The Mystics have plenty of options in the frontcourt, which has allowed Washington head coach Sydney Johnson to give the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft limited playing time. For the season, Betts is averaging 5.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and only 0.3 blocks per game.

Betts played just 12 minutes in the Mystics’ 78-76 loss on Monday to the Indiana Fever, Johnson spoke postgame about his allocation of minutes to his frontcourt, which was up-for-grabs after Washington forward Kiki Iriafen left the game early with an injury.

“It’s just a big transition for Lauren, for all of our young ones,” Johnson said. “Lauren showed off a bit tonight. We’ve seen that before as well. It’s working hard every day so that consistency in our gym, and everything they’re doing with our coaches, can translate over here.”

Lauren Betts was completely hosed by her own coach last night.

The confirmation came in the postgame, where every compliment was followed by a "but."

He doesn't like Betts, which makes me wonder why he drafted her 🤔

Betts had her best game of the season, and was one of the… pic.twitter.com/cNgtpScYRs

— WBB MAYER 🏀 (@wbbmayer) June 9, 2026

Despite the praises, it’s clear Betts hasn’t completely earned the trust of Johnson, with fellow rookie forward Angela Dugalic playing 18 minutes to Betts’ 12. According to Johnson, it’s all a part of the plan, even if it goes against conventional thinking.

“I was super proud of Lauren. She’s going to have more games like that,” Johnson said. “A night like tonight is just another step to where we want to go.”

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Lauren Betts has yet to become a focal part of the Washington Mystics

While 11-year-old Brexton Busch returned to competition this week at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Cook Out Summer Shootout, another familiar face drew attention from NASCAR fans. Kyle’s older brother, Kurt Busch, was there supporting his nephew from the sidelines, offering encouragement during one of the most emotional moments the family has faced.

Brexton competed in the Young Lions division at Charlotte and turned in an impressive showing in his first races back. He finished sixth in one event before following it up with a runner-up finish the next night, continuing the development that made him one of the most closely watched young drivers in grassroots racing.

But for many fans, the biggest takeaway wasn’t where Brexton finished. It was seeing Kurt Busch step into a visible support role as the next generation of the Busch family continues its racing journey.

Kurt Busch Supports Brexton Busch at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Kurt Busch was spotted at Charlotte Motor Speedway during Brexton’s return to competition, cheering on his nephew as he navigated his first races since his father’s passing.

One moment shared on social media showed Kurt offering a simple but meaningful message from the sidelines.

“Go get em, Brex.”

The encouragement quickly resonated with NASCAR fans, many of whom have watched the Busch family endure an extraordinarily difficult few weeks.

Kyle Busch spent years helping develop Brexton’s racing career. Whether it was coaching from the pit area, reviewing races, or sharing advice, he played an active role in his son’s growth behind the wheel.

Now, with Brexton back on track, fans are seeing other members of the family help carry that support system forward.

The young driver appeared appreciative of the support surrounding him after his return to racing.

“6th & 2nd in my first races back. Felt really good to get racing again. Congrats to my buddy Thrasher on the win, he raced me clean and took the opportunity when I slipped up. Learn and move on to the next one, thank you to everyone for the support.”

His post quickly filled with messages from fans encouraging him to keep racing and continue building on the foundation his father helped create.

A New Chapter in the Busch Family’s Racing Legacy

The sight of Kurt Busch mentoring and supporting Brexton carries added significance given the role racing has always played within the Busch family.

For years, Kyle Busch openly embraced helping his son learn the sport, often documenting their racing adventures together through Kyle Busch Motorsports and grassroots racing events across the country.

Since Kyle’s death, the NASCAR community has repeatedly rallied around Brexton and the Busch family. Tributes have come from drivers, teams, fans, and industry figures who recognized both Kyle’s accomplishments and his dedication as a father.

Kurt’s presence at Charlotte offered another reminder that Brexton is not carrying that legacy alone.

As he continues to grow as a driver, the support of family members like Kurt could become an increasingly important part of his development. For NASCAR fans, seeing Kyle’s brother standing in his corner was a powerful image that underscored what many have already discovered over the past several weeks: the Busch family’s connection to racing extends far beyond one driver.

And as Brexton climbs back into the race car, that legacy continues to move forward one lap at a time.

South Korea vs Czechia prediction markets for World Cup opening day originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has arrived, and the intensity of the group stage is ready to ramp up as Korea Republic squares off against Czechia in a pivotal Group A clash. With both nations eager to make a commanding opening statement on soccer's biggest stage, the margins for error are razor thin right from the opening whistle. Follow along for a detailed breakdown of South Korea vs Czechia prediction markets for the opening day of the 2026 World Cup.

New customers looking to get in on the action can sign up here with the Polymarket promo code TSNEWS to unlock a $50 bonus after making an initial deposit of at least $20.

In a competitive group where every single point and goal differential will prove critical for advancing to the knockout rounds, establishing momentum early is absolutely paramount.

The action will kick off at 10:00 p.m. ET, with the atmosphere sure to be electric inside the Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan. As the group stage of the tournament gets underway, this highly anticipated encounter offers both the Korea Republic and Czechia the perfect opportunity to define their World Cup campaigns.

South Korea vs Czechia prediction markets for World Cup

The implied probabilities from the prediction markets paint a picture of an exceptionally evenly matched Group A contest. Korea Republic is priced at a 37% implied probability of securing all three points, acting as the marginal favorite. However, the market consensus clearly indicates this clash could easily swing in any direction. Czechia's implied probability of a victory sits right behind at a strong 33%, while the likelihood of the two sides splitting the points in a draw is priced at an equally competitive 32%.

For traders taking a position on this opening round encounter, the tight margins reflect how closely matched these two sides are. The last time Korea Republic and Czechia met, it was the Koreans who emerged victorious by a single goal, a slim margin that underscores the fine line between these squads. That narrow historical edge helps explain why Korea Republic holds only a slight market advantage. Notably, Czechia arrive in blistering form with a six-match winning streak and have found the net in seven consecutive matches, while their overall performance across the last five matches has been demonstrably better than Korea Republic's. This recent momentum is a key reason the market refuses to separate the two sides by any meaningful margin, keeping Czechia's implied probability within just four percentage points of Korea Republic.

Crucially, an analysis of the latest availability reports reveals no known injuries or missing players for either Korea Republic or Czechia. While several other competing nations are already managing doubtful statuses for key personnel, both of these squads appear poised to deploy their optimal tactical formations. This clean bill of health solidifies the tightly clustered prediction market probabilities.

Korea Republic vs. Czechia prediction

When analyzing the prediction markets for this exceptionally balanced Group A opener, the implied probabilities suggest a match that could realistically end in any of the three possible outcomes. Korea Republic holds a slight edge as the 37% market favorite, with Czechia trailing just behind at 33% and the draw sitting at 32%. However, for traders looking to take a calculated position, the value distinctly lies with a Czechia victory.

The primary driver for this position is Czechia's blistering momentum arriving at the World Cup. According to recent performance metrics, the European squad enters the tournament riding a formidable six-match winning streak. Their attacking unit has been remarkably consistent, finding the back of the net in seven consecutive matches. In comparison, data indicates that Czechia's overall performance over their last five matches has been demonstrably better than Korea Republic's recent form.

A critical factor for traders to consider is how these teams begin their matches. Czechia has a pronounced tendency to start fast, winning the first half in a robust 60% of their outings, compared to a 38% first-half win rate for Korea Republic.

Czechia shares that exact same ruthlessness with a lead, however. When the European side goes up 1-0 away, they also boast a 100% win rate. Ultimately, Czechia's superior recent form, their proven goal-scoring consistency, and their statistical dominance in the opening 45 minutes make them the more reliable proposition. With the prediction platforms slightly undervaluing their chances, backing Czechia to secure all three points is the most logical position to take.

Pick/Prediction: Czechia Win

Raiders' Kirk Cousins given bizarre praise amid Fernando Mendoza dilemma originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Las Vegas Raiders have a fascinating quarterback situation on their hands.

Fernando Mendoza was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Indiana. He's expected to be the face of the franchise and the long-term answer at QB for the Raiders.

But when Week 1 arrives, Mendoza might not start.

At least right now, the Raiders are lining up to have Kirk Cousins be the starter until Mendoza is deemed "ready."

And with that in mind, new Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak had some praise to give Cousins this week.

The only odd part is the way Kubiak actually delivered it.

First, this is what Kubiak told reporters:

“If you watch Kirk play his last four games in Atlanta, you saw what he can do. He’s getting healthier. He’s played really good football for us this time of year. And we’re counting on him come the season.”

MORE: Chiefs' new contract makes it even harder to release Patrick Mahomes

Now think about it -- Kubiak decided he needed to say that Cousins has "played really good football for us this time of year."

Meaning, June?

June, as nobody realized, is a crucial month in the NFL calendar.

In reality, what does it matter what a long-time NFL veteran does in June? The Raiders aren't going to learn a ton new about Cousins. If he's starting, they'll simply want him to look like the QB he has been for a long time.

MORE: Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson playing a funny game of chicken

It's much more important for the Raiders to see Mendoza starting to hit his stride "this time of year," because he's never been in the NFL before now.

Eventually, the Raiders will then have to decide if Mendoza is ready for being an NFL quarterback when the real action comes around.

For now, Cousins appears in the lead to at least keep the seat warm.

More NFL news:

• A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs have a Patriots, Bills, Drake Maye, Josh Allen link
• Josh Allen called out by a coach with a major losing record
• Lamar Jackson has an obvious reason not to sign right now
• Myles Garrett's Browns career comes to the most Cleveland of endings
• Will they still be called the Chicago Bears if they play in Indiana?

2026 World Cup of Darts Day 1 live results, scores and group stage standings: Poland's Ratajski and Bialecki get comfortable win over Portugal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The World Cup of Darts kicks off on Thursday, with 12 group-stage matches taking place in Frankfurt on Day 1.

Several notable players will take the stage today, including Jonny Clayton, Martin Schindler, Damon Heta, Krzysztof Ratajski and Mike De Decker.

2026 World Cup of Darts Day 1 schedule & results

Here is the schedule and results from Day 1.

MORE: 2026 World Cup of Darts: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained

2026 World Cup of Darts group stage standings

Here are the standings for the group stage.

*The top country in each group will advance to the knockout stage, joining the four teams with a bye (England, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland)

MORE:2026 World Cup of Darts group stage winner predictions and previews: Germany and Belgium in real danger

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Group H

Group I

Group J

Group K

Group L

More Darts articles:

• 2026 World Cup of Darts confirmed pairs and countries: Wales loses Price, van Gerwen returns for Netherlands
• 5 countries that can upset England's Luke Littler & Luke Humphries at 2026 World Cup of Darts
• Luke Littler contract details: Teenage phenom signs richest endorsement deal in darts history
• How much prize money did Luke Littler earn in the 2026 Premier League of Darts season?
• Gerwyn Price proposes intriguing Premier League Darts format change, with royal rumble component

Tennis legend John McEnroe sat with Larry David at Madison Square Garden for Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

McEnroe told Mason native Dan Patrick that the "Seinfeld" creator and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star didn't sound like he wanted to stick around when the Knicks were down big, before they rallied for the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history.

"That was one of the all-timers. … I'm sitting next to Larry David in the game last night," McEnroe said June 11 on "Dan Patrick Show." "And we have a tendency to get a little down on things when things are not going our way. Well, here we go again, same as the last time. And I had this feeling this time. I said, 'Larry, we've got to get a little more positive here. You know, we're not out of it yet.' We're 30 down, it's just a train wreck. … I'm just trying to talk myself into it. … It gets to a point where you get so discouraged you can't do it."

"And we were approaching that," McEnroe continued. "But we weren't there yet. So this like miracle of miracles somehow occurred. … So Larry's like, 'Let's get out of here. I can't handle this anymore.' And I'm like, 'Larry, take a deep breath here.' And by the end of it, it was like divine intervention or something. … (Because) the Spurs' shots (weren't) falling, the crowd started getting more and more into it. Absolutely electric, by the end of it. And then (for) OG (Anunoby) to do that tip-in. He saved us, is the bottom line."

Singer/songwriter Noah Kahan, who is scheduled to visit Cincinnati in early July, tweeted a joke about being "a Knicks fan since May."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: John McEnroe says Larry David wanted to leave before Knicks' comeback

Why Draymond Green chose to apologize to Jalen Brunson following Knicks historic win against Spurs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Draymond Green has never been shy about saying what he thinks. And when the New York Knicks reached the NBA Finals, he wasn't shy about saying they didn't belong -- at least not as serious title contenders.

He backed Becky Hammon's famous historical take that Jalen Brunson was too small to lead a championship team, criticizing their Eastern Conference path by claiming they made the Finals simply because they were "supposed to" get out of a weak conference. He publicly told Brunson to "prove me wrong."

