It's not officially official, but it sounds like Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is going to be dealt by the end of the 2026 MLB trade deadline. And that makes all the sense in the world for everyone -- the Tigers don't look like World Series contenders and they're not going to give the left-hander the kind of massive long-term contract he's earned.
So who could land the two-time Cy Young winner who currently sports a 2.79 ERA with 116 Ks in 96.2 innings? That's the question we all want to know the answer to as the bidding heats up. Let's run through some names of teams who would love to add Skubal and instantly change their fortunes with a top starting pitcher:
You could roll your eyes at the fact that the Dodgers are reportedly in yet again on a big name, but it makes sense -- Shohei Ohtani may not pitch for a while and their rotation isn't the strongest at the moment. Plus, they've got a ton of big-name prospects to deal to the Tigers.
Another team with a lot of intriguing prospects and young pitching talent... but there's risk there if the Brew Crew doesn't win a World Series with Skubal and he leaves in free agency.
Feels like they've got a playoff spot on lock, so getting Skubal would be helpful for the postseason.

#tigers

She was there in 1980 when lightning struck, instantly suspending play, and when it happened a second time in 2024.
She was there in 2016 when fans were sent home because the end zone paint wouldn't dry.
From her seat in Section 3BB, Judy Vollono has seen a lot of football at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.
On Aug. 6, the Plain Township resident will attend her 57th game to watch the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. She'll be accompanied by her daughter Ann Maddux and grandson, Sam.
Vollono still has the tickets from her first game on Sept. 13, 1969, when the Green Bay Packers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 38-24. The first Hall of Fame Game, which now kicks off the NFL preseason, was played in 1962.

#game #fame #first

After they were knocked out in the wild-card round of the postseason, the San Francisco 49ers have added some real difference-makers on both sides of the ball over the last few months.
While their roster is better than it was at the end of the year, they could still bring in talented players who could help take them to the next level. On Monday, a new name hit the market, as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Vita Vea requested a trade.
Every team in the league could benefit from adding a player like Vea, but former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho believes that Vea landing in San Francisco would make them legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
"If the Niners get Vita Vea. It's time to usher them back into the conversations. We've ushered the Rams into the Seahawks, as reigning champs, into the Philadelphia Eagles, they always stay in those conversations," Acho said on his "Speakeasy" podcast. "Because you got to think about what the Niners are building this offseason. I would suggest the Niners have had quietly, maybe the best offseason in all of football. You bring Dre Greenlaw back. I love the Niners linebacking core greater than any other linebacking core now. Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw. You go get Oso Odighizuwa. I believe that he is perfectly situated now to start at defensive tackle. Alfred Collins continuing to ascend. You forgot about Mykel Williams, first-round pick from last year because of the injury. Nick Bosa looks as good as ever.
"Now, if you can get Vita Vea, now think about the depth. Now, you're rotating three defensive tackles... I think if you bring in Vita Vea, now, that run defense, which was so porous last year, instantly becomes a strong suit. I think the secondary has questions. Outside of D-Mo (Deommodore Lenoir), everybody's got questions about that secondary. Is it Ji'Ayir Brown? Is it (Malik) Mustapha? But if you get somebody as stout as Vita Veya up front, playing next to Alfred Collins with Oso Odighizuwa rotating in, plus Nick Bosa on the outside, plus you got Mykel Williams on the outside, plus you got Romello Height. I just think that is an incredible formidable front in that front seven."

#niners #defensive #plus

Giannis Antetokounmpo trade didn't fix everything for the Heat originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Few deals were bigger than the Miami Heat bringing Giannis Antetokounmpo to town. What a blockbuster move. The Heat obviously mean business for the coming season, and they've instantly become a real contender with Antetokounmpo in the fold.
Antetokounmpo was a statement move. It instantly took the Heat up several notches in early power rankings. But, time will tell if Antetokounmpo can lead this team to the championship. The Heat certainly have a better chance now.
But, the Heat aren't favorites quite yet. They're still behind a handful of NBA teams, and there's one question for Miami that really stands out.
John Schuhmann of the NBA's official website has unleashed his offseason power rankings for 2026. In it, he has the Heat at No. 8. The big question he asks is if they have enough in the backcourt.

