General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 20, 2026, 5:23 PM ET

College Football

Oklahoma has locked up head coach Brent Venables through 2031 with a new six-year contract reportedly worth more than $63 million, securing the architect of the program's recent rise. Across the sport, the transfer portal continues to reshape rosters, with quarterback Beau Pribula among those who traveled nearly 6,000 miles in eight days searching for a new home, underscoring the chaos and opportunity created by million-dollar Name, Image and Likeness deals. North Carolina has turned to veteran transfer Billy Edwards Jr. as its starting quarterback for the season opener against TCU in Ireland, ending the battle for the job. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Volunteers have already secured their future under center, landing four-star 2028 quarterback Kaden Craft, ESPN's No. 3 dual-threat passer in that recruiting cycle.

The preseason landscape is taking shape with Ohio State and Oregon going 1-2 in the AP Top, giving the Big Ten its highest-ranked tandem in 65 years. Texas and the SEC dominate the preseason Associated Press All-America team, with Texas leading all schools with four selections and the SEC claiming 14 of the 27 first-team spots. Notre Dame checks in at No. 4 in the poll, while Georgia sits at No. 3. The Pac-12, rebuilt and reimagined, believes it has positioned itself "in a tier of its own," though questions remain about balancing its storied past with its new identity.

Hockey

The WNBA playoffs are shaping up with Minnesota, Las Vegas and Golden State already having clinched spots, leaving the final seeding and two remaining berths very much in play. Olivia Miles celebrated another milestone night, lifting the Lynx over the Valkyries despite tweaking her left ankle late in the fourth quarter. Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing a procedure on her injured right knee, dealing a blow to the Wings' playoff push. The Fever notched a key win behind Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark, who combined to set a new WNBA record for the duo in points and assists, with Mitchell scoring 29 and Clark adding 24 in a 101-95 victory over the Tempo. New York remains in the hunt for a top-four seed and has climbed two spots in the latest Power Rankings, while the league continues to grapple with questions about leadership following Nneka Ogwumike's retirement and calls for a "bold" commissioner who prioritizes player interests.

Tennis & Golf

US Open singles champions will take home a record $5.5 million this year, part of an overall prize fund of $108 million — a 20% increase from last year and the largest in Grand Slam history. Defending men's champion Carlos Alcaraz is set to return at Flushing Meadows after missing four months with a wrist injury, while Venus Williams has accepted a wildcard into the singles draw, with sister Serena potentially joining her if the final wildcard remains available. The Williams sisters made their doubles comeback at the Cincinnati Open, falling in a thrilling 2-6, 6-1, 10-8 match to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in their first doubles appearance since the 2022 US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka's preparations for her US Open title defense hit a snag with a surprise straight-sets loss to Sara Bejlek in Cincinnati, while Daniil Medvedev's frustration boiled over after he squandered three match points in his own upset defeat. Nick Kyrgios faces a provisional suspension after testing positive for cocaine, with the severity of any ban hinging on whether he can prove he ingested the substance out of competition. In golf, the FedEx Cup playoffs continue in St. Louis with 50 players vying for a spot at the Tour Championship, and Scottie Scheffler remains the man to beat despite Rory McIlroy insisting that Scheffler — not himself — deserves the PGA Tour Player of the Year award.

Soccer

England underlined its status as a serious contender at the Hockey World Cup with an emphatic 8-2 victory over Wales, securing top spot in Pool D and keeping hopes alive for a deep run. However, the England women's team saw their World Cup dreams end at the group stage after being held to a 0-0 draw with India, highlighting the fine margins that define international tournaments. Joe Root's return as England Test captain brought a sense of calm to Headingley, where his hands-off approach with the bowlers paid dividends in building a commanding lead over Pakistan on a rain-affected second day. Harry Brook's sparkling 91 not out anchored England's innings, while Mark Wood reflected on his own Ashes campaign with "shame," acknowledging areas for improvement ahead of future challenges.

Boxing & Combat Sports

Most Valuable Promotions has dismissed an offer from BOXXXER for undisputed bantamweight champion Dina Thorslund to face Briton Francesca Hennessy, keeping the title picture in flux. In the latest women's pound-for-pound rankings, Claressa Shields retains the No. 1 spot, while Thorslund herself has cracked the top 10 after her recent victory. Dalton Smith, fresh off a unification clash, has his sights set on fighting at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough next year, calling it the "cherry on the cake" of his career ambitions. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli — once described as a "boy born in a garage" who began driving on his father's lap — has risen to lead the F1 drivers' championship at just, embodying one of motorsport's most remarkable ascents.

Baseball & Softball

Kinley Rasmus's family tree is filled with baseball pedigree, including three former major leaguers and a current teammate, all of whom have helped inspire her journey to the Little League World Series. The Edmonton Marathon organizers have admitted their 2026 course was 674 meters too long, casting doubt over race times and records set during the event. In NASCAR, the tragic death of Kyle Busch has forced a reckoning with the sport's culture of toughness and its handling of driver health and safety concerns. Former Australia batter David Warner has been fined and ordered to install an interlock device on his car after pleading guilty to drink-driving charges following a random breath test in April.

Rugby & League

Wales's sports minister has met with the Welsh Rugby Union to voice concerns over a proposed three-team structure that has alarmed fans and raised fears of a split in the domestic game. Leeds boss Brad Arthur is eyeing a League Leaders' Shield photo finish, believing his team's upcoming away fixtures will serve as the perfect preparation for a potential showdown with Wigan. New Zealand great Ruby Tui, has signed a one-year deal with Trailfinders Women, bringing her extensive international experience to the club setup. Cardiff City's Rubin Colwill says there is "plenty of room for growth" under manager Brian Barry-Murphy, and he is determined to be fit for the new season after overcoming injury setbacks.

Mixed Martial Arts & Others

Jack Whaley has earned a place in the GB&I Walker Cup squad just two days after capturing the US Amateur Championship, marking a whirlwind week for the rising star. In cycling, the tragic death of Finlay Tarling — whose brother Josh continues to compete in the Vuelta a España — has intensified calls for improved safety measures in smaller races. Former rider and team boss Jonathan Vaughters argues that riders are risking their lives in events where organizers struggle with costs and where governing bodies "cannot keep traffic off the roads." Australian cyclist Maeve Plouffe narrowly avoided serious injury when she was almost struck by a car during the opening stage of the Tour of Britain Women, adding urgency to ongoing safety discussions.

The death of a rider during Manx Grand Prix qualifying has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community, with organizers confirming the incident occurred at Doran's Bend during Wednesday afternoon's session. In Formula, Isack Hadjar will miss the Dutch Grand Prix after injuring his wrist during the summer break, while Alex Albon has committed to staying with Williams for the 2027 season. As the sport returns from its summer hiatus, bold predictions are flying ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, with title battles heating up across the grid. Ukraine has appealed to the FIA to overturn a decision allowing Russian and Belarussian drivers to return to competition, citing geopolitical tensions and ethical concerns.

Fantasy & Entertainment

Fantasy football draft enthusiasts are getting ready for another season of strategy and surprises, with Eric Moody highlighting players like Kenneth Pickett and Jahmyr Gibbs as top value options depending on draft position. The Jonas Brothers — longtime New York sports fans — have a playlist ready for their favorite teams, with songs that perfectly match the highs and lows of fandom. In a touching tribute, the sports world remembers Bill Rasmussen, co-founder of ESPN, who passed away at 93 and whose vision helped launch the 24-hour sports network revolution in 1979. His legacy lives on in every highlight, every broadcast, and every moment of sports media that connects fans around the globe.