The New Orleans Saints saw one of their NFC South rivals significantly weakened on the defensive side on Thursday. Carolina Panthers edge rusher Nic Scourton suffered an ACL injury during practice with the team on Thursday and will miss the entire 2026 NFL season. This was first reported by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The Athletic's Joseph Person observed Scourton being carted off during team drills at Panthers practice on Thursday. Trainers were focused on Scourton's right knee. Later in the day, it was determined that Scourton had suffered an ACL tear that will cost him his entire season.After earning a first team All-SEC selection in 2024 with the Texas A&M Aggies, Scourton was drafted 51st overall in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Scourton tied for the 2025 Panthers team lead with 5 sacks as a rookie. He had 15 pressures and 9 QB hits while adding a forced fumble and 7 tackles for loss among his 47 total stops. In two games against the Saints last season, Scourton had 1.5 sacks and 5 QB pressures. New Orleans won both games. However, the Panthers would win the NFC South with an 8-9 record before going on to lose to the Los Angeles Rams, 34-31, in the first round of the NFL playoffs.Carolina finished 2025 ranked 16th in total defense. Scourton's loss thins out a pass rush that had just 30 total sacks last season. The Panthers signed Jaelan Phillips in free agency this offseason to team with Scourton in hopes of improving that pass rush. Princely Umanmielen, a third round choice in the 2025 NFL Draft, is the favorite to take Scourton's place in the lineup.New Orleans faces the Panthers at home on Nov. 15 and at Carolina on Dec. 13. The Saints have a potentially strong tackle duo in Kelvin Banks Jr and Taliese Fuaga. More bad news for a Panthers squad hoping for a repeat division title might help New Orleans' chances. Either way, this unfortunate injury for Scourton is a good reminder of how quickly plans can fall apart in such a physical sport. This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Panthers lose star edge rusher after first training camp practice

If behind-the-scenes dirt on the skeletons in people's closets is your thing, get ready for Season 2 of VICE TV's "Dark Side of the Cage."VICE Studios on Thursday announced a new seven-episode season of the show with a premiere set for Sept. 1 at 9 p.m. ET on VICE TV. The season premiere episode features UFC Hall of Famer Don Frye, "whose willingness to absorb brutality in the cage led to the fight of his life against pain and addiction."Of particular interest to many, most likely, later in the season will be an episode featuring longtime fighter Phil Baroni, who remains in prison in Mexico on a charge of murder. A teaser video for the season shows a clip of a phone interview with Baroni and him saying his lawyers won't be happy he did the interview."From house-fire heroism to SWAT stand-offs to full-blown arena riots, season two of Dark Side of the Cage pulls back the curtain on MMA's most extreme highs and devastating lows," the official show pitch says. "'Dark Side of the Cage' cuts through the glamour and glory of the MMA spectacle to reveal the never-before-told stories behind the sport's most iconic competitors, told by the fighters themselves."Other episodes, according to VICE TV, will feature Tito Ortiz, Jason "Mayhem" Miller, Chael Sonnen and Mark Coleman. Additionally, the season "will shed new light on one of the most heated feuds in UFC history: Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov."The seven-episode season will close with a show about the rise and fall of the Affliction clothing brand, which launched a promotion to compete with the UFC, but found itself calling it quits after two events, and a third that was canceled."The greatest fights in MMA didn't always happen inside the cage," VICE TV president Pete Gaffneysaid in a release. "This season tells the stories behind the rivalries, controversies and unforgettable moments that helped shape modern mixed martial arts - and changed the lives of everyone involved. It's a look at the human stories behind one of the fastest-growing sports in the world."Check out the season's official trailer above.This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: VICE TV's second 'Dark Side of the Cage' season sets premiere

An investment group that includes ex-Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has bought a minority stake in the Athletics in anticipation of their move to Las Vegas in 2028. Thursday's announcement by Harbinger Sports Group did not say what percentage of the Athletics it had acquired. Cuban, who maintains a minority stake in the Mavericks, is the general partner and president of the Atlanta-based group. Atlanta Falcons minority owner Rashaun Williams is the founder and chief investment officer. Co-founder and CEO Steve Cannon is vice chairman of AMB Sports and Entertainment that oversees Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Atlanta Falcons. Managing partner Jonathan Mariner is the former chief financial officer for Major League Baseball. "We are minority investors looking to make our investors a lot of money," Cuban said. John Fisher is the majority owner of the A's and is overseeing construction of a $2 billion, 33,000-capacity domed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip. "We are very pleased to welcome Harbinger Sports Partners as an investor in the Athletics," the team said in a statement. "The experience of their principals across sports, media, and entertainment, combined with their long-term perspective, makes them a valuable addition to our ownership group as we work to build the future of the franchise in Las Vegas." The A's are playing the second of three planned seasons at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento, California. Reporting by the Associated Press.

