It's no secret that ESPN host Stephen A. Smith and NBA star LeBron James don't get along.
On Monday, Smith defended James after President Donald Trump called James "racist" last week when taking questions from reporters.
This, even for a hot take machine like Smith, was "beyond the pale."
"It's embarrassing," Smith said in a video posted on YouTube. "You're the commander-in-chief, you're the president of the United States, and you're going to come out and you're going to call this black man, who's universally recognized one of the greatest athletes who have ever lived, who has been an upstanding citizen, somebody I don't get along with, and I'm still willing to concede he's great."
Smith argued that Trump is resorting to calling James racist simply because James has never supported Trump politically.

#president #racist #espn

Jacobo Ortega is one of many young academy stars participating in the Real Madrid pre-season under new coach Jose Mourinho.
With most of the first-team stars currently on an extended break in light of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Mourinho has taken the opportunity to take a closer look at these academy stars.
Ortega, in particular, is in focus after starring for Castilla last season, impressing onlookers with his goalscoring abilities. But Real Madrid are not the only club observing Ortega.
Ortega enjoyed a fine season with Castilla. (Photo courtesy: Instagram/jacobo.ortegaa)
According to Rodra of ESPN, Strasbourg have set their sights on the young forward, with the French club keen on bringing him to Ligue 1.

#mourinho #young

The Buccaneers have added a defensive player.
Tampa Bay has agreed to a one-year deal with safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Melifonwu, 27, spent last season with the Dolphins. He appeared in 16 games with eight starts, recording 53 total tackles with an interception and a sack.
A third-round pick in 2021, Melifonwu spent his first four seasons with the Lions.

#buccaneers #ifeatu #dolphins

The WNBA's momentum, which started gaining steam with Caitlin Clark's arrival in the 2024 draft, has been unstoppable. Heading into the 2026 season, ESPN's VP of women's sports programming and espnW, Susie Piotrkowski, spoke about the network's view of Clark as a "gateway drug" into women's sports.
"If that brought you in, I'm going to keep you here," Piotrkowski said.
Through the first half of the season, she, along with the WNBA's other media partners in its new 11-year, $2.2 billion media deal, have delivered. The league held its 2026 All-Star Weekend in Chicago over the weekend, and per a report from Austin Karp at Sports Business Journal, WNBA telecasts are up 12% compared to last season at the All-Star Break across its rights partners.
To Piotrkowski's credit, Clark has certainly been the biggest driver of that success, as the top seven broadcasts in the first half of the season all involved her Indiana Fever. Indiana's win over the New York Liberty on July 18, which averaged 2.58 million viewers, was the most-watched WNBA telecast ever on CBS, and the second-most-watched WNBA game this season, behind only Fever-Las Vegas Aces (2.64 million) on NBC and Peacock on July 12.
Unsurprisingly, Clark's ratings impact was also felt over All-Star Weekend.

#WNBA #sports #piotrkowski #clark

The Seattle Seahawks may have Wednesday off from training camp practice, but they're busy looking at possible roster additions.
Former Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson is slated for a workout with Seattle, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It could be yet another former Cowboys defensive player reuniting with current Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde.
Wilson was drafted by the Cowboys in 2019 and started in five of his seven seasons with the team. He recorded 13 sacks, nine forced fumbles, and eight interceptions in his career, including (barring an un-retirement) the final interception of Russell Wilson's career.
When Dan Quinn was the defensive coordinator, Wilson as among the three safeties in Quinn's "big nickel" package, and his best season came in 2022 when he had a career-high five sacks and seven tackles for loss, earning him a three-year contract extension.
The Seahawks are currently without Nick Emmanwori, whose recent ankle surgery landed him on the PUP list. His status for Week 1 is unclear but it's not expected to be a long-term absence. In the meantime, the 30-year-old Wilson would be a possible veteran presence with a legitimate shot to make the roster. We'll see if the workout turns into an eventual signing.

#seahawks #workout

The San Francisco 49ers dealt with so many injuries throughout their 2025 campaign, that it was almost difficult for the team to keep enough players on the roster at times, and now it looks like these issues are creeping up again.
Before Wednesday's training camp session, ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, running back Jordan James and safety Malik Mustapha are all injured and won't practice.
According to Wagoner, Pearsall is dealing with knee swelling that stems from the PCL injury that he suffered in 2025. That injury cost him significant time last year, and with the team reportedly considering all options, including surgery, this could be a long-term issue.
James suffered a fractured rib that will keep him off the field for some time. The 22-year-old was battling 2025 draft pick Kaelon Black to be Christian McCaffrey's top backup, but this will certainly impact that competition. For now, Black will be the guy with Patrick Taylor Jr. and Sincere McCormick filling in.
Mustapha has a hamstring strain, which will keep him out of Wednesday's practice. However, it's unclear how significant the strain is. George Kittle missed five weeks with a hamstring last year. That would put the defensive back returning right around Week 1. If it's serious, it might give the upper hand to Marques Sigle, who's surprisingly battling Mustapha for a starting job.

