General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: July 30, 2026, 11:34 AM ET

Boxing and Combat Sports

Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions has joined forces with the Professional Fighters League in a "landmark merger" announced Thursday. Meanwhile, the WNBA has fined the Seattle Storm and suspended co-owner Celeste Keaton from attending the team's next five home games after her exchange with two fans during Tuesday's matchup with the Indiana Fever. The Fever avoided addressing postgame questions about a pro-Cunningham rally that preceded their 105-95 win over the Storm.

American Football

ESPN's "ESPN Jeopardy!" -- a mashup of sports and the world's leading quiz show -- will be hosted by Joe Buck, the award-winning voice of "Monday Night Football." The NCAA has suspended Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter for the first two games of the season for accepting a $427 flight from an agent after he declared for the NFL draft. Seydou Traore is the first graduate of the UK-based NFL Academy to be drafted in the NFL, marking a significant milestone.

Basketball

The WNBA faces a crossroads as controversy marked the first half of the season, with fans and players hoping the league found a reset button during the celebratory Chicago break. Ahead of the WNBA trade deadline, Kelsey Plum, Aneesah Morrow, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton could be on the move. UCLA's Nico Iamaleava said he and new coach Bob Chesney immediately clicked, making the quarterback's decision to stay with the Bruins an easy one.

Soccer

Wrexham's tour of the USA is demonstrating that the Championship club's already-high stock is continuing to rise. Saudi Arabia government official Turki Al-Sheikh's investment deal into Derby County could be finalized as early as next week. U.S. college campuses embraced World Cup visitors, with notable examples including Messi at Auburn and Germany at Wake Forest, while Kansas developed a strong connection with Algeria.

Commonwealth Games

Host nation Scotland secured eight medals in five chaotic hours on Wednesday, including two golds, to take their Commonwealth Games tally in Glasgow to. Angharad Evans added another breaststroke gold to become Scotland's breakout star in the pool. Northern Ireland's Ellie McCartney won a bronze medal in the women's 200m breaststroke final. Heptathlete Kate O'Connor expressed joy at winning the event for Northern Ireland, collecting her first senior outdoor gold medal. Robyn Love reached the podium at the Commonwealth Games, securing silver and bronze with the 3x3 teams. Melanie Woods faces losing her Commonwealth Games women’s 1500m T54 title after the race is to be staged again following an appeal. Olympic team sprint champion Emma Finucane insists she has nothing to prove in Glasgow as she chases a Commonwealth gold medal.

Golf and Tennis

Bettors at Detroit Golf Club should look for specific traits at the Rocket Classic, with analysis provided on best bets and golfers to play or fade in DFS. Tennis players chose to get married during the one available week on the calendar, requiring significant planning during Wimbledon.

Cricket and Rugby

Durham maintained their unbeaten start in the One-Day Cup, with Will Rhodes' career-best performance ensuring victory after Ben Stokes' duck. Sir Garfield Sobers was called the "greatest all-round cricketer the world has ever known" by former team-mate Sir Clive Lloyd at the legendary West Indies player's state funeral in Barbados. Scottish Rugby has sacked its chief executive, Alex Williamson, after a months-long examination of his conduct. Cricket, archery, and shooting to regain their spot at the Commonwealth Games in India in 2030. The wicketkeeper in the Saltburn Cricket Club 'finger-clicking' scandal is identified as the key voice in any investigation.

Other Sports

World champion Wu Yize set up a rematch with Si Jiahui at the Shanghai Masters after knocking in three centuries. Surfer Arran Strong is being paid tribute to after searches for the Brit who went missing off the coast of Portugal were called off.

College Sports and NFL Draft

ESPN is sizing up four second-year NFL quarterbacks and where they need to improve in 2026, identifying areas for growth for Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, and Shedeur Sanders. Fourteen college football teams are poised to break through and bounce back in 2026, with a focus on teams and players ready for the next step or to put a disappointing 2025 season behind them.

Wrestling and Darts

Historic numbers and trends are provided for every match at Summer Slam in Minneapolis. A mural in Warrington honouring two-time world darts champion Luke Littler surprised his grandmother after she spotted it while on a local bus.

Future Events and Rankings

ESPN reporters voted for the top teams they expect to contend in the 2030 World Cup. The playoff picture in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is shaping up, with the Archers maintaining their winning streak and rising to No. 1.

Player Milestones and Scandals

As Shohei Ohtani chases another MVP award, his former interpreter serves his punishment in a Pennsylvania prison. Golfer Georgia Hall, a new mother, feels ready to return to the major stage at the course where she won the 2018 Women's Open.