The world No. 1 was among the top putters Thursday, one week after struggling on the greens at The Open

Brissett did not practice during the mandatory minicamp while seeking an extension

Salvador Perez tied the Kansas City Royals all-time home run record on Wednesday. What happened next became a legal matter.With his 317th career long ball, the 36-year-old Perez tied George Brett for the record in Kansas City. Facing San Francisco Giants starter Landen Roupp in the seventh inning, he took a center-cut sinker and deposited it in the fountains at Kaufmann Stadium.While much of the attention was understandably focused on Perez in the moment, it turns out a fan jumped into the fountain to retrieve the historic ball. Such mementos are usually the legal property of the fan who catches or first obtains the ball, but the Royals website clearly states the fountains are off-limits for fans: If at any time a guest enters a fountain, they will be immediately arrested, transported to the police station downtown and charged to the fullest extent of the law.So the fan was soon arrested and escorted out of the stands, with the ball confiscated.Jail? Eh. Jumping in the fountains after Salvys record-tying home-run ball? Priceless! pic.twitter.com/W8bLyHed7j Sports Radio 810 WHB (@SportsRadio810) July 22, 2026The gentleman that got the Salvy HR ball jumped in the Fountain.. and, by rule, got arrested. So, no ball.. an attendant procured it. (TT: Colinwhite.18) pic.twitter.com/iaoiBST4O0 Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) July 22, 2026Perez was informed of the fans fate after the game and urged the police to release the fan:Please, police, just take care of the job please and send him home. If I was him, Id maybe jump too and try to get that ball, so please. And thank you for the hard work in trying to get that ball.On that front, the Kansas City Police Department told Fox 4 Kansas City that an individual was cited and released for trespassing in the fountain. The wait now begins for Perez to claim sole ownership of the all-time home run record for a franchise that first signed him in 2006. Theres no chance of another fountain drama if he does it soon, as the Royals began a 10-game road trip on Thursday.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The Oklahoma City Thunder have experienced that firsthand over the last year. Thanks to a two-season run that has seen them put up historic numbers and win one NBA championship, other sports organizations are hoping to copy their blueprint.One SEC football powerhouse wants to remain at the top of the college football mountain. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart recently said at 2026 SEC Media Day that he's studied up on the Thunder. He's turning over every stone to figure out ways to get fresh ideas on how the Bulldogs can remain in the national championship conversation."This season, like many others, we chose to study a successful brand or team or follow someone. This year, the reigning NBA champions at the time when we studied them was the OKC Thunder," Smart said. "They talked about being uncommon and how you can be uncommon in todays world."Smart is the longest-tenured SEC football head coach. He's called the shots at George for a decade now. In that time, he's gone an impressive 117-21 (.848 win percentage) and won two national championships in 2021 and 2022. They're always smack-dab in the middle of the conversation for best team in the country.Meanwhile, the Thunder have had back-to-back 60-plus win seasons with point differentials north of double-digit points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won two consecutive MVP awards. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams have earned All-NBA honors. On top of that, OKC has put up historic defensive numbers."Our guys took a weekbyweek section of being uncommon in a day and age when thats not normal. That is uncommon to be more proud and have a little bit of mudita, we call it, that we enjoy the success of others more than the success of ourselves," Smart said. "It's very unique what the Thunder was doing, especially when they won the championship, in terms of leading. That's what we try to emulate."Always cool to see other non-NBA teams praise the Thunder. Just goes to show they must be doing something right if their intangibles are universal across sports. Expect OKC to be the title favorite for another season. Even if it fell five wins shy of back-to-back Larry O'Brien trophies."It's very unique what the Thunder were doing... that's what we try to emulate."Georgia coach Kirby Smart says the Bulldogs studied the Thunder's culture and leadership after they won the NBA title. pic.twitter.com/b6gcjxwnRR News 9 (@NEWS9) July 22, 2026This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: SEC football powerhouse Georgia hopes to copy OKC Thunder blueprint

