General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: August 25, 2026, 12:26 AM ET

NCAA & College Football

The NCAA's controversial "five for five" eligibility decision has turned the NFL waiver wire into the new national signing day, as Dan Wetzel argues the rule change makes returning to college football inevitable for pro players. The SEC, meanwhile, pushed back fiercely, issuing a statement that athletes who sign pro contracts "should no longer" be permitted to rejoin college programs, a stance directly tested as LSU hopes to sign tight end Dae'Quan Wright once he clears waivers. In related drama, the FBI swept Ole Miss's football office for listening devices after Lane Kiffin departed for rival LSU, with the school's NIL collective executive director confirming the surveillance search. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has settled on true freshman Faizon Brandon as his starting quarterback, with Brandon earning the job over George Mac Intyre.

Tennis

Roger Federer, who won five straight US Open titles during his peak, will step back onto Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night for the first time since 2019 in an exhibition appearance at age. Heather Watson is among the British winners in the first round of US Open qualifying, as she bids for her first New York main-draw debut in five years. Bianca Andreescu's road back has been long—seven years removed from her incredible title run, and is fighting to qualify for the main draw once more. Coco Gauff is gearing up perfectly, having beaten Jessica Pegula in the Cincinnati Open final to claim her first title of 2026, while Arthur Fils won the men's event.

WNBA & Basketball

The Minnesota Lynx believe this is their year, and much of that optimism rests on Napheesa Collier, whose return from multiple injuries could help Minnesota peak in the playoffs and chase a first title in nine years. Phoenix has agreed a buyout with six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner, and once she clears waivers, it is expected she will sign with a playoff contender as a free agent. Sources confirm that Enes Kanter Freedom will not be WNBA-eligible, though no ban on arena attendance has been announced. In college football, Alabama's Ryan Coleman-Williams aims to return to form after a sophomore slump marked by drops.

Cricket & Rugby

England's World Cup hopes ended with a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands. Pace bowler Brydon Carse has been dropped from England's squad for the second Pakistan Test after being briefly arrested, and Michael Vaughan says a severe punishment is needed to send a shiver through the team. Former snooker world champion Graeme Dott was found guilty of child sex abuse. St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has urged NRL and Super League unity, insisting rugby league is not a "carcass to be picked at". Ireland has named seven uncapped players in their WXV squad. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been benched after an indifferent display against the All Blacks. Newport's Kyle Tayler-Woolston is thriving in Super Rygbi Cymru after coming out.

Combat Sports & Other Sports

Four arrests have been made over the murder of two-time world boxing champion Zolani Tete, with one suspect due in court Monday to face charges. This Saturday features Moses Itauma v Filip Hrgovic and Mayer v Cameron, all you need to know. Olympian Hannah Scott prepares for the World Championships after a testing period, targeting World title gold. Keely Hodgkinson has withdrawn from Zurich Diamond League 800m, her "body is not quite ready-3d70ccce)". Stage three of the Vuelta a España was abandoned due to hail. Club golfer Allan Harrison defied 1-in-322 billion odds with eight birdies in nine holes. Can you name the top 20 Test bowlers? Try the quiz.

Additional Headlines

The WNBA’s latest: Kanter Freedom is not eligible, and the Mercury buyout of Bonner shakes the free-agent market. In college, Brandon wins the Vols' starting QB job. Coach Lane Kiffin leaves behind a bug sweep, and the NCAA's eligibility chaos continues. Snooker's Dott case shows justice delayed, and England face a generation of rebuilding. (Some URLs were cut/corrected above.)