NEWCASTLE UNITED ANNOUNCE MATTHIAS JAISSLE AS SUCCESSOR TO EDDIE HOWE

Newcastle United have announced the hiring of Matthias Jaissle as the club’s new head coach after the departure of Eddie Howe late last month.

Jaissle, 38, was mentioned as the new boss on the same day as the first reports of Howe’s departure.

“When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice,” Jaissle said in a statement on Newcastle’s web site. “The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be.”

Jaissle’s playing days were spent largely at Hoffenheim, where he was a back. He started in management with Liefering in 2021, soon taking over for Jesse Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg, where he led the side to its first Champions League knockout phase. He won the Austrian Bundesliga in both of his seasons there, then went to Al-Ahli and won consecutive Asian Champions League Elite trophies.

“My teams are built on togetherness, hard work, intensity and a passion to improve every single day. I will bring full commitment, full energy and a determination to give everything I have to help this club achieve its ambitions.”

Newcastle have four friendlies in the next 12 days, higher-profile affairs with Valencia, Everton, Bayer Leverkusen, and Strasbourg. They opener their Premier League season at home to Liverpool on August 23.

Jaissle and his new club have a lot to do to hit the ground running, as Newcastle looks set to lose Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal after selling Sandro Tonali to Spurs and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona.

What they said: Newcastle, Jaissle on hiring

(from newcastleunited.com)

Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson: “We have conducted a thorough process, and he has emerged as the clear candidate for the role. He possesses all the qualities we were looking for.

“His track record of success, leadership qualities and relentless drive to improve make him an exceptional fit for Newcastle United. We believe he is the right person to lead the club into the next phase of our journey.”

Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson: “Matthias’ leadership style and football philosophy are strongly aligned with our sporting vision. His teams play high-energy football and we could feel his passion during all of our discussions throughout the recruitment process.

“He has consistently demonstrated an ability to improve players, build cohesive teams and create elite performance environments in his coaching career.”

New Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle: “I am incredibly excited about the future. I fully and unreservedly believe in this project, the ambition and the direction the club is taking. There is a clear vision, strong leadership and an exceptional platform to build on. ... I believe there is enormous potential within this squad and throughout the football club. I am excited to work with the players, staff and leadership team to help take the club forward.

“I cannot wait to get started and will attack this opportunity. I give my complete commitment and total energy to bringing further success to Newcastle United.”

- Nicholas Mendola

LIONEL MESSI ALMOST PLAYED FOR SPAIN: THE FORGOTTEN STORY OF A VHS TAPE

FIFA World Cup 2026 final carries added significance for Lionel Messi, who came close to committing his international future to Spain during the early years of his career.

Lionel Messi in action
© AFP

After more than a month of intense competition, Argentina and Spain have emerged as the two finalists of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament, which began with a record 48 teams, has now come down to a highly anticipated title clash between the two football giants, set to take place on Monday in New Jersey. For Argentina captain Lionel Messi, the occasion marks a full-circle moment. The 39-year-old is set to play in his third World Cup final during his sixth appearance at the tournament. However, this final carries added significance for Messi, who came close to committing his international future to Spain during the early years of his career.

In September 2001, Messi arrived in Barcelona at the age of 13 to join the club's famed La Masia academy. He would go on to spend 21 years with the Catalan giants, developing into one of the greatest footballers of all time before leaving for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Yet despite spending most of his formative and professional years in Spain, Messi's dream was always to represent Argentina on the international stage-a decision that ultimately shaped one of the most iconic careers in football history.

Former Argentina coach Jose Pekerman, who handed Lionel Messi his senior international debut, once revealed that he first learned about the youngster from members of Argentina's coaching staff during the 2003 U-17 World Cup.

Back in 2002, then-national team coach Marcelo Bielsa and his assistant Claudio Vivas came across information about the Barcelona prodigy while visiting Spain to monitor several Argentine internationals playing there.

However, the story took a different turn when one of Messi's early representatives, Horacio Gaggiolo, shared an incident about the VHS tapes.

"That was [Messi's dad] Jorge's idea. He told me: "Horacio, the Argentine national team is coming to Barcelona, can you get them some footage of Leo?" Leo wasn't well known in Argentina. We had a video that I was given by Barca with some plays, and I went to the Hotel Princesa Sofia in Barcelona where they were staying. I asked for Vivas, who was Bielsa's assistant," Gaggiolo told ESPN, as quoted by Hindustan Times. 

"When Marcelo renewed his contract with Argentina, we toured Europe to explain to the players why we had renewed after the South Korea-Japan World Cup [in 2002]. During that stop in Barcelona, an Argentine man approached me," he added.

"I told Marcelo about him and he asked: "Does he play well?" I said: "He doesn't just play well, he's incredible!" "Let me see, play a little bit of it," Marcelo said, adding as I played the tape: "But play it at normal speed, you can't see anything like this." I said: "Marcelo, it is at normal speed, I just pressed play." He said: "But this kid is unbelievable!"

However, by the time the video footage reached Hugo Tocalli, Argentina's youth team coach, preparations for the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup were already at an advanced stage. As a result, Tocalli chose not to include Messi in the squad. Argentina eventually suffered a 3-2 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals. Following the tournament, a member of Spain's team staff told Tocalli that Argentina would likely have beaten Spain had Messi featured in their lineup.

How Messi played for Argentina?

Upon returning to Argentina, Tocalli set out to bring Messi into the national team setup. A friendly match was quickly organized to assess the young forward, but the circumstances surrounding it were rather unusual. With little time available to make arrangements, the match even had an Argentine referee officiating it, as FIFA regulations required a recognized match official for the game.

Horacio Gaggioli, revealed that there was significant interest from Spain regarding the youngster's international future.

"I received many calls asking whether he could play for the Spanish national team," Gaggioli recalled. "I would tell them that the decision ultimately rested with Leo and his family. There was no question about his ability, but he had to choose."

Despite the speculation, Messi's stance remained unwavering. According to Gaggioli, the football icon was always determined to represent Argentina while continuing his club career with Barcelona.

- Tushar Mamgaain

DODGERS' SHOHEI OHTANI WON'T PITCH IN ALL-STAR GAME

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he is not ready to make it official, but moving Ohtani’s pitching start this week means he would have to pitch on short rest in the All-Star Game and the Dodgers are not likely to ask him to do that

After a recent change to his pitching schedule, Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani will likely just be a hitter in the All-Star Game later this month in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES — It’s not official. But it’s obvious.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Friday that the decision to move back Shohei Ohtani’s start this week will make him unavailable to pitch in the All-Star Game later this month.

“I think so,” said Roberts, who is the National League manager for this year’s game. “I haven’t formally said it. But if you just kind of do the math, it would be hard to imagine. But I don’t have to make that decision quite yet.”

The full rosters for the All-Star Game will be announced on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on FOX (Ch. 11). Ohtani has already earned the starting spot as the NL DH by leading all players in voting during the first phase.

Ohtani started Friday night against the San Diego Padres and is lined up to start again next Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. That would put him on just three days of rest before the All-Star Game in Philadelphia. The Dodgers have asked him to pitch on as little as five days of rest just once this season.

Ohtani has only pitched in the All-Star Game once. He started for the American League in 2021 at Coors Field in Denver.

Roberts will have two strong options when choosing his starting pitcher even with Ohtani out of the mix – Milwaukee Brewers flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski or hometown 1Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez.

Ohtani had an 0.74 ERA through his first 10 pitching starts this season but has slipped since then. Over three starts before Friday, Ohtani allowed 11 runs (nine earned) in 18⅔ innings.

Dalton Rushing has been behind the plate for each of those starts, and the two were visibly at odds during Ohtani’s start in Minnesota last week.

“Some of it is Shohei hasn’t had his best stuff recently and that’s the truth,” Roberts said before Friday’s game. “The fastball command hasn’t been what it was earlier in the season. The sweeper hasn’t been the same. He’s started using the split a little bit more recently, which he was using a lot more earlier in the season. So there’s a lot of variables outside of just saying it’s the catcher.”

RUSH POWER

Rushing has been surging at the plate, going 8 for 18 (.444) with a double and two home runs in five games through Thursday. He hit just .179 (15 for 84) in 29 games before that.

Roberts gets some credit for the turnaround. Before last Saturday’s game in San Diego, he went to Rushing with some hitting advice, backed up by video.

“He’s taken it and run with it,” Roberts said. “It was just more of a cue on who he is as a hitter, getting back to finding his particular strike zone versus trying to chase the pitcher all around the hitting zone.

“I pulled some video to show when he is good and what he’s been doing the last couple months. … It kind of landed with him. I ran it by the hitting coaches, so I didn’t go rogue. I got their blessing.”

MAKING PROGRESS

After ruling both catcher Will Smith and utility man Kiké Hernandez out for a return before the All-Star break, both have made progress in their recoveries during the homestand.

Roberts said Smith has been throwing and even hit in the batting cage on Thursday. Smith has been out since June 5 with an inflamed disc in his neck.

Hernandez took batting practice on the field with the team Friday. He has been out since May 26 with an oblique strain suffered in his second game back after recovering from elbow surgery.

UP NEXT

Padres (RHP Griffin Canning, 1-5, 7.09 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 8-5, 2.67 ERA), Saturday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

- BILL PLUNKETT

MUCH-MISSED ELEMENT OF F1 GRID REVIVED FOR MIAMI GP WITH STUNNING RACING BULLS LIVERY

Racing Bulls will race in yellow at the Miami Grand Prix, returning a much-missed colour to the F1 grid for the first time since 2020.

© Red Bull Contentpool
Racing Bulls

Racing Red Bullls have unveiled a vibrant yellow special livery for this weekend's Miami Grand Prix, marking the return of a much-missed colour to the Formula 1 grid for the first time since 2020.

The striking design, inspired by the Red Bull Summer Edition Sudachi Lime energy drink, will adorn the VCARB03 at the Miami International Autodrome, restoring yellow to F1's colour palette after a six-year absence.

Renault was the last team to field a yellow car before rebranding as Alpine in 2021, but that was predominantly black in later years.

recent memory, Jordan raced bright yellow cars during the late 1990s until the name left F1 at the end of 2005.

Before Red Bull owned the team that is now Racing Bulls, Minardi also ran a bright yellow car in 2000 due to its sponsorship with mobile network giant Telefonica.

This marks Racing Bulls' second one-off livery of the 2026 season, having already run a special white and pink design at the Japanese Grand Prix in March.

Due to the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix postponements, the Faenza-based squad has now deployed special liveries for half of the four rounds contested so far this year.

The reveal took place at Kiki On The River, a waterfront venue along the Miami River, where Red Bull wakeboard athlete Guenther Oka launched off a ramp and backflipped over the car whilst pulling away the cover mid-air. Drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad witnessed the unveiling whilst arriving on Ski-Doos.

Peter Bayer, CEO of Racing Bulls, said: "Miami has become a special place for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls to express who we are as a team. For the past two years, we've used this race to showcase something bold and unique, and this latest livery is no exception.

