General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 9:30 AM ET

College Basketball

UConn coach Dan Hurley is sounding the alarm on coaches who exploit recent court rulings to make late additions to their programs, saying the practice does more harm than good. In other coaching news, Dick Vitale reported that his latest cancer tests are very good after his fifth diagnosis in April. ESPN’s Bill Connelly highlighted the best games of the 2026 college football season, featuring Power 4 matchups with high SP+ ratings and projected margins under eight points. The network also released its preseason schedule evaluation, breaking down the toughest and easiest stretches for teams. A list of villains for every Power 4 football team was compiled, with stories behind the fury, and the all-time most hated villains were ranked, with Lane Kiffin leading the current crop. Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland issued a mea culpa after his one-liner at the expense of Indiana backfired, following an earlier dig that ignored the Hoosiers’ CFP national championship. Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson has returned to the Longhorns after NFL tryouts, regaining a fifth year of eligibility. North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is on medical leave indefinitely. Indiana defensive end Stephen Daley practiced in a limited role as he ramps up from a knee injury. For the 2026-27 Big Ten season, ESPN projected every team’s ceiling and floor, from winning the national title to missing the tournament.

NFL

A preview of the 2027 NFL draft considers whether a quarterback like Dante Moore or Arch Manning will be the No. 1 pick, or if someone like Dylan Stewart might go first. Seth Walder ranked the 10 most notable extensions of the 2026 preseason, including Jahmyr Gibbs’ $67.5M deal. The annual fantasy football Do Not Draft list highlights players going earlier than they should. Larry Fitzgerald’s journey from ball boy to Hall of Famer was shaped by the Vikings rehiring him after an initial firing.

NBA

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke’s death was ruled accidental due to the effects of heroin and cocaine, the Los Angeles medical authority revealed. San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet stopped in the rain to help a stranded motorist in San Antonio.

WNBA

Caitlin Clark, in her third WNBA season, already has the most 20-point, 10-assist games in league history, but her game remains a work in progress. Clark said she tries to trust her gut when addressing political issues, adding she’s “trying to navigate life.” The Women’s National Basketball Players Association released a statement emphasizing inclusion, saying it “will not be used as political pawns” amid the transgender athlete debate. Sophie Cunningham said she wants the focus to “get back to basketball” after her comments on transgender athletes sparked debate. Chelsea Gray made two buzzer-beating 3-pointers to lift the Aces past the Fever, after Caitlin Clark’s uncharacteristic mistakes. Two men were escorted from their courtside seats during that game. Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston headline the USA roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup. The WNBA playoff race features six teams vying for the eighth spot, with the Mystics, Sparks, Mercury, Sky, Fire or Tempo in contention.

MLB

The fates of all 30 MLB teams have shifted since the trade deadline; ESPN analyzed how each club’s playoff hopes have risen or fallen. An insider panel graded the biggest blockbuster deals, including those involving Skubal and Rutschman. A comprehensive breakdown of the trade deadline covers how the Cubs, Orioles, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies and more really fared.

Cricket

Nat Sciver-Brunt made an unbeaten 67 as Trent Rockets booked their spot in the Hundred knockout stage with a nine-wicket win over MI London. Jos Buttler became T20 cricket’s all-time leading run-scorer, breaking the record with a chat from Marcus Trescothick playing a key role. Buttler also starred in Manchester Super Giants’ nine-wicket win over Welsh Fire. He later said he would like The Hundred to be a week longer after a compressed schedule. A feature explores how Buttler became the T20 run-scoring GOAT. Tom Lammonby’s century helped revive Somerset’s One-Day Cup hopes with a thumping win over Surrey. Benkenstein’s brilliant 140 led Essex to a narrow win over Glamorgan. Surrey beat Kent by 95 runs to stay in contention. Scotland beat Canada by nine runs to reach the World Cup Qualifier. Rashid Khan took six wickets as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs. Andrew Flintoff has stepped down as England Lions head coach. Emilio Gay suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Durham. Hampshire and England bowler John Turner retired at 25 after a year out injured. London Spirit were eliminated from the men’s Hundred after a six-wicket defeat. Brendon McCullum said Harry Brook’s time as Test captain will come but Joe Root will do an “amazing job.” A BBC Sport cricket quiz challenges fans to guess The Hundred star No. 17.

