931 save percentage away from home in the playoffs this spring. “We’re really just focused on our foundation in our game, and that’s really what sets us up for success.”

Lingering over Vegas is the potential absence of top-pairing defenseman Brayden McNabb, who took an 87.3 mph slap shot to the face 11 minutes into Game 2 and did not return. If McNabb is unable to play in Game 3, fellow left-handed shooter Ben Hutton or righty Kaedan Korczak are likely replacements.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Sean McDonough has delivered some of the best calls of this Stanley Cup Final, was named the 2025 National Sportscaster of the Year, and had Joe Buck calling him one of the two best play-by-play voices in any sport just a year ago. He’ll be the first to tell you it wasn’t always this comfortable.

Appearing on the Sports Media Watch Podcast, McDonough opened up about just how difficult the adjustment was when ESPN reacquired the NHL rights in 2021 after a 16-year absence from the sport, and about experiencing something rare for a broadcaster of his caliber.

“I’m completely comfortable now. It was an adjustment when we first got it five years ago,” he said. “I obviously followed it very closely as a fan in the 16-17 years that ESPN didn’t have the NHL, but I hadn’t broadcast a game. I had done some Frozen Fours in between, but I had no full realization of just how much the game had changed, especially in terms of the speed. Twenty years ago, you could look down at your notes, make sure you had the right name and number, find a little nugget in your notes, look up, and the puck was still making its way up the ice. Now, if you look down for a split second and you look up, it’s hard to find the puck.”

McDonough has spent decades as one of the most versatile play-by-play voices in the business before ESPN tapped him as its lead NHL voice when the network reacquired the rights in 2021. His NHL résumé was thin by comparison. The last time he’d called a full NHL season was during ESPN’s previous run with the sport from 2000-203, and some questioned the hire given that Kenny Albert, who took the top job at TNT Sports that same year, had years of NHL experience on him. McDonough has long since answered those questions. But he’s the first to tell you the early skepticism wasn’t entirely off base.

What made the adjustment to being the network’s lead NHL voice particularly hard, McDonough explained, was that the quality ESPN specifically hired him for — his storytelling — suddenly worked against him in hockey’s environment.

“One of the reasons they hired me is they think I’m a good storyteller and they want to humanize the players more, so what I realized very quickly is it’s very hard to tell stories within action in hockey because the puck moves too fast,” he said. “…You have to be very judicious in when you tell stories and how you tell them. And, basically, I try to tell them now as just one-line nuggets… I kind of learned that the hard way. You have to really memorize the names and numbers, and you can’t look down when the puck’s in action.”

For the first time in a career spent calling some of the biggest events in sports, McDonough felt out of his depth.

“I was not good, to be quite candid about it, when we first started back five years ago,” he continued. “And it was the first time that I really felt — I never really felt inadequate — and I kind of did when we first got the hockey, to the point where I thought, ‘I used to think this was my best sport and so did a lot of other people who know me, now I’m not sure about this.'”

He said the adjustment came once he figured out how to work within the sport’s constraints rather than fight them. The bigger ongoing challenge is simply not calling enough games, being that he also serves as the network’s No. 2 college football voice. ESPN’s regular-season NHL package is limited, which means McDonough goes stretches without being in a booth, and hockey play-by-play is uniquely dependent on rhythm and repetition in a way that other sports aren’t.

“It’s still a little difficult, to be honest, because we don’t do that many regular-season games,” McDonough admitted, “so I find it’s really just now in the playoffs where we have a game every other night for the most part that you really do get in a rhythm, because hockey play-by-play is largely about rhythm and flow.”

He was quick to add that he may have been harder on himself than warranted. But the standard McDonough holds himself to has never been a question. He pushed through illness during the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, consulting team doctors in Edmonton rather than stepping away, and his call on Seth Jarvis’s overtime winner earlier this week was as good as anything he’s produced in any sport. The broadcaster who thought he might not be cut out for hockey has become the standard by which ESPN’s hockey coverage is judged.

Sean McDonough: “These gentlemen would quiet all the critics wondering where they’ve been if they score the game-winner in overtime… THEY SCOOOOORE! SETH JARVIS QUIETS THE CRITICS AND IGNITES THE CROWD!” #StanleyCupFinal#NHLpic.twitter.com/Yi8lzmq6iW

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 5, 2026

“Most of the time, I feel very comfortable in the booth calling a game, and kind of feel like that’s where I’m supposed to be. But there were a few hockey games in the early days where I thought, ‘Oh boy, I better get better at this in a hurry.'”

He did.

The post Sean McDonough reveals he felt ‘inadequate’ during early days as ESPN’s lead NHL voice appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Cal Poly vs. West Virginia baseball box score: Live stats from NCAA Baseball Championship Game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The West Virginia Mountaineers baseball team is hosting their first-ever NCAA Super Regional and appear to be in the driver's seat. They'll welcome the Cal Poly Mustangs into Morgantown for a possible three-game series.

First pitch is set for noon ET on ESPN2. This is the first game of the Super Regional round on the way to the College World Series in Omaha. 

Cal Poly vs. West Virginia baseball box score: Live stats from NCAA Championship Super Regional

Cal Poly

2B: 

• Hoiland 1 (15)

H: 

• Kordic 1 (10)

RBI: 

• Kordic 1 (38)

• Estes 3 (3 strikes)
• Naess 63 (34 strikes)

West Virginia

2B: 

• Guzman 1 (20)
• Smith 1 (11)

H: 

• Smith 1 (9)
• Hall 1 (6)

RBI: 

• Smith 3 (52)
• Kresser 1 (32)
• Hall 4 (32)

• Cole 92 (62 strikes)

How to watch: Cal Poly vs. West Virginia 2026 NCAA Baseball Championship Game

Date: Friday, June 5

Time: Noon ET

TV: ESPN2

More NCAA News

• Saint Mary's vs. UCLA baseball box score: Final stats from NCAA Baseball Championship Game 1
• Milwaukee vs. Auburn baseball box score: Final stats from NCAA Baseball Championship Game 1
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• Demond Williams bombshell could have resulted in Lane Kiffin fired by LSU

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones react to Thursday night's double-header, checking in on the Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, Minnesota Lynx and Golden State Valkyries. From there, the guys talk through the games they're most excited to watch over the next few days.

If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com

01:28 -- Fever-Dream

21:41 -- Lynx-Valkyries

40:22 -- Games of the Week(end)

Brian Spurlock

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Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

"Yeah, I met with them today, actually. It was great. I got to meet them and the coaches and everybody," Arizona guard Brayden Burries said during his interview at the Draft Combine in Chicago last month. Burries is projected to be one of many guards available in the 5-10 range of the Lottery, but in his meeting with the Nets, he understood how he would fit in if taken by Brooklyn in the draft later this month.

"I know they're team got a lot of guards, but just being able to play like with anybody, I feel like that's a super big part of my game," Burries continued. "Being able to just fit in anywhere, I can play on the ball, off the ball." Burries mentioned earlier in his interview that he prides himself on being able to contribute in any way that's needed for his team, including defending and rebounding.

Burries, listed at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, averaged 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 49.1% from the field and 39.1% from behind the three-point line for the Wildcats during his rookie season. While Brooklyn has been linked to players like Tennessee forward Nate Ament, Michigan center Aday Mara, and Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., Burries seems to be the kind of player that could surprise some people evaluating this draft class.

"In the late-lottery, he'll enter the best-player-available conversation for his physical, downhill attacking, three-level shotmaking, strong defensive tools and knack for scoring without needing heavy usage," Jonathan Wasserman wrote on Burries in his latest mock draft for Bleacher Report. Jun. 23 will show how the Nets feel about Burries with the No. 6 pick, but if he's available, he could present the level of versatility that head coach Jordi Fernandez loves to see from his players.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Potential Nets 2026 NBA Draft pick Brayden Burries discusses fit

Adam Schefter of espn.com said, “The Bears’ Board of Directors voted Thursday to advance the stadium development in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact to be selected. This is this first time that the Bears’ board has voted on any stadium site. As one source said, “There is more work to do but barring anything very strange, it’s a done deal.”” To no surprise, the Chicago organization had enough of the politics in the state of Illinois and wanted something different in the state of Indiana.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun Releases Statement on Twitter About Welcoming Chicago Bears to the State of Indiana

Braun is excited about the Bears moving to the state of Indiana in the foreseeable future. He said on his Twitter page,

“Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great state! We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the ’85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come. An NFL franchise in Northwest Indiana will be an economic boost to the entire region like we haven’t seen before. Thank you to Speaker Huston, the legislature, and Mayor McDermott for their partnership. I also want to thank the entire Chicago Bears organization for their partnership and commitment in making this move a reality. Welcome to Indiana!”

It will be interesting to see where in the Hammond, Indiana area the Bears will put their new stadium in. With Chicago’s organization deciding to make this move, the Bears will become the second team in the state of Indiana to have an NFL team. The Indianapolis Colts are the other team that play in this state of Indiana.

The Bears lease at Solider Field in downtown Chicago, Illinois goes through 2033. With that being said, there is a chance that they could be moving on from Chicago earlier than that depending on when the new stadium is built in Hammond, Indiana. This is a huge development for the Bears organization. It’s a major win for the state of Indiana and a major loss for the state of Illinois. The good news is that the drive from Chicago to Hammond is not that bad.

For More Great Football Content

Follow me on Twitter at @glennkaplan13 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!

The post “Welcome To Indiana!”: Indiana Governor Mike Braun Releases Statement on Twitter About Welcoming the Chicago Bears to the State of Indiana appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.

Amarr Knox, Shawn Fulcher, Corey Hines and Tony Madlock were alleged to have engaged in game manipulation when Alabama State played at Southern Mississippi on Dec. 5, 2024. Southern Miss was a six-point favorite and won 81-64.

According to the NCAA, two known bettors offered the players a total of $2,000 to throw the game. The players accepted and were later paid.

Knox, Hines and Madlock were Alabama State's top three scorers for the 2024-25 season and Fulcher was a reserve. Knox’s layup with a second left lifted the Hornets to their first NCAA Tournament win, 70-68 over Saint Francis in the 2025 First Four.

The two bettors were indicted in January by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on wire fraud and bribery charges related to sports contests.

The NCAA discovered the game-fixing after Hines transferred to Temple, which notified the enforcement staff that Hines had been contacted by the FBI and shown text messages concerning a sports integrity issue when he was at Alabama State. None of the players was active on a college team last season.

___

AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Almost half of those planning on betting on the World Cup will do so at a prediction market, according to a new survey released Thursday.

The figures come from the SEON World Cup Survey, which questioned 588 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. SEON is an AI-powered fraud prevention and AML compliance company.

The World Cup opens Thursday with two games in Mexico. The event will be held across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. with the final set for July 19 at the Meadowlands.

In total, 56% of respondents said they planned to watch the World Cup, and 43% said they are at least somewhat likely to bet on it. Of the overall sample, 29% said they would use licensed sportsbooks, and 19% said they would use prediction markets.

Among millennials, 36% said they would use prediction markets compared to 38% for sportsbooks.

“The data suggests that major sporting events are accelerating the adoption of prediction markets beyond their early-adopter base, particularly among younger bettors who are comfortable moving across multiple platform types,” a press release announcing the survey results said.

In addition, 17% said they would use social casinos, 8% crypto-based platforms and another 8% offshore sites. The figures add up to well over 43% as many respondents plan on using more than one platform.

45% not confident info protected

Legal availability likely plays a part in respondents’ choices. Sports event contracts are available in every state except Nevada, while sportsbooks are only available in 38 states plus Washington D.C., covering about two thirds of the country’s population. Of those 38 states with legal sportsbooks, seven do not allow online sports betting. The April Prediction Market Monitor from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming found that 69% of all sports contracts originate in the 19 states where there is no legal online sports betting, with 43% of it coming from California and Texas.

The survey also found that 45% of respondents say they are not confident that betting platforms can protect their personal and financial information. It also found that 22% of respondents had signed up for multiple betting accounts to access promotions, 20% have clicked on a betting link from social media or a messaging app, and 17% have used a friend or family member’s betting account. 

SEON’s President for Go-To-Market Matt DeLauro said the fact that customers don’t trust the platforms they use could make it more difficult to protect against fraud.

“Consumers plan to bet, yet they don’t fully trust the platforms they’re betting on, and nearly a quarter are already engaging in behaviors like multi-accounting that make fraud harder to detect,” he said. “That combination of high volume, low trust and blurred intent is what makes events like this so difficult to protect.”

A key member of the back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back MIAA Division 1 champions Taunton softball has added another accolade to her name.

On Friday, June 5, junior shortstop/third baseman/catcher and University of South Carolina commit Bella Bourque was announced as the 2025-26 Gatorade Massachusetts Softball Player of the Year.

Through the first 21 games, Bourque is batting .589 with 44 hits, 22 of which have been for extra bases including 3 home runs, while also recording 42 runs, 34 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and an OPS of 1.686. She is also ranked as the No. 50 prospect nationwide in the Class of 2027 by Prep Softball.

"She leads by example, works hard and has had a great work ethic all year,” Tigers coach Michelle Raposo said in a press release. “She’s done a really good job this year working on her hitting and emphasizing hard, line-drive contact. Bella has been clutch and consistent throughout her career for us, but particularly this year.”

A three-time state champion, Bourque has been a key piece of the Tigers' success since leading the Hockomock League in hits (36) and the team in doubles (9), triples (6), home runs (6) and RBIs (36) as a 13 year old eighth grader. Through the first two games of this spring's Division 1 tournament, she's batting 4-for-7 with 4 runs and a pair of RBIs.

Bourque is the third Taunton softball player, and first non-senior and position player, to take home the prestigious award, following Taunton High Athletic Hall of FamerKatlyn (Mallette) Gauthier (2002-03) and her former teammate and current Texas Tech pitcherSam Lincoln (2023-24).

She's also the second Greater Taunton area athlete to take home the honor in their respective sport this week, following Raynham resident, Bishop Feehan senior pitcher and projected 2026 MLB Draft first round pick Brody Bumila, who was named the 2025-26 Gatorade Massachusetts Baseball Player of the Year.

Bourque and the Tigers are set to continue their hunt for a sixth straight state title on Saturday, June 6 when they play host to No. 8 Newton North at 5 p.m. in the Division 1 Elite 8.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Bella Bourque named Massachusetts Gatorade Softball Player of the Year

Are the Bears moving to Indiana? Explaining NFL team's 'done deal' to leave Illinois for new stadium originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On Friday, the Chicago Bears made significant headway in their attempted move out of Soldier Field in the Windy City.

The team's Board of Directors voted in favor of making progress in the team's new stadium set to be put up in Hammond, Ind., according to Adam Schefter. While it's not fully finalized yet, the team has made significant progress since the idea's inception.

If the team does leave its long-time post in Chicago, it would become the fourth NFL team this century to relocate to different state.

Here's the latest on the Bears' move out of Chicago and into the Hoosier state.

MORE: What is Chicago's complete schedule for the 2026 NFL season?

Are the Bears moving to Indiana?

Chicago's Board of Directors held a vote on Thursday regarding whether or not to proceed with stadium progress in Hammond, Ind., for the first time, according to Adam Schefter. The vote ended with a successful advancement, and the team appears set to be on the move over state borders.

The Bears’ Board of Directors voted Thursday to advance the stadium development in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact to be selected. This is this first time that the Bears’ board has voted on any stadium site.

As one source said, “There is more work to do but barring anything… pic.twitter.com/4TQTbeJKrL

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 5, 2026

According to a source from Schefter, "There is more work to do but barring anything very strange, it’s a done deal.”

While I’m being told that the Bears announcement on Hammond is “real”,
i.e. not a leverage play, a league source told me that the Bears leaving the state is not a done deal. Per source, Indiana is in the lead right now, but “Illinois can still get back in the race,” granted the…

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) June 5, 2026

As more information is released, further updates will follow. At the moment, however, it appears imminent that the city of Chicago will be out of its beloved Bears playing in their own city.

A large reason why the Bears may have to move out of Illinois is a "megaprojects" bill failing in the state's senate last week, according to ESPN. The bill would have allowed the Bears to negotiate payments instead of paying property taxes on the Arlington Heights, Ill., site they presently own, which used to be the Arlington International Racecourse. The Illinois town was also in consideration for the team's next move, prior to the bill's decision in the state senate.

On Sunday night, Illinois state Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) introduced new legislation that would allow Cook County, the county that houses the greater Chicago area, cities with more than 70,000 residents (ie, Chicago and Arlington Heights) to craft their own sports stadium authority. In exchange for the site's land being publicly owned, the Bears would pay for the construction of the new stadium.

The new bill passed the Illinois Senate 37-17 early on Monday morning. The Bears have continued in their stance that they cannot build a stadium without property tax certainty, which the state of Indiana passed legislation to guarantee in February.

MORE: How hard is the Bears' schedule this season?

Where will the Bears' new stadium be?

If the team does move out of Soldier Field in Chicago, after Thursday's team vote, Hammond, Ind., looks like the place to be. Nothing is set in stone yet, as there is still a chance Illinois can salvage its state's lone football team, still playing in its borders.

Chicago Bears' Chairman George H. McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren released the following statement on early Friday afternoon:

Statement from Chairman George H. McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren: pic.twitter.com/HE002RffIX

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 5, 2026

"We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region," Bears chairman George H. McCaskey and CEO Kevin Warren said, "connecting Northwest Indiana and the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across the neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city."

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond is a potential site for the stadium.

MORE: Complete list of Super Bowl MVPs through the years

Hammond, Indiana

If the Bears were to move out of their current Soldier Field, Hammond, Ind., has garnered a lot of attention as a potential landing spot. The city is contained within the red dotted line below:

Google Maps

If the 2026 NFC Championship participant does make the move to Hammond, they would be moving into a city with 75,712 people, according to the 2025 Census. Purdue University has a campus in the southern part of the city called Purdue University Northwest - Hammond campus.

The city is also located around 23 miles away from Soldier Field in Chicago.

MORE:What grade did the Bears get for their 2026 draft class?

When are the Bears moving?

At the moment, it is not definite that the Bears are moving out of the city of Chicago. Conversations are currently underway, but nothing is set in stone yet.

This will be updated if further advancements about a potential move are made.

How old is Soldier Field?

Soldier Field first opened on October 9,  1924, as Municipal Grant Park Stadium, according to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. While the site has been renovated a number of times, the home field for the Chicago side is the oldest football stadium in the NFL.

Oddly enough, the Bears did not move into Soldier Field until 1971. At the stadium's inception, it was used by the Chicago Cardinals, according to ESPN.

What state is Soldier Field in?

The current stadium for the Bears is in Illinois. The city of Chicago houses one of the first teams to join the National Football League.

Chicago's squad is the only team to play football in the Prairie State. If the Bears do move out of the city of Chicago, there will still be one professional sports team that calls Soldier Field home: the Chicago Fire (MLS).

If Illinois loses the Bears, it will mark the fourth time this century the state has lost an NFL team, as the Kansas City Chiefs announced their 2031 arrival in Kansas from the state of Missouri, the Oakland Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020, and the St. Louis Rams left for Los Angeles ahead of the 2016 season.

Tenth seed Cobolli had been due to take on countryman Matteo Arnaldi but it was announced around 25 minutes before the pair were due to walk out on court that the 25-year-old was suffering with a virus and would not be able to play.

Arnaldi was the most unexpected of the semi-finalists being ranked outside the top 100, while he had spent a record 19 hours and 42 minutes in reaching the last four.

Speaking at a press conference, Arnaldi said: “It’s difficult to be here, it’s not what I wanted to do but last night I started to feel not very well.

“I woke up at 1am and I started vomiting. I tried to sleep but I couldn’t sleep at all. Around 6 or 7am I woke up and vomited again and it was pretty bad. We called the doctor in the room, he came, gave me some stuff.

“I was hoping it could just be something from dinner but throughout the day I couldn’t eat anything. It’s tough because, for how the tournament was, how many hours I spent on court, I was actually feeling very good.

“To have to withdraw from a first grand slam semi-final is not something you wish on anybody. I feel sorry for everyone that came to watch us.”

Ticket-holders for the one-match night session will be refunded.

The news came through after Zverev’s march towards an expected first grand slam title continued with a semi-final victory over Jakub Mensik.

The second seed is trying to shake off the tag of best male player never to win a slam, and the tennis gods appear to be smiling on him in Paris – although Cobolli will now be well rested ahead of Sunday’s match.

Zverev has seen his big rivals for the title fall away while he has eased through the draw, dropping just two sets, and he overcame a third-set wobble in a 7-5 6-2 3-6 6-3 success against 26th seed Mensik.

