Whenever you are a successful general manager in the NFL, that means your roster management is among the best. Within that is free agency, trades, and, of course, the NFL Draft. For the Bucs under the leadership of Jason Licht, that last part has not always been a bright spot in their process. However, in recent years, the draft has been very kind to the Bucs. They have been able to draft foundational pieces such as Antoine Winfield Jr., Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, and Zyon McCollum. With drafting well comes the need to be able to pay all of those players. That was the topic of conversation on the latest episode of Inside Football. Host and former general manager of the Arizona Cardinals, Steve Keim, was on with Licht, and he discussed how hard it is to draft well and keep everyone. "The negative side of having some great drafts is you can't pay everybody. . .Keeping the gang together is probably my biggest stresser."The Bucs have several notable contracts expiring this upcoming season, the biggest being quarterback Baker Mayfield. But of all those players we mentioned above, they have all been extended over the past couple of seasons.That means money is tight, paying a quarterback isn't easy, and it is all leading to what is a make-or-break season for both the Bucs and Mayfield. This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs GM Jason Licht discusses the issue that arises from drafting well

The Cincinnati Reds might not have been as active at the trade deadline as some anticipated, but the clubhouse will still feature a new face and some slight alterations when the team shows up Aug. 4 to host the Athletics. In the closing minutes ahead of MLB's trade deadline, the Reds finalized deals that sent hard-slugging Nathaniel Lowe to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for two prospects, plus reliever Caleb Ferguson to the St. Louis Cardinals for international pool money.MLB trade deadline Brent Suter Former Reds pitcher Brent Suter traded from Angels to BravesThe two prospects acquired for Lowe won't be at Great American Ball Park anytime soon because they're being dispatched to stops within Cincinnati's minor league system. But Lowe's departure in particular will allow the 26-man roster to accommodate a new face in 22-year-old Hector Rodriguez. Reds general manager Nick Krall said the the club was calling up Rodriguez from Triple-A Louisville, and that Martinez would start against the Athletics. This season, Rodriguez was hitting .274 with the Louisville Bats with 27 homers and an .881 OPS. Rodriguez is ranked Cincinnati's No. 3 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. "He spent almost a full season in Triple-A from last year to this year," Krall said. "He's continued to take good at-bats. He's really done a great job of becoming more professional in his at-bats. He's still working to play the outfield, but we felt it was time to give him a shot." Ferguson's departure will also allow Cincinnati's 26-man roster to accommodate one of the several pitchers working to return from injury. Tony Santillan (left oblique strain), Nick Lodolo (blister) and Brandon Williamson (left shoulder fatigue) are some of the Reds pitchers attempting returns. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: MLB trade deadline: Here's what's next for the Reds roster

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NEW YORK (AP) Breanna Stewart scored 24 points and Jonquel Jones added 20 to help the New York Liberty beat the Seattle Storm 95-83 on Monday night.Sabrina Ionescu had 18 points for the Liberty (18-13), who have won five of their past six games. The previous four victories came by a total of eight points.Monday's game started a three-game homestand for New York this week. The teams will play again Wednesday night.New York led 70-67 late in the third quarter before scoring the final nine points of the period to take a 12-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Stewart had four points during the spurt.The run continued at the start the fourth with Marine Johannes and Han Xu for the Liberty, who went up 85-67. Seattle could get no closer than nine the rest of the way.Flau'jae Johnson scored 25 points, while Natisha Hiedeman and Dominque Malonga each added 17 for Seattle (6-26). The game served as a homecoming for Seattle coach Sonia Raman, who was an assistant in New York last season. It's been a rough first year for Raman as the Storm are currently last in the standings. They've dropped nine straight games, but the future is bright with young stars Johnson, Malonga and Awa Fam. New York jumped all over Seattle with Ionescu, Jones and Stewart combining to score the team's first 26 points. The Liberty led 28-18 after one quarter. Seattle rallied behind Hiedeman to get within 50-43 at the half.About 90 minutes before tipoff, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was courtside, chatting with Jones, Ionescu and Stewart and Liberty coach Chris DeMarco. Clinton sat next to Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai during the game and received a loud ovation from the crowd when she was shown on the videoboard.___AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Neymar opens up on retirement and hits out at press: It'll make players illEarly on Monday evening (3), Neymar attended the 6th Auction of the Neymar Jr. Project Institute.The Santos star revealed that he would not stay for the entire ceremony because he needed to "go home and rest."After all, Peixe faces Remo this Tuesday (4) in Belm, Par, for the second leg of the 2026 Copa do Brasil round of 16 (first leg: 0-0).Before the event, the No. 10 star vented against the press, asking them to "stop talking nonsense because this is going to end up making a lot of players sick.""I just think a good part of the press is going to make all football players sick. I mean here in Brazil. Its the biggest profession, the best-known one here in Brazil, and the most attacked. So I think people need to be a little more careful with their words, with the news they put out, because most of it isnt true. And that ends up hurting the people around them, their fans, their own work. So I ask them to be more careful before posting these things, before talking nonsense that isnt real, because this is going to end up making a lot of players sick."+ Neymar has been at the 'top' of football for nine years; find out moreThe psychological side of athletes was a topic Neymar made a point of highlighting."A player's mental side is strong; I think mine is very strong, by the way, but not everyone is like that. Some suffer more, others suffer less. So I just ask that people take more responsibility for their words, because its very easy to have a microphone in your hand and say whatever you want, and the next day, if its not true, everything is fine, no one corrects it, no one says anything, you know? These things end up crossing the line."Finally, Neymar spoke openly about his contract with Santos and the possibility of retirement at the end of the 2026 season."I don't know how much longer (Ill keep playing), Im not thinking about stopping, and I dont even know until when Ill go on. I have a contract with Santos until December. I intend to fulfill it, honor the Santos shirt in the best way possible, and then Ill think about it when my contract endswhether I stay at Santos, whether I leave, whether I go away, whether I stop playing or keep going."Neymar's father was also present at the event and commented on the recent controversy involving his son, who was not "backed" by coach Cuca for the match against Remo.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in here.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 06: Terrell Tilmon #18 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders rushes during the second half of the Big 12 Championship game against the BYU Cougars at AT&T Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe Steelers hosted edge rusher Terrell Tilmon for a visit Monday, PennLives Nick Farabaugh reported. Undrafted in 2026, Tilmon posted a 6.70 RAS coming out of college. The 64, 242-pound outside linebacker reportedly ran a 4.72-second 40-yard dash pre-draft. Tilmon spent the final three years of his college career at Texas Tech, where he played under now-Steelers outside linebackers coach C.J. Ah You. Tilmon was also a tryout player at Steelers rookie minicamp in the spring. Tilmon was a rotational player with the Red Raiders. He recorded eight total tackles in 2025 and one sack, finishing his college career with 5.5 in total. He played notable special teams snaps on kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return and punt coverage teams for much of his time with Texas Tech. The Steelers have not immediately signed Tilmon following his tryout. Reports indicate he was the only player Pittsburgh worked out Monday. The Steelers will resume their second week of training camp Tuesday.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy has been slowed considerably in 2026 by hip and back injuries, but he's been on the mend, and he looked as spry as a cat jumping out of the dugout Aug. 3 to take the ball from starter Brandon Sproat.In a highly rare move within a Major League Baseball game, Murphy made a pitching change in the middle of an at-bat, ending Sproat's night in the middle of the fourth inning with a 2-1 count on the inning's second batter, Pittsburgh's Jacob Gonzalez.Sproat had just thrown back-to-back balls to the backstop, allowing leadoff baserunner Endy Rodrguez to move to second base and then third with nobody out. The Pirates already had a 3-0 lead after a bases-clearing double in the third, all after Sproat had retired the first two men he faced in the inning.Sproat finished with four strikeouts and three wild pitches in