7 hours ago
The Dodgers don't care about your feelings.
Nor should they.
Baseball's unapologetic behemoth got even more imposing, infuriating and inevitable late Saturday night. Tarik Skubal, he of the back-to-back AL Cy Young awards, is now a Los Angeles Dodger. The rich, once again, have gotten richer.
It's a fascinating, anticlimactic conclusion to what had been one of the more debated deadline sweepstakes for quite some time. Skubal's Detroit Tigers tossed fuel on the fire by failing to turn a disappointing season around. By the back end of last week, a trade appeared increasingly likely. And in the end, the game's evil empire won the bidding for the game's best hurler.
As one team employee put it to me last week: "If Andrew [Friedman] wants Skubal, he'll get Skubal." Turns out, Los Angeles' top baseball exec did indeed want the sport's most effective pitcher.
#skubal #angeles
Nor should they.
Baseball's unapologetic behemoth got even more imposing, infuriating and inevitable late Saturday night. Tarik Skubal, he of the back-to-back AL Cy Young awards, is now a Los Angeles Dodger. The rich, once again, have gotten richer.
It's a fascinating, anticlimactic conclusion to what had been one of the more debated deadline sweepstakes for quite some time. Skubal's Detroit Tigers tossed fuel on the fire by failing to turn a disappointing season around. By the back end of last week, a trade appeared increasingly likely. And in the end, the game's evil empire won the bidding for the game's best hurler.
As one team employee put it to me last week: "If Andrew [Friedman] wants Skubal, he'll get Skubal." Turns out, Los Angeles' top baseball exec did indeed want the sport's most effective pitcher.
#skubal #angeles
8 hours ago
Bayern Munich has long been an admirer of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Bradley Barcola.
The talented 23-year-old is someone who the Bavarians have wanted to bring in the past two summers. Now, though, Barcola is ready to leave PSG, but there is "no room at the inn." Given that, Barcola could be looking at a future with Liverpool, who seems to be spending massive amounts every summer now:
Bayern Munich are following this potential transfer of Bradley Barcola to Liverpool. Last summer, and the summer before, they were always in contact with the Frenchman's management. The 23-year-old is a player on the shortlist, and even this summer they knocked on Barcola's door to check his situation and what his feelings were for the future, as his current contract runs out in 2028. There are no negotiations with PSG, at the moment, for a contract extension, so he's getting cheaper and cheaper every year.
The left-sided winger is too expensive this summer for Bayern Munich, but it's a pity that he's not too expensive for Liverpool right now! They are closer to this deal. Yan Diomande, it seems, will be signing for Real Madrid, so Liverpool really need a player like Barcola now. Bayern, on the other hand, could use a player like this in the future. We don't know what's happening with Michael Olise long-term. This summer, of course, we know he's staying put, but next summer the big question will be whether Olise signs a new contract or if Bayern will be forced to sell him.
The number one option to replace Michael Olise would be, as far as Bayern Munich are concerned, Bradley Barcola. If Liverpool are there, however, and if he's signing for the Reds, there's no chance for Bayern. But next summer, there could be a chance if he's staying in Paris for another season.
#barcola
The talented 23-year-old is someone who the Bavarians have wanted to bring in the past two summers. Now, though, Barcola is ready to leave PSG, but there is "no room at the inn." Given that, Barcola could be looking at a future with Liverpool, who seems to be spending massive amounts every summer now:
Bayern Munich are following this potential transfer of Bradley Barcola to Liverpool. Last summer, and the summer before, they were always in contact with the Frenchman's management. The 23-year-old is a player on the shortlist, and even this summer they knocked on Barcola's door to check his situation and what his feelings were for the future, as his current contract runs out in 2028. There are no negotiations with PSG, at the moment, for a contract extension, so he's getting cheaper and cheaper every year.
The left-sided winger is too expensive this summer for Bayern Munich, but it's a pity that he's not too expensive for Liverpool right now! They are closer to this deal. Yan Diomande, it seems, will be signing for Real Madrid, so Liverpool really need a player like Barcola now. Bayern, on the other hand, could use a player like this in the future. We don't know what's happening with Michael Olise long-term. This summer, of course, we know he's staying put, but next summer the big question will be whether Olise signs a new contract or if Bayern will be forced to sell him.
The number one option to replace Michael Olise would be, as far as Bayern Munich are concerned, Bradley Barcola. If Liverpool are there, however, and if he's signing for the Reds, there's no chance for Bayern. But next summer, there could be a chance if he's staying in Paris for another season.
#barcola
9 hours ago
Well, let's start with the good feelings. There was a sentimental feeling percolating around the Yard well before tonight's game, with a team Hall of Fame induction ceremony that saw former O's slugger Chris Davis, 1983 World Series Champion Storm Davis, and late scout Jim Russo all get their green jackets. Both Storm and Chris were in attendance, along with lots of their former teammates, including, to give short pre-game remarks and stop by the MASN booth to chat about their favorite memories.
It was cool to learn that Storm Davis actually served as a mentor to a young Ben McDonald, then a rookie pitcher, now a MASN ****** yst, but I was especially sentimental about Davis's reminiscences, which covered the especially sweet 2012-16 years, when the O's led the AL in wins. Dishing about some of his favorite memories, Davis named several that brought up memories. There was his 2013 home opener grand slam:
View Link
This unreal broken-bat home run off lefty Tony Watson.
And, my favorite, the ludicrously improbable homer he hit off ambidextrous sinker-baller Pat Venditte, a tentative one-handed half-swing that somehow made it into the stands. Davis described it earlier this week: "The home run vs Pat Venditte where I literally ****** out, one handed, I heard he tore up the video room on the visitor side after that… I'm like, I don't know either dude. Like I don't know what I'm doing." Amazing!
#chris #well #like
It was cool to learn that Storm Davis actually served as a mentor to a young Ben McDonald, then a rookie pitcher, now a MASN ****** yst, but I was especially sentimental about Davis's reminiscences, which covered the especially sweet 2012-16 years, when the O's led the AL in wins. Dishing about some of his favorite memories, Davis named several that brought up memories. There was his 2013 home opener grand slam:
View Link
This unreal broken-bat home run off lefty Tony Watson.
And, my favorite, the ludicrously improbable homer he hit off ambidextrous sinker-baller Pat Venditte, a tentative one-handed half-swing that somehow made it into the stands. Davis described it earlier this week: "The home run vs Pat Venditte where I literally ****** out, one handed, I heard he tore up the video room on the visitor side after that… I'm like, I don't know either dude. Like I don't know what I'm doing." Amazing!
#chris #well #like
11 hours ago
Four years ago, when the Browns, Panthers, Falcons, and Saints entered a four-way competition for quarterback Deshaun Watson, Cleveland was the first team to which Watson said, "No thanks." A five-year, fully-guaranteed contract quickly changed his mind.
Still, there's been a lingering perception that Watson didn't really want to play for the Browns. Before too long, it seemed as if the Browns were counting the days until they could move on from Watson.
Will that change? On Friday, owner Jimmy Haslam kept the door open on Watson returning in 2027. On Saturday, Watson made his feelings for Cleveland clear.
"When I first got here, there was a lot of stuff going on, as the world knows," Watson told reporters. "But I don't have any bad feelings toward Cleveland. I love Cleveland. Me and my wife have our house on the east side, so we're here all the time. We were here this summer. If you ask around, I'm at pretty much all the restaurants, hanging out, so I haven't had a bad experience outside of different times in the stadium. I don't know why that narrative is out there that people think that I don't like Cleveland. My family and I have been enjoying our time here, if the opportunity shows up, we'll see where it goes."
The first step will be winning the starting job. The second step will be playing well enough to return. And the third step will be fending off any other teams that may want Watson, if he re-establishes himself as a high-level NFL starter.
#watson #feelings
Still, there's been a lingering perception that Watson didn't really want to play for the Browns. Before too long, it seemed as if the Browns were counting the days until they could move on from Watson.
Will that change? On Friday, owner Jimmy Haslam kept the door open on Watson returning in 2027. On Saturday, Watson made his feelings for Cleveland clear.
"When I first got here, there was a lot of stuff going on, as the world knows," Watson told reporters. "But I don't have any bad feelings toward Cleveland. I love Cleveland. Me and my wife have our house on the east side, so we're here all the time. We were here this summer. If you ask around, I'm at pretty much all the restaurants, hanging out, so I haven't had a bad experience outside of different times in the stadium. I don't know why that narrative is out there that people think that I don't like Cleveland. My family and I have been enjoying our time here, if the opportunity shows up, we'll see where it goes."
The first step will be winning the starting job. The second step will be playing well enough to return. And the third step will be fending off any other teams that may want Watson, if he re-establishes himself as a high-level NFL starter.
#watson #feelings
15 hours ago
The pundits made their feelings known.
"Shocking. Terrible. Totally robbed," said former champion Richie Woodhall.
England's Dimeji ******* tu had to settle for silver at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday after a controversial defeat by India's Ankush Panghal.
Shittu, 24, was docked a point in both the second and third rounds but even without that, he would not have won after more controversial decision-making.
"The referee has cost ******* tu the contest," Woodhall said on TNT Sports. "He has been robbed. I really feel for him."
#shittu #shocking #richie
"Shocking. Terrible. Totally robbed," said former champion Richie Woodhall.
England's Dimeji ******* tu had to settle for silver at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday after a controversial defeat by India's Ankush Panghal.
Shittu, 24, was docked a point in both the second and third rounds but even without that, he would not have won after more controversial decision-making.
"The referee has cost ******* tu the contest," Woodhall said on TNT Sports. "He has been robbed. I really feel for him."
#shittu #shocking #richie
17 hours ago
Will Levis isn't the Tennessee ***** ans' starting quarterback. But he still believes he deserves to be someone's starting quarterback.
"There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me," Levis told reporters after ***** ans practice on Aug. 1. "I know that for sure."
Levis has been practicing as a reserve quarterback behind starter Cam Ward since returning to the ***** ans in the spring. The embattled former ***** ans second-round pick and once-anointed quarterback of the future missed all of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery, and he's returned to a team with not only Ward as the new quarterback of the future, but also with veteran Mitchell Trubisky installed as the likeliest backup option.
That puts Levis in a precarious position. Levis says one of his biggest emphases while away from the game was on learning how to express feelings he once would've suppressed. He's not holding onto his failures anymore. He's having difficult conversations. He's confronting himself and telling himself the truth. And it's letting him focus on having fun on the field rather than needing to constantly prove himself to the whole world, and to himself.
In Levis' mind, playing that way doesn't at all conflict with the conviction he's holding onto that he deserves to be a starter.
#Titans #starting #future
"There are not 32 quarterbacks in this league better than me," Levis told reporters after ***** ans practice on Aug. 1. "I know that for sure."
Levis has been practicing as a reserve quarterback behind starter Cam Ward since returning to the ***** ans in the spring. The embattled former ***** ans second-round pick and once-anointed quarterback of the future missed all of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery, and he's returned to a team with not only Ward as the new quarterback of the future, but also with veteran Mitchell Trubisky installed as the likeliest backup option.
That puts Levis in a precarious position. Levis says one of his biggest emphases while away from the game was on learning how to express feelings he once would've suppressed. He's not holding onto his failures anymore. He's having difficult conversations. He's confronting himself and telling himself the truth. And it's letting him focus on having fun on the field rather than needing to constantly prove himself to the whole world, and to himself.
In Levis' mind, playing that way doesn't at all conflict with the conviction he's holding onto that he deserves to be a starter.
#Titans #starting #future
24 hours ago
When President Donald Trump helped orchestrate Darline Graham's appointment to finish Sen. Lindsey Graham's term, many Republicans in South Carolina saw it as a fitting tribute to her late brother.
But four days later, following Trump's announcement that he wanted Graham to run for a six-year term, their feelings quickly flipped.
The president's decision to get behind a political unknown for a breakneck special election process is further testing his clout in South Carolina, a solidly red state where Republicans already this year have roundly rejected his first pick for the governor's race and his push to redraw the state's congressional maps. Behind the scenes, some Republicans are stewing as others fret that Trump is setting himself up for failure, once again, in the Palmetto State.
"The issue is that the president continues to get bad advice about South Carolina," said CJ Westfall, chairman of the Dorchester County GOP. "We certainly empathize with Darline — and even the president, as Lindsey was a really good friend of his — but he's certainly getting bad advice. We've got a lot more exciting options for this seat. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity."
When speaking privately to candidly discuss the race, GOP heavyweights in the state echo a growing number of social media posts lamenting "coronations" and "monarchies" — complaining that what could have been South Carolina Republicans' first open Senate primary in more than two decades now features an incumbent with the same surname.
#president #state #term
But four days later, following Trump's announcement that he wanted Graham to run for a six-year term, their feelings quickly flipped.
The president's decision to get behind a political unknown for a breakneck special election process is further testing his clout in South Carolina, a solidly red state where Republicans already this year have roundly rejected his first pick for the governor's race and his push to redraw the state's congressional maps. Behind the scenes, some Republicans are stewing as others fret that Trump is setting himself up for failure, once again, in the Palmetto State.
"The issue is that the president continues to get bad advice about South Carolina," said CJ Westfall, chairman of the Dorchester County GOP. "We certainly empathize with Darline — and even the president, as Lindsey was a really good friend of his — but he's certainly getting bad advice. We've got a lot more exciting options for this seat. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity."
When speaking privately to candidly discuss the race, GOP heavyweights in the state echo a growing number of social media posts lamenting "coronations" and "monarchies" — complaining that what could have been South Carolina Republicans' first open Senate primary in more than two decades now features an incumbent with the same surname.
#president #state #term
2 days ago
I hope you will forgive me for being sentimental, over the top even. I write this going through some real life struggles. I write this with back to back Sky Sports documentaries about Kevin Keegan and The Entertainers on in the background.
I write this struggling to understand my feelings about Eddie Howe going and the current state of Newcastle United. I write this as a man getting older, and feeling it.
I didn't know how I felt when my daughter broke the news that Eddie Howe was gone. My first words were "oh you're joking", so on reflection I was probably gutted.