#year #james #back

The first real controversy of the 2026-27 U of L athletics season hit about a month before a Cardinal team played a contest that counted.
On Tuesday, the Louisville men's basketball team played an exhibition game in the Bahamas that fans had no ability to watch or listen to. I wasn't happy about it, you weren't happy about it, ******* ody was happy about it.
The immediate result of that annoyance, as it typically is, was people trying to figure out who they should blame. There were fingers pointed at Josh Heird, the ACC Network, ESPN, U of L's marketing department, and bizarrely at one point, Tim Henderson. Ok, the last one might have been made up, but every other entity on that list received their fair share of not so friendly fire over the last two weeks or so.
Following his team's 101-52 trouncing of Bahamas Raw Talent on Tuesday, Pat Kelsey wasted no time in accepting full blame for fans having to spend their afternoons staring at an updating box score.
"I'm well aware that people are upset that we didn't stream it," Kelsey said. "All I can do on the back end after we made that decision is apologize. Probably, looking back and seeing how passionate everyone is about it, probably should have done it. But everything this summer was just about doors closed, blinders on, let's grow as a team. Let's get better. It's been about us and business."

#team #bahamas #kelsey

Long before LeBron James bid farewell to the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, the transition of power within the franchise began. Luka Dončić, whom the Lakers famously traded for in February 2025, became their crown jewel.
But James remained at the heart of JJ Redick's squad that season and this past season. James and Dončić co-existed remarkably well, each respecting the other's game while forming an entertaining three-headed attack with Austin Reaves.
Even though the Lakers have been planning their future around Dončić for a good bit of time now, it wasn't until James officially closed the door on his chapter in L.A. that Dončić stood alone in the spotlight. He's the undisputed face of the franchise, and he's reportedly embracing a leadership role that's seemingly heightened in the absence of James, a four-time NBA champion and four-time league MVP.
In fact, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Dončić is hosting the entire Lakers roster in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp in August. The trip will feature workouts, golf, bonding and touring Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia, McMenamin reported on Wednesday.
Dončić, a six-time All-NBA first teamer, is preparing for a pivotal season in his already prolific career. He played his way into the MVP conversation last season before a Grade 2 left hamstring strain effectively ended his campaign prematurely. He experienced that setback in early April and didn't make it back for the Lakers' postseason run, which came to a screeching halt in the Western Conference semifinals.

#lebron

Dave McMenamin: Luka Doncic is hosting the entire Los Angeles Lakers roster in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp in August, a source close to the Lakers told ESPN. The itinerary will include workouts, golf and some Ljubljana tourism and bonding ahead of training camp.
x.com
No matter where LeBron decides to go, it would be seen as him chasing rings, since almost every team in the league already has stars. "Where does Charles and the legends want LeBron to go? Do they want him to go to the G League? Because if he went to Cleveland, is that team stacked? Is Miami with Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo is that team stacked? Jokic and Jamal Murray is that team stacked? Ant Edwards, Rudy Gobert I don't know; he left Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves is that not? I don't understand the premise of the complaint," Windhorst said in response. — 7/28/2026 basketballnews.com
Shams Charania: "The Heat are among several championship contending teams that are monitoring Klay Thompson's situation and have interest in Klay Thompson potentially via trade or a buyout. Klay Thompson is in the final year of his deal. You know he wants to compete for a championship as a four-time ****** le winner. He signed on with the Mavs a couple years ago to play with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. A lot has changed in Dallas." — 7/27/2026 YouTube

#doncic #league

Dave McMenamin: Luka Doncic is hosting the entire Los Angeles Lakers roster in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp in August, a source close to the Lakers told ESPN. The itinerary will include workouts, golf and some Ljubljana tourism and bonding ahead of training camp.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Luka Doncic hosting entire Lakers' roster in Slovenia for four-day minicamp next month

#hosting #four #dave

Another ranking, and another list where the Chargers find themselves just outside the top 10.
ESPN recently ranked NFL teams based on their under-25 talent, and the Chargers came in at No. 11, narrowly missing out on a spot among the league's top young cores.
"The top young player for the Chargers is Alt, who is 23 years old and tasked with protecting quarterback Justin Herbert. Running back Omarion Hampton and tight end Oronde Gadsden (both 23) performed well for the Chargers in 2025. Wide receivers Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris are all 24.
"On defense, the underrated slot cornerback Tarheeb Still is still just 24 years old, while edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu will turn 24 on Sept. 3. However, rookie first-rounder Mesidor does not qualify for this ranking, as he turned 25 in April."
The Chargers dropped one spot in the list compared to last year. Notable teams ahead of Los Angeles in this category are the Raiders, Browns and the Texans.

