It's so hard to consistently win college football games, especially in an age of mega-conferences, talent spread out everywhere, and the pressure of everything possibly collapsing with a small losing streak.

Some schools, though, aren't supposed to lose. They're expected to be college football superpowers with national ***** le dreams to make their respective rabid fan bases happy, and it's a problem when they're not.

Continuing with our 26 for 2026 series, here are the five programs under the most pressure - actually, it's the four powerhouse schools that need to win, and another new FBS member that has the world on its shoulders, but in a different way.
26: Winningest Programs Yet To Make the CFP
25: ACC Key Questions
24: Big 12 Key Questions
23: Big Ten Key Questions
22: Top 2027 NFL Draft Prospects
21: SEC Key Questions
20: What's Next in Realignment?
19. Ranking all 30 New Head Coaches
18. Who Has the Easiest Schedules?
17. Who Has the Hardest Schedules?
16. Who Might Be the Next Indiana?
15. Group of Six Teams with Best CFP Shot
14. 5 Teams Headed For a Letdown
This had better freaking work.

This is either going to be a trailblazing moment that changes how college sports operate, or it's a massive misfire that will turn into a huge financial loss for the university.

Sacramento State is paying a total of $23 million over five years to be part of the MAC. Not only that, but it has to pay for teams to travel to Sacramento, and even wilder, the school doesn't get anything from the media rights deals.

This is strictly a move to raise the profile of the school. Considering the lack of out-of-state students - under 5% - the faster the football team can generate interest, the sooner this might work.
- Sacramento State 2026 Team Preview
Florida State was among the consistently great football powerhouses for close to two decades under Bobby Bowden. Jimbo Fisher revived the brand name and the program in the mid-2010s, but he left for Texas A&M after the 2017 season.

Since then, the Seminoles have suffered through six losing seasons in eight years - FSU went from 1977 to 2018 without a losing campaign, and has just 16 losing seasons in 77 years of playing college football.

Miami almost won the national ***** le last season, Florida has the new-coach energy with Jon Sumrall taking over, and after going 7-17 over the last two seasons, this is when Florida State needs to take a big step to reestablish itself as a Sunshine State school that can win big again.
- Florida State 2026 Team Preview
The Volunteers need more of a tweak than a total overhaul.

There isn't anything disastrously wrong, but the national ***** le season of 1998 is now close to three decades ago. For a football-mad school with all the will and resources to win big, it could use a huge season to show that it's not far away from taking that one extra step.

#Florida #school #teams

Manchester City are ****** sing the possibility of signing Enzo Fernandez as contingency planning intensifies around Rodri's expected departure to Spain, with Independent reporting growing movement behind the scenes.
The situation appears to be developing on multiple fronts. City are preparing for a major midfield reshuffle after Rodri became keen on a move to Barcelona, ahead of Real Madrid, following his latest international success with Spain. There is also the wider context of Bernardo Silva leaving for Real Madrid, while Elliot Anderson has already arrived in a £116m transfer from Nottingham Forest.
That combination has pushed City into the market for another central option, and Fernandez is firmly under consideration. He is well known to head coach Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with the Argentina international at Chelsea before taking charge at the Etihad this summer.
City's interest makes clear football sense. Fernandez has the technical range, energy and tactical flexibility to operate in several midfield roles. The report notes that he has "mostly switched between roles as a No 10 and a box-to-box midfielder", while City may also see scope to deploy him deeper when required.
There are, however, obvious complications. Chelsea "still value the player in the region of £120 million", a figure that would test even City's capacity for aggressive market action. Fernandez also arrives with a slightly mixed recent profile. He "endured a mixed World Cup", producing decisive moments during Argentina's run while also suffering "ill discipline in the final".

#real

Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson has admitted the club did not want to sell Bruno Guimaraes to **** nal.
Guimaraes is set to complete his transfer to **** nal this weekend after undergoing a medical in North London. **** nal haveagreed a £75m fee to sign the Newcastle captain, who informed the Magpies of his wish to leave this summer.
The 28-year-old is set to become the latest high-profile name to leave Newcastle this summer, following the sales ofAnthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, and the exit of head coach Eddie Howe.
Speaking to the media at Newcastle's pre-season training camp in Spain, Wilson said the club have reluctantly sanctioned the sale of Guimaraes. He said the player's desire to leave, and a world-record fee for his age profile, persuaded the club to do business.
Wilson added that Newcastle now must adapt to a departure that was not part of the club's summer strategy.

