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Thursday, 18 December 2025
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JA RULE LOOK OUT, CC!!! ... Nearly Drilled MLB Great With Tee Shot
CC Sabathia is a lucky man, 'cause it turns out the former MLB ace was just inches away from Ja Rule's historically bad tee shot at the Derek Jeter Invitational in the Bahamas on Tuesday!!
Videos of the errant swing were shared on social media by those in the line of fire ... and the 2009 World Series champion happened to be standing in the area.
In the clip, you see a man seemingly get drilled on the elbow by the shot, which resulted in a loud thud as the entire crowd collectively let out an "ooh."
Just seconds before letting it rip, the MC -- real name Jeffrey Atkins -- joked he had to block out the noise going on from those around him ... as folks were trolling the New York native as he did some practice swings.
Despite everyone getting a good laugh after the fact ... you can see he was clearly concerned for the man he drilled with his shot -- going to check on the person after realizing what he had done.
People are basically putting their lives on the line whenever they attend these celebrity golf outings. Just last month, Sophie Cunningham clocked someone during a tournament at the Pelican Club in Belleair, Florida.
The fan she hit had some fun with it ... falling to the ground after the ball came to rest -- which gave Caitlin Clark a good laugh.
So if you ever find yourself at a celebrity golf tournament ... make sure you keep your head on a swivel!
- TMZ Sports
FORMER WOLVES PLAYER ETHAN MCLEOD HAS TRAGICALLY PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 21
The youngster, who has spent this season with Macclesfield FC in the National League North, lost his life following a car accident last night.
The attacker first joined Wolves at the age of seven, entering at the pre-academy stage, and progressed through the system to sign a professional contract with the club in January 2023.
During his time with Wolves McLeod worked closely with now academy director Jon Hunter-Barrett and former coach Wolves, leading to him representing England at youth level.
In September 2024 McLeod’s time with Wolves came to an end and he went on to represent Rushall Olympic and Stourbridge, before joining Macclesfield in the summer.
He played for the Silkmen seven times this season, scoring three goals, and was on the bench against Bedford Town on Tuesday, before he tragically passed away when travelling home later that night.
Ethan’s younger brother Conor is currently in Wolves' under-21 squad and the whole club will be providing care and support to him and his family.
Hunter-Barrett said: “We’re absolutely devastated as a club and academy with the news of Ethan’s passing. He was in our academy programme for a long time, and his brother Conor is on our books now, so we’re incredibly sad for Conor and his family.
“We’re respecting his family’s privacy at this moment in time, but we’ll support them in any way possible moving forward. We’ll be there for them and Conor, because they’re a massive part of our club.
“Nobody will have a bad word to say about Ethan. He had a warm heart and was incredibly caring and considerate. He was a talented young man, who got on well socially with everyone in the academy, staff and players, because he was such a loving character.
“Ethan was a talented footballer. He had injuries towards the end of his time here, but as a young player he developed early and progressed to representing England at youth level and played up the age groups at Wolves.
“Our thoughts go out to Conor, Ethan’s family and friends, and everyone at Macclesfield FC, because they’ll be devastated with the tragic news too.”
A minute’s silence will be held prior to Wolves’ Premier League clash with Brentford at Molineux this weekend.
- Wolves
NIGERIA PROTEST OVER DR CONGO PLAYERS, EXPLAINED: WHY SUPER EAGLES HAVE APPEALED TO FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 CASE
Nigeria may not have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by traditional means, but they believe they deserve a shot at the intercontinental playoff route.
The Super Eagles have lodged a complaint with FIFA that could, if granted, allow them another chance at earning passage to next year's tournament in North America.
Failing to qualify for the World Cup by winning their group, Nigeria were beaten on penalties by DR Congo in the final of the CAF World Cup qualification playoff, sending the Leopards to the interconfederation playoff in March.
But Nigeria believe they have identified a reason they should be the playoff participants instead of DR Congo, and have filed a protest with FIFA.
