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          <title>TopStory Stories</title>
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          <description>FieldLevelMedia TopStory Stories</description>
          <copyright>Field Level Media 2026 - All Rights Reserved</copyright>
          <language>en-us</language>
          <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:09:27 -04:00</pubDate>
          <lastBuildDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:09:27 -04:00</lastBuildDate>
          <managingEditor>jreynolds@fieldlevelmedia.com (Jeff Reynolds)</managingEditor>
          <webMaster>jreynolds@fieldlevelmedia.com (Jeff Reynolds)</webMaster>
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               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <category>celebrity</category>
               <title>Messi doubts playing 'for much longer' after father's death</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263558</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Soccer legend Lionel Messi doubts his playing career will last "much longer" following the recent death of his father.

Jorge Messi died on Saturday at the age of 68 after being hospitalized during this summer's World Cup.

Lionel Messi, 39, posted a statement on social media on Wednesday saying he "does not know how to carry on."

"All I ever did was play football, and now I have a fair few doubts as to whether I'll carry on doing it for much longer," the Inter Miami forward wrote. "You were by my side from the start, we were so close to the end (of his career). Why didn't you hang on just that little bit longer so we could finish it together?"

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner as the world's greatest player, currently is in his fourth season with Miami. Last season, he led the team to its first MLS Cup championship and won his second straight league MVP award.

Messi returned to Miami and came off the bench on Wednesday to play the second half for the Herons in a Leagues Cup home match vs. Club Leon. Messi had three shot on goal but didn't score as Inter Miami lost 3-2 and was eliminated from the opportunity to advance in the competition. 

The Argentina native is under contract with Inter Miami through 2028, earning a reported base salary of $25 million per campaign.

Jorge Messi played a significant role in his son's development and his professional career, having served as his agent and business manager.

The full text of Messi's emotional post:

"Dad, I still can't believe you're gone. I can't get my head round it -- or rather, I don't want to. It's so hard for me to imagine that I won't see you ever again, that we won't talk anymore. I know you were suffering and that this is for the best, but you left us far too soon. We still had so much left to enjoy together.

"You kept asking me to play in the last World Cup, and it was just days before it started that you took a turn for the worse. It was the first time you weren't going to be at a tournament, but Mum kept telling me you'd get better and that you'd be well enough to travel. I'd tell you that we'd make it to the final so you could travel.

"Every time a match ended, I'd wait for your message and miss it. That's when I realized the situation was really bad. Even so, I couldn't stop thinking about getting as far as possible, to give you time to watch a match. We reached the final and you couldn't be there. I wanted to win it so I could take it to you and show you another trophy. I couldn't do it, my legs wouldn't carry me any further. This time I tried to go against my physical limits, but I couldn't. I never managed to feel right.

"When I got back, you thought we'd lost the final on penalties. We couldn't talk about any of what had happened. You couldn't enjoy any of it. We didn't win the title, but you have no idea how much we enjoyed every match. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play.

"I'm telling you this because it was the only thing we couldn't talk about, because you already know all the rest. We spoke every day and saw each other whenever we could, depending on my commitments.

"I don't know what I'm going to do without you, I don't know how to carry on. All I ever did was play football, and now I have a fair few doubts as to whether I'll carry on doing it for much longer. You were by my side from the start, we were so close to the end (of his career). Why didn't you hang on just that little bit longer so we could finish it together?

"I know that your happiness came from seeing your family doing well -- your wife and your children, and above all, without the others finding out, watching me play ... (winking emoji)

"Ever since I was a little boy, it was always like that. You'd take me to every training session as soon as you got home from work. Mum used to take me to a lot of them because you were working.

"Of course, you never missed a single match. How you suffered watching me and how you enjoyed it, even though you never showered me with praise.

"You were a dad, a friend and a representative. You were always the person you needed to be at every moment, and you never got anything wrong. Despite the odd reproach or argument, you were always right. In the end, things always turned out as you said they would.

"I'm going to miss you so much, but you'll always be present, and above all in bringing up my children, because I'm teaching and raising them as you both did with me.

"Rest in peace and look after us from up there, just as you did here. Thank you for everything.

"I love you, dad."

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:07:01 -04:00</pubDate>
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                    <media:title>MLS: Leagues Cup Phase One-CF Monterrey at Inter Miami FC</media:title>
                    <media:description>Aug 8, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; Inter Miami fans at the Leagues Cup Phase One match against Monterrey at Nu Stadium send condolences to Lionel Messi following the passing of his father. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Jim Rassol-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>inter miami messi</media:keywords>
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               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Jessica Pegula says WTA genetic testing has begun</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263594</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The Women's Tennis Association made waves when it announced it would begin genetic sex testing of its athletes. The rollout thus far has been less dramatic, falling under the press' radar.

On Wednesday, Jessica Pegula confirmed to Front Office Sports that testing has begun at the Cincinnati Open, which gets underway Thursday.

The world's No. 3 player had previously offered that she thought testing could begin this week. On Wednesday, she stated that it had indeed begun.

The WTA in July changed its eligibility policy to require athletes to submit to a one-time genetic gender test to establish eligibility.

Players will now be required to be tested for the SRY gene, which helps determine biological sex. The test can be administered via cheek swab or blood test.

"The WTA recognizes that this is a sensitive and complex issue and is committed to treating all players with dignity and implementing the policy in a respectful and thoughtful way," a WTA spokesperson told Reuters.

Previous policy allowed transgender women the ability to compete if their testosterone level was lowered past a specific threshold for more than two years prior to participation, though no known transgender women are currently active in professional tennis.

Earlier this month, American standout Coco Gauff expressed appreciation for a commitment to fairness, but misgivings about people's motivations in using the testing as an attack on the trans community.

"I do not like the attack that it is creating," Gauff said. "People who don't really care but just want to use this as a reason to attack the trans community, so I'm not really a big fan of that.

"As far as where I stand, I definitely support the trans community, but I also support the need of creating fairness in sport, too."

The International Olympic Committee adopted a similar policy involving a one-time test earlier this spring. Other sports organizations to adopt the testing have included the World Athletics federation and World Boxing federation.

Current and former pros have voiced their support and opposition to such testing, with critics arguing that it is discriminatory.

Martina Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam champion and gay rights proponent, has spoken in opposition to the inclusion of transgender athletes, as has current world No. 1 player Aryna Sabalenka.

Yet Billie Jean King, famous for once winning the "battle of the sexes" in 1973, has described exclusion of transgender athletes as discrimination.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:53:23 -04:00</pubDate>
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                    <media:title>Tennis: National Bank Open</media:title>
                    <media:description>Aug 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Jessica Pegula (USA) hits a ball to Diana Shnaider (not pictured) during the fourth round at the National Bank Open at Sobeys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Jessica Pegula</media:keywords>
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               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Greensboro event gets new sponsor; elevated to top-tier status </title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263590</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[It did not take long for the venerable PGA Tour event in Greensboro, N.C. to procure a new sponsor.

Wednesday, the tour announced that Raymond James, a wealth management company located in St. Petersburg, Fla. will replace Wyndham as the title sponsor of the event in 2027.

Michael Brennan just captured the final Wyndham Open on Sunday. 

The PGA tour has stopped in Greensboro every year since 1938, when the tournament started as the Greater Greensboro Open. Wyndham began its 20-year sponsorship in 2007, but did not attempt to renew its agreement.