#newcastle #wilson #club #profile

Gianni Infantino's time at UEFA is under scrutiny after new allegations that the football body paid a six-figure settlement to a former employee who was involved in a relationship with the now FIFA president.
According to an investigation by The Telegraph, the woman was allegedly promoted while the relationship was ongoing before leaving UEFA with a substantial payment.
The report claims UEFA also funded an MBA for the former employee at a business school, with annual fees said to have been around £45,000.
UEFA has confirmed that a payment was made, along with funding for the MBA, although they insist both were permitted under the regulations governing staff departures at the time.
The organisation said those rules have since been tightened, with its current regulations designed to reflect the standards expected of a modern, high-profile organisation.

#time #gianni #fifa

NFL son of former WWE star Big Poppa Pump suspended 6 games for performance-enhancing drug use originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner's son is trying to make it in the NFL, but he's off to a rough start.
Brock Rechsteiner is in his first season with the New Orleans Saints, but will now have to miss the first six games of his rookie season due to a suspension. The NFL announced the news on Thursday afternoon, allowing Rechsteiner to continue participating in training camp but forcing him to be away from the team once the season begins.
Rechsteiner is not a high-profile player, but he was hoping to make the Saints roster as a depth option. Now, he faces an uphill battle to secure a spot.
Brock Rechsteiner, the son of WWE Hall of Fame Scott "Big Poppa Pump" Steiner, was suspended six games by the NFL to begin the 2026 season. Rechsteiner signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent out of Jacksonville State after playing three seasons for the Gamecocks.

#season #pump #scott

The Dayton Flyers will play Memphis on Sunday, Nov. 29, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
The site of the game was announced on Thursday, Aug. 6, while news of the matchup broke in March. The time of the game and ticket information will be announced at a later date.
The game is part of the inaugural Atlantic 10/American Showcase on ESPN. Saint Louis, the defending A-10 regular-season champion, will play South Florida, the defending American Conference regular-season and tournament champion, in the first game. The Dayton-Memphis matchup will follow.
This collaboration presents a tremendous opportunity for Atlantic 10 teams to compete against quality opponents on a neutral floor before a national audience," A10 Commissioner Dan Leibovitz said in a press release. "We appreciate our media partner, ESPN, and the American Conference for coming together to create a unique event with meaningful scheduling value. This collaboration will strengthen our league's non-conference profile and improve our NCAA Tournament positioning.
According to the A-10, "Future editions of the event will rotate participating schools and host locations within the Atlantic 10 and American Conference footprints. As part of the multi-year agreement, additional participating schools and host sites will be announced later."

#announced #dayton #tournament

At first glance, it's natural to be apprehensive about MGM Resorts (MGM). Sure, MGM stock itself is ranked as a 40% Buy, according to the Barchart Technical Opinion indicator. Further, the technical profile suggests a continuation of the long-term trend. At the same time, the ticker faces significant economic headwinds.
I don't need to list all the challenges **** ociated with the devolving Iran crisis that have stymied recent progress for the casino and resorts giant. Las Vegas itself has undergone a sort of paradigm shift relative to pre-COVID norms. Factor in rising inflation and the soaring cost of energy and you have good reason to be skeptical of MGM stock, which has lost 2.47% in the trailing month.
Huge, Unusual Trading in Marvell Technology Call Options - Investors Are Bullish on MRVL Stock
Here's a Realistic Roadmap Toward Generating $1,000 a Month in Options Trading Income
Meta Platforms Stock Could Be Signaling a Quick Pop Above $600

