General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: August 7, 2026, 9:37 PM ET

MLB Trade Deadline Fallout

The dust is settling on a frenetic MLB trade deadline, and the league's landscape has shifted dramatically. Baseball insiders have graded the biggest blockbusters, with one executive noting that some American League teams are simply glad they're not in the NL given the arms race in the National League. A comprehensive look at all 30 clubs reveals how each team's playoff hopes have risen or fallen since the deadline, with rosters now assessed for post-trade-deadline readiness.

NFL & Fantasy Football

The NFL offseason continues to generate headlines, headlined by the latest wave of contract extensions. Jahmyr Gibbs' new $67.5M deal with the Lions has been ranked among the most interesting recent moves, as analyst Seth Walder stacked the 10 most notable NFL contract extensions. For fantasy football managers, caution is the watchword: Eric Karabell's annual "Do Not Draft" list is back, warning drafters that a Giants trio is overvalued in 2026 drafts.

College Football

As the 2026 season approaches, debates rage over the biggest villains and future stars. A ranking of all-time villains places Lane Kiffin as the current pot-stirrer, but is he truly college football's most hated villain? Every Power 4 fanbase has someone it loves to hate, with a full list detailing the biggest villain of every team. to the 2027 NFL draft, analysts assess who might be the No. 1 pick, with QBs like Dante Moore and Arch Manning among the candidates for the top spot. Meanwhile, Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson has returned to the Longhorns after regaining a fifth year of eligibility following minicamp tryouts. In the Big Ten, every team's ceiling and floor has been projected, with the possibility to win a national title or miss the tournament for all 18 programs.

WNBA

Two dramatic games on Thursday night showcased both the league's star power and its off-court tensions. In Indianapolis, the Aces beat the Fever in overtime as Chelsea Gray drained two buzzer-beating 3-pointers, the first to force overtime and the second to win it, capitalizing on Caitlin Clark's uncharacteristic mistakes. During that game, two men were escorted from their courtside seats after a reported incident, adding a disturbing element to the win. Away from the court, the WNBPA released a statement emphasizing inclusion amid the ongoing debate over transgender athletes, saying the organization will not be used as political pawns. On a more positive note, Caitlin Clark's game continues to evolve in Year; she already owns the most 20-point, 10-assist games in WNBA history, and the growth of her all-around game is a work in progress.

Cricket

Several domestic and international matches highlighted the past 24 hours. In the One-Day Cup, Somerset kept their hopes alive with a thumping win over Surrey, powered by a brilliant Tom Lammonby ton. Luc Benkenstein's 140 led Essex to a narrow win over Glamorgan, keeping their own One-Day Cup hopes alive. England opener Emilio Gay suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Durham, a scare for the national team. On the international stage, Rashid Khan took six wickets as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs, a dominant performance in Gary Wilson's first ODI as head coach. Scotland held on for a nervy nine-run victory over Canada to secure a place at next year's World Cup Qualifier, a tense tri-series win. Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has stepped down as head coach of the England Lions, ending his brief tenure. Meanwhile, Jos Buttler credits a chat with England batting coach Marcus Trescothick for helping him rediscover the form that took him past the all-time T20 run-scoring record, a record-breaking conversation.

Other Sports

The sporting world extends far beyond the major leagues. In the PLL, Week 12 features four games and one WLL contest during Throwback Weekend in Boston, with playoff scenarios taking shape. The iconic Ocho event "Slippery Stairs" has a fascinating origin story, with a firsthand account of just how challenging the competition really is. The Mascot Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2026, with Mrs. Met and Goldy among the five inductees revealed on "Good Morning America." In cycling, Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux to take the overall lead in the Tour de France Femmes, her first stage win of the race. Conor McGregor has reiterated his desire to return to fighting after undergoing knee surgery, saying his comeback starts now. In women's hockey, England star Hannah French paid tribute to medical staff after recovering from injury in time for the Hockey World Cup, praising the team's medical support. Boxing pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields says a fight with Wales' Lauren Price is now likely to take place in 2027, pushing the highly anticipated bout further down the calendar. The World Series of Poker 2026 final table delivered great play and engaging personalities, but the Hall of Fame process needs addressing after only one player was inducted. In college athletics, new Purdue AD Tommy McClelland admitted his one-liner at the expense of Indiana was a mistake "the second it left my mouth." Finally, a unique NFL story: Larry Fitzgerald's journey from ball boy to Hall of Fame includes a key moment when the Vikings rehired him and assigned him to the receivers, a move that shaped his career after getting fired.