The event will have a new name -- GO by Raymond James -- and will be one of roughly two dozen tournaments which will be a part of the top-tier PGA Tour Championship Series by 2028 as part of a multi-year agreement.

The GO by Raymond James will remain in its current spot on the tour calendar, with play taking place Aug. 5-8, 2027 at its current home, Greensboro's Sedgefield Country Club.

Raymond James also holds naming rights for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers' stadium through 2027.

"The PGA Tour's Greensboro event has one of the richest histories in men's professional golf, and we are proud to continue building on its longstanding legacy and local charitable impact with the support of our new partners at Raymond James," said Dhruv Prasad, PGA Tour chief commercial officer in a statement. "Greensboro has supported the PGA Tour for nearly nine decades, and we are excited to launch this new chapter by bringing the best players in the world to the Piedmont Triad region."

Five other PGA Tour events -- the Sompo Championship, The Sentry, the Travelers Championship, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Cadillac Championship -- have secured spots for the 2028 Championship Series.

Current Signature events, including the Truist Championship, RBC Heritage and Genesis Invitational, are expected to secure their spots for 2028.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 19:23:40 -04:00</pubDate>
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               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-731nw/24977964.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="731">
                    <media:title>Syndication: Florida Times-Union</media:title>
                    <media:description>PGA Tour logo sign is shown at the PGA Tour Grill Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 at Jacksonville International Airport in Jacksonville, Fla.</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>pga tour logo</media:keywords>
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               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Triple-double king Russell Westbrook announces retirement</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263583</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Triple-double king and former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook announced his retirement after 18 seasons on Wednesday via social media.

"Sometimes you don't even know when you've already watched the end. You had to be there. And now it's over," Westbrook wrote on his social media post.

Westbrook's decision was announced during a 3 1/2-minute video. He didn't respond to any of the questions by the narrator but the theme made it clear Westbrook was leaving on his own terms.

At the end of the video, the screen read: "The greatest thing he left behind couldn't fit inside a museum. It never had to be said."

Westbrook, 37, recorded 209 triple-doubles, including a record 42 during his stellar 2016-17 MVP season. He averaged a career-high 31.6 points to go with 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists that season to become the first player since the legendary Oscar Robertson (1961-62) to average a triple-double over a full season.

A nine-time All-Star, he ranks fifth all-time in career assists (10,351) and 14th in scoring (27,176). Westbrook led the NBA in assists three times and scoring twice.

In 2021, Westbrook was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. He was named All-Star Game MVP in consecutive seasons (2015, 2016) and won a gold medal with the United States in the 2012 Olympics in London. 

He averaged 20.9 points, 8.0 assists and 6.9 rebounds in 1,301 regular-season games with seven franchises. 

In 135 career playoff games, Westbrook averaged 22.5 points, 7.1 assists and 6.7 rebounds.

Westbrook was selected fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2008 NBA Draft and the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City before his rookie season.

Westbrook spent 11 seasons with the franchise and teamed with Kevin Durant to make the Thunder one of the top teams in the NBA. Oklahoma City reached the NBA Finals in 2012 -- when James Harden was also on the club -- before losing to the Miami Heat.

Westbrook made eight of his All-Star appearances with the Thunder. His other was when he averaged 27.2 points for the Houston Rockets in 2019-20, his lone season with the club.

"Russell Westbrook is the ultimate competitor," Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. "His internal belief and unbridled fearlessness helped establish the foundation of our organization from day one in 2008 and he elevated the confidence and inspired our community in every year thereafter. 

"Russell will be as successful in his life after basketball as he was during his career because his qualities and gifts transfer. His impact on our community is still felt today, and he is beloved for his devotion as much as his talent. 

"He built a Hall of Fame career not by making statements or simply by breaking records, he did it by showing us all the power of asking one simple question: Why Not?"

Westbrook bounced around to five teams over his last six seasons. He averaged 15.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in 64 games (58 starts) for the Sacramento Kings last season.

Westbrook was a college star at UCLA before leaving for the NBA after two seasons. He was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 19:09:50 -04:00</pubDate>
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                    <media:title>NBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings</media:title>
                    <media:description>Apr 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Russell Westbrook</media:keywords>
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               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Browns will start QB Deshaun Watson in preseason opener vs. Bears</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263591</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Deshaun Watson will start the preseason opener at quarterback when the Cleveland Browns visit the Chicago Bears on Saturday.

First-year Browns coach Todd Monken told reporters Wednesday that Watson will play the first half against the Bears. Shedeur Sanders will start the second half.

In the second preseason game on Aug. 22, Sanders will start against the visiting Buffalo Bills and play the first half. Watson will start the second half of that game.

"I'm super excited," the injury plagued Watson said. "All the hard work that I put in with the training staff, with my team, my personal team, to get to this stage has been tremendous for me. So, I'm super excited for those opportunities and can't wait for it."

Monken said he wants both quarterbacks to get an opportunity to handle a two-minute situation.

"I have my reasons for how it's going to go, and it's still a competition," Monken said. "We're excited to watch guys practice (Wednesday), let alone (play) on Saturday, and then next week against Buffalo, and we'll get a chance to see them both. Every week we'll assess it.

"It'll be a little bit more difficult with the player that doesn't play as much this week or the other quarterbacks, right? We'll be able to assess the quarterback that started and how he played and when the other quarterbacks came in and then the opposite will be next week against Buffalo."

Watson, who turns 31 next month, was traded from the Houston Texans to the Browns prior to the 2022 season. Cleveland subsequently awarded him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal.

He ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Week 7 of the 2024 season and later re-tore it three months later and had a second surgery which knocked him out of the 2025 season. He also had his career derailed by an 11-game suspension in 2022 tied for sexual misconduct allegations involving more than two dozen massage therapists.

In 19 games with Cleveland, he has a 9-10 record and has thrown 19 touchdowns and been intercepted 12 times.

Earlier in his career, Watson was a Pro Bowl selection three straight seasons (2018-20) for the Texans. He passed for career highs of 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2020.

Now he's trying to revive his once-promising career.

"I've seen a lot of really good things over the course of the four or five months I've been here," Monken said of Watson. "I think he's done a lot of really good things athletically, making plays that we're going to get a chance to see, because we're not live. We'll see if that comes to play when we get out there and go."

Sanders, 24, was a fifth-round draft pick last season and went 3-4 as a starter while playing eight games. He passed for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions and was named to the Pro Bowl after other quarterbacks withdrew.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:53:57 -04:00</pubDate>
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               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29561487.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>Syndication: Akron Beacon Journal</media:title>
                    <media:description>Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) attempts to throw a pass during day 12 of training camp, Aug. 11, 2026, in Berea, Ohio.</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Andrew Dolph / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>deshaun watson</media:keywords>
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               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Tua Tagovailoa will start Falcons' preseason opener but no QB1 named</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263576</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The Atlanta Falcons have named a starting quarterback, but only for their preseason opener.

Atlanta coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa will start the Falcons' first preseason game against the visiting Denver Broncos on Friday. He added, though, that the quarterback battle between Tagovailoa and incumbent starter Michael Penix Jr., who still hasn't been fully cleared after sustaining a torn ACL last November, still hasn't been decided.