#options #resorts #technical #month

Surely, you've heard by now about Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's opinion that transgender athletes should not be allowed to participate in women's sports. The ESPN profile published on July 21, sparking a firestorm around the Fever, including "Support Sophie Cunningham" rallies at games in Seattle, Portland, and Minnesota. Cunningham started it, but people wanted Fever All-Star guard Caitlin Clark to answer for it. People always want to hear from Caitlin Clark.
Throughout last week's chaos, Clark did not meet with from the media until the postgame press conference following the Fever's loss to the Minnesota Lynx last Sunday, Aug. 2. The first question probed how Clark and her teammates navigated the aftermath of Cunningham's comments.
"I think, for us, it's not really a discussion we really have in our locker room," Clark said. "I think it's for leagues and the governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions, but our focus is on basketball. That's what we talk about and how we can get wins, and, obviously, we didn't do that tonight."
Clark's response was ripped by conservative media, underscoring the arduous position Clark occupies. Speak up, and she's wrong. Stay silent, and she's wrong. And now, Clark is addressing the intense scrutiny she faces for how she chooses to use her platform — and the mounting pressure to use her voice the way other people see fit.
"I think, first and foremost, you speak when you feel like you want to speak," Clark said during her media availability before the Fever took on the Las Vegas Aces at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Thursday, Aug. 6. "I think, for myself, I've been in this position for, what? Five years now? Four years? I think I have a good feel of what's gonna be asked, what's not gonna be asked, how to approach each situation, and I try to show up and just be myself every single day."

#clark #cunningham

Miivo AI (TSX-V:MIVO) has highlighted growth in users, recurring revenue and product offerings in the first half of 2026 following the launch of three AI products aimed at helping businesses automate functions including financial ***** ysis, lead generation and customer insights.
The company said it acquired more than 3,000 users during the six-month period, while average subscriber time spent on its platform increased significantly. Miivo also said it has helped businesses increase sales and acquire new customers, while expanding its base of recurring-revenue customers.
The company launched its Business Intelligence product, which integrates with accounting software to provide real-time dashboards covering revenue, cash flow, margins, operational performance and key performance indicators. The product also identifies potential risks and recommends actions aimed at improving profitability.
Its AI Lead Generation product identifies potential business-to-business customers, scores prospects against an ideal customer profile, enriches contact information, drafts personalized outreach emails and tracks campaigns.
Miivo also launched Reputation & Customer Insights, which monitors reviews and mentions across platforms including Google Reviews, Instagram and Reddit. The product ***** yzes customer sentiment, generates AI-written response drafts for businesses to review and publish, and provides internal recommendations based on customer feedback.

#product #revenue #customers #Insights

Who knew there would be so much drama in horse racing months after this year's Triple Crown was etched in the history books?
But quite like how we're all talking about Boston College men's basketball in August for some reason, we've also spent much of this week following along to a series of major developments regarding the Triple Crown and the future of high-level horse racing.
It all started on Monday, when the New York Racing **** ociation (NYRA) and Churchill Downs Incorporated announced a new season-long horse racing series that will pit the best three-year-old Thoroughbreds against each other in a six-race circuit with a champion crowned at Churchill Downs in September. But curiously, when the series was announced, it included the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, but not the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, the Preakness.
A couple days later, Maryland Governor Wes Moore held a press conference to announce that the Preakness Stakes, which historically was run two weeks following the Kentucky Derby, would now be held three weeks and a day after the Derby. The shift was made with the hope that more Derby horses, including the Derby winner, would participate in the Preakness. In recent years, the vast majority of Derby horses have skipped the Preakness due to the quick turnaround time, instead eyeing the Belmont five weeks later.
At the press conference, Moore also announced that the Preakness would remain on NBC Sports through 2032. Various reports indicate that Fox, which owns rights for the Belmont and various other high-profile horse racing properties, had been an interested bidder in the Preakness, but NBC ultimately won out.

#crown #belmont #weeks

Indiana Fever guard sparked one of the defining controversies of 2026 when her comments on transgender athletes participating in women's sports were published in an ESPN profile on her on July 21.
"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Cunningham told ESPN. "I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
The comments led to rallies in support of Cunningham outside of Fever games, a statement from the White House, and even multiple coaches around the league to weigh in.
Now, Golden State Valkyries All-Star and French National team star Gabby Williams is addressing the topic, and she's approaching it with inclusivity.
"I think it's trans rights now is our new battle," Williams said. "That's what I think I was saying, that like the battles have changed. Oh yes. You know, like our intention has been the same, but now that the environment has changed, we see trans people's rights being stripped away from them.

