The Seattle Mariners star and 2025 Home Run leader with a historic 60 seems to be finding form after a rough start to the season. After a three-home-run game on Monday night, Cal Raleigh homered in his first at-bat yesterday against the Phillies in their 4-1 win. This ties a Seattle record for home runs in four consecutive at-bats.

The 362-foot home run off of Philadelphia’s Aaron Nola was his 18th home run of the season, well off his pace from last year. His streak ended in the sixth inning with a strikeout.

Raleigh’s finding this type of pop again is significant, especially for the former MVP candidate who fell just short of Aaron Judge last season and has had an extremely tough follow-up year after his historic breakout. He is batting just .169 this season, down from .247 last year, and was on pace for just 26 home runs before the last two games. Now he is back on pace for 33, closer to his career median.

Even with the recent form, he is still outside the top 100 in MLB in batting average, RBIs and home runs.

The Seattle Mariners made the playoffs last year for just the second time in the last 24 years, largely due to the role Raleigh played for the team in his MVP-caliber season. With Raleigh’s season not going as planned this year, the Mariners are outside a playoff spot and three games back of a Wild Card spot.

Raleigh turning his season around could be the difference for the Mariners in a tight American League race this year. Six teams are currently within 5 games of the last Wild Card spot, and it’s tough to see the Mariners steal that if Raleigh doesn’t keep improving over the next few months.

Raleigh can continue his streak today against the Phillies.

With many doubles specialists upset that the mixed doubles event in its new format at the US Open has turned into an event for singles players, they did not back themselves up on day one.

Of the 32 doubles players in the draw, only nine of them were doubles specialists. There were four doubles specialist teams, while top-5 player in the world Taylor Townsend teamed up with Roland Garros Champion Sascha Zverev. Every single one of those nine players was eliminated on day one by singles players.

Doubles and singles are two completely different styles of the sport, and two of the doubles specialist teams had to qualify to get into the event, including the team of Henry Patten and Katerina Siniakova, who are the number 1 doubles players in the world on the men’s and women’s side, respectively.

There was a lot of discourse about how it was unfair that they had to qualify while the singles players got in automatically. The argument was that singles players bring the eyeballs, while also giving a chance to have the best doubles players in the world compete. During qualifying, Siniakova expressed her displeasure with the decision of having to qualify for a doubles tournament while being number one in the world.

Unfortunately, like everyone else, they did not back up their argument that they are the better doubles players. Patten and Siniakova were one of the four doubles specialist teams to be eliminated on day one, losing to Elina Svitolina and her husband, the retiring Gael Monfils. This was a massive upset, as Monfils and Svitolina were up to four-to-one on some odds boards. Many people considered them a charity wild card team as part of Monfils’ farewell tour. They were the longest shot pre-tournament to win the event.

They were not the only team to lose in such fashion, as the headlining team of Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams came back from a break down and bulldozed their way through the doubles specialist team of Lloyd Glasspool and Erin Routliffe in another huge upset. Alcaraz and Williams would go on to lose in round two, but it was one more round than they were expected to make it to.

The other doubles specialists also lost to teams comprised of singles players, in what seemed to be a rattling expereince for a lot of them. The team of Routliffe and Glasspool looked stunned, making mistakes they never make on the doubles court. Perhaps the pressure of being the favorite on such a big stage against such big names got to them, and they all were not able to handle that pressure.

The lone doubles specialist team last year in the draw who won the title, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, began their defense with a victory in the first set against singles stars Andrey Rublev and Mirra Andreeva, but in a final-set tiebreak it was a first-round exit for the defending champions.

Errani and Vavassori winning the title as the lone doubles team last year was the reason many people were upset that singles players got all the spots, and it was why there were more doubles specialists in the draw this year.

It is common for doubles specialists to beat singles teams in main draws on both the men’s and women’s doubles sides. With added pressure now on the doubles specialists on a huge stage this year at the US Open, they folded and were outclassed throughout the day by the singles players.

This mixed doubles format at the US Open is only two years old, so it will be interesting to see the changes made next year after this shocking performance from the doubles players. No matter what ends up happening today, the US Open mixed doubles champion will be a team of two singles players.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has been among the names in a predicted trade that could send the two-time MVP to another Western Conference team.

