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Spanish police have arrested three people in relation to racist insults aimed at Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Raphinha during last month's Clásico at the Bernabéu. Yamal and Raphinha were both on target in Barça's 4-0 win over Real Madrid when, towards the end of the match, they received abuse from supporters in the stadium. "Three arrests have been made for racist insults aimed at two footballers during October's Clásico," the police confirmed on social media on Saturday. "Those arrested made xenophobic statements that violated the dignity and moral integrity of both players." The investigation was launched after LaLiga reported the incident to the police. "The arrests follow a complaint filed by LaLiga, which provided recordings of the incidents and a report from a lip-reading expert to the police," the league said in a statement on Saturday.  "At LaLiga, we continue to fight to end racism inside and outside...

George Russell will start Saturday's Las Vegas Grand Prix from pole position as Max Verstappen took another step towards securing a fourth world championship by outqualifying his only remaining title rival, Lando Norris. Mercedes' Russell beat Ferrari's Carlos Sainz to the fastest time by 0.098 seconds, with Pierre Gasly taking a surprise third place on the grid for Alpine. Gasly said afterwards: "It's unbelievable honestly we didn't think we would be able to achieve a top three in qualifying. It was an incredible lap especially around this track when you're flirting with the walls everywhere through the lap and there is a lot of adrenaline and excitement. "I knew crossing the line it was a good lap but when they came on the radio telling me I was lining up in third tomorrow, it's just amazing and I'm really happy." Verstappen qualified fifth, behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc in fourth, but will start one place ahead of Norris, who could only manage the sixth-fastest...

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Seconds after No. 12 Duke's players ran onto the court for pregame introductions at the McKale Center on Friday night, someone in the crowd hurled a beer can in their direction. That moment did not define the largely positive and vibrant atmosphere at the arena, where Cooper Flagg's 24-point effort led the Blue Devils to a 69-55 win over No. 17 Arizona. But throughout the game, building security and local police gathered near Duke's tunnel and the team's family and friends section because of concerns that additional objects would be thrown, sources told ESPN. Those same security and police personnel also entered the Arizona student section at halftime to address at least one fan's behavior. Duke coach Jon Scheyer said he didn't notice the off-court chaos, a metaphor for the way his team responded in its first true road game of the season. "I didn't even see that," Scheyer said afterward about the beer-can incident. "First of all, I...

PHILADELPHIA -- At the start of the third quarter of what ultimately became a 113-98 victory for the Philadelphia over Brooklyn, the 76ers announced that star center Joel Embiid was dealing with swelling in his left knee and, in addition to sitting out the Nets game, would sit out Sunday against the LA Clippers. "He was dealing with some swelling in his knee today, got to the arena and was ruled out," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said after the win, which ended a five-game losing streak. "They're going to treat it all weekend, so he'll be out for Sunday as well. "Hopefully on Monday, we'll give you an update on where we're at, and hopefully he'll be in good shape." Embiid wasn't listed on the injury report Friday morning after he played 35 minutes and scored 35 points with 11 rebounds in a loss at the  Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. He was put on the injury report later Friday for left knee injury management, with the team saying he was...

Saquon Barkley said Friday he was hoping Daniel Jones could follow a similar path to his own -- success in the NFL after the New York Giants. Jones, benched earlier this week of favor of Tommy DeVito, asked for his release Friday morning from the Giants, who agreed to grant it in a decision both sides said "would be best for him and for the team." Like Jones, Barkley also left the Giants, his exit coming via free agency during the offseason. He landed with the rival Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract, and has seemingly earned every penny, ranking first in the NFC in rushing yards with 1,137 for a Philadelphia team that is 8-2 and in first place in the NFC East -- far better than the cellar-dwelling Giants (2-8). The unique situation of two high draft picks -- Barkley went No. 2 to the Giants in 2018 and Jones No. 6 a year later -- no longer being on the team wasn't lost on Barkley. "I've been in contact with him. Our friendship has...

PHILADELPHIA -- At the start of the third quarter of what ultimately became a 113-98 victory for the 76ers over the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia announced that star center Joel Embiid is dealing with swelling in his left knee and, in addition to missing the Nets game, will sit out Sunday against the LA Clippers. "He was dealing with some swelling in his knee today, got to the arena and was ruled out," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said after the win, one that snapped a five-game Sixers losing streak. "They're gonna treat it all weekend, so he'll be out for Sunday as well. "Hopefully on Monday, we'll give you an update on where we're at, and hopefully, he'll be in good shape." Embiid originally wasn't listed on the injury report Friday morning ahead of the Brooklyn game, after he played 35 minutes and scored 35 points with 11 rebounds in a loss at  Memphis on Wednesday. He was then placed on the injury report with left knee injury management,...