#comments

Conestoga Capital Advisors, an ******* et management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The letter reports a positive market shift towards Small Caps, with the Russell 2000 Index achieving its best first half since 1991 and the Russell 2000 Growth Index up 25.7% in Q2, fueled by AI enthusiasm and semiconductor stocks. However, market leadership was uneven, mirroring the Tech Bubble, as high-beta stocks outperformed while high-quality companies lagged, impacting Conestoga's quality-focused strategies. Management expressed confidence in long-term outcomes, noting that speculative leadership won't last as monetary policy tightens and market breadth improves. The firm remains committed to high-quality growth businesses, expecting these to regain favor as leadership broadens. The Conestoga Small Cap Composite returned 14.32% net-of-fees in the second quarter, with 25.71% for the Russell 2000 Growth Index. Narrow Index leadership hurt the relative results, but it also hid Composite improvements. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Conestoga Capital Advisors highlighted Perimeter Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:PRM) as a newly added position in the small cap composite. Perimeter Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:PRM) is a leading manufacturer of firefighting products, electronic components, lubricant additives, and engineered machinery. On August 4, 2026, Perimeter Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:PRM) closed at $33.25 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $5.44 billion. Perimeter Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:PRM) posted a one-month return of 0.95%, while its shares gained 115.61% over the past 52 weeks.
Conestoga Capital Advisors stated the following regarding Perimeter Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:PRM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Perimeter Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:PRM) provides mission-critical fire safety and specialty chemical solutions. We initiated a position based on the company's durable earnings profile, disciplined capital allocation, and strong competitive position in niche markets. Recent long-term contract wins, including a five-year agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency, reinforce confidence in PRM's ability to generate predictable cash flow while continuing to expand its earnings base through both organic growth and acquisitions."
Perimeter Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:PRM) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 37 hedge fund portfolios held Perimeter Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:PRM) at the end of the first quarter, up from 33 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of Perimeter Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:PRM) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising

Nottingham Forest appear to be moving with a certain clarity now, the sort that suggests a squad is being shaped to meet the demands of Oliver Glasner rather than merely patched together for another season. According to TeamTalk, Forest are exploring a notable double move, one aimed at the centre of defence and the centre of midfield, with Jhon Lucumi and Tijjani Reijnders both under consideration.
The report states that Forest "have shown clear interest in defender Jhon Lucimi" and that the club "have already sounded out the conditions required to complete a deal for the Bologna star". Whether that develops into a formal push, it reflects a sensible instinct. Lucumi is described as "a solid addition who could bring greater defensive solidity and competition for places at the back", and that profile feels aligned with a side seeking greater certainty without sacrificing aggression.
Photo IMAGO
More eye-catching, perhaps, is the mention of Reijnders. TeamTalk says the Manchester City midfielder "has emerged as a realistic target to replace Elliot Anderson". It is an intriguing description of Forest's ambition. Reijnders offers rhythm and progression, a player whose "vision, energy and ability to dictate play make him an attractive option for Forest's engine room". In a league increasingly settled by who can control transitions, that sort of midfielder carries rare value.
There is, naturally, a complication. "Man City are open to a sale of Reijnders if an offer of around £60million arrives," the report says, though "there is a strong feeling that the player would prefer to remain at a club competing in European competition." That tension is familiar to clubs operating just beneath the established elite. Recruitment becomes part persuasion, part projection.

#sort #club

It's debatable whether the Canada or Chattanooga pipelines have been more valuable to Tennessee football recruiting lately because there's so much overlap between them.
UT signed four Canadian players in its 2026 class. And it has three players from Baylor School in Chattanooga.
Offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda and defensive back Jamyan Theodore fit into both categories. Osenda is from Airdrie, Alberta. Theodore is from Montreal, Quebec. They played together at Baylor School the past two seasons.
Most notably, they were Baylor teammates and close friends with David Gabriel Georges, the Canadian five-star running back that committed to the Vols in the 2027 class after a high-profile recruiting battle with Ohio State.
"It's a great relationship. Both him and I have the origins that we're Haitians (who grew up in Montreal), so we have a close bond," Theodore said. "His uncle and my father know each other and have a close bond, so we naturally built a close bond together.