Already entering the final stage of his career, Curry faces a tough situation with his current team. With one year left on his contract at 38 years old, the superstar has found himself in limbo. For the past four seasons, the Warriors have found themselves in the Play-In tournament, while last season they missed the playoffs completely.

Last offseason, the Warriors were rumored to sign stars to accommodate Curry, with the team being linked to LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. After failing to acquire these players, the Warriors front office has extended current players and re-signed players who were part of the organization in the past.

With the Western Conference growing stronger every year with young teams like the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, aging teams like the Warriors need to make big moves to compete. 

Failing to acquire any superstar-caliber player this offseason, there have been people pushing for Curry’s exit.

ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins is someone who wants to see Curry suit up for another team.

 “Steph needs to be planning his exit strategy from the Golden State Warriors. Think about it, over the last four years, the Warriors have been in the play-in tournament. And this year, the way that the West is stacked up, they’re gonna be a play-in tournament team again. You can’t waste any more time hoping and banking that Mike Dunleavy is gonna get it right or is gonna make the moves that are needed to make sure that you can compete for a title, especially in a tough Western Conference,” Perkins said on NBA Today.

With all these factors, Sports Illustrated released a prediction where Curry could be traded to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets would get the opportunity to acquire the Curry-Durant duo that went to three straight NBA Finals from 2017 through 2019 and build a big 3 with Alperen Şengün.

The Rockets would have to clear up space for Curry’s $62.5 million salary. The Warriors would receive big names like Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet and JD Davidson, along with Draft compensation, while the Rockets would land Curry.

If this blockbuster trade goes through, we would see the end of the Warriors’ dynasty and a new and improved Rockets team that hopes to contend for the NBA Finals.

Although the NFL does not record preseason stats in its official records, Harrison Butker made one of the longest kicks in preseason history this week.

On August 22, the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. With a few seconds left in the first half, the Chiefs sent out their special teams unit to attempt a 69-yard field goal in deep field-goal territory. Butker stepped onto the field and drilled the ball through the uprights to give the Chiefs a 9-0 lead heading into half.

This stunning performance caught the attention of those around the league. Gracie Hunt, daughter of Chiefs franchise owner Clark Hunt, went to Instagram to congratulate Butker on his feat. 

Butker has built a reputation for himself among the kickers in the league with his kicking range. Butker tends to break records. During Super Bowl 58, Butker broke the record for the furthest kick in Super Bowl history with a 57-yard kick. Not stopping there, he holds the longest kick in Arrowhead Stadium history back in 2022 when he drilled in a 62-yard field goal.

While Butker’s 69-yarder was the biggest highlight of the game, his night did not end on a high note. Butker ended up missing two costly kicks during the game. Missing an extra point attempt and sending a 43-yard kick wide right sent the Chiefs home with a 16-15 loss.

After the game, Butker felt like he let his team down, stating that, “You’ve got to make your kicks.” Showcasing his range, Butker still has to clean up his accuracy to remain one of the league’s best kickers.

Heading into their final preseason game against the reigning Super Bowl champs, the Seattle Seahawks. Inside the organization, Butker is still trusted, and Andy Reid remains confident in his kicker. With only two weeks left before the regular season, the Chiefs hope that the misses were a one-game occurrence for their star kicker.

Butker has become known off the field for his right-wing political views.

Last year, the US Open decided to format its mixed doubles championship differently than it ever had.

Instead of holding the competition alongside the other doubles and singles championships, they moved it outside the standard fortnight and into fan week. Fan week takes place the week before the main draws begin, with exhibitions and fan events all leading up to the Sunday start.

Many tennis fans don’t watch much of the mixed doubles draw in most tournaments because it is just a lot of tennis with all the other draws going on, and for the same reason, many singles players and stars don’t play mixed doubles if they are already playing in the other draws.

The USTA moving the mixed doubles draw to a fast format (sets that are first to four instead of six) and during fan week has attracted singles stars and has drawn more eyeballs on the event. This also makes the US Open a full-blown three-week event, unlike any other Grand Slam.