The Sporting News brings you an overview of what Nigeria feel they are entitled to, why they are filing a complaint, and the possible outcomes of the situation.
Why are Nigeria protesting over DR Congo players?
Nigeria have submitted a formal protest to FIFA over the eligibility of certain DR Congo players.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) alleges that up to six DR Congo players did not complete the full requirements for a one-time switch to represent the Leopards officially.
The technicality revolves around DR Congo's own international citizenship laws, which do not recognize dual nationals. Thus, all those wishing to become DR Congo citizens must renounce their previous citizenship.
The NFF believes that multiple DR Congo players have not renounced their previous citizenship, thereby bypassing the normal process to receive DR Congo citizenship.
"That is, to us, what you would consider a breach of that regulation," said NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi upon revealing that Nigeria had lodged an official complaint.
The players in question were not named. However, there are a number of candidates in the DR Congo squad, including a few European-born players who switched to represent DR Congo and appeared in their qualifier against Nigeria, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Cedric Bakambu, Gael Kakuta, and Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
What are FIFA rules on dual nationality?
While FIFA's regulations around players obtaining nationality therein, and therefore eligibility for, a certain nation seem complicated, they are actually quite simple in most cases.
As FIFA's regulations state, "Any person holding a permanent nationality that is not dependent on residence in a certain country is eligible to play for the representative teams of the association of that country."
Essentially, if you legally obtained a passport for citizenship in a particular nation, you are eligible to represent that nation should you pass all the remaining requirements laid out by FIFA. While there are sometimes distinctions between "nationality" and "citizenship," those are rare occurrences.
However, players acquiring new nationality during the course of their lives must also meet one of FIFA's "genuine link" stipulations. These are:
He was born on the territory of the relevant association
His biological mother or biological father was born on the territory of the relevant association
His grandmother or grandfather was born on the territory of the relevant association
He has lived on the territory of the relevant association:
for players that began living on the territory before the age of 10: at least three years
for players that began living on the territory between the age of 10 and 18: at least five years
these individuals must demonstrate that the move to the territory of the association was not for the purpose of participating for its representative teams
for players that began living on the territory from the age of 18: at least five years.
In this particular case, players receiving DR Congo nationality must follow the country's normal process of receiving citizenship, which includes renouncing their previous citizenship.
Could Nigeria take DR Congo's place in World Cup playoffs?
If FIFA determine that these players in question did in fact fail to complete the proper requirements for gaining DR Congo citizenship, then a few things could potentially take place.
It's possible that FIFA deem any match these players have appeared in to be in violation, and thus DR Congo would forfeit the matches. This could be incredibly damaging to the national team, as some of these individuals — Arthur Masuaku, for example — have racked up a significant cap tally.
It's also possible that FIFA could decide this is an impractical punishment, and instead they could simply sanction DR Congo moving forward, with a points deduction or other restrictions on future participation.
Should DR Congo be punished retroactively, it could result in Nigeria being given passage to the intercontinental playoff instead of Congo, but that feels like a major step for FIFA to take.
The Sporting News has reached out to FIFA for comment, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
When are the World Cup playoffs?
The FIFA Intercontinental Playoff will take place during the March international window.
The semifinals will be played on March 26, while the final of each pathway will take place on March 31.
Right now, DR Congo are slated to play in the Pathway 1 final against the winner of the semifinal between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
2026 World Cup co-host Mexico will host the Intercontinental Playoff, with one pathway held at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, where DR Congo is scheduled to play, and the other held at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe.
- KYLE BONN
A HISTORY OF EUROOEAN BASKETBALL'S GROWTH
Basketball arrived in Europe through American soldiers and YMCA missionaries in the early twentieth century, but the sport spent decades in relative obscurity compared to football. The game found pockets of enthusiasm in Spain, Italy, Greece, and the Balkans, yet it lacked the structure needed to compete for public attention. That changed in 1958, when the FIBA European Champions Cup was established, giving the continent a competitive framework that would shape the next six decades of the sport.