"Looking forward to Tua getting his first action in the game in this system," Stefanski said. "There's a lot of newness for him as well, in terms of that kind of thing, first time in the building for him as a Falcon. Just understanding all the things that go with it."

Tagovailoa signed a vet-minimum one-year, $1.215 million contract with the Falcons in March after he was released by the Miami Dolphins, who took on nearly a $100 million salary-cap hit in dead money over the next two seasons by releasing him.

The former first-round pick (fifth overall) in 2020 completed 68% of his passes for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions over six seasons with the Dolphins.

Penix, a first-round pick (eighth overall) in 2024 by Atlanta, has completed 59.6% of his passes for 2,757 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions over 14 games (12 starts) over two seasons with the Falcons.

He's been practicing in a limited capacity during training camp, but Stefanski said he still won't be cleared for 11-on-11 drills in next week's joint practice against the Indianapolis Colts.

Stefanski said the starters will play approximately 10 plays in the opening preseason game, with Tagovailoa set to be followed by veteran Cooper Rush and undrafted free agent Jack Strand at quarterback.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:16:27 -04:00</pubDate>
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               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-735nw/29207755.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="735">
                    <media:title>NFL: Atlanta Falcons Minicamp</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jun 16, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa (1) and  Michael Penix Jr. (9) on the field during Minicamp. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>tagovailoa, penix</media:keywords>
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               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>With Man-U debut ahead, Youri Tielemans still talking Belgium-U.S.</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263572</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Even as his Manchester United debut draws near, Youri Tielemans is still fielding inquiries on the drama of the summer when he helped lead Belgium to a resounding 4-1 victory over the United States in a round-of-16 match at the World Cup.

Tielemans' sentiment remains as it was then, that FIFA's decision to rescind a one-game suspension to the United States' Folarin Balogun lit a fire under the Belgium team and led to a victory that never was in question.

"The celebrations afterwards were nice and funny and it was all good," Tielemans said from Ireland this week, where Manchester United was training ahead of their match on Wednesday against Leeds United at Dublin. "We were surprised by the decision to revert the red card and his suspension."

Even as Belgium advanced, the controversy over FIFA's decision lingered. Had the United States been able to pull off a victory with Balogun on the field, those "nice and funny" feelings would have been much different.

"Now, for us, it did not really change anything other than the preparation leading up to the game because it is a different type of player than the other player that was meant to play," Tielemans said. "But other than that, we were very calm and we just accepted our fate and tried to have a good game."

More than one month after the July 6 victory it was much easier to assess the mood of the Belgium team as "calm." Tielemans was a bit more fiery in the aftermath of the victory.

"I'm not going to hide it: we had a meeting when we got the news (that Balogun would play), and we said we would have to respond on the pitch," Tielemans said at the time. "We really had a lot of anger and a great desire to start the match well, something we had been lacking at the start of the tournament."

Of primary concern to Tielemans now is his health. He did not play in the World Cup quarterfinal against eventual champion Spain because of injury. He also missed time over two stretches last season when he played for Aston Villa.

Manchester United is now his third English Premier League side after also playing for Leicester City from 2019-23.

"Unfortunately, my body is, when it does not go well, then I will know straight away and I will alert the manager, but it does not happen often," the 29-year-old said.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:31:10 -04:00</pubDate>
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                    <media:title>Soccer: FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group G - Belgium v Egypt</media:title>
                    <media:description> June 15, 2026; Seattle, Washington, U.S.; Belgium's Youri Tielemans reacts after the match.  Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images </media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Steven Bisig-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Youri Tielemans reacts</media:keywords>
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               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>Preview</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Field set to drink in drama as playoffs begin at St. Jude Championship</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263571</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The heat is on both figuratively and literally at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, beginning Thursday at TPC Southwind in Memphis.

It is the first leg of the three-week FedEx Cup playoffs, where the 69 players still alive will try to make it to the Tour Championship and win the season-long crown at East Lake in Atlanta. 

A total of 70 players qualified for the playoff opener, although Daniel Berger did not enter due to injury. Berger was ranked No. 60 in the FedEx Cup standings.

For the remainder, keeping cool will be key. Memphis' annual spot on the PGA Tour calendar means the field will be subjected to incredible heat, perhaps even more than usual. High temperatures during the tournament range from 99 to 103 degrees.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory at least through Friday with Thursday's humidity creating a heat index of 110 degrees.

"You can only drink so much water out on the course without getting waterlogged," World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler said. "That's something that we actually experience at home (in Texas) depending on, if I take a break to eat lunch and go back out and chug a bunch of water, you can get waterlogged.

"A lot of the hydration is something you have to focus on beforehand, and it's not necessarily water, it's a lot of electrolytes and stuff like that. The heat is something you really have to prepare for ahead of time."

Scheffler enters the playoffs No. 1 in the FedEx Cup standings despite just one tournament victory back in January. He placed second five times and third at two more events.

Behind him, the rest of the top five are Matt Fitzpatrick of England, followed by Americans Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark and Chris Gotterup, all of whom have won multiple tournaments this season.

Winning the St. Jude awards 750 FedEx Cup points, with the top 50 in the standings after Sunday qualified to play in next week's BMW Championship at Bellerive in St. Louis.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy did not play the St. Jude last year, and he didn't have to, based on his place in the points standings. He's 12th this season and comfortably in the zone to qualify for next week but will tee it up in Memphis this year.

McIlroy hasn't played since the Open Championship, taking off the final three weeks of the regular season.

"I think having four weeks off going into the last two events of the year was probably going to be a little too much for me in terms of wanting to be competitive," McIlroy said. "... Obviously I want to play well, but it's also a good week to just see where my game is, do a lot of practice, or as much as I can in the heat.

"Yeah, I think it's important to be here. It's the Tour's playoffs, and I think it's important for all the players to be here. I've had some good conversations with (CEO) Brian Rolapp over the last couple weeks. Yeah, I think it's important for me to be here and show support and looking forward to teeing it up."

Last year in Memphis, Justin Rose of England defeated J.J. Spaun with a birdie putt on the third playoff hole after they tied at 16-under-par 264 at the par-70, 7,288-yard course.

"The course is, I think, not there for the taking this year, but I feel like the rough is possibly a little down, and greens at the moment are relatively soft," Rose said.

While Rose remains elite at 46 years old, the PGA Tour has been a young man's game in recent weeks. The final three regular-season events were won by Jackson Koivun (21), Michael Thorbjornsen (24) and Michael Brennan (24). All three qualified for the playoffs.

Koivun grabbed the 70th and final spot, while Brennan's Wyndham Championship title on Sunday vaulted him from outside the top 100 to 47th in the standings.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:59:59 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263571.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/26835657.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>PGA: FedEx St. Jude Championship - Final Round</media:title>
                    <media:description>Aug 10, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Scottie Scheffler putts on the 18th green during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Steve Roberts-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Scottie Scheffler St. Jude</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/26835657.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Change of heart has Rory McIlroy back in playoff opener</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263569</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Rory McIlroy is back in Memphis this week, one year after he bypassed the opening round of the PGA Tour playoffs in favor of some rest.

McIlroy said his inclusion at this year's FedEx St. Jude Championships is a nod to not having played in recent weeks, but he also admitted to having some conversations with PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp leading up to the tournament that begins Thursday at TPC Southwind.

At No. 2 in the FedExCup standings last year when the playoffs began, McIlroy knew he was not in danger of falling out of the top 50 that qualified for the second weekend of the three-week playoffs so he skipped the event.

But in punting on the opening round of the playoffs, it rankled PGA Tour officials, with Peter Malnati, the player director of the PGA Tour Policy Board saying that "stuff" might be in the works. The comment was assumed to be a nod to a potential rule change that never happened.

There is no such controversy this year surrounding the current No. 12 in the FedExCup standings.

"Yeah, a few different things went into that decision," McIlroy said Wednesday about playing this week. "I think having four weeks off going into the last two events of the year was probably going to be a little too much for me in terms of wanting to be competitive. So this is a good week (to return).

"Obviously I want to play well, but it's also a good week to just see where my game is, do a lot of practice, or as much as I can in the heat."

Personal reasons aside, McIlroy also admitted that a full field in the opening round of the playoffs is good for the PGA Tour.

"Yeah, I think it's important to be here. ... I think it's important for all the players to be here," McIlroy said. "I've had some good conversations with Brian Rolapp over the last couple weeks. Yeah, I think it's important for me to be here and show support and looking forward to teeing it up."

After skipping the Memphis event last season, McIlroy returned for the BMW Championship and finished in a tie for 12th. It sent him to the season-ending Tour Championship at Atlanta where he finished tied for 23rd.

While last season's second weekend of the playoffs was at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Md., the middle round this year will be at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.

Going from Memphis to St. Louis to Atlanta in August means the playoff heat will be on in more ways than one.

"Yeah, the heat is ... you know ... it's hot," the Northern Ireland native said.

"Yeah, I think the weekend is going to be a little tougher than these last few days, but it's fine," McIlroy said. "We're playing in (groups of two). We're going to be out there for probably like four hours. It's not like you're in that heat for 5 1/2, 6 hours with a full field. So I guess that's a positive."

And while the golf courses might change over the next three weeks, McIlroy plans on stitching the upcoming run of golf together in one long stretch.

"I almost try to view the playoffs as one big, long tournament, like a 12-round event," McIlroy said. "You've got to pace yourself. It's three long weeks. We're going from here to St. Louis to Atlanta. Every week is going to feel a bit like this. It's going to be hot and sweaty. So you want to be able to conserve energy as well."

When the heat is on, McIlroy seems to know what to do.

"I've been lucky enough to do pretty well on these things over the years, so try to add another one to the list," he said.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:24:38 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263569.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29405584.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>PGA: The Open Championship - Third Round</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jul 18, 2026; Southport, ENG; Rory McIlroy makes his putt on the first green during the third round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Rory McIlroy</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29405584.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <category>celebrity</category>
               <title>New Project B league to follow Olympic gender policy</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263568</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The new women's basketball league Project B said it will follow Olympic guidelines regarding gender eligibility, thereby banning transgender women from competing.

As a global league, Project B told Front Office Sports it makes sense to follow International Olympic Committee and FIBA policies to provide "consistency and confidence for players and stakeholders."

The IOC announced a new policy in March that bans transgender women from competing in female categories, saying it "protects fairness, safety and integrity." The following month, FIBA announced it would follow the IOC's policy.

Project B appears to be trying to get ahead of an issue that has become a hot topic in the WNBA this season.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham found herself at the center of the storm after telling ESPN in a profile last month that she wants "to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

The comment drew support from groups seeking to "protect" women's sports but was also met with resistance from activists for trans rights and from some WNBA coaches and players.

"We need to protect trans kids," Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. "To me, it's a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports."

Last Friday, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert informed teams in a memo that the "complex and nuanced topic" of transgender participation will be discussed at an upcoming meeting of team executives.

The WNBPA later released a statement denouncing "hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people."

Former WNBA star and Project B co-founder Alana Beard told Front Office Sports that she was disappointed in the WNBA's leadership for not taking a stand.

"Where's the accountability, the integrity, the intentionality?" said Beard, who is also the new league's chief basketball officer. "All of it is needed right now, in what could become one of the most defining moments in the history of the sport."

Project B is scheduled to launch in January and the six-team, five-on-five league is focused on "creating joy and delivering the highest quality of basketball," Beard said.

Cunningham is among more than a dozen WNBA stars who have signed on with Project B, along with Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd, New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones and Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:15:40 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263568.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/26442491.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel</media:title>
                    <media:description>Alana Beard shares stories from her basketball career during The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 Inductions media event at the WBHOF June 13, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Shawn Millsaps/ Special to News Sentinel)</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Shawn Millsaps/Special to the News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>alana beard</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/26442491.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Report: Josh Kushner, Bob Iger to buy Lakers for record $12.5B</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263560</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[American businessman Josh Kushner and former Disney executive Bob Iger are purchasing the Los Angeles Lakers for a record-breaking price of $12.5 billion, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

Per the network, the duo purchased controlling interest from Mark Walter, who bought his stake in the team from the Buss family for $10 billion in October 2025. The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the majority interest to Walter on Oct. 30.

"As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world. We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss," Kushner and Iger said in a statement. "Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles."

The sale still will need approval from the NBA's Board of Governors. The next board meeting is next month in New York.

Walter, 66, is the CEO and chairman of diversified holding company TWG Global. The group also is involved with Premier League club Chelsea and the Professional Women's Hockey League.

"Owning the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of the great honors of my life -- an extraordinary investment, but what I will carry with me is the community, the fans, and a city that treats this team as family," Walter said in a statement to ESPN.

"I am grateful to Jeanie Buss, the Buss family, the players, and the staff for welcoming me into this chapter. The Lakers belong to Los Angeles, and I have every confidence the best is still ahead."

Lakers star Luka Doncic announced over social media that he looks forward to meeting Kushner and Iger.

"Being a Laker means everything to me, and I'm excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA. I've gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise," he posted to X. "I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together."

Kushner, 41, and Iger, 75, reportedly were involved in an expansion process to land an NBA team in Las Vegas before switching gears toward purchasing the Lakers.

Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is President Donald Trump's son-in-law.

Jerry Buss, who died in 2013, originally purchased the Lakers for $67.5 million in a deal that included The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings.

Founded in 1947, the Lakers have made 32 trips to the NBA Finals and won 17 championships, second only to the Boston Celtics with 18.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:10:30 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263560.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/28760829.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NBA: Playoffs-Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers</media:title>
                    <media:description>Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Los Angeles Lakers logo at midcourt during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Lakers logo</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/28760829.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Scottie Scheffler 'excited' to start FedExCup Playoffs</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263567</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Scottie Scheffler has a plan to beat the heat and the competition this week as the PGA Tour playoffs get underway at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis.

The World No. 1 and FedExCup points leader is trending in the right direction after finishing fourth at TPC Southwind in 2024 and tying for third place last year.

"A lot of it is ball striking around these places," Scheffler told reporters Wednesday when asked what he has learned about the course over the years. "You've got to hit a lot of fairways. When you're in the fairway, you have good opportunity. The areas to play it. The areas to hit in are really small, and I think that's also what makes it a good golf course.

"You've got to challenge a lot of these hazards. There's a lot of hazards on the golf course. If you start playing too safe, you're going to be in the rough. If you get a little overaggressive, you're going to be in the water. So I think this golf course really challenges you to execute often."

The fifth hole provides a particularly tough challenge.