Over the past few seasons, Green had repeatedly questioned whether Brunson could be the primary option on a true championship-winning team, stating on his podcast that the Knicks were missing a transcendent, top-tier superstar like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant or LeBron James to guide them to a title. 

However, Brunson proved Green wrong and the Golden State Warriors forward admitted it before the series even ended.

In Game 4, Brunson had 36 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. He hit consecutive clutch shots in the final 2:21 to secure the Knicks' 107-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs. With this victory, the Knicks completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.

This performance was no accident. Brunson averaged nearly 30 points per game through the first four games of this series. On TNT's Inside the NBA, Green addressed it head-on with Brunson seated across from him.

"I want to tell you now because I want to tell you to your face," Green said. "I want to apologize in one game. So I'll say it right now to your face: I'm sorry. Then I'll say it again when you go and get your ring: I apologize."

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He had been loud with his criticism, so the acknowledgment had to be direct. He didn’t want it buried on a podcast after the trophy was handed out. 

Former Knick Chris Childs had actually put Green on notice before the series, tweeting that the apology needed to be "just as loud" as the criticism. Doing it on national television, mid-broadcast on TNT, is about as loud as it gets.

Green has been wrong before, but he has never admitted it on a stage this big. This time, he did. Whether the Knicks close it out in Game 5 or not, this became a special moment. 

More NBA news:

• Former NFL LB wants De'Aaron Fox out of San Antonio Spurs after one play
• Shaquille O'Neal points to one Knicks quality that erased a 29-point deficit
• 11-time NBA All-Star sees a Jaylen Brown answer to Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo question
• Mitch Johnson’s blunt Victor Wembanyama take proves why Knicks had no answer in Game 3
• NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal shares savage honesty about Victor Wembanyama-Jalen Brunson incident that Knicks fans won't like

The Big 12 just guaranteed college basketball fans several heavyweight showdowns originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Big 12 released its men's basketball conference pairings for the 2026-27 season on Thursday, and while game dates won't arrive until later, college basketball fans already know one thing. The conference isn't lacking marquee matchups.

The newly announced schedule matrix revealed a collection of heavyweight showdowns that could ultimately shape the Big 12 title race and impact NCAA Tournament seeding across the country.

From Arizona and Houston renewing one of the sport's fastest-growing rivalries to Kansas facing another gauntlet of conference powers, the road to a Big 12 championship looks as challenging as ever. And that's exactly what fans have come to expect from arguably the deepest conference in college basketball.

Arizona and Houston remain the conference's main event

If there was one matchup that immediately stood out, it was Arizona and Houston. The Wildcats and Cougars will once again meet twice during conference play, continuing a rivalry that has quickly become one of the best in the sport.

These programs have split the last two Big 12 Tournament championships, with Houston winning in 2025 before Arizona captured the conference crown this past March. Both programs are expected to enter the season among the favorites to win the league, making their two regular-season meetings must-watch television.

There's a good chance those games help decide the conference race.

Blueblood battles are everywhere

Arizona's home schedule includes Houston, Kansas and Baylor, creating multiple opportunities for top-15 matchups. Kansas, meanwhile, once again finds itself facing one of the nation's toughest conference slates. The Jayhawks will be challenged by Arizona, Houston, Baylor, BYU, Iowa State and Texas Tech throughout league play.

The Big 12 has become unique in that even traditional powers rarely receive scheduling breaks. Every contender faces another contender almost every week. That reality should make for one of the most entertaining conference races in America.

MORE: North Carolina may have found Michael Malone's first recruiting statement

Several dark horses could crash the title conversation

While Arizona, Houston and Kansas will draw most of the preseason attention, they're far from the only teams capable of making noise. BYU continues to build momentum after establishing itself as one of the conference's rising programs. Texas Tech remains one of the toughest teams to beat at home and has consistently positioned itself near the top of the standings.

Iowa State's home-court advantage remains among the best in college basketball, while Baylor continues to recruit and develop talent at a championship level. The result is a conference where almost every road trip carries significance.

The Big 12 race may be the nation's most entertaining

Schedule releases don't always generate excitement. This one should. The 2026-27 Big 12 schedule matrix guarantees multiple matchups between conference heavyweights and sets the stage for another season filled with ranked-versus-ranked battles.

Arizona and Houston will headline the slate. Kansas will once again navigate one of the nation's toughest schedules. Baylor, BYU, Iowa State and Texas Tech all appear capable of disrupting the title race.

It's only June, but Thursday's announcement offered an early reminder of why the Big 12 continues to set the standard in college basketball. When conference play begins next winter, there won't be many nights without a game worth watching.

More College Basketball news:

• NBA won't beat rigging allegations if AJ Dybantsa goes to Utah Jazz
• 2026 NBA Draft announcements: Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson and other top prospects headed to the league
• Former UNC basketball coach to Michael Malone: 'Embrace history, but don’t be paralyzed by it'
• NBA legend won't contact Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa and others after draft
• Former NBA ref calls Dan Hurley’s viral sideline exchange 'weird'

Seattle Seahawks star quarterback Sam Darnold is deserving of every penny that he will make on his next contract.

The question that surrounds Darnold this offseason is whether or not he will get a lucrative contract extension from the Seahawks after leading Seattle to a Super Bowl victory at the end of last season. Darnold played like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in 2026, but an extension is a situation that has the potential to take a long time to work out.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the question that the Seahawks will need to answer in 2026 regarding their quarterback room is whether or not Darnold will receive a big contract extension in the near future.

“I'd still be surprised if the Seahawks made any changes to Darnold's deal before this season starts,” Graziano said. “But assuming it goes well again (and no, they don't have to win the Super Bowl for that to happen), it's possible they end up talking extension with him next spring,” Graziano said. “Darnold just turned 29 last Friday, so he could have a lot of good football still ahead of him.”

Darnold is approaching the second year of his three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seahawks. The USC product warrants a major re-up in the event that the front office desires to keep him in Seattle beyond the length of his current contract. Darnold has reached his potential in the NFL after an up-and-down start to his career, and all signs point toward him continuing at the elite level of play he’s played at for years to come, which will warrant a major payday in the near future.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks need to consider extending QB Sam Darnold sooner than later

Leyton Orient have made their first signing of the summer, bringing in Tony Springett following the winger's recent departure from Norwich City.

Springett, 23, is a product of Norwich's academy and made 29 league appearances for the Norfolk club, with 20 of them coming as a substitute.

Having been released at the end of his Canaries contract, he has agreed a two-year deal with Orient.

Springett said: "I'm delighted to have joined the club. The management team have set their standards for the season, and they all want a big improvement on the previous campaign.

"The mindset of a club is one of the most important factors when looking to push on and, after speaking to the gaffer, I believe the club are heading in the right direction and I can't wait to get started."

London-born Springett has had loan spells at Derby County and Northampton Town and has also played for the Republic of Ireland at youth level.

O's boss Richie Wellens told the club website: "Tony's a young player and he's had a good experience at Norwich.

"He's full of energy and will suit the style of play that we want to execute. He's got the right attributes; pace, power, brilliant stamina, and he's prepared to run.

"He can press with real intensity and we're going to give him a massive start-up in his career."

Co-hosts Mexico take early lead against South Africa in World Cup opener

Golf Digest cited multiple sources as saying Mickelson is no longer welcome at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, where the six-time major champion has played and practiced for decades. The unwanted contact was said to have happened earlier this spring.

Mickelson, the chief recruiter in the launching of LIV Golf, has only played once this year because of a serious family health matter that has not been disclosed. He did not play the Masters and PGA Championship, and is no longer exempt for the U.S. Open.

Golf Digest said it verified the identity of The Farms employee and was withholding her name to protect her privacy. It said she declined to participate in the reporting of the story.

A spokesperson for Mickelson told Golf Digest, “Any misunderstanding has been cleared up. Phil continues to attend to a family health matter and is uncertain when he will be able to return to professional golf.”

Digest cited sources in reporting Mickelson approached the woman in the clubhouse and made nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with her. The woman rejected his advances and reported it to her supervisors.

Officials at The Farms reviewed and investigated, Golf Digest reported, and then confronted Mickelson on the course. Mickelson, 55, was told to leave the premises.

The Farms said in a statement to Golf Digest, “Following a staff member report of member misconduct, the club provided immediate and ongoing support to the staff member, conducted a thorough independent investigation of the incident and took decisive action. This individual is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club.”

“To protect the safety and privacy of our staff and member, we are unable to speak further on the matter.”

Golf Digest cited multiple sources in confirming the member was Mickelson.

It adds to what has become a dark chapter for Mickelson, married with three children and once one of the most beloved public figures in golf for his bold and creative game, and for the time he spent after rounds signing autographs.

Mickelson was a relief defendant in an insider trading scheme in 2016 in which he was not criminally charged but agreed to repay nearly $1 million he made in a single trade. Noted gambler Billy Walters was involved in that case and sentenced to five years in prison.

Walters wrote an autobiography in 2023 in which he claims Mickelson has wagered more than $1 billion over the last 30 years, including one day in 2011 in which Mickelson was said to have placed 43 bets on Major League Baseball that resulted in $143,500 in losses.

Mickelson became the oldest major champion in golf history when he won the 2021 PGA Championship. A year later, he was a central figure in helping to launch Saudi-funded LIV Golf. He lost major sponsorships when he was quoted in early 2022 as calling the Saudis “scary mother (expletives)” and that he was only thinking of joining the league to gain leverage over the PGA Tour.

The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is ending its financial support of LIV after this year.

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

In a recent report, Fichajes stated that Chelsea have identified Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler as a target. It has been claimed that the Blues are showing interest in recruiting the Turkish talent in this summer transfer window.

Guler’s Impressive Season In La Liga

The 21-year-old enjoyed a decent campaign at the Spanish club after putting in a handful of impressive performances for them in the final third. Guler netted six goals and earned 14 assists in 51 matches for Real Madrid last season in multiple competitions.

The Turkish talent is currently one of the most talented playmakers in La Liga. Thus, the Blues would do well to lure him to Stamford Bridge before the end of this transfer period.

His current deal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will run out in the summer of 2029, which could make it difficult for Chelsea to sign him on a cut-price deal this off-season.

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 21: Arda Guler of Real Madrid

catches the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 21, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

What Will Guler Bring To Chelsea?

Guler is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet and has got the vision to create some inviting chances for his teammates in the final third. He can strike the ball with venom from long range.

The Turkish sensation did well to chip in by scoring and creating a handful of important goals for his team. Guler is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also play as a right-winger or as a box-to-box midfielder if told to do so. However, there are some concerns over whether he can adapt to the physicality and high intensity of the Premier League if the Blues manage to get him on board in this transfer window.

Guler would undoubtedly bring more quality and depth to Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso’s frontline. He is good enough to compete for a regular first-team place at Stamford Bridge in the coming years.

At 21, the future looks quite promising for Guler as long as he continues to improve with each season. Hence, he would be a great signing for Chelsea to pull off this summer. However, Alonso has to give him some time to adjust to life in the Premier League before he can get the best out of the Spain international.

The 2026 World Cup wasn’t even ten minutes old when Mexico set off the first earthquake at the Azteca Stadium in the opening match against South Africa. 

Julian Quinones needed just nine minutes to give El Tri the dream start. It was the third-fastest goal in a World Cup opening match. 

Only Philipp Lahm (2006) and Brazilian César Sampaio (1998) scored faster at the start of a World Cup.

If you like, it was probably a good thing that the organizers inside the stadium were keeping an eye on the time right after the opening ceremony.

That meant even superstar Shakira was more or less hurried off the field after her performance.

Was Mexico scorer Quinones’ early strike already in the air, then?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

The Minnesota Twins were probably looking to end this stretch against American League Central opponents on a high note by taking the rubber match against the Detroit Tigers. However, the Tigers came out swinging early and often against Zebby Matthews, and… well… if you were planning to write home about this game, I wouldn’t.

Detroit started the scoring off right away in the first. Four pitches from Matthews to three batters and the score was 1-0 thanks to a Kevin McGonigle (no relation to Professor McGonagall from Harry Potter) almost-homer-but-ended-up-a-double, a Gleyber Torres fly-out to scoot McGonigle to third, and a sacrifice fly from Riley Green to bring him in. After sending the Tigers down in order the next two innings, the Kittens heated up again in the fourth: a Colt Keith (what an 1880s name) single brought in Dillon Dingler (surely he wasn’t teased about his name as a kid) and a Spencer Torkleson homer took the score to 4-0.

Thanks to the bullpen game last night, the Twins continued to ride Zebby for a couple more innings, whose velocity was down by a couple MPHs today. Torres hit a homer of his own to right field in the fifth while Keith hit his first bomb of the year – a two-run shot – in the sixth to knock the score up to 7-0.

The Twins offense notched a handful of hits here and there, but couldn’t piece anything together against Detroit starter Keider Montero, who made it into the seventh inning and was pulled in favor of Tyler Holton. Minnesota’s best chance to plate a run came here with runners on second and third with a couple outs and… well… they didn’t score, but Austin Martin struck out instead.