Bill Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi are facing fresh scrutiny after North Carolina was shut out of the 2026 NFL Draft, ending a run of at least one Tar Heel pick every year since 2016.The empty draft class comes after months of UNC describing itself as the NFLs 33rd team, and it has only deepened questions about the rosters talent level heading into Year 2 under Belichick, even after the Tar Heels added 61 players this offseason and followed a 4-8 debut.CBS Sports analyst Matt Zenitz said NFL personnel still view the Tar Heels as lacking high-end talent.UNC didnt have a single player drafted, Zenitz said via The College Football Insiders. When talking to NFL people this summer, different people around the NFL front office and personnel world, this is a team that is once again depleted of next-level talent.Defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude is UNCs top projected NFL prospect. He had 10.5 sacks last season, finishing second in the ACC and tied for 12th nationally, and is still viewed as a Day 3 draft candidate.That leaves Belichick with a major challenge: proving he can develop players at North Carolina the way he did at New England.His Hall of Fame resume and history of turning overlooked players into All-Pros helped define his Patriots tenure, but the Tar Heels still have to show they can produce NFL talent. For now, the draft only deepened doubts about how far this roster can go.Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: NFL front office execs question UNCs talent under Belichick

Texas Tech announces landmark football stadium naming rights partnership with Galaxy originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.A new era has arrived in Lubbock, as the home of Texas Tech football officially has a new name.On Friday, Texas Tech Athletics announced a new naming rights agreement for its football stadium, which will now be known as Galaxy Stadium as part of a long-term partnership with Galaxy.Were excited to share Galaxy is now the official data center and digital assets partner of @TechAthletics under a 15-year agreement, renaming the home of Red Raider Football as Galaxy Stadium.Texas Tech is central to our community footprint in West Texas. The university has pic.twitter.com/UvL84ey8mo Galaxy (@galaxyhq) July 17, 2026Although financial terms were not disclosed in the official announcement, Sports Business Journal reported the deal is worth around $75 million. The Associated Press reported that the partnership will also include NIL opportunities for Texas Tech student-athletes.The change marks the first time in the venues 78-year history that it will not carry the Jones name. The stadium was known as Clifford B. & Audrey Jones Stadium from its opening in 1947 until 2000, when it became Jones SBC Stadium before being renamed Jones AT&T Stadium in 2006. The stadium was named in honor of former Texas Tech president Clifford B. Jones and his wife, Audrey, whose joint donation helped fund its construction.Galaxy is a major financial services and technology firm that specializes in digital assets and data center infrastructure. Earlier this month, the company completed the first phase of its Helios data center campus near Afton, Texas. The site is about 70 miles east of Texas Tech University, and future phases are expected to further expand Galaxys presence in West Texas.According to Texas Tech Athletics, the deal will integrate Galaxy into the Texas Tech Athletics experience as the official data center and digital assets partner of the athletics department. Galaxy's presence and branding will extend across Red Raider Football as well as men's and women's basketball through digital, social and in-game features.The Red Raiders will play their first game under the Galaxy Stadium name on September 5 against Abilene Christian, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Fox Sports 1.

The Cardinals placed left tackle Paris Johnson and linebacker Josh Sweat on the physically unable to perform list on Thursday, but head coach Mike LaFleur didn't make it sound like either player is going to miss much time during training camp. LaFleur told reporters that both players are dealing with knee issues and that the Cardinals will "be smart" with them at this point in the calendar. The Cardinals will practice the next four days before taking Monday off and neither player will practice before that rest day, but LaFleur suggested they won't be out much longer. "The Paris thing, that is honestly nothing," LaFleur said, via the team's website. "It's really just maintenance. He'll be back before you know it. Same thing with Josh. Seeing him, he's fired up to be here. He's in great spirits and feeling good."The Cardinals also placed cornerback Garrett Williams (Achilles) and tight end Tip Reiman (ankle) on the PUP list to open camp.