What followed was a slow build. The competition operated under FIBA's control until 2000, when Euroleague Basketball was created as a separate governing body. This split marked a turning point in how European basketball was managed, marketed, and monetized. The league rebranded, restructured, and began attracting larger audiences and deeper investment.
The Early Decades Under FIBA
From 1958 through the late 1990s, the European Champions Cup served as the primary stage for the continent's best club teams. The format changed multiple times, but the competition remained under FIBA's administration. Real Madrid dominated the early years, winning multiple titles and establishing Spain as a basketball stronghold. Italian and Soviet clubs followed, with teams from Yugoslavia adding their own chapters during the Cold War era.
The game remained popular in southern and eastern Europe, where basketball culture had developed strong roots. Greece saw its clubs become regular contenders, and the sport became a national obsession in countries like Lithuania after the fall of the Soviet Union. Yet the competition lacked consistent commercial backing, and attendance figures remained modest compared to football. In 1996, the competition was renamed the FIBA EuroLeague, but the real restructuring came four years later. Euroleague Basketball took control of operations, and Euroleague Commercial Assets began managing the business side. This separation from FIBA allowed for more aggressive expansion and marketing strategies.
Revenue Streams Beyond the Arena
The global sports betting market reached $100.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $187.39 billion by 2030, according to industry estimates. This growth has changed how leagues generate income. The NFL signed partnerships worth over $1 billion with DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars, while total team sponsorship revenue from betting brands approached $300 million during the 2022-2023 US seasons. European basketball has followed a similar path, with Euroleague Basketball and bwin renewing their multi-year sponsorship agreement through 2026. Still, regulatory pressure is tightening across Europe. Spain banned betting advertisements during prime time in 2021 and prohibited promotion on team jerseys and in stadiums, costing La Liga an estimated 90 million euros. Italy maintains a full blanket ban on sports marketing from betting firms. For those betting on sports, these restrictions have pushed operators and leagues to find alternative sponsorship models, even as the four major US sports leagues are set to earn a collective $4.2 billion from legal sports betting revenue.
Attendance Records and Arena Culture
The modern EuroLeague has seen consistent growth in live attendance. During the 2024-25 season, the average reached 10,589 spectators per game, breaking the previous record of 10,383 set the year before. That 2% increase continued a four-year streak of attendance milestones. The regular season drew a total of 3,039,060 spectators, placing the league fifth among all professional indoor sports leagues worldwide and second among basketball leagues globally, trailing only the NBA.
These numbers tell a story of fan investment. Arenas across Europe have upgraded facilities to accommodate growing demand, and game-day atmosphere has become a selling point for the league. Greek fans remain among the loudest, while Spanish and Turkish arenas regularly fill to capacity for high-profile matchups.
Expansion Beyond European Borders
The 2025-26 season brought a major structural change. The league expanded from 18 to 20 teams, with Dubai Basketball joining as the first non-Israeli team from outside Europe. This move signaled the league's ambitions beyond its traditional geography. The same year, the Final Four was held in Abu Dhabi, marking the first time the championship tournament took place outside Europe.
The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, partnered with Etihad Airways, signed a four-year title sponsorship agreement. This deal replaced the previous partnership with Turkish Airlines, which had been in place since 2010 and was valued by GlobalData Sport at $12.5 million per year. The new arrangement reflects the league's push into Middle Eastern markets, where sports investment has accelerated over the past decade.
Screens and Social Platforms
Television viewership for the EuroLeague has doubled over the past five years. Social media metrics have grown even faster. Total impressions reached 1.5 billion, with video views surging 56% to total 816 million. Content engagement across platforms tripled in recent years, driven by highlight clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and player-focused storytelling.
This growth aligns with a younger audience that consumes sports through mobile devices and streaming services rather than traditional broadcasts. The league has invested in content production, partnering with creators and platforms to extend its reach beyond live games. The result is a more consistent presence in fans' daily feeds, even during off-seasons.
