NFL on the verge of selling media assets to ESPN for an equity stake in the network, AP sources say
The NFL and ESPN are expected to announce an agreement that would give the the league an equity stake in the sports network. People familiar with the transaction called it a multibillion-dollar deal. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been finalized. It was first reported by The Athletic. The NFL and ESPN had no comment. The NFL has been trying to sell its media properties for nearly five years. ESPN would gain access to the RedZone channel, NFL Network and additional games. ESPN plans to launch a direct-to-consumer service soon, offering access to all its programs for $29.99 per month.
Cowboys star edge rusher Micah Parsons requests trade and says team won’t negotiate
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Micah Parsons has requested a trade from the Dallas Cowboys while suggesting the club has refused to negotiate a new contract for the star edge rusher. Parsons reported to training camp in California with the Cowboys last week and tried to stay upbeat in a meeting with reporters. His tone changed dramatically in a message posted on X. Parsons wrote, “I no longer want to be here.” Parsons finished the lengthy note by saying he had told executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones he wanted to be traded.
Padres make waves at trade deadline again, unafraid to deal away one of baseball’s top prospects
General manager A.J. Preller has once again made the San Diego Padres the stars of baseball’s trade deadline. On Thursday, he traded top prospect Leo De Vries to the Athletics for closer Mason Miller. This follows Preller’s 2022 acquisition of Juan Soto. By the deadline, Preller had traded 14 players and acquired eight, including left-handers JP Sears and Nestor Cortés. Houston and Seattle were also buyers this year, while Minnesota tore down its roster. Arizona had two of the best trade chips on the market in Eugenio Suárez and Merrill Kelly, trading the former to Seattle and the latter to Texas.
Newcomers Helsley, Rogers and Mullins join Mets in the thick of a pennant race
NEW YORK (AP) — Pitchers Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers and outfielder Cedric Mullins jumped into a pennant race when they joined the National League-East leading New York Mets in search of the franchise’s first championship since 1986. The Mets, who fell to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in last year’s NLCS, entered Friday with a half-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bristol Motor Speedway set to host Tennessee’s first MLB game with record crowd
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) — Bristol Motor Speedway is ready to make history again by hosting the first Major League Baseball game in Tennessee. The stage or racetrack in this case has been set for Saturday night for the biggest crowd ever at a regular season baseball game at the MLB Speedway Classic Bristol Motor Speedway is ready to make history again by hosting the first Major League Baseball game in Tennessee. Seeing the venue on paper is one thing. What MLB has done tucking a baseball field inside the infield of the half-mile bullring at Bristol is impressive even with a Sunoco sign can be seen in one corner.
Phillies hoping Jhoan Duran’s 100 mph fastball and Harrison Bader’s defense lead to a World Series
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Harrison Bader and Jhoan Duran have joined the Phillies, adding depth as the team chases a pennant. Bader, a strong defender and 2021 Gold Glove winner, will platoon in center field with Brandon Marsh. Duran, known for his 100.2 mph fastball, is set as the closer. He has 16 saves and a 2.01 ERA this season. Phillies manager Rob Thomson plans a double-platoon in the outfield. The Phillies are facing alternating right- and left-handed pitchers over the next six games. Duran’s addition strengthens a bullpen that includes Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering.
Washington Commanders’ return to DC clears another hurdle with preliminary council approval
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Commanders’ plan to return to the site of their former home at RFK Stadium has cleared another significant hurdle. The District of Columbia Council approved legislation on Friday, but it still needs a second approval before reaching Mayor Muriel Bowser. The Commanders, currently playing in Maryland, aim to open a new venue by 2030. The ownership group has been exploring locations in Washington, Maryland and Virginia since buying the team in 2022. Congress transferred the RFK Stadium land to the city in January, paving the way for redevelopment.
Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson arrested for incident at Washington airport involving boyfriend
Reigning 100-meter world champion Sha’Carri Richardson was arrested last weekend for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend at the Seattle Tacoma Airport. Richardson was charged Sunday with fourth degree domestic violence, according to the police report obtained by The Associated Press. On Thursday, she ran in the opening round the women’s 100 meters at U.S. track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon. She has an automatic bye to the world championships as the defending champion. The police report said an officer at the airport was notified by a Transportation Security Administration supervisor of a disturbance between the 25-year-old Richardson and her boyfriend, sprinter Christian Coleman.
Carlos Correa is back with the Astros — this time at third base
BOSTON (AP) — Carlos Correa has returned to the Houston Astros. Correa was a beloved player during his first stint with the Astros, helping them win their first World Series. With the Twins struggling in the standings, he waived his no-trade clause to return to Houston. The Twins got minor-league pitcher Matt Mikulski. The also acquired outfielder Jesús Sánchez at Thursday’s trade deadline. He was in the lineup Friday night batting third. Correa was at third base and batting cleanup.
2-time defending champion Jessica Pegula upset by Sevastova in 3rd round in Montreal
MONTREAL (AP) — Two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula was eliminated in the third round of the National Bank Open, falling 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to Anastasija Sevastova on Friday. Sevastova, a 35-year-old from Latvia who was ranked 11th in 2018 but has fallen to 386th, broke the third-seeded Pegula six times on 10 chances. In the night session, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek of Poland routed Eva Lys of Germany 6-2, 6-2. The second-seeded Swiatek advanced to face 16th-seeded Clara Tauson of Denmark, a 6-3, 6-0 winner over Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva. Sevastova is the lowest-ranked player to beat a top-10 player since Angelique Kerber edged Jelena Ostapenko last year at Indian Wells. Sevastova will take on Naomi Osaka of Japan, a 6-2, 6-4 winner over Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia.