General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

Baseball and Golf News

Lucas Jumalon a 22-year-old poker pro from Spokane, Washington, became the second youngest player to win the World Series of Poker main event, taking home $10 million. LIV Golf has secured funding from an outside investor that will keep the circuit alive beyond this season, according to league CEO Scott O'Neil. This funding deal is with an unnamed lead investor to continue next season after the withdrawal of Saudi Arabian financial backing earlier this year. Robert Mac Intyre, Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari, and Sepp Straka are set to compete in the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare, from September 9-13. The Preakness Stakes has been moved to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby and will be run on a Sunday for the first time.

Basketball and WNBA Updates

Longtime college basketball announcer Dick Vitale reported that his tests are "very good" following his fifth cancer diagnosis. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham stated her desire for the focus to return to basketball after her comments on transgender athletes ignited a significant national debate. Seven teams appear to be WNBA playoff locks, with six other teams vying for the final eighth spot. A'ja Wilson is the clear front-runner for the WNBA MVP award, though four other players, including a rookie, are expected to receive votes.

Cricket and Rugby Developments

Jos Buttler is the highest run-getter in men's T20 cricket, starring in Manchester Super Giants' nine-wicket victory over Welsh Fire in The Hundred. Dunkley's fifty guided Trent Rockets to victory against Birmingham Phoenix, while Orla Prendergast took four wickets in Welsh Fire's win over Manchester Super Giants. Surrey defeated Kent by 95 runs, placing them level with Foxes at the top of the standings in their pursuit of a home semi-final in the One-Day Cup. Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels dismissed talks of a merger with the Ospreys and is seeking greater transparency from the Welsh Rugby Union.

College Football and American Sports

Bill Connelly identified the Power 4 games with the highest combined SP+ ratings and a projected scoring margin under eight points for the 2026 college football season. ESPN's preseason evaluation highlights teams facing the toughest and easiest stretches of games. Thirty-one teams are considered to have the best chance of making the College Football Playoff in 2026, possessing both the necessary players and schedules. An evaluation of college football's 40 most important players for the 2026 season begins with CFP-hopeful quarterbacks, including names like Manning and Moore. Texas has moved into the top five of the Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings, while North Carolina has fallen out, with UCLA now in consideration. Indiana defensive end Stephen Daley practiced in a limited role for the Hoosiers on Wednesday as he ramps up from a season-ending knee injury sustained in December.

Other Sports and Athlete News

Winter Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead has reversed her retirement, inspired by her role as Team GB's chef de mission at this year's Games to return to curling after a four-year absence. WWE superstar couple Bianca Belair and Montez Ford have welcomed their first child together. Brock Lesnar, a 10-time WWE world champion and former UFC heavyweight champion, announced his retirement from combat sports after his match at WWE Summer Slam. Jemima Lines has been selected for the British America's Cup team, marking her as the first woman to achieve this in 90 years, a moment she described as pivotal. William Zepeda climbed the lightweight boxing rankings after defeating Lamont Roach to capture the WBC title. A powerlifter who was disqualified following an alleged racially motivated incident stated she "does not feel safe" competing and highlighted that black athletes frequently face booing. MotoGP British Grand Prix will continue on the calendar through at least 2028, as Silverstone has extended its partnership with Moto GP. Cameron Norrie progresses to the last 32 of the Canadian Open with a straight-set victory over Ignacio Buse. San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet stopped to assist a stranded motorist in the rain whose car had broken down. The annual ESPN tradition of "The Ocho" will showcase a variety of obscure competitions, including T. rex races and pumpkin tossing, starting at 8 a.m. A new variation of chess, described as "the strangest sport in the world," will also be broadcast on The Ocho.

Soccer and Motorsports

The start of the Irish Premiership 2026-27 season has arrived following a summer of transfers, preparation, and uncertainty, with Larne aiming to maintain their dominance. Derry City chairman Philip O'Doherty stated that the departure of manager Tiernan Lynch was a "pretty much a snap decision" and that "it was time to make a change."

Other Sports News

Surrey duo Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence have been recalled to the England squad for the initial two Tests against Pakistan, while Bethell has been omitted. Demi Vollering secured victory in stage five of the Tour de France Femmes, sprinting past yellow jersey holder Marlen Reusser. Gloucester sprinter James Arminio is competing at the Under-20 World Championships, just two years after he first began running on an athletics track. Eric Karabell has released his annual "Do Not Draft" list, identifying players like the Giants' young trio who he believes are being overvalued in fantasy drafts this summer. Waterdogs claimed the top spot in the Premier Lacrosse League Power Rankings ahead of Week, with the playoffs approaching.