The Kansas City Royals traded right-handed pitcher Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds for infielder Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer, the teams announced Friday. Singer, 28, went 9-13 with a 3.71 ERA last season, starting 32 games for the Royals while helping them to an unexpected playoff berth. Overall, he made 127 starts for Kansas City over five years, compiling a 4.28 ERA. His only down season was in 2023, when he had a 5.52 ERA. India, 27, hit .248 with 15 home runs in 2024 while playing exclusively at second base. A four-year veteran, he has a .764 career OPS after winning Rookie of the Year in 2021, when he hit a career-high 21 home runs. Wiemer, 25, will be joining his third major league team after breaking in with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023 before playing for Cincinnati last season. He has a career .201 batting average in 153 games. The deal fills needs on both teams as the Royals have been looking to add...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Orlando Pride forward Marta held her right index finger in the air inside the swanky club at CPKC Stadium to indicate the No. 1. This is where the six-time world player of the year ranks Saturday's NWSL Championship among all the games in her career, an illustrious one that includes a World Cup final and three Olympic gold-medal matches. "The way we [played] from the beginning of the season to now, it's something very special that I never had before in any other club that I played for," Marta said. She said the same thing about 24 hours earlier as she passionately thought back to her days as a 14-year-old who spent three days on a bus to get to Rio de Janeiro for a tryout. Marta's mom, Tereza Vieira de Sá, will be in CPKC Stadium on Saturday to see her daughter play for the first time in Marta's 11 seasons in the United States. "Every single year I ask myself, 'Why am I still here?'" Marta said Thursday. "Maybe this year gave me the answer...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Orlando Pride forward Marta held her right index finger in the air inside the swanky stadium club of CPKC Stadium to indicate the No. 1. This is where the six-time world player of the year ranks Saturday's NWSL Championship among all the games in her career, an illustrious one that includes a World Cup final and three Olympic gold-medal matches. "The way we [played] from the beginning of the season to now, it's something very special that I never had before in any other club that I played for," Marta said. She said the same thing about 24 hours earlier as she passionately thought back to her days as a 14-year-old who spent three days on a bus to get to Rio de Janeiro for a tryout. Marta's mom, Tereza Vieira de Sá, will be in CPKC Stadium on Saturday to see her daughter play for the first time in Marta's 11 seasons in the United States. "Every single year I ask myself, 'Why am I still here?" Marta said on Thursday. "Maybe this year gave me the...

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left hamstring and is not close to a return to action, sources told ESPN on Friday. Williamson, who has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring strain on Nov. 6, will be out for an extended period of time longer, sources said. The Pelicans have been bracing for Williamson to be sidelined for at least four to six weeks, which places him out through mid-December, but his absence could extend beyond that as he rehabilitates a body part that has sustained multiple strains over the past few years. Williamson has been limited to just six of New Orleans' 17 games this year. The injury was a devastating blow for the Pelicans and Williamson, who team officials believe has been in the best shape of his career. Since the Pelicans selected Williamson first overall out of Duke in the 2019 draft, the 6-foot-6, 284-pound power forward has missed 211 out of a possible 401 regular-season games. Injuries...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Entering an important matchup with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers will be without starting quarterback Brock Purdy and defensive end Nick Bosa.  The Niners officially ruled out Purdy (right shoulder soreness) and Bosa (left hip/oblique) Friday afternoon, just before the team was scheduled to fly to Wisconsin. Coach Kyle Shanahan announced that veteran Brandon Allen will start in place of Purdy, with  Josh Dobbs available as the backup. With Purdy and Bosa out and left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) again listed as questionable, the 5-5 Niners could be without three of their most important players in a game they desperately need to stay in the postseason hunt. "We're missing two good players, definitely," Shanahan said. "But we've got a lot of good players out there. By no means do we not have a chance to win. We're going to fight our tails off and expect this to be a real good...

The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime-time appearance. Justin Herbert & Co. have had their Week 16 home game against the Denver Broncos flexed from Sunday, Dec. 22, to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday's announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season so that Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days' notice prior to the game, and teams could make more than one appearance on Amazon Prime Video's 16-game package. Only two games per season in the five-week window can be flexed. The matchup of AFC West division rivals -- who are both contending for playoff spots -- bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. Despite the hiring of Jim Harbaugh as coach, the Chargers were one of six teams without a Thursday game when the NFL schedule was released in May. It is...