Soccer

A new era begins at Newcastle United with Matthias Jaissle taking charge of his first friendly against Valencia. Chief executive Tom Gorringe says Swansea City’s foundations are now in place to compete for a Premier League return. Derry City chairman Philip O’Doherty said the departure of manager Tiernan Lynch was “pretty much a snap decision.” BBC Sport NI has secured a new three-year deal to remain the home of Irish Premiership coverage. The new Irish Premiership season arrives with the question: who can stop Larne?

Rugby

Fijian Saimoni Vunilagi died of suspected heatstroke after a training session in Japan. Wigan Warriors thumped St Helens 44-6 in the opening Super Four game of the Women’s Super League. St Helens and Hull FC will face off in a Dublin double-header next April. Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels dismissed an Ospreys merger and demanded greater transparency from the Welsh Rugby Union.

MMA/Boxing

Conor McGregor reiterated his desire to return to fighting after knee surgery. A flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja will headline UFC 331 in September. Pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields says a fight with Wales’ Lauren Price is now likely to be held in 2027.

Golf

LIV Golf has secured funding from an outside investor that will keep the league alive beyond this season, CEO Scott O’Neil said. A separate deal with an unnamed lead investor was also announced for 2027. Ryder Cup stars including Robert Mac Intyre, Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari and Sepp Straka will play the Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg.

Tennis

Coco Gauff said she supports fairness in women’s sports but criticized the WTA’s gene testing for creating animosity towards the trans community. Cameron Norrie progressed to the Canadian Open last 32 with a straight-set win over Ignacio Buse. Carlos Alcaraz’s ongoing wrist injury continues to raise concerns, with BBC Sport analysing why wrist injuries are so difficult to manage.

Cycling

Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux to win stage seven of the Tour de France Femmes and take the overall lead. Kimberley Le Court won a sprint finish to seal stage six, while Marlen Reusser retained yellow. Demi Vollering won stage five following a sprint victory over Reusser.

Other Sports

The Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes Mrs. Met and Goldy, announced on “Good Morning America”. Hacky sack’s viral comeback on ESPN’s The Ocho has surged this spring, with a look at the game’s future. The story of how Slippery Stairs became an iconic Ocho event includes a firsthand account of its difficulty. The Ocho itself, now a 10-year tradition, started as a joke from the movie “Dodge Ball” and showcases events like T. rex races and pumpkin tossing. The primal appeal of T-Rex races is celebrated at Emerald Downs. The 2026 WSOP main event was won by 22-year-old Lucas Jumalon for $10 million, while the WSOP Hall of Fame process was called into question for inducting only one player. Ben Pritchard aims to defend his world title after overcoming a freak injury to retain his European title in Italy (source: BBC Sport). Olympic champion curler Eve Muirhead has come out of retirement, inspired by her role as Team GB’s chef de mission. The Moto GP British Grand Prix will remain at Silverstone until at least 2028. London has submitted a bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships at the London Stadium. The Preakness Stakes is moving to a Sunday for the first time, three weeks after the Kentucky Derby. Brock Lesnar, a 10-time WWE world champ, retired from combat sports after his Summer Slam match. Bianca Belair and Montez Ford welcomed their first child. The PLL heads into Week 12 with the Waterdogs taking the top spot in the power rankings, and a preview of Throwback Weekend in Boston. BBC Sport’s weekly sports quiz tests knowledge of events including Beckham at the Commonwealth Games. A powerlifter disqualified after an alleged racially motivated act said she “does not feel safe” and that black athletes are frequently booed. Hannah French paid tribute to medical staff after recovering from an ACL injury in time for the women’s Hockey World Cup. The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham (10-16 August) have a full timetable and BBC coverage details.