#instantly #rankings

Liverpool have been named among a host of top European clubs showing an interest in a highly coveted winger who could potentially be their next Luis Diaz.
The Colombian was signed from FC Porto in January 2022 for an initial £37.5m (BBC Sport), instantly becoming an idol of the Kop with his dynamism in attack and going on to score 41 goals in 148 appearances at Anfield before leaving for Bayern Munich last year.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Fast forward to July 2026, and the Reds are on the lookout for wide attacking reinforcements as they enter life without Mo Salah, with Bradley Barcola and Maghnes Akliouche seemingly among their primary targets, and they also appear to have their eyes on a teenage talent currently playing in Portugal.
According to a report for Fussballdaten, Liverpool are joined by both Manchester clubs, ******* nal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in monitoring Porto winger Oskar Pietuszewski.

#munich #clubs #european #luis

Editor's note: Get live updates on LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers here.
Having LeBron James as a teammate must feel like winning the lottery.
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe seemed pretty stoked after the NBA's all-time scorer announced he was joining the team with a two-year, $8 million contract on Friday, July 24.
Edgecombe, who won the Rising Stars Challenge MVP award at this year's NBA All-Star festivities, posted the celebration to his Instagram stories shortly after the news broke. He shared a photo of himself holding his hand to his head looking up at the camera smiling in the same way as James' famous "Smiling through it all! Can't believe this my life" Instagram story.
After James made the original post in 2018, the pool photo and caption instantly became a meme. His son Bryce also posted a version of the photo in 2024.

#Instagram

San Francisco 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa isn't known for his social media. He distanced himself from Twitter since his first season as a pro.
Since then, Bosa has had several retweets. He shared former teammate De'Vondre Campbell's post about the NFL needing to do away with turf fields. In between that, there's a Joe Rogan podcast retweet as well as a George Kittle one. But on Thursday, Bosa took the time to quote a tweet where ESPN cut ties with former NFL player Ryan Clark:
Instantly, the internet came out in droves to attack Bosa, calling him a racist and saying that he hates black people.
Part of the reason Bosa has distanced himself from Twitter was some pre-draft tweets he had. In August of 2016, he had a tweet calling former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick a clown.
That was one of many deleted tweets that would've been viewed as controversial. During Bosa's first press conference, he apologized, saying, "It wasn't directed towards (Kaepernicks' stance. It's not like I'm saying his stance and what he was doing; that's not what I was calling or talking about at all. It was just a specific thing that happened and me as a young kid a thought popping in my head and boom, decided to tweet it out. Bad decision. I respect what he's done. If it empowers anybody, then he's doing a good thing. So I apologize for that."

#saying #twitter #first

Phoenix Suns star Dillon Brooks' recent LeBron James admission has made Skip Bayless furious.
Former Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and Phoenix Suns star Dillon Brooks have developed a love-hate relationship in recent years.
Brooks took things up a notch when he was present on the sidelines during Game 4 of James and the Lakers' second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Suns veteran was seen laughing as James and co. struggled vs. the Thunder. It instantly became a meme, but Brooks has now revealed that it was James' agent, Rich Paul, who helped him get the tickets.
Brooks' revelation certainly didn't land well among James' critics, including Skip Bayless. So much so that the veteran NBA ***** yst begged Brooks not to sell out to LBJ.

#phoenix #Lakers #thunder

Absolute fireworks are guaranteed when Thai dynamo Pompet PongSuphan PK and debuting Myanmarese warrior Nat Khat Min collide in the blockbuster main event of ONE Friday Fights 163.
The pair meet in a highly anticipated flyweight Muay Thai showdown, broadcasting live in Asia primetime from inside Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, July 24, shortly after The Inner Circle 23.
A dominant, highlight-reel showing from either elite striker could instantly propel them toward a coveted, life-changing US$100,000 main-roster contract, adding massive weight to what is already shaping up to be a can't-miss collision.
With absolutely everything on the line, both men have made their destructive intentions for fight night abundantly clear.
Pompet PongSuphan PK walks into this high-stakes clash well aware of exactly what another statement victory could do for his career.