The 20-year-old Czech has announced himself as a likely major contender in the near future this fortnight, knocking out Alex De Minaur, Andrey Rublev and fellow young gun Joao Fonseca.

His run has been all the more impressive considering Mensik needed a wheelchair to get back to the locker room after collapsing in the heat after his second-round match.

But he had spent four hours more on court in reaching the last four than Zverev and he could not sustain the consistent level needed to really challenge the German.

Sunday will be Zverev’s fourth slam final and second in Paris after he lost to Carlos Alcaraz from two-sets-to-one up two years ago.

He came even closer in his maiden final against Dominic Thiem at the US Open in 2020, blowing a two-set lead and losing in a deciding tie-break, while he was well beaten by Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final last year.

It appeared Zverev may have built up too much scar tissue ever to take the final step but patience looks to have paid off.

For 10 games this was a tight, high-quality contest, with both men looking to use their fearsome backhands and catch each other out with drop shots.

Had Mensik taken one of three chances to break at 4-3, things might have played out differently, but he was a little passive and paid the price three games later.

Two double faults opened the door for Zverev and the German took his opportunity before sealing the set with an ace after exactly an hour.

The energy that Mensik had mustered at the start of the contest seemed to drain out of him through the second set and he took a medical timeout at 2-1 in the third for what appeared to be a neck issue.

Zverev was so in control that the crowd looked in danger of nodding off en masse but they were roused back to life when the world number three lost concentration, Mensik broke serve for the first time and suddenly the Czech had a set on the board.

But the hope that a meaningful contest might develop lasted only as long as it took Zverev to break serve in the second game of the fourth set.

British umpire James Keothavong was kept busy adjudicating on a number of close calls, several of which brought him into conflict with Zverev, while he also gave the German a time violation for taking too long changing his racket.

But this time the 29-year-old avoided any dips, converting his first match point when Mensik netted a backhand.

Rockies $50.5 million pitcher predicted to draw trade interest from 'almost every' contender originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Colorado Rockies are going to be trade deadline sellers; there's almost no question about that at this rate. If there was one question, it would be who is actually going to be moved.

Mickey Moniak is a fascinating trade option, as he was on an All-Star pace this season, and very well might be dealt for a strong return this summer. But a different breakout star looks to be garnering the most interest.

According to MLB insider for Fansided.com, Robert Murray, $50.5 million Rockies reliever Antonio Senzatela is predicted to draw "extensive" interest in the trade market with "almost every" contender eying reliever help this summer.

Rockies' Antonio Senzatela predicted to be of interest to almost every contender

"Almost every contending team looks for bullpen help at the deadline, and there should be an extensive market for Senzatela," Murray writes. "He will be playing elsewhere down the stretch."

After some rough seasons with the Rockies, Senzatela has turned the corner and is very much in the All-Star conversation.

He has a remarkable 1.30 ERA this season in 17 outings and across 34.2 innings pitched. Senzatela has become the best long reliever in the game right now.

MORE: Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency

His 367 ERA+ is by far the highest mark of his MLB career, with no other season going higher than his 151 ERA+ from back in 2020.

Senzatela is sure to draw significant interest this summer, and as a one-year rental, teams won't have to give up too much to get him from the Rockies.

But, since his market is expected to be so rampant, the Rockies should be able to bring back a strong return for a pitcher like Senzatela, whose 5.02 career ERA normally wouldn't be conducive to a decent return.

More MLB news:

• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 success
• Cubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GM
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Check out when the big matches will be played in Serie A next season, with Inter, Juventus, Milan, Napoli, Roma and high-flying Como facing off.

The draw was made today for the 2026-27 campaign, with a ceremony at the Teatro Regio in Parma.

The season runs from the weekend of August 22, 2026 to the weekend of May 30, 2027.

Inter are fresh from lifting the Serie A trophy for the 2025-26 season, and already we are looking ahead to who will challenge to take over, or if the Nerazzurri will make it two in a row.

Napoli, Roma and Como completed the top four and qualified for the Champions League, but both Juventus and Milan missed out, so will be desperate to get back into the leading places.

There are also fallen giants like Lazio and Atalanta who will be aiming higher than mid-table next time.

When are the Serie A Big Games?

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Jeremie Boga of Juventus is challenged by Alexis Saelemaekers of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Week 3 already throws us into the deep end with a series of big matches, as Inter vs. Napoli, Juventus vs. Milan and Roma vs. Atalanta are all early clashes.

Roma vs. Inter and Juventus vs. Atalanta are on Week 5 on the weekend of September 20, while Juventus-Lazio and Milan-Atalanta are in Week 7 around October 18.

The Derby del Sud between Napoli and Roma is in Week 8, October 25, but Week 10 around November 1 provides a double header of Juventus vs. Napoli and the Derby della Madonnina between Milan and Inter.

TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli is challenged by Bremer of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

The Derby della Capitale between Lazio and Roma is in Week 15, the same round as Napoli vs. Milan, in the environs of December 13.

Roma vs. Juventus and Atalanta vs. Napoli are in Week 16, but the final round of the first half of the season has Juventus vs. Torino and Lazio vs. Inter in Week 18.

That is a midweek Serie A round on January 6, which is a public holiday in Italy.

The reverse fixtures go straight back into it with Inter vs. Juventus and Roma vs. Milan around January 10.

Milan vs. Juventus and Napoli vs. Inter are both in Week 22, around the weekend of January 31.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 21: A general view of the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium San Siro ahead of the Coppa Italia match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at San Siro on April 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The second Milan Derby and Napoli vs. Juventus are both in Serie A Week 24, around Valentine’s Day and sure to set hearts aflutter.

Juventus and Roma face off in Turin around March 7, the Torino-Juventus showdown follows around April 4, then Inter vs. Roma on the weekend of April 11.

Week 32 is another big one, including Milan vs. Napoli and Roma vs. Lazio around April 18.

There will be late fireworks in Serie A Week 34 on May 2 with Como vs. Inter, Roma vs. Napoli, Atalanta vs. Juventus, and Milan vs. Lazio.

Going into the final three, Juventus vs. Inter is the Derby d’Italia on May 16, the same weekend as Milan vs. Roma.

The penultimate round has Roma vs. Como and Inter vs. Lazio, but the season ends with Napoli vs. Atalanta and a tricky Inter trip to Sassuolo.

Manchester United are running out of time to heed Michael Carrick’s advice and make a move for Middlesbrough maestro Hayden Hackney after the latest developments on Merseyside.

Midfield Maestro

Despite facing the heart-breaking disappointment of a play-off final loss last month, Hackney will almost certainly be playing in the Premier League next season. Boro missed out on promotion after Hull City emerged 1-0 winners in the dying moments at Wembley, with injury limiting Hackney to coming on as a substitute late in the game.

The 23-year-old midfielder had enjoyed a superb season up until this point, being crowned the Championship Player of the Year in April and nominated for the PFA Player of the Year yesterday. Six goals and eight assists tell the story of an attacking midfielder who is decisive in the final third, but it is his playmaking ability that truly makes him stand out from his peers.

With only twelve months remaining on his contract at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough are reluctantly resigned to losing their talismanic midfielder, though the Teessiders will play hardball should suitors look to make cut-price offers.

United are admirers of the former England under-21 international, even prior to his former manager, Michael Carrick, returning as interim coach before being handed the reins permanently with a two-year deal.

However, INEOS are understood to be prioritising other targets to bolster the engine room, despite Carrick continuing to actively champion Hackney as an option.

Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur are two other Premier League clubs to have identified the Redcar native as an option, but it is Everton who are leading the charge to secure his signature.

Everton pull ahead

David Ornstein reveals Everton have opened talks to sign Hackney, with the player understood to be prioritising the Toffees over other interested clubs.

Tweet: “Everton now in talks with Middlesbrough over Hayden Hackney. 23yo midfielder keen on #EFC possibility – although ongoing interest from other clubs + #Boro prepared for Championship PoTY to enter final 12mnths unless suitable offer arrives.”

Interestingly, The Athletic reporter also claims Everton are interested in Southampton box-to-box dynamo Shea Charles, another player being tracked by United as a high-upside option in midfield.

During his time with the Saints, sporting director Jason Wilcox signed the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international from Manchester City for a potential fee of £15 million.

Final Thoughts

A last-minute hijack of Everton’s move for Hackney appears increasingly unlikely, despite Carrick’s pleas for a reunion at Old Trafford, with the focus elsewhere. A £38 million deal for Atalanta’s Ederson has already been agreed, while talks are ongoing for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, though the hunt for an elite No.6 to replace Casemiro goes on.

Featured image George Wood via Getty Images

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Formula 1 heads to the famous Monte-Carlo street circuit next for the Monaco Grand Prix and round six of the 2026 season.

Kimi Antonelli claimed his fourth consecutive victory last time out in Canada, after a thrilling intra-team battle with George Russell ended after the Briton suffered a mechanical failure. It means the 19-year-old Italian has an impressive 43-point lead over his Mercedes teammate.

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, impressed in Montreal with his best-ever finish in Ferrari red as he came home in second, while Max Verstappen earned Red Bull’s first podium of the season as he came home in third.

It was a tougher day for McLaren after various car failures and penalties. Reigning world champion Lando Norris will be buoyed, however, as he returns to the scene of one of his greatest wins last year. Charles Leclerc, the hometown hero, was also a past winner in Monte-Carlo in 2024 and will be buoyed by a new contract with Ferrari, signed and sealed this week.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Monaco Grand Prix.

When is the Monaco Grand Prix?

All times BST

Saturday 6 June

• Free practice 3: 11:30am
• Qualifying: 3pm

Sunday 7 June

• Race: 2pm

How can I watch it online and on TV?

The Monaco Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 12:30 pm (BST).

Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action in Monaco on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

In the United States, every practice, qualifying and race session will be streamed on Apple TV this year. You can stream Apple TV for FREE, with Apple TV’s seven-day free trial.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the Monaco Grand Prix then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help.

Driver standings ahead of Monaco GP

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 131 points

2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 88 points

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 75 points

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 72 points

5. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 58 points

6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 48 points

7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 43 points

8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 20 points

9. Ollie Bearman (Haas) - 18 points

10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 16 points

11. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 15 points

12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 14 points

13. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 6 points

14. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 5 points

15. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 2 points

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 1 point

17. Alex Albon (Williams) - 1 point

18. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 0 points

19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 0 points

20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 0 points

21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 0 points

22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 0 points

Constructor standings ahead of Monaco GP

1. Mercedes - 219 points

2. Ferrari - 147 points

3. McLaren - 106 points

4. Red Bull - 57 points

5. Alpine - 35 points

6. Racing Bulls - 21 points

7. Haas - 19 points

8. Williams - 7 points

9. Audi - 2 points

10. Cadillac - 0 points

11. Aston Martin - 0 points

What is the 2026 race calendar?