Last season,  Connor Bedard was the NHL's rookie of the year. This season, he is one of the league's most frustrated stars. Bedard, 19, has three goals and 12 assists in 20 games for the Chicago Blackhawks, who are tied for the worst points percentage in the NHL (.375). Heading into Saturday's matchup at the Philadelphia Flyers, Bedard has gone 11 straight games without a goal. "I could name 100 things [I could do better]," Bedard said Friday. "I don't know, man. It has been frustrating, for sure. I just don't feel like I'm really doing anything. So just keep chipping away at it, I guess, and hopefully find my game again." While his point production hasn't fallen off drastically from his 61 points in 68 games last season -- good enough to win the Calder Trophy -- his goal-scoring pace has been cut in half. Bedard had 22 goals last season. "It's been a tough stretch," he said. "You just feel like you don't have it or whatever, and you lose a bit of...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. --  Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said Friday that he expects  Lionel Messi will continue to form part of the team through the 2026 Major League Soccer season. Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023 on a contract that runs through the end of the 2025 MLS season. The original deal does not include an additional club option to extend through 2026, making the upcoming season his last for the Herons under his current contract. But Mas insists that the Argentine star will remain with the team as Inter Miami moves from Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale to the new Miami Freedom Park in Miami. "Messi is under contract through 2025; Leo and I will sit and discuss the future," he told media Friday. "As I have said before, and I will repeat it now: I fully expect that in the opening of our new stadium in 2026 and the opening of our 2026 MLS season after a trophy-laden 2025 season, that Leo Messi will be our No. 10." Messi played an integral role...

NEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can relate to Juan Soto's current situation. Two years ago, Judge was the free agent superstar clubs across the majors coveted. Eventually, he chose to return to the New York Yankees. Now it's Soto's turn. In a conference call with reporters Friday, after unanimously winning the American League MVP award Thursday night, Judge said he hopes Soto makes the same choice and returns to the Bronx. Judge is not, however, actively recruiting his All-Star teammate. "I haven't talked to him at all. I think the best thing is to really give those guys space," Judge said. "And I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him. And I think the most important thing is now let him do his thing with his family, pray about it, talk with people and come to the right decision for him and his family. So I haven't talked to him at all." Soto met with Yankees officials, a group that included owner Hal...

The San Francisco 49ers are poised to be underdogs for the first time since 2022, breaking a chain of 36 consecutive regular-season games in which they've been favored, the third-longest such streak of the Super Bowl era behind only the 1999-2002 St. Louis Rams (50) and the 2016-20 New England Patriots (64). As of Friday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers are 3-point favorites over the visiting Niners, per ESPN BET odds. The last time the 49ers were underdogs was in a Week 7 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 23, 2022. San Francisco was just a 1-point underdog in that one but went on to lose 44-23. This season's iteration of the Niners has stumbled to records of 5-5 straight up and 4-6 against the spread. San Francisco failed to cover -6.5 in a Week 10 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Niners (+325) trail the Arizona Cardinals (-115) on the odds board to win the NFC West, the first time San Francisco has not been...

East Carolina senior cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. announced Friday that he will declare for the 2025 NFL draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility. Revel hasn't played since suffering a season-ending torn ACL in September. Revel had been one of the most productive corners in the country for the Pirates. Since the start of 2023, he had 11 pass breakups and two defensive touchdowns, including a 50-yard interception return against Appalachian State on Sept. 14. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Revel as the No. 2 cornerback and 23 overall prospect in the 2025 draft. At 6-foot-3 and 193 pounds, he earned second-team All-AAC honors last year, which put him on the radar of many major programs that tried to lure him to transfer last year. "The size, the length and the movement skills, for being as tall and long as he is ... you don't see a body type as rangy and fluid as he is at that size," an NFL scout told ESPN in September. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans cornerback L'Jarius Sneed will be placed on injured reserve Saturday according to coach Brian Callahan. Sneed suffered a quad injury when he took a helmet to the thigh in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts. Sneed told ESPN the injury occurred in the third quarter. The injury was initially diagnosed as a quad bruise, but a further scan revealed it was actually a strain. "It didn't get better very fast," Callahan said. "We felt like we had a chance to get him back, but it has not progressed and has been more complicated than a normal strain would be." Callahan went on to explain they put Sneed on injured reserve because rest is the best thing for his injury. Sneed has 23 tackles in five games this season. "It's been tough," Sneed said earlier this month. "I want to be out there to help my brothers. It's been challenging for me that I can't get out there coming into my first year with the organization to make a name...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Friday that wide receiver Mike Evans, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, will play Sunday against the New York Giants "as long as he's healthy and fresh." Evans suffered a moderate hamstring strain in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens and missed three games -- tied for the longest absence of his career. "It hurt to see your team out there fighting in really tough, close games that we could have won," Evans said. "I wish I could [have been] out there to help them. I'm excited for this week." Evans told ESPN before the Bucs' Week 11 bye that he could have potentially tried to push a return in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, but instead, Evans rested that week and spent the bye week ramping up his conditioning. Evans said he had no concerns about reaggravating his injury, an injury he sustained while already hobbled with a hamstring injury in that same leg but in a different location of the...