However successful as last year’s event was, it did come with one issue. The problem with the inaugural run was that only one team in the 16-team draw was made up of doubles specialists. If you watch tennis, you learn quickly that singles and doubles are two completely different sports.

Many great doubles players aren’t great singles players, and vice versa. Many doubles specialists were upset that singles players took their spot. Singles rankings were how you qualified, and plenty of teams had never played with their partner before or played much doubles at all in the past. Doubles specialists practice week in and week out with the same partner, mastering their craft as a team.

This was highlighted when the singular doubles specialist team in the draw won the whole thing. Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani are an Italian duo who have each won multiple Grand Slams. They opened casual fans’ eyes to just how different doubles and singles are. En route to their title, they defeated some of the best singles players in the world.

In the final, the pair beat six-time singles grand slam champion Iga Swiatek and her partner, two-time grand slam finalist Casper Ruud. Keep in mind Errani and Vavassori are two players that probably wouldn’t win more than a game against these stars in singles. Errani has not won a main draw singles match in over two years and is unranked, while Vavassori is ranked 613 in the world in singles. Swiatek was the reigning ladies’ Wimbledon champion when this took place.

This year, the draw has been expanded to get the best doubles specialists in the tournament. An eight-team qualifying draw begins today, filled with doubles specialists. Two teams will move on to the 16-team main draw that starts tomorrow, still primarily filled with singles players.

The change sets the event up for massive success, with all the eyeballs on it, while not completely taking spots away from doubles players. Some of the biggest names in the sport, such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams, will be playing in the event.

Adding more doubles specialists will also be great for the sport, as it will continue to highlight how good these doubles athletes are. Doubles doesn’t get the same recognition as singles on TV, but it is very popular recreationally and is entertaining to watch when it is available to the casual fan.

The favorites to win the event will undoubtedly be the doubles specialists, but there are some primary singles players in the event that know their way around a doubles court, so there is always potential for an upset.

Fan week at the US Open will continue until Saturday, and the main singles draws will begin on Sunday.

If the name Delonte West sounds familiar, it probably has more to do with his story off the court than on the court, which went viral when he blew all the money he had made.

West is a former NBA player who went down the wrong path following his eight-year career, which left him on the streets and homeless. He played for the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Seattle Supersonics, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

He dealt with mental health issues and substance abuse, which depleted his wealth, and he has been seen panhandling and selling off his stuff to stay afloat.

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N3on, a popular streamer who became famous for his NBA2K streams, has always loved basketball. N3on now streams full time, doing more than just video games, as social streams in public are now his main focus. West and N3on recently met up after West announced last year he was 100 days sober. N3on wanted to give him a jumpstart on a new career.

The streamer decided to take West shopping for streaming equipment. He ended up buying him much of what he needed to get started and created a streaming channel for him as well. He gave the former player an iPhone and $50,000 to use toward rebuilding his future.

During N3on’s stream, viewers expressed plenty of skepticism about the decision, with many believing $50,000 would be spent on the wrong things. N3on wasn’t having it. “He’s on a very good path,” said the streamer.

Many fans believe West has already shown what happens when he gets another chance, which is why N3on wanted to show the world on stream what he saw in the former NBA player.

West streamed for the first time on his new channel on Monday on Kick. N3on was featured on the first stream.

The NCAA won in court on Friday, reversing a federal judge’s earlier order that would have given athletes an extra year of eligibility.

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued the decision, part of an ongoing legal battle over athletes who started in 2022-2023 and played four seasons.

In June 2026, the NCAA approved a new rule called the 5-for-5 rule, which lets athletes play five seasons in five years. The Division I cabinet approved it unanimously, and it was first proposed in April. Under the old rule, athletes had five years to compete in four of those years. The new rule was designed to simplify eligibility and avoid legal battles, but it has caused just that in this case.

The problem is with the 2022 high school class and athletes who entered school in the fall of 2022. This is because the new rule says that players who have already completed their fourth seasons do not get a fifth. In the legal battle, these athletes complain that they are not being treated fairly, even though the rule did not apply when they began their college careers.

As it stands, the rule would apply to players who begin their fourth year this year.