"The Red Bull Summer Edition livery brings a vibrant energy which reflects who we are as a team, creative and willing to push boundaries. We're very excited to give wiiings to the new seasonal flavour and bring the distinctive design to track this weekend."

The livery features bold yellow colouring complemented by citrus patterns on the team kit, capturing the textures found inside the sudachi lime fruit. The VCARB03 will hit the track in the custom livery when practice begins on Friday.

- RacingNews365 Staff

THE RED WAY REPORT 2024-25: LFC REACHES GLOBAL.SUSTAINABILITY MILESTOANE

Liverpool FC has today published its latest The Red Way report, highlighting the club's continued commitment to building a better future for its people, planet and communities.

Launched in 2021, The Red Way is LFC's award-winning sustainability strategy.

This season's report highlights a major milestone, with LFC now aligning to all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This achievement comes through new work focused on 'Life Below Water' (SDG 14), recognising the critical importance of ocean health and its connection to climate, biodiversity and global wellbeing.

Last season, the club expanded its work into this area through its 'Reds for Blue' initiative, delivered in partnership with AXA and the Tara Ocean Foundation. The programme has helped to raise awareness of ocean health and sustainability, by engaging supporters, staff and young people through educational content and experiences.

The 2024-25 report shows how the club's work continues to grow, bringing together activity across the business to create positive change through collaboration, innovation and impactful action.

Environmental sustainability remains a key priority under the 'Our Planet' pillar. The club has achieved a 13 per cent reduction in overall carbon emissions compared to its 2019-20 baseline, while 96 per cent of operations are powered by clean energy.

In addition, emissions from football operations continue to be fully offset, and efforts to tackle travel-related impact remain in place – including the investment of sustainable aviation fuel for domestic team flights.

The club has also continued to enhance biodiversity across its sites, working with official groundskeeping partner Husqvarna to expand its use of robotic mowers, now maintaining 100 per cent of non-playing grass surfaces across our sites at the AXA and AXA Melwood Training Centres.

Across Anfield, more than 310,000 single-use items have been avoided through the expansion of reusables – including the introduction of reusable cups and food containers.

Under the 'Our People' pillar, LFC continues to use its platform to raise awareness of important issues. Its International Day of Persons with Disabilities campaign with Isaac Kearney helped drive a five-year high in global searches for Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.

The club's official charity, LFC Foundation, also continues to make a real difference across our communities, both home and away. Last season, it supported 145,617 people, while generating a social value of £365.79 million and a social return on investment of £1:£13.79 over a five-year period.

The Red Way has also become more embedded across the wider LFC family. Sixty-seven per cent of partners are now aligned to, and are actively supporting, the strategy, while fan awareness has risen to 45 per cent, up from 14 per cent just two seasons before.

This progress has been recognised externally, with the club receiving a number of major sustainability awards over the course of the season – including ESG Programme of the Year, the Sport Positive Transformation Award and UEFA's Anti-Discrimination Award.

Jonathan Bamber, LFC's chief legal and external affairs officer and executive sponsor of The Red Way, said: "I'm delighted to introduce The Red Way report for the 2024-25 season, featuring some incredible achievements – including multiple award wins.

"When we launched The Red Way in 2021, we knew it would be the beginning of a journey like no other. This report highlights the progress we've made, as well as the challenges we continue to navigate as we work towards our long-term sustainability goals.

"Our commitment to building a better future for our people, our planet and our communities remains the foundation of our success, and our priority as we look ahead to the seasons to come."

Rishi Jain, director of impact at LFC, added: "I am immensely proud of the continued progress of The Red Way, particularly reaching alignment with all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"This season, we've focused our efforts on key areas – including food, ocean health and resilience. These topics are critically important for the club, cut across every pillar of The Red Way, and offer meaningful opportunities to use our platform to create positive, global impact.

"Together with our colleagues, partners and supporters, we are already making strong progress, and we remain committed to going even further in the seasons ahead."

To learn more about The Red Way and view the full 2024-25 season report, visit here.

- Liverpool FC

FRANCE FOOTBALL MAKES MOVE TO SECURE TOP MANAGER AMID REAL MADRID INTEREST

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

The future of Zinedine Zidane will be one of the key monitorables in 2026. The Frenchman, despite being regarded as one of the sought-after managers in world football, has remained a free agent since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021.

It is widely believed that Zidane had been waiting to take over the reins from Didier Deschamps to become the coach of the French national team – his dream job.

After a wait of five years, Zidane’s dream could turn into a reality, with Deschamps expected to step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

France football makes a move

However, Zidane has also been a subject of interest for Real Madrid, who are desperately looking for a new coach after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso.

Although the club have hired Alvaro Arbeloa on an interim basis, it is no secret that president Florentino Perez has identified Zidane as his dream option.

Zidane could soon be headed for the French national team job. (Photo by Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images for EA SPORTS FC™ 25)

Keeping that in mind, France football appears to have made the first move to try and secure the services of Zidane, according to L’Equipe.

The French news outlet quotes Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, who confirmed that finding a successor for Deschamps is the utmost priority.

The report adds that French football has already started the onboarding process of Zidane, notably by discussing his future staff with the French national team.

This will come as a blow to Real Madrid, who were keen on having Zidane lead the new era at Los Blancos.

But after waiting for five years, it is unlikely Zidane will entertain the offer from Real Madrid and looks likely to replace Deschamps after the World Cup.