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants are granting quarterback Daniel Jones' request to be released, the team announced Friday. Jones met with Giants president and owner John Mara and had multiple conversations with coach Brian Daboll on Friday morning. The two sides mutually agreed that it "would be best for him and for the team" to move on, Mara said in a statement. Jones wanted to play, and this gives him a chance to latch on with another team before the end of the season. "Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first-class in every way," Mara said. "His handling of this situation yesterday exemplifies just that. We are all disappointed in how things have worked out." The move ends Jones' six-season run with the Giants, mostly as the franchise quarterback. He was the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NFL draft out of Duke. He finishes with a 22-44-1 record and 70 touchdown passes to go along with 47 interceptions. The Giants (2-8)...

Javier Mascherano is set to become the new head coach of Inter Miami in the upcoming days as the two parties finalize contract negotiations, sources have confirmed to ESPN. Mascherano will leave his post as manager of Argentina's youth team to lead Lionel Messi and the Herons throughout the 2025 campaign. He replaces Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who exits the club after a year and a half due to personal reasons. Inter Miami kicked off the search for a new head coach Nov. 16 just hours after co-owner Jorge Mas and president of football operations Raúl Sanllehi were informed of the departure of Martino. "I found out on Friday, I had a conversation with Gerardo Martino on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.," Mas said in a news conference Friday. "Our coaching search started at 11:01. "We had a list; this is an extremely attractive job and position for a coach. We got it down to three final candidates by Tuesday and we made -- David Beckham, Raúl, my brother José Mas and...

A jury ruled in favor of a woman who accused UFC superstar Conor McGregor of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room in December 2018. The High Court in Dublin ordered McGregor to pay the complainant 248,000 euros, or around $257,000. The jury had deliberated on the case since Thursday. McGregor, who denied the accusations and said he had consensual sex with the accuser, is not currently facing any criminal charges from the incident. According to Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, the woman told the High Court she met McGregor at a Christmas party in Dublin. She accused the former two-weight UFC champion of forcing her onto a bed, choking her and making her fear for her life. A paramedic who treated the woman's injuries the next morning told the courtroom he had never seen such intense bruising on a victim, according to BBC News. The woman's lawyer, John Gordon, said she never pretended to be a saint and had gone out looking for a good time that ended up turning into a nightmare....

SMU coach Rhett Lashlee has signed a contract extension with the school, as he has the team positioned for a run at its second straight conference title and its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Terms of Lashlee's deal were not disclosed, as SMU is a private school. He also received a multiyear contract extension in November 2023 "to keep him on the Hilltop for years to come," athletic director Rick Hart said at the time. Lashlee is 27-10 at SMU, which won the American Athletic Conference title in 2023, its first since 1984. The program moved to the ACC this season and is the only team undefeated in league play, as its faces Virginia and Cal to close the regular season. SMU is No. 13 in the CFP standings with its only loss coming to No. 14 BYU in Week 2. "We changed leagues and changed levels," Lashlee told ESPN. Since the start of the 2023 season, SMU is tied for sixth nationally in win percentage at 20-4 overall (.833). Lashlee, 41, served...

Javier Mascherano is set to become the new head coach of Inter Miami in the upcoming days as the two parties finalize contract negotiations, sources have confirmed to ESPN. Mascherano will leave his post as manager of Argentina's youth team to lead Lionel Messi and the Herons throughout the 2025 campaign. He replaces Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who exits the club after a year and a half due to "personal reasons." Inter Miami kicked off the search for a new head coach on Nov. 16 just hours after co-owner Jorge Mas and president of football operations Raúl Sanllehi was informed of the departure of Martino. "I found out on Friday, I had a conversation with Gerardo Martino on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. Our coaching search started at 11:01," Mas said in a news conference on Friday. "We had a list, this is an extremely attractive job and position for a coach. We got it down to three final candidates by Tuesday and we made, David Beckham, Raúl, my brother José Mas...

