In a memo sent to team presidents, general managers and coaches Friday, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert advised the leagues leaders on their approach to the topic of transgender participation in womens sports. The commissioner stressed approaching it with integrity and respect,without specifically defining the leagues stance.The issue has dominated conversation around the WNBA in the wake ofIndiana Fever guard Sophie Cunninghams recent comments in favor of excluding trans athletes from womens sports.Engelbert listed three guiding principles for the league in the discussion but did not clarify whether or not trans athletes are allowed to play in the WNBA.First, we will always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the long-standing values of our league, she wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Athletic. Second, our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Lastly, preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the leagues highest priorities.There is no mention of trans athletes in the WNBAs collective bargaining agreement, although the document does state that only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.Engelbert wrote in the memo that the league has a previously scheduled meeting of a task force of presidents and GMs in the coming week that will address this conversation and other league issues.In the wake of Cunninghams comments and the subsequent rallies that have followed the Indiana Fever at road games, the commissioner acknowledged that she expects this topic will continue to receive significant attention. She praised team leadership for their response to increasing questionsand invited them to continue reaching out to her with questions and perspectives.Coaches around the league have frequently been asked about the issue since Cunningham first told ESPN she wants to protect young girls in a locker room and that they shouldnt have to go against biological men.Cheryl Reeve has been the loudest voice in favor of inclusion of transgender kids in particular. Golden State Valkyries All-Star Gabby Williams welcomed transgender athletes joining the WNBA, while the Womens National Basketball Players Association released a statement denouncing hate, abuse, and demonization of the transgender community.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.WNBA2026 The Athletic Media Company

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Quillan Salkilld during the UFC Perth Fight Night press conference at RAC Arena on April 30, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)With the MMA action in the books fromUFC Vegas 120earlier tonight (Sat., Aug. 8, 2026) LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, fight fans can check out the post-fight presser for all the best reaction and official bonus winners.On a night that featured a main event matchup between lightweight staple Mateusz Gamrot and rising youngster Quillan Salkilld, a co-main event between lightweight veteran Carlos Diego Ferreira and former featherweight brawler Billy Quarantillo, and the return of rising talents like Manoel Sousa, Ty Miller, and Alexia Thainara, there will be a lot to discuss when the fighters take to the stage.The post-fight presser is scheduled to go LIVE in the above video player around 11:15 p.m. ET. It will feature the biggest winners and losers from the card, as well as UFC CEO, Dana White, if were lucky.For complete UFC Vegas 120 results, coverage, and highlights clickHERE.

ST. LOUIS (AP) Jake McCarthy homered twice in a four-hit night, Cole Carrigg and TJ Rumfield each had two hits and the Colorado Rockies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-6 on Saturday night.McCarthy gave Colorado the lead on the first pitch of the game with his 420-foot drive to right-center field off Matthew Liberatore (5-9), and the Rockies went on to snap a four-game skid.McCarthy hit his second of the game and 13th of the season in the sixth. He is hitting .305 and has seven hits in his last two games.Liberatore went five innings and struck out three while giving up five runs on nine hits.Jos Fermn had a two-run double to put the Cardinals ahead, but Carrigg hit a two-run double of his own in the third that gave the Rockies the lead for good. Hunter Goodman drove in one more before the end of the inning.Rumfield got another across in the fifth, and McCarthy belted a two-run shot to center in the sixth.The Cardinals got within two after Jordan Walker's eighth-inning homer, and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but Jordan Romano struck out Csar Prieto swinging for his 10th save.Rockies starter Kyle Freeland tossed 4 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked three, and allowed five hits and three runs (one earned).Five relievers combined to hold the Cardinals to two hits and three runs. Parker Mushinski (1-0) worked 1 1/3 innings for the win.Up nextRHP Michael Lorenzen (3-10, 6.94 ERA) starts for Colorado opposite Cardinals RHP Michael McGreevy (4-9, 3.59) in the series finale on Sunday. ___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