Cody Laweryson allowed a Greene homer in relief in the eighth while position-player-pitching Alex Jackson took the mound in the ninth to get knocked around and the final score was 11-0.

W: Keider Montero (3-4)
L: Zebby Matthews (2-4)

The Twins return home to take on the St Louis Cardinals (they’re good: 37-28) for a weekend interleague set, beginning with a 710p Central start tomorrow night. Joe Ryan gets the call for Minnesota while Kyle Leahy will go for the Louis of Saints. I like their alternate uniforms.

STUDS

• I guess Royce Lewis? 2-3, K
• Alex Jackson: Twinkie Town “Stud” Participation Ribbon for pitching

duds

• Zebby Matthews: 6 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, BB, 4 K, 3 HR
• the remainder of Twins that participated in today’s game, namely: Trevor Larnach, Byron Buxton, Orlando Arcia, Kody Clemens, Josh Bell, Brooks Lee, Victor Caratini, Tristan Gray, Ryan Kreidler, Austin Martin, Cody Laweryson

COTG

falcontimmy was the only other TTer in the game thread today and kept the Twims honest, which I always appreciate.

Thank you for your time!

2026 NCAA Track and Field Championships: Live results, updates from Eugene, Oregon originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 NCAA outdoor track and field championships are taking place in Eugene, Ore. from Wednesday, June 10 through Saturday, June 13. Here's a look at the broadcast schedule.

*All broadcast times and networks are subject to change.

2026 NCAA Track and Field Championships live results

Day 1

Men's Hammer- Final

Results: Men Pole Vault (Final)
P: 5.20 - 5.35 - 5.50 - 5.60 - 5.70 + 5cm

Men Javelin- Finals

Men Long Jump-Finals

Men Shot Put- Finals

Men 10000M- Final

Combined Event Total Scores: Decathlon

Day 2

Dec Men 110 M Hurdles (Finals)

More NCAA News

• Cal Poly vs. West Virginia baseball box score: Game 1
• USC vs North Carolina baseball box score: Game 1
• Little Rock vs. Troy baseball box score: Game 1
• Texas vs. Texas Tech softball box score: Final Women's College World Series
• Demond Williams bombshell could have resulted in Lane Kiffin fired by LSU

Phil Mickelson's Attorney Denies Viral Allegations Of Inappropriate Contact originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson has been accused of "nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact" with a female employee at the Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

The allegation resulted in his immediate removal from the golf grounds and revocation of his membership at the club. 

The club released a lengthy statement announcing that it conducted a thorough investigation into the incident and stands by the decision to remove Mickelson. The club has declined to comment further on the incident, as Mickelson's attorneys have indicated that a lawsuit could arise. 

"There is a great deal of misinformation circulating and, while Phil’s full attention is devoted to a private family health matter, he has retained defamation counsel and is determined to hold accountable any publication or individual trafficking in speculation or false rumors," attorney Tom Clare said in a statement to Golf Digest.

The "private family health matter" in the statement refers to Mickelson's announcement earlier this year that he would be stepping away from golf temporarily. The announcement came at the time of the Masters Championship more than two months ago. 

Clare also said that the incident involving his client was "squarely contradicted by objective, video evidence."

More NESN: Phil Mickelson Accused Of Nonconsensual Contact With Female Employee

Lionel Messi will play in a sixth World Cup as he captains holders Argentina at the 2026 tournament.

The forward, who will turn 39 during the tournament, was named in Lionel Scaloni's 26-man squad on 29 May after leading his country to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar four years ago with a penalty shootout victory over France.

With 26 appearances, Messi holds the current record for the most World Cup matches by any player - and will join Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, as the only male players to appear in a sixth edition of football's biggest event this summer.

Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, who was named the goalkeeper of the tournament in 2022, has been selected, as have Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez and Tottenham's Cristian Romero, who missed the end of the Premier League season with a knee injury.

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez are also among the five British-based players in the squad for the finals, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez and Inter's Lautaro Martinez are among 17 players who lifted the trophy in 2022 returning to bid to retain it.

Argentina are in Group J and begin their campaign in Kansas City against Algeria (Wednesday, 17 June, 02:00 BST), before they play two games in Dallas, against Austria (Monday, 22 June, 18:00 BST) and Jordan (Sunday, 28 June, 02:00 BST).

Messi had been substituted during Inter Miami's latest Major League Soccer match on Monday, but his club said he had not sustained an injury and was suffering from "muscle fatigue" in his left hamstring.

He has made 199 appearances for Argentina and will reach the 200 landmark if he plays against Algeria.

Defender Marcos Senesi, who will join Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer from Bournemouth on 1 July, has been called up to replace fellow centre-back Leonardo Balerdi who was part of the original party.

The 29-year-old, who has three caps, will join the squad prior to their opening fixture.

Marseille's Balerdi, 27, has been struggling with a muscle injury during the build-up to the tournament.

Notable absentees from Argentina's squad included in-form Aston Villa attacker Emi Buendia, whose Europa League final stunner was named goal of the tournament, forward Paolo Dybala, whose season at Roma has been disrupted by injury, and 18-year-old Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono.

With one cap, Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni also misses out, after Fifa said he would sit out the first two games of the tournament for abusing Vinicius Jr.

Argentina World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa).

Defenders: Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid).

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (River Plate), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani lo Celso (Real Betis), Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea).

Forwards: Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).

• World Cup fixtures and group standings
• How to watch the World Cup on the BBC
• Everything you need to know about the World Cup

The NBA Finals, between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, have been marked by physicality and comebacks. With each game, the intensity appears to mount as every shot and possession matters. Those emotions can leak onto the fanbase.

Normally, it manifests in just trash talk or the occasional curse word. However, an incident that occurred last night drew attention for the wrong reasons. Now, an ESPN commentator offered his take regarding the situation, speaking directly and not mincing words.

ESPN Host Mike Greenberg Chastises Knicks Fans for Egg Throwing Incident

After the Knicks completed a historic 29-point comeback, the vibe outside of Madison Square Garden filled the air with hope and joy. However, some Knicks fans took things to an extreme.

When Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama returned to the team hotel, he was greeted by jeers, which is fine, but also thrown eggs, which is not. Greenberg, on ‘Get Up’ this morning provided his opinion on the incident.

“If you’re throwing eggs at Victor Wembanyama and beating up people to people wearing Spurs jerseys, just know that you are a disgrace. Not just a disgrace to the city, you’re a disgrace to yourself.”

The enmity between Wembanyama and Knicks fans grew as the center’s on-court behavior, or at least what they perceived as villainous, intensified. In Game 3, he threw New York guard Jalen Brunson to the floor with no foul being assessed. Last night, early in the game, he told reserve center Mitchell Robinson that he was in his head.

Following that, Robinson connected with an elbow above the shoulders, gaining a flagrant foul. As the first half wore on, the Spurs piled on, making threes from every spot on the court and angle. The Garden grew quiet, barely emitting a dull murmur.

In the second half, the Knicks made their run, capped by a tip-in from OG Anunoby, that ultimately gave New York a 3-1 series lead. Yet the actions of some after the game taint the overwhelming joy that had enveloped the city.

MORE: ‘Don’t Think We Didn’t See You’ – Shannon Sharpe Refuses To Let Victor Wembanyama off the Hook for Spurs’ Game 4 Meltdown

The second part of Greenberg’s first sentence mentioned violence. Reports of New York fans attacking Spurs fans hit the news. The NYPD made an arrest at watch parties, attempting to calm things down.

However, the tensions continue to rise for Knicks fans. Wembanyama did not seem injured by the incident. Various media members criticized the fans for their outburst, drawing a line between fan behavior and criminality. The series heads to San Antonio for Game 5 on Saturday.

But despite getting just two-thirds of their sessions in, the Panthers gave us a handful of interesting nuggets heading into the summer break.

Here are our four biggest takeaways from this year's minicamp . . .

Ickey will be back

Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu sustained a torn patellar tendon back in January, on just the second offensive series of the team's wild-card round game against the Los Angeles Rams. While spirits have been high during the recovery process, the Panthers have avoided putting a timeline on Ekwonu's return.

Canales, however, did acknowledge that the former first-round pick is expected to be back at some point in 2026.

"He's crushing it, week in and week out. He's excited about it," he said of Ekwonu on Tuesday. "The athletic trainers are excited about his progress right now. They're just continuing to progress him with different types of movement—forward movement, a little bit of lateral movement and just continuing to see how they can push the envelope a little bit, but in a smart way.

While Ekwonu is away, veteran free-agent addition Rasheed Walker and 2026 first-round pick Monroe Freeling are expected to battle for the starting duties on the blindside.

T-Mac's foot . . . and muscles

Second-year wideout Tetairoa McMillan had been slowed, both in organized team activities and in minicamp, by a minor foot injury. The reigning AP Offensive Rookie of Year was able to participate in individual work on Tuesday, but was held out of team drills and was given a rest on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, the Panthers—according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer—expect McMillan to healthy enough for training camp in late July. McMillan certainly hopes that's the case.

"I want to be," he said on being ready for camp. "I'm good right now. So, shoot, I should be able to be there."

McMillan also told reporters that he added 17 pounds of muscle in the offseason, with designs of getting back to his playing weight from college.

Legette's make-or-break

Fellow first-round pick and receiver Xavier Legette didn't have as memorable of a 2025 as McMillan. His issues with drops and spacial awareness eventually lost him playing time, as he saw his snap count gradually decrease down the season's final stretch.

He said on Thursday that his results for 2026 must be better.

Xavier Legette: "I can't have another year like I had last year. I can't do that...just the mishaps that was happening last year, I can't let that happen again." #Panthers

— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) June 11, 2026

Xavier Legette said he can’t have another season like last year, when he had too many “mishaps.” pic.twitter.com/m0FehiNNV6

— Joe Person (@josephperson) June 11, 2026

Between the struggles from his first two years and the excitement building around 2026 third-round pick Chris Brazzell II, Legette might be fighting for a role on offense. Canales addressed the noting that Legette is facing a make-or-break season, and backed the 25-year-old.

"I think it's a make-or-break year for all of us, every year. And Xavier has worked that way," Canales stated. "From the minute he's gotten here, he's 100 miles an hour. He's putting in the time in the playbook, he's busting his butt on the field, working on little technical skills.

"We had great meetings going out of the season, great meetings when he came back in April. Talked about his plan and the things he's working on and all that. He's just aware of all the things he needs to continue to improve upon to be the player that we know he can be, and that he knows he can be."

Shaping up the secondary

Carolina's primary slot defenders got a bit of attention.

Second-year standout Corey Thornton, who impressed as a rookie in 2025, received some praise from Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn.

"He's been the same player," Horn stated. "I think he's getting a little smarter, just getting — anytime you're in the defense, the second time around, you're going to understand it better and know where you're helping and know how to play certain downs differently... he's handling it all well, so I think he's just been the same guy he's always been, just getting better."

Thornton had that rookie campaign cut short due to a broken fibula he sustained in Week 12. Canales told reporters last month that Thornton won the job as the nickel prior to his setback.

2024 fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade, the defense's primary slot defender from last season, was seen taking snaps at the safety position this week. Canales spoke on his versatility.

"Chau is such a cerebral player," he said. "He's a guy we really trust and someone we've trained with our first draft class, and he gives us versatility. He can play the nickel. He's played the safety for us in that position, and to be interchangeable with those positions, you can give different looks. He can also play outside, so he brings a lot to the table, and it's a really competitive DB room.

"And we love that we love that it's bringing out the best in these guys, and the more the guys can bring value and have versatility, it's going to help Chau as we get further and further into camp."

The Panthers added some much-needed depth to the secondary this offseason, most notably with their Day 3 picks in cornerback Will Lee III and safety Zakee Wheatley.

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 mandatory minicamp: 4 biggest takeaways from practice

Morris, 25, has appeared in 43 games with 16 career starts for the Chiefs, and while he won't be expected to start in Atlanta, the former third-round pick still has plenty of upside. Morris excels as a run-blocker but struggles in pass protection, which isn't uncommon for young offensive tackles.

The Falcons signed former Chiefs offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor to start in place of former first-round pick Kaleb McGary, who announced his surprise retirement back in April.

The trade for Morris will bring Atlanta's roster total up to 91 players, which means the team will have to release someone in order to make room. Since the move hasn't been officially announced, the Falcons still have time to decide who to cut.

Check out the team's updated 90-man roster following the trade for Morris below. Uniform numbers are in parentheses and rookies are in bold.