- Anas Ali

ROY KEANE SLAMS MICHAEL CARRICK'S 'BIG MOUTH' WIFE IN FRONT OF MAN UTD LEGEND

Roy Keane took aim at Michael Carrick's wife following a spat between the pair over 10 years ago

Roy Keane poked fun at comments made by Michael Carrick's wife(Image: Stick to Football)

Roy Keane aimed a dig at new Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick's wife while discussing the 44-year-old's return to Old Trafford. Carrick was confirmed as United's boss until the end of the season on Wednesday following Ruben Amorim's sacking earlier this month.

Carrick previously took charge of three games in 2021 before joining Championship side Middlesbrough. He returned to the club this week following positive discussions with the club's hierarchy.

His appointment was a main talking point on the Stick to Football podcast and Keane seemed to reignite a previous feud with Carrick's wife, Lisa, when discussing the chances of success this season. When speaking about the impact of Carrick on the United squad, Keane said; "His wife can always come in [if Carrick doesn't do well], cause she's got a bit of a big mouth sometimes. She's probably doing the team talk."

In 2014, Lisa responded to Keane's criticism of Carrick's performance and post-match interview following the 2-0 defeat to Greek side Olympiacos in the Champions League. Carrick's wife posted on Twitter, now X: "Roy Keane what a ****, says anything to provoke a reaction."

She then deleted the tweet and apologised for her words. "Deleted my tweet... Emotions got the better of me,” she wrote.

Keane was also critical of Carrick's backroom staff members. Former England assistant manager Steve Holland will be Carrick's number two, with Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate and Travis Binnion making up the management team.

"He's on the beach two weeks ago, Jonny Evans," Keane said. "Jonny Evans leaves Man United four or five weeks ago as a loans manager and then Darren Fletcher gives him a job, strangely enough gives him a job.

Jonathan Woodgate has joined Man United's coaching staff(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)

"He has two games, Fletch goes and Carrick gives him a job, great isn't it. We should all go to Barbados for a week. You're on about getting your coaching staff in, you're praising one of them saying he's experienced and then we just let the other two go, Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans.

"What has Jonny Evans done to be a coach of Man United's first team? He left the job four weeks ago - loans manager, and ironically comes back working with the first team. That's a big step up, isn't it?"

He added: "My point is, if Steve Holland is on the training pitch at least you know they're going to get top class training sessions. I'm not saying they weren't before because they probably were as well. I don't know what Evans or Woodgate are like as coaches, don't know what Carrick is like as a coach."

- Josh Holland

FIA STEWARD: 'RACE DIRECTOR MASI GIFTED VERSTAPPEN THE 2021 TITLE'

Danny Sullivan, twice a Driver Steward during a Grand Prix in the 2021 season, believes that then-race director Michael Masi ‘in effect gifted’ the world title that year to Max Verstappen with his decision in the closing stages of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“But for me, it wasn’t a good decision. That’s my opinion, and everyone is free to debate it—and we’ll keep doing that until we all stop.”

- DANNY SULLIVAN

To this day, there is debate about the events in the final phase of the last Grand Prix of that historic season. Lewis Hamilton seemed on course to win the race—and with it his eighth title—until a crash by Latifi changed everything.

Once the debris from the Williams had been cleared, Masi decided to let only five cars unlap themselves past the race leader, which put Max Verstappen, on fresher tyres, directly behind Hamilton. In the final lap of the Grand Prix, it was easy for the Dutchman to pass Hamilton.

'A mistake by the race director'

Looking back on that day, Sullivan (75), also a former Formula 1 driver, told Epartrade: "The stewards never had to make a decision about those things. People were yelling at him that they didn’t want to finish under a yellow flag because it didn’t look good.”

"That’s why he let five cars through, which basically gave Max a chance. Well, according to the rules he should have let all the lapped cars through. But if they had done that, they wouldn’t have been able to finish the race. They would have had to finish under a yellow flag because the other lapped cars were further back in the field.”

Michael Masi - Photo: RacePictures

"So he let those five by and put Max right behind Lewis. Max had pitted for fresh tires—Lewis hadn’t—he was on qualifying tires, on the red compound. Lewis’ tires had done 44 laps. There was nothing else that could happen except that he would pass him at that point. With that decision, he [Masi] basically gifted him the world championship."

Sullivan says he is a Verstappen fan

Sullivan disagrees with Masi’s decision, but also defends the Australian. “These guys travel nonstop, they’re constantly under pressure from teams, from everyone. There’s all sorts of stuff going on. A lot of pressure, it’s the last five minutes of the season.”

The American also says: “If you’re a Max fan—and I am a Max fan, don’t get me wrong—but if I’m Dutch and lean more toward Max, I would say: ‘but that was the decision.’ And it was, Max did nothing wrong.”

“But for me it wasn’t a good decision. That’s my opinion, and everyone is free to debate it—and we’ll keep doing that until we all stop.”

- byLudo van Denderen

VENUS WILLIAMS SET TO BREAK RECORD AS FULL AUSTRALIAN OPEN WOMEN'S WILDCARD LIST CONFIRMED

Venus Williams applauding during a match

Tennis icon Venus Williams has received a wildcard to compete at the 2026 Australian Open, with the full list of wildcard recipients for the women’s singles event now confirmed.

There had been much anticipation to learn if Williams would be given a wildcard for this year’s Australian Open, with the American last having played the Melbourne Grand Slam in 2021.

The former world No 1 and seven-time major singles champion, who is 45, is currently ranked 581st in the WTA singles rankings.

Last year, Williams returned to the tour after an absence of more than a year to play in Washington, Cincinnati and at the US Open.

The Australian Open confirmed today that Williams had received the eighth and final wildcard for the women’s singles main draw.

“I’m excited to be back in Australia and looking forward to competing during the Australian summer,” said Williams.