#teams #spot #espn

Indianapolis Colts' running back Jonathan Taylor is entering the final year of his current contract. During offseason programs, he said that he would "love to be a Colt for life."
Whether or not a new deal will be reached remains to be seen, but following Wednesday's first training camp practice, Taylor did say that there have "been some good conversations," according to ESPN's Stephen Holder.
Taylor added that he has "faith" that the two sides will be able to reach a new deal.
On Taylor's current deal, he is averaging $14 million per year, which ranks as the seventh-most among running backs. Perhaps of interest to Taylor as he looks for an extension, Devon Achane signed a four-year, $64 million extension this offseason, making him the third-highest-paid back in football.
From a production standpoint, Taylor remains one of the top backs in football, while shouldering a heavy workload out of the backfield. He played in 13 games in 2024 and all 17 games last season. rushing for 1,431 yards and 1,585 yards, respectively, as one of the more productive backs in football each year.

#backs #remains

Heat predicted to flip Andrew Wiggins for $411M former MVP, 3-time scoring champion in mega deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat have been aggressive this offseason, especially early in free agency. Miami is coming off a disappointing season after failing to advance out of the Play-In Tournament.
The Heat made one of the biggest moves of the summer when they traded for former Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
"The Milwaukee Bucks are trading franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks (including No. 13 in Tuesday's NBA draft), one pick swap and one second-round pick, sources told ESPN," ESPN's Shams Charania wrote.
Miami also pursued LeBron James, but that effort ultimately fell short. The Heat have since shifted their focus toward adding more shooting.

#round

After several years as one of ESPN's most visible personalities, hosting the 6 p.m. SportsCenter and anchoring WNBA Finals coverage, Elle Duncan departed the Worldwide Leader to become the face of Netflix's growing sports venture. She's also been tabbed to lead USA Network's studio coverage for its WNBA broadcasts.
On Monday, Duncan appeared on The Sports Gossip Show podcast and discussed the ever-prevalent and increasingly bizarre coverage surrounding Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Over the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend, Clark sat down with ESPN's Malika Andrews and discussed how "emotionally exhausting" the constant coverage surrounding her can be.
"I feel like media and journalism have a responsibility to tell the stories," Clark told Andrews, "and a lot of the time you guys are the ones controlling the narratives about what people read and what people talk about. And a lot of that is sometimes so far out of touch with what is reality."
Although Duncan doesn't believe Clark is at fault for how far out of control things have spun, she wants to see the three-time All-Star take more ownership of the situation.
"I would love for it to be very clear to the people who think they are her fans but are using her, if she would say, 'stop that sh*t, I don't want it, I'm tired of it.' As opposed to what we've seen, which is 'the media makes up these narratives, the media makes up this discourse.'

#Media #andrews

Jacksonville Jaguars' second-year linebacker Jack Kiser exited Wednesday's training camp practice and did not return.
According to ESPN's Michael DiRocco, Kiser was injured during an 11-on-11 team period and grabbed his right knee when he was on the ground.
Afterward, head coach Liam Coen said that Kiser will have an MRI on Wednesday night to determine the severity of the injury.
A fourth-round pick by the Jaguars in the 2025 NFL draft, Kiser's greatest impact came on special teams, where he played 191 snaps from Weeks 1 through 15, contributing to four of the six phases regularly. He recorded four total tackles and graded out well by PFF's metrics.
Kiser played only 43 defensive snaps on the season, appearing in four games.

#four

ESPN insider reveals what Phillies will 'certainly' add at MLB trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Phillies have three clear needs for the 2026 MLB trade deadline. They need to upgrade their offense by adding a right-handed hitting outfielder, another reliever due to Brad Keller's injury, and a new starting pitcher amid some major struggles from the No. 5 spot and Aaron Nola.
All of those areas of need have to be addressed for this Phillies team to have a chance come October, if they even make it there. So, of those three needs, is there one more likely to be resolved than the others?
ESPN's Buster Olney revealed that there is one position the Phillies "will most certainly" add by the August 3 MLB trade deadline, and that position is the No. 5 starter.
"Aaron Nola has struggled, and the No. 5 spot in the rotation has been a mess," Olney writes. "The Phillies will most certainly add a veteran starting pitcher before the deadline."