Quarterbacks (4)

• Michael Penix Jr. (9)
• Tua Tagovailoa (1)
• Trevor Siemian (13)
• Jack Strand (18)

Running Backs (5)

• Bijan Robinson (7)
• Brian Robinson Jr. (15)
• Tyler Goodson (25)
• Nathan Carter (38)
• Cash Jones (32)

Wide Receivers (10)

• Drake London (5)
• Jahan Dotson (4)
• Zachariah Branch (17)
• Olamide Zaccheaus (14)
• Chris Blair (19)
• Dylan Drummond (80)
• Casey Washington (82)
• Vinny Anthony II (86)
• Le’Meke Brockington (88)
• Keelan Marion (85)

Tight Ends (5)

• Kyle Pitts (8)
• Austin Hooper (81)
• Charlie Woerner (89)
• Joshua Simon (47)
• Jack Velling (84)

Offensive Linemen (18)

• Wanya Morris (TBD)
• Jake Matthews (70)
• Matthew Bergeron (65)
• Ryan Neuzil (64)
• Chris Lindstrom (63)
• Jawaan Taylor (71)
• Ethan Onianwa (75)
• Andrew Stueber (74)
• Kyle Hinton (68)
• Jack Nelson (69)
• Michael Jerrell (72)
• Storm Norton (77)
• Corey Levin (62)
• Riley Mahlman (76)
• James Brockermeyer (66)
• Kam Dewberry (61)
• Layden Robinson (73)
• Brandon Walton (67)

Defensive Linemen (11)

• Brandon Dorlus (54)
• Zach Harrison (96)
• Maason Smith (92)
• Anterio Thompson (98)
• Da'Shawn Hand (90)
• Chris Williams (93)
• Elijah Garcia (91)
• LaCale London (94)
• CJ Nunnally IV (59)
• Carlos Allen Jr. (79)
• Ross Blacklock (95)

Linebackers (10)

• Divine Deablo (0)
• Kendal Daniels (53)
• Harold Perkins Jr. (56)
• Christian Harris (45)
• Channing Tindall (55)
• JD Bertrand (40)
• Malik Verdon (43)
• Troy Andersen (44)
• DeAngelo Malone (50)
• Daveren Rayner (42)

EDGE (6)

• Jalon Walker (11)
• James Pearce Jr. (27)
• Bralen Trice (48)
• Azeez Ojulari (51)
• Samson Ebukam (52)
• Cameron Thomas (99)

Cornerbacks (13)

• A.J. Terrell (24)
• Avieon Terrell (12)
• Mike Hughes (21)
• Billy Bowman Jr. (33)
• Darnay Holmes (30)
• Natrone Brooks (35)
• Cobee Bryant (37)
• Clark Phillips III (22)
• C.J. Henderson (39)
• Mike Ford Jr. (28)
• A.J. Woods (20)
• Darren Hall (41)
• Malcolm DeWalt (36)

Safeties (5)

• Jessie Bates III (3)
• Xavier Watts (31)
• DeMarcco Hellams (23)
• Sydney Brown (29)
• Jammie Robinson (34)

Special Teams (4)

• LS: Liam McCullough (49)
• K: Nick Folk (6)
• P: Jake Bailey (16)
• LS Philip Florenzo (46)

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons trade for Chiefs OL Wanya Morris: Updated 90-man roster

He spent two seasons on the Plains and will have one season of eligibility at his next stop. He is also eligible for the 2026 MLB Draft. He played in 49 of Auburn's 64 games this season, making 45 starts. He hit .298 with a .428 on-base percentage, 25 RBI, and 50 runs scored. While he had just seven doubles and two home runs, he stole 31 bases, getting thrown out just once.

Carter, who is from Oak Ridge, North Carolina, transferred to Auburn ahead of the 2025 season after an excellent freshman season with the East Carolina Pirates. He hit .243 in his first season on the Plains, finishing with 13 RBI, 24 runs, and 14 stolen bases.

While Carter was a proven player, the Tigers might have already replaced him through the transfer portal. Georgia State outfielder John Beverley committed to Auburn on Wednesday and should fill a similar spot in the lineup. He hit .365 with 38 RBI and 46 runs scored last season, stealing 32 bases.

Auburn went 43-22 in 2026, earning the No. 4 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. They lost to the Ole Miss Rebels in the Auburn Super Regional, the same stage at which their season ended in each of the past two years.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page onFacebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn Baseball: Bristol Carter to enter transfer portal

After months of talk, the UFC's event at the White House has arrived.

The popular "Embedded" fight week video series is here to document what's happening behind the scenes. UFC Freedom 250 (Paramount+) takes place Sunday at the White House.

The headliner is a lightweight title unification fight between champion Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) and interim titleholder Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC). In the co-feature, former middleweight and light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) will try to become the first to win titles in three UFC divisions when he takes on Ciryl Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) for the interim heavyweight strap.

More: UFC White House: Make predictions for Topuria-Gaethje, Pereira-Gane

Plus, there are five other fights set up to entertain the president, his political backers, and those with big enough bankrolls to pay for tickets to see the spectacle up close.

The fourth episode of "Embedded" follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC's description of the episode from YouTube:

Sean O’Malley goes patriotic with his hair color; Diego Lopes trains with the wrestling team at the historic OSU; Aiemann Zahabi hits pads with his brother, Firas Zahabi; UFC athletes begin to complete their Fight Week Check in process; Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria prepares for war.

Previous UFC Freedom 250 'Embedded' episodes:

• UFC White House 'Embedded,' No. 1: Topuria bags it up for fight week
• UFC White House 'Embedded,' No. 2: 'If you don't like it, beat me in a fight'
• UFC White House 'Embedded,' No. 3: Inside the fight night 'locker rooms'

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid gave further details on the unfolding position battle at right tackle at the team’s final mandatory minicamp practice.

According to The Kansas City Star’s Pete Sweeney, coach Reid stated on Thursday that he feels good about whoever will win the open competition for the starting job at right tackle for next season.

The Chiefs have Jaylon Moore situated at right tackle this offseason. While the starting role has not been assigned as of yet, undrafted free agent Kahlil Benson and Esa Pole are also in contention for the crucially important role on Kansas City's front five.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirms and acknowledges the right tackle position is an open competition. He said he feels good about whomever wins.

Reid made it sound like Jaylon Moore will get the first crack. Other candidates should include Kahlil Benson and Esa Pole.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 11, 2026

The Chiefs also traded Wanya Morris to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. Morris played 27 of his 66 snaps at right tackle last season.

Reid expressed confidence in his entire offensive line across all five slots, but is confident that the best man will win the job at right tackle for the 2026 season.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Andy Reid: Chiefs HC 'feels good' about position battle brewing at RT

What Monica McNutt said isn’t necessarily surprising or new. We’ve all done it. The difference is that McNutt said it about Taylor Swift, and on a hot mic.

The New York Knicks radio analyst and ESPN commentator went viral for doing something we’ve all done—questioning someone’s fandom. Unfortunately for McNutt, that someone was Swift, who was on Madison Square Garden’s Celebrity Row to witness the Knicks’ historic Game 4 comeback over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. McNutt told broadcast partner Tyler Murray, “Is that Taylor Swift down there? She’s not a Knicks fan! Get out of here, girl.”

Oh no.

Accusing Swift of being a fake or a fair-weather fan is one thing, but she turned up the heat by saying, “Get out of here, girl.” McNutt later apologized because you really don’t want to anger the Swifties. What made McNutt’s comments even more perplexing was that Swift showed more energy throughout the game than most of us. Who cares that she’s a Pennsylvania native? Who cares if this was a promotional tactic for her new single for Toy Story 5?

from the Knicks radio team:

“Is that Taylor Swift? She’s not a Knicks fan. Get out of here girl”pic.twitter.com/q8wPqEzBGc

— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) June 11, 2026

Swift sat in the front row with Este Haim and Alana Haim of the band Haim, exuding bachelorette-party vibes. That makes sense, since Swift’s wedding to Travis Kelce is reportedly set to take place at Madison Square Garden. They arrived wearing custom-made shirts with puns (“Stevie Knicks”, “Knickole Kidman,” and “Knickelback”). Law & Order star Mariska Hargitay joined in on the fun and put on a “Stevie Knicks” shirt. 

From a fan’s perspective, Taylor aced the assignment. She didn’t spend the entire evening staring at her phone. She didn’t look indifferent or bored. She was not only present but also enthusiastic. Swift looked like she was having more fun than almost anyone. The enduring images of the final minutes of that miraculous comeback were Swift, the Haim sisters, and Hargitay going crazy.

Years from now, if ESPN makes a 30 for 30 about this series, this is what we’ll see. 

Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order going bonkers after #Knicks cut it to 4…

Wemby still serving Reggie Miller levels of irritation… pic.twitter.com/Byezxa9tgp

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) June 11, 2026

This brings us back to the spirit of fandom. Who exactly gets to decide who is and isn’t a real fan? Could someone explain the criteria? Is there a test? We’ve all jokingly accused our friends of not being true fans. However, in McNutt’s case, she didn’t sound like she was kidding. In fact, her tone could be interpreted as hostile. 

Wednesday night was not Swift’s time at Madison Square Garden for a Knicks game. There is photographic evidence dating back to 2014. Before Game Four of the NBA Finals, a source told the New York Post, “She’s a huge fan of the Knicks and really wants to be there to support them. She is going with friends.”

Perhaps McNutt’s definition of a “huge fan” differs from yours and mine. It seems to me that attending one of the biggest games in franchise history, along with your gal pals, qualifies. She wasn’t there on a date or for any corporate obligation. There are plenty of things to do on a Wednesday night in New York City, especially for someone who’s wealthy and famous.

Swift chose to go see the Knicks.

Taylor and Karlie at the NY Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls game in NYC! (10/29/14) pic.twitter.com/TLEVxY4BPt

— Taylor Swift Updates (@TSwiftinAsia) October 30, 2014

Sports are meant to be a fun, communal experience. Some fans are diehard, and others are more casual. That’s OK. The idea of policing anyone’s fandom, especially someone you don’t know personally, is silly. 

Taylor Swift doesn’t need your validation to be a true fan.

ESPN on ABC with the Taylor Swift zoom-in as the Knicks pull to within 22. pic.twitter.com/Sf97xNEYKdhttps://t.co/HOL7ysYtZQ

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 11, 2026

The post Monica McNutt’s Taylor Swift comments are reminder that policing fandom is silly appeared first on Awful Announcing.

After ousting McDaniel, they quickly found Jeff Hafley, who recently served as the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers and had a connection with new Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, to be his replacement.

In the last few months, we've had the opportunity to see a bit of Hafley on the practice field and at the podium, and he seems to have command over his locker room earlier on in the process.

Interestingly, new Dolphins linebacker Joshua Uche even quickly compared Hafley to his former head coach with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick.

“He brings the same type of energy, the same type of [attention to] detail," Uche said (via the Miami Herald). "Every little detail matters. That’s how you win games.”

Uche spent four seasons under Belichick and had the most successful season of his career (11.5 sacks in 2022) playing for him.

Belichick is seen as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game, even if his time in New England didn't end perfectly. If Hafley even has 20% of the success that Belichick had with the Patriots, the Dolphins would be thrilled.

More Dolphins: Dolphins have big decision to make on All-Pro after Aaron Brewer deal

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins' Jeff Hafley draws comparison to Bill Belichick

We're live from Middletown High School for the NYSPHSAA Boys Lacrosse East Semifinals and will be posting updates and insights from each of the four games. If you can't watch live and in person, follow along here and check back later tonight for the story, photo gallery and video highlights.

Schedule

Class B: Yorktown vs. Manhasset, Faller Field, 4 p.m.

Class C: Rye vs. Wantagh, Turf Field, 4:30 p.m.

Clas D: Bronxville vs. Cold Spring Harbor, Faller Field, 6:30 p.m.

Class A: Mamaroneck vs. Massapequa, Turf Field, 7 p.m.

The players not in attendance were:

• QB Teddy Bridgewater
• TE Tyler Conklin
• G Ben Bartch
• CB Terrion Arnold
• CB Ennis Rakestraw
• CB Rock Ya-Sin
• S Brian Branch
• S Kerby Joseph

*Note: Rookie WR Kendrick Law is not included on this list because we already know he is out for the season

Earlier in the day, head coach Dan Campbell revealed that Rakestraw and Ya-Sin were dealing with an illness circulating through the facility. Branch and Joseph continue to recover from injuries, while the reasons for the other absences are not immediately known.

With OTAs remaining voluntary, the Lions are expected to continue prioritizing player health as they prepare for training camp.

A brutal night for Victor Wembanyama continued even after he returned to his New York hotel on Wednesday, as he was pelted with boos from jeering Knicks fans and nearly struck by a flying egg.

A video shared online showed at least one egg tossed in the direction of the San Antonio Spurs superstar as he entered his hotel, flanked by security, after the team’s Game 4 loss to the Knicks.

It was not clear who threw the egg. The video showed taunting fans swarming the hotel, a few blocks south of Madison Square Garden.

Related: Wembanyama condemns apparent attacks on Spurs fans in New York during NBA finals

A few seconds after the egg cracks on a street sign, Wembanyama turns around and confronts a person standing near the hotel’s entrance, before continuing inside.

