General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 3:26 PM ET

NFL

Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson said 2026 will "probably be my last year" after rejoining the team following four missed practices for personal reasons. The Jahmyr Gibbs $67.5M extension is the latest in a flurry of notable contract moves, and Seth Walder stacked the 10 most interesting deals. Across training camps, one scuffle broke out at Raiders practice while Stefon Diggs made his Commanders debut. the 2027 draft’s No. 1 pick could be a quarterback like Dante Moore or Arch Manning, or a standout like Dylan Stewart or Jeremiah Smith. For fantasy players, Eric Karabell’s annual “Do Not Draft” list highlights players being taken too early, including a trio of Giants. Off the field, the story of how getting fired helped a former Vikings ball boy — Larry Fitzgerald — reach the Hall of Fame is a compelling read.

College Football

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick announced that his son, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, is on indefinite medical leave. Offensive lineman Cole Hutson has returned to Texas after minicamp tryouts with the Browns and Cowboys, regaining a fifth year of eligibility. At Indiana, defensive end Stephen Daley practiced in a limited role Wednesday, ramping up from a season-ending knee injury. Purdue’s new AD Tommy McClelland offered a mea culpa for his one-liner at Indiana’s expense, admitting it was a mistake “the second it left my mouth.” The same AD earlier took a dig at champion IU, apparently forgetting the Hoosiers won the CFP national title in January. ESPN’s preseason schedule evaluation breaks down which teams face the toughest and easiest stretches. Bill Connelly’s list of the best games of the season highlights Power 4 matchups with the highest SP+ ratings and a projected scoring margin under eight points. For fans of animosity, the biggest villains of every Power 4 team are ranked, and the all-time hated villains list includes Lane Kiffin as the current fan-fueling pot-stirrer.

College Basketball & General College Sports

UConn coach Dan Hurley warned that coaches taking advantage of court rulings to add players late are doing “more harm than good.” The Senate has pushed a vote on the Protect College Sports Act to September; the bill failed to reach a vote during an all-night session but gained a spot on next month’s calendar. For the upcoming season, every Big Ten team’s ceiling and floor are examined, from winning a national title to missing the tournament. Legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale reported that his latest cancer tests are “very good” after his fifth diagnosis in April.

MLB

The trade deadline shook up playoff races. Our panel of insiders grades the biggest blockbusters — including Skubal and Rutschman deals — and picks the teams that had the best deadline. A full breakdown of how the fates of all 30 teams have changed since the deadline, plus roster completeness. The Cubs, O’s, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies and more are evaluated in a broader analysis. Fantasy baseball players can track the fallout from every key deal. And in lighter news, Mrs. Met and Goldy are among the Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2026, announced on “Good Morning America.”

WNBA

Chelsea Gray hit two buzzer-beating 3-pointers to lift the Aces past the Fever, the first forcing overtime and the second winning the game after Caitlin Clark’s uncharacteristic mistakes. During that game, two fans were escorted from their courtside seats. Caitlin Clark said it is up to individuals to “trust your gut” when addressing political issues, as she navigates life at. Meanwhile, Sophie Cunningham wants to “get back to basketball” after her comments on transgender athletes sparked national debate. The WNBPA issued a statement rejecting “hate, abuse” amid the focus on trans athletes, emphasizing the organization will not be used as political pawns. A feature on Caitlin Clark’s growth in Year 3 notes she already has the most 20-point, 10-assist games in WNBA history. The playoff race is heating up: six teams are vying for the final spot behind seven seemingly locked-in clubs. On the international stage, USA Basketball announced its FIBA World Cup roster, with Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston making their first major USA appearances.

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. In a heartwarming offseason assist, Spurs center Luke Kornet stopped in the rain to help a stranded motorist in San Antonio.

Soccer (Football)

In the Irish Premiership, Ballymena United laid down an early marker with a 3-0 shock win over Linfield at Windsor Park. BBC Sport NI has secured a new three-year deal to remain the home of Irish Premiership coverage, with 30 games per season. The new season’s big question: Who can stop Larne? Swansea City fear Cameron Burgess has a significant Achilles injury after he limped off in the Carabao Cup defeat to Birmingham City. Chief executive Tom Gorringe says the foundations are now in place for Swansea to compete for a Premier League return. Newcastle United enters a new era with Matthias Jaissle set to take charge of his first friendly; the project is changing. In The Hundred, London Spirit became the first side eliminated after a six-wicket defeat by MI London at Lord’s. Welsh Fire captain Phil Salt said he’d like The Hundred to be a week longer after his side played three matches in five days.