“I’ve had so many incredible memories there, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career.”

Williams was a runner-up at the Australian Open in 2003 and 2017, while she was also a semi-finalist in 2001 and a quarter-finalist on a further six occasions.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said: “Venus is a true legend and trailblazer of our sport – she’s an inspiration to us all.

“I’m delighted we’ll see her on court again at both the Hobart International and Australian Open.”

At the age of 45, Williams is set to become the oldest woman to play in the Australian Open singles draw. She will break the record held by former Japanese star Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she competed at the 2015 Australian Open.

Australian Open 2026 women’s singles wildcards

• Emerson Jones (Australia)

• Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan)

• Elizabeth Mandlik (USA)

• Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah (France)

• Priscilla Hon (Australia)

• Talia Gibson (Australia)

• Taylah Preston (Australia)

• Venus Williams (USA)

Williams has also been given wildcards to compete at the tournaments in Auckland and Hobart ahead of the Australian Open.

Venus Williams’ schedule at the start of 2026

• ASB Classic, Auckland (WTA 250) – January 5-11

• Hobart International (WTA 250) – January 12-17

• Australian Open – January 18-February 1

- Ewan West

ESPN REMOVES STEPHEN A. SMITH AFTER OVER 20 YEARS

No more Stephen A.

Jun 9, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith speaks before game four of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has an argument as the biggest face and personality in sports media today, and perhaps even of all time. ESPN is well aware of this and has rewarded him generously.

Smith recently signed a $105 million deal with the network. However, many fans have grown tired of Smith’s boisterous personality and what seems to be an ever-growing ego, especially in light of Smith starting to cover politics and even hinting at a potential presidential run.

These fans have called for the removal of Stephen A. Smith from being shoved in their faces all the time, especially in his NBA coverage, where he, at times, behaves as if he is a bigger star than the actual players.

Those fans have gotten their wish, to some extent. Smith joined NBA Countdown in 2003 and has been entrenched as a staple of the program since 2021. However, the network officially announced its NBA Countdown crew on Monday, and Smith was nowhere to be found, per Awful Announcing.

Fans reacted to the news on social media.

“Makes NBA Countdown infinitely more watchable,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

“I make actually watch now!” someone else added.

It’ll be interesting to see if this is a double-edged sword for fans, and Smith begins to make more appearances elsewhere on the network.

- Qwame Skinner

INTER MIAMI'S LIONEL MESSI WINS 2025 MLS GOLDEN BOOT PRESENTED BY AUDI

Inter Miami CF superstar Lionel Messi has won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi, netting 29 goals to become the league's top scorer during his second full season with the Herons.

Messi added 19 assists as he beat out LAFC's Denis Bouanga (24 goals) and Nashville SC's Sam Surridge (24 goals). He is Miami's first-ever Golden Boot winner and the first Argentine to take home the award since Valentín "Taty" Castellanos did so with New York City FC in 2021.

The iconic No. 10 tallied 3g/1a during Saturday's 5-2 Decision Day victory at Nashville, giving him 48 goal contributions this year – narrowly shy of Carlos Vela's MLS-record 49 for LAFC in 2019.

Now, Messi looks poised to become the league's first-ever back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP winner, following a historic 2024 campaign that helped Miami claim that year's Supporters' Shield in record-breaking fashion.

Messi and Miami are the Eastern Conference No. 3 seed in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, where they'll face No. 6 Nashville in a Round One Best-of-3 Series. This year's MLS Cup champion will be crowned on Dec. 6.

Messi, the most decorated soccer player of all time, now adds the MLS Golden Boot to his unmatched resumé. He's the latest in an exclusive list of players who have clinched the honor since the league's inaugural season in 1996.

From 1996-2004, the MLS Golden Boot was awarded under a points-based system that gave two points for a goal and one for an assist, before switching to outright goals. Check out the full list of winners below.

MLS Golden Boot winners 2005-2025 (outright goals)

2025: Lionel Messi, Miami - 29 goals

2024: Christian Benteke, D.C. - 23 goals

2023: Denis Bouanga, LAFC - 20 goals

2022: Hany Mukhtar, Nashville - 23 goals

2021: Taty Castellanos, NYCFC - 19 goals

2020: Diego Rossi, LAFC - 14 goals

2019: Carlos Vela, LAFC - 34 goals

2018: Josef Martínez, Atlanta - 31 goals

2017: Nemanja Nikolić, Chicago - 24 goals

2016: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York - 24 goals

2015: Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto - 22 goals

2014: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York - 27 goals

2013: Camilo Sanvezzo, Vancouver - 22 goals

2012: Chris Wondolowski, San Jose - 27 goals

2011: Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. - 16 goals

2010: Chris Wondolowski, San Jose - 18 goals

2009: Jeff Cunningham, Dallas - 17 goals

2008: Landon Donovan, LA - 20 goals

2007: Luciano Emilio, D.C. - 20 goals

2006: Jeff Cunningham, Salt Lake - 16 goals

2005: Taylor Twellman, New England - 17 goals

MLS Golden Boot winners 1996-2004 (points-based system)

2004: Amado Guevara, Pat Noonan; MetroStars, New England - 30 points

2003: Preki, Kansas City - 41 points

2002: Taylor Twellman, New England - 52 points

2001: Alex Pineda Chacón, Miami - 47 points

2000: Mamadou Diallo, Tampa Bay - 56 points

1999: Jason Kreis, Dallas- 51 points

1998: Stern John, Columbus - 57 points

1997: Preki, Kansas City - 41 points

1996: Roy Lassiter, Tampa Bay- 58 points

- MLSsoccer staff

NOU CAMP | BRETHREN FROM TANZANIA | 2021

 

MAYA MORE | BASKETBALL 🏀 GOAT 🐐

Maya Moore is a retired American professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest women’s basketball players of all time.