"It's like a 500-yard par-4. It might even be longer now with the new tee," Scheffler said. "The second shot is challenging because the greens narrow and it typically plays into the wind. The tee shot too, you can't really see the fairway, so you kind of challenge in the tree line.

"Yeah, it's I wouldn't say blind, but it's somewhat blind from the sense of if you can't quite see your ball land in the fairway. So hard tee shot and hard second shot, it's a pretty simple recipe for a difficult golf hole."

Scheffler, 30, enters the three-week stretch of FedExCup Playoffs without a win on tour since the American Express back in January. He posted his fifth runner-up finish of the season in his most recent event at last month's 3M Open.

"Busy three-week stretch," he said. "I'm excited. I have three tournaments, three good starts to kind of end the year. Definitely excited to get this week going. I had a couple of good weeks of rest at home, and I'm looking forward to getting this week started."

With forecasts calling for triple-digit temperatures in Tennessee by Sunday, Scheffler said he will take precautions.

"A lot of hydration ... and a lot of that happens before the round," he said. "You can only drink so much water out on the course without getting waterlogged. That's something that we actually experience at home depending on, if I take a break to eat lunch and go back out and chug a bunch of water, you can get waterlogged. It feels like it sits in your belly sometimes.

"A lot of the hydration is something you have to focus on beforehand, and it's not necessarily water, it's a lot of electrolytes and stuff like that. The heat is something you really have to prepare for ahead of time."

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:49:08 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263567.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29450052.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>PGA: 3M Open - Third Round</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jul 25, 2026; Blaine, Minnesota, USA;  Scottie Scheffler hits a tee shot on hole 3 during the third round of the 3M Open golf tournament at TPC Twin Cities. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Nick Wosika-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>scottie scheffler</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29450052.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <category>celebrity</category>
               <title>Ex-NFL reporter Michele Tafoya wins Minnesota GOP primary</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263564</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Longtime NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya will be the Republican candidate for Minnesota's open seat in the U.S. Senate this November.

Tafoya, 61, received 52% of the vote in Tuesday night's GOP primary and will take on Minnesota's Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. The winner will fill the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Tina Smith, a Democrat.

Tafoya, who worked as a sideline reporter for NBC's "Sunday Night Football" from 2011-21, said Minnesotans are tired of corruption scandals and ready to elect their first Republican candidate to a statewide office since 2006.

"We've had a crisis of leadership here. We've seen what career politicians have done in this state," she told reporters after casting her ballot on Tuesday. "They've brought us to a place of national embarrassment, and this state is ready for change."

President Donald Trump did not endorse a candidate in the Republican primary. Adam Schwarze finished second with 24% of the vote and former NBA player Royce White was third with 11%.

Tafoya also worked as a sideline reporter for "Monday Night Football" on ESPN and ABC from 2004-10. She won five Sports Emmy Awards.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:54:49 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263564.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/17296216.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NFL: Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints</media:title>
                    <media:description>Nov 25, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; NBC Sports commentator Michele Tafoya after the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Chuck Cook-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>michele tafoya</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/17296216.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Report: LIV cancels season-ending Michigan team championship</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263562</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The long-standing rumors are true and LIV Golf has canceled the season-ending team championship in Michigan, The Telegraph reported Wednesday.

The league has informed its players that the Aug. 27-30 competition in suburban Detroit will not take place. The circuit's 13 teams had been scheduled to compete for a $40 million prize pool.

Despite the report, tickets for the event at The Cardinal at Saint John's in Plymouth, Mich., still were being offered for sale on the LIV Golf website as of late Wednesday morning.

Fox TV, however, has removed the Michigan tournament from its listings, according to the report.

It would be the second tournament canceled since Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced that it would not continue backing LIV Golf after this season. A $30 million tournament in New Orleans, scheduled for June 25-28, was scrapped.

This development means that the 2026 LIV Golf season will conclude with the Indianapolis-area tournament next weekend at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Ind.

Captain Dustin Johnson's 4Aces GC currently leads the LIV Golf team standings with 149.50 points, followed by Ripper GC (147.25) and defending champion Legion XIII (145.00).

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil announced last week that the league had reached a deal with a "lead investor" to sustain operations into next season. Further details have not been released.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:46:06 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263562.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/26921256.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>Golf: LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship</media:title>
                    <media:description>Aug 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Members of Legion XIII pose for a photo with the trophy after the finals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John's Resort. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Aaron Doster-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>liv golf michigan</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/26921256.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <category>celebrity</category>
               <title>Jonas Brothers to headline NFL halftime show in Melbourne</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263565</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The multi-platinum Jonas Brothers will headline the halftime show during the 2026 NFL Melbourne game pitting the San Francisco 49ers against the Los Angeles Rams next month, the NFL announced Wednesday.

Per the league, the performance by Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas will be the first of seven halftime shows across the 2026 NFL International Games. The NFL will announce the other artists in the coming weeks.

"We couldn't be more excited to perform at halftime during the NFL's first-ever regular season game in Australia," the Jonas Brothers said in a statement. "Playing at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of such passionate Australian fans is an incredible honor. We can't wait to be part of this historic moment and celebrate with everyone in the stadium and watching around the world."

The game will kick off on Friday, Sept. 11 at 10:35 a.m. local time, which will be Thursday, Sept. 10, at 8:35 p.m. ET in the United States.

The halftime performance will stream live globally on Netflix.

"Bringing the first-ever NFL regular season game to Australia is a landmark moment for the league, and we are committed to creating an entertainment experience that reflects the scale and significance of the occasion," said Tim Tubito, senior director of global game presentation and entertainment at the NFL.

"The Jonas Brothers are global entertainers whose music connects across generations, making them the ideal artists to help us celebrate this historic game in Melbourne. We look forward to delivering a memorable halftime performance for our fans in Australia and those watching around the world."

The Jonas Brothers have sold more than 20 million albums and earned two Grammy Award nominations.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:40:17 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263565.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/27662992.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>Syndication: The Enquirer</media:title>
                    <media:description>Over ten thousand fans packed Heritage Bank Center on Nov. 22, 2025 for the JONAS20:Greeting From our Hometown tour.</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Joe Simon for The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Jonas Brothers</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/27662992.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>'Contract or not,' Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon eyes season ahead</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263561</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Star cornerback Devon Witherspoon said he plans to focus on the upcoming season despite being unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection in as many seasons, Witherspoon has been with the team during the offseason.

"We got a long season ahead of us, contract or not," he said Tuesday. "We still got to play football at the end of the day. We have to be out there and be prepared. If you're not practicing, you're not getting ready for the season because everybody else in the league is practicing and they're getting better. That's where my mind is at right now. I'm focused on what I need to do right now, I'm not really worried about anything else."

The defending champion Seahawks exercised Witherspoon's fifth-year option in March, which will pay him about $21.2 million in 2027. He is due a base salary of $1.145 million in 2026.

Witherspoon, 25, was the fifth overall pick from Illinois in 2023. He has 249 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions in 43 games (42 starts) for Seattle. He also had a sack in the 29-13 win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.

Witherspoon returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown against the New York Giants during his 2023 rookie campaign.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:56:43 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263561.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-770nw/28378986.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="770">
                    <media:title>NFL: Super Bowl LX-Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots</media:title>
                    <media:description>Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Devon Witherspoon</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/28378986.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Former UNC G Seth Trimble commits to Louisville</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263557</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Former North Carolina guard Seth Trimble has committed to play for Louisville in the 2026-27 season.