I admit to growing frustrated at what I perceived to be a stagnant team falling behind, due to a manager who stubbornly stook to his system despite its apparent failings. But I still viewed Howe in the same company as King Kev and Sir Bobby, the only three managers in my lifetime that I have truly loved.
The memories of the last five years will remain with me forever. Eddie Howe's black and white army gave something to me and my daughter which brought us back together, my daughter who was being taken from me by teenage, by boyfriend, by growing up. My eternal thanks to the man for that.
#howe #back #sports #kevin
I write this struggling to understand my feelings about Eddie Howe going and the current state of Newcastle United. I write this as a man getting older, and feeling it.
I didn't know how I felt when my daughter broke the news that Eddie Howe was gone. My first words were "oh you're joking", so on reflection I was probably gutted.
I admit to growing frustrated at what I perceived to be a stagnant team falling behind, due to a manager who stubbornly stook to his system despite its apparent failings. But I still viewed Howe in the same company as King Kev and Sir Bobby, the only three managers in my lifetime that I have truly loved.
The memories of the last five years will remain with me forever. Eddie Howe's black and white army gave something to me and my daughter which brought us back together, my daughter who was being taken from me by teenage, by boyfriend, by growing up. My eternal thanks to the man for that.
#howe #back #sports #kevin
2 days ago
The market isn't hiding its feelings about Meta (META) as it heads to its earnings report after the close today.
Investors are selling first and asking questions later.
Meta stock has now declined for nine straight days, the longest losing streak in its history. The steady march lower has sent Meta shares below all key technical moving averages, per Yahoo Finance AlphaSpace data.
When Meta (META) reports its second quarter earnings, all eyes will be on its capital expenditures plan for the rest of the year and in 2027.
This area of Meta's cash flow statement garners the most attention — not just because Alphabet (GOOGL) spooked its investor base last week by warning it intends to spend way more than expected but also because Meta's stock price has been dead money for more than a year (as seen above).
#year #investors #market
Investors are selling first and asking questions later.
Meta stock has now declined for nine straight days, the longest losing streak in its history. The steady march lower has sent Meta shares below all key technical moving averages, per Yahoo Finance AlphaSpace data.
When Meta (META) reports its second quarter earnings, all eyes will be on its capital expenditures plan for the rest of the year and in 2027.
This area of Meta's cash flow statement garners the most attention — not just because Alphabet (GOOGL) spooked its investor base last week by warning it intends to spend way more than expected but also because Meta's stock price has been dead money for more than a year (as seen above).
#year #investors #market
3 days ago
TMZ founder Harvey Levin defended Dr. Anthony Fauci against a right-wing "witch hunt" after congressional Republicans grilled him about private diary entries from the COVID era that were leaked by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Monday.
Opening his nearly five-minute statement saying he rarely uses TMZ to "vent personal feelings," Levin told viewers, "Watching Anthony Fauci before a congressional hearing taking the Fifth Amendment is just one of the most heartbreaking things I have seen in government in my lifetime."
While Levin said he did have problems with the way that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "handled COVID," he added that he didn't think it was done "maliciously" but out of an abundance of caution.
Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.
He went on to call Fauci, who served as the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022 before stepping into the role of chief medical adviser to the president in 2021, an "amazing public servant" for decades, noting how the work he did during the AIDS crisis of the late 80s and early 90s "really saved lives."
#fauci #covid #republicans
Opening his nearly five-minute statement saying he rarely uses TMZ to "vent personal feelings," Levin told viewers, "Watching Anthony Fauci before a congressional hearing taking the Fifth Amendment is just one of the most heartbreaking things I have seen in government in my lifetime."
While Levin said he did have problems with the way that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "handled COVID," he added that he didn't think it was done "maliciously" but out of an abundance of caution.
Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.
He went on to call Fauci, who served as the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022 before stepping into the role of chief medical adviser to the president in 2021, an "amazing public servant" for decades, noting how the work he did during the AIDS crisis of the late 80s and early 90s "really saved lives."
#fauci #covid #republicans
4 days ago
Every year I take a look at who I think will be the top players on Boise State's football team. With so many unproven players, coming up with this season's list was a bit tougher than previous years. This team's squad is definitely more proven on the offensive side of the ball and that is reflected in our list. Last week, we continued our countdown by taking a look at a veteran defensive back. This week, we move back to the offensive side of the ball with a senior quarterback that has a lot to prove. Coming in at number four we have…
Maddux Madsen
The most polarizing player on Boise State's roster is almost always a quarterback and this season is no exception. Senior quarterback Maddux Madsen is entering his third full season as the starting quarterback and will look to win over a fan base that has mixed feelings about him. Madsen's sophomore season was a success, as he played a key role in helping the Broncos reach the College Football Playoff. Madsen's junior season was a bit of a roller coaster. He battled a lower leg injury for much of the season and was sidelined for two games after leaving with that same injury against Fresno State. Madsen returned in the Mountain West Championship and had his best game of the year in a victory over UNLV where he passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
Madsen enters his senior season with the lofty expectations that come with being Boise State's quarterback. The expectations with this group are a conference championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. In order to do so, Madsen will need to stay healthy and show more poise in the pocket. Last season, Madsen was hesitant to tuck the ball and run. Now that he's healthy, will he be more willing to use his legs? If this team meets its goals, it will be because Madsen has the best season of his career.
Countdown so far:
#madsen #Football #last
Maddux Madsen
The most polarizing player on Boise State's roster is almost always a quarterback and this season is no exception. Senior quarterback Maddux Madsen is entering his third full season as the starting quarterback and will look to win over a fan base that has mixed feelings about him. Madsen's sophomore season was a success, as he played a key role in helping the Broncos reach the College Football Playoff. Madsen's junior season was a bit of a roller coaster. He battled a lower leg injury for much of the season and was sidelined for two games after leaving with that same injury against Fresno State. Madsen returned in the Mountain West Championship and had his best game of the year in a victory over UNLV where he passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
Madsen enters his senior season with the lofty expectations that come with being Boise State's quarterback. The expectations with this group are a conference championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. In order to do so, Madsen will need to stay healthy and show more poise in the pocket. Last season, Madsen was hesitant to tuck the ball and run. Now that he's healthy, will he be more willing to use his legs? If this team meets its goals, it will be because Madsen has the best season of his career.
Countdown so far:
#madsen #Football #last
4 days ago
Sources suggest that King Charles's offer for Prince Harry to stay at Buckingham Palace on his next visit may upset staff. They claim that their resentment over Harry's memoir and interviews is still there. This comes amid reports that Charles extended an olive branch to his younger son ahead of his next UK visit for various engagements around the annual WellChild Awards.
Rob Shuter's Naughty But Nice reported that the palace staffers were "furious" when Prince Harry was offered palace accommodation during his recent UK visit. Additionally, insiders note that their feelings haven't changed and they still oppose his upcoming stay. The insider said, "The King may want Harry under his roof, but many of the people who work there don't. They felt deeply betrayed by everything that followed Spare and the interviews, and that resentment is still very real."