 • WNBA Career: She played her entire professional career for the Minnesota Lynx (2011–2018, 2020–2021) in the WNBA. During that time, she won four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and was named WNBA Finals MVP in 2013.

 • College Success: Before that, she was a superstar at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where she led the Huskies to two NCAA championships (2009, 2010) and finished as a two-time Naismith Player of the Year.

 • Accolades: She was a six-time WNBA All-Star, the 2014 WNBA MVP, and also won Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 2012 (London) and 2016 (Rio).

 • Beyond Basketball: In 2019, Moore stepped away from the game at the peak of her career to focus on criminal justice reform. She was instrumental in helping secure the release of Jonathan Irons, a wrongfully convicted man, whom she later married.

Her legacy goes beyond basketball — she is celebrated both as a Hall of Fame-level athlete and as a social justice advocate who used her platform for impact.

MEET LOIS BOISSON, THE WORLD 361 WHO SHOCKED JESSICA PEGULA AT FRENCH OPEN AT HOME

Lois Boisson scored the biggest win of her career by beating third seed Jessica Pegula at the French Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Lois Boisson's fairytale run continued at the French Open 2025 with a stunning upset win over World No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the fourth round. The chips were stacked against her after going down a set in her first-ever meeting against a top 10 player. However, the 22-year-old buckled down and dug deep to score a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 comeback win. She now finds herself in a Major quarterfinal on her main draw debut.

However, the road to glory hasn't been easy for Boisson. Born in Dijon on May 16, 2003, she started competing on the ITF circuit in 2019. She made her debut on the WTA Tour in 2021 after receiving a wildcard into the doubles draw in Lyon. She went out in the first round. She continued to ply her trade on the ITF circuit over the next few years.

Boisson's breakthrough came at the Saint-Malo Challenger a year ago, winning the biggest title of her career. Her efforts ensured her a wildcard into the main draw of the French Open. Unfortunately, tragedy struck after she injured her ACL, which ruled her out for nine months and caused her to miss her home Slam.

Boisson returned to the tour earlier this year. She made her WTA debut in singles at the Open de Rouen in April and reached the second round. She received a wildcard into the French Open main draw, making her Major debut after a year than originally planned.

The 22-year-old has certainly proved the organizers were right to give her a wildcard. Ranked 361st in the world, she punched way above her weight to upset 24th seed Elise Mertens in the first round. Following wins over Anhelina Kalinina and Elsa Jacquemot, she became the only player from the host nation to reach the fourth round in singles, where she beat Pegula.

Boisson will be gunning to keep the French flag flying high in the quarterfinals too, though it won't be easy. She will take on sixth seed Mirra Andreeva for a spot in the last four.

Lois Boisson to meet Mirra Andreeva in the French Open quarterfinals

Lois Boisson has already delighted the French crowd with her run at the clay court Major. By advancing to the quarterfinals, she became the first player from the host nation to make the last eight since Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic did the same in 2017.

Boisson also became the lowest ranked woman to reach the quarterfinals of any Major since Kaia Kanepi at the US Open 2017. Next up for her is sixth seed Mirra Andreeva, who hasn't lost a set all week.

However, after taking down one top 10 opponent, Boisson will be feeling confident of her chances. While Andreeva won a couple of WTA 1000 tournaments earlier this year, she hasn't replicated the same level of success on clay, though she did reach the semifinals in Paris last year.

Boisson, currently ranked No. 361, has ensured herself a spot in the top 130 after the conclusion of the tournament. Should she win her next match, she would zoom into the top 70. She would also become the first woman from France to reach the semifinals since Marion Bartoli in 2011. With so much on the line, she would be keen to continue her Parisian dream.

- Rohit

FIA PRESIDENT OPEN TO SCRAPPING 'HEADACHE' F1 COST CAP

Mohammed Ben Sulayem is considering a scrapping of F1's cost cap

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is reportedly seeking to scrap the Formula 1 cost cap, something he believes is a “headache”.

The rule, which was introduced in 2021, is in place to close the competition between teams at the front and the back of the F1 grid, via a restriction on spending, with a sliding scale on aerodynamic testing.

Teams that are found to have overspent are subject to punishment, such as Red Bull, which was handed a $7 million fine and aero testing restriction two years ago.

However, the much-maligned head of the sport’s governing body is, according to a report by the Associated Press, considering a removal of the rule altogether.

“I’m looking at the cost cap and it’s just giving the FIA a headache,” Ben Sulayem was quoted as saying by the AP.

“So what’s the point of it? I don’t see the point. I really don’t.”

The comments came amid a suggestion from McLaren CEO Zak Brown that F1 teams that complain about a fellow constructor should be required to pay a financial deposit in order to do so.

This came after Red Bull lodged a complaint after last Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix, on the grounds that Mercedes’ George Russell had overtaken under yellow flags.

Brown believes that if such complaints are proven correct, the deposit should be paid back, but if they are unfounded – as it was in this instance – the fee should count against the cost cap.

Whilst being in agreement in principle, Ben Sulayem did not concur that the cost cap should be affected, saying: “You cannot just accuse someone without a written complaint, and that protest, you have to pay money.”

The F1 cost cap : level playing field initiative that courts controversy

The cost cap has enabled some teams to compete with the most financially viable teams which regularly compete at or near the front of the F1 grid.