Sponsorship and Commercial Partnerships
The global sports sponsorship market is projected to grow from $64.1 billion in 2024 to approximately $144.9 billion by 2034, according to industry projections. European basketball has positioned itself to capture a portion of this growth. The EuroLeague's expanded geography and improved viewership numbers make it more attractive to brands seeking international exposure.
Betting companies remain a complicated partner. While deals with firms like bwin continue to provide revenue, restrictions in Spain and Italy have limited how these partnerships can be activated. The league must balance commercial interests with regulatory realities, a tension that will shape future sponsorship strategies.
What Comes Next
European basketball has grown from a regional curiosity to a global product with audiences in the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. The league's decision to host events outside Europe and add non-European teams suggests further expansion is likely. Whether this growth can be sustained depends on continued investment in arenas, broadcasting, and player development.
The sport has built a foundation over nearly seven decades. What it does with that foundation in the coming years will determine how it competes for attention in a crowded global sports market.
- Eurobasket
PLAYER ASKED TO LEAVE CLUB BECAUSE OF GIRLFRIEND
Karim Adeyemi is a forward for Borussia Dortmund who has consistently delivered impressive performances for the German team, securing his spot as a regular in the national squad's line-up. However, he is reportedly reconsidering his future with the club.
The reason? His girlfriend has apparently requested that they leave the town of Dortmund and move to a major European city. In response, the striker has dismissed his agent and stalled contract renewal negotiations to push for an exit and fulfill his partner's wishes.
EXACT AMOUNT OF NONEY JAKE PAUL AND ANTHONY JOSHUA WILL EARN FROM FIGHT
In their controversial, yet highly anticipated heavyweight clash, Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will face each other at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Friday, with both fighters set to take home an eye-watering sum of prize money from the Netflix-streamed event.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul was originally set to face lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis in an exhibition match last month, but the bout was cancelled after a domestic abuse lawsuit was filed against Davis in October. After a quick search for a replacement, Paul's team landed on two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua.
Unsurprisingly, AJ enters the ring on Friday as the overwhelming favourite, with some even criticising the bout as a dangerous mismatch. The Brit has been out of action for 15 months following a fifth-round KO defeat against Daniel Dubois at Wembley, but is still an Olympic gold medallist with a professional record of 28 wins (25 by KO) against the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, and Dillian Whyte, and only four losses.
The 36-year-old will expect a straightforward win ahead of what is promised to be a big 2026, which is set to include a February fight in Riyadh before a high-profile bout in September, potentially in the shape of his much-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury either in London or Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Paul comes into this professional fight, with standard 10oz gloves and knockouts allowed, having only ever fought at heavyweight once — a unanimous decision win against a 58-year-old Mike Tyson. The American holds a professional record of 12 wins and one loss, coming against Tommy Fury in February 2023, and most recently fought against former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, beating the Mexican on points in June.
For the highly controversial fight against Tyson, Paul reportedly took home $40 million, while his opponent got $20 million, but the upcoming clash with Joshua looks set to exceed those numbers, and by some distance too.
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Fight Purse & Prize Money
It was initially reported by the Daily Mail that Paul and Joshua would evenly split a £140 million purse and each take home around £70 million, but Paul revealed a different figure on social media just days later. Taking to X, Paul tweeted: "Stop asking me. $267 million."
Such a figure would see both fighters take home roughly £100 million each, dwarfing the payday Paul enjoyed thanks to his fight with Tyson, and even the prize money Joshua received for his rematches with Oleksandr Usyk ($75 million) and Andy Ruiz Jr ($72 million).
Putting the new figure into perspective, sports and entertainment accountant, Oriana Morrision, told The Independent: "Even if the lower figure – the rumoured $184m purse – is true, AJ could bring home $92 million [£70 million]. We haven’t seen a boxing match with a purse at this level since Mayweather vs Pacquiao in 2015 or even Mayweather vs McGregor in 2017. It’s higher than any Saudi purse to date."
And while many boxing purists have been critical of AJ's decision to take the fight with Paul, Morrison believes it is a perfect opportunity for the Brit, created by Paul's promotion company Most Valuable Promotions.