The source further claimed that staff opposition played a key role in the earlier cancellation of Harry's stay. While things will remain professional on the surface, the source added that this should not be mistaken for forgiveness. According to the source, those are "two different things." Despite the opposition from staffers, the monarch remains determined to make things right with Harry. The source stated that he would continue offering olive branches as part of this effort.
"Reconciliation isn't just about repairing a relationship between father and son. Harry also has to win back the people who keep the monarchy running every day—and that may be the toughest challenge of all. Don't be surprised if there's an unusual number of staff calling in sick the week he arrives," the insider continued.
Prince Harry is expected to return to the UK in September. However, it remains unclear if he would come alone or be joined by his family. Sources earlier shared that this time, the Duke of Sussex will accept the palace stay offer well in advance. Last time, his delay in acceptance allegedly led to cancellation.
#stay #source #sources
Rob Shuter's Naughty But Nice reported that the palace staffers were "furious" when Prince Harry was offered palace accommodation during his recent UK visit. Additionally, insiders note that their feelings haven't changed and they still oppose his upcoming stay. The insider said, "The King may want Harry under his roof, but many of the people who work there don't. They felt deeply betrayed by everything that followed Spare and the interviews, and that resentment is still very real."
The source further claimed that staff opposition played a key role in the earlier cancellation of Harry's stay. While things will remain professional on the surface, the source added that this should not be mistaken for forgiveness. According to the source, those are "two different things." Despite the opposition from staffers, the monarch remains determined to make things right with Harry. The source stated that he would continue offering olive branches as part of this effort.
"Reconciliation isn't just about repairing a relationship between father and son. Harry also has to win back the people who keep the monarchy running every day—and that may be the toughest challenge of all. Don't be surprised if there's an unusual number of staff calling in sick the week he arrives," the insider continued.
Prince Harry is expected to return to the UK in September. However, it remains unclear if he would come alone or be joined by his family. Sources earlier shared that this time, the Duke of Sussex will accept the palace stay offer well in advance. Last time, his delay in acceptance allegedly led to cancellation.
#stay #source #sources
4 days ago
Bam Adebayo said he has no hard feelings toward LeBron James' surprising decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason. However, the Miami Heat star let James know he'll be coming for him the next time they meet on the NBA court.
Speaking at a community event in Miami on Tuesday, Adebayo revealed his text to James after the latter spurned the Heat for the Sixers, which feels like friendly banter for these two stars, given they've built a friendship in the past few years.
"There ain't no disappointment. To me, you should always be happy for a person and their decision. He made a decision where he feels like it's his best situation to win. And I feel like I'm a good friend of LeBron's," Adebayo told the Miami Herald.
MORE:Charles Barkley explains how LeBron James can earn GOAT status after shocking Sixers move
"Like I told him in the message, I'm going to bust his a–," Adebayo continued. "So, it's going to be an exciting season. I'm excited for the East. We got a whole new turnaround in the East. So, it's going to be exciting this year."
#east
Speaking at a community event in Miami on Tuesday, Adebayo revealed his text to James after the latter spurned the Heat for the Sixers, which feels like friendly banter for these two stars, given they've built a friendship in the past few years.
"There ain't no disappointment. To me, you should always be happy for a person and their decision. He made a decision where he feels like it's his best situation to win. And I feel like I'm a good friend of LeBron's," Adebayo told the Miami Herald.
MORE:Charles Barkley explains how LeBron James can earn GOAT status after shocking Sixers move
"Like I told him in the message, I'm going to bust his a–," Adebayo continued. "So, it's going to be an exciting season. I'm excited for the East. We got a whole new turnaround in the East. So, it's going to be exciting this year."
#east
5 days ago
Prince Harry reportedly doesn't just need to get back into the good graces of his father, King Charles III — he must prove himself to palace staff.
Rob Shuter previously reported in his Tuesday, July 14 edition of the Naughty But Nice Substack that royal staff didn't want the Duke of Sussex, 41, to stay at the palace during his visit to Britain earlier this month.
The Spare author is supposed to be back in England in September for engagements surrounding the WellChild Awards, and Charles, 77, may extend an invitation for Harry to stay at the palace during his visit, The Sun reported on Sunday, July 26.
However, in the Tuesday, July 28 edition of Naughty But Nice, a source said that "nothing has changed" with palace staffers' feelings.
WP#JRAK/WENN/Newscom/The Mega Agency
#tuesday
Rob Shuter previously reported in his Tuesday, July 14 edition of the Naughty But Nice Substack that royal staff didn't want the Duke of Sussex, 41, to stay at the palace during his visit to Britain earlier this month.
The Spare author is supposed to be back in England in September for engagements surrounding the WellChild Awards, and Charles, 77, may extend an invitation for Harry to stay at the palace during his visit, The Sun reported on Sunday, July 26.
However, in the Tuesday, July 28 edition of Naughty But Nice, a source said that "nothing has changed" with palace staffers' feelings.
WP#JRAK/WENN/Newscom/The Mega Agency
#tuesday
5 days ago
Raiders' Fernando Mendoza unveils true feelings on getting invaluable Tom Brady mentorship originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tom Brady has skin in the game when it comes to the Super Bowl race once again. He used to root for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers but that was only because his legacy in those areas preceded him. This time around, he is confidently rooting for and actively trying to help the Las Vegas Raiders win the Super Bowl. The first step? Mentoring the former Indiana Hoosiers star and 2026 NFL first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.
A lot of pressure is on the shoulders of Fernando Mendoza. After a five-year drought, he became the first player to win the Heisman Trophy while also nabbing the College Football Playoff National Championship. Mendoza also led the greatest program turnaround during his stay with the Indiana Hoosiers. Now, he also has Tom Brady giving him advice as he navigates the NFL as the Raiders' new quarterback.
Obviously, all of this can be a lot for the Raiders' rookie quarterback. But, the mentorship with Brady seems to be helping Mendoza a lot. He even discussed his feelings when it came to his newfound relationship, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com.
"It's surreal. However, you know, he's been such a great resource and he's been, from a young age, he's been a big idol of mine and then now it's, OK, Tom is a human being. Yes, he's an exceptional human being, but he's a human being. So, take what you can, learn from him, and make sure that you value that relationship, rather than looking at him with googly eyes every second," the Raiders quarterback declared.
#super
Tom Brady has skin in the game when it comes to the Super Bowl race once again. He used to root for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers but that was only because his legacy in those areas preceded him. This time around, he is confidently rooting for and actively trying to help the Las Vegas Raiders win the Super Bowl. The first step? Mentoring the former Indiana Hoosiers star and 2026 NFL first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.
A lot of pressure is on the shoulders of Fernando Mendoza. After a five-year drought, he became the first player to win the Heisman Trophy while also nabbing the College Football Playoff National Championship. Mendoza also led the greatest program turnaround during his stay with the Indiana Hoosiers. Now, he also has Tom Brady giving him advice as he navigates the NFL as the Raiders' new quarterback.
Obviously, all of this can be a lot for the Raiders' rookie quarterback. But, the mentorship with Brady seems to be helping Mendoza a lot. He even discussed his feelings when it came to his newfound relationship, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com.
