DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 02: Lindsey Heaps #10 of Denver Summit FC warms up prior to the NWSL match between Denver Summit FC and Boston Legacy FC at Centennial Stadium on August 02, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jack Dempsey/NWSL via Getty Images) | NWSL via Getty ImagesThe NWSL has three exciting matchups for Saturday, August 7, but the most notable injury is the Summits captain Lindsey Heaps who is out of Saturdays matchup with a knee injury. DENVER SUMMIT FCOUT:Jasmine Aikey (SEI knee), Jordan Baggett (maternity leave), Nahikari Garcia (SEI knee), Lindsey Heaps (knee) QUESTIONABLE:NoneINTERNATIONAL DUTY:Lourdes Bosch (MEX U-23)UTAH ROYALS FCOUT:Alex Loera (SEI knee), KK Ream (SEI knee)QUESTIONABLE:NoneINTERNATIONAL DUTY:NoneWASHINGTON SPIRITOUT: Lucia Di Guglielmo (lower leg), Aubrey Kingsbury (maternity leave), Casey Krueger (maternity leave)QUESTIONABLE:NoneINTERNATIONAL DUTY:Deborah Abiodun (NGA), Mlissa Bethi (ALG), Rosemonde Kouassi (CIV), Gift Monday (NGA), Monique Ngock (CAM)NORTH CAROLINA COURAGEOUT:Payton Crawford (Knee SEI), Sydney Schmidt (Knee SEI)QUESTIONABLE:NoneINTERNATIONAL DUTY:NoneHOUSTON DASHOUT:Evelina Duljan (excused absence), Emina Eki (excused absence), Cate Hardin (Ankle), Makenzy Robbe (SEI knee) QUESTIONABLE:NoneINTERNATIONAL DUTY:NoneKANSAS CITY CURRENTOUT:Ellie Bravo-Young (thigh), Alana Cook (SEI knee), Michelle Cooper (thigh), Clare Gagne (SEI head), Mary Long (D45), Laney Rouse (knee), Kolo Suliafu (thigh)QUESTIONABLE:NoneINTERNATIONAL DUTY:Temwa Chawinga (MWI)

Hours before players take the field at Nissan Stadium for an open scrimmage, the Tennessee Titans and general manager Mike Borgonzi came to terms with standout guard Peter Skoronski on a lucrative extension, making him the highest-paid guard in the NFL.This extension was listed as one of the offseason priorities during the combine, and now the two sides have agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract with $88 million guaranteed, keeping the Titans best offensive lineman in place to protect Cam Ward for the foreseeable future.While many expected this extension, it is unlikely that many saw the value skyrocket. Heres a look at some of the reactions on social media.LOCKED IN #Titanspic.twitter.com/kZovFRtoir Titan Report Podcast (@Titan_Reports) August 7, 2026The #Titans have now added $384M in contract guarantees this offseason via free agency or internal extensions - 2nd only to the #Chiefs (Mahomes). https://t.co/Dr5qtRBbuG Spotrac (@spotrac) August 7, 2026Skoronski earned this bag: 84.5 pass block grade, 96% win rate, and just 2 sacks allowed in 2025. Paying him now gives Ward a legit cornerstone up front for years!#TitanUppic.twitter.com/ubqPrty4Nv Sloth (@Slothful_Sin) August 7, 2026Idc how my life goes, Peter Skoronski got paid TennesseeTitansHQ (@TwoToneRockyTop) August 7, 2026Couldn't have happened to a greater guy. He's put in so much work, been great through tough times with the media and his play has been impressive! Congrats Pete! #Titanshttps://t.co/iXnvmmnCbs Kayla Anderson (@KaylaAndersonTV) August 7, 2026#Titans signed Peter Skoronski to a 4 year, $100M extension, per @RapSheet. The new highest paid Guard! The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) August 7, 2026Skoronski was a tackle in college and just became the NFL's highest paid guard. Dude was born to play offensive line. A hog molly up front for Cam Ward. #Titanshttps://t.co/GBONEynJic Dave Takes (@davetakes) August 7, 2026One piece down. 4 more to go. Bittersweet I guess!! #Titanshttps://t.co/vRcmooZvdv Titans Blue BG (@Titans_BlueBG) August 7, 2026#Titans make their stance on Peter Skoronski clear with massive extension.https://t.co/4avWeKMtzN Titan Sized (@Titan_Sized) August 7, 2026The Titans just locked in Peter Skoronski for 4 years and $100M, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history. Not bad for a guy who protects the quarterback and also protects your fantasy lineup. Sources: NFL Network. #Titans#PeterSkoronski#NFLNew https://t.co/lGpba8pFt7 Mojo Jojo (@Nomadmojo) August 7, 2026Man got PAID #Titanshttps://t.co/6dIJoOX4ee Parker Kelley (@parker_kelley10) August 7, 2026Thank You #Titans and G Peter Skoronski (4-year, $100M extension)..... this is what the @steelers didn't need to see today SteelerHausen (@Sports_PS5gamer) August 7, 2026 TITANS LOCK UP PETER SKORONSKI! Tennessee have agreed a huge 4-year, $100M extension with their star guard.The former No.11 pick has started all 48 games of his NFL career and is now one of footballs premier guards. Good move? #NFL#Titans#NFLUK#ThirdAndLongUKpic.twitter.com/NSMNxr7Xe0 thirdandlongukpod (@3rdandlongukpod) August 7, 2026Saw the #Bears pay Darnell Wright and decided to jump ahead of the market.Smart and big move by the #Titans, but even more exciting for Cam Ward heading into Year 2! https://t.co/KLbsIqsSrf Brandon Park (@Brandon_Park_) August 7, 2026Sources: The #Titans and standout G Peter Skoronski have agreed to terms A 4-year, $100M deal with $88M guaranteed, as the former No. 11 overall pick cashes in.Source:@RapSheetpic.twitter.com/ai2wDA8RSd (31- 51)(67-49) Anthony Ramirez (@Talkin2Tony) August 7, 2026Skoronski gets a HUGEEEE payday. I absolutely love this. #Titans#TitanUphttps://t.co/JBA8QN3ZvS Everything Titans (@TitansEvrything) August 7, 2026Skoronski will be on the field tonight in Nashville when the Titans hold an open scrimmage at Nissan Stadium.This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans extend Peter Skoronski: Here's how fans reacted

The Arizona Cardinals suffered a preseason-opening 33-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday. It was an exciting game for the offense, but it was a bad defensive game. Some players helped their stock. Some Cardinals saw their stock fall with the game. Who were they?RB Trey BensonBenson didn't even play, but that is the problem. Bam Knight did well, and he adds special teams value. Benson had his knee flare up and wasn't able to go. He has never played a single snap on special teams in two NFL seasons. Battling for the No. 4 RB spot on the roster, Benson appears to be fading. OLB BJ OjulariHe played a lot more than one who is destined for the final roster normally would, so that raises questions about whether he is on track to make the team. However, he also hadn't played a preseason game since 2023, so perhaps it was to get him more work. That said, perhaps we need to be looking at a guy like Eku Leota to make the final roster. WR Xavier WeaverWeaver had a couple of mistakes, fumbling once (although the Cardinals didn't lose the ball) and he made a bad decision on a punt. But his stock is falling because of other receivers like Jalen Brooks and Reggie Virgil making plays. DC Nick RallisWell, can his stock fall more? He is the defensive coordinator again. They had a terrible defense last season. The Cardinals tried to hire someone else, so I guess he was already at rock bottom. But the defense, albeit the deep backups, looked like Swiss cheese. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify,YouTubeorApple Podcasts.This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 4 Arizona Cardinals whose stock fell in Hall of Fame Game

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: Drew Rasmussen #57 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field on August 01, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesGo Rays!Join the conversation!Sign up for a user accountand get:Fewer adsCreatecommunity postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 24: Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gets set to throw a pitch in the fourth inning during a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 24, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe Dodgers (69-46) look to snap their six-game losing streak in the desert when they open a three-game series against the D-backs (61-55) Friday night.Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.64 ERA, 1.30) makes his 20th start of the season for the Dodgers.Merill Kelly (8-9, 5.04 ERA, 1.49 WHIP) toes the rubber for the D-backs.LineupsTonights #Dodgers lineup at D-backs: pic.twitter.com/vrHBWcDb2W Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 7, 2026Ready to battle.Get https://t.co/epBmrbYHsx for $17.99 all weekend. pic.twitter.com/7THoqfTMkI Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 7, 2026Friday game infoTeams: Dodgers at DiamondbacksBallpark: Chase Field, PhoenixStart time: 6:40 p.m. PTTV: SportsNet LARadio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 20: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andre Curbelo (5) listens while in the huddle during the men's March Madness second round college basketball game between Illinois Fighting Illini and Houston Cougars on March 20, 2022 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesIf you spend any amount of time on X (formerly known as Twitter), you may have come across this video on Friday. Former Illinois and St Johns Point Guard, Andre Curbelo, made is professional wrestling debut (Via @MinistroBasket ) pic.twitter.com/FkMOHHfls6 Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) August 7, 2026Im not familiar with Hoop Herald, but they shared a video from last month that already got quite a bit of traction. Between those two posts which claim former Illinois guard Andre Curbelo is now a professional wrestler they got hundreds of likes, reposts and comments. Many of those comments are asking: Is Andre Curbelo actually a professional wrestler now? The answer is EMPHATICALLY no. If you do a little digging, youll find that while that wrestler appears to look like Curbelo with his hair, headband and build, its actually Jermaine Marbury. According to Marburys Instagram, hes pro wrestlings #1 PG and trained by Draymond Green While the crazy college career that Curbelo, who played for Illinois from 2020-22, had has people not shocked he took a turn into the world of professional wrestling, I hate to break it to you that its not him. Move on. For those curious, Curbelo is currently playing for a Puerto Rican team called Atlticos de San Germn.

As pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino continues to rise, a new alleged scandal has emerged. The Telegraph reported Friday that UEFA reportedly paid off a woman who was having an affair with Infantino while he was secretary general of the association.Per The Telegraph, the woman received a six-figure amount after the alleged relationship came to an end. The woman, who worked at UEFA as an administrator, was reportedly promoted to a managerial role by Infantino during their relationship.Infantino was reportedly challenged about the relationship by then-UEFA president Michel Platini, and they agreed that she would leave the association and be paid, per The Telegraph.When she left UEFA, Infantino reportedly used connections to get her a new lucrative job in a similar field. The association also allegedly paid for her to earn her MBA at a local business school after she left.Infantino, who joined UEFA in 2000, became the organizations secretary general in 2009. He left UEFA to become FIFAs president in 2016.In a statement to The Telegraph, a spokesperson for UEFA said the association was aware of the allegations and confirmed that a departure payment was made to the individual in question.The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time, the spokesperson said. Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation.A FIFA spokesperson told The Telegraph that Infantino strongly denies the allegations.Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory, the football governing body said. No employee at UEFA and FIFA has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantinos behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved.Infantino has been married to Leena Al Ashqar since 2001. The couple has four children together.The salacious report comes as Infantino is already under significant fire for his proposal to sell private investment stakes in the World Cup. Backlash to the idea was swift and overwhelming, and Infantino and FIFA eventually scrapped the plan entirely.UEFA has responded the most strongly to Infantinos proposal even after the withdrawal, and has maintained that it will boycott FIFA competitions. Other federations have said that they will withdraw their support for the president, with Infantino up for re-election in 2027.After that, Infantino reportedly told Morocco that the country could host the 2030 World Cup final if it issues a statement of support for his re-election bid. FIFA has denied the report.On top of that, Infantino has come under additional scrutiny with U.S. World Cup host cities reportedly chasing down $1 million payments that he promised to those who hosted World Cup games.