#baylor #osenda #montreal

PSG and Liverpool are confident regarding the possibility of reaching an agreement for the transfer of France international winger Bradley Barcola (23), according to a report from L'Equipe. The Reds have made Barcola their primary option to add pace and output in Andoni Iraola's attack. The former Lyon Academy graduate is said to be frustrated over his supersub role under Luis Enrique's tutelage. Barcola was notably benched for PSG's two Champions League finals wins.
Barcola is keen on a move to Liverpool, and L'Equipe reports that the Reds have reached an contractual agreement with the 23-year-old winger. But it does not mean that Barcola's exit will be resolved in the coming days with both PSG and Liverpool still far apart regarding the player's valuation. The Reds reportedly would not want to go higher than €120m for Barcola whereas PSG are sticking to a €150m price tag.
PSG are using several high-profile transfers – such as Morgan Rogers' Chelsea move or Elliot Anderson's Manchester City switch – as a benchmark for Barcola's price. But Liverpool are aware those comparisons are irrelevant given those transfers took place between Premier League sides. Negotiations remain underway, with the parties involved confident that a deal could be reached.
L'Equipe understands that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is expected to make contact with Liverpool's senior management, whom he knows well. The fact both clubs share a minority shareholder in Arctos could also ease the dialogue.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval

#regarding #agreement #move

Liverpool's search for defensive reinforcements continues to gather pace, and Djed Spence is increasingly becoming a name that refuses to disappear from the conversation. The Tottenham full back enjoyed an impressive campaign before enhancing his reputation on the international stage, leaving Liverpool with another important decision as Andoni Iraola reshapes his squad.
Recruitment rarely revolves around one outstanding tournament. Clubs invest months, sometimes years, in building profiles on players before deciding whether circumstances make a move worthwhile. In Spence's case, there appears to be enough evidence across club and international football to justify serious consideration.
Liverpool's interest in Djed Spence makes sense for several reasons. His ability to operate comfortably on either flank offers valuable flexibility, something every elite squad now prioritises across a demanding campaign.
Last season, Spence featured 23 times in the Premier League for Tottenham and added another eight appearances in the Champions League. More importantly, he demonstrated that he could adapt to different tactical demands while maintaining his athleticism and defensive discipline.
His performances earned him an England call up for the 2026 World Cup under Thomas Tuchel, an opportunity that further underlined how far his stock has risen.

#spence #TOTTENHAM #campaign #Liverpool

This evening football will finally return to our TV sets, as the NFL's first preseason game of the year kicks off between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals in the annual Hall of Fame game.
Later this week on Saturday afternoon the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony will take place in Canton, Ohio - as the class of 2026 officially enters the hall. That includes Larry Fitzgerald, Drew Brees, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri and Roger Craig.
As for the Atlanta Falcons, there are a few potential future Hall of Famers currently on the roster, according to ESPN - where Bill Barnwell has running back Bijan Robinson alone in the "Keep it up" tier for Atlanta:
"The Hall loves its running backs, and Robinson has been among the best in the league across his three-year career. The explosive plays that had curiously been missing from Robinson's profile appeared last season, and he nearly doubled his receiving totals from 2023 and 2024 with an 820-yard campaign in 2025. If Robinson can stay at or near this level while remaining healthy, he will earn a trip to Canton."
Barnwell also has three others in the "work to do" category in order to eventually make the Hall. That includes right guard Chris Lindstrom, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.

#atlanta #barnwell

The FCC is drafting a ban on Chinese transceivers, a move that matters given China controls over 50% of global supply, directly elevating AAOI and COHR as US manufacturing alternatives.
LITE's revenue surged 90% to $808 million as a hyperscaler pure-play, while CRDO offers a contrarian copper-substitute payoff if optical shortages deepen.
Act now: the ***** yst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Coherent didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
China controls more than 50% of the global transceiver market, and the Federal Communications Commission is drafting a measure to bar imports of new Chinese optical transceivers, with officials hoping to publish the rule this year. Optical transceivers are the fiber-optic pipes that move AI training data between GPUs at the speed of light. If Washington chokes off the biggest supplier while hyperscalers are already fighting over every unit, the small handful of US-listed optical names left standing get to write their own ticket. Here are the five directly in the blast radius.
Start with the name most portfolios don't own. Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) is a Sugar Land, Texas transceiver maker that has spent the past year rebuilding capacity on American soil, precisely the profile the Trump administration would elevate if a ban lands. CEO Thompson Lin has already told investors the company is "well positioned to become the premier high-volume U.S. producer of AI-focused data center transceivers and optics."

