General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 7, 2026, 5:06 PM ET

WNBA Playoff Race & Fever-Aces Thriller

The WNBA playoff race is heating up with six teams vying for the final spot behind seven clear locks. In a dramatic overtime contest, Chelsea Gray sank two buzzer-beating 3-pointers to lift the Aces past the Fever after Caitlin Clark’s uncharacteristic miscues, while two fans were escorted from courtside seats during the game. Clark, who continues to grow in Year, already owns the most 20-point, 10-assist games in WNBA history but says she’s “trying to navigate life” and urges trusting your gut when addressing political issues. The Fever and Aces surge in the latest WNBA Power Rankings, with Sophie Cunningham hoping the focus returns to basketball after her comments on transgender athletes sparked national debate. The WNBPA also released a statement emphasizing diversity and refusing to be used as “political pawns” amid the trans athlete focus.

MLB Trade Deadline Fallout & Roster Assessments

Our panel of baseball insiders graded the biggest blockbusters and rated which teams had the best deadline as executives quipped, “I’m glad we’re not in the NL.” A comprehensive breakdown examines how the fates of all 30 MLB teams have changed since the deadline, including playoff hope swings and roster completeness. For a deeper dive into how the Cubs, Orioles, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Dodgers and others really fared, our analysis covers the wild conclusion to trade season.

NFL Contract Extensions & 2027 Draft Watch

Jahmyr Gibbs’ $67.5M extension is the latest in a flurry of deals, and Seth Walder ranked the 10 most notable NFL contract extensions of the 2026 preseason. the battle for the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL draft features a deep mix of quarterbacks like Dante Moore and Arch Manning, plus pass-rushers such as Dylan Stewart and receiver Jeremiah Smith.

College Football: Villains, Schedule, Playoff Contenders

No one fuels fans’ ire quite like Lane Kiffin, but our list of college football’s most hated villains of all time includes many pot-stirrers. Every fanbase has someone it loves to hate; here are the biggest villains for every Power 4 team and the stories behind the fury. For each Big Ten team, we examine the ceiling and floor — from winning the national title to missing the tournament. ESPN’s preseason schedule evaluation breaks down which teams face the biggest challenges and easiest roads. Bill Connelly highlights the best games of the season by SP+ ratings with a projected scoring margin under eight points. A staggering 31 teams have the best chance to make the CFP in 2026, and we also rank the 40 most important players who will have an outsized influence, starting with CFP-hopeful QBs. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, after missing the playoff last season, urges focus on the opener rather than the CFP.

WSOP Final Table, Hall of Fame & Mascot Honors

The 2026 WSOP main event delivered a thrilling final table with engaging personalities, while the Hall of Fame process needs to be addressed after inducting only one player. Lucas Jumalon, a 22-year-old poker pro from Spokane, Washington, became the second-youngest winner of the WSOP main event, beating Finland’s Lauri Saaskilahti heads-up for $10 million. In other hall news, Mrs. Met and Goldy are among the Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2026, announced on “Good Morning America.”

The Ocho: 10th Anniversary of Quirky Sports

ESPN’s 75-hour tradition of obscure competitions celebrates its 10th anniversary, tracing its roots to a “DodgeBall” joke that became a yearly event. One of the most iconic events, Slippery Stairs, features a firsthand account of how challenging it is to compete. T-Rex races at Emerald Downs draw hundreds of competitors honoring a tradition that began as team-bonding. A new version of chess, called “the strangest sport in the world,” will be broadcast on The Ocho on August 8. For full details on dates, times and events, see the complete Ocho 2026 schedule.

Tour de France Femmes: Thrilling Stage Wins & Race Lead Changes

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. Kimberley Le Court won the sprint finish in stage six after a mechanical failure, as Marlen Reusser held on to yellow. Demi Vollering won stage five following a sprint victory over Reusser. Meanwhile, officials are checking riders’ clothing for bra padding concerns to prevent aerodynamic gains.