#Friday

When the Leeds United squad boarded their flight to North America this week, one name was missing from the manifest. Largie Ramazani was left behind at Thorp Arch. It was a calculated move. Unmistakable, really. Spanish outlet Marca broke the news that the 25-year-old winger has been excluded from the club's stateside tour, signalling to anyone paying attention that Daniel Farke has effectively closed the door on the Belgian's time in West Yorkshire.
Valencia are waiting in the wings. Having hosted Ramazani on loan throughout the 2025/26 La Liga campaign, the Spanish outfit want him back at the Mestalla, this time permanently. Their CEO, Ron Gourlay, initiated contact with Leeds chiefs back in June to sniff out a realistic asking price.
Money is the sticking point. Leeds naturally want to claw back a hefty chunk of the £10 million package paid to Almería back in 2024, particularly with a 15 per cent sell-on clause owed to the Spanish side hanging over the deal. Valencia, operating on a far tighter budget, want a bargain. They have floated the idea of another season-long loan with a non-mandatory option to buy. Leeds should shut that down instantly. A second loan leaves all the risk on Elland Road balance sheets while Valencia reap the rewards without dropping a single euro on a permanent transfer fee.
Ramazani's spell in Spain was decent enough. Playing under Carlos Corberan on the left wing, he notched six goals and one ***** ist in 22 top-flight outings, logging 1,224 minutes on the pitch. A return of six goals from a wide player in a transitional Valencia side is a solid foundation. Yet, his 6.62 average match rating on FotMob points to a player who still drifts. He can vanish for 70 minutes, only to pop up with a flash of brilliance.
That was always the conundrum in West Yorkshire, too. During Leeds' Championship ***** le-winning campaign, Ramazani made 31 appearances but started a paltry nine times. Bizarrely, his underlying metric, xG plus xA per 90 minutes, was the highest of any player in the entire division. The data screamed elite output. Farke's team selections said something else entirely. The German manager simply never trusted him to do the dirty work off the ball.

#spanish #back #west

In a country where football is practically a second religion, a startling claim suggests Inter Miami star Lionel Messi’s influence in Argentina extends so far he could run for president.
Lionel Messi’s hold over Argentina is almost terrifying. The man ended a 36-year World Cup drought and instantly achieved total invincibility back home.
Honestly, if he launched a presidential campaign tomorrow promising only free yerba maté and public nap hours, he’d probably win in a massive landslide.
Leading Argentina back to the 2026 World Cup final at age 39 only proved his absolute dominance, and even after falling just short against Spain in extra time, his legacy is completely bulletproof.
However, calls for Messi to become the President of Argentina do seem slightly crazy.

#Inter

Baltimore Beatdown is proud to introduce this four-part series on Lamar Jackson from former Ravens running back Femi Ayanbadejo! He is a member of the 2000 Super Bowl championship team and an 11-year NFL veteran. He also holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins, with executive credentials from Harvard and Wharton, and has worked in sports media as an NFL ******* yst since 2013. Ayanbadejo is currently part of the radio team at 105.7 The Fan Baltimore.
Lamar Jackson trades like a meme stock in the marketplace of media and executive opinion. His perceived value surges after an MVP season, crashes after a playoff loss, and resets with almost no institutional memory of the underlying fundamentals. The film, the production, and the total body of work change gradually. The narrative price moves overnight.
Lamar Jackson is judged differently than any quarterback in recent memory. His accolades take the stairs up while his critics put him on the elevator down. Every achievement is earned slowly, scrutinized at every floor, and met at the top with a new reason it was not enough. Every criticism arrives instantly and is amplified before anyone checks whether it is true. Old narratives are zombie-like in their refusal to die. Evidence of underperformance is weighted against his entire body of work, while evidence of growth is often treated as temporary. When the facts change, the framing simply finds a new form.
That narrative volatility is visible right now. In the player-voted NFL Top 100, Jackson fell 67 places—from No. 2 to No. 69—after an injury-disrupted season in which he still finished fourth in passer rating at 103.8. Trevor Lawrence ranked 62nd and Bo Nix 59th, while ESPN's survey of more than 70 executives, coaches, and scouts placed Jackson fifth among quarterbacks. Colin Cowherd's movement was even more revealing: he ranked Jackson seventh in May, then 11th in July, choosing the "ascending" Drake Maye over an "expensive, declining" Jackson and announcing that he was "selling his stock." Skepticism about Jackson in major postseason moments is fair; declaring him a depreciating ******* et after one injury-marred season is not. He is 29. Matthew Stafford just won MVP at 37, Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning won at 37 or older, and Tom Brady won at 40. Meanwhile, Baltimore's supporting cast was ranked 22nd. When Jackson produces an MVP-caliber season, critics say he is loaded with talent. When preseason rankings arrive, that same supporting cast is considered below average while Jackson's individual value collapses. This is not consistent evaluation. It is narrative volatility. If every NFL player were available in a franchise draft today and the objective were to win now, I do not believe five players would be selected before Lamar Jackson.
People underestimating Jackson is not an occasional occurrence. It is his norm. The hyperbole surrounding him since before the draft has helped create a man largely impervious to nonsensical commentary. He rarely res

