General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 12:27 AM ET

College Basketball

UConn's Dan Hurley is sounding the alarm on coaches using recent court rulings to make late additions to their programs, calling it harmful to the sport. Purdue's new athletic director Tommy McClelland issued a mea culpa after an attempted one-liner at Indiana's expense — having apparently forgotten the Hoosiers' CFP title when he said "we are here to win championships." Dick Vitale reported his latest cancer tests are "very good" after being diagnosed for a fifth time in April.

WNBA

Caitlin Clark continues to dominate headlines: she already holds the WNBA record for most 20-point, 10-assist games and said she is "playing the best basketball of my career" in Year. However, an Aces win over the Fever featured two fans escorted from courtside seats during the third quarter. Chelsea Gray's buzzer 3s lifted Vegas after Clark's uncharacteristic miscues, forcing overtime and then securing a victory. Clark also addressed political issues, saying to "trust gut" when deciding whether to speak out. The WNBPA issued a statement rejecting "hate, abuse" in the debate over transgender athletes, emphasizing inclusion. Sophie Cunningham said she wants to "get back to basketball" after her comments on the same topic sparked national debate. The WNBA playoff race is heating up — six teams are vying for the final spot, with the Mystics, Sparks, Mercury, Sky, Fire or Tempo all in the mix. In the latest power rankings, Minnesota and Indiana rank 1–2, while Las Vegas rounds out the top three. USA Basketball named Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston to the FIBA World Cup roster for a major international competition.

NFL

to the 2027 NFL draft, 16 players are in the mix for the No. 1 pick, with quarterbacks Dante Moore and Arch Manning among the names mentioned. Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs' $67.5M extension is one of the most notable NFL contracts reshaping the 2026 preseason, per Seth Walder's rankings of the 10 most interesting extensions.

MLB

A comprehensive look at how all 30 teams' fates have changed since the MLB trade deadline shows how each club's playoff hopes have risen or fallen. Baseball insiders grade the biggest blockbusters, with one executive saying "I'm glad we're not in the NL" after evaluating trades like Skubal and Rutschman deals. A separate analysis breaks down how the Cubs, O's, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies and more fared at a wild deadline.

Cricket

Somerset revived their One-Day Cup hopes with a thumping win over Surrey thanks to a Tom Lammonby century. Essex's Luc Benkenstein smashed a brilliant 140 to keep their cup hopes alive despite Timm van der Gugten's 118 not out for Glamorgan. Surrey beat Kent by 95 runs to go level with Leicestershire at the top. Scotland secured a nervy nine-run victory over Canada to reach the World Cup Qualifier. Rashid Khan took six wickets as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs. Andrew Flintoff stepped down as England Lions head coach. England opener Emilio Gay suffered a shoulder injury scare while playing for Durham. John Turner, the Hampshire and England fast bowler, retired aged 25 after more than a year out injured.

The Hundred

Jos Buttler broke the all-time T20 run-scoring record during a Super Giants win over Welsh Fire, crediting a chat with Marcus Trescothick for his form revival. BBC Sport explores how Buttler became T20 cricket's GOAT. London Spirit became the first side eliminated from the men's Hundred after a six-wicket defeat by MI London. Sophia Dunkley helped the Trent Rockets beat Birmingham Phoenix as Welsh Fire also won; the Rockets are on the brink of the knockout stages. Welsh Fire captain Phil Salt said he'd like the Hundred to be longer after a condensed schedule.

WSOP & The Ocho

Lucas Jumalon, a 22-year-old poker pro from Spokane, won the WSOP main event and $10 million, becoming the second-youngest to do so. The WSOP final table delivered great play, but the Hall of Fame process needs addressing, inducting only one player. ESPN's The Ocho tradition, a 75-hour showcase of obscure competitions, celebrates a 10-year anniversary that began as a "Dodge Ball" joke. The rise and falls of the iconic Ocho event "Slippery Stairs" is told through a firsthand account. T-Rex races are described as "just phenomenal" — a tradition that began as team bonding and now attracts hundreds of competitors. A new version of chess played underwater, "diving chess", will debut on The Ocho on Aug. 8.

