General Sports 3d Briefing
×NFL & College Football
The Raiders are releasing quarterback Geno Smith, barring a trade before the start of the new league year, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter espn.com. Five-star recruit Jaxon Richardson, son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, and brother of Orlando guard Jase, has committed to Alabama, he told ESPN on Thursday espn.com. The NCAA is appealing the preliminary injunction that a state court in Mississippi granted to Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to allow him a sixth college season in 2026 espn.com.
Basketball
Star freshman Caleb Wilson is increasing practice work for No. 17 North Carolina ahead of the rivalry game at No. 1 Duke but has yet to be cleared for 5-on-5 action due to his hand fracture espn.com. Top-10 senior Bruce Branch III has committed to BYU, giving coach Kevin Young his third consecutive recruiting class with a five-star recruit espn.com. Kaiya Wynn, a reserve guard on the Tennessee women's basketball team, said she is leaving the program, calling what she felt was a slight on senior day over the weekend a "breaking point" espn.com.
Rugby Union
Steve Borthwick has abandoned his philosophy of continuity and cohesion in the hope that selection shock therapy will cure his England side's malaise bbc.com. Wales aim to have the last laugh against Ireland in the Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium on Friday after being the subject of ridicule bbc.com. Ireland captain Caelan Doris says his side are "nowhere near" reaching their full potential as they prepare to face Wales following a record away victory over England bbc.com.
Combat Sports
Combat sports star Francis Nganghan, who has competed in both MMA and boxing in recent years, is a free agent after his release by the PFL espn.com. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall signs for boxing promoter Eddie Hearn's new agency bbc.com. Australia's Jai Opetaia will make his Zuffa Boxing debut against Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas this weekend espn.com.
Tennis & Golf
British number one Emma Raducanu says she wants to "bring my instincts back out" as she prepares for Indian Wells in California bbc.com. Former India players Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin are among the latest investors to acquire a franchise in the European T20 Premier League bbc.com.
Winter Paralympics
Iran will not take part in the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, the IPC confirms, as the nation's solitary athlete scheduled to compete "cannot travel safely to Italy" bbc.com. Great Britain's Jo Butterfield and Jason Kean lose 10-7 to Estonia in their Winter Paralympics wheelchair curling opener in Cortina bbc.com. Paralympics GB's only female snowboarder Nina Sparks tells BBC Sport about her journey from doing the sport as a hobby to competing at Milan Cortina 2026 bbc.com.
Motorsport
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton says "I'm going to be here until that happens" as he pushes for a grand prix in Africa bbc.com. Formula 1 has the biggest rule change in its history with engines, chassis, tyres and fuel all subject to new regulations bbc.com.
Baseball & Cricket
Defending champions India are through to the T20 World Cup final after England fall short, missing out by seven runs bbc.com. Jacob Bethell's thrilling century is not enough as India pip England by just seven runs to seal a spot in the T20 World Cup final bbc.com. India's Sanju Samson brings up a magnificent half-century in 26 balls against England before being caught by Salt on 89 from 42 balls in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai bbc.com.
Soccer
Lionel Messi, owner Jorge Mas, and members of the Inter Miami team visited the White House to celebrate last year's Major League Soccer Cup victory bbc.com. A highly anticipated boxing clash between undefeated Japanese stars Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani is set for May 2 at the Tokyo Dome for Inoue's undisputed junior featherweight title espn.com.