three-plus innings. The latest illustration of his erratic season might be the one that costs him a spot in the rotation; the Brewers traded for Cardinals starter Dustin May earlier in the day, Kyle Harrison is expected back from the injured list imminently, and Sproat's hold on a rotation spot already appeared tenuous.More: Brewers' Pat Murphy says Skubal trade came down to more than 'better package'More: Brewers turn around and trade pitcher acquired from ClevelandSproat came into the night with a 5.05 ERA in 20 games (18 starts) and 1.392 WHIP. After struggling early in his last start against the Giants, he managed to stay on the hill through six innings and allowed three runs, but it was only his fourth outing of the year lasting a full six innings.Sproat's velocity has also occasionally dipped by his 50th or 60th pitch, as was the case again Monday.The 25-year-old Sproat, acquired before the season in the deal for Freddy Peralta, nearly had a 1-2-3 third inning, but a close play at first base preceded a single, walk and bases-clearing double by Spencer Horwitz that gave the Pirates a 3-0 lead. Reliever Garrett Stallings was already warming in the bullpen in the third.Stallings battled back to strike out Gonzalez after arriving in the middle of the at-bat but allowed a bunt single to Henry Davis that scored the Pirates' fourth run of the night. Sproat closed his start June 30 with back-to-back 1-2-3 innings. Since then, he has thrown pitches in 22 innings without a single 1-2-3 frame.This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers starter Brandon Sproat pulled mid at-bat after wildness Monday

Kelsey Plum was as shocked as everyone else when she found outshe had been dealttothe Phoenix Mercury close to the Aug. 2 WNBA trade deadline.Plum dealt with trade rumors leading up to the deadline, butprepared herself to make her return from injury whether it was with the Los Angeles Sparks in Portland on Aug. 2 or elsewhere.And it ended up being elsewhere."I'm where my feet are. Two nights ago, I was in Portland, and nowI'mhere (in Chicago)," Plum said in her introductory conference. "But that'swhy I'm a professional, and I'm paid to play at the highest level, and that's what I'm going to do tonight."Plum will suit up for the Mercury against the Chicago Sky on Aug. 3,playingwith arestriction of 20 minutes.It will be her firstgame since June 21.She wasn't too concerned about her on-court chemistry and lack of practice, as she's studied the playbook and film while on her journey from Portland to Chicago.The uncertainty of whereshe'dend up in the final48 hoursof the trade deadline was overwhelming. But once she got the news of joining the Mercury, she felt more at ease knowing that she had played with starsKahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas while on Team USA, along with being coached by Nate Tibbetts on the national team.On Aug. 2, Plum landed in Chicago around 11 p.m.and was greeted by her new teammates and staff."To be receivedbytheteammates and the staff and the organization, I'm just super grateful," Plum said. "Ican'tsay how thankful I am to go out and compete tonight."Plum comes in with an expiring contract worth$999,999 andis expected to help thestrugglingMercury (11-19)claw their way back into the postseason in the final two months.Even though the Mercury surrendered point guard Monique Akoa Makani and two picks, including a first-rounder, Plum's future with the team beyond this seasonremainsunclear.Generalmanager Nick U'Rendeclined to reveal his discussions with Plum about her intentions beyond the 2026season, butsaid heintends forher to be part of the team's future."I think shefits in with our currentgroupand we certainly hope we're building something she's a part of fora longtime," he said. "Wewouldn'thavedone this if wedidn'tthinkshe'scapable of fitting in both now and moving forward."U'Ren alsodidn'twant to wait for free agency to pursue Plum for the 2027 season and wanted to be "aggressiveandget her here as early as possible.""The chance to get Kelsey into our four walls and have her feel what we're all about and feel our staff and players and organizational dynamic was really important to us," U'Ren said.Plum understands the task ahead with a pivotal five-game road trip that could make or break the Mercury's postseason hopes.Andshe'snot backing down from the challenge."Whatthey'vedone from afar, they were in the Finals lastyear,andit'sbeen a tough road this season with injuries and getting all their players on a roster, butthere'sstill a chance," Plum said."In my mind,that'swhatI'mthinking about. Justchipping away and winning gamesand fighting to get into the playoffs."Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortizon X.Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newslettersso youdon'tmiss a thing.This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kelsey Plum opens up about trade before Mercury face Sky