College Football

The 2026 season previews are rolling in: 31 teams have the best chance to make the CFP, while a ranking of the 40 most important players starts with CFP-hopeful QBs like Arch Manning and Dante Moore. Bill Connelly picks the best games of the season, highlighting Power 4 matchups with tight projected margins. A full preseason schedule evaluation breaks down which teams face the toughest and easiest roads. ESPN also ranks the biggest villains in college football history, with Lane Kiffin topping the list. Every Power 4 team's Public Enemy No. 1 is identified by fanbase hatred. For the Big Ten, ceilings and floors are projected for all 18 teams. Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson returned to the Longhorns after NFL tryouts and regaining a fifth year of eligibility. North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is on indefinite medical leave, as announced by his father Bill. Indiana defensive end Stephen Daley practiced in a limited role as he returns from a knee injury.

Tennis

Coco Gauff criticized how the WTA's gene testing is used to "attack" the trans community, saying she supports fairness but not animosity. Cameron Norrie advanced to the Canadian Open last 32 with a straight-set win over Ignacio Buse. Carlos Alcaraz's wrist injury continues to keep him out — a look at 114 days and counting and why wrist injuries are so difficult to manage.

Cycling

Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux to take the Tour de France Femmes lead. Demi Vollering won stage five in a sprint victory over Marlen Reusser, who retained yellow. Kimberley Le Court won stage six in a sprint finish as Reusser held the overall lead. Officials at the Tour de France Femmes will check riders' clothing for bra padding concerns to prevent aerodynamic gains.

UFC & Combat Sports

Conor McGregor said his comeback starts now after undergoing knee surgery. A flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja will headline UFC 331 in September. Brock Lesnar, a 10-time WWE champion and former UFC heavyweight champ, announced his retirement after Summer Slam. WWE superstars Bianca Belair and Montez Ford welcomed their first child together.

Golf & Horse Racing

LIV Golf secured new funding from an outside investor to keep the league alive beyond this season, per CEO Scott O'Neil. BBC Sport reports LIV Golf has secured an unnamed lead investor for 2027 after Saudi backing was withdrawn. The Preakness Stakes is moving to three weeks after the Kentucky Derby and will be run on a Sunday for the first time. Ryder Cup stars Robert Mac Intyre, Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari and Sepp Straka will play the Irish Open at Trump International Doonbeg.

Fantasy Sports

Eric Karabell's annual "Do Not Draft" list highlights players going too early in fantasy football drafts this summer, with a Giants trio among those overvalued.

Other Sports

The Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes Mrs. Met and Goldy, announced on "Good Morning America." In PLL lacrosse, the Waterdogs take the top spot in power rankings ahead of Week 12's Throwback Weekend in Boston, which features four games and one WLL contest — full preview and playoff scenarios available. Olympic gold medallist curler Eve Muirhead came out of retirement, inspired by being Team GB's chef de mission. The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham from 10–16 August have a full timetable and BBC coverage announced. London submitted a bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships at the London Stadium. Sprinting for Great Britain at the Under-20 World Championships is Gloucester's James Arminio, who only took up the sport two years ago. Jemima Lines became the first British woman in 90 years to be selected for an America's Cup team. England hockey star Hannah French thanked medical staff for helping her recover in time for the World Cup. Joe Marler, ex-England prop, will become the BBC's first celebrity Gladiator as "Mauler". Nick Knowles bought a stake in Cornish Pirates. A powerlifter disqualified after an alleged racist act said she "does not feel safe" competing. Moto GP extended the British Grand Prix at Silverstone through 2028. Swansea City chief executive Tom Gorringe says "foundations are now in place" for a Premier League return. The weekly sports quiz asks if you spotted Beckham at the Commonwealth Games. And Spurs center Luke Kornet provided an offseason assist by helping a stranded motorist in San Antonio.