CHICAGO (AP) Munetaka Murakami homered and Tristan Peters and Chase Meidroth each drove in a pair of runs in Chicago's five-run sixth inning as the White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 Saturday, snapping a season-worst four-game skid.Braden Montgomery singled in a run in the eighth as Chicago (60-56) increased its first-place lead in the AL Central to three games over Cleveland and Minnesota.Rhys Hoskins had two hits, including a two-run homer. Angel Genao went deep in the seventh and added a single for Cleveland, which has lost four of five.Anthony Kay (9-5) allowed two runs on six hits in six innings. The left-hander struck out four and walked one in a second straight solid start. Four relievers followed, and Grant Taylor worked around a single in the the ninth for his sixth save.Gavin Williams allowed two runs on three hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven and walked two. The starters were locked in a scoreless duel through five innings.Hoskins lined Kays low sweeper into the left field stands to put Cleveland ahead 2-0 with one out in the sixth. Murakami's lofted his team-leading 26th homer off the left-field foul pole off Williams with one out in the sixth, cutting it to 2-1. Miguel Vargas followed with a single. Colin Holderman (6-3) relieved and gave up three runs on two hits and two hit batters without recording an out in the sixth to take the loss.Holderman plunked the first two batters he faced to load the bases, then surrendered a two-run double to Peters and a single to Meidroth.The White Sox managed just one hit, a single by Andrew Benintendi, and three baserunners off Williams through the first five innings.The White Sox retired former All-Star shortstop and World Series winning manager Ozzie Guillns No. 13 before the gameUp nextGuardians LHP Joey Cantillo (8-7, 3.87 ERA) faces White Sox RHP Davis Martin (9-6, 4.13) on Sunday.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Inter Miami players observe a minute of silence in honor of Jorge Messi, the father of Argentine star and Miami striker Lionel Messi, ahead of the Leagues Cup 2026 group stage football match between host Miami and Monterrey (CHANDAN KHANNA)Lionel Messi was missing following the death of his father as Inter Miami lost 2-1 to visiting Monterrey on Saturday in a Leagues Cup match.Teams observed a minute of silence before the match for Jorge Messi, who died at age 68 in Argentina, where the Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi arrived on Saturday night."Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family," Inter Miami said in a statement.Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul scored in the 32nd minute to give Miami a 1-0 half-time lead in the group match against the Mexican side.Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers leveled in the 47th minute before Uruguayan striker Diego Rossi scored a 90th-minute winner.Major League Soccer champions Miami have won their first group match 4-2 against Atletico San Luis and next face Leon on Wednesday.js/dh

Dwyane Wade celebrates how LeBron James' dedication continues to help him stay in the NBA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.As fellow 2003 draftees, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James know each other very well. They are also quite a famous duo from their time playing together on the Miami Heat. While Wade has been retired since 2019, James has continued to play and stand out.Now that he is entering his 24th NBA season, James still has elite physical strengths. That is unheard of from any NBA player, but it seems LeBron continues to stand out because of what he does behind the scenes, something that D-Wade is quite familiar with.Dwyane Wade speaks about the reason why LeBron James continues to stay in the NBAJames is now playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, which is his fourth NBA team. Since he has won with all the other three, James wants to become the first NBA player to ever win a title with four different teams. It is also another feather in his cap regarding longevity.Wade and James entered the league at the same time, but the latter is the only one who has stayed in the league this long. Carmelo Anthony was the most recent 2003 draftee who stayed alongside James, but he retired in 2023. Now, LeBron continues to prove he's one of the most special athletes in the world.MORE:LeBron James ousts the NBA on notice with his latest post with a 76ers co-starAs one of the people who has kept up with James throughout the years, it is not surprising that Wade has so much to say about his former teammate. His success continues to prove that he is one of the greatest players ever, and he will continue to add to his legacy."For the last 24 years, I've always known where to find him. His dedication for greatness can leave you speechless. Salute to my brother. Year 24," Wade said on Instagram in a picture with him and James working out together.As James' career continues to progress, he will keep proving that he belongs even in his 40s. Now that he is with the 76ers, he is ready to lead them to a title, especially since they are a city that has been hungry for a championship since 1983.More NBA news:Isiah Thomas speaks about how the Celtics messed up the Jaylen Brown situationVJ Edgecombe knew he had to control his excitement when speaking to LeBron JamesMike Gansey provides an encouraging update for the 76ers about Joel EmbiidA five-time All-Star could be joining the 76ers because of LeBron JamesJaylen Brown knows VJ Edgecombe will be shining amid the discussions about his new role

