General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: August 7, 2026, 5:07 PM ET

NFL

The 2026 preseason is defined by a flurry of NFL contract extensions, and Seth Walder's ranking of 10 notable deals places Jahmyr Gibbs' $67.5 million extension near the top of the list. Meanwhile, the race for the 2027 NFL draft's No. 1 pick is wide open, with Dante Moore and Arch Manning among the quarterback candidates, while pass-rusher Dylan Stewart and receiver Jeremiah Smith also have strong cases. In college football, offensive lineman Cole Hutson has returned to Texas after NFL tryouts with the Browns and Cowboys, using a fifth year of eligibility.

Major League Baseball

The MLB trade deadline has reshaped playoff forecasts, and our panel of insiders graded the biggest deals, with executives praising the Skubal and Rutschman trades as standout moves. A comprehensive analysis of all 30 clubs shows how each team's postseason hopes have shifted since the deadline, including which rosters are now fully stocked for a playoff push. One anonymous NL executive summed up the competitive landscape: "I'm glad we're not in the NL," referencing the deep field of contenders.

WNBA

The Las Vegas Aces pulled off a dramatic victory over the Indiana Fever on Thursday night, as Chelsea Gray drilled two buzzer-beating 3-pointers, the first to force overtime and the second to win it. Caitlin Clark, despite uncharacteristic mistakes, continues to rewrite the record book, already holding the most 20-point, 10-assist games in WNBA history and growing her game in Year 3. Off the court, Clark said Thursday that individuals should trust their gut when addressing political issues, while two fans were escorted from courtside seats during the Aces-Fever game for disruptive behavior. Meanwhile, the WNBA playoff race is tightening, with six teams—including the Mystics, Sparks and Mercury—battling for the No. 8 seed, as analyzed in our breakdown of the final spot. The Women's National Basketball Players Association also released a statement emphasizing diversity and inclusion, declaring the organization will not be used as political pawns amid the ongoing transgender athlete debate.

College Football

Purdue's new athletic director Tommy McClelland is facing backlash after taking a dig at rival Indiana, forgetting the Hoosiers' CFP national championship win, but he quickly issued a mea culpa, calling it a mistake "the second it left my mouth." On the field, North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is on indefinite medical leave, as announced by his father Bill Belichick. ESPN's preseason schedule evaluation identifies which teams face the toughest and easiest paths, with detailed matchups for 2026. For Big Ten teams, the ceiling ranges from winning the national title to missing the tournament entirely, as we project the highs and lows for all 18 programs. And in the eternal villain debate, Lane Kiffin tops the list of college football's most hated figures of all time, while we also identify the biggest archenemy for every Power 4 fanbase.

Cricket

Scotland secured a tense nine-run victory over Canada in Forfarshire to book their place at next year's World Cup Qualifier after a gripping tri-series match. Rashid Khan was the star for Afghanistan, taking six wickets to lead his side to a 92-run win over Ireland in Gary Wilson's first ODI as head coach. Andrew Flintoff has stepped down from his role as head coach of England Lions, while Jos Buttler credited a conversation with Marcus Trescothick for helping him rediscover the form that surpassed the all-time T20 run-scoring record. In the One-Day Cup, Essex's Luc Benkenstein smashed a brilliant 140 to keep their title hopes alive despite Timm van der Gugten's 118 not out for Glamorgan, while England opener Emilio Gay suffered a shoulder injury during Durham's match against Middlesex.

Boxing & UFC

Conor McGregor has reiterated his desire to return to fighting after undergoing surgery on the knee he injured during his UFC comeback, declaring his comeback starts now. In women's boxing, Claressa Shields says a blockbuster fight with Wales' Lauren Price is now likely to take place in 2027, according to the pound-for-pound star.

Cycling & Hockey

Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux, winning her first Tour de France Femmes stage and taking the overall race lead. In hockey, England star Hannah French has praised the team's medical staff after recovering from an ACL injury in time to play in next month's Women's Hockey World Cup.

Other Sports & Events

The 2026 WSOP final table featured great play and engaging personalities, but the Hall of Fame process drew criticism after inducting only one player. The Mascot Hall of Fame welcomed five new members, including Mrs. Met and Goldy, in a class announced on "Good Morning America". ESPN's The Ocho celebrates a decade of obscure sports, from T. rex races to pumpkin tossing, with a look back at how a "DodgeBall" joke started it all. The Slippery Stairs event, an Ocho staple, is harder than it looks, as we tell the story of its creation and a firsthand account of competing. The Premier Lacrosse League's Week 12 preview sets the stage for Throwback Weekend in Boston, with playoff scenarios and four PLL games on Friday and Saturday. Finally, the NFL's Vikings once fired Larry Fitzgerald as a ball boy before rehiring him; that journey is now part of his path to the Hall of Fame.