General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 12:37 PM ET

College Sports

UConn coach Dan Hurley sounded the alarm on programs that are making late additions using recent court rulings, saying the practice does more harm than good. The Protect College Sports Act failed to reach a Senate vote before recess, but a Senate bill gained a spot on September’s calendar. Meanwhile, every fanbase loves to hate someone—the villain list for all Power 4 college football teams includes the stories behind the fury. New Purdue AD Tommy McClelland offered a mea culpa after his one-liner at Indiana’s expense, calling it a mistake “the second it left my mouth.”

MLB

The trade deadline has reshaped playoff hopes for all 30 clubs; here’s how each team’s roster readiness has changed since July. Baseball insiders graded the biggest blockbusters, including the Skubal and Rutschman deals, with one exec remarking, “I’m glad we’re not in the NL,” and you can read the full exec grades from our panel.

NFL

The flurry of contract extensions continued as Jahmyr Gibbs signed a $67.5M deal; Seth Walder ranked it among the 10 most notable. Former Vikings ball boy Larry Fitzgerald—yes, that one—was fired before being rehired and assigned to the receivers; his remarkable journey to the Hall is now complete. we assessed 16 prospects for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL draft, from QBs Dante Moore and Arch Manning to pass-rusher Dylan Stewart.

WNBA & NBA

Caitlin Clark, already the WNBA’s leader in 20-point, 10-assist games, says she’s “playing the best basketball of my career” as her game grows in Year. The WNBPA released a statement emphasizing diversity and inclusion, rejecting efforts to use the league as political pawns in the transgender athlete debate. In a tragic development, the Los Angeles medical authority ruled that Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke’s death was accidental due to effects of drugs—heroin and cocaine.

Cricket & Rugby

Scotland held off Canada by nine runs to reach the World Cup Qualifier. Rashid Khan took six wickets as Afghanistan thrashed Ireland by 92 runs in Gary Wilson’s first ODI as head coach. Andrew Flintoff stepped down as England Lions head coach. In the One-Day Cup, Tom Lammonby’s century helped Somerset beat Surrey in a thumping victory. Luc Benkenstein’s 140 led Essex to a narrow win over Glamorgan despite Van Der Gugten’s ton. England opener Emilio Gay suffered a shoulder injury playing for Durham. In rugby, Fijian Saimoni Vunilagi died of suspected heatstroke after training with his Japanese club Kyuden Voltex.

Around the Sports World

Michael Johnson spoke publicly for the first time since Grand Slam Track’s bankruptcy, clarifying that all athletes have been paid. Boxer Ben Pritchard eyes a world title defence after overcoming a freak injury to win the European title. Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux, winning the stage and taking the Tour de France Femmes lead. Matthias Jaissle takes charge of his first friendly as Newcastle United head coach, ushering in a new era for the club. The PLL’s Week 12 features four games and one WLL contest in Boston for Throwback Weekend. The WSOP 2026 final table delivered great play, but the Hall of Fame process needs addressing after only one inductee. On a lighter note, the Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes Mrs. Met and Goldy, announced on Good Morning America. Hacky sack’s throwback momentum continues to surge—here’s the story behind its viral comeback. And for those who love quirky competitions, the iconic Ocho event Slippery Stairs is harder than it looks, as told by a firsthand account of its rise and falls.