SEOUL, July 20 (Reuters) - Lee Seung-ho watched the nearly 300 million won ($202,515) stock trading fortune he built with a 500% margin loan evaporate in just four weeks in May, but he plans to borrow again and return to the market the moment he has ‌enough capital.
The 24-year-old South Korean university student in Seoul briefly turned the 20 million won he saved during mandatory military service into a 15-fold ‌windfall, all by tapping a "tiny circle **** on" on his trading app that instantly unlocked five-times leverage.
Then the market turned.
Violent swings in South Korean stocks triggered a cascade of forced liquidations by his brokerage, wiping out the gains. Within weeks, his account had fallen below his initial investment, leaving him under such strain that he said: "I literally could not breathe."
"But I'm sticking to margin loans," Lee said from his studio apartment, barely larger than a parking **** e, next to an empty Hibiki whisky and an unboxed electric fan gifted by his brokerage after he qualified as a VIP client.

#weeks

SEOUL, July 20 (Reuters) - Lee Seung-ho watched the nearly 300 million won ($202,515) stock trading fortune he built with a 500% margin loan evaporate in just four weeks in May, but he plans to borrow again and return to the market the moment he has ‌enough capital.
The 24-year-old South Korean university student in Seoul briefly turned the 20 million won he saved during mandatory military service into a 15-fold ‌windfall, all by tapping a "tiny circle ***** on" on his trading app that instantly unlocked five-times leverage.
Then the market turned.
Violent swings in South Korean stocks triggered a cascade of forced liquidations by his brokerage, wiping out the gains. Within weeks, his account had fallen below his initial investment, leaving him under such strain that he said: "I literally could not breathe."
"But I'm sticking to margin loans," Lee said from his studio apartment, barely larger than a parking ***** e, next to an empty Hibiki whisky and an unboxed electric fan gifted by his brokerage after he qualified as a VIP client.

WNBA star Angel Reese is proving that her fashion game is just as strong as her skills on the basketball court, rocking a pair of Reebok sneakers with a chic cutout top and micro shorts. In her latest campaign photoshoot, the athlete showed off a stunning mix of athletic gear and high-fashion style. Posing confidently on a sculptural chair, she looked absolutely fierce.
Angel Reese wore a cutout top and micro shorts with her Reebok sneakers for a new promotional shoot. The WNBA star chose a monochromatic base that highlighted her athletic physique. Specifically, she donned a sleek black long-sleeve top. It featured an asymmetrical, one-shoulder neckline with a chic cutout.
She paired the statement top with matching high-waisted black micro shorts. The all-black outfit created a sharp silhouette. However, she chose to keep her accessories minimal to ensure the focus remained on her vibrant footwear. She then completed the base of her look with black crew socks that blended seamlessly into her outfit.
Reese used her footwear to make a major statement. To add a pop of color to her all-black fit, she slipped into a vibrant pair of sneakers from her own collection in collaboration with Reebok. She wore the brand-new Angel Reese 1 shoes in the striking "Expressive Pink" colorway. The bright pastel sneakers feature bold design and black accents on the heels.
In one of the close-up photos, she playfully poses by holding up one of the pink sneakers next to her face. Consequently, the shoe took center stage. The bright pop of color instantly transformed a simple sporty look into a major fashion moment.

