Josko Gvardiol has signed a new five-year contract at Manchester City, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.
The Croatia international, whose previous deal had two years left to run, is now committed until 2031, with the option of an additional 12 months.
The central defender, who has made 122 appearances since arriving from RB Leipzig for £77 million ($102 million) in 2023, had been linked with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
"As soon as I knew City wanted to renew my contract, I felt straight away it was what I wanted," said the 24-year-old.
"The City fans have been unbelievable with me from day one, and the club provide absolutely everything for players. It's the best club in the world to be at."

#city #manchester

FC Bayern Women kicked off 2026/27 pre-season with a 4-1 victory over RB Ōmiya Ardija at the NACK5 Stadium in Tokyo as part of their Allianz Women's Tour. Pernille Harder and Jovana ******* janović gave Germany's double winners the advantage in the first half, before Katharina Naschenweng added a third in the second period. Minami Munakata's header earned the hosts a consolation before Alara's penalty in added time wrapped things up in ******* an. Sarah Mattner, Kassandra Potsi, Ella Rauscha and Regina van Eijk all made their debuts for Bayern during the game.
Bayern got off to the better start in their first game of the new season in hot summer temperatures. José Barcala's side controlled proceedings before Momoko Tanikawa dribbled her way through the home defence and looked for Harder, who couldn't make the chance count. The Dane made no mistake at a corner a minute later as she was found at the far post and pounced on the bouncing ball to open the scoring.
Damnjanović had a great opportunity to double the lead after 19 minutes when played clean through by Harder, but she was unable to beat goalkeeper Yuria Ito. Klara Bühl got into the action when she struck the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the box.
Bayern remained on the front foot but Ōmiya had some promising moments, mainly through Hanon Nishio's three efforts off target. The Munich Frauen finally stretched their lead on the stroke of half-time when Tanikawa found ******* janović to finish at the far post.
Barcala made some changes for the second half but it didn't change the pattern of play. Nishio remained a lively outlet for Ōmiya, but she was well marshalled by captain Glódis Viggósdóttir and the defence. A Bühl corner was met by the head of Magdalena Eriksson but failed to hit the target, before Tanikawa won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area but couldn't beat the jumping wall.

#half

Linda Cohn leaving ESPN feels like a generation ago after seeing the number of prominent on-air personalities who were laid off this week.
Cohn mutually agreed to part ways with ESPN last month after a tenure that lasted more than three decades. And as the longest-tenured SportsCenter anchor in ESPN history, Cohn received a proper sendoff that was both deserved and earned. Three weeks later, however, ESPN reminded everyone how coldblooded the industry is when they executed their latest round of layoffs. And while everyone understands layoffs are part of the business, ESPN has been condemned for the manner in which they handled those cuts.
"The ESPN layoffs were awful. You hate to see anybody lose their job," Cohn said on her recently launched YouTube show. "It's all bad. When you're laid off, when you're fired, when your salary is cut, when you have to think, 'what do I do now?' Well, the ESPN layoffs, that was awful. What made it even worse, if that could be possible, was the way ESPN PR handled it, or mishandled it, because they treated everyone on this latest firing list with zero respect. Zero. Beginning with Ryan Clark."
"That whole PR nightmare could have been avoided if Ryan Clark was alerted, how about the night before? And how about before he took the set for NFL Live?" Cohn continued. "If you knew there were media outlets going to break the news and you were concerned about Ryan finding out by looking at his phone during the show, then why didn't you just tell him before the show? That is **** bling and fumbling. That buffoonery electrified this story in a negative way even more."
Clark was arguably the most prominent personality laid off by ESPN this week, but it was the fact that he learned his fate during a commercial break on NFL Live that garnered the most headlines. ESPN learned Outkick was set to report the news on Clark's looming layoff while he was on NFL Live Monday afternoon. Not wanting to risk Clark's phone blowing up with news of the layoff while he was on-camera, ESPN decided to let him go during a commercial break.