"The US never really got the chance to savour Anthony Joshua’s talent and charisma. This is the perfect setting for this fight and definitely a turning point for boxing in the US. MVP and Jake Paul are dragging new audiences into boxing. They’re forcing boxing to modernise its promotion and pay fighters better than established promoters."
- Henry Eccles
WHY MOHAMED SALAH WAS LEFT OUT OF EGYPT SQUAD AHEAF OF AFCON AFTER ARNE SLOT ROW
Mohamed Salah was left out of Egypt's squad for the nation's friendly clash with Nigeria ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, as the Liverpool forward temporarily parts ways with Anfield following a bombshell Arne Slot statement
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| Mohamed Salah was left out of the Nigeria friendly(Image: Getty Images) |
Everything you need to know as Mohamed Salah was left out of Egypt's squad against Nigeria ahead of AFCON...
Mohamed Salah makes bombshell Arne Slot claim: The Liverpool forward lambasted a lack of a relationship between himself and his manager after a 3-3 draw with Leeds United, in which he was left on the bench for. During an interview with reporters he claimed there was no relationship between the two, claiming he had been thrown under the bus by the club. Read the full story here.
- Slot forced into change for Brighton: Despite starting on the bench during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, Salah was deployed by Slot as a replacement for Joe Gomez in the first-half. The 33-year-old made an impact in the match, setting up Hugo Ekitike in the second period for his brace. Read the full story here.
- Salah links up with Egyptian national team for AFCON: Following the Brighton match, Salah made his way to Morocco to link up with his national team mates ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. FIFA required all Premier League clubs to allow players to leave their club for the tournament by Monday, December 15.
- Forward dropped from squad for friendly: After missing Monday's training session with Egypt, Salah was understandably not named in the nation's squad for a pre-AFCON friendly with Nigeria. However, when the tournament gets underway, it is expected that the star will feature heavily. Read the full story here.
- Egypt secure 2-1 win over Nigeria: Mahmoud Saber opened the scoring for the Pharaohs on Tuesday evening, before Zaidu Sanusi levelled the match on the turn of half-time. Mostafa Mohamed then put Egypt back in front moments after play had resumed to close out a 2-1 win.
- Egypt AFCON schedule: Egypt kickstart their AFCON endeavours with a clash with Zimbabwe come Monday, December 22, before taking on South Africa on Friday, December 26. They then turn their attention to Angola on Monday, December 29 in their final clash of the group stages.
- The games Salah is guaranteed to miss: As a result of AFCON, Salah will miss Liverpool's upcoming outings with Tottenham Hotspur (December 20), Wolverhampton Wanderers (December 27) and Leeds United (January 1). Dependent on how far Egypt progress in the tournament, he may also be absent from Fulham (January 4), Arsenal (January 8) and Burnley in the FA Cup (January 17). Read the full story here.
TERENCE CRAWFORD ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT
Instagram: tbudcrawford https://www.instagram.com/p/DOktLePDsEx/?img_index=1
Three-weight undisputed champion Terence Crawford has announced his retirement from the sport of boxing at the age of 38.
The news follows his unanimous decision win over Canelo Alvarez to become the Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion in September. The historic win made him the first-ever male three-weight undisputed champion, following his feats at 140, 147 and 168. After the Canelo win, Crawford was stripped of his WBC Super Middleweight Title after refusing to pay the WBC their $300,000 sanctioning fee. While Bud hinted at a possible move to 160 with a view to becoming a six-weight world champion, he has now called it a day. He leaves the sport undefeated with a 42-0 record, as boxing fans have come out in droves to credit Crawford for a hugely successful career.
“I’m stepping away from competition, not because I’m done fighting, but because I’ve won a different type of battle. The one where you walk away on your own terms. Every fighter knows this moment will come, we just never know when. I spent my whole life chasing something.