Decades ago, it would take weeks or even months to send a message to someone, especially if they were far away. Today, finding information and staying connected have never been easier. People can communicate instantly and find answers in seconds through digital technology. It's no exaggeration to say that these platforms have become a key part of everyday life.
That's what makes companies like Alphabet and Meta so interesting- at least as investments. Both have had their hand in driving the digital landscape to where it is today, and both are still hard at work shaping the future.
Multiple Compression Is a Real Threat to Microsoft Stock, But Its Core Story Isn't Broken
BlackRock Just Achieved Record AUM. How to Play BLK Stock After Q2.
Costco Delivers Another Strong Sales Report. Buy COST Stock Now for More Upside Ahead.

WNBA star Angel Reese is proving that her fashion game is just as strong as her skills on the basketball court, rocking a pair of Reebok sneakers with a chic cutout top and micro shorts. In her latest campaign photoshoot, the athlete showed off a stunning mix of athletic gear and high-fashion style. Posing confidently on a sculptural chair, she looked absolutely fierce.
Angel Reese wore a cutout top and micro shorts with her Reebok sneakers for a new promotional shoot. The WNBA star chose a monochromatic base that highlighted her athletic physique. Specifically, she donned a sleek black long-sleeve top. It featured an asymmetrical, one-shoulder neckline with a chic cutout.
She paired the statement top with matching high-waisted black micro shorts. The all-black outfit created a sharp silhouette. However, she chose to keep her accessories minimal to ensure the focus remained on her vibrant footwear. She then completed the base of her look with black crew socks that blended seamlessly into her outfit.
Reese used her footwear to make a major statement. To add a pop of color to her all-black fit, she slipped into a vibrant pair of sneakers from her own collection in collaboration with Reebok. She wore the brand-new Angel Reese 1 shoes in the striking "Expressive Pink" colorway. The bright pastel sneakers feature bold design and black accents on the heels.
In one of the close-up photos, she playfully poses by holding up one of the pink sneakers next to her face. Consequently, the shoe took center stage. The bright pop of color instantly transformed a simple sporty look into a major fashion moment.

Expectant mothers know that pregnancy hormones can make even the simplest moments feel incredibly emotional. Recently, a pregnant Anne Hathaway experienced this firsthand during an interview on the TODAY show. While promoting her new project, "The Odyssey", the host surprised the actress with a custom, handmade gift basket for her little one. As a result of the sweet gesture, the beloved star immediately grew emotional and shed a few joyful tears.
Anne Hathaway sat alongside her co-star, Tom Holland, wearing a beautiful, flowing dark green maxi dress that elegantly showed off her growing baby **** p. Suddenly, a crew member walked over to hand her a large woven gift basket tied with a big red ribbon.
Hathaway smiled warmly but instantly looked like she might cry as she accepted the present. "Oh, don't!" she joked, trying to hold back her emotional reaction. Indeed, the customized gifts inside were enough to make any expectant mother swell with joy.
Next, the host revealed the contents of the unique basket. Because the movie is an epic tale, the TODAY show wardrobe team created a special, hand-crocheted Trojan warrior outfit for the baby.
Specifically, the host pulled out a tiny gray crocheted helmet complete with bright red and yellow yarn trim. Hathaway gasped with delight, asking if the next piece was a matching diaper cover. The host proudly held up the tiny gray-and-yellow bottoms, confirming it was a custom-designed Trojan costume. In addition, the basket contained a long red knitted cape and a cute plush horse toy. Holland smiled and picked up the toy, admiring the detailed craftsmanship alongside Hathaway.