Trimble, who entered the transfer portal in April, confirmed his destination to ESPN on Wednesday.

He joins the Cardinals after a Colorado court ruling gave 2022 high school graduates a fifth year of eligibility.

Trimble did not sign an NBA deal after playing in five Summer League games with the Washington Wizards.

He averaged a career-high 14.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 24 games for the Tar Heels last season.

Trimble joins a Louisville roster that includes fellow transfers Flory Bidunga (Kansas) and Jackson Shelstad (Oregon).

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:49:26 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263557.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-972nw/28541799.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="972">
                    <media:title>Syndication: The Greenville News</media:title>
                    <media:description>North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) drives to the basket Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against the VCU Rams at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>seth trimble heels</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/28541799.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Cowboys ($15.5B) once again top NFL team valuations</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263555</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The Dallas Cowboys remain the NFL's most valuable franchise at $15.5 billion, according to Sportico's annual valuation list released Wednesday.

The number represents a 21% increase from last year.

While profitable off the field, Jerry Jones' Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since Jan. 28, 1996. 

The Los Angeles Rams ($12.7 billion) and New York Giants ($12 billion) are second and third, respectively, on the list.

In total, nine NFL clubs are valued at least $10 billion. The group includes the New England Patriots ($10.4), New York Jets ($10.35), Philadelphia Eagles ($10.31), Miami Dolphins ($10.25), San Francisco 49ers ($10.21) and Las Vegas Raiders ($10.1).

The Atlanta Falcons are inching closer to that mark at $9.78 billion. The Washington Commanders ($9.64) and Super Bowl-winning Seahawks ($9.61) round out the top 12, with Seattle seeing a 46% leap from last year.

The Cincinnati Bengals ranked last in the 32-team league at $7.4 billion.

Per Sportico, the average NFL team is now worth $9.34 billion -- an increase from $7.13 billion last year.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:08:10 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263555.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29476003.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NFL: Dallas Cowboys Training Camp</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jul 29, 2026; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Jerry Jones</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29476003.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Astros 2B Jose Altuve headed for more tests on injured foot</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263540</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The Houston Astros, fighting to maintain their lead in the American League West, could be facing a key absence after Jose Altuve sustained a foot injury on Tuesday in San Francisco.

The star second baseman was plunked by an 82 mph curveball from Giants left-hander Carson Whisenhunt.

Altuve stayed in the game before leaving in the middle of the second inning. Nick Allen took over at second base.

Following Houston's 4-1 loss, Astros manager Joe Espada said preliminary scans on Altuve's foot were negative but that more testing would be done on Wednesday.

Altuve said postgame, "I wanted to go and play defense to see if it gets better, but it was getting worse. I didn't want to do anything stupid, so we decided to come out of the game."

Asked about the chance of him playing in the series finale Wednesday afternoon, Altuve said, "Maybe I go to sleep and wake up and (I'll) be able to play. The thing is, if I'm able to play, I'll be out here. I don't want to take any days or waste time, but it is what it is."

Altuve, a nine-time All-Star, is struggling through one of the worst seasons of his career. He is batting .240 with a .304 on-base percentage, a .391 slugging percentage, 13 homers and 35 RBIs in 96 games.

After an eight-game run from July 28-Aug. 5 in which he hit .394 and had six multi-hit games, Altuve is 2-for-14 (.143) in his past five games.

A two-time World Series champion and the 2017 American League MVP, Altuve has a career .300/.358/.463 batting line with 268 homers, 924 RBIs and 327 stolen bases in 2,072 games.

The Astros hold a half-game lead over the Rangers in the AL West after both teams lost on Tuesday.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 04:03:35 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263540.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-735nw/29564475.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="735">
                    <media:title>MLB: Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants</media:title>
                    <media:description>Aug 11, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) reacts after getting hit by a pitch during the first inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Jose Altuve </media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29564475.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Woeful Angels fire pitching coach Mike Maddux, 2 others from staff</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263500</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The Los Angeles Angels, at the bottom of the major league standings, fired pitching coach Mike Maddux, bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott on Tuesday.

The team installed Tim Leveque as interim pitching coach and Michael Wuertz as interim bullpen coach.

"My goal was not to make any staffing changes until the season ended," said John Mozeliak, the Angels baseball operations consultant and interim general manager. "However, after discussions with the coaches, interviews with players, reflection, self-reflection on where we are, we decided it was time to make a change.

"We have 48 days left in this season. We're going to play 43 games. I view this as an opportunity. I see this as a chance for us to make a difference. Expectations to implement our processes and use all our tools will be mandated."

Going into Tuesday, the Angels had the worst record in baseball at 45-74 and were 15 1/2 games behind the American League West-leading Houston Astros and 15 games out of the AL wild-card race.

The Angels ranked 11th in the AL and 24th in the majors with a 4.51 ERA. They were first in the majors in most walks (508) and third in wild pitches (48), though seventh in most strikeouts (1,064). They were 24th in quality starts (34).

Opposing hitters were batting .236 against the staff, the eighth-lowest figure in the majors.

Mozeliak reinforced the notion of leaning into the organization's strengths to close out the year.

"Our research and development team upstairs, they're providing a lot of really useful things we can be taking advantage of," Mozeliak said. "And I think moving forward, which is really where our energy has to be, is how to make this a state-of-the-art place for player growth. Because what you don't want to do is have players outsourcing those types of things. You want it to be in the internal model, and hopefully we can accomplish that."

Maddux joined the Angels in the offseason after serving as pitching coach with the Astros, Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals and two separate tenures with the Texas Rangers, including the 2023 World Series champions. The Rangers led the majors in ERA in 2025 (3.47), but afterward parted ways with manager Bruce Bochy and replaced him with Skip Schumaker.

Maddux, who turns 65 on Aug. 27, pitched 15 years in the majors (1986-2000) for nine different teams, though not the Angels. The right-hander is the older brother of Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux.

Chiti, 67, was a left-hander in the minor leagues from 1976-81. A coach at various levels starting in 1982, Chiti worked for the Angels from 2020-22, for the New York Mets in 2023, and then again for the Angels starting in the 2024 season as their minor league pitching coordinator before becoming the bullpen coach this season.

Scott, who turned 58 on Aug. 6, is a right-hander who pitched one major league season in 1993 for the then-California Angels. He was on the staff of the Colorado Rockies for the 2020-25 seasons.

Leveque, 45, joined the organization this season as Double-A Rocket City's pitching coach after spending the previous 20 seasons with the Cardinals organization. A 1999 draft pick by the Detroit Tigers out of high school, Leveque pitched at the University of Michigan (2000-03).

Wuertz, 47, is in his 11th season with the Angels organization in various capacities and was serving as the minor league assistant pitching coordinator. The right-hander pitched in the majors for the Chicago Cubs (2004-08) and Oakland Athletics (2009-11).

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 23:38:33 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263500.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-780nw/29257484.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="780">
                    <media:title>MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Arizona Diamondbacks</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jun 15, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mike Maddux against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Mike Maddux</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29257484.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Velo, workload concerns add up as Pirates pull Paul Skenes after 65 pitches</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263531</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes lasted only 65 pitches against the Marlins on Tuesday and an acute drop in fastball velocity was evident on a home run pulled to left field by Esteury Ruiz in the third inning. 