The NCAA is not trying to take this fifth year away for no reason, as it would hurt incoming freshmen and transfers if, out of nowhere, these players, who were thought to be done, came back for another year.

This 5-for-5 rule is new and was formed less than three months ago, meaning this is happening quickly, and many roster decisions in college have already been made for next year.

The legal war is expected to continue, and this is not expected to be the last lawsuit regarding this issue.

FIFA handed three Argentina players bans on Friday for the post-match brawl in the World Cup final.

The most severe ban was given to Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes, who will have to serve a 10-match ban for his actions following the match, which included pushing Gavi and grabbing Eric García’s throat. This is one of the most severe bans in World Cup history, and will keep Paredes out until the end of 2027 if the schedule stays as is.

The World Cup final had a tense, fiery feel throughout, and the brawl at the end of the match was not entirely unexpected. The match took a turn when Argentine star Enzo Fernández made a questionable challenge, earning him a red card and leaving Argentina with only 10 men. That red card sealed Argentina’s fate; down a man, they had no way to stop Spain’s talent in extra time. Argentina’s efforts to stay alive left things unsettled for some, and when the 1-0 final was official, the brawl broke out. The brawl halted the Spanish celebrations and was a bad look for the Argentine team right after the loss.

There was no doubt that the bans would come; the question was what they would be. The three other players that were handed punishments were Argentine defender Nahuel Molina, Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada and Spain’s Gavi. Molina will have to serve a seven-game ban while Molina and Gavi only a one-game ban.

Fines were also imposed on multiple parties. Paredes and Molina were fined $90,000, while Argentine coach Roberto Ayala joined Molina and Gavi with a $30,000 fine. Ayala was also given a three-game ban.

The brawl in the final capped off a very expensive World Cup for the Argentina Football Association (AFA), which was fined over $300,000 for the tournament for many different reasons. Many of these reasons had nothing to do with the brawl, though it played a part. The AFA will also have to spend $100,000 on causes that combat racism and discrimination as part of the fine and play their next match at 50% capacity.

Peyton Manning’s son, Marshall Manning, is the quarterback at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and he made his debut on ESPN’s high school football kickoff.

With football returning, people across the country are eager for whatever they can get their hands on, and ESPN’s high school kickoff is just for that. Ears will have perked up as the name “Manning” was said across the airwaves.

Marshall completed his first pass of high school on national television to receiver Cornbread Adams.

Peyton has been retired from the NFL for over 10 years now, and his son has just started his high school career at the private college prep school.

Marshall following in his father’s footsteps would surprise no one, as the Mannings have a rich football history. Peyton’s brother, Eli Manning, won two Super Bowls. Their dad, Archie Manning, was also a star college quarterback. He won the SEC Player of the Year award in 1969 while playing for Ole Miss. The Manning family football dynasty doesn’t end there either, as one of the current Heisman favorites is Arch Manning, the son of Peyton and Eli’s brother, Cooper Manning.

Unfortunately for Marshall, no matter how unjust, he has large shoes to fill. The last name Manning comes with great football genes, but also a lot of spotlight. Even though Marshall is only a freshman, he has been hyped up for years just like Arch, and Arch has handled that situation fairly well so far.

He wasn’t the only story of the night, as David Gabriel Georges is Baylor’s running back and arguably one of the best high school running backs in the country. He is the number one running back in Tennessee. He had quite a game, scoring three touchdowns and finishing with 250 yards. Gabriel Georges would have been the headline, if not for how popular the last name Manning is in football.

For the first time in 10 years, we have two different Mannings playing football on ESPN. The dynasty lives on, and we could potentially have two Mannings in the NFL 10 years from now.

Though only in the preseason, Fernando Mendoza‘s start in a Las Vegas Raiders jersey hasn’t gone the way he’d hoped.

Yet to eclipse 100 yards in his two games so far, the number one overall pick’s most recent performance was certainly one to forget last night against the Texans. He went just 8-of-15 passing for a total of 86 yards, just six yards more than the return score for rookie Wade Woodaz off of Mendoza’s interception.

Mendoza did not show any lack of effort, chasing Woodaz down at full speed over 50 yards before eventually missing the diving tackle.