"It's surreal. However, you know, he's been such a great resource and he's been, from a young age, he's been a big idol of mine and then now it's, OK, Tom is a human being. Yes, he's an exceptional human being, but he's a human being. So, take what you can, learn from him, and make sure that you value that relationship, rather than looking at him with googly eyes every second," the Raiders quarterback declared.
#super
5 days ago
A brain cancer diagnosis could have ended Archie Goodburn's career. Instead, it became the beginning of a story that captivated the Commonwealth Games. He didn't need a medal to win over the crowd. All he had to do was step onto the blocks.
Just two years after being diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer, the Scottish swimmer continues to fight battles far beyond the pool. The 25-year-old swimmer, who won the 2023 British Swimming Championships, broke down in tears after finishing seventh in the men's 50m ***** troke final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
"Outside the pool I dream of a future where brain cancer isn't the biggest killer of those under 40, where the UK government establishes a brain cancer lead to make that change," he said. "I'd much prefer that change is made, and that dream is completed, than any of my personal goals in the pool because what families and young people are going through out there is really beyond the comprehension of many people out there and certainly harder than anything I've had to do as a world-class sportsman."
If we take a look at his journey, the path for him has been anything but ordinary.
In 2024, Goodburn's Olympic dream took a devastating turn. After weeks of experiencing seizures, numbness down his left side and recurring feelings of déjà vu, the then-22-year-old received a phone call after training that changed everything.
#dream
Just two years after being diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer, the Scottish swimmer continues to fight battles far beyond the pool. The 25-year-old swimmer, who won the 2023 British Swimming Championships, broke down in tears after finishing seventh in the men's 50m ***** troke final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
"Outside the pool I dream of a future where brain cancer isn't the biggest killer of those under 40, where the UK government establishes a brain cancer lead to make that change," he said. "I'd much prefer that change is made, and that dream is completed, than any of my personal goals in the pool because what families and young people are going through out there is really beyond the comprehension of many people out there and certainly harder than anything I've had to do as a world-class sportsman."
If we take a look at his journey, the path for him has been anything but ordinary.
In 2024, Goodburn's Olympic dream took a devastating turn. After weeks of experiencing seizures, numbness down his left side and recurring feelings of déjà vu, the then-22-year-old received a phone call after training that changed everything.
#dream
9 days ago
SummerSlam is eight days away, as WWE prepares for the biggest party of the summer.
It's also six days after Saturday Night's Main Event, where CM Punk and Cody Rhodes won their match, but had a little altercation following the match that led to bad feelings between the two men who will face off at SummerSlam.
Here's what to expect tonight.
Friday Night Smackdown airs every Friday.
Friday Night Smackdown will air at 8 p.m. EST.
#summerslam #days #main
It's also six days after Saturday Night's Main Event, where CM Punk and Cody Rhodes won their match, but had a little altercation following the match that led to bad feelings between the two men who will face off at SummerSlam.
Here's what to expect tonight.
Friday Night Smackdown airs every Friday.
Friday Night Smackdown will air at 8 p.m. EST.
#summerslam #days #main
9 days ago
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a very exciting year of college football in Southern California. The USC Trojans have added to their roster and have expectations of making the College Football Playoffs for the first time in program history and the UCLA Bruins are beginning a new chapter with new head coach Bob Chesney.
Things aren't all rosy for the Trojans though, USC booster Brian Kennedy is suing USC after the school, according to Kennedy, breached their agreement. USC's former practice field was named Brian Kennedy Field, after Kennedy donated several million dollars to the university's athletic programs, but over the past two years, the Trojans demolished Brian Kennedy Field along with signage that highlighted Kennedy's contributions.
California Post writer Edward Lewis broke the story on Wednesday, which states that Kennedy paid $400,000 back in the 1990s. Kennedy has since had a falling out with the university, which culminated in 2020 when he used an expletive to describe USC's current football program.
Those hard feelings still persist, with the California Post obtaining Kennedy's lawsuit.
"Plaintiff suffered harm as a result of Defendant's actions," Kennedy's lawsuit stated, "Including reputational harm, embarrassment, humiliation and the loss of the benefit of the deal made with Defendant and the condition upon which Plaintiff paid $400,000."
#california #field #plaintiff
Things aren't all rosy for the Trojans though, USC booster Brian Kennedy is suing USC after the school, according to Kennedy, breached their agreement. USC's former practice field was named Brian Kennedy Field, after Kennedy donated several million dollars to the university's athletic programs, but over the past two years, the Trojans demolished Brian Kennedy Field along with signage that highlighted Kennedy's contributions.
California Post writer Edward Lewis broke the story on Wednesday, which states that Kennedy paid $400,000 back in the 1990s. Kennedy has since had a falling out with the university, which culminated in 2020 when he used an expletive to describe USC's current football program.
Those hard feelings still persist, with the California Post obtaining Kennedy's lawsuit.
"Plaintiff suffered harm as a result of Defendant's actions," Kennedy's lawsuit stated, "Including reputational harm, embarrassment, humiliation and the loss of the benefit of the deal made with Defendant and the condition upon which Plaintiff paid $400,000."
#california #field #plaintiff
9 days ago
As Sunderland fans, we've been almost institutionalised over the years into thinking negative thoughts about the club's and team's future, or its ability to maintain any semblance of long-term satisfaction – let alone happiness.
I've written in these pages before about "doing a Sunderland". Many other clubs (if not all) can claim to have similar depressing thoughts and feelings. For goodness' sake, even ******* nal fans were bemoaning that they might never win the Premier League again. Poor them!
But the huge divergence in emotions that Lads fans have had to endure over the decades would be hard for supporters of other clubs to match or argue against.
There are some things in life, and in sport, that you start to think just won't happen. Some things are simply not meant to be. These thoughts might not be backed up by statistics or facts – some greater power just seems to be in control – and they just won't happen. Because some things just aren't. That's how life is.
For example:
#fans
I've written in these pages before about "doing a Sunderland". Many other clubs (if not all) can claim to have similar depressing thoughts and feelings. For goodness' sake, even ******* nal fans were bemoaning that they might never win the Premier League again. Poor them!
But the huge divergence in emotions that Lads fans have had to endure over the decades would be hard for supporters of other clubs to match or argue against.
There are some things in life, and in sport, that you start to think just won't happen. Some things are simply not meant to be. These thoughts might not be backed up by statistics or facts – some greater power just seems to be in control – and they just won't happen. Because some things just aren't. That's how life is.
For example:
#fans
11 days ago
The Chicago Cubs have declined to take action following a viral video showing a fan smacking another fan in the head for not standing during the national anthem.
The video, apparently taken before Sunday’s game at Wrigley Field agains the Minnesota Twins, shows the man in question appearing to berate the younger fan then slap him in the back of the head upon being rebuffed. The younger fan then stands up.
The video made the rounds online over the course of Monday and Tuesday, with predictable battles lines drawn. However, the older fan told Inside Edition on Tuesday that he “definitely” wishes he could take the smack back and revealed the other fan made peace with him over beers:
"Even though I fought in Vietnam and I had buddies killed, we fight for the rights of people and that’s one of his rights. Then later on during the game, next thing you know, he’s buying me a beer. We talk, we shook hands. I overreacted. I could’ve handled it better. I wish I would have. But my feelings are still the same: people should stand."