#espn #live #break

Vince Goodwill: Jalen Brunson is going to come get all of his money. Every bit that he.. I won't say he sacrificed. He signed a year early, right? He signed a year early. He could have signed for a hundred million dollars more by signing later. Every dollar of that what 280 or 300 million that he's supposed to get next summer, he's going to get all of that.
YouTube
Vince Goodwill: Jalen Brunson is going to come get all of his money. Every bit that he.. I won't say he sacrificed. He signed a year early, right? He signed a year early. He could have signed for a hundred million dollars more by signing later. Every dollar of that what 280 or 300 million that he's supposed to get next summer, he's going to get all of that. — 7/24/2026 YouTube
NBA 2K: Ball Over Everything 100%. Pre-order NBA 2K27 now! Andre Drummond: How’s Jalen Brunson not the cover? — 7/23/2026 x.com
Following the Knicks’ championship win, in which Jalen Brunson was named NBA Finals MVP and scored 45 points in the close-out game, he had surgery to repair a tendon in his left wrist. Fans — including this writer — were surprised that Brunson turned in a Michael Jordan-esque performance in the Finals with a **** wrist, and he sported a cast to the interview. “I was more in pain when I wasn’t in the game versus when we were actually playing. I feel like the adrenaline took over. But yeah, it was definitely an obstacle, but we found a way through,” he describes, adding, “Because it’s my tendon and my structure, my wrist is fine. There was soft tissue that was holding my tendon and it kept flipping and snapping over the bone every time I shot, every time I flicked my wrist, and so clearly it was causing pain, causing friction… I’ll be in this [cast] for about another six weeks, and then from that point on, it’s just my rehab after that. But I should be good.” — 7/22/2026 Variety.com

#year #early

For the past three seasons, the Detroit Lions have entered the year with one goal: win the Super Bowl.
From 2023 through 2025, expectations soared as Dan Campbell transformed the Lions from a perennial afterthought into one of the NFL's elite teams. Yet despite back-to-back deep playoff runs and one of the league's most talented rosters, the Lombardi Trophy has remained just out of reach.
After a disappointing end to the 2025 season, some around the NFL have begun asking the inevitable question.
Has Detroit's Super Bowl window already closed?
My answer is simple.

#super #lombardi

Cincinnati Bengals fans feel reasonable hype about their team in 2026.
No wonder. The front office left its comfort zone and decided to go all-in through the Dexter Lawrence trade, big cash spending in free agency and even in smaller things, such as how they structured contracts and managed the salary cap.
But as fans surely understand, local hype doesn't mean national hype.
So much so, it seems, that The Athletic’s Mike Jones just wrote that the Bengals are one of the most underrated teams in the entire NFL.
“Thanks to those moves, plus others along the defense, the Bengals just might have better depth than they did when they reached the Super Bowl during the 2021 season,” Jones wrote. “The Baltimore Ravens draw much attention in the AFC North, and rightfully so, and Mike McCarthy’s reunion with Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh has the Steelers in the spotlight, but the Bengals seem primed for a bounce-back season and could cause trouble for divisional foes.”

#hype #season #cincinnati #dexter

Minnesota United’s struggling offense became even more glaring in its first game back from the FIFA World Cup break on Wednesday.
Against Sporting Kansas City — which allowed a Western Conference-worst 39 goals in 15 matches — MNUFC managed only a late goal in a 2-1 loss at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Last-place Sporting still allowed the Loons chances late, but Minnesota couldn’t capitalize. United, which focused on creating more scoring opportunities during the run-up to the restart of the season, now has only 18 goals in 16 matches.
MNUFC (6-5-4, 22 points) is now winless in five consecutive matches, with first-place Vancouver coming to Allianz Field on Saturday night.
Trailing 2-0, Joaquin Pereyra chipped a short free kick to the front post and Devin Padelford headed it home in the 74th minute.

#first #goals

Pep Guardiola has held talks about becoming Italy head coach, Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago has confirmed.
Guardiola left Manchester City this summer after 10 successful years in England, during which time he won six Premier League ****** les, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League.
Italy have been without a head coach since Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April following the country's failure to qualify for a third World Cup in a row.
Sky Italia first reported contact between the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the 55-year-old on Monday.
In an interview with Italian digital sports media platform Cronache di spogliatoio, Malago confirmed talks had been held with the Spaniard and that "exceptions" could be made for his salary.