The summer of soccer continues after the best World Cup ever. This time, select teams from Major League Soccer and their Liga MX counterparts will kick off the Leagues Cup in the latest edition of the tournament. Here's what to know as 36 teams featuring star players like Inter Miami's Lionel Messi square off in the Leagues Cup. The action begins on Wednesday with a full slate of games, including the Seattle Sounders taking on Toluca (10 p.m. ET on FS1). Which MLS and Liga MX Teams Are Playing? In all there are 36 teams who'll participate in the Leagues Cup. The tournament will feature 18 of the 30 MLS clubs and all 18 Liga MX squads. The 18 MLS clubs that qualified were based on the 2025 regular season table. Check out the full schedule. Each team will play three opponents from the other league for a total of 54 MLS vs. Liga MX catchups in the first phase alone. But each league will have its own specific table for this competition. The top four from each table advance to the knockout round. What Is The Competition Format? When Is The Final? This year's edition of the Leagues Cup is played in two phases. The tournament uses ano-ties format to ensure a winner in every match: Phase One (Aug. 413) 54 MLS vs. LIGA MX matchups in a round-robin format 3 points for a regulation win 2 points for a penalty shootout win (after a tie) 1 point for a penalty shootout loss Knockout Rounds (Aug. 25Sept. 6) - Single-elimination bracket beginning with the quarterfinals and culminating in the final on Sept. 6. Will Argentina's Lionel Messi Play For Inter Miami? Following Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain on July 19 at the FIFA World Cup final, Messi took some time off before reporting back to duty with Inter Miami. He is expected to play for Inter Miami during the Leagues Cup and the rest of the MLS regular season. He'll be joined by his Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, along with Uruguayan star striker Luis Suarez and newly arrived Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. It was at this tournament in 2023 in which Messi made his Inter Miami debut. He and Miami went on to win the inaurgural edition, giving him his first piece of silverware stateside. Inter Miami's League Cup Schedule Aug. 5: Inter Miami vs. Atltico San LuisAug. 8: Inter Miami vs. MonterreyAug. 12: Inter Miami vs. Len Any USA Stars From the World Cup Playing? Several of the players who were part of the USA's squad this summer at the World Cup are expected to play. Those include defender Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), goalkeeper Matt Freese (NYCFC) and midfielder Alejandro Zendejas (Club Amrica). Other players from the USMNT squad include keeper Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), midfielder Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders) and defender Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Two players who just missed the World Cup roster were Real Salt Lake duo Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo. Those two will be playing in the Leagues Cup as well. What Are Some Other World Cup Stars At The Leagues Cup? Plenty of international star power will be featured throughout the tournament. That includes LAFC's Son Heung-min, who has been part of several South Korea World Cup squads. Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Mueller won the 2014 World Cup with Germany, while new Orlando City signing Antoine Griezmann lifted the World Cup trophy with France in 2018. Robert Lewandowski, who featured for Poland, will play for the Chicago Fire. The Liga MX teams feature several talents from Mexico's World Cup team, including 17-year-old Gilberto Mora (Tijuana). Four players from Chivas Luis Romo, Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Armando Gonzalez played for Mexico this summer. What's At Stake? The Leagues Cup provides three spots for the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup, which involves top teams across North America. The Leagues Cup winner gets a Round of 16 spot in that tournament, which has a direct path to bigger events such as the FIFA Club World Cup. Any Predictions On Who'll Win It All? The first two editions of this tournament saw teams from Liga MX win (Cruz Azul in 2019, Len in 2021). Since then, it's been all MLS with Inter Miami (2023), the Columbus Crew (2024), and the Seattle Sounders (2025) taking it all. In fact, no Liga MX team has even made the final since 2021. For this edition, expect that to change. Look for a top-tier team like Club Amrica to try and reach the final. Pumas UNAM, Cruz Azul and Toluca have also been among the best Liga MX teams in recent seasons. On the MLS side, don't discount Messi and Inter Miami reaching the final again. Nashville tops the current MLS standing while Vancouver and LAFC are also teams primed for a deep run here.

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