“Not belts, not money, not headlines. But that feeling, the one you get when the world doubts you but you keep showing up and you keep proving everyone wrong. I fought for my family. I fought for my city. I fought for the kid I used to be, the one who had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves. And I did it all my way. I gave this sport every breath I had,” Crawford said
Tuesday, 16 December 2025
FIFA COMMITTEE MEETING | DOHA | QATAR
President of Young Africans(Yanga) Sports Club, Chairman of the African Clubs Association (ACA) and Member of the FIFA Club Competitions Committee, Eng. Hersi Said, in a group photo with the President of the World Football Federation (FIFA) Gianni Infantino, President of TFF Wallace Karia, and Deputy Chairman of ACA Jessica Motaung, at the first meeting of the FIFA Committee taking place today in Doha, Qatar.
KYLIAN MBAPPÉ OWED 60 MILLION EUROS BY PSG, FRENCH COURT SAYS
Paris Saint-Germain ordered to pay superstar forward now at Real Madrid unpaid salary and bonuses.
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| Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe has won his court case against former club PSG [Miguel Oses/AP] |
A Paris labour court has ordered Paris Saint-Germain to pay Kylian Mbappe 60 million euros ($70.6m) in unpaid salary and bonuses, bringing a partial end to one of the most acrimonious disputes in French football.
The ruling on Tuesday followed months of legal wrangling after the France striker took PSG to court over earnings he said were withheld for April, May and June 2024, shortly before he left the Ligue 1 club to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
“We are satisfied with the ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid,” Mbappe’s lawyer Frederique Cassereau told reporters.
The court found PSG had failed to pay three months of Mbappe’s salary, an ethics bonus and a signing bonus due under his employment contract.
Those sums were recognised as due by two decisions of the French Professional Football League in September and October 2024, and the judges said PSG had not produced any written agreement showing Mbappe had waived his entitlement.
The judges rejected PSG’s arguments that Mbappe should forfeit his unpaid wages entirely but also dismissed several of the player’s additional claims, including allegations of concealed work, moral harassment and breach of the employer’s duty of safety.
The court did not view Mbappe’s fixed-term contract as a permanent one, a decision that limited the scale of potential compensation related to dismissal and notice pay.
‘Labour law applies to everyone’
“This judgment confirms that commitments entered into must be honoured. It restores a simple truth: even in the professional football industry, labour law applies to everyone,” Mbappe’s legal team said in a statement.
“Mr. Mbappe, for his part, scrupulously respected his sporting and contractual obligations for seven years, right up to the final day.”
PSG had argued that Mbappe acted disloyally by concealing for nearly a year his intention not to renew his contract, preventing the club from securing a transfer fee similar to the 180 million euros ($212m) they paid to sign him from AS Monaco in 2017.
Mbappe’s representatives said the dispute concerned the strict application of French labour law and unpaid remuneration rather than transfer policy.
- News Agencies
VERSTAPPEN MAKES THE SWITCH TO MERCEDES AND OS THEREFORE IN PORTUGAL
Max Verstappen is reportedly not in Portugal for a holiday, but to race in a Mercedes car. It is said that two Verstappen.com cars are running at the Estoril circuit in preparation for the 2026 GT3 program.
News surfaced that Verstappen’s plane had landed in Portugal. At first, it appeared to be a holiday trip, but rumours suggest he is set to run a Mercedes car in a test at the Estoril circuit.
According to the reports, the Red Bull driver is taking part in a test day at the Portuguese venue, with his team believed to be running a Mercedes-AMG GT3 bearing the numbers 33 and 333.
'Verstappen in Portugal for Mercedes test'
Verstappen’s team will race with Mercedes-AMG power next year, and according to rumours, two such cars are currently running in Portugal in Red Bull colours. Max is not alone on track either, with Mercedes-AMG factory driver Jules Gounon also said to be present.
It’s clear that Verstappen enjoys other racing classes besides Formula 1. A few months ago, the four-time F1 world champion drove with Emil Frey Racing on the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
Together with teammate Chris Lulham, they were too strong for the competition at the German track.
- Estéban den Toom
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