#chinese #drafting #move

Pfizer (PFE) yields nearly 7% as COVID drugs crater, while Merck (MRK) compounds at 66% one-year gains with a leaner 3% payout.
Pfizer runs 20 pivotal trials in 2026 targeting obesity and oncology, with a Vyndamax patent extension to 2031 protecting dividend coverage.
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Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and Merck (NYSE:MRK) refreshed the dividend debate with their latest quarterly reports.
Pfizer defends one of Big Pharma's fattest yields while its COVID franchise fades. Merck absorbs multi-billion dollar deal charges to reload a pipeline behind Keytruda. Two payouts, two very different risk profiles for income investors.

#NYSE #yields #Dividend

Arsenal's summer business is gathering pace and attention is now turning towards the attacking line, with Ben Jacobs on the Latte Firm YouTube channel reporting that Iliman Ndiaye is among the players admired at the Emirates Stadium. The update arrives during a period when **** nal are already pushing forward on multiple fronts, and it adds another layer to what looks like an ambitious market strategy.
The Premier League champions have already secured Illan Meslier, Piero Hincapie and Christos Tzolis on permanent deals, while Bruno Guimaraes is understood to be closing in on a £75m move from Newcastle United. **** nal's recruitment, therefore, appears centred on strengthening quality, depth and tactical flexibility before the 2026/27 campaign begins.
Ndiaye's situation is one to watch. Everton's Senegal international has been linked with interest from Al Hilal, and there is now an indication that **** nal have made checks on his availability. The key quote remains, "I heard the other day that Iliman Ndiaye is a player that **** nal really like. He's rejected a contract proposal at Everton for now and Al Hilal are working on that deal, maybe they'll pull it off, but **** nal are one of the clubs that made an enquiry."
That does not automatically place **** nal at the front of the queue, but it suggests the club are doing due diligence on alternative profiles in case their biggest attacking targets prove difficult to land. Vinicius Jr has been discussed as a dream option, though any move of that scale would naturally be complicated. In that context, Ndiaye becomes a credible name in the wider conversation.
From **** nal's perspective, the attraction is easy to understand. Ndiaye can operate from either flank, drift into central **** es and offer a different type of movement across the front line. Across two seasons at Everton, he has returned 17 goals in 71 appearances, figures that point to contribution and resilience in a demanding environment.

#iliman

KARINA of aespa for Converse
Karina of aespa has joined Converse as a new face of the brand with her first campaign for the iconic footwear and lifestyle label arriving today.
The K-pop singer, rapper and dancer makes her brand debut with two shoes drawn from opposite ends of a shared lineage: the Chuck 70 X, a refined update of the most recognizable silhouette in the company's catalog, as well as the Run Star Crush, a platform-heavy variation of the classic. Converse frames the pairing as fusing "heritage with experimentation," with Karina cast as an artist who comfortably embraces both.
"Both on stage and off, I love breaking the mold and exploring my individuality through style and Converse is a natural canvas for that," Karina said in a media statement. "I'm excited to join the Converse family and inspire others to celebrate their creativity and express themselves boldly."
After debuting as aespa's leader in 2020, Karina has built one of the most closely watched style profiles in K-pop with the Converse deal arriving as she's become a front row regular for Milan and Paris Fashion Week while previously collaborating with Converse Korea in 2024 and 2025, including rocking Converse kicks for the March 2025 digital cover of GQ Korea. That she can carry a luxury house and an American heritage sneaker label at the same time, without either partnership reading as a stretch, proves her wide-ranging appeal.