ROUND 6 - MONACO

Circuit de Monaco - 5-7 June

ROUND 7- SPAIN (Barcelona)

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 12-14 June

ROUND 8 - AUSTRIA

Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 26-28 June

ROUND 9 - GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)

Silverstone Circuit - 3-5 July

ROUND 10 - BELGIUM

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 17-19 July

ROUND 11 - HUNGARY

Hungaroring, Budapest - 24-26 July

ROUND 12 - NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend)

Circuit Zandvoort - 21-23 August

ROUND 13 - ITALY

Monza Circuit - 4-6 September

ROUND 14 - SPAIN (Madrid)

Circuito de Madring - 11-13 September

ROUND 15 - AZERBAIJAN

Baku City Circuit - 25-27 September

ROUND 16 - SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)

Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October

ROUND 17 - UNITED STATES

Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October

ROUND 18 - MEXICO

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November

ROUND 19 - BRAZIL

Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 6-8 November

ROUND 20 - LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas Street Circuit - 19-21 November

ROUND 21 - QATAR

Lusail International Circuit - 27-29 November

ROUND 22 - ABU DHABI

Yas Marina Circuit - 4-6 December

The decision marks the first time the Bears’ board has approved a specific stadium direction as the organization continues its years-long search for a permanent home beyond Soldier Field.

MORE: Browns GM explains Cleveland’s goal behind blockbuster Myles Garrett trade

In a joint statement, Chairman George H. McCaskey and President and CEO Kevin Warren outlined the club’s vision.

“Yesterday, the Chicago Bears Board of Directors met and voted to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected,” the statement read.

“We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city.”

The announcement follows the collapse of several stadium-related legislative efforts in Illinois. Most notably, state lawmakers failed to approve measures that would have provided long-term property tax certainty for a new Bears stadium project.

Why Hammond has emerged as the frontrunner for Bears stadium plans?

Indiana has aggressively positioned itself as a destination for the Bears franchise. State lawmakers previously approved a framework that could provide up to $1 billion in public incentives and infrastructure support tied to a new stadium development.

The proposed Hammond location, near Wolf Lake and roughly 20 miles from downtown Chicago, offers the Bears an opportunity to control a full-scale entertainment district rather than continue operating as a tenant at Soldier Field.

MORE: Aaron Donald texts Pat McAfee about Rams comeback rumors after Myles Garrett trade

While Indiana currently appears to hold the advantage, the situation remains fluid. A league source said to ESPN that “Illinois can still get back in the race” if lawmakers and local officials produce a competitive proposal.

The stadium comes amid the Bears’ progress

The timing is notable for the Bears. They are coming off an 11-6 season under coach Ben Johnson. Led by QB Caleb Williams, who threw for 3,943 yards, this is their first NFC North title since 2018. And, to ensure that the progress continues, they have invested heavily in the roster through the 2026 draft and offseason program.

MORE: Stephen A. Smith settles Russell Wilson Hall of Fame debate with blunt response

A modern stadium would strengthen the franchise’s long-term business model while matching the renewed momentum on the field. For a team building around a young core and rising expectations, ownership appears determined to secure a venue capable of supporting the next era of Bears football.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, died on May 21 at 41 after he contracted sepsis while dealing with a case of bacterial pneumonia. Busch’s death came hours after his family announced he had been hospitalized with a “severe illness” and would not be racing in the upcoming Coca-Cola 600.

In Samantha’s first Instagram post since Kyle’s death, she thanked people for their support. The Busches have a son Brexton and a daughter, Lennix.

“The love that has surrounded our family during this unimaginable time has brought comfort in the middle of so much pain,” she wrote. “Knowing the impact Kyle had on others and seeing how they are honoring him through each unique act of generosity is a true testament to how special Kyle is to so many people. There are moments when the weight of this loss feels impossible to carry, yet time and time again God, through you all, has shown us we are not alone.”

Busch’s 234 NASCAR national series wins are the most by any driver. In addition to 63 Cup Series wins, Busch is the all-time wins leader in NASCAR’s No. 2 O’Reilly Series and No. 3 Craftsman Truck Series.

His death certificate noted that Busch had bacterial pneumonia for “days to weeks” before he became septic. Busch was dealing with a cough during the May 10 race at Watkins Glen and requested a doctor over his radio at the end of the event.

According to 911 audio obtained by TMZ, a caller from the General Motors Charlotte Technical Center in North Carolina said that Busch was coughing up blood, had “shortness of breath” and was “very hot” while thinking he was going to pass out. Busch was at the tech center testing in a racing sim ahead of the 600.

Busch’s last NASCAR win came less than a week before his death when he won the Truck Series race at Dover. When he was asked after climbing out of his truck why winning never got old, Busch replied “because you never know when the last one is.”

Baylor infielder Travis Sanders has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3’s Pete Nakos reports. He was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2025.

This season, the Copperas Cove, TX native hit for a .369 average with 82 hits, 15 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 44 RBI, a .586 SLG%, and a .458 OBP%. He was previously at Texas Tech prior to spending the past two seasons in Waco.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X (formerly Twitter) account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

NEED TO KNOW

• Lewis Hamilton pulled up to the Monaco Grand Prix wearing a sequin, sheer shirt and tan trousers on Friday, June 5
• The Ferrari driver prompted comments from both longtime fans and newcomers alike, the latter believing his girlfriend Kim Kardashian influenced his style
• Fans of Hamilton know that he's had a passion for fashion for years, and has even changed the style game in Formula 1 since his debut season in 2007

Lewis Hamilton has winning style.

The Ferrari driver, 41, brings the heat to the track and the fire 'fits he wears to the paddock upon his arrival to each Formula 1 stop on tour, which is why the head-turning number he wore to the Monaco Grand Prix on Friday, June 5 shouldn't come as a surprise to longtime fans.

However, online fans new to the race world are convinced that his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, has influenced his fashion-forward outfits since the pair first sparked romance rumors in February 2026. In fact, they're deeming it the "Kardashian effect" on social media.

Hamilton wore a sheer, long-sleeve top fully covered with fluorescent sequins as he arrived at the paddock at the Circuit de Monaco, uniquely situated in the heart of Monte Carlo, on Friday, June 5.

The shirt's see-through fabric put the various tattoos of the seven-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion on full display. He paired his look with tan trousers, black shoes, tinted sunglasses and his signature jewelry, including a diamond necklace and earrings to match.

"LH in the house 🇲🇨," wrote F1 Instagram alongside several photos of Hamilton, which ignited an abundance of comments from both longtime and new fans of the driver with quips on his look and its possible relation to Kardashian, 45, beneath the post.

View this post on Instagram

"The Kardashian effect 😮‍💨," wrote one user.

"Give this man a red carpet every time he walks into the paddock 🤌," commented another.

"Lewis has been in Kim's wardrobe 💁🏻," joked a third.

"Keeping up with the Hamilton !!!!!" quipped a fourth, a reference to Kim's family's long-running reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

Others, meanwhile, pointed out that Hamilton has had his own personal fashion flair for years prior to dating the SKIMS founder, having made his Formula 1 debut in 2007. He's currently competing in his 20th season.

"Bro is wearing things like this for 10 years and you say is a Kardashian effect?😂" a fan noted of Hamilton, who has attended the Met Gala on numerous occasions since making his debut on Vogue's prestigious sartorial steps in May 2015.

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"He had his own style like this waaaaaay before the Kardashian's entered the chat!" wrote another, while another fan chimed in, "please, he's been dressing like that for ages."

Hamilton's interest in fashion is nothing new, having previously opened up about breaking the mold of what drivers have traditionally worn prior to his influence. "To be a racing driver, you had to fit a certain shape: go to bed at 10 PM, dress a certain way," he told Esquire in March.

"For most of my career, every driver arrived in team kits designed by people outside of fashion; the clothes were horrendous," he explained. "I'd arrive and feel terrible wearing the same thing 180 days a year. I asked if I could show up in my own style and change into the kit late."

"It took a long time to get the bosses to agree," he shared, admitting, "I basically had to break the rules."

Read the original article on People

Cobolli will advance to Sunday's final and face No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev, after the German defeated No. 26 seed Jakub Mensik in four sets earlier Friday. A first-time Grand Slam champion has been guaranteed to be crowned since Novak Djokovic fell in the third round.

It is a brutal development for Arnaldi, an unseeded player who entered the tournament ranked 104th in the world. He had never reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal before this year's Roland-Garros, but defeated Francis Tiafoe in the fourth round then advanced after Matteo Berrettini had to retire mid-match on Wednesday.

Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament

Speaking with reporters after the announcement, Arnaldi said he encountered a stomach bug overnight and was unable to play despite a doctor's help:

"It's difficult to be here. It's not what I wanted to do, but last night I started to feel not very well. Yesterday I was feeling OK. I came here to practice, I did everything I had to do. I was feeling fine. I had dinner. I started to feel so-so with my stomach. I was like 'Alright, just didn't digest very well.' But then I woke up at 1 a.m. and I started vomiting. I wasn't feeling the best. Then I tried to sleep.

"I couldn't sleep at all. At 6, 7 a.m. I vomited again. This time it was pretty bad. We called the doctor in the room, he came and gave me some stuff. I was hoping it could just be something from dinner or something like that, but throughout the day I couldn't eat. Every time I ate something or would drink I would go back to the bathroom. So it's tough. It's tough. For how the tournament was, for how many hours I spent on court I was feeling actually very good.

"To have to withdraw from my first Slam semifinal is not something you wish to anybody. I tried to get ready and tried to stay as much as I could here. Tried to see if I could go on court, but every time I get up I feel dizzy and I don't feel the best. I'm pretty sure if I eat again I'm not going to feel good, so that was the right decision for me to take."

When asked if the issue was an illness or food poisoning, Arnaldi said he believed it was a virus because he experienced chills and a fever during the day.