#olney

First there was "The Indecision" by LeBron James which dragged his free agency decision on for what seemed like three Northeast Ohio pro football seasons, now there is "The Aftermath."
That aftermath includes revelations that James, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this week, met with Cleveland Cavaliers ownership, including owner Dan Gilbert, and management including president of basketball operations Koby Altman and ****** istant general manager Brandon Weems in Akron in early July, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.

#aftermath #including

Detroit Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs might be in the midst of a hold-in as he seeks a new contract.
According to ESPN's Eric Woodyard, Gibbs, who did report to training camp, did not take part in the team's first practice on Wednesday.
Gibbs' absence, which is not believed to be injury-related, according to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, comes amid he and the Lions trying to hammer out a contract extension.
"(Gibbs) was not listed on the team's Physically Unable to Perform or Non-Football-Injury list to start camp, suggesting his absence is not injury related," Reisman wrote.
MORE: Dan Campbell just sent Jahmyr Gibbs' fantasy football value soaring

#detroit #jahmyr #contract #camp

When NBC took over the Sunday Night Baseball franchise from ESPN this year, one thing they did differently was put out a schedule for the entire season.
They did retain the right to flex late-season games into that Sunday night time slot, as they do for NFL games, and Wednesday the network announced that the game between the Cubs and Reds at Wrigley Field on Sunday, Aug. 30 has been flexed and will be the featured Sunday Night Baseball game.
That game was originally scheduled for 2:10 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field. Instead it will begin at 6 p.m. CT. As of the time of this post, tickets for that game had not yet been updated in the MLB Ballpark app, but I am sure they will be soon.
The original Sunday Night Baseball scheduled game for Aug. 30 was Astros at Mets. That game will move to 3 p.m. ET and it will still be carried on NBC and Peacock.
Mark your calendars!

#night

ESPN insider reveals Yankees priority at MLB trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Yankees are heading towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline with a clear need at a few different spots. Another righty-hitting outfielder, a new catcher, and some bullpen help all would be useful for the Yankees.
But, which of those needs do the Yankees require the most? It's an interesting question, and one that the Yankees need to answer themselves to figure out where they should allocate the most resources.
ESPN's Buster Olney revealed the Yankees' trade deadline priority this summer, indicating that the team's bullpen is the top need for Brian Cashman and the Yankees.
"But bullpen help is the priority, and if the Yankees can get a Miller or a Morejon, they might have the sort of pitching staff that could win in October," Olney writes.

#bullpen #Help

Well, it looks like plans at the quarterback position may have changed for the Carolina Panthers.
According to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Panthers are bringing in free-agent quarterback Kyle Trask for a workout on Wednesday.
Following the retirement of third-stringer Will Grier, Carolina has gone through the first handful of training camp practices with three quarterbacks. Last Wednesday, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan was asked if he was looking to add back a fourth for the summer.
"No plans right now to bring a fourth guy on," Morgan told reporters. "Obviously, wish Will and his family the best. In terms of his career, just playing as long as he did, and just wish him the best moving forward."
Trask, a second-round pick out of the University of Florida in 2021, has spent each of his five NFL seasons in the NFC South. The first four (2021 to 2024) came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he crossed paths with Panthers head coach Dave Canales in 2023. The 28-year-old then signed with the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad midway through 2025.

#panthers #first #fourth #wish

"He talked, he learned, he listened and he said nothing," a source close to James told ESPN. "He didn't tell you what he was thinking. He didn't tell you what he was looking for. And I think LeBron just decided this was the time he was going to make it about what he wanted, and he was going to block out all the noise."
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "He talked, he learned, he listened and he said …

#didn 't #espn

James can never be 6-for-6 in the Finals like Jordan -- that was out the window after losing in his first Finals trip in 2007 -- but if he fulfills his two-year, $8 million contract with Philadelphia, he'll have played 25 years in the league. A full 10 more than Jordan, a staple of longevity that Jordan's legacy can never touch. And who knows if it stops there. "I think Philadelphia's going to energize him," Paul told ESPN. "Maybe we get two [seasons]. Maybe we get four."
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Rich Paul says Philadelphia will energize LeBron James: 'Maybe we get two seasons. Maybe we get four'