The Spurs did not immediately respond to a request seeking clarity on whether the object struck Wembanyama.

The confrontation followed a historic collapse by the Spurs, who now find themselves on the brink of elimination after blowing a 29-point lead to the Knicks. Wembanyama missed two key free throws in the game’s final minutes.

The Knicks’ victory prompted scenes of bedlam and jubilation across New York City, as ecstatic fans packed the streets, set off fireworks, scaled lamp-posts and at times clashed with police. According to the New York police department, 56 people were taken into custody for charges that ranged from assault to disorderly conduct.

“Once again, there were large crowds of people who engaged in incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior last night both during and after the game,” the police department said in a statement.

An NYPD spokesperson said they had nothing on file about the egg incident.

Earlier this week, players from both teams condemned apparent attacks on Spurs fans by supporters of the Knicks. Video had circulated showing San Antonio fans having their jerseys ripped off in the streets of New York after the Spurs’ win in Game 3 on Monday.

“My thoughts of course [are] that we can’t forget it’s a game,” Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said about the incidents. “We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but [with] the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”

Added Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns: “The game is built off of respect and passion. We want everyone to respect each other. We want everyone to enjoy basketball at its purest state. It’s the NBA finals. There’s no better place to watch basketball. Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.”

Detroit — The big dig continues.

Buried by a miserable May, the Tigers just keep swinging — and winning — in June. They hit a season-high six home runs, including Colt Keith's first of the season, and Keider Montero was stellar in a 11-0 win over the Minnesota Twins on a glorious Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park.

More: Detroit Tigers, Game 69: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't

The Tigers won their third consecutive series in June, after winning just one, the very first one, in May. The Tigers have won seven games in June. They won six all of May.

Spencer Torkelson had the big blow early Thursday with his 10th homer of the season, a two-run moon shot some 371 feet to left field off Twins starter Zebby Matthews (2-4) with two outs in the fourth inning. That made it 4-0.

Dillon Dingler got things started in the fourth inning with a one-out double — his second hit of the game, for already his fourth hit this month. Kerry Carpenter made a bid for extra bases to right field, but Austin Martin made a nifty diving play to keep the game 1-0. But slumping Keith came up big with a two-out RBI single to center field to make it 2-0. That was just Keith's third hit since May 27, and his first RBI since May 26.

Torkelson followed with the homer to give the Tigers some breathing room, teeing off on a 78-mph curveball.

The next inning, Gleyber Torres hit his fourth homer of the season, a solo shot some 368 feet to right field.

And in the sixth, after Kerry Carpenter singled, Keith hit his first homer of the season, a no-doubter to right field that thrilled the crowd of 30,714. The ball traveled 419 feet. It was Keith's first home run since Sept. 10, 2025. It snapped a homerless drought of 219 at-bats, including the 2025 postseason.

Keith had a big smile when he got back to the dugout, after a slow, taking-it-all-in trot around the bases.

🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/yoplLzYujZ

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 11, 2026

Riley Greene added a homer, his eighth, in the seventh inning. And in the eighth, Zach McKinstry hit his second and Wenceel Perez hit his seventh. The Tigers now have hit 23 home runs in June. They hit 18 in May.

The Tigers wasted little time in getting to Matthews, a right-hander. Kevin McGonigle led off the game with a near-homer the opposite way to left field. It hit off the top of the fence, for a double. He quickly was escorted around the bases, though. Torres flew out to deep right, moving McGonigle to third, and he then scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Riley Greene.

BOX SCORE: Tigers 11, Twins 0

The Tigers have scored double-digit runs three times this month. They did it twice, total, in March, April and May.

Montero (3-4), meanwhile, was absolutely his game, breezing through 6.1 innings, allowing three hits and a walk. He struck out four before leaving to a standing ovation with one out in the seventh inning. It was his third start this season of at least six innings and no runs allowed. His ERA dropped to 3.63.

Tyler Holton was sharp in 1.2 innings of relief of Montero, and Beau Brieske worked the ninth inning.

The Tigers (29-40) now hit the road for six games, starting Friday night with three against the American League-Central rival Cleveland Guardians, followed by three against the Houston Astros.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

@tonypaul1984

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers top Minnesota Twins to win third consecutive series

There is no other explanation for the aura of chaos that has surrounded these Knicks for the past six weeks. For whatever reason, their transformation from a perfectly adequate, third-seeded Eastern Conference contender into the most unstoppable force in basketball has driven everyone who comes into contact with them insane.

How else can you explain opponent after opponent disbelieving their lying eyes as they watch the Knicks stalk them like prey and consume them. Wednesday night, the Knicks ripped off a 20-4 run before Spurs coach Mitch Johnson thought to call a timeout, teeing up the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, a 107-106 Knicks win. It would be easier to lampoon him if the same thing hadn’t happened to another very good head coach in the previous round, when the Cavaliers’ Kenny Atkinson mustered just one timeout as his team surrendered a 30-8 run to end the fourth quarter in the Knicks’ last signature resurrection.

In fairness to these coaches, it must be dizzying to face an opponent for whom the past has practically zero bearing on the present, who can look like a beaten dog in one moment and begin scratching and clawing their way back on top the next.

But that’s another thing. By every available measure, these Knicks have staked a claim as one of the greatest playoff teams in the history of the league. No, scratch that. Greatness is subjective. When they’re right, these Knicks are dominant in a way that is both measurable and observable. They mollywhopped three good teams on their way to the Finals, set records for point differential in the playoffs, and for about six quarters out of 16, they’ve embarrassed a Spurs team that won 62 regular season games and dethroned a seemingly ascendant Thunder team on the way to the Finals. They’ve also looked rudderless, bewildered and irredeemably constipated for much of the remainder of play. This has, of course, added up to a towering 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.

All of which raises one gnawing little question.

Just why in the hell does one of the best teams of all time keep finding itself down by roughly a thousand points every fourth quarter? 

The simple answer is because the Knicks themselves make no sense, either. Teams like this, that have been dominant the way the Knicks have been dominant, do not typically find themselves facing insurmountable deficits. Great teams may fall behind, but they hang around, instilling a sense of dread that a 14- or 16-point lead is never safe.

The Knicks do not operate like this. They operate in extremes. Either they’re on or they are very, very off. They are now 5-3 in the last two years of playoff runs in games in which they have trailed by 20. The rest of the league is 4-71. They’ve won both playoff games in which they have trailed by 20 points in the fourth quarter. Since 1997, all other teams are a combined 3-750. They exchange that sense of looming dread a more common great team imposes for one of calm, that surely this is the hole so deep that even this playoff monster will stay buried. Then they wake up.

In Game 4, the trouble began just one minute into the game, with two soft foul calls on Karl-Anthony Towns, which kicked off 23 minutes of slapstick basketball. With Towns sidelined, Mike Brown used 12 players in the first 14 minutes of the game. He was scrambling, and the Knicks looked lost. They began to foul — a lot — picking up two flagrants along the way, the first of which, by Mitchell Robinson, left Victor Wembanyama on the floor and clapping excitedly, shouting, “I’m in your head, boy!” as Robinson turned away in disgust. Things stabilized, somewhat, when Towns returned late in the first quarter, but not by much. Jose Alvarado would commit his own ridiculous flagrant foul barely a minute into the second period, at which point it seemed as though the Knicks had given up on competition and were content to wallow in their discontent.

It would be neat to assign a single moment as the turning point in all this, that Method Man’s “Knicks in five!” at the end of the Wu-Tang Clan’s halftime show, with the Knicks trailing 76-49, exorcised the noxious vibes left by Donald Trump’s attendance in Game 3, or that Wembanyama’s own flagrant foul in the third quarter rallied in the Knicks some sense of resolve or retribution. But the truth is that they simply cut the crap.

After four consecutive quarters of disarray and frustration, the Knicks focused up and finally played their game. Wembanyama isolates Brunson in the post and gets one, two, three chances at the rim for an indefensible bucket? Shake it off. Next play down, get it to Towns to draw a double and release to Mikal Bridges, who finds Alvarado all alone on the weakside for an easy three. Brunson is doubled by Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, in the most ferocious big-small trap in the league? The ball simply moves to Towns, then Alvarado, who drives to hold Wembanyama in the paint, then hits OG Anunoby for a wide-open three.

There was some luck down the stretch, and shot-making by Brunson, Towns and especially OG. But mostly there was an unshakable focus on the next task at hand. So when Josh Hart broke away with two minutes to play for what looked like a certain dunk to finally take the lead, in a game in which the Knicks had never led, and came up short, the Knicks simply played on, took the lead. And when Brunson missed a floater over 10 feet of Wembanyama standing reach, they played on again. Anunoby tracked down De’Aaron Fox, who attempted an inexplicable layup rather than dribbling out the clock, and blocked the shot. And it was Anunoby again saving the day with the most indelible moment of this dream Knicks season. But none of this, memorable as it was, represented the Knicks doing anything they hadn’t been doing for the past six weeks. It was Fox and the Spurs — who collectively scored just 30 points in the second half — who were drawn into the insanity.

After the game, while Johnson was trying to explain the madness that had consumed his team, his answers were barely audible over the celebrity fan contingent bellowing their way out of the arena. For the Finals, the visitors’ press conferences are moved out of the usual claustrophobic annex adjacent to the Knicks’ main conference room in order to accommodate the enormous press corps in attendance. But on Wednesday, this meant Johnson’s struggle session was soundtracked by raucous cheers for Timothée Chalamet disrobing as he walked down the exit ramp. A short time later, Dylan Harper was visibly distracted as Iman Shumpert left the building, shouting that he didn’t need security as he rushed to celebrate with fans on the street. The move that had been intended to afford the Spurs more comfortable confines instead drew them into the insanity happening at the Garden and around the city. That’s how it seems to go with this Knicks run: a series of logical decisions that nonetheless lead back to the circus.

The league at large has no idea what to do with this.

Two weeks ago, it was Atkinson trying to make sense of what was happening to his team.

“Analytically, we’re two out of three in the expected,” the Cavs coach said, as his team was down 3-0 in the Conference Finals. “I don’t know if you guys follow that, but there’s an expected score, and we’ve won two out of the three.”

One week ago, it was Wembanyama in disbelief about what was happening to his team.

“It’s almost not like I have anything to figure out,” he said after a Game 1 home loss. “It’s almost like I have to play normal, not even good. It’s just like doing the right things is enough. When we play bad, when I play bad, is when we shoot ourselves in the foot. This is why I’m not worried. We’re going to be so much better. I’m going to be so much better.”

He was better. They were better. And then they weren’t.

The Knicks are up three games to one in the NBA Finals. Two of their wins have felt like accidents. Of course the series is still in doubt — we’re just 10 years removed from the most infamous 3-1 series choke in league history. And of course the Spurs think they have every chance to get back into this thing, even with a loss as harrowing as that one.

It makes sense.

The problem is, when the Knicks are rolling, they can knock the sense right out of you.

Thierry Henry has named his favourites to win the World Cup, with his selections suggesting that William Saliba could end the tournament as a world champion.

France, who have reached the final of the last two World Cups and won the 2018 edition, remain one of the strongest international sides. Arsenal are represented by Saliba, who is expected to play a key role, while several other Gunners are also set to feature for leading nations including Brazil and England.

Henry’s World Cup favourites

France are widely regarded as one of the leading contenders due to their squad depth, experience and consistent performances on the international stage. Their team features elite talent across all areas of the pitch, making them a natural favourite heading into the tournament.

Alongside France, Spain, Argentina, Portugal and England are also considered strong candidates for the title. Henry also suggested that surprise teams such as Norway or Senegal could make an impact, while he expects Germany to rediscover form after recent inconsistency.

Arsenal players in key national teams

Arsenal’s influence on the World Cup is highlighted by the number of players set to represent top nations. Saliba is expected to be central to France’s campaign, while other Gunners will feature for Brazil and England as well, underlining the club’s strong international presence.

Asked to name his favourites, Henry said via the Metro:

“I see France as the top contender – partly because I’m French, but also because we’ve reached the last two finals.

“We have a strong team. Spain, Argentina, Portugal, and England are also promising candidates. Surprises like Norway or Senegal are possible.

“As for Germany, I’m waiting for them to rediscover their best form.

“Germany has qualified, and that’s the most important thing. Sometimes you can even play better with less pressure. In any case, I wish Julian Nagelsmann and his team all the best – unless they play against France.”

Henry’s comments underline France’s status as favourites while also acknowledging the strength of several challengers across the tournament.

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Crystal Palace Prepare Move for Hayden Hackney

Crystal Palace are positioning themselves at the front of the queue for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, with the Daily Mail reporting that an offer worth close to £20 million is expected.

The 23 year old enjoyed an outstanding campaign, earning Championship Player of the Season recognition and further enhancing his growing reputation as one of England’s brightest midfield talents.

