General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 6:33 AM ET

College Sports

College football’s biggest villains were ranked, with Lane Kiffin earning the top spot as public enemy No. 1 in the Power, while a separate list of all-time hated figures cemented his legacy as the ultimate pot-stirrer. On the recruiting trail, Ohio State landed a commitment from four-star quarterback Christopher Vargas, the top-ranked pocket passer in the 2028 class. Coaches anonymously broke down 43 signal-callers, naming QBs they fear or question heading into the season. Freshman phenoms who could affect conference and CFP races were highlighted, including first-year players to watch who aren’t top-ranked recruits. UConn’s Dan Hurley sounded the alarm on late additions to rosters, arguing they harm the sport. The NCAA and FBI announced a partnership to combat athlete sexploitation, educating athletes on preventing private images from being leaked. The Protect College Sports Act failed to reach a Senate vote before recess but gained a spot on September’s calendar.

NFL

Kirk Cousins had his best day of camp, while running back Christian McCaffrey did not practice. Patriots top cornerback Christian Gonzalez is having a notable camp, leading by example while still negotiating a contract extension. Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson said 2026 will “probably my last year” after returning from a personal leave. A ranking of the 10 most interesting NFL contract extensions placed Jahmyr Gibbs' $67.5M deal among the most notable. The story of how Larry Fitzgerald went from a fired ball boy to the Hall of Fame highlighted his remarkable journey. New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth, a County Down native, is getting used to being an NFL starter. Eric Karabell’s “Do Not Draft” list identified players going too early in fantasy drafts, including a trio of Giants.

MLB

After the trade deadline, MLB insiders graded the biggest deals, with execs and scouts weighing in on blockbusters like Skubal and Rutschman moves. A state-of-the-union report assessed how all 30 clubs’ playoff hopes have changed since the deadline. Tommy John, the namesake of the famous elbow surgery, bid farewell in a vague health message and did not attend Old-Timers’ Day. Mrs. Met and Goldy were among the five mascots inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

WNBA

Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride set the WNBA single-game record with 10 three-pointers in a 103-90 win over Dallas. The Lynx also clinched a playoff spot with their 26th victory. Caitlin Clark’s eighth technical foul was quickly rescinded by the WNBA, avoiding a suspension. Clark’s game has grown in Year, with her 20-point, 10-assist games already the most in league history. The Las Vegas Aces scratched A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young for a back-to-back game against the Liberty. Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected for a hard foul and posted “white privilege” on social media. A transgender controversy erupted after Sophie Cunningham said it was “common sense” to ban transgender women from women’s sports. A fantasy women’s basketball playoff guide offered strategy and player picks for the postseason.

NBA / Basketball

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke’s death was ruled accidental due to the effects of heroin and cocaine. Top high school prospect Ahmed Nur attended the NBA’s offseason performance retreat, “The Sanctuary.”

NASCAR / Motorsport

Ty Gibbs used late pit strategy to outlast teammate Christopher Bell and win the Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway. In Moto GP, Raul Fernandez won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone ahead of championship leader Jorge Martin. An F1 Q&A addressed Liam Lawson’s future and sprint races. A profile of Kimi Antonelli detailed the 19-year-old’s salary and records.

Track & Field

At the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, Amy Hunt stormed to 100m gold in a “coming of age” moment. Jakob Ingebrigtsen won 5,000m gold, returning from injury after the “lowest of lows.” Keely Hodgkinson said a home European title would mean as much as Olympic gold. The M11 Track Club fueling her rise was profiled. U.S. 1500m champion Jonah Koech received a three-year ban for blood doping. New filming guidelines for respectful female athlete coverage were used for the first time at the Europeans. The Russian Athletics Federation filed a new claim against World Athletics sanctions. Ben Pritchard eyes a world title defence after winning European gold. Michael Johnson clarified that athletes from the bankrupt Grand Slam Track league have now been paid. The full timetable and BBC coverage for the European Championships was released.

Cricket

Afghanistan beat Ireland by six wickets to take a 2-0 ODI series lead, powered by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 71. England opener Emilio Gay is set to be fit for the first Test against Pakistan. In the One-Day Cup, Glamorgan’s young players shone despite only two wins. Middlesex advanced after a day of unlikely results. In The Hundred, Sunrisers Leeds thumped Welsh Fire to close in on qualification. Trent Rockets face a nervous wait after losing to Southern Brave. Scotland beat UAE by one wicket with one ball to spare in a dramatic World Cup League 2 match. Caleb Falconer overcame an email hoax to secure a Hundred contract. A quiz challenges readers to guess The Hundred star No. 21.

Golf

An amateur golfer resigned from a St. Louis-area club after faking a hole-in-one in a viral cheating scandal. England’s Charley Hull let a late lead slip as 17-year-old Anna Huang won her fourth Ladies European Tour event at the PIF London Championship.

Boxing / MMA

Callum Simpson reclaimed the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles in a unanimous decision rematch with Troy Williamson. Dakota Ditcheva said she broke both hands during her win over Denise Kielholtz, months after similar injuries.

Rugby League

Davy Litten will leave Hull FC to join Wakefield Trinity at the end of the season. Wigan Warriors thumped Toulouse 48-18 with two tries each from Zach Eckersley and Liam Marshall. Huddersfield Giants celebrated their move to Dewsbury by thrashing Catalans Dragons 42-20. Warrington Wolves crushed Bradford Bulls 42-4 to keep top-two hopes alive.

Rugby Union

Wales named 14 uncapped players in an extended WXV training squad, with Lisa Neumann returning from injury. Ulster fell to a narrow 15-10 defeat to Connacht in the Interprovincial Championship. Second row Fiona Tuite said they need to execute more. Fijian player Saimoni Vunilagi died of suspected heatstroke after training in Japan.

Soccer

Ian Rush said Wales must learn from their Bosnia loss in their Euro 2028 bid. Ballymena United shocked Linfield 3-0 at Windsor Park to lay down an early marker. Swansea City fear Cameron Burgess has a significant Achilles injury after limping off in the Carabao Cup. Argentine defender Jeremias James wishes he could play for Wales due to his Welsh roots.

Tennis

World number one Aryna Sabalenka suffered a surprise defeat in the Canadian Open last, while Britain’s Cameron Norrie also exited.

Other Sports

Hacky sack has surged in popularity, with a throwback momentum toward the game. Chepstow Racecourse celebrated its centenary with stories of royalty, bombers and racing fairytales. A feature on why running a cycling team is so hard detailed the Hess women’s team’s failure to pay riders. GB claimed three medals on the opening day of the European Aquatics Championships, with Jack Kelly setting an Irish record. The NIFL CEO insisted no side deals were done for the EGM to take place. Jackson Koivun secured the 70th and final FedEx Cup playoff spot with just six starts. A judge ruled that a Tulsa Little League team can compete for a LLBWS bid after a temporary restraining order. The full Little League World Series schedule and results were published. Judd Trump lost in the first round of the China Open, while Shaun Murphy set a scoring record. Hezly Rivera won her second straight U.S. gymnastics title.