Expectant mothers know that pregnancy hormones can make even the simplest moments feel incredibly emotional. Recently, a pregnant Anne Hathaway experienced this firsthand during an interview on the TODAY show. While promoting her new project, "The Odyssey", the host surprised the actress with a custom, handmade gift basket for her little one. As a result of the sweet gesture, the beloved star immediately grew emotional and shed a few joyful tears.
Anne Hathaway sat alongside her co-star, Tom Holland, wearing a beautiful, flowing dark green maxi dress that elegantly showed off her growing baby ******* p. Suddenly, a crew member walked over to hand her a large woven gift basket tied with a big red ribbon.
Hathaway smiled warmly but instantly looked like she might cry as she accepted the present. "Oh, don't!" she joked, trying to hold back her emotional reaction. Indeed, the customized gifts inside were enough to make any expectant mother swell with joy.
Next, the host revealed the contents of the unique basket. Because the movie is an epic tale, the TODAY show wardrobe team created a special, hand-crocheted Trojan warrior outfit for the baby.
Specifically, the host pulled out a tiny gray crocheted helmet complete with bright red and yellow yarn trim. Hathaway gasped with delight, asking if the next piece was a matching diaper cover. The host proudly held up the tiny gray-and-yellow bottoms, confirming it was a custom-designed Trojan costume. In addition, the basket contained a long red knitted cape and a cute plush horse toy. Holland smiled and picked up the toy, admiring the detailed craftsmanship alongside Hathaway.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A distinguished American marine biologist has been shot dead by three men who entered his house in the central Philippines, police said on Tuesday.
Kent Carpenter, 73, was with his Filipina companion in a house in the coastal town of Sibulan, in Negros Oriental province, on Sunday night when the masked men forced their way in.
One drew a gun and shot Carpenter in the head, killing him instantly, police said his companion told them. The men took a laptop, an unspecified amount of cash and a backpack before fleeing, national police spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co told reporters.
Regional police spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong told The **** ociated Press that Carpenter's companion sustained unspecified injuries and was being treated. Investigators were trying to determine the motive for the killing and identify the attackers.
Carpenter was a marine biologist who had worked as a lecturer at the Silliman University, in Dumaguete city, Negros Oriental, Malong said.

Jul. 15—Few people brought as much joy and happiness to those around him as did Noah Boler-Kyle.
"Whenever he walked in a room his smile would instantly light it up," former Decatur Heritage basketball coach and Noah's adopted father Tommy Kyle said. "He made everyone happy."
That sentiment seems to be held by everyone who knew him.
"He was always bigger than the room," said Jason Marshall, Noah's basketball coach at Decatur Heritage. "He was so charismatic, so funny and just treated people so well. People were drawn to him and he was always smiling."
Tragically, that smile was taken away over the weekend when Boler-Kyle died after suffering respiratory arrest due to a severe asthma attack. The former Decatur Daily basketball Player of the Year was 25 years old.

People’s minds instantly jump to football when they think about Penn State athletics, but don’t sleep on the other programs at the school. The baseball team was in a dark spot heading into this decade, but they’ve netted a .500 record or better in each of the last three seasons.
This newfound hope for the team has borne some promising players, like the three who were selected in the draft this past weekend. The 2026 MLB Draft took place in Philadelphia, where Michael Anderson, Alex Weingartner, and Dalton Harper all heard their names called. The latter two players never officially suited up for the Nittany Lions, although they were slated to join the team this fall.
Anderson was a valuable weapon for Penn State last season, finishing with an impressive .358 batting average, 20 home runs and 53 RBI in 50 games. The earliest draft pick of the bunch, the two-way star was selected in the fifth round by the Texas Rangers, where he has a chance to become a top prospect in the organization.
Weingartner and Harper were more like projection picks, with neither having played NCAA baseball to this point. The Nittany Lions may not be competing for the College World Series, but that isn’t preventing them from developing MLB-level talent.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and Facebook.

Recently, Los Angeles Rams legend Aaron Donald was spotted working out at the team's facility in Woodland Hills. The Rams have let Donald use their facility in retirement, with his recent workout being nothing more than a continuation of his post-playing workout regimen. However, the image of Donald gracing the gridiron has many hoping that it reignites the fire to inspire a return to the NFL.
On "Good Morning Football", former NFL safety Donte Whitner spoke about the possibility of Donald coming back, pointing out that while Donald would be welcomed on the field, his presence in the facility could be the key to fixing a massive problem that prevented the team from winning a championship in 2025.
"Think about this: The greatest defender of this generation walks into the building. You know what instantly happens? Everybody's standard rises," Whitner said. "The front office members, the coaching staff, and especially the players, and even if Aaron Donald isn't playing every week – I've heard that he's probably going to play eight games minimum – his presence still matters. The young players can watch how he studies, prepares, communicates, goes about his business. The veterans are reminded what championship-level work looks like, and you know you have a coach. He can talk about greatness all he wants, but when Aaron Donald walks in that building, that's greatness in the flesh. So I think it elevates everybody around you, and it does give you extreme Super Bowl expectancy."
The Rams' defense had a self-reported maturity issue entering the NFC Championship Game, and when the team failed to stop the Seattle Seahawks' offense early, their problems balled up into a series of failures that would result in a loss.
The team did fix the issue with the additions of Super Bowl champions Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, along with superstar defender Myles Garrett, but if Donald is around, that's a player who finished the job for the Rams during their last championship run. Setting a standard that high among the characters in the Rams' locker room would build a flexible, formidable, and near-impenetrable defense – at least in theory.