Photo IMAGO

Competition Intensifies

Palace’s anticipated bid would place them ahead of Everton’s current offers. The Toffees have already tested Middlesbrough’s resolve, initially proposing £12 million before increasing their package to £15 million.

However, Middlesbrough are believed to value Hackney at around £25 million, meaning negotiations may still have some distance to travel.

With only one year remaining on his current contract, this summer increasingly feels like a pivotal moment for both player and club.

Palace Opportunity Emerges

The appeal of Crystal Palace is clear. European football offers a compelling platform, while uncertainty surrounding the futures of key midfielders could create an immediate pathway into the starting XI.

Hackney’s development has been impressive. He played a key role in England’s Under 21 European Championship triumph and continued that momentum with another excellent season for Middlesbrough.

Photo IMAGO

His ability to dictate play, cover ground and contribute creatively makes him an attractive option for clubs seeking long term midfield stability.

Strategic Recruitment

Palace have built a reputation for identifying emerging talent before their value escalates further. Pursuing Hackney fits that approach perfectly.

While Everton are reportedly his preferred destination at present, transfer situations can evolve quickly when multiple clubs become involved.

For Palace, this appears to be more than a speculative enquiry. It looks like an attempt to secure one of the Championship’s standout performers before the market becomes even more competitive.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Crystal Palace supporters have watched the club steadily evolve over recent seasons, and Hayden Hackney feels exactly the type of player Palace should be targeting.

At 23, he already possesses significant Championship experience, international youth honours and a reputation for consistency. Importantly, he also appears ready for the next step. Palace fans will view him as a player with both immediate value and long term potential.

There is also an awareness that midfield could soon require reinforcement. Questions remain over the futures of several important players, and recruitment planning needs to stay ahead of any departures.

The prospect of European football gives Palace an advantage that would have seemed unlikely just a few years ago. It strengthens the club’s appeal and demonstrates how far the project has progressed.

Supporters may be slightly concerned by reports suggesting Everton are Hackney’s preferred option. Yet transfer decisions are rarely straightforward. Palace can offer a strong sporting project, a talented squad and an opportunity to develop under growing expectations.

If the club can secure a deal close to the reported figures, many fans would see it as smart business. Hackney has already proven himself at Championship level and looks capable of making the transition to the Premier League.

This feels like the sort of signing that ambitious Palace supporters have been hoping to see more often.

The New York Knicks did not just win Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. They changed the whole emotional temperature of the NBA Finals in one night.

A 29-point San Antonio Spurs lead had the series tilting back toward Texas, with New York staring at a tied matchup and a brutal missed chance to hold homecourt. Instead, the Knicks dragged themselves back.

After days of off-court narratives around the Finals, the basketball finally became loud enough to drown everything else out, and Stephen A. Smith ended the night explaining why the comeback felt bigger than another wild playoff escape.

Stephen A. Smith thought the Knicks had blown the Finals

Speaking on ESPN after Game 4, Smith said: “I thought it was over. I thought the New York Knicks were going back to San Antonio tied 2-2 with their heads bowed, having relinquished homecourt advantage to the San Antonio Spurs.

“I thought they were done for the night and possibly for the series.”

That was not an unreasonable feeling. The Spurs were in full control before New York started scratching back, and Game 4 looked ready to become the night San Antonio made this a best-of-three series again.

He said: “And then they kept scratching and clawing and coming back. I saw Jalen Brunson defer and KAT wasn’t making shots, so he said, ‘The hell with it. I’m going to do it.’ And he dropped 36.

“I saw OG Anunoby saying, ‘Yo, I got your back. Everybody else might not be here for you offensively, but I’m going to be.’ I saw Alvarado come off the bench and give them a spark plug.”

Smith also spoke about De’Aaron Fox’s clumsy error late on, as the Spurs guard attacked the rim instead of pulling the ball out and forcing a foul.

But even while pointing at San Antonio’s mistakes, Smith wanted to give the Knicks their credit. He said: “Two things can be true at once. And the Knicks deserve all the credit for every bit of what they did.”

The Knicks are now one win from the championship, and Game 4 really made it feel like this series belongs to them.

Perfect Game USA revealed its list of All-American selections from the 2026 season, and four Ducks made the cut. Oregon's right-handed ace Will Sanford and setup man Tanner Bradley both earned third-team All-American distinctions.

Sanford starred atop the Ducks' rotation all season long, and only got better as the season wore on. He finished the season with a 3.74 ERA in 17 starts and racked up 126 strikeouts, the second most in program history in a single season. Bradley was the most dependable arm for coach Mark Wasikowski to turn to in the bullpen. A finalist for Stopper of the Year, Bradley finished the year with a 1.66 ERA with a team-leading 31 appearances. He managed 84 strikeouts against 19 walks.

𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐬@PerfectGameUSA has named @t_bradley2024 and @Will_Seiji All-Americans. #GoDuckspic.twitter.com/gzVVVkml2t

— Oregon Duck Baseball (@OregonBaseball) June 10, 2026

Bradley also claimed first-team All-America honors from the NCBWA. He is the sixth Duck ever to earn first-team honors from the NCBWA and the first Oregon pitcher to do so since Kenyon Yovan made the cut in 2017. Former Oregon outfielder Mason Neville earned first-team honors last season.

Oregon also placed two freshmen on Perfect Game's Freshman All-American Teams for the first time in program history. Right fielder Angel Laya and first baseman Brayden Jaksa earned honors, with Laya placing on the first-team and Jaksa on the second-team. Jaksa was also named a second-team All-American by the NCBWA as a catcher.

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬@angellaya23 with first-team freshman All-America honors from @PerfectGameUSA, while @BraydenJaksa21 nabs second-team recognition. #GoDucks | @PGCollegeBallpic.twitter.com/CmgoHaqcME

— Oregon Duck Baseball (@OregonBaseball) June 11, 2026

Laya started from day one and slashed .296/.396/.538 with a .934 OPS and an Oregon freshman record 14 home runs. He had 25 extra-base hits and 47 RBIs, and figures to be a staple in the corner for years to come.

Jaksa slashed .318/.400/.534 with a .934 OPS and drove in 36 RBIs in his rookie campaign. He moved around from a backup catcher role to seeing some time in left field before settling in at first base to keep his bat in the lineup.

Laya and Jaksa are the third and fourth Ducks ever to make it on a Perfect Game Freshman All-American Team, joining Yovan, a second-team selection in 2017, and right-hander Cole Irvin, who made the first-team back in 2013.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks boast four All-Americans from Perfect Game USA

Cam Ward had a bad week. No sugarcoating it.

The Tennessee Titans' second-year quarterback struggled through practice on June 11, continuing a trend of three straight consistently underwhelming organized team activities headlined by a few accuracy issues and stalled drives against a Titans defense missing several of its top contributors. On June 11, Ward was 13-for-24 passing with no touchdowns or interceptions, one pass broken up and one play where he was sacked. He failed to guide the offense into the end zone in any of the three periods, where the offense moved downfield and he overthrew receivers deep and toward the sideline with relative consistency, even in 7-on-7 periods.

It's hardly encouraging when a former No. 1 pick is hovering around a 50% completion percentage across a week of OTAs where no one's hitting or wearing pads. These practices, without live pass rushers and full physicality, should be skewed toward the offense. And Ward hasn't taken advantage, save for a strong showing in a red zone drill on June 9.

Cam Ward had a bad week. No sugarcoating it.

The Tennessee Titans' second-year quarterback struggled through practice on June 11, continuing a trend of three straight consistently underwhelming organized team activities headlined by a few accuracy issues and stalled drives against a Titans defense missing several of its top contributors. On June 11, Ward was 13-for-24 passing with no touchdowns or interceptions, one pass broken up and one play where he was sacked. He failed to guide the offense into the end zone in any of the three periods, where the offense moved downfield and he overthrew receivers deep and toward the sideline with relative consistency, even in 7-on-7 periods.

It's hardly encouraging when a former No. 1 pick is hovering around a 50% completion percentage across a week of OTAs where no one's hitting or wearing pads. These practices, without live pass rushers and full physicality, should be skewed toward the offense. And Ward hasn't taken advantage, save for a strong showing in a red zone drill on June 9.

The News' Tony Paul gives his quick takes on the Tigers' 11-0 victory over the Twins on Wednesday:

One thing I loved

I mean, Colt Keith.

He badly needed a day like Thursday, given the severe struggle that has been 2026.

He had a huge hit in the fifth inning, a two-out single that gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead — and was his first RBI since May 24. Then, two innings later, Keith finally homered. It was his first homer of 2026. It snapped a homerless drought of 219 at-bats, dating to last September (and including the 2025 postseason).

You knew this was weighing on Keith. You could see it in all those slumping shoulders this month and last. And, finally, you could see it in that big old smile he flashed walking back to the dugout after homer No. 1 of 2026.

The Tigers hit six more home runs Thursday, and now have hit 23 in June. They had 18 homers all of May.

🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/yoplLzYujZ

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 11, 2026

One thing I didn't

Let's see, I counted a few clouds in the sky. That's about all I've got for ya after what might've been the best game the Tigers have played all season — and they've played some good ones lately.

Man, what a difference a couple weeks makes for these tumultuous Tigers. The last time I covered them was those last three days of May in Chicago, where, frankly, they looked hopeless and helpless and completely buried. Those three games against the Chicago White Sox were an embarrassment.

The record still ain't great (29-40), but that's three series wins in a row, with Tarik Skubal and (probably) Casey Mize coming back this weekend in Cleveland. The American League's not great.

Who the heck knows? Baseball's a funny game, and the Tigers have a wicked sense of humor.

Three stars

(Season total in parentheses)

▶ Keider Montero (2)

▶ Spencer Torkelson (9)

▶ Dillon Dingler (18)

TORK BOMB pic.twitter.com/jsqyVpFvQR

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 11, 2026

Player of the game

(Season total in parentheses)

▶ Colt Keith (2)

Tigers' uniform tracker

• Traditional home whites: 15-13
• Alternate home oranges: 3-1
• Motor City Connect home blues: 0-2
• Traditional road grays: 8-17
• Alternate road blues: 3-7

Next Tigers game

▶ Game 69: Twins at Guardians, 7:40 Friday, Detroit SportsNet, 97.1

ICYMI: Yesterday's Tigers recap

tpaul@detroitnews.com

@tonypaul1984

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers recap, Game 69: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't

Seattle is set to host six FIFA World Cup matches at Lumen Field, including a highly anticipated match featuring the United States men’s national soccer team.

While the tournament is expected to be the biggest event in Seattle’s history, a massive number of tickets are still on the market.

The most favorable match in Seattle is U.S. v. Australia, and those ticket prices have remained steady, staying above $1,000 across several after-market ticketing sites.

As with all sporting events, seats are available at a wide range of prices depending on how close each seat is to the action.

The search for a quality, low-priced ticket ends here, as a comprehensive guide to FIFA World Cup tickets is provided below.

Where is the best place to purchase a FIFA World Cup ticket?

Seattle Stadium will host the following matches:

• June 15: Belgium v. Egypt at 12 p.m.
• June 19: United States v. Australia at 12 p.m.
• June 24: Bosnia & Herzegovina v. Qatar at 12 p.m.
• June 26: Egypt v. Iran at 8 p.m.
• July 1: Round of 32 at 1 p.m.
• July 6: Round of 16 at 5 p.m.

Tickets to each game are subject to change, as most ticketing apps use “Smart Pricing,” which automatically adjusts prices based on demand, supply, and other factors.

Purchasing tickets on GameTime

The lowest single-ticket price for U.S. v. Australia on GameTime is $1,090, for seating in the corner of the 300-level at the north end zone. On the higher end, a VIP seat to see the U.S. play will cost $62,473.

The most affordable ticket to see the match featuring Egypt v. Belgium is listed at $504 for seating in the 300 level of the south end zone.

GameTime’s cheapest single ticket for the Qatar v. Bosnia & Herzegovina match is priced at $218, with seating in the 300 level of the north end zone.

The cheapest available ticket for the Iran v. Egypt match is listed at $243 for seating in the 300 level at the south end zone.

GameTime’s most expensive seat in Seattle Stadium across all matches is listed for $89,246, seated in the VIP section for the match featuring Egypt v. Iran.

Best seats on StubHub

The most affordable ticket for the U.S. v. Australia match on StubHub is listed at $1,039 in the 300 level of the south end zone. StubHub listed this seat as a 7.8/10 “Great” deal.

The lowest single-ticket price for Belgium v. Egypt is $410 for seating in the corner of the 300 level at the north end zone.

The cheapest available ticket for the Qatar v. Bosnia & Herzegovina match is listed at $251 for seating in the 300 level at the south end zone.

StubHub’s cheapest single ticket for the Egypt v. Iran match is priced at $264, with seating in the 300 level of the south end zone.

The most expensive seat on StubHub at Seattle Stadium across all matches is listed at $46,497, in the VIP section for the match featuring the U.S. v. Australia.