A jury has ruled in favor of a woman who accused UFC superstar Conor McGregor of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room in December 2018. The High Court in Dublin ordered McGregor to pay the complainant 248,000 euros, or around $257,000. The jury had deliberated on the case since Thursday. McGregor, who denied the accusations and said he had consensual sex with the accuser, is not currently facing any criminal charges from the incident. According to Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, the woman told the High Court she met McGregor at a Christmas Party in Dublin. She accused the former two-weight UFC champion of forcing her onto a bed, choking her and making her fear for her life. A paramedic who treated the woman's injuries the next morning told the courtroom he had never seen such intense bruising on a victim, according to BBC News. The woman's lawyer said she never pretended to be a saint and had gone out looking for a good time that ended up turning into a nightmare. Attorney...

QUINCY, Mass. -- New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers, who in early October pleaded not guilty after being arrested on charges that include strangulation and drug possession, had a jury trial set for Jan. 22 on Friday. Peppers' attorney said in court that a $10.5 million demand was made by the plaintiff, which Peppers turned down. "It technically may not be extortion but is highly probative and tells you what this case is all about," attorney Marc Brofsky said. Attorneys for the plaintiff said in a statement Friday that their client did not ask for $10.5 million in order to prevent the lawsuit from proceeding. "We can confirm that Mr. Peppers' lawyer asked us to meet to discuss a potential settlement and asked us to convey a settlement proposal," attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and David E. Gottlieb said in a statement. "We presented a proposal that included an apology from Mr. Peppers, a financial contribution to a domestic abuse support organization,...

The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and  Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. as well as Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo the NBA sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the league said the FBI has connected some burglaries to "transnational South American Theft Groups" that are "reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices." Conley's home was broken into Sept. 15 when he was at a Minnesota Vikings game and jewelry was taken, officials told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Portis said his home was broken into Nov. 2 and has offered a $40,000 reward for information...

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has opened an investigation into an allegation that Jackson State players and coaches had access to game-week practice film of Arkansas-Pine Bluff prior to the teams' game on Nov. 2, according to SWAC spokesperson Andrew Roberts. The allegation came to light Oct. 31, two days before Jackson State's 41-3 win. A UAPB player informed the coaching staff he was told by a Jackson State player that Tigers defensive players were in the Jackson State team facility watching practice film of UAPB from that week, sources told ESPN. After receiving this information, UAPB coach Alonzo Hampton logged into the software program the team uses to upload and review practice footage and saw that it had been accessed by the account of a former walk-on who had been cut in the spring, sources said. The IP address connected to the account when it accessed the practice video was assigned to Clinton, Mississippi, a town that neighbors Jackson, sources...

With a restructuring at Andretti Global that pushed Michael Andretti into a smaller role, the chances of his organisation landing a Formula 1 team have substantially increased. So much so that F1 and Formula 1 Management could have a decision to grant the General Motors-backed entry a spot as the 11th team on the grid in the coming weeks. Dan Towriss, now the majority owner of the Andretti organisation, was at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday scoping his chances of entering the top motorsports series in the world. So was the FBI, allegedly, as part of a Department of Justice investigation into why F1 denied the Andretti organisation expansion into the series. F1 currently has 10 teams that field 20 cars and only one -- the organisation owned by California businessman Gene Haas -- is an American team. Las Vegas marks the third race this season in the United States, more than any other country, as F1 has exploded in American popularity over the last five...

CLEVELAND -- Though the Cleveland Browns snapped the Pittsburgh Steelers' five-game winning streak with a 24-19 win Thursday night, Steelers wide receiver George Pickens downplayed the Browns' abilities and blamed the loss on heavy snow that fell throughout the game. "Conditions played a huge, huge part in today's game," Pickens said. "I don't really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kind of saved them today." Pickens had an opportunity to make a late touchdown catch, but the receiver said he and Wilson couldn't connect in the end zone because of the snow. "The snow, the conditions were so bad," he said. "I don't even think the QB could see sometimes. And when you got conditions like that, at the opponents' home field, it kind of plays in their favor." Pickens, who finished with four catches on seven targets for 48 yards, also blamed officials for the loss. He took issue with officials not calling pass interference...