When LeBron James came to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, he instantly made them relevant again after they had missed the NBA playoffs five straight times. He and fellow superstar Anthony Davis delivered the franchise the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2020, yet as time went on afterward, some Lakers fans soured on him.
There were quite a few Lakers fans who had wanted James gone for a couple of years, and on June 30, they got their wish when James let the team know he was moving on in free agency. He remains a free agent, and the organization has already moved on and started to ****** emble a roster around and for Luka Doncic.
Former Laker Derek Fisher admitted that he doesn't quite understand why some don't appreciate James' tenure with the team. Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who, like Fisher, won five NBA championships with L.A., urged fans to appreciate what the four-time MVP did while with the Purple and Gold.
"LeBron was a winner on and off the court, and Laker fans should appreciate his performance for the last 8 years," Abdul-Jabbar wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "If LeBron goes home to Cleveland, it won’t matter if they win the World Championship or not because his hometown fans will get their opportunity to say their goodbyes to one of the greatest ever."
Indeed, it seems the Cleveland Cavaliers are the team James is most likely to play for this coming season. He spent his first seven pro seasons with them, and after leaving in 2010 to head to the Miami Heat, he returned for four more years in 2014.

Conor McGregor’s comeback dreams were instantly shattered on his very first kick, hurting his right knee and losing to Max Holloway due to injury. McGregor didn’t stick around after the anticlimactic UFC 329 main event, ditching both his post-fight interview and the press conference after, as he walked straight out of the arena barefoot.
McGregor eventually decided to break his silence with a brief statement on social media, where he tried to put an end to the growing speculation that he came into UFC 329 with an injury.
“My head gasket is gone. Destroyed,” McGregor wrote about the loss. “I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere.
“I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as **** ,” he added.
Despite videos of him stumbling prior to the contest, his camp previously noted how they were “super careful” and that McGregor was “100%” healthy prior, with “not a **** p, not a bruise.”

Despite all the talk and pre-fight hype, the UFC 329 main event did not deliver as Conor McGregor instantly fell down and injured himself on the very first strike of the match. Max Holloway was awarded with the quick TKO victory, but no one was happy about the anti-climactic finish.
Former UFC champion turned commentator Michael Bisping didn’t hold back with his thoughts, calling it the “biggest disappointment” ever.
“It was just an utter disappointment,” Bisping said on the UFC 329 broadcast. “We were all hyped up waiting for the return of Conor McGregor. Will it be the greatest comeback in sports history? No! It was the biggest disappointment in combat sports history. It was!
“It completely sucked the air out of the building,” Bisping continued. “I feel for Conor, I feel for Max Holloway, and I feel for all of these fans that parted ways with hard earned money because the fight didn’t even really get started. Conor ran out of there, tried this flying kick, landed, blew his knee, and that was it. It was over, it was done, a disappointment!”
Soon after Bisping brought up the fans spending their “hard earned money,” Dana White confirmed in the post-fight press conference that UFC 329 had 20,076 people in attendance for a record setting $26.4 million gate.