Ruiz crushed a chest-high fastball that was over the middle of the plate to give Miami a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.

Skenes (9-11) left after five innings and manager Don Kelly informed the ace he wouldn't be headed back to the mound in the sixth.

"If I were the manager I'd probably do it too," Skenes said. "He walked me through everything. It all made sense."

Skenes threw 45 strikes but never touched 97 MPH according to the pitch-tracker Codify, which charted Miami's four hits at an average exit velocity of 101.

Skenes pointed to single innings with higher pitch counts for his personal struggles but said he doesn't know "exactly why we're not playing up to the standard" of a contender right now.

"It being August doesn't help," Skenes said. "I think we've just got to enjoy it. Find the joy in the game and have fun. If we get back to doing that we'll be fine."

"Paul's gonna have to fight to make the adjustment back to the league and find a way to adjust himself," manager Don Kelly said of Skenes prior to the game.

"Yes, the velo is down. I think command has been a bigger thing, at least for me. That could come from multiple things. From trying too hard or trying to be too perfect. Maybe trying to get the velo back. He knows its down a mile per hour. You can't just go and get it. How does Paul make the adjustment back?"

Skenes struck out four and walked one but the stadium radar gun never flashed 98 MPH or higher for the sixth consecutive start. By contrast, in his first six MLB starts, Skenes touched 98 MPH or higher on the gun 222 times. 

Griffin Conine nearly lifted a Skenes splitter over the left field fence for a two-run homer but Bryan Reynolds reached over the top of the wall by a glove length to pull it back for the third out in the bottom of the fifth. It was Skenes' final pitch of the night.

"It was a good catch. Super thankful for that," Skenes said.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 22:21:11 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263531.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-670nw/29562627.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="670">
                    <media:title>MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Miami Marlins</media:title>
                    <media:description>Aug 11, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Rhona Wise-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Skenes</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29562627.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Fever coach: 'We are united,' and 'everybody else can go to hell'</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263528</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White took a stand amidst those critical of her reaction after Sophie Cunningham was flagrantly fouled by Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington on Saturday.

The second-year Fever coach briefly addressed the media on Tuesday as she pounded her fist on the table multiple times before not taking any questions from reporters.

Carrington's foul was increased to a flagrant 2 on review and she was ejected from the game. White, who previously coached Carrington with the Connecticut Sun, said she did not believe Carrington intentionally aimed for Cunningham's neck.

That response led to some public backlash and she received some boos from the home crowd prior to Tuesday's victory vs. the New York Liberty.

However, White is firm in her stance that she has her team's back and the locker room is well-connected.

"The hate, the fear-mongering, the divisiveness, the stuff that's trying to hijack our league will not win. It won't win. We are united. We are connected. We will not be divided," White said. "Every day, these women put their ass on the line. Every day. When they go low, we go high. Love will win. Grace will win. Humility will win, and kindness will win. I stand by them. I will always stand by them. Everybody else can go to hell."

On Tuesday before White's comments, Fever star Caitlin Clark expressed pride in how her teammates have resiliently responded to this season's challenges.

"It's fun to see how excited and how much fun my teammates have with one another because I feel like a lot of the narratives sometimes are the opposite of that," Clark said. "Some days are going to be great. Some days aren't going to be as great. You just keep getting back up and keep fighting."

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:57:34 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263528.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-783nw/29532899.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="783">
                    <media:title>Syndication: The Indianapolis Star</media:title>
                    <media:description>Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White walks up the baseline Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Indiana Fever in overtime, 86-84.</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Stephanie White</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29532899.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>GM: Stephen Curry 'wants to finish his career as a Warrior'</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263529</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The Golden State Warriors and superstar guard Stephen Curry plan to extend their marriage until Curry retires, team general manager Mike Dunleavy reiterated on Tuesday.

Both sides have previously expressed interest in Curry finishing his career in San Francisco, and little has changed to indicate either party has had a change of heart.

Yet Curry is entering the final year of an expiring contract that will pay him $62.5 million, creating more wiggle room for both sides, should a departure be wanted.

Dunleavy told reporters that Curry has gained the right to leave on his own terms, but also that Curry would be welcomed back and that the player continues to express strong interest in doing so.

"(Staying has) always been the message," Dunleavy said. "That's always been what he's discussed. I think that's tracking quite well.

"Look, if he comes to me and wants to be moved, (controlling owner) Joe (Lacob) and I will talk it through. We wouldn't love it. But he's earned the right to do what he wants. But as far as the messaging or any idea that he'd be anywhere else, that's not a thing we're looking at or he's looking at."

A 17-year veteran, all with the Warriors, Curry has said he'd like to play another couple of seasons, though wear and tear could become a concern. After appearing in at least 70 games in back-to-back seasons, Curry battled injuries in 2025-26 to finish with just 41 starts.

The Warriors and Curry could reach an agreement on an extension after Aug. 29, when he becomes eligible for up to two years and an additional $136.7 million.

The two-time MVP and 11-time All-NBA player celebrated his 38th birthday on March 14.

"There's two things I'm confident about with Steph," Dunleavy added. "He really, really wants to win and he wants to finish his career as a Warrior. I don't think that changes tomorrow, Aug. 29, start of the season, middle of the season, end of next season. Those things are going to be consistent."

The Warriors were 37-45 last season.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:52:05 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263529.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-765nw/28759800.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="765">
                    <media:title>NBA: Playoffs-Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns</media:title>
                    <media:description>Apr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts against the Phoenix Suns during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Stephen Curry</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/28759800.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Rams WR Puka Nacua exits practice due to groin injury</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263527</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua left a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys early due to injury on Tuesday, with NFL Network reporting Nacua experienced groin soreness.

Head coach Sean McVay offered little about Nacua's status afterward other than he was "not able to finish practice."

Nacua, 25, is a budding star entering his fourth year in the league (all with the Rams), after he led the NFL with 129 receptions last year for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns.

New acquisition Myles Garrett, meanwhile, sat out Rams practice for the second day in a row due to swelling in his knee. McVay did not reveal which knee was bothering Garrett, but the seven-time Pro Bowl honoree was seen at practice wearing a sleeve on his left leg.

The Rams traded with the Cleveland Browns in the offseason to land Garrett -- the two-time and reigning Defensive Player of the Year and new single-season sack record-holder with 23.

"He's still got a little swelling in that knee, but he said, 'I'm feeling about 85%,'" McVay said. "I don't know what 100% is going to look like, but it must be pretty good if that's 85%. ... We're getting to learn him. He's so tough. He wanted to be able to be out there, but listening to (the Rams' head of sports medicine) and just kind of erring on the side of caution.

"When he's been out there, he has certainly made his impact felt, but we want to make sure that when he returns to play, he's able to return to full performance and feel like himself."

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:29:39 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263527.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29475680.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NFL: Los Angeles Rams Training Camp</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jul 29, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA;  Los Angeles Rams  wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) speaks to media after training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>puka nacua</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29475680.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Jets CB Qwan'tez Stiggers released from hospital </title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263493</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[New York Jets cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers was released from the hospital late Tuesday, the same day he exited the field and joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an ambulance after collapsing on the sideline.