Arnaldi now faces the question of whether he will ever get an opportunity like this again. This year's Roland-Garros has been defined by a barrage of upsets, leaving Zverev and hardcourt specialist Felix Auger-Aliassime as the only ATP top 10 players left after the third round. Arnaldi has shown promise in the past — and will move to 34th in the rankings just by reaching the semifinal — but every player wants to win a Grand Slam. There may never be a more open on than this.

For his part, Cobolli said he was sad for his friend, but didn't deny being excited about the opportunity. Reaching a Grand Slam final alone has vaulted him into the top 10 in the ATP rankings after entering with the No. 14 ranking:

"When it came to me almost one hour ago, I almost cried. It's something that you don't expect at all. I was ready to play this match and when it came, I was completely sad for him. But at the same time, of course I'm really happy for the result I've received this week. My dad also came to me right before him and we had a big hug together with the whole team for achieving the top 10.

"I'm sad and happy at the same time."

A win over Zverev would catapult Cobolli into the top 5.

2026 Nordic Darts Masters Day 1 first round live results, scores, schedule & bracket originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Jonny Clayton started the night with a whitewash win over Andreas Harrysson, averaging 104.86 in the 6-0 win.

The 2026 World Series of Darts resumes on Friday, with Day 1 of the 2026 Nordic Darts Masters.

The world's best players, including Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen, will take the stage, as eight exciting matches will be played.

On Day 1, each of the eight PDC representatives will play against one of the eight Nordic & Baltic qualifiers.

2026 Nordic Darts Masters Day 1 schedule & results

Friday night's session consists of the first round.

MORE: 2026 Nordic Darts Masters: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained

First round (first to 6 legs)

MORE: 2026 Nordic Darts Masters: Predicting which PDC players could lose to Nordic and Baltic qualifiers

Bracket

Here is the bracket for the second round on Day 2.

More Darts articles:

• Explaining the significance of the World Series of Darts
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• How much prize money did Luke Littler earn in the 2026 Premier League of Darts season?
• Every Premier League Darts play-off night 9-darter: From Luke Littler to Phil Taylor
• Luke Littler vs. Luke Humphries: All of the stats from a historic Premier League Darts final

Ned Jarrett, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion whose legacy was extended across generations as an announcer, died on June 4, his family announced.

Jarrett was 93. He died of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina, according to a statement released by his family on June 5.

"Our father was a devout Christian and a devoted, loving family man. He was a friend to everyone he met and NASCAR’s oldest living champion," the Jarrett family said in a statement. "By all accounts, he was a true NASCAR legend. While we mourn his passing, we celebrate the remarkable life of an amazing man and truly the best father anyone could have wished for. Rest in Peace, Dad."

Jarrett won 50 career Cup Series (then called the Grand National Series) races and two championships (1961, 1965) in his career. He also claimed two championships in the Sportsman division, which would eventually evolve into the present-day O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Ned Jarrett, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion whose legacy was extended as an announcer, died on June 4, his family announced.

Jarrett was 93. He died of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina, according to a statement released by his family on June 5.

"Our father was a devout Christian and a devoted, loving family man. He was a friend to everyone he met and NASCAR’s oldest living champion," the Jarrett family said in a statement. "By all accounts, he was a true NASCAR legend. While we mourn his passing, we celebrate the remarkable life of an amazing man and truly the best father anyone could have wished for. Rest in Peace, Dad."

Jarrett won 50 career Cup Series (then called the Grand National Series) races and two championships (1961, 1965) in his career. He also claimed two championships in the Sportsman division, which would eventually evolve into the present-day O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Welcome back to another college hoops edition of Land Grant’s weekly debate article, “You’re Nuts”, where two of our basketball writers pick a topic and debate it to the death, or until Ohio State makes it to the second weekend of the tournament — whichever comes first.

Last week, Connor and Justin debated who will be the Buckeyes’ leading scorer next season. All-time leading scorer Bruce Thornton has graduated, which means for the first time since the 2022-23 season, someone other than Thornton will be the Buckeyes’ top bucket-getter.

Connor went with John Mobley Jr., who recently pulled his name out of the 2026 NBA Draft and opted to return to Ohio State after averaging 15.7 points per game and shooting 41.1% from three-point range last year. Justin picked Anthony Thompson — the No. 8 recruit in the nation and Ohio State’s most highly-rated freshman in well over a decade.

Thompson is a projected lottery pick and by season’s end may be the Buckeyes’ best player. Mobley is the team’s highest returning scorer and will likely see an uptick in shots next season. There’s a valid argument to be made for either.

An unrelated note: Congratulations to Thornton, whose plaque bearing his name and image officially went up in the Ohio State practice facility this week, celebrating his 2,164 career points — more than any other player to ever wear the jersey.

This week, we’re talking about Ohio State’s offense, which has steadily improved every year under Diebler since he took over as interim head coach in 2024.

With Thornton gone, will the offense take a step back? Could the addition of Thompson and improvements from others actually make Ohio State’s offense more potent than it was a year ago?

This week’s question: Will Ohio State’s offense continue to improve in Jake Diebler’s third season?

Connor: No, it will stay roughly the same

Ohio State’s offensive efficiency has gone up every year since Diebler got the job. If we include the 2023-24 season, which isn’t totally fair because Diebler was only in charge for the final third of the season, the Buckeyes’ offensive efficiency has jumped from 39th in the country to 30th in the country and then up to 17th in the country last season.

Bruce Thornton was a huge part of that, and his absence is going to be felt this year, especially early in the season. Most fans have forgotten what it’s like to not have a player on the team who you can give the ball to with six seconds left on the shot clock and know that he will probably put points on the board.

Thornton was a tank in the paint, had elite footwork to get to the basket, and improved his three-point shot as time went on, leaving college as an elite shooter. Ohio State is going to miss him tremendously.

Instead, Ohio State has three, possibly four or even five guys who are going to score 10+ points per game next season. But will that collective group of guys — none of which will come close to averaging 19.9 points per game like Thornton did — create a more efficient offense than last season? I’m skeptical.

The bar is pretty high, too. Ohio State had the No. 17 offense in the nation last year, better than several teams that went far in the NCAA Tournament, like UConn, Tennessee, and Iowa. I’m skeptical that Ohio State will be that crisp on offense again with so many variables hanging in the balance.

How well has Mobley evened out his game so he isn’t so reliant on only bombing threes? How much as Amare Bynum’s jump shot improved? Is Anthony Thompson strong and physical enough to have his three-level scoring translate to the college level? Will transfer additions like Curtis Givens and Jimmie Williams work out, with those guys transferring into a tougher league?

I think this Ohio State team could be pretty good, but No. 17 in offensive efficiency may be their peak.

Justin: Yes, it will improve

My opinion on this topic is very much based in my faith of Justin Pippen. Pippen is known for his defense, but he did average 14 points per game last season at California and even though his efficiency was not great, I think him being around John Mobley, Amare Bynum, and Anthony Thompson can help those numbers get better.

Pippen was not efficient at Cal, but he was also main scorer and ball handler, so his usage was always very high. At Ohio State, he will likely be the fourth option behind Mobley, Bynum and Thompson (even as a freshman he should be one of the top scorers), so it will be easier for him to get better shots and be more efficient with his shot selection.

Also, the bench is better. The Ohio State bench was the one of the worst and least productive units in college basketball last season, so adding Jimmie Williams, Curtis Givens and Andrej Jelavic will be key to add depth to the scoring.

Williams and Givens can combine to average 18 a game off the bench possibly, something that will bring relief to the starters and something Ohio State never had last season. All of those things combined I think will make Ohio State a better offense, even with losing Bruce Thornton and Devin Royal.

Thursday's edition of MMA Junkie Radio with "Gorgeous" George and "Goze" is here.

On Episode 3,674, the pickers/grinners/lovers/sinners welcome in guests Josh Hokit and Richie Miranda. They also look ahead to Saturday's UFC Fight Night 278 event and discuss the latest combat sports news. Tune in!

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: MMA Junkie Radio #3674: Guests Josh Hokit and Richie Miranda, UFC preview

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Easton Stick has found a new home in the AFC South, signing with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this week. The 30-year-old signed with the Falcons as a free agent last year but spent most of the season on the practice squad.

Despite playing well in the preseason, the veteran QB did not make the 53-man roster out of training camp. Stick appeared in all three of the team's preseason games, completing 54 of 78 passes for 520 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Colts re-signed veteran Daniel Jones, but he is still working his way back from injury. Former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson is still on the roster but his role is unclear after the team's attempts to trade him over the offseason.

Indianapolis signed Stick and released Seth Henigan in a corresponding move, so he should at least see the field in the 2026 NFL preseason with the Colts.

Since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Stick has appeared in six games (four starts) and passed for 1,133 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Five other members of last year's Falcons team remain unsigned in NFL free agency (see below).

5 former Falcons available in NFL free agency

1. WR KhaDarel Hodge
2. WR Malik Heath
3. OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
4. EDGE Leonard Floyd
5. LB Josh Woods

In other former Falcons quarterback news, Taylor Heinicke announced his retirement from the NFL. As for Desmond Ridder, the former third-round pick was released by the Green Bay Packers last month.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Former Falcons QB Easton Stick signs with Indianapolis Colts

In two games against Duke this past season, Veesaar averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and one block. On the other side, Boozer averaged 23.5 points, 13 rebounds and four assists for the Blue Devils against UNC.

With the 2026 NBA Draft on the horizon, there's a chance that the two former rivals could find themselves as teammates next year. In a recent NBA mock draft conducted by Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, he has the Memphis Grizzlies drafting Boozer with the No. 3 overall pick and Veesaar with the No. 32 overall selection.

Based on fit alone, Memphis selecting two dominant frontcourt forces may seem unlikely, but the Grizzlies currently roster only one center (Zach Edey). Although many mock drafts have Veesaar as a first-round selection, to O'Connor's point, basketball analysts have been all over the place in their evaluation of Veesaar, with the Estonian center ranging from as high as No. 20 overall to as low as No. 44 in various mock drafts.

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Recent mock draft pairs Duke/UNC rivals on the same team

Both headhunters opened cautiously, trading leg kicks before Yodlekpet broke the stalemate with a bruising overhand right. Saw Min Min generated the higher volume, but the cleaner work belonged to the Sor Sommai and Silk Muay Thai standout, who chopped away with low kicks and dug power punches into the midsection. 

The second stanza descended into a phone-booth war, and Saw Min Min thrived. His lethwei background fed the chaos, but Yodlekpet refused to yield. He targeted the body with power shots and went upstairs whenever the guard dropped. Saw Min Min threw elbows to slow the charge, but the Thai kept coming. 