Quillan Salkilld fought on Mateusz Gamrots terms. It gave him no visible trouble.Facing the biggest challenge of his career, by his own request, the rising star dominated the veteran all the way up to a submission at the end of the first round. It is his 13th straight win and sixth since entering the ranks of the UFC.I just proved Im the real f***ing deal, Salkilld said in his postfight interview.Salkilld SUBMITS Gamrot! The rise continues WHAT A PERFORMANCE. pic.twitter.com/x0q5tvoWHf Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) August 9, 2026Going into the fight, the conventional wisdom was that the longer and younger Salkilld would need to rely on his striking to hold his own with a top 10 lightweight. Instead, he freely grappled with Gamrot and eventually gained a decisive advantage.Thats just how I fight, Salkilld said. I dont care who the f*** you are, Im going to take it to you and all the aspects where you think youre safe. Im not going to be fighting on the back foot the whole time, just jabbing and allowing him to punch and wrestle.The win should assure Salkilld of a top 10 ranking at the UFCs next update. When asked who we wants for his next opponent, after specifically calling out Gamrot in May, Salkilld simply said he wants someone in the top 5 or close to it.Given what the UFC might have on its hands with a 26-year-old Australian whose game suddenly looks like a lot more complete than previously thought, theres a decent chance the promotion makes that happen.Main cardLightweight: Quillan Salkilld def. Mateusz Gamrot via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:25 of R1 | Watch finishLightweight: Carlos Diego Ferreira def. Billy Quarantillo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)Featherweight: Yadier del Valle def. Darren Eljins via KO (punch) at 0:35 of R1 | Watch finishWomens strawweight: Alexia Thainara def. Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)Welterweight: Ty Miller def. Billy Ray Goff via TKO (punches) at 0:15 of R3 | Watch finishPreliminary cardHeavyweight: Steven Asplund def. Guilherme Pat via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)Light heavyweight: Diyar Nurgozhay def. Bruno Lopez via TKO (punches) at 4:59 of R1 | Watch finishHeavyweight: Jos Luiz def. Louie Sutherland via submission (face crank) at 1:40 of R1 | Watch finishLightweight: Manoel Sousa def. Richie Miranda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)Featherweight: Miles Johns def. Gianni Vzquez via TKO (punches) at 3:09 of R1 | Watch finishWomens flyweight: Juliana Miller def. Ravena Oliveira via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:38 of R2 | Watch finishWomen's strawweight: Carol Foro def. Giovanna Canuto via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 08: Andrew Vaughn #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts to hitting a single after reaching second base to drive in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field on August 08, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesTonight, Andrew Vaughn reminded Twins Territory why any player whose career has involved only the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers is bad news for a team based in Minnesota. Vaughns tiebreaking eighth-inning single sealed the deal on a Brew Crew win, evening the series and handing the loss to recent acquisition Jeff Hoffman.The Twins isolated their offense to the second inning tonight, rallying against Brewer starter Robert Gasser after a plethora of baserunners made it 1-0 Milwaukee in the home first. Luke Keaschall led off the inning with a double, then watched as Kaelen Culpepper filled first behind him on a HBP (the first of two tonight for the newcomer.) After a pair of quick outs, the threat was threatened (the heat was hot), until another bout of loose command an Austin Martin HBP to load the bases, and a Ryan Jeffers walk to spin the carousel tied things up for the Twins.Then, it was a 3-1 lead, with Royce Lewis roping a double to left that plated a pair. Despite the concentration of runs, Gasser would still fail to make it through five innings, giving way after 90-some-odd pitches and seven hits allowed by the fifth inning, paired with two walks and two hit batsmen. The Milwaukee bullpen would go 4.1 shutout innings, and the Twins would not record a hit after Gassers exit.Meanwhile, a two-out Brice Turang single tied the score in the fourth, as Bradley who hit a man and walked two of this own was unable to get past five innings.As mentioned, the winning run was manufactured in the eighth; with Hoffman on the mound, William Contreras led off with a single, then gave way to pinch-runner Brandon Lockridge, who stole his way into scoring position and came home happy on Vaughns ground-ball single. And while Trevor Larnach gave one a ride to right in the ninth, there would be no more joy for Minnesotas side, as a fired-up Brewers squad locked down their 73rd win with a perfect ninth.Theres still time for the Twins to win this series, although it will require Connor Prielipp to outduel the Miz tomorrow. Well see how that goes!STUDS:1B Royce Lewis (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2B)RF/CF Luke Keaschall (2-for-4, R, 2B)RP Travis Admas (IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K)DUDS:RP Jeff Hoffman (IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)

After two events abroad, the octagon was back in Las Vegas for Saturdays UFC Vegas 120 event at the Meta Apex. The event is headlined by a lightweight bout between No. 6 rankedMateusz Gamrotand No. 9 rankedQuillan Salkilld. After the fights, the winners will answer questions from the media during the post-fight press conference. UFC Vegas 120 Post-Fight Press Conference Video

NEW YORK - Battling a health issue, Tommy John shared a heartfelt message to his fans, former teammates and the Yankees on Old-Timer's Day in the Bronx."I want to thank the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone, along with all the friends and fans who followed me throughout my 26-year career.''Per MLB.com, the legendary left-hander, 83, was recently treated for a recurrence of bladder cancer near his Bradenton, Fla. home. John's pitching career was revived in 1974 by revolutionary reconstructive elbow surgery innovated by Dr. Frank Jobe, using a ligament from the pitcher's right wrist to repair his ulnar collateral ligament. Today, "Tommy John surgery'' is a staple of the game; Sunday's Yankees starter Gerrit Cole completed his 14th start Saturday following rehab from his surgery, earning a 5-4 win against the Braves. Following the procedure, while with the Los Angeles Dodgers, John pitched in another 405 games, including two Bronx tenures. John retired at 46, after the 1989 season with the Yankees, posting a career record of 288-231 and a 3.34 ERA.In his statement, John thanked Dr. Jobe, "who saved my arm and made it possible for me to continue pitching. That surgery has gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.''Thanking the fans and teammates who supported him, John wrote, "I will never forget you."The day I left for my first job as a pitcher, my father looked at me and said, 'Good luck, Tommy. Just remember one thing; whether you make it in the big leagues or don't, you'll always just be Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana."I've never forgotten those words,'' John said in his statement, concluding with "thank you and God bless.''This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Tommy John shares emotional message on Yankees' Old-Timer's Day