Playoff tickets provided by SeatGeek

SeatGeek’s cheapest single ticket for the U.S. v. Australia is priced at $1,033, with seating in the 300 level of the north end zone. SeatGeek noted that this seat, along with several other similarly priced tickets, has an obstructed view. The cheapest ticket without an obstructed view is listed at $1,112.

The most affordable ticket for the Belgium v. Egypt match is listed at $445 in the 300 level of the south end zone.

The lowest single-ticket price for the Qatar v. Bosnia & Herzegovina match is $228 for seating in the corner of the 300 level at the north end zone.

The cheapest available ticket for the Iran v. Egypt match is listed at $259 for seating in the 300 level at the south end zone.

The most expensive tickets available on SeatGeek range from $6,762 for a pitch-side seat to $10,257 for a seat in the VIP section.

Weighing out the options

As for grabbing a seat to watch the U.S. face off against Australia, StubHub provides the lowest price of the three, just above $1,000.

Tickets for the Belgium v. Egypt match are cheapest on StubHub, roughly $40 lower than the other two ticketing sites.

The cheapest available ticket to see Qatar v. Bosnia & Herzegovina can be found on GameTime, starting at $218.

The lowest single-ticket price for Iran v. Egypt is available on GameTime for $243, which is slightly cheaper than competitors’.

Fans who wish to splurge on a day at Lumen Field can find the cheapest, high-quality seat in the park on SeatGeek with an amazing view of the action for just under $7,000.

All ticket prices are subject to change. Price information is up to date as of 10 a.m. June 11.

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.

UNC football season is just two months away. With Bill Belichick needing a "prove it" year at the collegiate level, 2026 is a crucial campaign for the Tar Heels.

North Carolina will, once again, have a roster heavy with newcomers. UNC also adds a solid recruiting class, led by quarterback Travis Burgess, plus notable transfers like QB Billy Edwards and linebacker Derek McDonald.

On Thursday, the Tar Heels also landed a class of 2027 commitment from a big-name offensive lineman in Hudson Ingalsbe.

According to his 247Sports Composite Rankings, Ingalsbe is the 425th-ranked recruit overall, 42nd-ranked offensive tackle and 20th overall prospect from Alabama. Currently playing his high school football at White Plains in Anniston (Ala.), Ingalsbe chose North Carolina over the likes of Florida State, Duke, Baylor, South Carolina, UCLA and Arkansas.

UNC adds on to its already-expansive 2027 class, which includes the likes of cornerback Trey Johnson and quarterback Noah Spinks. Belichick is quickly proving himself as a collegiate recruiter, but he needs to turn those off-field results into on-field victories.

247Sports Composite 4-Star OL Hudson Ingalsbe has committed to play at UNChttps://t.co/51zcDS15jW

— Andrew Jones (@AJTarHeel247) June 11, 2026

The Tar Heels will be tested greatly in their 2026 campaign, which kicks off Saturday, August 29 at 12 p.m. against TCU. This rematch will be across the pond in Ireland, with North Carolina and the Horned Frogs battling in Dublin's Aer Lingus Classic.

UNC's home opener comes September 12 against ETSU, followed by its ACC opener Sept. 19 at Clemson. After a bye week, the Tar Heels host Notre Dame in a "Game of the Year" candidate. Conference rival and 2026 CFP runner-up Miami (FL) comes to Kenan Stadium on Halloween.

If North Carolina rebounds this fall to at least make a bowl game, expect to see more highly-ranked recruits like Ingalsbe choose to play college football in Chapel Hill.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football secures commitment from 4-star OL Hudson Ingalsbe

The World Cup kicked off on Thursday as co-hosts Mexico took an early lead against South Africa in front of 80,000 fans in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Julian Quinones scored in the ninth minute of the opening game, confirming Mexico's early dominance in a stadium that hosted the 1970 and 1986 finals.

The kickoff launched a sprawling tournament of 48 teams that will last nearly six weeks.

The extravaganza hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada is the biggest World Cup in history, stretching until the final in New Jersey on July 19 and is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in total revenue.

The official opening ceremony lit up the Estadio Azteca stadium before kickoff with Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy delighting the crowd with a performance of "Dai Dai", the official song of the tournament.

But there were scuffles outside the stadium as fans pushed and shoved as they tried to get into the official fan zone in the centre of Mexico City.

The start of the action on the pitch will likely come as a welcome relief to football's world governing body FIFA, which has faced stinging criticism over the eye-watering costs of tickets.

In addition, Donald Trump's immigration crackdown has seen a top referee, Iranian team officials and fans refused entry to the United States.

Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino launched a spirited defense of the organization of the tournament and brushed off criticism over visa issues.

Infantino insisted that tickets -- which in some cases have topped $30,000 -- had been priced appropriately, citing a small number of $60 tickets that were made available in response to criticism.

"Let me just say that our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases," Infantino said.

"Our average price which is below 500 dollars is again the lowest of the American sports on average."

- 'We don't control everything' -

Infantino also played down the controversy surrounding Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry after arriving in Miami.

FIFA has since confirmed Artan, who the US State Department said had "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations", will play no part in the tournament.

"It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia," Infantino said. 

"We don't control everything... Sometimes it's good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything."

On Thursday, European football's governing body UEFA announced that Artan had been selected to referee its European Super Cup, between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August.

"Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination," said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

Infantino also portrayed Iran's participation at the World Cup in the midst of its military conflict with the US as a victory for his organization.

"People were saying Iran couldn't come to the World Cup," Infantino said. 

"There are challenges, it's not easy, but I don't know who else would have been able to ensure in these circumstances -- which we could not influence -- Iran could come and play."

Infantino's close relationship with Trump has come under scrutiny but the FIFA chief lavished praise on the US president.

"Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been, simple as that, impossible to organize a World Cup in the United States," Infantino said of Trump.

Trump confirmed on Wednesday he plans to attend some World Cup matches, without providing details.

South Korea and the Czech Republic play the second game on the opening day, in Guadalajara.

Spain, France and England are the favourites, while reigning champions Argentina will look to their 38-year-old talisman Lionel Messi to drive them to the final.

rcw-gj/pi

Mexico vs. South Africa box score: Full stats from World Cup Group A match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The FIFA World Cup has finally arrived for its newest edition: 2026 in North America, with Mexico, the United States and Canada joining together as co-hosts.

It's going to be the biggest World Cup ever, up to 48 teams for the first time, and it all starts on Thursday when Mexico hosts South Africa. Usually, the host nation plays the first game, but with three hosts, only one could do so, and the Mexican side got the honor.

This is actually the second time these teams have met in an opening match. Back in 2010 in South Africa, the hosts of that tournament were heavy underdogs but scored first. Mexico needed a 79th-minute equalizer from Rafa Marquez to escape with a 1-1 draw.

The Mexican squad will be hoping for a better result this time.

South Africa is in its fourth World Cup and still looking for its first appearance in a knockout round, so getting any kind of result against a partisan crowd would be huge for the South Africans.

Below, we'll keep track of the main events of the match to keep you up to date. The match is slated to kick at 3 p.m. ET.

MORE: Germany fan Freddy is going viral for his journey through the American South

Mexico vs. South Africa box score

Refresh for the latest team stats.

Mexico vs. South Africa goals

Refresh for the latest scoring summary.

- 9': Julian Quinones scores to give Mexico a 1-0 lead.

MORE: These are the 12 Manchester United stars playing at the World Cup

Who are the goalies in Mexico vs. South Africa?

The expectation is that Mexico will start Raul Rangel in goal.

South Africa's top goalie is Ronwen Williams.

We're keeping track of their save totals in the box above.

MORE: Why Gilberto Mora didn't start Mexico's World Cup opener

More FIFA World Cup news:

• Pope Leo XIV shares an inspiring message on sport, life before World Cup
• Italy is on a nightmare path through recent World Cup history
• Harry Kane reveals blunt feelings about potential England issues in U.S. heat
• Lawrence, Kansas has fallen in love with the Algerian national team

The 2026 World Cup begins on Thursday, June 11, and the United States, along with Canada and Mexico, is hosting the worldwide event.

This year's World Cup will feature 104 matches between a record-breaking four countries across 39 days. The United States Men's National Team's first game is against Paraguay at 8 p.m. Friday, June 12.

FIFA is currently projecting that 6 billion people will watch the tournament, whether that be through traditional broadcasts, streaming, digital platforms or out-of-home viewing, which would make the 2026 World Cup the most-watched sporting event ever.

Hattiesburg was not selected as one of the 16 host cities, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the spectacle. Here are a few of the best establishments in town to watch the 2026 World Cup this summer.

Keg & Barrel - Downtown Hattiesburg

For the soccer fans looking to get out of the house and enjoy the World Cup alongside other passionate enthusiasts, the downtown Hattiesburg location of Keg & Barrel is the place to go.

In the past, fans sporting United States' jerseys, hats and flags have flocked to Keg & Barrel to watch and support the national team. The restaurant's Facebook account has since May 12 been posting a countdown until start of the World Cup.

Keg & Barrel is a great place to watch for many reasons, but perhaps the best reason is the sprawling outdoor patio featuring a massive TV that makes viewing easy and enjoyable.

If the outdoor patio is too hot, there is plenty of space indoors, too. While you're inside, visit the restaurant's tap wall, which features over 60 draughts, including a few international options.

Keg & Barrel typically opens at 3 p.m. on Thursdays, but in the spirit of the World Cup, it will open at 11 a.m. on June 11 for the tournament's opening ceremonies, 12:30 p.m., and first match between Mexico and South Africa at 2 p.m.

Mugshots Bar and Grill

Located at 204 North 40th Ave., Mugshots Bar and Grill gives visitors a classic sports bar experience. The restaurant has plenty of seating and its walls are lined with TVs, so visibility is never an issue.

The food menu at Mugshots is sprawling, offering burgers, sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, steaks, fish and a variety of sides. Mugshots also recently added a "Summer of Freedom" menu, featuring different kinds of hot dogs and smashburgers, perfect for those feeling patriotic while watching the United States in the World Cup.

Mugshotsalso offers a happy hour from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Monday through Friday, which visitors can take advantage of while watching the daytime World Cup games.

Sideline Sports Cafe

Visitors describe Sidelines Sports Cafe as having a fun and lively atmosphere, making it a favorite place among locals to watch games and events.

It is equal parts a bar and a restaurant and will have World Cup games on throughout the summer. Sideline Sports Cafe is also known for having a live music scene so if a World Cup match-local concert double feature is something you're interested in Sidelines is the place for it.

4th Street Bar

Fourth Street Bar is typically where Southern Miss sports reporters go to watch the Golden Eagles. You can tell by the numerous pieces of memorabilia and proximity to campus and Pete Taylor Park that it is a USM bar.

In addition to that, 4th Street Bar has over 15 different TVs, a few pool tables and a couple of dart boards giving it a dive bar feel, so it is a great place to go to watch any type of game, including the World Cup.

Fourth Street Bar serves drinks but also has a kitchen that serves a number of popular food items, offering visitors a chance to have a drink and grab a bite to eat.

Davis Wilson covers Southern Miss athletics and Hattiesburg news for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at DWilson@hattiesb.gannett.com or find him on X at @Davis_Wilson.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: See best restaurants, bars to watch World Cup in Hattiesburg

CANTON – Despite entering the postseason with an 11-16 record, the Columbus Academy baseball team is one win away from its first state title since 1982.

The pitching of senior right-hander Cooper Leibas, along with some timely hitting, helped the Vikings (17-16) win their sixth consecutive postseason game, defeating Findlay Liberty-Benton 5-2 in a Division V state semifinal June 11 at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium.

Playing in its fourth state tournament, Academy will face Lucasville Valley or Apple Creek Waynedale in the final at 1 p.m. June 12 at 7 17 Credit Union Park in Akron. The Vikings were state runners-up in 1981 and 2003.

Leibas worked out of several jams, including in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Eagles loaded the bases with one out. Leibas struck out clean-up batter Kooper Leatherman and No. 5 hitter Isaac Schworm to end the game.

“Every single game this playoffs has been the biggest game I’ve played in so far in my high school career,” Leibas said. “I think as the pressure kept building, me and the team ... we were able to turn ourselves into diamonds. We never cracked under pressure.”

Seeded seventh in the district tournament, Academy caught fire at the right time after closing the regular season by losing six of eight.

“I have so much respect for the seniors on this team and what they’ve been through this year,” Academy coach Todd Dunkle said. “They’ve led us through thick and thin. I couldn’t be prouder.”

The Vikings took the lead for good in the third when Leibas helped his cause with a two-run double.

Kevin Klingerman tripled to lead off the fourth and scored on Thomas Rubey’s groundout for a 3-0 lead.

Liberty-Benton (22-6) made it 3-2 with one run in the fourth and one in the fifth, but Academy responded with two in the sixth as Rubey delivered an RBI single and Klingerman scored on Ethan Parish’s squeeze bunt.