The Cubs officially responded to the matter on Tuesday with a statement, via NBC Chicago. The club confirmed it prohibits any physical confrontation between fans and that its security team spoke to the man who was struck. However, that man reportedly did not want any further action, such as an ejection.
#Chicago #game
The video, apparently taken before Sunday’s game at Wrigley Field agains the Minnesota Twins, shows the man in question appearing to berate the younger fan then slap him in the back of the head upon being rebuffed. The younger fan then stands up.
The video made the rounds online over the course of Monday and Tuesday, with predictable battles lines drawn. However, the older fan told Inside Edition on Tuesday that he “definitely” wishes he could take the smack back and revealed the other fan made peace with him over beers:
"Even though I fought in Vietnam and I had buddies killed, we fight for the rights of people and that’s one of his rights. Then later on during the game, next thing you know, he’s buying me a beer. We talk, we shook hands. I overreacted. I could’ve handled it better. I wish I would have. But my feelings are still the same: people should stand."
The Cubs officially responded to the matter on Tuesday with a statement, via NBC Chicago. The club confirmed it prohibits any physical confrontation between fans and that its security team spoke to the man who was struck. However, that man reportedly did not want any further action, such as an ejection.
#Chicago #game
15 days ago
Even Hollywood's brightest actors aren't immune to doubts about their biggest career moments. Despite the glitz, fame, and awards, some stars privately took issue with the very roles that made them household names, whether it was the script, the direction, or just how the project was received. Here's a look at the faces behind famous characters, and why these A-listers weren't always thrilled by the performances the world will never forget.
Pierce Brosnan's suave portrayal of James Bond cemented his image in pop culture, but he's been honest about feeling restricted by the role's formulaic demands. Back in 2005, Brosnan told CBS News about how the character "never felt real" for him, and how he felt "shackled by some contracted image," troubled, in particular, by the "stupid one-liners." Despite global fame, Brosnan struggled to inject depth into the iconic source and longed for greater creative freedom. His candidness sheds light on the pressures faced by actors entrenched in blockbuster franchises.
Katherine Heigl's turn as Dr. Izzie Stevens on Grey's Anatomy won her an Emmy and legions of fans, yet she publicly criticized the show's writing and ultimately withdrew her own name from award consideration. Heigl won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2007 in a shocking upset, per Gold Derby. In 2024, she shared her reasoning, saying she "did not feel that she was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination" and therefore didn't submit her name or work for contention, as reported by TODAY. Heigl's frankness about her frustrations ignited industry debates about actors speaking out against their own work.
Josh Brolin shot to wider fame with roles like Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he's spoken out about the mixed feelings that come from being recognized mostly for a CGI villain. For Brolin, playing a CGI character for a comic book film presented a unique challenge from an acting standpoint, and he revealed at his spotlight panel at New York Comic Con 2024 that he was able to lock into playing Thanos by channeling Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now, according to Popverse.
Amanda Seyfried became a staple of romantic comedies and musicals, yet her breakout as Karen Smith in Mean Girls left her ambivalent about being typecast as the "dumb blonde." While Seyfried acknowledged that Mean Girls helped her rise to stardom and got her "foot in the door," she noted that fighting against being pigeonholed was a constant battle, noting that without landing her role on Big Love, she was at risk of becoming forever defined as Karen Smith, as reported by Game Rant. Seyfried's journey is emblematic of rising above your own reputation in Hollywood.
Pierce Brosnan's suave portrayal of James Bond cemented his image in pop culture, but he's been honest about feeling restricted by the role's formulaic demands. Back in 2005, Brosnan told CBS News about how the character "never felt real" for him, and how he felt "shackled by some contracted image," troubled, in particular, by the "stupid one-liners." Despite global fame, Brosnan struggled to inject depth into the iconic source and longed for greater creative freedom. His candidness sheds light on the pressures faced by actors entrenched in blockbuster franchises.
Katherine Heigl's turn as Dr. Izzie Stevens on Grey's Anatomy won her an Emmy and legions of fans, yet she publicly criticized the show's writing and ultimately withdrew her own name from award consideration. Heigl won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2007 in a shocking upset, per Gold Derby. In 2024, she shared her reasoning, saying she "did not feel that she was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination" and therefore didn't submit her name or work for contention, as reported by TODAY. Heigl's frankness about her frustrations ignited industry debates about actors speaking out against their own work.
Josh Brolin shot to wider fame with roles like Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he's spoken out about the mixed feelings that come from being recognized mostly for a CGI villain. For Brolin, playing a CGI character for a comic book film presented a unique challenge from an acting standpoint, and he revealed at his spotlight panel at New York Comic Con 2024 that he was able to lock into playing Thanos by channeling Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now, according to Popverse.
Amanda Seyfried became a staple of romantic comedies and musicals, yet her breakout as Karen Smith in Mean Girls left her ambivalent about being typecast as the "dumb blonde." While Seyfried acknowledged that Mean Girls helped her rise to stardom and got her "foot in the door," she noted that fighting against being pigeonholed was a constant battle, noting that without landing her role on Big Love, she was at risk of becoming forever defined as Karen Smith, as reported by Game Rant. Seyfried's journey is emblematic of rising above your own reputation in Hollywood.
18 days ago
England's run to the World Cup semi-finals has turned even reluctant households into flag-wavers, and for Charlotte Cripps, watching her young daughters become overnight patriots has stirred up some distinctly mixed feelings.
Writing about her 10-year-old's newfound love of St George's Cross, Cripps admitted she wasn't sure how she felt about a symbol she's more used to seeing at far-right marches than on her own car window.
It's a tension Independent readers clearly recognise. Many pushed back on the idea that patriotism needs an apology at all, arguing that loving your country is no different from any other kind of pride.
Others said the discomfort makes sense, given how hard Reform UK and the far right have worked to make the flag their own – and saw this summer's tournament as the perfect moment to take it back.
It's a debate that goes well beyond football. Here's what you had to say:
Writing about her 10-year-old's newfound love of St George's Cross, Cripps admitted she wasn't sure how she felt about a symbol she's more used to seeing at far-right marches than on her own car window.
It's a tension Independent readers clearly recognise. Many pushed back on the idea that patriotism needs an apology at all, arguing that loving your country is no different from any other kind of pride.
Others said the discomfort makes sense, given how hard Reform UK and the far right have worked to make the flag their own – and saw this summer's tournament as the perfect moment to take it back.
It's a debate that goes well beyond football. Here's what you had to say:
22 days ago
The Buffalo Bills under general manager/team president Brandon Beane have found quite a few late-round gems in the NFL Draft. It's been a point of joking—with some doses of seriousness—that Beane's late-round draft picks have almost been more effective than his premium picks.
At cornerback, for example, the Bills drafted Christian Benford in the sixth round after already having selected Kaiir Elam in round one back in the 2022 NFL Draft. It's fortunate that they did, too, because Elam has been a complete bust in his professional career, while Benford has risen to near-stardom in his.