Mendoza didn’t have much to say on the interception other than the fact that it was just a “bad throw.” He didn’t offer much insight and doesn’t seem bothered by the mistake, even though it was in his first start.

The Raiders have yet to announce their starting quarterback, but veteran Kirk Cousins is likely to land at the top of the depth chart and ahead of rookie Mendoza. It is important to note that this was likely the case before the poor outing from Mendoza on Thursday, but his rookie year seems to be on track as the number two option, at least for the first half of the season.

This could be a good thing for Mendoza, as carrying the weight of learning and adapting to the NFL while also having to win games has gone poorly in the past for some number one overall picks and can be detrimental to confidence, which can affect your entire career. Especially with a team that hasn’t been very good recently and doesn’t seem projected to do well this year, Cousins’ leadership could be the perfect way to bridge Mendoza into the pros.

Mendoza will likely start some games this season, but he’s a future investment and is embracing his role on the team, whether that is on the bench or starting.

As the Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up training camp on August 20, the team’s longest-tenured player is setting the tone for the young players.

Travis Kelce, who has played for the team for 13 seasons and holds the longest-tenured title by quite some margin, isn’t embracing a farewell-tour mindset as his career winds down and this may be his last season. After training camp ended, coach Andy Reid shared his biggest takeaways while praising Kelce’s leadership and effort as he enters his 14th season.

Kelce’s mindset in training camp had coaches needing to slow him down, Reid said. “We have examples like Kelce who came out every day and worked to where we had to yank him out of there.”

Veteran linebacker Nick Bolton also praised Kelce’s leadership in practice, saying that Kelce’s ability to always give 100% really “resonates with the team.”

Even when Kelce is not feeling 100%, players and coaches say he shows up with a no-excuses mindset.

The Chiefs are now the second-youngest roster in the NFL, and Reid mentioned that there is a huge expectation being put on the young guys, saying “we have a lot of them” and that he was very proud of how they handled their business. Leadership plays a huge role in that, as he also mentioned other leaders on the team, like Patrick Mahomes, who “didn’t miss a day.”

After last season’s disappointing letdown, mainly due to injuries, the Chiefs will look to get back to the winning ways that got them to the Super Bowl just two years ago. Still with plenty of star power, the Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce connection is still one of the core pieces of their success.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired forward Peyton Watson in a multi-team trade finalized in August 2026, a deal that also sent veteran wing Max Strus to the L.A. Clippers and reshuffled roster pieces across four franchises.

Who Got What

The trade involved the Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers and Washington Wizards. Cleveland landed both Watson and forward Cam Whitmore. The Clippers received Strus. The Nuggets came away with a 2031 first-round pick from Cleveland and a 2032 second-round pick via Sacramento. The Wizards picked up guard Tre Mann, a 2027 second-round pick from L.A., and cash considerations.

Watson’s New Contract

As part of the move, Watson signed a new four-year, $88 million contract with Cleveland. That deal proved significant beyond his own arrival — it cleared the cap flexibility that helped Cleveland finalize James Harden‘s subsequent three-year, $97 million extension with the team.

Watson’s Breakout Season

Watson, a 2022 first-round pick, emerged as a legitimate contributor in Denver during the 2025-26 season, averaging 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds across 54 games. The Nuggets had offered him a contract extension, but his representatives opted to test free agency instead. His season ended early with a hamstring injury in February that was re-aggravated in April, sidelining him for the playoffs.

Strus Heads to LA

On the other side of the deal, Strus, who spent three seasons in Cleveland, dealt with a foot injury for much of last season, appearing in just 12 games while averaging 11.2 points per game. His move to the Clippers gives him a fresh start after an injury-hampered stretch with the Cavaliers.

Why It Matters

The trade reshapes multiple rosters heading into next season, giving Cleveland added length and athleticism on the wing while positioning both the Nuggets and Wizards to add future draft capital. For the Clippers, landing Strus adds proven shooting depth as they retool.

James Harden is staying in Cleveland. The veteran guard has agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract with the Cavaliers that will keep him with the team through the 2029-30 season.