The punishing pace carried into the final round. Saw Min Min’s lead leg bore the toll of those relentless low kicks, his movement visibly compromised. 

“The Destroyer” capitalized, ripping three-piece body combinations that bent the Myanmar fighter at the waist. Saw Min Min toughened it out until the final bell, but the writing was on the wall. 

Yodlekpet earned the unanimous decision verdict and moved to 95-39 overall, another statement performance in his march toward a coveted main roster spot. 

Source

WWE has had some major stars over the years but it’s hard to argue that Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan aren’t the top two of all time.

Ask most people to give a Mount Rushmore of wrestlers, and Austin and Hogan will at least be in the conversation.

As well as being superb in the ring and having classic match after classic match, both Austin and Hogan not only drew huge numbers in terms of gate and PPV buys, but they are among the biggest movers of merchandise in WWE history.

Now, approaching 30 years on from Austin’s famous 3:16 promo and Hogan’s infamous NWO run, WWE are planning to cash in on the merch train with a celebration.

WWE planning major merchandise push for Austin and Hogan moments

If there’s one thing WWE knows how to do well, it’s sell merchandise to their adoring army of fans around the world.

They never miss a chance to cash in either, and with it now approaching 30 years of both Austin and Hogan’s career-turning moments, they’re set to do it again.

According to Wrestle Votes radio, WWE will launch a major campaign around the King of the Ring this summer to push both Austin and Hogan’s moments.

It’s claimed the company is planning a release of brand new merch, including prints, t-shirts, online campaigns and more.

Furthermore, it’s suggested that while Hogan and Austin will be pushed, it is Austin’s King of the Ring speech from 1996 that will be the focus of a lot of this event.

As we all know, Austin’s promo on Jake the Snake Roberts after winning the event turned the industry on its head and WWE haven’t looked back since.

Regarded by many as one of the greatest turning points in wrestling history, Austin’s 3:16 promo has stood the test of time both in terms of merch sales and rewatchability.

As for Hogan, his heel turn at Bash at the Beach in 1996 was as shocking as it was massive. That kick-started 83 weeks of WCW dominance in the ratings before Austin’s appearance to help Mankind win the WWE title on Raw helped move the needle and change things forever.

Tensions are rising behind the scenes at Bayern Munich as the future of Max Eberl faces serious scrutiny. The club’s board member for sport is approaching the end of his contract, and its time for the big boys at the club to make that choice, except it looks like they pretty much know what they want.

Per a report from Sport Bild’s Christian Falk (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), a few members of the supervisory board (it should not be hard to guess who) have already expressed their disapproval of a potential contract extension, leaving the executive in a precarious position. It is clear that Eberl will have to fight really hard to keep his job as the pressure mounts within the club hierarchy.

The situation is set to come to a head very soon. The supervisory board is scheduled to hold a decisive vote to determine Eberl’s future during its next meeting at the end of August. Why the end of August if his contract expires in 2027? Well, it’s hard to be the board member for sport for a club that doesn’t really think you fit in with their vision, especially if you’re on the outside looking in. With internal support appearing to dwindle, the upcoming weeks will be crucial in deciding if he should remain a part of the long term strategy for the club. Whether this is a simple disagreement over policy or a deeper rift regarding the direction of the team, the upcoming vote will settle the uncertainty surrounding his role once and for all.

Eberl, on the other hand, might find success in his transfer market endeavours recently, but the question is whether its the kind of success the rest of the club is looking for, or whether its enough at all. Either way, it can’t be nice to have all the other kids on the playground exclude you from the game.

Do you think Max Eberl has done enough to earn an extension, or is it time for a change in leadership? Let us know in the comments!

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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It is Day 100 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff. We are looking back at the 100 most iconic games in Dallas Cowboys history. The countdown will leads us right up to the opening game of 2026. Our look back doesn’t depend on just one criteria for our rankings. We take into consideration things like how big the game was for the organization, how memorable the game was, games that had unusual events take place, games that are a part of NFL lore, Cowboys firsts, and games where the Cowboys just plain dominated. Variety is the spice of life and we have all different kind of Cowboys games to review. At the bottom, we’ll link each day of the countdown so you can go back and check out any you missed.

We start overseas, where the Cowboys made their first-ever regular-season trip outside of the United States and handled the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. The Jaguars were the designated home team, but the stage belonged to Dallas.

Sunday, November 9, 2014 — 1 PM ET/6 PM GMT

Wembley Stadium, London, England

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 31, Jacksonville Jaguars 17

The Cowboys entered this game at 6-3 and badly needed to steady themselves after back-to-back losses. Tony Romo had missed the previous week with a back injury, but his return changed everything. Dallas struck first with a Dan Bailey 54-yard field goal, then briefly fell behind after a Denard Robinson touchdown run. They eventually took control behind Romo, Jason Witten, DeMarco Murray, and a vintage Dez Bryant takeover.  

Romo finished 20-of-27 for 246 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. His first touchdown went to Witten from two yards out, but the signature moments came in the second quarter when Bryant turned two catches into explosive scores. First came a 35-yard touchdown, then a 68-yard catch-and-run just before halftime that effectively broke the game open and sent Dallas into the locker room up 24-7.  

Bryant was the shows highlight. He caught six passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns, with all 158 yards coming in the second quarter. Murray added another workmanlike 100-yard rushing performance on 19 carries, while Joseph Randle later delivered a 40-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to push the lead to 31-7. Jacksonville added late points, but the outcome was never really in doubt after Dallas’ second-quarter surge.  

It may not have been a playoff game, a rivalry classic, or a last-second thriller, but it earns its place on this countdown because of the setting and the season. This was the 2014 Cowboys at their best with Romo efficiency, Dez terrifying, Murray grinding, the offensive line imposing its will, and Dallas looking like a team capable of doing real damage in January. On a wet Wembley field, the Cowboys turned a strange international business trip into one of the defining snapshots of that memorable 12-4 season.

Interesting Facts About the Game

This was the Cowboys’ first regular-season game played outside the United States. Dallas had played international preseason games before, but this was the first one that actually counted in the standings. Since then they haven’t played outside the United States, but will host their first overseas home game in Brazil later in Week 3 of the 2026 season. 

Countdown To Kickoff by day:

100

Seth Rollins has been one of the top wrestlers in WWE for many years now, along with his former Shield partner, Roman Reigns.

Seth has won multiple WWE titles and even appeared in the main event of WrestleMania when he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract during the match between Brock Lesnar and Roman.

Now, he has been speaking about the intelligence that all top wrestlers have to get to the top of the mountain.

Seth Rollins highlights the intelligence of top wrestlers

Rollins recently appeared on the Prince St. Pizza YouTube channel and was asked: “In your mind, in your opinion, what does it take to be one of those guys, the top five guys like you, [Roman] Reigns or [CM] Punk, besides ability?”

He responded: “You know, I think one of the things that’s really underrated in top talent and you kind of look at it through the history is there’s a level of, I think there’s this, there’s an intelligence that exists. There’s an understanding of people and how to read people, how to read a room, and how to kind of manipulate that reaction and that feeling.

“That you look at guys from all different eras and they have it, you know, and they may not be like traditionally the smartest guys in the world, like, you know, math scientists type things, right? Like Dusty Rhodes was incredible at it, the American dream.

“You look at Ric Flair, you look at Bruno San Martino, you look at Stone Cold Steve Austin, you look at The Rock, you look at all these generations, Triple H, these guys, you know, John Cena, myself, Roman Reigns, the common denominator, aside from the desire for greatness, there’s a hunger to like be like at a level above other people. There’s an intelligence.

“There’s like a know-how, with a way to get people to do what you want them to do. And I don’t mean that in like a negative, manipulative way. Like I’m not trying to trick you or anything like that, but I understand what you want and what you don’t want and how to make those things work in conjunction with each other in the context of a story.”

Is Seth Rollins one of the best wrestlers in WWE?

Seth’s ability has, as mentioned, taken him to the top of the mountain in the company.

Since his main roster debut with The Shield, he has been a constant on WWE TV for many years now.

Roman may have won the title more and headlined more WrestleManias, but Rollins should be in the conversation for one of the best wrestlers of his generation.

Now 40, it will be interesting to see how much longer he wishes to keep competing in the squared circle, but many fans will surely be sad when the day comes for him to hang up his boots.

Read more:

NEED TO KNOW

• NASCAR Hall of Fame member Ned Jarrett has died at 93, his family announced on Friday, June 5
• Jarrett died "peacefully of natural causes at his home in Newton, N.C. with his family by his side" on Thursday, June 4
• Jarrett is remembered as "an amazing man and truly the best father anyone could have wished for"

NASCAR great Ned Jarrett has died at age 93.

On Friday, June 5, Jarrett's family announced the driver's death in a statement to Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass. "With profound sadness, the family of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and radio/tv personality, Ned Jarrett, announces his passing on Thursday, June 4, 2025," the statement began.

Jarrett "died peacefully of natural causes at his home in Newton, N.C. with his family by his side," according to his family.

The statement continued, "He was 93 years old. Our father was a devout Christian and a devoted, loving, family man. He was a friend to everyone he met and NASCAR’s oldest living champion. By all accounts, he was a true NASCAR legend. While we mourn his passing, we celebrate the remarkable life of an amazing man and truly the best father anyone could have wished for. Rest in peace, dad."

Jarrett was a two-time NASCAR Grand National Series champion. He shared two sons, Glenn and Dale — both of whom also became race car drivers — with his late wife Martha, who died in 2023.

Reactions to the sad news immediately began pouring in online as fans called Jarrett "one of the all time greatest" NASCAR stars. "OH NO! :( Gentleman Ned. Those of us who grew up with him calling races had it the best. Folks like him and Buddy Baker," said one user.

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Another recalled, "Ned calling his son's Daytona 500 win (over Earnhardt no less!) is one of the greatest moments, not just in NASCAR but in all of sports."

Read the original article on People

UFC Vegas 188 is headlined by a welterweight showdown between former champion Belal Muhammad and rising star Gabriel Bonfim.

MORE: UFC power rankings entering June 2026

In the co-main event, middleweights Brandan Allen and Edmen Shahbazyan will go head-to-head.

UFC Vegas 118 is set to kickoff on Saturday, June 6, with the preliminary card at 5:00 p.m. ET. A 130-pound catchweight cout between Alesasandro Costa and Matt Schnell will be the featured prelim. The main card will kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET, with the entire event streaming live on Paramount+.