So, when the Bills took a corner in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and then backed it up with another corner in the sixth round of the same draft, there were some feelings of deja vu among the fanbase. Especially when the sixth-round pick earned a starting gig in Week One, albeit under much different circumstances, many fans thought that Beane had once again found a late-round steal at corner.
In today's installment of "91 players in 91 days," we discuss that sixth-round steal, a player whose brief time on the field in 2025 stands as a stark reminder of how quickly things can change in the NFL.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Name:Dorian Strong
At cornerback, for example, the Bills drafted Christian Benford in the sixth round after already having selected Kaiir Elam in round one back in the 2022 NFL Draft. It's fortunate that they did, too, because Elam has been a complete bust in his professional career, while Benford has risen to near-stardom in his.
So, when the Bills took a corner in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and then backed it up with another corner in the sixth round of the same draft, there were some feelings of deja vu among the fanbase. Especially when the sixth-round pick earned a starting gig in Week One, albeit under much different circumstances, many fans thought that Beane had once again found a late-round steal at corner.
In today's installment of "91 players in 91 days," we discuss that sixth-round steal, a player whose brief time on the field in 2025 stands as a stark reminder of how quickly things can change in the NFL.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Name:Dorian Strong
22 days ago
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera was named Friday to the National League All-Star team as an injury replacement for Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani.
Tampa Bay pitcher Nick Martinez, Boston outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela and Chicago White Sox rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami were named injury replacements in the American League.
All four players are first-time selections. The All-Star Game is Tuesday night in at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
"It's a dream," the 26-year-old Herrera said. "Everybody thinks about going to an All-Star Game. You just can't describe the feelings. I'm just excited for it and trying to take it all in right now."
The Panama native entered Friday batting .249 with 11 homers, 40 RBIs and a .780 OPS. He has been hit by pitches a league-leading 24 times this season.
Tampa Bay pitcher Nick Martinez, Boston outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela and Chicago White Sox rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami were named injury replacements in the American League.
All four players are first-time selections. The All-Star Game is Tuesday night in at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
"It's a dream," the 26-year-old Herrera said. "Everybody thinks about going to an All-Star Game. You just can't describe the feelings. I'm just excited for it and trying to take it all in right now."
The Panama native entered Friday batting .249 with 11 homers, 40 RBIs and a .780 OPS. He has been hit by pitches a league-leading 24 times this season.
22 days ago
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera was named Friday to the National League All-Star team as an injury replacement for Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani.
Tampa Bay pitcher Nick Martinez, Boston outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela and Chicago White Sox rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami were named injury replacements in the American League.
All four players are first-time selections. The All-Star Game is Tuesday night in at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
"It's a dream," the 26-year-old Herrera said. "Everybody thinks about going to an All-Star Game. You just can't describe the feelings. I'm just excited for it and trying to take it all in right now."
The Panama native entered Friday batting .249 with 11 homers, 40 RBIs and a .780 OPS. He has been hit by pitches a league-leading 24 times this season.
Tampa Bay pitcher Nick Martinez, Boston outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela and Chicago White Sox rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami were named injury replacements in the American League.
All four players are first-time selections. The All-Star Game is Tuesday night in at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
"It's a dream," the 26-year-old Herrera said. "Everybody thinks about going to an All-Star Game. You just can't describe the feelings. I'm just excited for it and trying to take it all in right now."
The Panama native entered Friday batting .249 with 11 homers, 40 RBIs and a .780 OPS. He has been hit by pitches a league-leading 24 times this season.
23 days ago
Retired Eagles star says new Cowboys defensive coordinator hurt his feelings by crossing NFC East lines originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Christian Parker helped build a powerhouse defense in Philadelphia. Six months later, he's calling plays for the enemy, and one recently retired Eagle isn't happy about it.
The Dallas Cowboys hired Parker as their defensive coordinator on Jan. 22, pulling him away from the Philadelphia Eagles' staff after he served as Philadelphia's passing game coordinator and secondary coach.
At 34, Christian Parker is the youngest defensive coordinator in Dallas Cowboys history. During his single season as Philadelphia's passing game coordinator under Vic Fangio, the Eagles maintained a top-tier pass defense, and Parker heavily influenced the development of rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
However, his decision to join a division rival frustrated former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, who played under Parker during Philadelphia's 2024 Super Bowl run. On an NFL Network segment, the recently retired six-time Pro Bowler admitted the move hurt his feelings.
Christian Parker helped build a powerhouse defense in Philadelphia. Six months later, he's calling plays for the enemy, and one recently retired Eagle isn't happy about it.
The Dallas Cowboys hired Parker as their defensive coordinator on Jan. 22, pulling him away from the Philadelphia Eagles' staff after he served as Philadelphia's passing game coordinator and secondary coach.
At 34, Christian Parker is the youngest defensive coordinator in Dallas Cowboys history. During his single season as Philadelphia's passing game coordinator under Vic Fangio, the Eagles maintained a top-tier pass defense, and Parker heavily influenced the development of rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
However, his decision to join a division rival frustrated former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, who played under Parker during Philadelphia's 2024 Super Bowl run. On an NFL Network segment, the recently retired six-time Pro Bowler admitted the move hurt his feelings.
25 days ago
This originally appeared in Wednesday’s edition of The A Block, Awful Announcing’s daily newsletter with the latest sports media news, commentary, and **** ysis. Sign up here to be the first to know everything happening in the sports media world.
Millions of Americans dared to dream the impossible dream as Fox’s World Cup ad campaign aptly described throughout the U.S. Men’s National Team’s once-in-a-generation World Cup run on home soil. Alas, many of those millions of Americans were left with the same feelings of emptiness and disappointment, as has become so familiar for men’s soccer in this country, when the USMNT’s run came to a screeching halt at the hands of Belgium in a last-16 tilt on Monday evening.
It was the fourth consecutive time the American men have exited a World Cup in the round-of-16, barring the disastrous 2018 tournament that the Yanks failed to even qualify for. As you probably heard many times throughout Monday’s telecast, one would have to trace all the way back to 2002 to find a USMNT World Cup run beyond the final 16; a quarterfinal berth that still proves to be the U.S.’s only one in the modern World Cup format.
But judging by the social media reaction on Monday night and throughout the day on Tuesday, and the record-setting viewership figures USMNT games were posting throughout this World Cup, there was a resonance with this team that hasn’t necessarily been the case in prior years. Fox is touting an audience of 30 million viewers for Monday’s game, a figure that will likely increase once Nielsen releases its final tally. More than 26 million viewers watched the first knockout game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. And USMNT group-stage games were clocking in at near 20 million viewers. Those figures aren’t even counting Telemundo’s Spanish-language audiences.
To put these audiences in perspective, the USMNT averaged viewership comparable to a solid Sunday Night Football game or the NFL Wild Card round during its run. The English-language audience for Monday’s game against Belgium will likely surpass the College Football Playoff National Championship between Indiana and Miami (30.1 million viewers) when all is set and done.
