Cowboys and Saints fined $500,000 apiece by NFL after brawl-filled joint practice
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints have been fined $500,000 apiece by the NFL after their brawl-filled joint practice. The league announced the fines on Thursday after requesting video of the tumultuous workout at the Cowboys’ training camp base in Oxnard, California. Players on both teams threw punches during several skirmishes throughout the joint practice, which was conducted in uncommonly hot, humid weather. A lowlight of the brouhaha was Saints tight end Brock Rechsteiner’s body slam of Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson. Helmets and punches were thrown during several skirmishes.
NFL complains about changes by Nielsen to TV ratings measurements
The NFL is upset about changes made by Nielsen in its methodology for measuring viewership for the upcoming season, calling them “rushed” and saying they will have a negative impact on sports. Nielsen announced plans this week to change how it measures audiences on television, beginning on Aug. 31, including alterations to how the company measures whether multiple people are watching an event at the same time. The NFL is coming off one of its most successful seasons ever on television after Nielsen began using its Big Data + Panel methodology for all events last September. The league had its largest average audience since 1989.
Rory McIlroy makes quick turnaround for 5-way share of the lead at BMW as ailing Scheffler fades
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Rory McIlroy was feeling like his game was far away. That was four days ago. He looked much better in the BMW Championship with a 64 to be part of a five-way tie for the lead at Bellerive. The top of the leaderboard was filled with U.S. Open champions on a course that has been toughened by “Open Doctor” Rees Jones. That includes Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun and Gary Woodland sharing the lead, with Matt Fitzpatrick one back. Scottie Scheffler was under the weather and far away from the game that produced an eight-shot win last week. He shot 72.
Antonelli predicts an ‘exciting’ return for F1 as rain falls ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix
ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) — Max Verstappen is staying in Formula 1, the Dutch Grand Prix is leaving and there’s a long-awaited chance to see how this year’s cars cope in the rain. F1 returns from its mid-season break with a different sort of challenge for the drivers as persistent rain fell Friday morning as the Dutch Grand Prix gets under way with only a single practice session before heading straight into qualifying for Saturday’s sprint race.
Mondo can sing, too: Duplantis releases ‘Gold’ as anthem for Ultimate Championship
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Swedish pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis is singing about his favorite color in a promotion for the first Ultimate Championship. The two-time Olympic champion has released “Gold” with World Athletics on Friday as the anthem of the upcoming meet that boasts a total prize fund of $10 million. Ultimate Championship will be staged in Budapest from Sept. 11-13 showcasing Olympic, world and Diamond League champions over three evening sessions. Gold medalists in individual events will win $150,000. The 26-year-old Duplantis has dabbled in music for several years and released his first single, “Bop” in 2025.
Angel Reese has stunning perfect shooting night in the Dream’s 124-88 romp over the Sparks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Angel Reese had a stunning perfect shooting night after struggling recently to make even the shortest of shots, and the Atlanta Dream set a franchise record for points in a game in a 124-88 victory over the Los Angels Sparks on Thursday night. Reese was 9-for-9 from the field, hitting two 3-pointers, for 20 points and had 10 rebounds and eight assists for her WNBA-leading 25th double-double of the season. She had 18 points in the first half. Reese set a Dream record for field goals without a miss and became the third player in WNBA history with a 20-point double-double on 100% shooting. She’s four shy of Alyssa Thomas’ WNBA double-double record of 28 set in 2023.
Does baseball need even more technology for plays like Pete Alonso’s disputed fly ball?
BALTIMORE (AP) — Pete Alonso’s deep fly was ruled foul, and the call stood after a review in Baltimore’s 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night. That led to plenty of outcry — and calls for baseball to use technology to evaluate possible home runs near the foul pole. It doesn’t sound like that is imminent. A person with knowledge of the issue said if baseball were to start using additional technology on fly balls like these, it would have to be developed, tested and installed by MLB. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Jury says The New York Times defamed Alabama basketball player with incorrect story about shooting
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama jury finds The New York Times defamed a college basketball player by incorrectly reporting that he was at the scene of a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa. Jurors on Thursday awarded $9.25 million in damages. Kai Spears, who played for the University of Alabama men’s team, sued the Times in 2023 after it published a report that falsely indicated he was a passenger in a car involved in the shooting. An attorney for Spears says the verdict will improve journalism throughout the country. A Times spokesperson calls the verdict not supported by evidence and says the newspaper is reviewing its legal options.
James Harden agrees to 3-year, $97-million contract to remain with Cavaliers, AP sources say
Two people close to the situation tell The Associated Press that James Harden has agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because it has not been announced. The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season as well as a trade kicker. Harden declined his $42.3 million player option for the upcoming season, but he indicated after the Cavaliers were swept in four games by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals that he would like to return.
Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte will move to 10-day injured list after mysterious absence
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte will be transferred to the 10-day injured list from the restricted list, three days after he failed to show up for a game in Boston. General manager Mike Hazen confirmed Thursday that Marte is headed to the injured list and will return once he’s healthy, which The Arizona Republic and MLB.com first reported. The three-time All-Star traveled back to Phoenix for tests on his left knee on Tuesday. Manager Torey Lovullo said he has struggled to get information from the veteran slugger throughout the process.