#korea #aespa #brand #label

Arsenal are exploring one of the most ambitious attacking moves of the summer, with Vinicius Junior understood to be firmly in their thinking as Mikel Arteta looks to add elite firepower out wide. As first reported by Alex Crook for talkSPORT, there is also parallel work being considered on Bradley Barcola if the conditions for a deal involving the Real Madrid forward do not fall into place.
From ****** nal's perspective, the attraction is obvious. Vinicius Junior is among the game's most decisive wide attackers, a player capable of altering the level of any front line immediately. The complication is equally clear. His preference is to stay at Real Madrid, and the current impasse appears rooted in contract terms rather than a desire to leave. That leaves ****** nal alert rather than advanced, watching for any opening if the situation fails to resolve.
Photo IMAGO
The report states that a move has been "approved at all levels internally". That points to serious internal alignment, and that matters. ****** nal have operated with greater conviction in recent windows when recruitment, coaching and ownership have all been synchronised. If Vinicius becomes genuinely available, it would be no surprise to see them move decisively.
Even so, ****** nal cannot afford a passive summer. The wider market rarely waits for one club to make up its mind, and this is where Barcola enters the picture. The Paris Saint-Germain winger has long been admired across Europe, and his profile fits much of what ****** nal seek, direct running, one-v-one threat, high-end athleticism and room for further development.

#real

With Derry City having confirmed the departure of Tiernan Lynch as manager on Wednesday, speculation has inevitably turned to who may occupy the role on a permanent basis in future.
Former club captain Mark Connolly has been put in temporary charge of first team affairs on an interim basis and has a chance to impress the Candystripes board in the post over the coming games.
Several other candidates will likely be on the lips and minds of the supporters of the Brandywell club, who may opt to wait until the end of the present campaign before making a permanent appointment.
Any potential new boss will take up the mantle of trying to secure the club's first league success since way back in 1997, an achievement which has eluded several high-profile managers over the years.
BBC Sport NI ***** ses some of the candidates for the post.

#permanent #derry #city

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham sparked widespread conversation when she spoke out against transgender women competing in women's sports and then doubled down on that stance multiple times. Now, it sounds like she's trying to shift the conversation back to basketball, and people aren't happy.
Cunningham has sparked outrage this week when she said that she wanted to "get back to basketball" and lamented that her comments have caused "so much distraction," with fans pointing out that she was the one who caused the distraction in the first place.
Cunningham has been causing quite a stir over the past few weeks after she spoke out against transgender athletes and doubled down on that stance on a number of occasions.
During an interview for an ESPN profile, Cunningham was asked about her political beliefs, including the "MAGA Barbie" nickname that has followed her in recent months. In response, the Indiana Fever guard shared her perspective on transgender athletes competing in women's sports.
"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" she told ESPN. "I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

#transgender #fever #competing

New Kentucky head coach Will Stein will, in just a few weeks, lead the Kentucky Wildcats onto the field for his first game as head coach of the Wildcats.
Meanwhile, the man who led the Wildcats program for the previous 13 seasons will begin the season coaching in a new location. Mark Stoops was hired this offseason as a Special ******* istant to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.
We just got our first look at Stoops in Texas orange, and it certainly looks strange…
I'm glad Stoops found a landing spot and certainly landing a job as an ******* istant with a Texas program that is expected to contend for a national championship could certainly boost Stoops' profile.
What do you think about Texas ******* istant Mark Stoops?

#texas #assistant

As we gear up for the 2026 football season, Aggies Wire is breaking down nearly every player on the Texas A&M roster. Throughout the preseason, each profile will highlight a player's background, high school recruiting rankings, and projected role under head coach Mike Elko.
This is one of those seasons where we learn a great deal about the direction of the program. You can argue that, given the circumstances, the Aggies have overachieved, yet late‑season losses have kept them from fully capitalizing on their potential. You can also argue the opposite: that A&M could have finished with a less impressive record but played more consistent football overall. Both perspectives point to the same truth: this team will only go as far as Marcel Reed can take it.
Reed has improved every season, and in his first full year as the starter, he spent most of the fall firmly in the Heisman conversation. But when the lights were brightest, he didn't play his best football, struggling against Texas in back‑to‑back seasons and again versus Miami in A&M's first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. At the same time, he delivered one of the greatest performances in program history, engineering a historic second‑half comeback against South Carolina.
Both Elko and Reed understand what comes next. For Texas A&M to silence its critics and take the next step as a national contender, Reed must elevate his game, and the Aggies must finish stronger than they have in years past.
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