Inside the Contract

The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and a trade kicker. Once completed, the contract will push Harden’s career NBA earnings past $500 million, making him just the eighth player in league history to reach that mark, joining LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Paul George, Donovan Mitchell and Joel Embiid.

How the Deal Came Together

The agreement followed nearly two months of negotiations. Harden declined his previous player option to pursue a longer-term deal at a lower annual cost, giving Cleveland added financial flexibility. The real catalyst was the Cavaliers’ acquisition of wing Peyton Watson from Denver in a five-team sign-and-trade worth four years and $88 million, which cleared the roster and cap space needed to finalize Harden’s new contract.

Harden’s Impact in Cleveland

Harden, 37, joined the Cavaliers midseason last year and helped drive the team to the Eastern Conference Finals. He averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds across 26 regular-season games, with his playoff numbers dipping slightly to 19.2 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds as Cleveland was ultimately swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks.

The Roster Around Him

Cleveland also locked in its core by re-signing Donovan Mitchell to a max extension alongside the Harden deal, though the team lost depth with the departures of Dean Wade, Max Strus and Dennis Schröder. The projected starting five now features Harden, Mitchell, Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Why It Matters

Retaining Harden on a team-friendly, multi-year deal gives Cleveland continuity around its core after an Eastern Conference Finals run, while positioning the future Hall of Famer to chase a title with a roster that’s kept its key pieces largely intact heading into next season.

Mexico’s relationship with the international soccer establishment is facing a potentially significant turning point after reports emerged that FIFA President Gianni Infantino offered support for Mexico to explore a move from CONCACAF to CONMEBOL in exchange for political backing in his effort to remain FIFA president.

Infantino was weakened by his plan to sell the World Cup to an investor group.

The reported proposal would represent a major change for Mexican soccer. Mexico has been a member of CONCACAF, the governing body for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, throughout its modern international history. A move to CONMEBOL would place Mexico alongside South America’s traditional powers and fundamentally change the competitive environment its national teams operate in.

According to the reports, the alleged arrangement would involve Infantino supporting Mexico’s ambitions to join CONMEBOL while seeking support from Mexican soccer officials for his continued leadership of FIFA. If formally pursued, such an agreement could have significant implications for both regional soccer politics and the future of international competition. However, the claims should be distinguished from any officially confirmed agreement, as the reported discussions do not necessarily indicate that a deal has been finalized or that Mexico has committed to leaving CONCACAF.

For Mexico, the attraction of joining CONMEBOL would be largely sporting. South American competition is widely regarded as among the most demanding in international soccer, with countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia providing consistently high-level opposition. Regular matches against those teams could force Mexico to raise its competitive standard and better prepare its players for World Cup competition.

The move would also create major challenges. Mexico currently plays in CONCACAF competitions such as the Gold Cup and Nations League, where it has traditionally been one of the region’s dominant teams. Leaving the confederation could force Mexico to reconsider its participation in those competitions and create uncertainty about how its clubs and national teams would fit into existing regional structures.

The political implications could be equally significant. FIFA’s presidency is one of the most powerful positions in international soccer, and any suggestion that access to a confederation or changes to a country’s international status could be connected to political support would likely face scrutiny from other FIFA members. FIFA’s governance structure depends heavily on relationships between its six continental confederations and national associations, making any potential deal involving Mexico particularly sensitive.

Mexico’s position is also important because of the country’s growing influence in global soccer. Mexico co-hosted the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Canada and is preparing for another major period of investment in its domestic game. A move to CONMEBOL could therefore be viewed as part of a broader effort to increase Mexico’s international competitiveness and influence.

For Infantino, maintaining support among influential member associations could be important as he seeks to extend his tenure at FIFA. Mexico is one of the largest soccer markets in the Western Hemisphere, giving its federation considerable political and commercial importance within the global game.

Whether the reported proposal develops into an actual agreement remains to be seen. A departure from CONCACAF would require complicated negotiations and could reshape international soccer across two continents. If the reports are accurate, however, the issue represents more than a potential change in Mexico’s footballing home. It could become a test of how sporting ambition, regional politics and FIFA leadership intersect at the highest levels of the game.