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is part of the ownership group trying to bring an NWSL expansion team to Cincinnati. Cincinnati is one of a handful of finalists bidding for an NWSL expansion team that is expected to be awarded before the end of the year. The team would begin play in 2026, joining a previously announced expansion team in Boston to bring the NWSL to 16 teams. "The NWSL Cincinnati bid team is thrilled that Caitlin Clark has joined our ownership group in pursuit of bringing a women's professional soccer team to our city," the NWSL Cincinnati bid team said in a statement to ESPN. "Her passion for the sport, commitment to elevating women's sports in and around the Greater Cincinnati region, and influence as an athlete and role model for women and girls around the world, make her a vital part of our compelling bid to become the 16th team in the NWSL." Clark was selected first in the WNBA draft this year by the Fever after breaking the NCAA scoring record at...

Five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300 recruiting rankings, has flipped his commitment from LSU to  Michigan, he confirmed on social media Thursday. Underwood announced the news with a video posted to Instagram with the caption "Hometown Hero." Underwood, a 6-foot-4, 210-pounder from Belleville, Michigan, is the top pocket passer in the class. With his flip, he becomes the highest-rated offensive commit in Michigan program history and the top prospect in Sherrone Moore's inaugural recruiting class, which currently sits at No. 14 in ESPN's team rankings for the 2025 cycle. Underwood's move comes as the latest piece of seismic quarterback movement atop the 2025 class ahead of the start of the early signing period Dec. 4. Five-star quarterback  Julian Lewis decommitted from USC on Nov. 17 and subsequently pledged to Colorado earlier Thursday. Committed to LSU since Jan....

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The status of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers remains uncertain after a second straight day of limited participation in practice. Purdy, who is dealing with soreness in his right (throwing) shoulder, was on the practice field during the early portion of Thursday's session open to reporters. He did some light throwing in the first couple of periods before he walked into the weight room. He did not return to the practice field for the rest of the time that reporters were allowed to observe and then did not hold his usual Thursday afternoon news conference. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan told KNBR Radio in San Francisco that Purdy actually progressed from Wednesday to Thursday but made it clear there are still hurdles to clear for Purdy to play at Green Bay. "He was still limited today," Shanahan said Thursday. "He didn't do as much yesterday, did a little bit more today but by no...

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is part of the ownership group trying to bring an NWSL expansion team to Cincinnati, a source has told ESPN. Cincinnati is one of a handful of finalists bidding for an NWSL expansion team that is expected to be awarded before the end of the year. The team would begin play in 2026, joining a previously announced expansion team in Boston to bring the NWSL to 16 teams. Clark was selected first in the WNBA draft this year by the Fever after breaking the NCAA scoring record at the University of Iowa. She won WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2024 and became the first rookie since Candace Parker in 2008 to make the All-WNBA First Team. The ownership group of MLS team FC Cincinnati is leading the bid. Also in contention are groups from Cleveland, Denver, Nashville and Philadelphia. Cincinnati is considered one of the favorites in the process due to its ownership backing and existing infrastructure, sources told ESPN, with a stadium already purpose-built...

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge make up the pinnacle of their profession, baseball's two biggest stars representing its two most prestigious franchises. Their meeting in last month's World Series solidified it -- and their latest honor commemorated it. Ohtani and Judge captured the Most Valuable Player awards in their respective leagues Thursday, both doing so unanimously. Ohtani won his third in four years, all of them coming by unanimous vote. Judge's second -- which comes two years after he edged Ohtani for the American League honor with a home-run-record-breaking season -- came on the heels of one of the best offensive performances in baseball history. And yet the exploits of Judge's season somehow paled in comparison to what his National League counterpart accomplished over the past 12 months. In that time, Ohtani signed an unprecedented $700 million contract, became the first 50/50 player in baseball history, helped his Los Angeles Dodgers defeat Judge's ...

Robert Kraft, the six-time Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots owner considered a favorite for the 2025 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has been passed over again by the Hall's contributor committee, sources told ESPN. Instead, the nine-member committee, which each year advances one name for consideration by all 50 Hall voters, chose Ralph Hay, a co-founder of the National Football League and the owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918 to 1922, five sources with knowledge of the decision told ESPN this week. The contributor committee's decision was made Nov. 12 and is expected to be announced by the Hall of Fame next month. Hay, along with one coaching candidate and three candidates from an earlier NFL era whose names still have not been revealed, will be considered by the full selection committee for the Hall in January 2025. In response to questions from ESPN, the Hall of Fame released a statement Thursday, saying the names of all the finalists will be...

