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Nico Gonzalez could still leave Juventus in the final days of the transfer window, but the club have established clear conditions for any potential departure.
According to Fabrizio Romano, new Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti considers the Argentine forward an important option for his squad.
The New York Yankees enter the final month of the regular season with a comfortable position atop the American League wild-card race, putting them on course for October baseball in the Bronx.
However, manager Aaron Boone’s team has had to navigate a difficult summer, largely because of the prolonged absence of three-time MVP Aaron Judge. Judge has been sidelined since May 31 with a severe stress fracture in his right first rib, leaving a major hole in the Yankees’ lineup. Before the injury, he hit 17 home runs and posted a .907 OPS in his first 59 games of the season.
While the supporting cast has worked to keep New York competitive, the team’s hopes of making another World Series run depend heavily on getting its captain back before the postseason begins.
As the Yankees prepare for Judge’s expected return in September, the club faces a roster dilemma involving trade-deadline acquisition Luis García Jr. García has made an immediate impact in the Bronx, giving Boone a much-needed offensive boost during the most challenging part of the summer.
If the Yankees protect Judge by using him exclusively as the designated hitter because of concerns about his ribs, they could leave one of their hottest hitters without a regular place in the starting lineup.
The best way to keep García’s bat in the lineup while restoring Judge to the starting nine would be to return Judge to right field. Although protecting a player recovering from a serious injury remains a priority, putting Judge back in the field also makes strategic sense.
Judge is not a defensive liability. He has consistently ranked among Major League Baseball’s best defensive right fielders and provides a Gold Glove-caliber presence that can influence how opposing teams approach the bases.
Completely shielding a superstar from physical contact is also impossible in professional baseball. Judge could absorb an awkward jolt while sliding into a base or suffer a similar impact while tracking a ball in the gap. The Yankees therefore must balance careful injury management with the need to maximize their offensive firepower.
New York may prefer to use a slightly rusty Judge in right field rather than limit him to designated-hitter duties, which would disrupt the lineup and potentially force García out of the starting nine. That September decision could determine whether the Yankees remain playoff contenders or emerge as World Series champions.
Source: www.marca.com
After Sunday’s four-game slate, the WNBA will pause from August 31 through September 16 for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
Twelve WNBA stars, including Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson and Paige Bueckers, will represent the United States in Group D. The USA will face China on September 4, Italy on September 6 and Czechia on September 7.
When the WNBA season resumes, each team will have approximately three or four regular-season games remaining. Those games will primarily determine playoff seeding, as the eight postseason teams have already been confirmed: the Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics and Dallas Wings.
As the WNBA celebrates its 30th anniversary, the league is experiencing unprecedented media attention and television viewership. The surge has been driven largely by the cultural phenomenon surrounding Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
The two most-watched games in WNBA history came during the league’s inaugural 1997 season. The opening matchup between the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks attracted more than 5 million viewers, while the Phoenix Mercury’s game against the Charlotte Sting drew 3.59 million viewers the following day.
The Fever’s recent showdown with the Chicago Sky now ranks third all time. NBC reported that 3.31 million viewers watched the game.
Including that matchup, three of the WNBA’s 10 most-watched broadcasts ever have taken place this season, and all three featured Clark and the Fever. Before the season began, Indiana also made league history by becoming the first team to have 100% of its games televised nationally.
The Fever also occupy the sixth and seventh spots among the WNBA’s most-watched regular-season broadcasts. Indiana’s matchup with the Aces attracted 2.64 million viewers, while its game against the Dream drew 2.60 million.
After tonight’s game against the Connecticut Sun, who sit near the bottom of the league standings, the Fever will have four regular-season games remaining. The schedule concludes with a high-profile back-to-back series against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx.
With Clark and Indiana continuing to command a massive national audience, those late-season matchups could push the Fever even further up the WNBA’s all-time top-10 viewership list.
Source: www.marca.com
Crystal Palace are in direct negotiations to sign Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The 22-year-old is currently in London to hold talks with two interested clubs. Eintracht Frankfurt have given Larsson permission to negotiate with potential suitors.
Jerry Jones has made clear that he has no plans to step away from the Dallas Cowboys anytime soon. At 83, the longtime owner intends to remain involved for as long as he is able, creating an unusual succession challenge for his son, Stephen Jones.
Jones purchased the Cowboys for $140 million in 1989 and transformed the franchise into one of professional sports’ biggest commercial forces. Dallas is now valued at approximately $15.5 billion, according to Sportico, while Jones continues to hold the uncommon combination of owner, president and general manager.
“I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t,” Jones told The Athletic. “One day I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in.”
Despite acknowledging that he has “no succession plan,” Jerry Jones has already positioned the person most likely to inherit significant control. Stephen Jones has spent decades preparing for greater responsibility, overseeing contracts, personnel and salary-cap strategy.
Stephen has become one of the most influential figures in the Cowboys’ front office while working alongside his father and developing his own approach to running the team. Eventually, he will have to follow one of the most recognizable and influential owners in NFL history.
Former Cowboys stars Troy Aikman and Darren Woodson both expect Dallas to look noticeably different once Stephen becomes the organization’s primary voice.
“I’m not pushing Jerry out by any means, but when that day comes, it’s going to feel a lot different,” said Aikman.
The Hall of Fame quarterback believes Stephen’s lower-key personality could work in his favor. Unlike his father, Stephen does not appear to seek the same level of attention, a quality Aikman believes could benefit him.