Former NBA All-Star sees a healthy Joel Embiid leading the 76ers to a championship originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers are being tapped as one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joining the team is a big deal for this Philly side because they are ready to cement themselves as the players who can elevate the 76ers.For the longest time, Joel Embiid has tried to be the superstar for Philly. He has done well for himself, as he has an MVP under his belt. However, the knock against him has been about his lack of postseason success. The 76ers have not reached the Eastern Conference Finals since the Allen Iverson-led run in 2001.Joe Johnson believes Joel Embiid can be the key to a 76ers championshipWhile Brown and James do make the headlines for the 76ers as the new stars, most people who know about the 76ers should acknowledge Embiid's stardom. When he is healthy, he is the best player on this team. Even if Brown and James are there, a healthy Embiid is arguably the best center in the league.Considering that Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama also play in the league, that is a massive statement. However, Embiid does show that he can be one of the best in the league today, which he displayed during some instances in the past few years.MORE:Mike Gansey's encouraging Joel Embiid update in the offseasonFormer multi-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson has seen plenty of talented players go through the door. Embiid is among those players, but he has not gotten close to that elusive championship. Now, Johnson sees Embiid as the potential catalyst for the 76ers' potential path to the first title since 1983."But if this man right here, he look good. He look like he in great shape. I hope he can get it up and down the court with this. But if he can keep this up, Unc and Ocho, he in great shape and hes back to where hes virtually unguardable. Hey, Unc, I'mma send you about 50k, man. I need you to go put it down on Philly. I think Im going to put that on Philly to win it," Johnson said on Nightcap with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson and Shannon Sharpe.He is making a bold claim with the 76ers, but Embiid has done a magnificent job of working hard in the offseason. With how he looks, Embiid could truly be the key to winning a championship for this 76ers team. They have been struggling for a long time without one, so Embiid could truly cement himself as a legend in Philly.More NBA news:A five-time All-Star could join the Philadelphia 76ers because of LeBron JamesMike Gansey explains how aggression played a role in the market for the 76ersJaylen Brown acknowledges hisdynamic with former co-star Jayson TatumJaylen Brown knows VJ Edgecombe will shine in his new role on the 76ersNick Nurse provides a positive update about Joel Embiid's offseason work

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven't been able to reach a new deal with Baker Mayfield, but general manager Jason Licht isn't wavering on how the organization views its starting quarterback.While speaking with reporters, Licht was asked about Mayfield and the ongoing contract situation. Logan B. Robinson shared Licht's comments on social media, with the Bucs GM declining to discuss the specifics of negotiations while offering a strong endorsement of Mayfield."We love Baker," Licht said, while also calling Mayfield a franchise quarterback.That's an important distinction given Mayfield's entry into the final year of his current contract. The two sides have been unable to find common ground on an extension, and Mayfield has publicly expressed his disappointment with how negotiations played out. The uncertainty has naturally created questions about whether Tampa Bay views him as its long-term answer.At least publicly, Licht isn't adding any fuel to those questions. Calling Mayfield a franchise quarterback while contract negotiations remain unresolved underscores how highly the organization still thinks of him, even if that belief hasn't translated into a new deal.Mayfield has already made his position clear as well. He wants to remain in Tampa Bay and has continued participating in training camp despite the failed extension talks, choosing to focus on the upcoming season rather than hold out.Eventually, Tampa Bay's words will have to meet the financial side of the equation if Mayfield is going to remain its quarterback beyond 2026. For now, though, Licht isn't treating him like a quarterback the Bucs are preparing to move on from.This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs GM talks up Baker Mayfield as contract talks go on

NEW YORK After the Liberty won Game 2 of the 2024 WNBA semifinals matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was asked what inspired her near impossible task of consistently getting defensive stops against her opponents elite trio of guards.The Liberty guard, who was just three months removed from a procedure to clean up two loose bodies in her right knee, had just completed 25 intense, taxing playoff minutes chasing around Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum on one healthy leg.Undoubtedly in pain, Laney-Hamilton fielded the question near the Libertys locker room inside the bowels of Barclays Center. And she deadpanned like she so often did in front of a crowd of quote-hungry New York journalists with a one-word answer before the reporter could even finish asking the question.Pride, she said. And with minimal emotion, she repeated the same word before a follow-up question could be asked.That was Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. Some called her Queen B. The ultimate professional.She minced words and let her play on the court do the talking. And that talk resonated loudly when she helped propel the Liberty to its first-ever WNBA title in 2024 following a thrilling five-game Finals series win over the Minnesota Lynx. That series came after the Liberty took down the defending champion Aces, 3-1, in the semifinals.Days later, Laney-Hamilton told Ros Gold-Onwude during a City Hall championship celebration that she texted then-head coach Sandy Brondello that she would put her battered body on the line until the wheels fall off.About a year and 10 months later, the wheels finally fell off.Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb decided to unceremoniously waive Laney-Hamilton in a move that dashed away a foundation piece that helped build the franchise to what it is today.On paper, the move was made to make room for French rookie Marine Fauthoux on a multi-year deal.But to the culture of Liberty basketball and the fans who cultivated it, the move snatched the soul out in a way theyre not so used to seeing.Laney-Hamilton was an OG Barclays Center Liberty, a label that now remains only for Sabrina Ionescu, Rebecca Allen and Han Xu as the players still on New Yorks active roster dating back to the teams first days on the corner Atlantic and Flatbush Ave.The Rutgers product landed in the northeast during a time the Liberty, the WNBA and New York as a whole experienced turmoil.Back then, there were no mentions of a title team in the Big Apple.The Liberty came off a dreadful 2-20 Wubble season in 2020 in the days of the COVID-19 pandemic. And the mens team in Midtown led by owner James Dolan, who notoriously left the Liberty for dead couldnt come close to sniffing the Larry OBrien trophy either.Laney-Hamilton helped right the Liberty ship in 2021 after a career-defining 2020 with the Atlanta Dream. She became an All-Star for the very first time in 2021 while leading the team in scoring (16.8) and getting them into the postseason for the first time in four years.Her All-Star season was followed by one with a lesser role with the team pulling off an offseason heist that brought in stars Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot.Laney-Hamilton never complained. Never made public demands for a role change. Never butted heads with newer teammates.Conversations about Laney-Hamiltons role became a hot topic only in 2026 under new head coach Chris DeMarco, who never seemed to favor the fan favorite. She started just five games in 2026 before minutes dwindled as she was relegated to the bench.She averaged 30.4 minutes per game from 2021-24 (an offseason meniscus injury forced Laney-Hamilton to miss the entire 2025 season). She averaged 13.2 points and 3.4 assists during that span.The numbers plummeted to 4.7 points per game in 16.8 minutes before completely falling out of DeMarcos rotation in 2026.The demotion created multiple somber media availabilities as she candidly said she was unsure of what her role was.The fans felt the sadness, too. The same fans forced to move rows back or even higher into the upper bowl after years of never worrying about being priced out by the organization as Laney-Hamilton became Brooklyns first WNBA star.The fans held the team down before the WNBA became the popular, in-demand ticket in town. The team didnt return the favor.They chanted We want Laney as she watched gorilla glued on the bench throughout the eight healthy scratches that preceded Thursdays release.DeMarco, the antagonist of the storyline, stood on the sideline stone-faced each time demands rang through a mostly packed Barclays Center arena.The feelings of shock and sadness derive from the thought that this all could have been avoided. That a player so important to the fabric of Liberty basketball couldve had a better send-off.No, this isnt the same guard from before the meniscus injury that flashed two-way greatness on a nightly basis during the Brondello era. Some games at the start of the regular season showed her bounce wasnt quite all there. She needed a bit more more leeway to really judge if she could get her feet back under her after spending a year rehabbing.Maybe those were the first signals that a new setting was needed for Laney-Hamilton to prove she can return to form, which is still in the realm of possibility. Just one more chance to prove herself like she did with a momentum-shifting 2024 WNBA Finals Game 2 performance after an overall subpar postseason while dealing with her hurt knee.But to be cast away in nearly the same fashion of a training camp cut seems beneath her stature within this franchise.Unfortunately, the signs of this happening appeared near as Kolb failed to unload Laney-Hamiltons $400,000 salary for an impactful piece at last weeks trade deadline.The Liberty didnt respond to the New York Daily News request for comment.In a press release, the GM described the move as incredibly difficult, but one that allows her to find a team that can benefit from her services, which could serve as a consolation in this sad story.A team equipped with cap space could claim Laney-Hamiltons contract, and if she goes unclaimed, the guard is likely to receive interest from postseason-bound teams on a new deal.Now make that two ex-Liberty fan favorite players within the calendar year abruptly ousted from the team which is lauded for its player-first environment without proper send-offs. Natasha Cloud landed in Chicago after suddenly not receiving interest to return to New York this offseason. Add Betnijah to the list.Business is business. Thats been clear in sports, especially in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately sports town like New York City.But its hard to ignore a Liberty culture-setter like Betnijah Laney-Hamilton being sent out in such fashion.A piece of the Liberty died with her being kicked out. Time will tell what that means for the franchises future.