General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 7, 2026, 9:35 PM ET

WNBA

Caitlin Clark already has the most 20-point, 10-assist games in WNBA history, but her game remains a work in progress as she navigates her third season. Chelsea Gray made two buzzer-beating 3-pointers — the first to force overtime and the second to give the Aces a victory over the Fever on Thursday night after Clark's uncharacteristic mistakes. Two men were escorted from their courtside seats in Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the third quarter of that matchup. Clark said Thursday that it is up to individuals to "speak when you feel like you want to speak" regarding political issues. Sophie Cunningham wants the focus to return to basketball after her comments on transgender athletes sparked heated national debate. The WNBPA released a statement emphasizing diversity and inclusion and saying the organization "will not be used as political pawns." USA Basketball announced its roster for the FIBA World Cup featuring Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston making their first major international appearances. In WNBA power rankings, Minnesota and Indiana rank 1-2 after an offensive showcase, with Las Vegas rounding out the top three. Seven teams look like playoff locks, while the Mystics, Sparks, Mercury, Sky, Fire or Tempo could be the No. 8 seed.

MLB

A panel of baseball insiders weighs in on the biggest blockbusters from the trade deadline, including which teams had the best deadline. The Cubs, O's, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies and more made major moves, and we've got it all covered. Here's how each of the 30 clubs' playoff hopes have risen or fallen since the deadline, plus how complete every roster is today.

College Football

Lane Kiffin is the biggest pot-stirrer in college football, but is he the best villain of all time?. Bill Connelly picks the Power 4 games with the highest combined SP+ ratings and a projected scoring margin under eight points. We break down which teams face the biggest challenges and which have the easiest roads ahead in the 2026 schedule. How good (win the national title!) and how bad (miss the tourney!) it could get for all 18 Big Ten teams. These 31 schools have the players and schedules to reach the CFP in 2026. What players will have an outsized influence on the 2026 season? We start with CFP-hopeful QBs. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman wants his players focused on winning the opener, not the CFP. Offensive lineman Cole Hutson has returned to Texas after minicamp participation with the Browns and Cowboys. Indiana defensive end Stephen Daley practiced in a limited role Wednesday as he ramps up from a season-ending knee injury. New Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland admitted that his one-liner at the expense of Indiana was a mistake "the second it left my mouth". McClelland apparently forgot Indiana winning the CFP national championship in January when he said "we are here to win championships." North Carolina coach Bill Belichick announced that his son, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, is on medical leave and out indefinitely. All current Akron season-ticket holders are automatically entered into a random drawing to design the opening drive.

NFL & Draft

Jahmyr Gibbs' new deal is the latest in a flurry of extensions shaping the 2026 preseason, and Seth Walder stacked the 10 most notable. Is the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL draft destined to be a QB such as Dante Moore or Arch Manning? Or could someone like Dylan Stewart be first off the board?.

Cricket

Tom Lammonby's brilliant century helped Somerset keep their One-Day Cup hopes alive with a thumping victory over Surrey. Luc Benkenstein scored a brilliant 140 to lead Essex to a narrow win over Glamorgan despite Timm van der Gugten's unbeaten. Surrey maintained their push for a home semi-final in the One-Day Cup with a 95-run win over Kent. England opener Emilio Gay suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Durham. Rashid Khan took six wickets as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs 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. Jos Buttler says a conversation with England batting coach Marcus Trescothick helped him rediscover the form that took him past the all-time T20 run-scoring record. Buttler starred as Manchester Super Giants beat Welsh Fire by nine wickets in The Hundred. BBC Sport explores how Buttler became the highest run-getter in men's T20 cricket. Welsh Fire captain Phil Salt says he would like The Hundred to be a week longer after his side played three matches in five days. London Spirit became the first side to be knocked out of the men's Hundred after a six-wicket defeat by MI London. Sophia Dunkley helped Trent Rockets beat Birmingham Phoenix after Orla Prendergast took four wickets in Welsh Fire's victory. Andrew Flintoff stepped down as head coach of England Lions. England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum backed Harry Brook as a future Test captain but says Joe Root will do an "amazing job" in his second stint. Hampshire and England fast bowler John Turner retired from cricket aged 25 after more than a year out injured. Will you guess The Hundred cricket star in as few attempts as possible?

Golf

LIV Golf has secured funding from an outside investor that will keep the circuit alive beyond this season, according to CEO Scott O'Neil. LIV Golf says it has secured a deal with an unnamed lead investor to continue next season after the withdrawal of Saudi financial backing. From Jackson Koivun to Brooks Koepka, here's what players on the cusp of qualifying for the FedEx Cup Playoffs need to do at the Wyndham Championship. Robert MacIntyre, Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari and Sepp Straka will play the Irish Open at Trump International Doonbeg from 9-13 September.

Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz's ongoing absence from tennis is analyzed, with wrist injuries being difficult to manage. Cameron Norrie progressed to the Canadian Open last 32 with a straight-set win over Ignacio Buse. Coco Gauff said she supports "fairness in women's sports" but criticized how the WTA's gene testing creates "animosity towards the trans community".

Cycling

Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux to claim her first Tour de France Femmes stage win and the overall race lead. Demi Vollering won stage five of the Tour de France Femmes following a sprint victory over yellow jersey holder Marlen Reusser. Kimberley Le Court won a sprint finish to seal victory in stage six as Reusser held on to the overall lead. Officials at the Tour de France Femmes will check riders' clothing to prevent attempts to make "aerodynamic gains" via bra padding.

Combat Sports

Conor McGregor reiterated his desire to return to fighting after undergoing surgery on the knee injury suffered during his UFC comeback. A flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja will headline UFC 331 in September. Brock Lesnar, a 10-time WWE world champ and former UFC heavyweight champ, said his match at SummerSlam was his last and that he's retiring from combat sports. Pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields says a fight with Wales' Lauren Price is now likely to take place in 2027.

PLL & Lacrosse

Four PLL games and one WLL contest are on the docket for Boston on Friday and Saturday for Throwback Weekend. With Throwback Weekend on tap and the playoffs approaching, the Waterdogs take the top spot in the PLL Power Rankings.

The Ocho / Unusual Sports

The story of how the iconic Ocho event "Slippery Stairs" was created — and a firsthand account on how challenging it is to compete. ESPN's 75-hour tradition showcases obscure competitions, from T. rex races to pumpkin tossing, and how it got started. Hundreds of competitors are poised to take the turf at Emerald Downs for T-Rex races. A new variation on chess called "the strangest sport in the world" — diving chess — will be broadcast on The Ocho.

Horse Racing

The Preakness Stakes is moving to three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby and is set to be run on a Sunday for the first time.

Poker & WSOP

Lucas Jumalon, a 22-year-old poker pro from Spokane, Washington, beat Finland's Lauri Saaskilahti heads-up to win the 2026 WSOP main event and $10 million. The 2026 WSOP final table featured great play and engaging personalities, while the Hall of Fame inducted only one player.

Rugby & Basketball (Europe/UK)

St Helens will face Hull FC in Dublin as part of a Super League double-header next April. Wigan Warriors kicked off the new Super Four format of the Women's Super League with a thumping 44-6 win at St Helens. Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels dismissed an Ospreys merger and wants greater transparency from the WRU. Former England prop Joe Marler will become the BBC's first celebrity Gladiator, known as Mauler. Television presenter Nick Knowles becomes a shareholder in Cornish Pirates. The planned launch of a bespoke European NBA league has the potential to take basketball in the UK to the "next level", says OG Anunoby. San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet stopped in the rain to help a stranded motorist.

Athletics & European Championships

Timetable and BBC coverage times for the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham from 10-16 August. London submits its final bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships at the London Stadium. Gloucester sprinter James Arminio is racing for GB at the Under-20 World Championships only two years after first stepping on a track.

Other Sports

Mrs. Met and Goldy headline the Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Longtime college basketball announcer Dick Vitale said he is making positive strides after his fifth cancer diagnosis. WWE superstar couple Bianca Belair and Montez Ford welcomed their first child. Winter Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead has come out of retirement, inspired by being Team GB's chef de mission. Jemima Lines became the first woman selected for the British America's Cup team in 90 years. The British Grand Prix will remain on the MotoGP calendar until at least 2028 as Silverstone extends its partnership. Chief executive Tom Gorringe says Swansea City are now on track to compete for a return to the Premier League. BBC Sport NI agreed a new three-year broadcast deal with the Irish FA to continue free-to-air coverage of international and domestic football. After a summer of transfers, the start of the Irish Premiership 2026-27 season has arrived. Derry City chairman Philip O'Doherty said the exit of manager Tiernan Lynch was "pretty much a snap decision". A powerlifter who was disqualified following an alleged racially motivated act said she "does not feel safe" when competing. Elite climber Mary Falconer is chasing a 2028 Olympic dream, using bouldering to deal with the loss of her mother. Since their contracts were stripped back to part-time, Great Britain Sevens players have had to find alternative employment. How getting fired helped Larry Fitzgerald's ex-ball boy reach the Hall of Fame. England star Hannah French paid tribute to medical staff after recovering from injury in time for the women's Hockey World Cup. How much attention have you paid to the world of sport over the past seven days? Take the weekly quiz.