General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 8:39 AM ET

MLB Updates

ESPN MLB experts have updated their rankings, presenting a top 50 list to assess the best performances as the 2026 regular season nears its conclusion. This MLB Rank update offers a snapshot of the league's top talent.

NASCAR Homage

Ty Gibbs is set to honor former NASCAR driver Kyle Busch by driving an M&M's-themed car in the upcoming Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. This tribute will mark a special occasion for Gibbs as he competes in the M&M's car scheme.

Athletics Championship Drama

Jakob Ingebrigtsen expressed significant disappointment regarding British rival Josh Kerr's decision to skip the European Championships in Birmingham. Meanwhile, British teenager Filip Nowacki secured a dramatic gold medal in the men's 200m breaststroke at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris, showcasing a dramatic gold performance. Keely Hodgkinson advanced to the women's 800m final at the European Championships, moments after competitor Audrey Werro suffered a fall. Great Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith made history by winning the 400m gold on home soil, becoming the joint most decorated man at the European Championships. Romell Glave and Jeremiah Azu achieved a sensational one-two finish for Great Britain in the men's 100m final. Great Britain's Angharad Evans claimed her first European Championship gold in the 100m breaststroke. Adam Ramsay-Peaty finished fifth in the 100m breaststroke final, marking his first defeat at a European Aquatics Championships. The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham faced criticism for empty seats and ticket prices, with nearly 10,000 seats unoccupied on Monday.

College Football Focus

The debate surrounding the physique of college quarterbacks continues, with Oklahoma's Mateer turning heads with his muscular build. This discussion is framed within an investigation into jacked college QBs. ESPN's preseason All-America team for 2026 has been released, highlighting the nation's top players across all positions. Bill Connelly's final preseason SP+ rankings for 2026 offer insights into team projections and production numbers heading into the season. The cost of a Power 4 starting quarterback in college football for 2026 is estimated by general managers, staffers, and agents. Coaches are also weighing in on 43 quarterbacks, discussing their potential and perceived strengths. A high school football player in Arkansas discovered a venomous snake inside his helmet during practice, an incident highlighting an unexpected football player finds encounter.

Basketball Tournaments and Standings

The NBA has unveiled the group stage schedule for the 2026 NBA Cup, the fourth iteration of the in-season tournament. The league's opening week, Christmas Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day games have been announced, featuring a tripleheader on October 20th that includes the Knicks facing LeBron and the 76ers. In the WNBA Power Rankings, teams are jockeying for playoff seeds as time runs out, with some needing significant improvements to reach the postseason. Fever coach Stephanie White defended her players amid criticism and boos, receiving support from Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham.

Golf and Tennis News

LIV Golf players have been alerted that the season-ending Team Championship is likely to be canceled. Rory McIlroy expressed confidence in maintaining his PGA Tour status despite planning to play only 14 events, aiming for a compromise to meet the 15-event minimum. The FedEx Cup Playoffs begin with the St. Jude Championship in Memphis, where players are competing for spots in the Tour Championship. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are among the notable participants. An amateur golfer has resigned from his club following a widely shared cheating scandal involving a faked hole-in-one. In tennis, Iga Swiatek reached the Canadian Open final, where she will face Elena Rybakina, who defeated Naomi Osaka in a three-set quarter-final match.

Cricket Action

Scotland secured a commanding 170-run victory over Canada in a World Cup League 2 match, with Captain Richie Berrington and debutant Lyle Robertson being standout performers. Moises Henriques stated that helping Portugal qualify for their first T20 World Cup would be "nirvana" at the end of his playing career. Afghanistan clinched an ODI series win against Ireland with a game to spare. Steve Smith benefited from a technology reprieve, but Bangladesh generally dominated Australia on the first day of the first Test. England have scrapped their curfew, with team success now seen as the primary way to repair their reputation. Rocky Flintoff, son of Andrew Flintoff, scored his first professional century for Lancashire. The Hundred saw Welsh Fire and MI London eliminated from the competition after losing their final group stage matches. Birmingham Phoenix, led by Ellyse Perry's unbeaten, defeated MI London by five wickets.

Rugby and Football Updates

Ulster captain Iain Henderson will miss the beginning of the season following hip surgery. Ospreys have publicly rejected WRU plans to cut a professional team, advocating for the continuation of four Welsh professional sides. England have issued their first central contracts to five players, including Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Alex Coles, Guy Pepper, Jack van Poortvliet, and Seb Atkinson, as part of a squad shake-up by Steve Borthwick. England's Red Roses are preparing for the WXV Global Series, utilizing smaller balls during their training sessions. Croke Park is set to host its first association football match between two English teams when Manchester United plays Leeds. Manchester United defeated Leeds in a pre-season encounter at Croke Park. Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy aims to prove doubters wrong regarding the team's potential relegation in the 2026-27 season. Swansea City defender Cameron Burgess has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, likely ruling him out for the entire season.

Other Sports News

The Great Britain dressage team qualified for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles by winning silver at the FEI World Championships. Efe Obada has retired from the NFL to pursue his "true calling" and has launched a foundation. Horse racing integrity firm HISA is investigating five races due to unusual betting patterns detected at Saratoga and Monmouth Park. A Texas judge upheld a decision to exclude a Tulsa, Oklahoma, team from the Southwest Region, preventing them from competing for a spot in the Little League Baseball World Series. The horse racing meeting at Ffos Las in South Wales was rescheduled to begin earlier due to the solar eclipse. Former All Blacks player Ma'a Nonu performed a solo haka in response to the All Blacks before his side, the Sharks, faced them in Durban. Arne Slot has withdrawn from discussions regarding the Netherlands national team job, stating his next role will be in club football. Hockey Canada's code of conduct was found to have been breached by four players who remain suspended despite an acquittal.

Fantasy Sports and Rankings

ESPN has released its updated top 50 players in MLB, reflecting current performances. For fantasy football, Matt Bowen has identified 20 players to consider for drafts. In fantasy baseball, Tristan H. Cockcroft offers advice on late-season trade targets. The PLL Power Rankings ahead of Week 13 show strong finishes for Boston and Philly as the playoffs approach.

UFC Showdown

The upcoming UFC 330 event in Philadelphia features two championship bouts, with expert analysis suggesting Machado Garry poses a significant threat to Makhachev. Islam Makhachev stated he "does not have much time" left in the UFC as he prepares to defend his welterweight title.

Canadian Hockey Suspensions

Four Canadian hockey stars remain suspended following their acquittal on sexual assault charges, although a fifth player has been reinstated. An appeals board determined that the entire group violated Hockey Canada's code of conduct.

QB Rankings and Analysis

ESPN analysts have ranked quarterbacks based on specific skills, questioning whether Josh Allen possesses the league's strongest arm and if Lamar Jackson remains the most dominant rusher. Caleb Williams' improvisational skills are also evaluated. Lamar Jackson is adapting to the Ravens' new offense under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.

NCAA Football Projections

The SEC 2026-27 projections indicate three potential champions and three teams unlikely to make the NCAA tournament.

LIV Golf and PGA Tour

LIV Golf's season-ending Team Championship is reportedly set to be canceled. Rory McIlroy is confident about retaining his PGA Tour status despite a reduced playing schedule.

World of Sport Quiz

A weekly sports quiz tests knowledge on recent events including tattoos, transfers, and photo finishes.

China Open Snooker

Zhang Anda defeated Zhao Xintong with a thrilling respot of the black ball in the first round of the China Open.