Cricket: Buttler’s Record, Hundred Action & International Results

Jos Buttler broke the all-time T20 run-scoring record, crediting a conversation with England batting coach Marcus Trescothick for rediscovering his form. BBC Sport explores how Buttler became T20 cricket’s run-scoring GOAT. In The Hundred, Buttler starred as Manchester Super Giants beat Welsh Fire by nine wickets, breaking the T20 runs record in the process. Welsh Fire captain Phil Salt said he’d like The Hundred to be longer after playing three matches in five days. London Spirit became the first side eliminated from the men’s Hundred after a six-wicket defeat by MI London. Sophia Dunkley helped Trent Rockets beat Birmingham Phoenix, while Orla Prendergast took four wickets in Welsh Fire’s victory over Manchester Super Giants. Scotland held on for a nervy nine-run win over Canada to reach the World Cup Qualifier. Rashid Khan took six wickets as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs. Luc Benkenstein’s brilliant 140 led Essex to a narrow win over Glamorgan, despite Timm van der Gugten’s 118 not out. England opener Emilio Gay suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Durham. Brendon McCullum backs Harry Brook as a future Test captain but says Joe Root will do an “amazing job” in his second stint. Andrew Flintoff stepped down as head coach of England Lions. Hampshire and England bowler John Turner retired at 25 after more than a year out injured. Surrey beat Kent by 95 runs to go level with the Foxes at the top. BBC Sport also launched a cricket star quiz for The Hundred.

UFC, Combat Sports & Wrestling

Conor McGregor reiterated his desire to return to fighting after knee surgery on his UFC comeback injury. 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, announced his retirement from combat sports after his match at SummerSlam was his last. Claressa Shields says a fight with Wales’ Lauren Price is now likely to take place in 2027. In WWE news, Bianca Belair and Montez Ford welcomed their first child together.

Golf: LIV Funding, Irish Open Field & FedEx Cup Bubble

LIV Golf has secured funding from an outside investor that will keep the circuit alive beyond this season, according to CEO Scott O’Neil. The league later confirmed a new lead investor for 2027 after the withdrawal of Saudi Arabian backing. Ryder Cup stars including Robert Mac Intyre, Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari and Sepp Straka will play the Irish Open at Doonbeg from September 9-13. On the FedEx Cup bubble, players from Jackson Koivun to Brooks Koepka need strong performances at the Wyndham Championship to make the top 70.

Tennis: Alcaraz Wrist Woes, Gauff on WTA Testing, Norrie Advances

Carlos Alcaraz’s ongoing absence from tennis is analyzed, with wrist injuries described as difficult to manage — he has been out 114 days and counting. Coco Gauff criticized using the WTA’s gene test to “attack,” saying she supports “fairness in women’s sports” but that the testing creates “animosity towards the trans community.” Cameron Norrie progressed to the Canadian Open last 32 with a straight-set win over Ignacio Buse. Alex Eala is preparing for the US Open, back on the hard courts that have produced many of her biggest career moments.

Other Notable Sports Stories

New Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland owned up to an attempted one-liner at the expense of Indiana, calling it a mistake “the second it left my mouth.” He had previously taken a dig at the champion Hoosiers after they won the CFP national title. North Carolina coach Bill Belichick announced that his son, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, is on indefinite medical leave. Offensive lineman Cole Hutson returned to Texas after NFL tryouts with the Browns and Cowboys upon regaining a fifth year of eligibility. Spurs center Luke Kornet stopped in the rain to help a stranded motorist in San Antonio. Dick Vitale said his cancer tests are “very good” after his fifth diagnosis. The Preakness Stakes is moving to three weeks after the Kentucky Derby and will be run on a Sunday for the first time. Winter Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead revoked her retirement, saying being Team GB’s chef de mission inspired her to return to curling. London submitted its final bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham will run from August 10-16 with full BBC coverage. Moto GP extended the British Grand Prix at Silverstone through to 2028. Former England prop Joe Marler will become the BBC’s first celebrity Gladiator, known as “Mauler” when the series airs in 2027. TV presenter Nick Knowles bought a stake in Cornish Pirates rugby club.