Millions of Americans dared to dream the impossible dream as Fox’s World Cup ad campaign aptly described throughout the U.S. Men’s National Team’s once-in-a-generation World Cup run on home soil. Alas, many of those millions of Americans were left with the same feelings of emptiness and disappointment, as has become so familiar for men’s soccer in this country, when the USMNT’s run came to a screeching halt at the hands of Belgium in a last-16 tilt on Monday evening.
It was the fourth consecutive time the American men have exited a World Cup in the round-of-16, barring the disastrous 2018 tournament that the Yanks failed to even qualify for. As you probably heard many times throughout Monday’s telecast, one would have to trace all the way back to 2002 to find a USMNT World Cup run beyond the final 16; a quarterfinal berth that still proves to be the U.S.’s only one in the modern World Cup format.
But judging by the social media reaction on Monday night and throughout the day on Tuesday, and the record-setting viewership figures USMNT games were posting throughout this World Cup, there was a resonance with this team that hasn’t necessarily been the case in prior years. Fox is touting an audience of 30 million viewers for Monday’s game, a figure that will likely increase once Nielsen releases its final tally. More than 26 million viewers watched the first knockout game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. And USMNT group-stage games were clocking in at near 20 million viewers. Those figures aren’t even counting Telemundo’s Spanish-language audiences.
To put these audiences in perspective, the USMNT averaged viewership comparable to a solid Sunday Night Football game or the NFL Wild Card round during its run. The English-language audience for Monday’s game against Belgium will likely surpass the College Football Playoff National Championship between Indiana and Miami (30.1 million viewers) when all is set and done.
25 days ago
After a bit of a hiatus, mega streamer Kai Cenat is back with his flagship program, Streamer University, and for the second consecutive year, he'll unite a new class of creators for an experience designed to inspire, educate, and equip the next generation of streamers. Cenat made his live-stream return on Monday night (July 6) and officially announced the 2026 roster of students and staff on his YouTube and Twitch channels.
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26 days ago
ATLANTA — Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni rode the highs and lows of his team's 3-2 come-from-behind win over Egypt the same way fans and the huge press pack accompanying the Albicileste did.
He was nervous until he was overcome with joy.
Scaloni said he told his players they need to soak up every moment of a day like the one in Atlanta Stadium, since their playing careers won't last forever.
"I recently told them I became a manager to have these feelings after I stopped playing. That’s why," Scaloni said in his post-match news conference. "Not because I like being a coach. I suffer like all of you guys when I’m on the bench. But the emotions that a soccer match give you, that Argentines get from a soccer match, is unmatchable. Creating that emotion again is incredible. That’s why I’m a manager."
More: The end came for Lionel Messi. He laughed in its face | Opinion
He was nervous until he was overcome with joy.
Scaloni said he told his players they need to soak up every moment of a day like the one in Atlanta Stadium, since their playing careers won't last forever.
"I recently told them I became a manager to have these feelings after I stopped playing. That’s why," Scaloni said in his post-match news conference. "Not because I like being a coach. I suffer like all of you guys when I’m on the bench. But the emotions that a soccer match give you, that Argentines get from a soccer match, is unmatchable. Creating that emotion again is incredible. That’s why I’m a manager."
More: The end came for Lionel Messi. He laughed in its face | Opinion
26 days ago
Fermín Aldeguer is hurt, the Sachsenring is this weekend, and BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP is rolling into the German Grand Prix with exactly one bike in its garage. Not two. Not a spare machine hastily prepped for a substitute. One. Alex Márquez rides, his teammate's pit box sits empty, and ***** ody at Gresini is treating that as some sort of crisis. This German round also slots into this weekend's full racing slate, but the story here isn't about who shows up. It's about who doesn't.
That's because MotoGP, unlike the box-ticking world of stick-and-ball leagues, has no rule forcing a team to scramble for a fill-in rider when one of its regulars can't climb aboard. Gresini confirmed the news in a social post on July 6: "Aldeguer54 remains sidelined as he continues his enforced recovery and will miss the Sachsenring round. No replacement rider will be fielded." No committee hearing, no mandated reserve list. Just a team, an empty seat, and a shrug.
The injury traces back to ***** en. Aldeguer crashed during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend in late June, re-aggravating a rider who, in his own words afterward, was "frustrated to suffer another injury just when we were starting to regain positive feelings, both physically and with the bike." Gresini has described the injury as not serious, just significant enough to need real recovery time instead of a rushed comeback that risks turning a minor setback into a season-ending one.
Alex Márquez went down in that same session and somehow still raced. He described the aftermath bluntly afterward: pain "almost everywhere," a collarbone scare that thankfully didn't turn into a break, plus abrasions and a knock to the head. He skipped Q2 to manage the risk, started from the fourth row, and ground his way to fifth at ***** en anyway. Aldeguer didn't start the race at all. The two teammates now sit ninth and tenth in the championship, separated by just two points, 78 to 76, which is exactly why this weekend stings. Aldeguer can only fall further behind, feeding into the growing points gap that decides seasons, because there's no bike for him to score with.
Here's the part that exposes just how optional a replacement rider really is in this sport. In that same paddock, Castrol Honda LCR has spent weeks running Cal Crutchlow in place of Johann Zarco, who tore his ACL in a crash at Catalunya and isn't expected back until September. Crutchlow lines up at the Sachsenring for his fifth appearance of the season standing in for Zarco. Two teams, two injured riders, two completely different responses, and neither one broke a rule, because there isn't one to break.
That's because MotoGP, unlike the box-ticking world of stick-and-ball leagues, has no rule forcing a team to scramble for a fill-in rider when one of its regulars can't climb aboard. Gresini confirmed the news in a social post on July 6: "Aldeguer54 remains sidelined as he continues his enforced recovery and will miss the Sachsenring round. No replacement rider will be fielded." No committee hearing, no mandated reserve list. Just a team, an empty seat, and a shrug.
The injury traces back to ***** en. Aldeguer crashed during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend in late June, re-aggravating a rider who, in his own words afterward, was "frustrated to suffer another injury just when we were starting to regain positive feelings, both physically and with the bike." Gresini has described the injury as not serious, just significant enough to need real recovery time instead of a rushed comeback that risks turning a minor setback into a season-ending one.
Alex Márquez went down in that same session and somehow still raced. He described the aftermath bluntly afterward: pain "almost everywhere," a collarbone scare that thankfully didn't turn into a break, plus abrasions and a knock to the head. He skipped Q2 to manage the risk, started from the fourth row, and ground his way to fifth at ***** en anyway. Aldeguer didn't start the race at all. The two teammates now sit ninth and tenth in the championship, separated by just two points, 78 to 76, which is exactly why this weekend stings. Aldeguer can only fall further behind, feeding into the growing points gap that decides seasons, because there's no bike for him to score with.
Here's the part that exposes just how optional a replacement rider really is in this sport. In that same paddock, Castrol Honda LCR has spent weeks running Cal Crutchlow in place of Johann Zarco, who tore his ACL in a crash at Catalunya and isn't expected back until September. Crutchlow lines up at the Sachsenring for his fifth appearance of the season standing in for Zarco. Two teams, two injured riders, two completely different responses, and neither one broke a rule, because there isn't one to break.