Rugby League

Wigan Warriors thumped Toulouse Olympique 48-18, with Zach Eckersley and Liam Marshall both scoring twice, moving into second place in Super League. Huddersfield Giants celebrated their move to Dewsbury by thrashing Catalans Dragons 42-20. Wigan also dominated St Helens 44-6 in the first Super Four game of the Women’s Super League. St Helens and Hull FC have confirmed a Dublin double-header for next April, the day after Warrington face Wigan. In tragic news, Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi died of suspected heatstroke after a training session in Japan, his club Kyuden Voltex announced.

Cricket

Jos Buttler said a chat with England batting coach Marcus Trescothick helped him find the form that took him past the all-time T20 run-scoring record. A separate feature explores how Buttler became T20’s GOAT. Brendon McCullum backs Harry Brook as a future Test captain, but says Joe Root will do an “amazing job” in his second stint. Rashid Khan took six wickets as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs in Gary Wilson’s first ODI as head coach. Scotland beat Canada by nine runs to reach the World Cup Qualifier. Tom Lammonby’s brilliant ton helped Somerset revive their One-Day Cup hopes with a thumping win over Surrey. Luc Benkenstein’s 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 scare while playing for Durham. Andrew Flintoff has stepped down as England Lions head coach. Hampshire and England fast bowler John Turner retired at age 25 after more than a year out injured. There’s also a new cricket quiz: “Who am I?” to guess a Hundred star.

Cycling

Demi Vollering won stage eight of the Tour de France Femmes and snatched the yellow jersey with one stage remaining. Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux to claim her first stage win and the overall lead. Earlier, Kimberley Le Court won stage six in a sprint finish as Marlen Reusser held the overall lead.

Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz’s ongoing wrist injury absence is analyzed — why 114 days and counting and why wrist injuries are so difficult to manage. Cameron Norrie beat Ignacio Buse in straight sets to reach the Canadian Open last 32. Coco Gauff said she supports fairness in women’s sports but criticized the WTA’s gene testing for creating animosity towards the trans community.

Golf & MMA/Boxing

LIV Golf has secured new funding from an outside investor to keep the circuit alive beyond this season, according to CEO Scott O’Neil. In MMA, a flyweight title rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja will headline UFC 331 in September. Conor McGregor says his comeback starts now after undergoing surgery on the knee injury suffered during his UFC return. In boxing, pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields says a fight with Wales’ Lauren Price is now likely to take place in 2027. Ben Pritchard eyes a world title defence after his Euro win; the 34-year-old from Mumbles heads to Amsterdam having overcome a freak injury.

Other Sports

Michael Johnson spoke publicly for the first time since Grand Slam Track went bankrupt, clarifying that athletes have now been paid. The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham run from 10–16 August; here’s the key events and timetable with BBC coverage. London has submitted its bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships at the London Stadium. Moto GP has extended the British Grand Prix at Silverstone through to 2028. Olympic gold medalist curler Eve Muirhead has come out of retirement, inspired by serving as Team GB’s chef de mission. World Cup-bound hockey star Hannah French praised medical staff after recovering from an ACL injury. The PLL’s Week 12 preview for Throwback Weekend includes stats, schedule and playoff scenarios. The weekly sports quiz tests your knowledge of the past seven days, including Beckham at the Commonwealth Games.

Features & Culture

The 2026 WSOP main event was won by 22-year-old Lucas Jumalon of Spokane, who beat Finland’s Lauri Saaskilahti heads-up for $10 million. The WSOP final table delivered great play, but the Hall of Fame process needs addressing as only one player was inducted. ESPN’s “The Ocho” tradition — now 10 years old — continues with 75 hours of obscure competitions; here’s how a DodgeBall joke became a tradition. Among this year’s events, the rise and many falls of Slippery Stairs is chronicled, and the primal appeal of T-Rex races is explored. Hacky sack’s throwback moment continues to surge; here’s an inside look at its viral comeback. Finally, WWE superstars Bianca Belair and Montez Ford welcomed their first child together.