Woodson anticipates another potential change. The former Dallas safety believes Jerry’s personal relationships with players can sometimes influence football decisions, giving certain veterans more room than they might receive elsewhere.
He expects Stephen to be less forgiving when difficult decisions must be made. That difference could become increasingly important when Stephen eventually takes charge, as he may be more likely to base decisions strictly on football and financial considerations rather than sentiment.
Such an approach could change how the Cowboys handle contracts, roster turnover and personnel decisions. However, Stephen’s biggest challenge may have little to do with football operations.
Jerry Jones has been the face and voice of the Cowboys for almost 40 years, making his eventual absence impossible to overlook. He has also rejected suggestions that the franchise could simply be sold, despite occasional speculation about outside investors.
The Cowboys are expected to remain within the Jones family, giving Stephen the opportunity to put his own stamp on the team. The transition, however, could be sudden.
England seized control of the second Test against Pakistan with a dominant day using both bat and ball, closing day two at 81-3 at Lord’s.
The hosts now hold a commanding lead of 261 runs, putting them in a strong position to secure victory in the match and move closer to a series win.
England’s seam quartet led the attack as the hosts produced an impressive all-round display. Pakistan face a difficult challenge after falling well behind England’s total by the end of the second day.
MATCH REPORT: Seam quartet puts England on verge of series win
Available to UK users only.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo’s high-profile broadcasting career is on indefinite pause following his July 23 arrest in Wisconsin, just weeks before the NFL regular season begins.
The 46-year-old CBS analyst, who finished his 14-year NFL career with 34,183 passing yards and 248 touchdowns, was placed on administrative leave by network executives on July 31. During Romo’s absence, former NFL superstar JJ. Watt has replaced him on CBS’ top broadcast team alongside legendary play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.
Bodycam footage from Tony Romo’s DWI arrest has been released as the legal proceedings continue.
The legal issues surrounding CBS’ lead NFL commentator intensified Thursday evening after court filings confirmed three formal citations related to the traffic stop.
Local authorities cited Romo for first-offense operating while intoxicated (OWI), an illegal passing maneuver on the right side of the roadway, and carrying open intoxicants inside his vehicle.
Romo’s court hearing is scheduled for September 21, meaning he is expected to remain out of the broadcast booth through at least the first three weeks of the NFL season.
Addressing the latest developments, a representative for Romo released a statement emphasizing accountability: “Tony accepts full responsibility for his actions and has taken proactive steps to ensure that this isolated civil matter is properly resolved. We are working with local authorities to bring this matter to a close, and we are communicating with CBS about next steps.”
Despite the statement, CBS Sports President David Berson has said the network has established no timetable for Romo’s potential return. The analyst therefore remains sidelined indefinitely as network executives monitor the case.
Romo’s extended absence has prompted sports media insiders to question whether he will reclaim his position on CBS’ primary NFL broadcast team. The stakes are significant because Romo signed a historic 10-year, $180 million contract with CBS in 2020, with $72 million reportedly remaining in compensation.
As CBS evaluates its long-term broadcasting plans and Watt steps into the spotlight alongside Nantz, Romo’s status as one of the NFL’s most prominent color commentators is facing serious uncertainty.
An 11-year-old football player has become a viral sensation after video footage showed him dominating a youth game with an extraordinary physical presence. Reportedly standing about 6-foot-4 (1.93 meters), the youngster towers over many of his opponents and appears more like an older teenager than an elementary school student.
The young player reportedly competes for the Naples Bears in a 12U youth football league. A highlight video featuring him quickly spread across social media, leaving viewers stunned by how physically imposing he appeared compared with the other children on the field.
In the footage, his size is immediately noticeable. He powers through defenders, shrugs off tackles and creates plays that appear almost effortless because of his considerable physical advantage. Several opponents look tiny beside him, adding to the video’s unusual and entertaining contrast.
The footage prompted widespread reactions from sports fans, many of whom initially questioned whether the player could really be 11 years old. Some social media users joked that he looked old enough to have a mortgage, while others speculated about whether college recruiters or name, image and likeness opportunities might already be interested in him.
Interest in the player grew after Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson joined the conversation. Jackson reacted to the viral footage on Instagram, joking that the 11-year-old looked more suited to an 18U competition than an under-12 league.
“11???? Bra 18U out there,”
Lamar wrote.
Jackson’s reaction helped push the striking footage to an even wider audience. However, there is an important caveat regarding the youngster’s reported measurements.
Reports identify him as an 11-year-old Naples Bears player, but the claim that he is exactly 6-foot-4 has not been independently verified. One report also suggested that the listed height may be somewhat exaggerated.
Regardless of whether the precise measurement is accurate, the child is clearly exceptionally large compared with his teammates and opponents. His physical presence has made his highlights particularly eye-catching and turned an ordinary youth football game into a major online talking point.
It is still far too early to predict how his football career will develop. Children grow and mature at different rates, and a physical advantage at age 11 does not automatically translate into success at higher levels of the sport.
Source: www.marca.com
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvey Safonov suffered a worrying incident during the warm-up before the team’s match against Lille, collapsing on the pitch after a collision.
According to Foot Mercato, the Russian goalkeeper collided with his goalkeeping coach before falling to the ground.
Joel Ordonez’s proposed move from Club Brugge to Crystal Palace is in danger after the defender’s medical, according to the BBC.
The 22-year-old reportedly has a metatarsal injury that is worse than Crystal Palace initially believed. The Premier League club is now considering whether to proceed with the transfer.