Sports 8-Hour Briefing
×Formula 1
Last updated: October 4, 2026, 2:03 PM ET
Formula 1
Max Verstappen won a chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, holding off Kimi Antonelli as George Russell retired late. The race descended into disorder after an FIA software bug caused confusion at the start, requiring an emergency fix to save the first wet-weather event of the 2026 season.
Football/Soccer
Last updated: October 4, 2026, 2:03 PM ET
International Friendlies
World champions Argentina demolished a makeshift Burkina Faso side 7-0 in Buenos Aires. The result was a comprehensive warm-up for Lionel Scaloni’s squad. Across the Atlantic, the United States humbled Mexico 3-0, with Mexico coach Rafael Márquez bemoaning his side’s “terrible mistakes.” The match was headlined by 17-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan, who became the youngest USMNT scorer ever with a stunning goal. Sullivan and Julian Hall earned 9/10 ratings for their performances, with analysts declaring the youngster has arrived as a national team star.
England inflicted a historic 7-0 defeat on Croatia, leaving captain Luka Modric “ashamed” and calling it a “catastrophic night.” Modric said he felt ashamed for the first time in his legendary national team career. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente expressed disbelief over Lamine Yamal’s scoring streak, praising the teenager’s “legendary potential.” France boss Zinedine Zidane said he will make “smart changes” for their upcoming clash with Belgium.
Domestic Football
Gateshead have sacked manager Lee Cattermole after a poor start to the National League season. In Scotland, the Tartan Army gave a mixed reaction to Scotland’s 2-0 win in Skopje, with some calling it a “promising start” and others a “shocking” display. The Scottish Football Podcast highlighted who caught the eye in manager David Pocognoli’s first win.
In the WSL, Chelsea went top of the table as London City thrashed Spurs. The NWSL saw Brecken Mozingo score a late stoppage-time equalizer for Utah Royals in a 1-1 draw, while Debinha hit a hat trick and USWNT’s Lynn Wilson saw red.
Transfer Market
Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are all chasing Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, according to transfer rumors.
Ballon d’Or
The 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist has been whittled down, with Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane emerging as the top contenders in the post-Messi-Ronaldo era.
NBA Basketball
Last updated: October 4, 2026, 6:05 AM ET
NBA Expansion
The NBA's push toward 29 teams is intensifying, with Vegas emerging as the frontrunner for a 2026-27 debut, while Seattle's bid remains on hold.
NFL Football
Last updated: October 4, 2026, 2:04 PM ET
NFL Football
Week 4 Inactives & Injuries
The Eagles will be without right tackle Lane Johnson for Sunday's game against the Rams due to personal reasons, a surprise inactive that reshapes Philadelphia's offensive line. Philadelphia also ruled out wide receiver DeVonta Smith, while the Rams do not intend to limit Puka Nacua's workload in his return from injury. The Commanders will be without wide receiver Terry McLaurin against the Colts and have turned to seventh-round rookie Kaliakmanis at quarterback after Marcus Mariota was ruled out with a knee injury. Baker Mayfield is expected to miss three to six weeks with a dislocated thumb, depending on when he can grip a football. The Panthers have placed 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette on injured reserve, while Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon is expected to miss multiple weeks with a foot injury.
Commanders Owner in London
Commanders owner Josh Harris covered a $50,000 tab for approximately 3,000 fans at a London bar on Saturday, rallying the fanbase ahead of the team's international game.
Super Bowl History & All-Time Rosters
ESPN has named all-time Super Bowl rosters for 23 teams with multiple championships, a task that saw 13 players earn spots on more than one all-time team. Separately, the network ranked the 10 biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, featuring the Patriots, Jets, Giants, and Eagles.
Week 4 Predictions & Betting
Our guide to every Week 4 game includes matchup previews, predictions, and picks for all 15 contests, including Trevor Lawrence vs. Joe Burrow. Betting analysis for Lions-Panthers on Sunday Night Football offers odds and best bets. Our 15 predictions for the weekend highlight potential touchdowns for Lamar Jackson and Jameson Williams, plus a possible Cowboys upset.
Fantasy Football & Breakouts
Fantasy analysts identify three hot starters to believe in and one player expected to break out in Week, including a slow-starting quarterback poised for a rebound.
Jets Rookie Tight End
Jets rookie tight end Sadiq, taken with the 16th overall pick, has become a necessity rather than a luxury for New York's offense, with teammates calling him "uncoverable."
Contract Talks Stall
The Lions and star tight end Sam LaPorta have broken off contract talks after negotiations stalled, sources told ESPN.
MLB Baseball
Last updated: October 4, 2026, 2:04 PM ET
MLB Baseball
The Brewers escaped with a Game 1 NLDS win after San Diego's potential go-ahead homer struck the American Family Field roof and fell for an out. Milwaukee's dominant regular season now faces the test of whether their unorthodox approach can overcome the Dodgers' star power.
NHL Hockey
Last updated: October 4, 2026, 2:05 PM ET
Injury & Return News
Sabres forward Jiri Kulich celebrated his return from nearly a year of blood clot issues by scoring the game-winner. Meanwhile, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, who missed all of 2025-26, was placed on long-term injured reserve after just two games. Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, amid a trade request, was booed by the home crowd before being placed on IR in a loss.
Investigations & Remembrances
Arizona State has hired former Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Scott Bales to lead a review of hockey player Collin Mayich’s collapse. Lyle Odelein, a defenseman who won a Stanley Cup with the Canadiens, has died at age.
Sunday’s Key Matchup
The NHL features five games on Sunday, with a key interconference matchup between the Mammoth and Rangers highlighting the slate.
General Sports
Last updated: October 4, 2026, 2:05 PM ET
College Football
Alabama restored order with a dominant performance, looking like the powerhouse of old, while Ohio State’s wide receiver Jeremiah Smith declared himself “the best player in the country” after a record-setting day that has made him the Heisman front-runner. LeBron James reacted to Smith’s highlight-reel performance with a simple command: “THROW IT TO 4!” Meanwhile, the College Football Playoff picture is taking shape, as the projected top 12 features Ohio State leading a growing crop of one-loss teams. Colorado coach Deion Sanders said he will reevaluate his quarterback options after a blowout loss, stating the team “got to play better.” Alabama also found time to troll Mississippi State on social media after a win, posting “Not enough cowbells.” In other coaching news, Colorado State fired defensive coordinator Tyson Summers after a 56-26 loss, with Jim Mora saying Summers was “no longer” on the staff after he left the sideline in the first half.
NFL & MLB
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and his wife are expecting their first child, with the couple announcing the news via Instagram. In baseball, the MLB divisional round is underway, and we have the odds for every game in each series, including favorites and predictions.
WNBA
The WNBA semifinals tip off Sunday, and we break down the keys for each matchup, including how Las Vegas-Golden State and New York-Atlanta match up.
Tennis & Snooker
Novak Djokovic beat Alexander Zverev in a hard-fought match to reach the China Open semifinals, continuing his quest for a first trophy of 2026. In snooker, Wu Yize won the Shenzhen Open, claiming his first ranking title since becoming world champion and marking a new high for Chinese snooker.
Rugby & F1
Sale held on to beat Saracens 21-17, overcoming a red card for Jacques Vermeulen. In Formula, the Bahrain Grand Prix produced a dominant win for Max Verstappen and a superb recovery drive from Lewis Hamilton, as BBC Radio 5 Live rates the drivers’ performances. Sam Burgess said he plans to stay at Warrington for 2027 despite the Wolves’ grand final loss, vowing to end the club’s pain. Vicky Drummond won the Scottish mixed doubles title on her return to competitive curling, partnering Euan.