Ahead of Saturday’s event, all of the fighters had to step onto the scale for the official weigh-ins.

Did your favorite fighter hit their mark?

A full look at the UFC Vegas 118 weigh-in results can be seen below.

UFC Vegas 118 weigh-in results

MAIN CARD (Paramount+, 8:00 p.m. ET)

• Belal Muhammad (170.5) vs. Gabriel Bonfim (170.5)
• Brendan Allen (185.5) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (186)
• Tom Nolan (155) vs. Fares Ziam (156)
• Santiago Luna () vs. Bryce Mitchell (135.5)
• Iwo Baraniewski (206) vs. Junior Tafa ()

PRELIMINARY CARD (Paramount+, 5:00 p.m. ET)

• Alessandro Costa (129.5) vs. Matt Schnell (129.5) – 130-pound catchweight
• Marcus McGhee (136) vs. John Yannis (126)
• Edgar Chairez (126) vs. Bruno Silva ()
• Priscila Cachoeira (135.5) vs. Chelsea Chandler (135)
• Joanderson Brito (145.5) vs. Jordan Leavitt (145.5)
• Jeisla Chaves (124) vs. Yuneisy Duben (125)
• Ariane Carnelossi (116) vs. Ketlen Souza (116)

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

Projecting trades for the San Francisco 49ers isn’t easy. You’re either banking on an injury or one of their starters failing to live up to expectations. There are spots where the Niners could stand to upgrade. But how often do we see left guards traded in the middle of the season?

The idea of the 49ers making another trade at some point ahead of the deadline in the regular season comes after the Los Angeles Rams acquired the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Making a move for the sake of making one is all but guaranteed to backfire.

We’re going to focus on the secondary and three players entering the final year of their contract who could be upgrades for the 49ers, starting with the obvious.

S Jessie Bates

Bates enters the final season of his contract. Depending on when a trade would take place, the Falcons would end up saving roughly $4 million by moving on from Bates.

The better question would be why would Atlanta move on from an All-Pro caliber player? And if they are willing to part ways, assuming the 49ers would be the only team interested is a dangerous game to play. Bates is talented enough that there could be a bidding war over him.

Bates hasn’t missed a game in three seasons for the Falcons. Last year may have been his “worst” season, but that might say more about the year the Falcons had than Bates, who just turned 29 in February.

Bates would give the 49ers a true free safety. It would also allow Malik Mustapha to do what he does best and live around the line of scrimmage while being a heat-seeking missile against the run. And if anybody knows how to use Bates, it’s Raheem Morris.

There is no “old head” in the secondary to bestow knowledge on a young and green secondary like Richard Sherman or Tashaun Gipson. Bates could be that person in the locker room and give the safety room a much-needed ballhawk.

CB Mike Jackson Sr.

Watching Mike Evans go against top cornerbacks like Derek Stingley and Sauce Gardner makes you appreciate how much of an impact Evans will have. I’d argue the player who fared the best against him was cornerback Mike Jackson.

One of Jackson’s interceptions came last season against the 49ers. He was targeted four times that game, only allowing two receptions for 14 yards. He also had four tackles. If anybody knows how talented of a player he is, it’s San Francisco.

Jackson, who just turned 29 in January, is in the final season of his deal with Carolina. He should be on every playoff team’s radar. Because if the Panthers bottom out with Bryce Young, Jackson could end up being a game-changer.

He’s not this under-the-radar player. Jackson is closer to great than good. He allowed a 48.1% completion percentage on 79 targets last season. He had four interceptions and 14 pass breakups, along with six tackles for loss. Jackson was one of the only cornerbacks with the size (6’1″, 210 pounds) to hold his own against Evans. He was aggressive but also sound. Jackson is plenty fast, but also a willing run defender.

This move would happen if the 49ers aren’t sold on the future of Deommodore Lenoir or Renardo Green. Jackson is better than both. He’s arguably a top-10 cornerback in the league. It’d likely be a rental, but Jackson would be worth it if the 49ers feel the need to upgrade at cornerback.

S Antonio Johnson

Johnson will turn 25 in October. He enters the final year of his rookie contract. Johnson was a fifth-round pick out of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started nine games last season for the Jaguars and eight the season prior.

Johnson lined up at free safety on 386 of his 617 snaps last season. He moved down in the box on 112 snaps and played in the slot for 82 snaps. That’s what you want to see—somebody with the versatility to play and excel at multiple positions.

Johnson plays like who the 49ers thought they were getting with Ji’Ayir Brown out of Penn State. He’s not going to wow you with his athleticism, but Johnson is in the right place at the right time, and that’s how he’s constantly making plays.

Johnson had the kind of ball-production you’d want from a safety. He had five pass breakups and five interceptions — four of those came in the fourth quarter. His average depth of tackle was 2.9 yards. Which, for a free safety, is impressive.

The best thing about Johnson’s game, and something you must have on the back end, is his ability to finish plays and wrap up. Johnson only missed six tackles last season, good enough for 10.3%. That’s Jimmie Ward range. When the 49ers were at their best, even when they were giving up big plays here and there, the safeties would make a tackle, and they could live for another down.

Jacksonville drafted a safety in the third round in 2025 and 2026, making Johnson expendable. Even if they hold onto him this season, he’ll be an option for the 49ers in free agency next year. He has many Jaquaski Tartt-esque qualities.

Kentucky Football gamedays are getting cheaper for fans starting this fall, and other on-campus programs will follow suit.

Through UK’s Enterprise Services Partnership with Compass Group, fans will see more affordable pricing, an enhanced selection of restaurant-quality food, and local favorites, beginning with football games at Kroger Field this fall.

“Gameday is about bringing people together,” said UK President Eli Capilouto in a press release. “Through our proposed partnership with Compass Group, we are focused on making that experience more accessible, more enjoyable, and more reflective of the spirit of Kentucky.”

As part of a phased approach, Compass Group is scheduled to begin overseeing food, beverage, and hospitality at on-campus athletics venues beginning July 1, 2026.

Leading into the 2026-27 season, Compass Group will work closely with UK to transform the food and beverage experience at Kroger Field, Historic Memorial Coliseum, Kentucky Proud Park, and other venues on campus. 

“Having grown up going to games in then-Commonwealth Stadium, I’m excited about the ways the University’s partnership with Compass Group will make the gameday experience at Kroger Field even better,” said UK Football head coach Will Stein in a press release. “Being able to enjoy more affordable concessions — high-quality food and drink options — is another reason for Big Blue Nation to come out to games this fall and help create the kind of atmosphere we want on gameday. When the stadium is energized and engaged, it impacts our team in a positive way.”

UK is prioritizing pricing that makes core concession items more affordable. That includes items that are $5 or less, such as hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, nachos, 20-ounce beverages, and 12-ounce Bud Light.

Big Blue Nation can also expect an elevated food and beverage experience, with improvements in quality, taste, and variety across concessions. 

“Gameday at Kentucky is about tradition, energy, and bringing people together,” said Vallen Emery, executive vice president for UK enterprise success, Compass Group. “Our focus is on delivering great food, strong value, and welcoming hospitality while introducing new offerings that reflect the flavors and traditions of Kentucky. From affordable fan favorites to local restaurant partnerships and signature menu items, we’re creating more reasons for fans to make gameday memories together.” 

Enhancements will include updated menus with new signature dishes, elevated presentations, and the introduction of collectible offerings such as souvenir cups to make gameday memorable.

The partnership will also create opportunities to bring local restaurants and flavors into Kroger Field and other UK Athletics facilities, showcasing Kentucky-based businesses and giving fans a chance to enjoy familiar favorites alongside traditional stadium offerings.

“Our new, affordable concessions are another positive improvement to the match-day experience BBN can enjoy when we play in Historic Memorial Coliseum,” said UK Volleyball head coach Craig Skinner in a press release. “Creating more accessible and affordable options enhances the overall fan experience and helps build an even stronger match environment. Our players feed off that energy, and this is another step toward making it one of the best atmospheres in college volleyball.”

“This is about more than concessions,” said Eric Monday, executive vice president for finance and administration. “It’s about building an experience that feels local, authentic, and welcoming for every fan who comes to UK Athletics events.”

These plans only apply to on-campus venues, not Rupp Arena.

The absence of Oklahoma teams in the 2026 Women's College World Series was not an obstacle to the tournament's success.

The WCWS recorded four sellouts through its nine days of competition at Devon Park, including a new record that was beaten just two days later and individual session records. The lowest recorded attendance was on Monday morning, June 1, when 9,276 fans attended the double-header between Texas and Tennessee.

The total attendance of the 2026 WCWS was 105,91, per NCAA data.

The Women's College World Series ended on Thursday night, with the Texas Longhorns winning their second consecutive title against NiJaree Canady and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

"What an exciting time it is right now," Texas head coach Mike White said. "The stands were packed. The atmosphere was electric. It was two great teams going at each other, and fortunately, we were able to come out on top."

Here's a breakdown of the tournament's attendance.

What games had the highest attendance in the WCWS?

Session 4, which included the games between Tennessee and Texas Tech and Alabama and Nebraska, set a new all-time high attendance in the tournament, with 12,679 fans in the stands.

Two days earlier, a then-record was set at 12,605 attendees at the night session of the tournament's opening day.

The previous record, set in 2025, was 12,595.

More: Texas softball sweeps Texas Tech as Longhorns repeat as WCWS champion

What was the session attendance average in the WCWS?

The attendance average in this year's tournament, which included four sellouts, was 11,769.

The statement from owner/chairman George McCaskey and team president and CEO Kevin Warren was brief, vague and not especially insightful beyond its headline. It didn't mention the Illinois legislature or its lack of action, but it was certainly pointed toward it.

"Yesterday, the Chicago Bears Board of Directors met and voted to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected," the Bears' executives said in their press release. "We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city. It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses."

Nothing says bringing Chicagoland together like moving one of its oldest pro sports franchises out of the state and onto an industrial waste site. Hammond is roughly 25 miles southeast of Soldier Field, just over the border in Indiana and home to oil refineries that would likely loom over any stadium location. While it may well be a viable option for Bears brass, this isn't a new technique in the battle to pressure lawmakers into publicly funding a privately owned stadium.