Lakers trade idea brings in Cavaliers All-Star, and it would be thanks to LeBron James originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers would love to add a player who could come in and make an impact for them on the defensive side of the basketball. They've already attempted to do so this offseason by trading for Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz, but there's certainly a feeling that more could be done.
Even if the Lakers were to add another defensive-minded center, I don't think it's a bad idea, given how dominant some centers are in the Western Conference. That's why the latest prediction that the Lakers will make a move for Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers shouldn't be discredited.
"If the hometown king is actually making his triumphant return to the shores of Lake Erie, someone has to serve as the structural salary ballast. Jarrett Allen remains an elite drop-coverage anchor and a clinical rim-finisher, but Cleveland's front office must sacrifice high-end frontcourt utility to absorb a historic salary-cap footprint. For a Lakers team looking to instantly redefine its physical baseline in a post-LeBron environment, Allen represents the perfect modern defensive centerpiece," Joe Cervenka wrote.
Allen and Kessler are similar players in that both can block shots at an elite level, are high-level defenders, and do many little things that contribute to winning.

FedEx Freight Holding Company, Inc. (NYSE:FDXF) was among the stocks Jim Cramer discussed during Mad Money, as he called the growing wave of stock offerings and debt issuance a threat to the bull markett. Cramer gave his long-term thesis on the business, as he said:
Now, let's talk about FedEx Freight, which, you know, really had the more dramatic pullback… Just like with FedEx, though, I'm not worried. FedEx Freight's been getting slammed because this is what happens right after this kind of corporate breakup. FedEx gave all the shareholders a chunk of FedEx Freight, right? So you're a FedEx shareholder. Suddenly you get this FedEx Freight, and you don't know what it is. You just say, "Oh, I don't need this little thing," and you throw it away. It causes a temporary beat down… FedEx Freight's now experiencing, I'd say what I think is a level where it reminds me very much of reverse and bottom. Doesn't help that when the company reported on June 25th, though, the numbers were quirky… and the stock fell nearly 3% the next day.
Quirky because I don't want to be too, I want to be a little more subjective about this. See, FedEx Freight offered limited numbers in its first report as a public company. There was no earnings per share figure, but what we did was get at least pretty solid, I thought… Making things worse, FedEx Freight also gave odd guidance. Like their old parent company, they moved from a fiscal year ending in May to a standard calendar year. Now, they're in a transition period, the seven months from June through December, because their fiscal 2026 is over but the new calendar doesn't… [start] until 2027 in January…
My thesis is much more simple and much longer term. FedEx Freight is instantly the largest player in the less-than-truckload market, which is an attractive one as the freight business comes out of a multi-year bear market with much less capacity, kind of what happened to the airlines. I think FedEx Freight also benefits from being an independent company with dedicated management that can think solely about how to improve service and grow the business rather than being buried within a larger entity where its profitability was not a priority. That's why I want to own this one for the long haul.
Photo by Yiorgos Ntrahas on Unsplash

Celtics make clear Jayson Tatum trade decision after Jaylen Brown deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It would be absolutely insane for the Boston Celtics to move on from Jayson Tatum, but as we've seen over the past few years in the NBA, nothing can be counted out. Ultimately, it feels like the Celtics made their one big move in quite some time in terms of trading star players, sending Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers.
However, because of this situation and all the questions about Philadelphia now, some have pondered whether Tatum might be available.
However, according to the latest report, when teams have called on the Celtics superstar, they have been shut down instantly.
"ESPN's Shams Charania noted that teams were calling the Celtics to gauge a Jayson Tatum trade after the Jaylen Brown deal, but were universally shut down. There will be extra spotlight on Tatum this year, as the team's 1A option no longer has a 1B. The Celtics are still open to making a trade, but they're viewing the ******* ignment as building a roster to support Tatum, not to bring in another star to split shots with him. Forget Trey Murphy, the targets are more likely to be Herb Jones, Keldon Johnson or a player of that range," Sean Deveny wrote.

In 1992, decades before viral marketing was a thing, Upper Deck pulled off one of the most memorable marketing stunts of all time. The sports card company secretly put up a billboard in Chicago: It was plain white, with only two words: "Trade Jordan."
The effort instantly became local news, and then national news. Trade Michael Jordan? The Chicago Bulls superstar who had just led the team to back-to-back championships, earning an MVP award in the process?
More from The Hollywood Reporter
Why Keith Olbermann Is Auctioning a "Holy Grail" Baseball Card That He Was Using as a Paperweight (Exclusive)
Where to Watch Switzerland vs. Colombia World Cup Match Live Online