Leibas went the distance, allowing two runs and six hits with nine strikeouts and two walks.

“We have a lot of confidence in Cooper,” Dunkle said. "He’s been our No. 1 all year. He's battled against some great hitting teams and he’s a senior.”

Academy finished with 12 hits. Klingerman also singled twice, and Dominic Dunkle doubled twice and singled.

Dominic Dunkle, a senior left-hander and the coach’s son, is expected to start the state final on the mound with Leibas behind the plate.

“We’ve been working for this since day one, [trust] the process,” Dominic Dunkle said. “We’re going to lose a few games, but we had a tough schedule. It proves what a tough schedule can do for you. We’re playing in the [state tournament].”

Todd Dunkle, who guided Hartley to the Division IV state title in 1996, said the postseason run has been a team effort.

“Every one of them has a role. Every one of them understands their role,” he said. “We just hand the bat to the next guy and we trust each other in the field, and we have guys on the bench who will go out there and do their job, too.”

High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: OHSAA baseball state title in sight for Columbus Academy

Falcons add valuable offensive line depth, acquire Wanya Morris from Chiefs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Falcons continued their efforts to strengthen the offensive line on Thursday, acquiring offensive tackle Wanya Morris from the Kansas City Chiefs in a trade that could provide valuable depth and competition heading into the 2026 NFL season.

Atlanta will receive Morris and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick from Kansas City in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round selection. While the trade may not carry the same attention as a blockbuster deal, it addresses an important need for a Falcons team looking to build around quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Morris, a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma, appeared in 43 games during his tenure with the Chiefs and made 16 starts. The 6-foot-5, 307-pound lineman gained valuable experience protecting superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes while helping Kansas City remain one of the AFC’s top contenders.

Morris started 11 games during the 2024 season and showcased his ability to step into a larger role when injuries impacted the Chiefs’ offensive front. Although Kansas City revamped its tackle position this offseason, Morris remained an intriguing developmental option with starting experience and upside.

Falcons Bolster Offensive Line

The Falcons have emphasized improving the protection around Penix, who is expected to lead the franchise into a new era. Morris joins an offensive line that already features Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstrom and veteran left tackle Jake Matthews. His versatility allows him to compete for playing time at multiple spots while providing insurance against injuries.

For Kansas City, the move clears a crowded offensive line room while allowing the organization to gain additional draft capital. Reports indicate the Chiefs and Morris had mutually agreed to explore trade possibilities after his role diminished following offseason additions.

Atlanta’s front office has been aggressive in adding depth this offseason, and the acquisition of Morris represents another low-risk move with potential long-term benefits. If the former Oklahoma standout continues to develop, the Falcons may have found a valuable contributor for years to come.

More NFL news:

• A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs have a Patriots, Bills, Drake Maye, Josh Allen link
• Josh Allen called out by a coach with a major losing record
• Lamar Jackson has an obvious reason not to sign right now
• Myles Garrett's Browns career comes to the most Cleveland of endings
• Will they still be called the Chicago Bears if they play in Indiana?

Tarik Skubal is back on the mound. His agent, Scott Boras, already has a name for what got him there so fast.

"The Skubal scope," Boras called it after Skubal became the first known MLB player to undergo a procedure using the NanoNeedle Scope 2.0.  The minimally invasive device is the size of a toothpick and it helped remove a loose body from the two-time Cy Young Award winner’s left elbow.

Skubal, who is scheduled to start Saturday, June 13, needed just 12 days to get back on the mound for a full bullpen and just 32 days from surgery to his rehab start on June 7. The new technology knocked weeks off a surgery and rehab that normally takes more than two to three months.

It marked the beginning of a new way to treat one of baseball’s most stubborn and frustrating pitching injuries.

"Any time you can get in and out without leaving much of a trace at all, it’s a huge benefit," said Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the orthopedic surgeon behind some of the biggest procedures in professional sports.

ElAttrache, the team doctor for the Los Angeles Dodgers and NFL's Los Angeles Rams, had been waiting for the right case to try the NanoNeedle. Skubal, dealing with a single loose body and having the motivation of being in his final year of a contract, was it.  

Yeboah spent the first four years of his career with the New York Jets after going undrafted out of Temple and Ole Miss. He is 6-4 and 250 pounds. In four seasons from 2021-2024 with the Jets, where he would have known Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur, who was the Jets' offensive coordinator in 2021-2022.

In four seasons, he appeared in 33 games, starting twice. He had nine receptions for 111 yards. He also played 610 snaps on special teams in those 33 games. Last season, he signed with the Detroit Lions, got hurt in August, was placed on injured reserve and then released with an injury settlement in November.

He participated in rookie minicamp as a tryout player last month with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Since the move has not been announced, we don't know who will be cut in a corresponding move.

He joins a tight end room that includes:

• Trey McBride
• Elijah Higgins
• Tip Reiman
• Rivaldo Fairweather
• Teagan Quitoriano
• Jameson Geers

His experience in LaFleur's offense and his experience on special teams (Cardinals special teams coach Michael Ghobrial was the Jets' assistant special teams coach from 2021-2023), make him an intriguing possibility for a third or fourth tight end on the roster.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals to sign former Jets TE Kenny Yeboah

Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell has revealed that he would love the opportunity to try NASCAR in a video with 2023 Cup champion Ryan Blaney.

In a video organised by WhatsApp, the drivers visited Ford's Farm in Homestead, Florida, owned by Michelin-starred chef Jeremy Ford, where they completed farm-related tasks such as picking ylang-ylang flowers, driving a tractor and collecting eggs and honey. 

Afterwards, Russell and Blaney sat down with Ford for lunch and discussed farms, racing and what life could look like for them after retiring.

"I appreciate all forms of racing and I know the challenges in everything we do," Russell told Blaney. "Obviously, a lot of people for you guys on the ovals just think you're driving circles. And it's so much more technical than that. I definitely appreciate it. I'd love to try it one day."

Blaney welcomed the idea and suggested a swap of F1 and NASCAR machinery. "Well, we'd have to do a crossover, for sure," Blaney responded. "I didn't really grow up open-wheel racing at all, but I love road racing. It was a big thing for me to learn when I got into NASCAR because we do that quite a bit, and it's something I didn't really grow up doing."

This comes after a string of tricky races for Russell. After winning the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese sprint race, things took a turn for the 28-year-old. As he encountered multiple issues, such as car problems and unfortunately timed safety cars, his 19-year-old team-mate Kimi Antonelli took the lead of the championship. 

Heading into the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix on 12-14 June, Antonelli now leads the standings by 66 points and Russell sits third after he was overtaken by Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix.

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

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For the first time in nearly a decade, the Buffalo Bills have a (mostly) new leadership team guiding the on-field side of football operations. Gone is Sean McDermott, and in his place is Joe Brady, who will try to take Buffalo to heights never before reached — all while navigating the seas of first-time head coaching.

At minimum, there’s a partial paradigm shift happening at One Bills Drive. While Brady deservedly occupies most of the team’s coaching headlines, its with first-time defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard where the team may see the biggest changes on game day. Leonhard is implementing a base 3-4 defensive scheme, and one that intends to prioritize attacking opponents in a philosophy shift from McDermott’s zone-heavy, bend-but-don’t-break 4-3 base system.

To do all this mentioned above takes quite a bit of roster overhaul, the bulk of which falls on president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane. He deftly survived the axe that co-owner Terry Pegula swung following the dejected scene in the locker room after yet another heartbreaking playoff loss.

That move led outsiders to believe that (right or wrong) the change needed was at head coach, and that Beane remains the right person to help build the roster. With Beane’s experience guiding a new reporting group, let’s quickly run down the team’s roster moves to this point of June, from the additions/subtractions in free agency, to the newest members of the team via the 2026 NFL Draft, and those rookies brought in as undrafted free agents.

It may seem quiet out of Bills command central these days, but there’s plenty to sift through!

In the spirit of final exam season, after reviewing the list, be sure to weigh in with your grade for the Bills’ offseason via the poll embedded below.

Bills’ external free-agent additions

• CB Dee Alford signing with Bills (3-year, $21 million deal/$10 mil gtd)
• QB Kyle Allen returning to Bills (signs 2-year, free-agent deal)
• DE Bradley Chubb signing with Bills
• S C.J. Gardner-Johnson signing with Bills
• S Geno Stone heading to Bills on one-year deal
• OG/C Austin Corbett signs one-year deal with Bills
• C Lloyd Cushenberry III joins Bills on one-year deal
• WR Trent Sherfield returns to Bills for the 2026 NFL season

Bills’ internal free-agent signings

• C Connor McGovern (re-signing with Bills on 4-year, $52 million deal)
• S Sam Franklin Jr. (re-signing with Bills on 3-year, $6.49 million deal)
• DT Phidarian Mathis (re-signing with Bills on 1-year, $1.195 million deal)
• P Mitch Wishnowsky (re-signing with Bills on 1-year deal)
• (RFA) OT Alec Anderson (re-signing with Bills on 1-year, $3 million deal)
• S Damar Hamlin re-signs with Bills on May 27

Bills’ free-agent losses

• UFA QB Mitch Trubisky signs 2-year deal with the Tennessee Titans
• UFA FB Reggie Gilliam signs 3-year deal worth up to $12 million with the Patriots
• UFA LG David Edwards signs 4-year, $61 million deal with New Orleans Saints
• UFA DB Cam Lewis signs 2-year deal with Chicago Bears
• UFA S Darnell Savage Jr. signing 1-year deal with Pittsburgh Steelers
• UFA DE A.J. Epenesa headed to play for the Cleveland Browns (Epenesa failed Browns’ physical)
6/10: Epenesa headed to play for Philadelphia Eagles
• RFA OT Ryan Van Demark (signing 1-year RFA tender with Vikings)

Bills Reserve/Future signings

• QB Shane Buechele (one year, $1.15 million reserve/future deal)
• K Maddux Trujillo
• WR Jalen Virgil
• OL Nick Broeker
• RB Frank Gore Jr.
• WR Mecole Hardman, Jr.

Buffalo Bills unsigned UFAs

• DE Joey Bosa
• DE Shaq Lawson
• DE Matt Judon
• DE Andre Jones Jr.
• LB Matt Milano
• LB Shaq Thompson
• LB Baylon Spector
• DT DaQuan Jones
• DT Larry Ogunjobi
• DT Jordan Phillips
• CB Tre’Davious White
• CB M.J. Devenshire
• S Jordan Poyer
• WR Brandin Cooks
• WR Gabe Davis
• K Matt Prater

Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL Draft class

Round 2, Pick 35: T.J. Parker, EDGE (Clemson)
Round 2, Pick 62: Davison Igbinosun, CB (Ohio State) (Ask a Buckeyes expert about Igbinosun here!)
Round 4, Pick 102: Jude Bowry, OL (Boston College)
Round 4, Pick 125: Skyler Bell, WR (UConn)
Round 4, Pick 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB (TCU)
Round 5, Pick 167: Jalon Kilgore, S (South Carolina)
Round 5, Pick 181: Zane Durant, DT (Penn State) (Ask a Nittany Lions expert about Durant here!)
Round 7, Pick 220: Toriano Pride Jr., CB (Missouri) (Ask a Mizzou expert about Pride here!)
Round 7, Pick 239: Tommy Doman Jr., P (Florida)
Round 7, Pick 241: Ar’maj Reed-Adams, OG (Texas A&M)

Buffalo Bills 2026 UDFA signings

• Jackson Acker, FB (Wisconsin)
• Ja’Mori Maclin, WR (Kentucky)
• Desmond Reid, RB (Pitt)
• Bruno Fina, OL (Duke)
• Theron Gaines, LB (Tennessee Tech)
• Max Tomczak, WR (Youngstown State)
• Mark Langston, LS (Indiana)
• Da’Metrius Weatherspoon, OT (Syracuse)
• Ashton Grable, OL (Florida A&M)

Per Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com, Tom's hope is he'll be "full go by the start of training camp," and he's expecting to be able to participate in some capacity to open camp even if he's not ready for a full workload.

"I feel like we're making good progress, but we'll see how I feel late next month, see where it goes from there," Tom said. "With the progress I'm making on the field and in the weight room, the goal should be that I'm at least doing something at the start of camp."

In April, general manager Brian Gutekunst said he was confident Tom would be "ready to roll" come training camp.

Tom needed surgery to repair a partially torn patellar tendon, an injury he suffered in mid-December. He missed the rest of the season, despite attempting to make it back late in the year, and he eventually had surgery to open the offseason.

Without Tom during OTAs and minicamp, the Packers have used Darian Kinnard and Anthony Belton at right tackle.

Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers will open training camp with a first practice on Wednesday, July 29. Tom will likely be in the group of injured players who report to training camp early.

A fourth-round pick in 2022, Tom has emerged as one of the NFL's best right tackles. He signed an $88 million deal with the Packers last offseason.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers RT Zach Tom hopes to be full go by start of training camp