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte did not appear for Monday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, prompting the team to place him on the restricted list and raising fresh questions about his status heading into the stretch run.

What Happened in Boston

Marte was originally slated as the designated hitter, but the Diamondbacks delayed releasing their lineup by roughly 20 minutes on Tuesday, hoping he would show up before ultimately placing him on the restricted list. The team has cited a “personal matter” without disclosing further details. Arizona went on to lose the game 11-1.

What the Diamondbacks Are Saying

Manager Torey Lovullo addressed the situation directly but offered limited information. “All I know is that he’s dealing with a personal issue… he didn’t show up today, and he was put on the restricted list,” Lovullo said. General manager Mike Hazen added, “It was unfortunate that he wasn’t there tonight.” Teammate Geraldo Perdomo struck a supportive tone, saying, “I don’t know anything… we are a family, and we’re going to support everybody, no matter what.”

A Knee Issue Adds Another Layer

Marte’s absence comes amid an ongoing left knee issue. He was pulled from a game the previous Friday due to soreness, sat out Saturday, and returned to action Sunday before Monday’s no-show. He is reportedly heading back to Phoenix for an MRI to evaluate the knee, though the team has not confirmed results, and no timeline has been given for his return.

Why It Matters for Arizona

Marte, 32, has been a key contributor this season, posting a .760 OPS with 21 home runs for a Diamondbacks team (66-60) currently fighting for an NL Wild Card spot. His absence — for personal and physical reasons alike — comes at a critical stretch of the season, leaving Arizona to navigate the uncertainty without knowing when their star infielder will be back in the lineup.

Last summer, Martel’s home was robbed during the All-Star break.

A family rift has erupted at the top of the Los Angeles Lakers, as Jeanie Buss publicly opposes her siblings’ plan to sell the family’s remaining ownership stake in the team.

The Deal at the Center of the Dispute

Five of the six Buss siblings — Joey, Jesse, Jim, Johnny and Janie — support selling the family’s remaining 17.8% stake in the Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner for roughly $12.5 billion. The sale would push Iger and Kushner’s combined ownership from about 65% to around 83% of the franchise, following their earlier purchase of Mark Walter‘s controlling stake.

Why Jeanie Is Fighting the Sale

Jeanie Buss is the lone holdout, and her opposition centers on control rather than money alone. NBA rules require a team governor to hold at least 15% ownership, and losing the family’s stake would strip her of the governor role she’s held since 2017 — a position she’s occupied since her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, died in 2013. Through attorney Adam Streisand, Jeanie argues a 2017 court order requires her approval as co-trustee of the family trust before any sale of the remaining shares can proceed, calling any vote to sell “a breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty” and “in contempt of court.”

The Other Side

The five siblings backing the sale pushed back publicly, saying in a joint statement that they’re ready to “exit gracefully while we still can.” Their support triggered a tag-along clause forcing a family vote on the transaction.

A Family With a History of Conflict

This isn’t the Buss family’s first internal battle. Jeanie fired brother Jim from his basketball operations role back in 2017, and siblings Joey and Jesse were dismissed from front-office positions in late 2025 after initially opposing the sale of majority control to Mark Walter — a deal Jeanie ultimately cast the deciding vote to approve.

What’s at Stake

Beyond family politics, the outcome could affect Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, a Jeanie ally, and comes as star Luka Dončić approaches free agency in 2028. Any sale would also require NBA Board of Governors approval, and Kushner would first need to divest from the Miami Heat.

Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis after testing positive for cocaine, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed.

In 2021, Kyrgios was accused of assaulting his girlfriend.

Timeline of the Case

The positive sample was collected on June 22, 2026, during a lower-tier grass court event in Mallorca, Spain, where Kyrgios was competing while ranked 919th in the world. The result was confirmed positive on July 17, and the ITIA applied a provisional suspension on August 4. The case became public on Tuesday.

A Career Already in Decline

Kyrgios, 31, has struggled significantly since his standout 2022 season, when he reached the Wimbledon final. He has won just 2 of his last 10 ATP singles matches, a steep fall from his peak form. The positive test adds another setback to a career already defined by injuries and inconsistent results in recent years.

