Sports
Grassroots motorsport pulls big tractors and bigger crowds
Generations of spectators and competitors take over a small hamlet in Western N.Y. each summer to participate in a motorsport with roots in farming: the tractor pull.
At 45, Venus Williams will be the oldest player in the U.S. Open in decades
With a wild card invitation, the tennis legend is making history in her return to the U.S. Open later this month as the oldest singles player to take the court in more than 40 years.
With replay review and ‘robot umps,’ who is still trying to become an MLB umpire?
Between replay review, automated balls and strikes and viral lowlights on social media, the work of baseball umpires has been transformed by technology. But none of that has deterred aspiring umpires.
NFL preseason game ends early after serious injury to Detroit Lions’ Morice Norris
The Lions safety was in stable condition after he was attended to for about 20 minutes and taken off the field in an ambulance Friday, with the preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons ending early.
The NFL banned smelling salts. Here’s why
The NFL has banned the use of smelling salts during games, citing an FDA warning concerning the safety of the substance. Here's what experts say about the effects and the risks.
MLB’s first female umpire to debut. Here’s other women who broke officiating barriers
Jen Pawol will make history by becoming the first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball game. Here's a look at other female officials who were the first on the floor, court or the field in prominent men's leagues.
NFL and ESPN reach nonbinding agreement for sale of NFL Network and other media assets
Under the terms, ESPN will acquire NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators and the league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.
Opinion: A little league heartbreak
The State Department denied one Venezuelan Little League team entry into the U.S., but allowed another. NPR's Scott Simon questions how the sports exemption to Trump's travel ban is being applied.
An MMA fighter Trump hosted at the White House loses appeal in his rape case
Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor used to be the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. President Trump, a UFC fan, hosted him at the White House for St. Patrick's Day this year.
Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg has died after battling cancer
Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman who became one of baseball's best all-around players while starring for the Chicago Cubs, has died. He was 65.
USA swim team members recovering from stomach bug at world championships
Some USA swim team members have missed events during the competition.
Even megastars like Venus Williams get the health insurance blues
In the U.S., as nowhere else, health insurance and employment are deeply connected. And that means confusion can snare even elite athletes.
Hit the road, Jack! Lumberjills chip their way into timber sports
'Lumberjills' chip away at Paul Bunyon stereotypes at the 65th annual Lumberjack Championship, with more women than ever before competing in the Hayward, Wisconsin, event.
President Trump takes aim at college sports with a new executive order
The order aims to ban "pay-for-play" NIL deals, mandates scholarships for women's and Olympic sports and threatens to withhold funds from schools who don't comply. But its legality is in question.
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies at 71
According to the Clearwater Police and Fire departments, Terry Bollea died Thursday morning after a cardiac arrest.
Trump marks anniversary of assassination attempt at the FIFA Club World Cup final
The president joined the players on the field after the match to present PSG players with their runner-up medals and hand Chelsea their championship trophy.
Jannik Sinner wins Wimbledon, Italy’s first singles champion
Italy's Jannik Sinner defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Wimbledon title. Sinner is the first Italian to win the tournament.
Poland’s Iga Świątek thrashes American Amanda Anisimova in Wimbledon women’s final
The Polish player emerged victorious after less than an hour of gameplay.
2 years ago, Amanda Anisimova put down her racket. Now she’s in the Wimbledon final
Anisimova was a teenage tennis prodigy. But by 2023, tournaments had become "unbearable" for her mental health, and she stepped away. Now, she is a win away from her first Grand Slam title.
How 3 Muslim sisters helped change the rules of American women’s wrestling
Jamilah, Zaynah and Latifah McBryde grew up wrestling one another in Buffalo, N.Y. Coaches recognized their talent, but they couldn't wear the required wrestling singlet due to their faith.
Welcome to the Queue, where waiting for Wimbledon tickets rivals the tennis
Tennis lovers don costumes, throw Pimm's parties and camp overnight in line for day-of Wimbledon tickets. Some say waiting in the Queue is more fun than the actual tennis.
Baseline knowledge: Where tennis comes from and how the game has changed
Recent years have seen an upswing in people playing tennis (or at least dressing like it). But it's not just a phase. The sport — at least some version of it — has been around since medieval times.
How a broken nose kickstarted Diego Luna’s star-making run with the USMNT
The 21-year-old Real Salt Lake midfielder, with his bleached hair and dozens of tattoos, stands out on the soccer field. But it's his attitude that has won praise from his coach, teammates and fans.
UPenn updates swimming records to settle with feds on transgender athletes case
The U.S. Education Department and Penn announced the voluntary agreement of the high-profile case that focused on Lia Thomas, who last competed for the Ivy League school in 2022.
The WNBA is expanding again, adding 3 new cities for a record 18 teams
The WNBA is adding three new teams: Cleveland will join in 2028, Detroit begins play in 2029 and Philadelphia will be added to the roster in 2030. This will bring the league to a record 18 teams.
Faith Kipyegon attempts to make history by smashing the 4-minute mile for women
The three-time Olympic champion will need to shave more than 7 seconds off her personal best, a record she set in 2023. But if she succeeds, the Kenyan runner won't make the official record books yet.
An AI video ad is making a splash. Is it the future of advertising?
The over-the-top ad combines the energy of Grand Theft Auto with the drama of the NBA Finals — all created by AI. Is it a sign of things to come?
After a thrilling 7-game series, the Oklahoma City Thunder are finally NBA champions
Led by point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's Most Valuable Player, the Thunder outlasted the Indiana Pacers for the team's first title since moving to Oklahoma in 2008.
LA Dodgers pledge $1 million in support of immigrants amid ICE raids
The pledge comes amid ongoing federal immigration raids targeting migrants in the area, and calls from the Dodgers' fanbase for the organization to speak out against them.
Florida Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champions by beating the Oilers in 6 games
The Florida Panthers repeated as Stanley Cup champions, becoming the NHL's first back-to-back winners since Tampa Bay in 2020 and '21 and the third team to do it this century.
With the World Cup a year away, the U.S. men’s soccer team needs a shot in the arm
A handful of dreadful losses — plus some drama between the team's biggest star and its new head coach — has the USMNT looking for a badly-needed rebound in this summer's Gold Cup tournament.
Joey Chestnut will return to the Coney Island hot dog contest after last year’s beef
Joey Chestnut was banned from the contest that made him famous after signing an endorsement deal with a company that makes plant-based proteins. The 16-time champ returns to Coney Island on July 4th.