#italy #federation #malago #held

As the offseason wears on, it's become apparent that the list of people who don't believe Aaron Donald can make an NFL comeback is smaller than the list of people who do.
In a one-on-one interview with USA TODAY Sports, Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees said he 'absolutely' believes Donald could return to NFL action in 2026.
"First off, I've watched the guy on Instagram, and it looks like he's staying in pretty good shape," Brees said. "I mean, I'm still pretty scared of him."
In the two years since his retirement, Donald has consistently posted videos of his workouts to social media – videos that seem to indicate he is still in playing shape if he were to decide to return to the Los Angeles Rams. The 35-year-old defensive tackle has not played an NFL snap since January 2024, but Brees said he's not doubting the possibility of a comeback.
AARON DONALD: Former DT says Myles Garrett trade 'got me thinking' on Rams return

#brees #Rams #pretty

Barça Universal can exclusively report that Aymeric Laporte is one of the centre-backs most appreciated by Hansi Flick.
It must be remembered that while signing a striker remains Barcelona's priority this summer, the club has not ruled out adding an experienced defender should the market present a favourable opportunity.
It is in this regard that the Spanish defender has appeared within the discussion at Spotify Camp Nou.
At this stage, however, the Athletic Club veteran is viewed more as a contingency option than an immediate transfer objective.
As such, Barcelona believe Laporte possesses many qualities that Flick wants in an experienced central defender.

There was a moment, after Argentina came back from 2-0 down to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, when Lionel Messi simply could not stop crying.
There was a touch of celebration but also something more raw than that. He had already cried once this tournament, after he heard of a complication with his father's health following the opening match.
This time, his tears came from relief. Not from escaping defeat against Egypt, but relief he hadn't let his team-mates down after missing a penalty that, for a while, threatened to end Argentina's tournament.
For Messi right now, the emotions arrive tangled together: relief, pressure, family, the crowd, team-mates who love him and want - more than anything - to see him win again. This may be his last World Cup. Then again, who knows.
But somewhere in the middle of all that rollercoaster there is also enormous happiness for a man who has finally found the perfect context, a football team built to his measure. All for one and one for all.

Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks has yet to take an NFL snap, and he’s already on bust watch. That’s the verdict, according to Bleacher Report, which predicted one bust from each team this week.
Banks is on track to be ready for training camp after a foot injury at the NFL Combine, but that apparently doesn’t matter to Moe Moton.
BR on Banks as a Bust
It was Banks as a bust per Moton’s determination, and he explained, “According to The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler, Caleb Banks broke his foot at the NFL Scouting Combine and was expected to be out until June.”
“ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that teams received a letter with confirmation of that recovery timeline. The Minnesota Vikings selected Banks with the No. 18 overall pick in the draft, and he’s yet to participate in practice.”

Reds predicted to trade 49 home run 2X All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cincinnati Reds are firmly out of the postseason race.
Since the start of May, the NL Central club has gone 23-41. That doesn't exactly scream a team with playoff potential.
It would be in Cincinnati's best interest to dangle expiring contracts and a few of their better players on the trade market.
One of the position players who could switch teams for a second straight trade deadline is third baseman Eugenio Suarez.

LeBron James James will be at the Javits Center in New York for Fanatics Fest 2026 this week, which provides a large, controlled stage to potentially announce his next destination — and possibly his last in the NBA. On Thursday, he will partake in a live recording of his "Mind the Game" podcast at 1:15 p.m. ET, where he will be joined by special co-host and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: LeBron James to make public appearance Thursday amid free agency speculation

We've argued in the past that the NFL should embrace the transparency the UFL brings to officiating. A member of the NFL's Competition Committee believes it will.
"And I think every once in a while the benefit of this other league we have, I think quite honestly it’s been helpful for our league," Broncos coach Sean Payton recently told Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom.com. "Every once in a while you see something you like, and I think Dean Blandino and his crew, when we kick live right to the booth review, I think that’s healthy. And I think you’ll see that in the next two or three years in our league."
As Blandino told Rich Eisen in April, transparency in officiating "eliminates some of the angst and some of maybe the conspiracy theories." Keeping the review process a state secret makes people think the NFL has something to hide — especially when the UFL and a growing number of college conferences have pulled up the shades and thrown the doors open.
In this age of legalized, normalized, and heavily monetized sports betting, it's important not only to get calls right but to create the perception that they're doing everything they can to get calls right.
"I definitely think you’ll see that coming," Payton said. "I think it’s healthy, and it’s certainly comforting for the fan when you can see how they arrive at decisions. And I think it’s fair, especially to the officials and the people doing the review, to see what we arrived at."

Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel is expected to join Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors this season.
Vogel will serve as an ****** ociate head coach on Kerr's staff, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, and will fill the vacancy left by Terry Stotts.
Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse were two of Kerr's top ****** istants this past season before departing. Another longtime ****** istant, Chris DeMarco, had also left Kerr's staff in January to become the New York Liberty's head coach.
Vogel is expected to serve as the Warriors' primary defensive game-planner as part of his new role. DeMarco and Stackhouse were in charge of those responsibilities in recent years.
Vogel was most recently with the Dallas Mavericks as an ****** istant under Jason Kidd. He was head coach of the Lakers from 2019 to 2022, leading the franchise to its 17th NBA ****** le in 2020 after beating the Miami Heat in six games while in the NBA bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This tracker will be updated as soon as possible after the Orioles make their picks across the two days of the draft. Day 1 of the draft will go through the fourth round. Day 2 will race through rounds 5-20. The Orioles have a total of 20 picks, one in each round without any bonus picks this time around.
If you are looking to comment on draft picks as they are being made, go here instead.
1st round, 7th overall – Eric Booth Jr. – OF – Oak Grove (Miss.) HS (article)
2nd round, 46th overall – Ty Head – OF – NC State (article)
3rd round, 82nd overall – Dominic Voegele – RHP – Kansas

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South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams has died. He was 25. Adams played for his nation at the World Cup.
His death was confirmed by South Africa's minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie in a statement posted on X.
McKenzie says "it is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams." Adams helped South Africa reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Further details of his death were not given. Adams joined Mamelodi Sundowns last year and helped the club win the African Champions League.
Germany officials confident Klopp will be next national team coach.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

The Atlanta Braves made yet another roster move on Friday, and this time, right-hander Hurston Waldrep was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett while lefty Tyler Kinley was reinstated from the paternity list.
Waldrep has appeared in three games this season after recovering from elbow surgery. In 10.2 frames, he's logged an 8.44 ERA and recorded nine strikeouts.
Kinley returned on Friday night, where he threw a scoreless inning, recording one strikeout and surrendering a walk.
With Kinley back in the bullpen, Waldrep will return to Gwinnett to continue refining his game and await his next opportunity in Atlanta.
After a three-hour rain delay, the Braves fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1.

Dwight Freeney spent most of his Hall of Fame career with the Indianapolis Colts, who he played 11 years and 163 games for. Near the end Freeney also put in one season with the Atlanta Falcons, playing a rotational role for the 2016 team that made it to the Super Bowl.
While it may come as a surprise to some, just because a player makes the Hall of Fame doesn't necessarily mean that they know ball. Freeney does, though, and it sounds like he's still pretty plugged in to the league.
Recently Freeney was interviewed by DJ Saddiqi and answered a bunch of questions on the Colts, as well as a couple on the Falcons. Asked what Atlanta's ceiling is under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, here's what he had to say.
"When you're in a new system, new coach, it's going to take some time. I don't believe a one year fix, all of a sudden playoff contender. The good thing is they're in that division where you might have a .500 team make the playoffs. That's the good thing about that division, with Carolina and Tampa being those teams out there, and the Saints. There's no real standout balling team that you really have to worry about..."
This is usually the case - even for great coaches it's usually not until the second year that their team really takes a leap forward. It certainly was for the Seattle Seahawks, who went from nine wins to 10 in Year 1 under Mike Macdonald, then 14 and a dominant Super Bowl win in his second season.

SV Werder Bremen have completed the signing of 22-year-old centre-back Oskar Wójcik from Polish side KS Cracovia.
“Oskar was one of the standout players in the Polish league last season. We have been following him for some time. We are delighted that the opportunity has now arisen to sign him and that he has decided to become part of the Werder family,” said Werder Bremen's managing director for sport, Clemens Fritz.
Head coach Daniel Thioune had the following to say about the new arrival:
“Oskar has made excellent progress and enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Polish Ekstraklasa last year. He brings a lot of qualities as a centre-back and can start to play an important role for us straight away.”
Wójcik, who made his senior international debut for Poland in May, said:

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Conor McGregor said he is ready for his return to the Octagon.
The 37-year-old Irishman is also convinced he'll have his way with Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.
The two will meet in a welterweight bout, as McGregor will compete for the first time in more than five years.
“Hallelujah!” McGregor exclaimed on Wednesday. “The Mac is back.”
McGregor earned a unanimous decision over Holloway in a featherweight clash in 2013, when neither was an MMA megastar.