LIVERPOOL RECEIVE OFFER FOR MINORITY STAKE FROM CONSORTIUM LED BY AMIT BHATIA WHICH COULD TAKE REDS' VALUE PAST £4.5BILLION - WITH BUSINESSMAN QUITTING ROLE AS QPR CO-OWNER

 

Businessman Amit Bhatia is part of a consortium in talks to buy a small stake in Liverpool

British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia is part of a consortium in talks to buy a small stake in Liverpool that could take the club’s value to north of £4.5billion

Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, was co-owner at Championship side Queens Park Rangers – and has a stand named after him at Loftus Road – before surprisingly stepping down from their ownership setup on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group said in a statement: ‘An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.’

Nothing is official yet and, if it was to proceed, it would follow a similar structure to a deal made three years ago when FSG sold a small stake to sports investment firm Dynasty.

Liverpool are currently in Chicago as they begin their pre-season tour of the USA. 

Andoni Iraola's side play Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday, followed by Wrexham in New York and Leeds back in Chicago, before returning home at the start of August.

- LEWIS STEELE

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UGANDA'S JACOB KIPLIMO STUNS KENYAN DUO TO WIN 2025 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON

Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo dominated the race from the 35 kilometer mark before going on to cross the finish line of the 2025 Chicago Marathon first in 2:02:23.

ATHLETICS
UGANDA'S JACOB KIPLIMO STUNS KENYAN DUO TO WIN

Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo delivered a masterclass on the streets of Chicago to win the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, clocking an astonishing 2:02:23 — a new personal best — and firmly stamping his authority among the world’s greatest distance runners.

The 24-year-old Ugandan, better known for his exploits over the half marathon, outclassed a star-studded field that included multiple world medallists from Kenya and Ethiopia. 

In doing so, he shattered his previous marathon best by over a minute, signalling his seamless transition to the full 42.195 kilometres.

How Race Unfolded

The men’s elite pack exploded off the start line at a blistering pace, hitting the 5km mark in 13:58, led by an all-Kenyan contingent of John Korir, Timothy Kiplagat, Amos Kipruto, Philemon Kiplimo Kimaiyo, and Jacob Kiplimo, who was then listed as Kenyan in early race data.

By the halfway mark, the lead quintet went through in 1:00:16, maintaining a predicted finish time of just above the two-hour barrier — dangerously close to world record territory.

At 25km, Korir and Kiplimo began to separate from the rest of the field, clocking 1:11:12, with Kipruto trailing by ten seconds. 

The two then exchanged surges, but it was Kiplimo who decisively broke away shortly after 30km, producing a devastating burst that left even the seasoned Kenyans unable to respond.

By 35km, the Ugandan had built a commanding 70-second lead and was still running on near world-record pace, clocking 1:39:53 to Kipruto’s 1:41:05. Though he slowed slightly in the final miles, his effort was enough to finish more than a minute clear of his nearest rival.

He crossed the line in 2:02:23, the second-fastest time ever recorded on American soil, and a mark that will resonate across the global marathon circuit.

Kenyans Settle For Second and Third

Kenya’s Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion, finished second in 2:03:54, while compatriot Alex Masai surged late to claim third in 2:04:37.

American Conner Mantz delighted the home crowd by finishing fourth in 2:04:43, breaking Khalid Khannouchi’s 23-year-old American record of 2:05:38. In a touching moment, Khannouchi — the Chicago legend — was on hand to congratulate Mantz at the finish line.

- Mark Kinyanjui 

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LIONEL MESSI AND INTER MILAN DENIED IN FRONT OF RECORD CHICAGO CROWD

Inter Miami failed to score for the first time this season in Major League Soccer as they were held to a goalless draw by the Chicago Fire on Sunday.

Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw by the Chicago Fire.© AFP

Inter Miami failed to score for the first time this season in Major League Soccer as they were held to a goalless draw by the Chicago Fire on Sunday. A club-record crowd of 62,358 packed into Soldier Field for the visit of Lionel Messi and his Inter team to witness a gutsy display from the home side. Chicago, coached by former USA boss Gregg Berhalter, limited Messi and his former Barcelona strike partner Luis Suarez to just a handful of opportunities. The best effort from Messi, who played the full game, came in the third minute when he unleashed a snap shot from outside the box which was denied by a fine, diving save from Fire keeper Chris Brady.

There was no sense of Chicago being overawed by the big crowd at the stadium they share with the NFL's Bears and they went close twice in the opening half with Mauricio Pineda forcing Oscar Ustari into a full stretch save and then Philip Zinckernagel striking the outside of the post from a narrow angle.

Suarez had a great chance to put Miami ahead just before the break when Noah Allen floated a ball in but the Uruguayan puts his shot over the bar.

After the break, Chicago enjoyed plenty of pressure with much of the creativity coming from former Lille winger Jonathan Bamba.

The Fire should have grabbed all three points in the 88th minute when Bamba's shot was parried out by Ustari but Maren Haile-Selassie put the follow-up shot wide.

Bamba was denied again by Ustari moments later but in a frantic finale, Miami also could have stolen a win but, from a promising position, Tadeo Allende dragged his shot wide.

Miami had looked tired after their midweek exertions in their CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Los Angeles FC on Wednesday and coach Javier Mascherano appeared relieved they had picked up a point.

"We came with a very, very big load not only physically, but also mentally. So not losing is always important, too," he said.