Five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300 recruiting rankings, has flipped his commitment from LSU to  Michigan, he confirmed on social media Thursday. Underwood announced the news with a video posted to Instagram with the caption "Hometown Hero." The move comes amid a critical recruiting shake-up, especially at the quarterback position, just 13 days from the start of the early signing period. Underwood, a 6-foot-4, 210-pounder from Belleville, Michigan, is the top pocket passer in the class. With his flip, he becomes the highest-rated commit in Michigan program history and the top prospect in Sherrone Moore's inaugural recruiting class, which currently sits at No. 14 in ESPN's latest team rankings for the 2025 cycle. Underwood's move comes as the latest piece of seismic quarterback movement atop the 2025 class ahead of the start of the early signing period Dec. 4. Five-star quarterback  Julian...

Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George has a bone bruise in his left knee, and the team said Thursday he will miss at least two games.  According to the 76ers, an MRI showed no structural damage in George's knee. He will miss a pair of home games -- Friday versus the Brooklyn Nets and Sunday against his former team, the LA Clippers -- and then will be reevaluated Monday.  George hurt the knee early in the second half of Wednesday night's 117-111 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and did not return. It was the same knee that George hyperextended in the preseason, forcing him to miss the first five games of the regular season. The injury marked the latest setback for the Sixers, who had stars George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey together in the starting lineup for the first time in Memphis. Maxey was back in action after a six-game absence due to a hamstring injury. George had just two points on 1-of-6 shooting with four rebounds and...

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is expected to miss the next four to six weeks because of a fractured left fibula, the team announced Thursday. The injury pauses Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record. On Tuesday, the Capitals had said Ovechkin would be week-to-week with what was then described as a lower-body injury. He was expected to meet with team physicians Wednesday before getting a more complete diagnosis. The 39-year-old superstar left winger exited the team's 6-2 win Monday against the Utah Hockey Club after colliding with Utah forward Jack McBain. With 14:30 remaining in the third period, Ovechkin and McBain turned toward a loose puck before their left knees connected with each other. Ovechkin dropped to the ice where he was on his hands and a knee. He tried to balance himself to get up but remained on the ice for a few more seconds. A Capitals athletic trainer came onto the ice and helped escort Ovechkin, who...

Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George aggravated a bone bruise in his left knee, and the team said Thursday he will miss at least two games.  According to the 76ers, an MRI showed no structural damage in George's knee. He will miss a pair of home games -- Friday versus the Brooklyn Nets and Sunday against his former team, the LA Clippers -- and then will be reevaluated Monday.  George hurt the knee early in the second half of Wednesday night's 117-111 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and did not return. It was the same knee that George hyperextended in the preseason, forcing him to miss the first five games of the regular season. The injury marked the latest setback for the Sixers, who had stars George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey together in the starting lineup for the first time in Memphis. Maxey was back in action after a six-game absence due to a hamstring injury. George had just two points on 1-of-6 shooting with four...

FRISCO, Texas -- Speaking to the local media for the first time since his postgame comments against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 10 that seemed to question the work ethic of Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, pass rusher Micah Parsons apologized. On Thursday, Parsons said he wished he was clearer with his statement. "When I'm talking about 'here,' I'm thinking the Dallas Cowboys," Parsons said. "I was in middle school, elementary school when Mike McCarthy was with the Packers, and I have no reference to that. So, when I'm talking about here Dallas Cowboys and what was accomplished the most, I'm thinking about the guys, and I've only ever been here. So obviously no disrespect to [McCarthy's] career and what he's made for himself as one of the most winningest coaches. I could have done better. I was angry and I just didn't finish, and I wasn't as thoughtful as I usually am. I didn't think people would take that context the way it was. That's on me. I lost...

Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George will miss at least the next two games after an MRI showed no structural damage in his left knee, the team said. He'll be re-evaluated Monday. George hyperextended the knee early in the second half of Wednesday night's 117-111 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and did not return. He ended up with just two points on 1-of-6 shooting with four rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes. It was the same knee that George hyperextended in the preseason, forcing him to miss the first five games of the regular season. He'll now miss Friday's game against the Brooklyn Nets and Sunday's matchup against the LA Clippers.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- An emotional Daniel Jones spoke for the first time since being benched by the New York Giants in favor of Tommy DeVito and expressed regret for not producing enough victories, while also saying he's still processing his future. Jones has been the Giants' starting quarterback for much of the past six years. That changed Monday when he was informed of the decision by coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen that there would be a change at quarterback. Jones came to Thursday's news conference with a prepared statement in which he thanked the team but also articulated his disappointment. "There have been some great times, but of course we all wish there had been more of those," Jones said as part of his statement. "I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins. Nobody wanted to win more games worse than me and I gave everything I had on the field and in my preparation. Of course, this season has been...