#maybe #never

As soon as the "sss" sound from "process" left his lips a second time -- the slogan ******* ociated with the Philadelphia 76ers for the past 13 years after former general manager Sam Hinkie's radical franchise reset -- the crowd reacted as if James just ripped open his jacket to reveal he was wearing a Sixers jersey underneath. "He did not say that in any way, shape or form to drop some kind of Easter egg about the Sixers," a source close to James told ESPN. "He thought it was funny, but also it wasn't conscious, and he's been saying that kind of thing for years."
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "He did not say that in any way, shape or form to drop …

#sixers #drop #espn

WHAT STARTED WITH James' longtime friend and agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, having conversations with 27 teams, as he told ESPN, and then whittling them to a final five -- the 76ers, Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves -- ended with the veteran with the ball in his hands looking for the last shot to cap an already Hall of Fame career.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Rich Paul spoke with 27 teams about LeBron James

#james #started #klutch #espn

There were surprising suitors along the way. The Boston Celtics, James' consistent nemesis through the years, expressed interest, sources told ESPN. The LA Clippers even discussed a lucrative one-season contract north of $20 million that would allow him to stay at his Brentwood, California, home, sources said.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Celtics and Clippers pursued LeBron James too

#james

The Falcons' quarterback competition is on hold as the team starts training camp on Wednesday.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Tua Tagovailoa will not practice after an injury "flared up." Stefanski did not specify the injury, but Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the quarterback is dealing with back tightness.
Stefanski said the injury is not considered serious and that they expect him back sooner rather than later. The head coach also said that Michael Penix has not been cleared for team drills, so neither of the players who are vying for the starting job in Atlanta are going to be fully participating in practice at this point.
The Falcons released Trevor Siemian with a non-football injury on Wednesday, which leaves undrafted rookie Jack Strand as the only healthy quarterback on the roster. The Falcons are expected to sign former Cowboys and Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush to give them another option at the position as they wait for Tagovailoa and Penix to get the green light for full practice activities.
It's not an ideal way to kick off camp in Atlanta and the Falcons will be hoping for better news for both quarterbacks before they get too much deeper into their preparations for the 2026 season.

#stefanski #tagovailoa #atlanta

Jaylen Brown understands the sacrifice needed to make the 2026-27 Philadelphia 76ers a **** le team and is entering the season with the perfect attitude.
Brown was traded to the 76ers after the Boston Celtics failed to make a move for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That move inevitably led LeBron James to join the 76ers for a **** le push. But this also means Brown will need to sacrifice even more than he ever did in Boston due to the top-heavy nature of his new team.
ESPN's Shams Charania has revealed that Brown is committed to playing a team role to maximize the 76ers' chances of a **** le, going into the season with no ego.
"There's gonna be so much sacrifice that's gonna go into next season. And one person around Jaylen Brown told me today, he's gonna approach this with no ego."

#brown #team #boston

The 2026-27 Premier League season is just around the corner, and we know this to be the case because Liverpool are set to face Wrexham at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday — a timeless preseason ritual.
MORE — Preseason fixtures & results | Transfers completed
Liverpool are now under the leadership of Andoni Iraola, who just recently led Bournemouth to Europa League qualification before departing with a bigger job on his mind. Iraola replaces Arne Slot, who won the Premier League ***** le in his first season but was fired at the end of his second, in a transitional time for the club.
Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson have all left, leaving a bit of a leadership and experience void in a squad that will undoubtedly be younger and greener this year. Will Iraola be able to develop young talent at Liverpool, the way he did at Bournemouth, or will the demand for results now, now, now alter his approach?
Kick off time: 7:30 pm ET Wednesday, July 29
Venue: Yankee Stadium — New York City
How to watch: ESPN

#Liverpool #wednesday #preseason

The Indiana Fever said neither the team nor Sophie Cunningham were aware of the "Support Sophie Cunningham" rally held outside Climate Pledge Arena ahead of their game Tuesday against the Seattle Storm. The event was held in support of the Fever guard's recent comments regarding transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports.
"Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers," a statement from the Fever reads. "Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission."
The event was organized by Women are Real, Brandi Kruse and Known Heretic, and comes after Cunningham said in an ESPN profile that she wanted to protect young girls in locker rooms and in sport who "shouldn't have to go against biological men."
She reinforced those beliefs ahead of last week's game vs. the Connecticut Sun.
"It's kind of common sense, and I think I'll always believe in that," Cunningham said. "I think it's really important to protect children, and that's little girls who are also involved in that category. So I stand on what I said, and I'll always believe that."

#cunningham