What Comes Next

Kyrgios faces a potential suspension of up to four years under anti-doping rules, though a lighter sanction is expected because the ITIA determined the cocaine use occurred outside of competition. A comparable case offers some precedent: British player Dan Evans received a one-year ban in a similar 2017 case involving cocaine.

Kyrgios Responds

Kyrgios did not dispute the finding and publicly took ownership of the situation. “I made a huge mistake and take full responsibility for it,” he said. He connected the episode to a difficult personal stretch, describing feelings of being “helpless and alone” amid ongoing injury struggles, and announced he would step away from social media for 28 days to focus on his recovery.

Why It Matters

The suspension marks one of the most significant off-court controversies of Kyrgios’s career, arriving at a moment when he was already fighting to regain his footing on tour. How the ITIA ultimately rules on sanctions will determine whether Kyrgios has a realistic path back to competitive tennis or faces an extended period on the sidelines.

Dodgers fans turned on Kyle Tucker at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, booing the outfielder after he failed to catch a catchable fly ball in right field during the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.

A Brutal Homestand

The miscue capped off a rough seven-game homestand in which Tucker went 0-for-19, playing in six of the seven games after sitting out Saturday. His struggles have been especially pronounced at home: Tucker is hitting just .189/.286/.272 at Dodger Stadium this season, a steep drop from his overall .232/.330/.370 line, according to CBS Sports.

The Price Tag Behind the Frustration

The boos carry extra weight given the contract attached to Tucker’s name. He’s in his first season with the Dodgers on a four-year, $240 million deal, and his overall production — 11 home runs, 54 RBIs, 66 runs, 7 stolen bases, and just 0.3 WAR — falls well short of expectations for a player of his price and pedigree.

From All-Star to Slump

Tucker spent four seasons as a productive All-Star with the Houston Astros from 2021 to 2024, hitting .280 with a 145 OPS+ over that stretch. His decline traces back to early July of last season and has carried into his debut year in Los Angeles, fueling growing frustration among fans watching a marquee free-agent addition underperform.

Manager’s Response

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the situation directly, acknowledging the tension building around Tucker. “I see kind of the frustration,” Roberts said, explaining that he gave Tucker Saturday off so he could treat it “as a work day” rather than a true rest day.

What’s Next

With the Dodgers pushing through the stretch run, how Tucker responds to the criticism — and whether he can rediscover the form that made him one of baseball’s top outfielders in Houston — will shape how the rest of his high-priced first season in Los Angeles is remembered.

Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd are stepping into the spotlight to discuss their romantic relationship publicly, choosing to share their story through a new docuseries rather than through outside speculation.

The Docuseries Behind the Reveal

The two WNBA stars opened up in interviews for Apple TV’s three-part docuseries The Dynasty: UConn Huskies, which will premiere August 21. The format gave them control over how and when they would discuss their relationship publicly, after years of fan speculation and media questions.

What They Said

Bueckers described how naturally their bond formed: “It kinda just meshed as soon as we met. She’s sweet, she’s genuine, she has a huge, caring heart.” She added that the connection went beyond friendship early on: “We kind of felt a spark a little bit different than what would just be considered a normal friendship.”

Fudd, meanwhile, explained the couple’s approach to privacy: “Paige and I are a couple, and everyone close to us that was important knew, but it was kind of one of those things… It’s just, it’s private. Not a secret, but it’s private.”

Their History Together

Bueckers and Fudd met as teammates at UConn, where they helped lead the Huskies to the 2025 national championship, with Fudd earning Most Outstanding Player honors for her performance. Their relationship became public in July 2025, when Bueckers appeared to confirm it during the WNBA All-Star Game. Both players have since gone on to star at the professional level, with the Dallas Wings drafting Bueckers in 2025 and the No. 1 overall pick in 2026 going to Fudd.

A Broader Conversation About Privacy

Their relationship became a flashpoint for a wider debate after a reporter asked Fudd about it directly at her draft press conference, prompting discussion about where public curiosity about athletes’ personal lives should end. By sharing their story on their own terms through the docuseries, Bueckers and Fudd are reclaiming the narrative around one of women’s basketball’s most closely watched relationships.