"I'll take the positives, which is that we didn't concede a goal. We'd been conceding goals for three games, and today we kept a clean sheet. ... Now, luckily, we have a long week of work, which is a bit of a break for us, after the start of the season we've had," he said.

Former Miami coach Phil Neville saw his improving Portland Timbers team enjoy a 4-2 win at Sporting Kansas City with Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy scoring twice.

Portland are unbeaten in five games and move up to fourth in the Western Conference.

The Columbus Crew fought back from a goal down to enjoy a 2-1 win at St.Louis City.

Brazilian Joao Klauss opened the scoring for the home side before Crew defender Steven Moreira levelled with a side-footed volley.

Uruguayan Diego Rossi secured the win with a low drive from outside the box in the 55th minute.

- Agence France-Presse

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS | #BLACKHISTORYMONTH

The Harlem Globetrotters started in 1926 on Chicago’s South Side, not Harlem, founded by African American players from Wendell Phillips High School. Originally the Savoy Big Five, they became the “Globe Trotters” under Tommy Brookins, and in 1929, Abe Saperstein took over, renaming them the “New York Harlem Globe Trotters” to tie them to Black culture and suggest global travel. Early on, they were a serious team, playing over 1,000 games by 1936 and winning the World Professional Basketball Tournament in 1940. In 1948 and 1949, they beat the Minneapolis Lakers, proving Black talent and influencing NBA integration.

By the 1950s, as the NBA opened up, they shifted to entertainment, with stars like Goose Tatum and Meadowlark Lemon adding comedy and tricks. They toured worldwide, playing for huge crowds—like 75,000 in Berlin in 1951—and became “Ambassadors of Goodwill.” Wilt Chamberlain joined briefly in 1959. They’ve since played over 26,000 games in 124 countries, entertaining millions. Ownership changed after Saperstein’s death in 1966, with Mannie Jackson reviving them in 1993. The first woman, Lynette Woodard, joined in 1985. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, they still perform widely today.

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F1 BOSS: CALENDER TO STAY AT 24 RACES DESPITE HUGE INTEREST

Stefano Domenicali, alongside FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem at the Chinese Grand Prix. (Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

 Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali says the sport's calendar will remain capped at 24 races despite more than 35 new venues showing an interest in hosting an event -- 11 of which he says are serious contenders.

New events in Miami, Las Vegas, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the past four years have seen the F1 calendar reach the sport's self-imposed limit of 24 races.

According to ESPN sources, new projects that have shown an interest in joining the F1 calendar exist in South Korea, Thailand, China, South Africa, Rwanda, Malaysia, India, New York and Chicago.

Domenicali told ESPN "more than 35" venues had expressed an interest in joining F1, but when asked how many of the 35 were serious contenders, he added: "Eleven -- so, they are all realistic.

"No, seriously, the request is very, very big. It is up to us to make the right choices. But the number is set at 24. It will stay 24. Don't forget that five years ago we were at 17 or 18.

"It was a big step to add more in such a short time, but it is just because the market requires it and we love doing great things together. But 24 is the limit."

If the cap of 24 remains in place, existing venues would have to make way if new races are added. Domenicali said a provision is in place to protect historic venues in F1, but added that no single circuit has its place guaranteed on the calendar.

"There is a provision that we need to make sure the races need to be respected, but that doesn't mean there is a duty," he said. "The world is evolving and the need of everyone to push to be the best is there and nothing is given for granted to anyone.

"Of course, we want to push everyone to improve. That is our objective."

Despite apparent interest from new venues in the United States, Domenicali ruled out a fourth race in the country.

"It would be wrong to go from one, in Austin, now to three [with Miami and Las Vegas], as well with Montreal, Mexico City and Brazil in the Americas ... so already the calendar looks full there.

"I don't expect to have more races there, to be honest."

- Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor

FOUR DAYS AFTER LOSING 3-0, RAIDERS SET FRANCHISE SCORING RECORD, BEAT THE CHARGERS 63-21

Michael Mayer. AP Photo 

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Four days after losing 3-0, the Las Vegas Raiders scored 42 points by halftime, didn't let the Los Angeles Chargers cross midfield until the third quarter and rolled to a record-setting 63-21 victory on Thursday night.

The Raiders set a franchise scoring record, topping the team's 59-14 victory at Denver on Oct. 24, 2010. It was the most points allowed by the Chargers, who previously gave up 57 to the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 1, 2000.

The Raiders led 42-0 at halftime, just three points shy of the NFL record for halftime margin that was set in 2009 when New England led Tennessee 45-0. The 42-point margin has been matched two other times — by Green Bay over Chicago in 2014 and the Packers over Tampa Bay in 1983. Las Vegas also tied the franchise record for points in a half, set in 1969 against Buffalo.

The halftime deficit was the biggest in Chargers history. They trailed the Patriots 31-0 in 1997.

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EXPERIMENTAL U S. SQUAD WITH DRAW AGAINST JAMAICA OPENS GOLD CUP

Brandon Vazquez/Getty

Less than a week after the U.S. men’s national soccer team coasted to the Concacaf Nations League crown, an experimental American squad learned that defending its second regional title would not come so easily.

Fielding a largely second-string roster for the Gold Cup, North America’s long-running biennial championship, the United States needed a late equalizer from substitute Brandon Vazquez to open the tournament with 1-1 draw against Jamaica on Saturday night at Soldier Field in Chicago.

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