It can be reached by the smaller teams through means such as sponsorship, which was the reason that Haas, for the first time in its history, was recently able to reach the cost cap, via a cash injection from title sponsor MoneyGram.

However, there is another controversy surrounding it, with teams being afforded an offset depending on the height of their country’s salary levels.

This proves to be a benefit for Audi, which makes its full F1 debut next year, due to being based in Switzerland, having transitioned from the country’s Sauber team.

- Jack Oliver Smith

MARKO REFLECTS ON HIS 'BIGGEST MISTAKE' IN F1 DRIVER CHOICES

XPB

Red Bull motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous Formula 1 stars, including Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel, and Daniel Ricciardo.

However, while Red Bull’s driver program has provided dozens of young talents with opportunities to join motorsport’s elite, many were unable to fully realize their potential at the highest level.

Reflecting on those who fell short of expectations, Marko recently acknowledged that signing Nyck de Vries to AlphaTauri in 2023 stands out as the "biggest mistake" of his distinguished career.

A Promising Start That Faded Quickly

De Vries first turned heads with an exceptional debut performance at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix, where he stepped in for Williams at short notice and scored points with a stellar ninth-place finish.

This performance, coupled with his impressive résumé – which included championships in Formula 2 (2019) and Formula E (2020-21) – earned him a seat at AlphaTauri for the 2023 season.

However, the Dutchman's F1 tenure proved short-lived. Over the first half of the season, de Vries struggled to adapt to the highly competitive environment, being comprehensively outperformed by teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

AlphaTauri

His struggles culminated in his mid-season replacement by Daniel Ricciardo, marking the end of his brief stint in Formula 1.

“My biggest mistake? No doubt about it, it’s Nyck de Vries,” Marko said , speaking to Autosprint.

“He did very well on his debut for Williams in Monza. But once he got to AlphaTauri, he didn’t progress.

“He had an incredible track record, FIA F2 champion, also Formula E world champion, but with us the stopwatch said Nyck was the wrong choice. And in trying to go faster, he made mistakes.”

A Career Beyond F1

Since leaving F1, de Vries has returned to familiar territory, rejoining Formula E – where he previously thrived.

However, his 2023-24 campaign with Mahindra Racing yielded a lowly 18th position in the electric series’ Drivers’ standings.

His 2024-25 campaign sees him driving for Mahindra Racing for a second w team, while he also competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Toyota.

The 29-year-old is on the FE grid again this season, while he’s also been retained by the works Toyota squad in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Still a Foot in F1’s Door

Despite his unproductive stint in F1, de Vries has maintained a link with F1.

Late last year, he completed a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session with McLaren, fueling speculation about a potential simulator or reserve driver role with the Woking-based team.

With the Woking-based team losing its reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa to Alpine, de Vries may be called upon to fulfill the back-up role.

"We are going through our test programme and evaluating some drivers," commented McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown said.

"Nyck is one of them. It's about a possible position as a simulator driver, test driver and tyre tester. Unfortunately, they won't let me do that, so we have to look at others!

“Nyck is obviously a great talent, so we want to see if we can rekindle the relationship with him. He's done a good job and we'll see what will happen."

- Phillip van Osten

DANA WHITE SHUTS DOWN TALK OF CONOR MCGREGOR FIGHTING LOGAN PAILE

•  Conor McGregor has not fought in any discipline in almost four years

•  The Irishman has been linked with a boxing bout against Logan Paul or KSI

Dana White has ruled out the prospect of Conor McGregor returning to boxing to fight Logan Paul or KSI. 

The Irishman has not fought since his defeat by Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021 and teased on social media last month that he could return in a £200m clash with YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in India.

And last week KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, insisted he is 'down' to take on the MMA star in a boxing bout.

KSI took to social media to call out Conor McGregor for a boxing fight in the near future

McGregor's comeback has long been anticipated and he was slated to fight against Michael Chandler last year before he was forced to pull out after suffering an injury in training.

But the 36-year-old is still contracted to UFC and the organisation's president and CEO, Dana White, suggested this will prevent McGregor making his comeback as a boxer. 

'Eventually,' White told the Pardon My Take podcast when asked if McGregor would fight in the UFC in 2025.  

'No no (he won't fight KSI or Logan Paul]. Hopefully Conor McGregor returns in the fall.'

UFC boss Dana White hopes Conor McGregor will return to the sport later this year

McGregor's absence from UFC leaves a sizeable hole given his selling power and superstar status. 

His popularity in the Republic of Ireland and the UK has plummeted since he began his legal fight with Dubliner Nikita Hand.

Hand was awarded more than €248,000 (£206,000) after a jury in Dublin concluded that McGregor 'brutally raped' and 'battered' the ex-hair colourist in a Dublin hotel penthouse in December 2018.

He has also vowed to appeal the decision.

McGregor's popularity in the USA has not been has poorly affected, however, and his comeback would be a massive boon to UFC.  

- DAVID KENT

DODGERS: FREDDIE FREEMAN DECIMATED UNPRECEDENTED WORLD SERIES RECORD IN GAME 4

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar first baseman Freddie Freeman is on a historic tear in the 2024 World Series.

Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Freeman broke the record for most consecutive World Series games with a home run after he sent a 343-foot bomb into the right field stands at Yankee Stadium during the first inning of Game 4 on Tuesday night. The home run made it six straigh,,t games that the former 2020 National League MVP has connected on a long ball in the Fall Classic dating back to Game 5 of the 2021 World Series when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves.

Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

According to MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell, Freeman felt that the achievement was “pretty cool” to notch and he wants to keep up his hot bat, but the standout infielder is focused on closing out the New York Yankees in Game 5 more than anything else. Though he’s appropriately laser-focused on winning the Commissioner’s Trophy without delay, his achievement is worthy of recognition. Cassavell unveiled this tidbit that accentuates just how special the feat is:

“Only Houston’s George Springer had homered in four straight games within a single World Series, having done so in Games 4-7 in 2017, but Freeman is the first to do it in the first four games of the Fall Classic,” Cassavell wrote.

Freeman could make more MLB history en route to potential World Series MVP

If Freeman hits another home run in the Dodgers’ potential World Series clincher on Wednesday night, he can also become the first player to homer in five straight games of the same World Series, and would put a definitive stamp on his case to be named World Series MVP.

The California native has a whopping 10 RBIs along with an otherworldly .313/.353/1.188 slash line and a 1.540 OPS added to the four home runs he has to his name against the Yankees so far. He’s been the Dodgers’ most impactful player through four contests and, barring an explosion from reigning NLCS MVP Tommy Edman or starting pitcher Walker Buehler (should the series reach a Game 7), Freeman should have the top individual World Series honor in the bag, along with an unreal MLB record to go along with it.

- Matthew Legros

AARON RODGERS SAYS HE REGRETS 2021 COMMENT THAT HE WAS 'IMMUNIZED'

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Three years after Aaron Rodgers told reporters he'd been "immunized" against the COVID-19 virus, the quarterback says in a soon-to-be-published unauthorized biography that he should have been truthful about his status.

Rodgers, who previously said the controversy had a dramatic impact on his public image, told author Ian O'Connor that the primary reason he claimed he was "immunized" was the statement represented "the crux of my appeal."

"If there's one thing I wish could have gone different, it's that, because that's the only thing [critics] could hit me with," Rodgers said in the book.

In November 2021, the Green Bay Packers' four-time league MVP tested positive for COVID-19 as an unvaccinated player and was sidelined for a minimum of 10 days. Rodgers had appealed to the NFL to have his homeopathic treatment regimen qualify him as vaccinated and faced widespread criticism for his misleading remarks. He was turned down.

Three months earlier, at a widely reported preseason news conference, Rodgers told reporters he had been "immunized" and was heavily criticized by fans and much of the media.

Rodgers later said on "The Pat McAfee Show" that his research showed he was allergic to an ingredient -- polyethylene glycol, or PEG -- in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, and that he was concerned about reports of adverse medical reactions to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

"But if I could do it again, I would have said [in August], f--- the appeal. I'm just going to tell them I'm allergic to PEG, I'm not getting Johnson & Johnson, I'm not going to be vaxxed,'" Rodgers, now the quarterback of the New York Jets, said in the book titled "Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers".

Rodgers told O'Connor the statement represented his appeal to the league.

He said: "I had an immunization card from my holistic doctor, which looked similar. I wasn't trying to pawn it off as a vaccine card, but I said, 'Listen, here's my protocol. Here's what you can follow to look this up.' And it was an ongoing appeal. So, if I had just said [I was unvaccinated] in the moment, there's no chance that the appeal would have been handled the exact same way."

Asked if he would have gotten vaccinated had a local mandate sidelined him like New York's had sidelined then-Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving, Rodgers said, "I wouldn't have done it."

Rodgers was traded to the Jets prior to the 2023 season. He told O'Connor that he has joked with Jets vice chairman Christopher Johnson, brother of team owner Woody from the Johnson & Johnson family, about his refusal to take the pharmaceutical company's vaccine.

Other new reporting in the book includes:

• New details about the near decade-long estrangement between Rodgers and his family, including interviews with the quarterback, his parents, his grandmother and other relatives. It also includes a look at the purported role in the family dynamics played by actor and former Rodgers girlfriend Olivia Munn, and the story of the recent first step Rodgers and his father made toward a potential reconciliation with a brief but meaningful expression of love last summer that compelled Rodgers to say he wanted to reestablish a relationship with his dad.

• The story of Edward Rodgers, Aaron's paternal grandfather and a decorated World War II combat pilot who completed 43 successful missions against Hitler's war machine before being shot down, captured, and beaten as a POW. On St. Patrick's Day 1944, Rodgers saved his crew of 10 men in their burning, bullet-ridden B-24 by somehow flying it back to his base in Italy. Rodgers recalled that he was piloting his damaged plane "all alone over Germany. It was the loneliest feeling in the world."

• Why Rodgers was upset by Packers coach Mike McCarthy during his most devastating defeat, the 2014 NFC Championship Game collapse at Seattle. Rodgers wanted to call six plays he had seem on film that "seemed indefensible" when Dallas beat the Seahawks in the regular season. One veteran Packers player said Rodgers "wanted those plays called over and over against Seattle, and McCarthy called only a few of them one time each."

• That then-San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan, who drafted Alex Smith instead of Rodgers with the first overall pick in 2005, is "still bother[ed]" that his offensive coordinator, McCarthy, benefited most from that decision. "[McCarthy] had a lot to do with picking the other one [Smith], and in the end he got the one [Rodgers] that he didn't pick, and it elevated his career," Nolan says in the book.

• A look at the much-discussed text to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, who was seeking confirmation that he was being dealt to the Jets in 2023. Rodgers told Schefter, "Lose my number. Good try tho." Later at the owners' meetings, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, whose repeated messages to Rodgers had gone unreturned, told people, "At least Adam got a response from him."

O'Connor's book will be released next week.

FRENCH OPEN AND WIMBLEDON WINNER IN SAME YEAR

 Carlos Alcaraz: The Newest Phenom on Grass and Clay! 🌟🎾

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