#reed #season #argue

Manchester United officials are reportedly torn between Sander Berge and Tyler Adams, who have emerged as two realistic options.
At the start of the summer, the club's supporters were anticipating the arrivals of prominent top-class profiles as the management plotted a midfield revamp.
Instead, INEOS have opted for cost-efficient moves, refusing to enter bidding wars. Therefore, their top targets, Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, ended up joining Man City and Spurs for £116 million and £85 million respectively.
After missing out on their primary targets, United bought Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million, before slamming the brakes on their midfield reboot.
United have been linked with prominent profiles like Aurelien Tchouameni and Manu Kone, but they haven't made noticeable progress on either track.

#united #million

Everton want Alistair Johnston. The player wants Everton. David Moyes likes him a lot. And yet, for all that clarity, the deal is still stuck where so many summer moves get stuck, on the money.
According to TeamTalk, Everton are "pressing ahead with negotiations" for the Celtic right-back, but there is "still significant work to do before any transfer can be considered done". That is the essence of it. Interest is real, talks are active, progress is limited.
Celtic's position is simple enough. They want "a package in the region of £15million all-in" and they are not moving off that lightly. Everton, at this stage, "are yet to show a willingness to match that figure", which explains why discussions remain in a "holding pattern".
This is the reality of Everton's transfer market under Moyes. Targets are identified, the profile is clear, the need is obvious, but every negotiation has to be measured. Johnston fits because Everton need a right-back and because Moyes reportedly sees him as a player of "energy, aggression and intensity". That reads like a Moyes full-back, functional, committed, physically reliable, no frills required.
Photo by IMAGO

#moyes #want #right #transfer

Crystal Palace are reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation of OGC Nice's Antoine Mendy (22), according to Foot Mercato.
The Eagles, for whom Ligue 1 has become a favourite transfer market, are said to have been impressed by the profile of the Senegalese defender, who has seven international caps. However, if the London club wishes to secure his services, it will have to contend with competition from Italy, as Fiorentina and Udinese are reportedly already in the running for Mendy.
This is a windfall for the Nice board, which is under pressure to replenish its coffers this summer and could capitalise on a bidding war between several suitors to secure tens of millions from the deal. To achieve this, the club is said to be valuing the player at a minimum of €15m.
A product of the Nice youth academy, Mendy has now established himself as a key member of the first-team squad. Having made 40 appearances across all competitions last season, he started 24 of the 25 Ligue 1 matches he featured in.
GFFN | Léo Aschi

#palace #antoine

Aston Villa look set to complete a smart piece of business, with Marca reporting that Matteo Ruggeri is on the verge of leaving Atlético Madrid for Villa Park. The broad outline is simple, Villa have reached an agreement with Atlético, and the only thing left is the player's final approval.
The numbers matter. Villa would pay £18 million guaranteed, with a further £6 million in variables. For a left-back who has clearly dropped out of the immediate picture, that is a deal Atlético are ready to take and one Villa seem comfortable backing. There is no mystery here, his future has shifted quickly and decisively.
Ruggeri will not travel with Atlético on their pre-season trip to South Korea, which tells you plenty. Clubs do not make that call unless they expect movement. After talks involving his representatives and Villa, the operation has advanced to the point where his departure now feels like a matter of timing rather than doubt.
He had worked with the main group earlier in pre-season, but once Villa's interest became serious, his situation changed. That usually means the coaching staff and the hierarchy are already planning for life after the player. Juventus and Roma checked on him earlier in the summer, while Liverpool and Newcastle reportedly asked late questions, yet Villa have done the heavy lifting.
From Villa's perspective, this is coherent squad building. Unai Emery wants options, reliability and tactical discipline in wide areas. Ruggeri fits that profile. He is young, he comes from a high-level environment, and the fee is not reckless by Premier League standards.

#left #aston #marca