Current No. 3 quarterback Daniel Jones lined up as a scout team safety in Thursday's practice in the surest sign to date that he's done with the New York Giants. Jones read a prepared statement, saying he wanted to make sure he clearly shared the words and sentiment he felt needed to be aired after losing the starting job to former undrafted free agent Tommy DeVito. In his first public comments on the decision made by head coach Brian Daboll after a team meeting on Monday, Jones spoke in the past tense about his time with the Giants (2-8), a strong signal that a professional divorce is imminent. "The opportunity to play for the New York Giants was truly a dream come true and I am extremely grateful ... for the chance to play here," Jones said Thursday. "The Giants are truly a first-class organization and I have nothing but genuine respect and appreciation for the people who built it and who help carry on the tradition. I've met so many special people and...

Pep Guardiola signed a new two-year contract to extend his stay as Manchester City boss, the club announced Thursday. Guardiola, 53, agreed to a deal that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2027. His contract was due to expire at the end of the current campaign. The extension means Guardiola will celebrate 10 years at City in the summer of 2026, having arrived from Bayern Munich in 2016. "Manchester City means so much to me," Guardiola said. "We have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons. "It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here. I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much. Hopefully now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus." City, according to sources, were concerned Guardiola...

The NFL issued a security alert to teams and the players' union on Thursday following recent burglaries involving the homes of  Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press and multiple other media outlets, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become "increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups." The NFL and other professional sports leagues received a briefing from the FBI last Friday, a source told ABC News. Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood. Burglars have entered through side doors, via...

Federal authorities are investigating whether former Temple men's basketball player Hysier Miller bet on his own games and manipulated the outcome of Owls games he played in, according to sources with direct knowledge of the situation. Miller, Temple's leading scorer last season, transferred to Virginia Tech during the offseason but was dismissed by the Hokies on Oct. 23 because of the federal investigation and an NCAA inquiry into Temple games, sources said. A regular-season Temple game drew attention for unusual betting activity in March. Miller never played a game for the Hokies. The school said at the time that his dismissal was "due to circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech." Asked for comment on the allegations, Miller's attorney, Jason P. Bologna of the law firm Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, gave ESPN a statement: "Hysier Miller has overcome more adversity in his 22 years than most people face in their lifetime. He will meet and...

NEW YORK -- For Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, the recent conclusion of Diamond Sports Group's bankruptcy created an "overwhelming sense of relief" with short-term certainty as the league eyes its long-term media rights plan. "I think the good news is that we did a pretty good job in terms of maximizing the economics for the clubs," Manfred said Wednesday during the owners meetings. "We never lost a game. And we have a lot of flexibility come 2028, which was our primary focus." A bankruptcy judge approved Diamond's reorganization plan last Thursday, setting the country's largest operator of regional sports networks to emerge from bankruptcy 20 months after initially filing for Chapter 11. Diamond moves forward with at least six MLB teams, while MLB, at the moment, possesses the local media rights -- linear TV rights and in-market, direct-to-consumer streaming rights -- for seven teams. The six clubs that negotiated new deals with Diamond -- the ...

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, projected as a top pick in the 2025 NFL draft, says he will be turning pro after the Buffaloes' season. Hunter, the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, had been widely expected to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL in 2025. ESPN's Mel Kiper lists Hunter, who plays both cornerback and wide receiver for Colorado, as the No. 1 prospect for the 2025 draft. "That's definitely for sure," Hunter said on a call with reporters Thursday. Hunter would like to play both positions at the next level. He has increased his production at wide receiver -- setting career highs for receptions (74), receiving yards (911) and receiving touchdowns (9) -- while recording three interceptions at corner and regularly logging more than 120 total snaps per game. "It's never been done," Hunter said of playing two positions full time in the modern NFL. "I understand that it will be a high risk, [teams] don't want their top pick to go down too early and I...

Midfielder Julian Gressel said Lionel Messi demanded Inter Miami CF reach higher standards, going as far as to label ties throughout the season as "unacceptable." "It's demanding [in the locker room with Messi]. You're talking about the player with the most wins in the history of the game," Gressel said on the "Major League Journeymen" podcast. "They're coming in and they're expecting the same, and you as a teammate, you kind of have to get accustomed to that and get used to that with Messi, [Luis] Suárez, [Sergio] Busquets and [Jordi] Alba. "It's unacceptable to tie a game, as simple as that. We tied a game earlier in the year and I remember him being really really upset in the locker room, he's like, 'We shouldn't tie, we can't tie.'" Gressel said at one point in the season, then-manager Gerardo Martino tried to step in and calm Messi down, telling him: "It's OK to draw sometimes, we can't just win everything, it's not how this league works." "But for...