Sometimes, the home site steps up. The New England Patriots once announced a likely move to Providence, Rhode Island before securing local funds to build Gillette Stadium in their established base of Foxborough, Massachusetts. That's not a guarantee, however. The Kansas City Chiefs are set to leave Arrowhead Stadium and Missouri for a site in Kansas and a record $1.8 billion in public money.

Ideally, both sides would like the Bears to stay in Chicago or a nearby Illinois suburb. But Bears leadership is betting on significant subsidies while state lawmakers are pushing back against spending public money on a private venue owned by some of the wealthiest people in America.

With limited data to paint these stadiums as the economic catalysts their owners make them out to be, it's a difficult spot for lawmakers who want to balance the popularity of big time sports against fiscal responsibility. At a time where fans are getting crunched by rising cost of living and ticket prices that have long outpaced inflation, it's a tough showdown between logic and fandom.

The Bears are betting their fandom will convince Illinois to reconsider its spending -- or, failing that, follow them to Indiana.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Indiana Bears? NFL team announces plan to leave Chicago for Hammond, IN

Shrewsbury Town have signed Arkell Jude-Boyd on a two-year deal after the defender was released by League Two rivals Cheltenham.

The 23-year-old, who also has a further 12-month option on his contract, moves to Croud Meadow after two seasons with the Robins.

Jude-Boyd, a St Lucia international that came through the youth system at Queens Park Rangers, featured 83 times in all competitions for Cheltenham.

Shrewsbury say they "beat off competition from a host" of rivals clubs to sign the defender.

"Competition for players has been fierce," said Shrewsbury manager Gavin Cowan.

"What really stood out about Arkell was his desire - his desire to do well, to compete and to be part of what we're building here."

Victor Wembanyama is one of basketball’s most prominent young players, but one of the most revealing parts of his sporting identity comes from football.

The San Antonio Spurs centre has never hidden his affection for Paris Saint-Germain, and Steve Nash believes that football background helps explain some of the movement that makes him so unusual.

Victor Wembanyama has never hidden his love for PSG

Wembanyama’s connection to football is not just a celebrity crossover. The Frenchman grew up close to Paris, developed as a basketball player in the Paris region and has spoken clearly about his football loyalty.

When asked about his club allegiance in 2023, Wembanyama said: “My team is PSG.”

That line matters because it places PSG at the centre of his sporting identity. He is not simply an overseas NBA star who follows football from a distance.

He is a French athlete from the Paris area whose support for PSG has travelled with him into life in the United States.

That has remained visible as Wembanyama has become one of the biggest names in American sport. His football interest has followed him into interviews, fan culture and now into the way other athletes describe his game.

Steve Nash believes football helped shape Wembanyama’s movement

Nash has now placed Wembanyama’s football background directly into the conversation around what makes him different.

Speaking in an exclusive conversation with The S Word on talkSPORT, the former NBA MVP said Wembanyama “loves his football” and “plays football”, before connecting that background to the agility he shows at 7-foot-4.

That is the central detail in Nash’s assessment.

Wembanyama’s height is obvious. His wingspan is obvious. His shot-blocking is obvious. What is less normal is how naturally he moves for a player of that size.

Nash believes football is part of that picture.

He spoke about the crossover between the two sports, from stamina and agility to movement, angles, timing and spatial awareness.

That view carries weight because Nash has his own football background. He has said there was “no way” he would have reached the NBA without the advantages he took from football.

For Wembanyama, the point is not that football alone explains his rise. That would be too simple.

The point is that football gives a clearer way to understand one of his rarest qualities. He is a huge basketball player who does not always move like one.

Wembanyama’s football influence goes beyond watching PSG

Wembanyama’s football link is also visible away from the court.

An NBA.com report detailed how Wembanyama helped introduce an ultras-style fan section with the Spurs, influenced by the PSG supporters he watched growing up in France.

That is a football idea being carried into basketball. It shows that Wembanyama’s relationship with the sport is not limited to wearing a PSG shirt or making the occasional comment about European football. It reaches into how he sees atmosphere, identity and support.

That is why Nash’s comments land so strongly. He is not just saying that Wembanyama enjoys football. He is saying that football may help explain how Wembanyama moves, how he reads space and why his athletic profile feels so different.

Wembanyama is a PSG supporter, a Paris-area athlete and a player whose movement has now been publicly connected to football by one of basketball’s best-known football minds.

That does not make football the secret behind everything he has become. It does make it a genuine part of his story.

Read more:

Title favourite Alexander Zverev is one win away from elusive maiden Grand Slam title after coming through his "toughest challenge so far" to beat Jakub Mensik in the French Open semi-finals.

The second seed is through to his fourth major final and second at Roland Garros, having lost to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in 2024.

Taken to a fourth set for only the second time in the tournament, Zverev kept his composure to win 7-5 6-2 3-6 6-3 against first-time Grand Slam semi-finalist and 26th seed Mensik.

Zverev, who has been the front-runner to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires since world number one Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic suffered shock exits in the first week, will face 10th seed Flavio Cobolli in Sunday's final.

Italian Cobolli advanced to his first Grand Slam final via a walkover after his compatriot Matteo Arnaldi, the world number 104, withdrew minutes before their semi-final with a virus.

Should Zverev win, the 29-year-old will be the seventh oldest first-time Grand Slam men's singles champion in the Open era and the first German man to win a major since Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open.

However, his past six defeats have all come against Italian players, including a straight-set loss to Cobolli in the Munich Open semi-finals in April.

• Arnaldi withdraws before semi-final with virus

While Zverev has had no shortage of success, with 24 ATP titles and an Olympic gold medal to his name, he has so often been the nearly man on the Grand Slam stage, heading into this match with seven defeats from 10 major semi-finals.

On his three appearances in the finals, he has thrown away a two-sets-to-love lead against Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open, lost to Alcaraz in Paris after leading two sets to one, and gone down in straight sets to Sinner in Melbourne in last year.

With his path to the title opening up, all eyes have been on him during the second week - but so far, the German has worn the pressure well.

After a cagey start on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Zverev showcased his superior experience in the big moments, saving three break points in the eighth game and converting his only break opportunity three games later.

He seized control in a clinical second set which lasted just 33 minutes, breaking Mensik twice.

For his part, the Czech overplayed his drop shot and committed five double faults across the opening two sets – a stark contrast to the efficient Zverev, who maintained a 75% first serve percentage and struck eight aces to two double faults.

Mensik, who had looked down and out when he called for medical attention to his neck early in the third set, roared back to deny Zverev a fifth straight-set win of the tournament, seizing his only break point of the set in the sixth game.

Zverev's body language had the hallmarks of another costly self-destruction, with the world number three increasingly irritated as unforced errors flew from his racquet.

But he regrouped to make the decisive break early in the fourth, winning the opening three games and giving up just five points on serve to close down any talk of a decider.

"He [Mensik] beat so many unbelievable players and I knew it was going to be the toughest challenge I had so far. I managed, I won, and I am happy," Zverev said.

"He started playing amazing in the third set. He stepped up to another level. This is a Grand Slam. Opponents are going to play better, and you have to deal with it – and I did."

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Italy's Matteo Arnaldi says withdrawing from his first Grand Slam semi-final through illness is an experience he would "not wish on anybody".

Arnaldi, 25, was due to play his close friend Flavio Cobolli in the French Open last four on Friday, but pulled out shortly before the match because of a virus.

The announcement was made at about 17:35 BST, 25 minutes before the Italian pair were due to walk out on court in Paris.

"I tried to see if I could get on court but every time I get up I feel dizzy. It was the right decision to take," said 104th-ranked Arnaldi, who had never previously gone past the fourth round of a major.

"I just know I can't move, I can't eat and I can't drink - there was no way I was able to play."

Cobolli, 24, will play German second seed and title favourite Alexander Zverev - who beat Jakub Mensik - in his first major final on Sunday.

"It is so, so tough. When he came to see me, I almost cried," said 10th seed Cobolli.

The two players appeared together at a news conference within minutes of Arnaldi's withdrawal being announced.

In order to avoid Cobolli getting ill, the pair cautiously sat at opposite ends of the interview table.

Arnaldi described how he became ill on Thursday night, waking up with stomach ache at about 1am.

He said he began vomiting and was unable to sleep before calling a doctor to his room in the morning.

"It's difficult to be here - this is not want I wanted to do," Arnaldi said.

"I hoped it was something from dinner but throughout the day I couldn't eat or drink and kept going to the bathroom.

"Withdrawing from a first Grand Slam semi-final is not what you wish to anybody."

Arnaldi had spent 19 hours and 42 minutes on court en route to the semi-finals in Paris - the longest anyone has played on their way to the last four of a major since 1991.

Arnaldi apologised to the 15,000 fans, with the majority having already arrived at Roland Garros for the match.

Ticket-holders will receive a full refund, French Open organisers said.

"I feel sorry for everyone who came to watch," added Arnaldi.

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Ben Shalom's BOXXER is suing TKO's Zuffa Boxing over the alleged unlawful poaching of two of its fighters, Chris Billam-Smith and Sam Hickey, who both will debut for White's promotion on Saturday in Bournemouth, England.

BOXXER is asking for injunctive relief in the British courts against Zuffa and the broadcaster Sky Sports, which is showing Saturday's card and previously had an exclusive media rights agreement with BOXXER.

BOXXER and Sky Sports inked a four-year broadcast deal in 2021, which expired in June 2025. Sky Sports did not renew the deal and instead struck multi-year pacts with Zuffa Boxing and Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions.

Billam-Smith claimed his deal with BOXXER expired at the end of 2025, however Shalom's company says Billam-Smith was in an exclusive negotiating period with them and that BOXXER had a matching right on him following that.

As it pertains to Hickey, BOXXER claims the Scottish middleweight hope was in a long-term contract with them when he announced his deal with Zuffa Boxing in May.

Although not named in the legal action, BOXXER intends to argue that Jack Massey, who faces Cheavon Clarke in Saturday's Zuffa co-feature, has at least one fight remaining with the UK-based promotion as well.

BOXXER also has an ongoing legal case against its former head of boxing, Josh Wischussen. It is being argued that Wischhusen undermined BOXXER's efforts to secure a renewal with Sky Sports and spoke with the broadcaster about a rival venture while he was still tied to BOXXER.

Recently, Sky Sports and newbie promoter Shaa Wassmund were added as co-defendants in the case. Wassmund is understood to have helped Zuffa Boxing secure its deal with Sky, and is being accused by BOXXER of being involved in Wischussen's alleged unlawful interference with its fighter, broadcaster and staff contracts.