"He came to the sideline after a play and he actually fell out," Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Tuesday afternoon. "The good thing is he was conscious. ... He was able to talk. ... For the most part, he's good."

Glenn said he would visit Stiggers in the hospital following the incident and praised the team's medical staff for a prompt response to the situation.

"Our guys did a hell of a job. ... They took the necessary steps just to make sure that we do everything we can to be on board when it comes to those situations," Glenn said.

Practice was halted for about 10 minutes. Players encircled Stiggers, 24, as he received treatment, which included IV fluids.

The joint practice reportedly featured multiple fights between the two teams. The Jets host the Buccaneers for the preseason opener on Friday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

A fifth-round draft pick by the Jets in 2024, Stiggers has recorded 35 tackles, three passes defensed and two fumble recoveries in 29 career games (five starts). He has played 297 snaps on defense and 503 on special teams.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:13:30 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263493.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/26864723.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NFL: New York Jets at New York Giants</media:title>
                    <media:description>Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers (37) reacts to a play against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Rich Barnes-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>stiggers jets rutherford</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/26864723.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Judge sides with Little League in Oklahoma eligibility case as details emerge</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263479</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Tulsa National Little League is back out of the Southwest Region qualifying tournament for the Little League Baseball World Series after a judge in Texas backed the governing body's decision to remove them based on an ineligible player.

On Monday, Little League International removed Tulsa National from the Southwest Region tournament for the alleged use of an ineligible player. Before the day was out, Judge Ryan Luna of the 414th District Court granted a temporary restraining order to allow the Oklahoma representatives to play against Texas West with a berth in the LLBWS on the line.

However, Little League Baseball asked in a filing for the court to vacate the order, which it did Tuesday afternoon to scrap the would-be championship game between Oklahoma and Texas West.

The result: Boerne Little League, the Texas West representatives, will play in their second LLBWS in three years. They defeated Louisiana 4-1 on Monday afternoon following Oklahoma's disqualification.

"We appreciate the Court's timely and considered decision to vacate the Temporary Restraining Order," Little League Baseball said in a statement, "allowing enforcement of the Tournament Committee's decision to remove Tulsa National Little League from the Southwest Region Tournament and declare its previous game a forfeit."

A court filing obtained by ESPN and other outlets showed that a player listed throughout the document as O.G. was found to be ineligible based on Little League's sibling open-enrollment provision.

O.G. did not reside within the Tulsa National league's boundaries, but had a sister who signed up to play for Tulsa National's Challenger Division, an "adaptive program for children with physical and intellectual challenges" for ages 7 and younger.

According to Daniel Velte, Little League's vice president of operations, not only was O.G.'s sister actually 10 years old, she never participated in a practice or game with the Challenger team.

Mindy Abbott, Little League's district administrator for Oklahoma, claimed that O.G.'s father put in an incorrect birth year for O.G.'s sister, but admitted that she did not participate in baseball -- the basis for her brother's eligibility to join Tulsa National.

"(O.G.'s) sibling ultimately did not participate in the games necessary to maintain the basis for (O.G.'s) eligibility," Abbott wrote in a statement to the court. "Once the issue arose, (O.G.'s) parents withdrew him from Tulsa National's tournament team before he participated in the Southwest Region tournament."

However, O.G. played for Tulsa National in the state tournament.

Parents from Boerne and other organizations filed a total of three protests against Tulsa National, though the first was not related to O.G. and was denied. The other protests led to Little League launching what it called a formal investigation.

Were it not for the eligibility ordeal, Tulsa National would have been alive for a berth in the LLBWS this month in South Williamsport, Pa. They defeated Louisiana's team 3-2 on Sunday to reach the region final, but that game was changed to a forfeit and moved Louisiana into the one-off championship game against Texas West.

"We empathize with the children of Tulsa National Little League and the likely disappointment this decision has caused," Little League said in its statement. "We recognize how memorable the Little League experience is for all children and the critical role that parents and adult volunteers are entrusted with to ensure that every child is cared for, treated fairly, and afforded a safe and positive experience."

"To our own Oklahoma administration, the Southwest Regional administration, and Little League International: This one is on you," read a statement from the parents of Tulsa National given to Sports Illustrated. "They deserved better. We are reviewing the Tulsa National Charter to see what is needed for a change so this doesn't happen to a different team."

Remarkably, Tulsa National also had been disqualified from Southwest Region qualifying for the Little League Softball World Series. The Little League International Tournament Committee "determined that the adult volunteers and parents did not provide sufficient documentation to verify that all players are eligible to participate in the International Tournament based on either their school enrollment or bona fide habitation within the league's official boundaries."

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:59:29 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263479.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/18892180.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>Syndication: Enterprise News</media:title>
                    <media:description>The little league logo on West 4th Street in Williamsport, PA on Thursday, August 18, 2022.

 </media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Marc Vasconcellos  / USA TODAY NETWORK</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>williamsport little league logo</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/18892180.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>At NFL media day, CBS mum on Tony Romo decision timeline</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263478</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[CBS Sports president David Berson expressed concern about the brand's image but did not offer a timeline for a decision about Tony Romo's future with the network.

CBS held its NFL Media Day on Tuesday without its lead game analyst present. Romo is on leave due to the aftermath of his July 23 arrest in Wisconsin for allegedly operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

"It's an evolving situation and we are still assessing," Berson told reporters Tuesday in New York. "There is no timetable or final decision at this time."

A 45-minute bodycam video released by authorities showed Romo telling police he had not been drinking, but they found an open bottle of alcohol in his car, and that was enough for CBS to take him off the air, at least temporarily. The ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterback was later cited for refusing to take an intoxication test after his arrest.

Berson and CBS now must handle questions about Romo's future in their football coverage plans. CBS has elevated former NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt to work aside Jim Nantz in Romo's place. Tracy Wolfson again will be the sideline reporter for the Nantz crew.

Watt, 37, was the No. 2 analyst for CBS last season, teaming with veteran play-by-play caller Ian Eagle.

"We have to consider the impact on our image and our brand," Berson said. "That's very important to us. The focus should be and needs to be on our presentation and this great product and not on any others.

"Fortunately, we have a deep bench and everybody is stepping up."

Romo, 46, is due in court on Sept. 21, and he likely would not return to the network before then, if he is retained.

Romo was hired by CBS in 2017. He re-signed with the network on a 10-year, $180 million deal that has four years and $72 million remaining.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:40:27 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263478.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/22459111.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NFL: Super Bowl LVIII-CBS Sports Media Day</media:title>
                    <media:description>Feb 6, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; CBS Sports play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz (left), analyst Tony Romo (center) and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson at press conference at the Super Bowl 58 Media Center at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.  Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>tony romo jim nantz</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/22459111.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Michael Brennan reflects on Masters invite after wanting to return ‘so bad’</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263512</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[By winning the Wyndham Championship on Sunday, Michael Brennan vaulted from outside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup points race to 47th -- well within the cutoff for the playoffs.

But another effect of that victory shouldn't be overlooked. As captured by the CBS broadcast cameras, Brennan's mother embraced him and declared, "We're going to the Masters!"

Brennan's response was the epitome of a young man who had not yet grasped all he had achieved: "Oh, my God! Oh, my God. We're going to the Masters."

The 24-year-old has come into his own at the perfect time as he prepares for his FedEx Cup playoffs debut this week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis.

"Yeah, that was really cool," Brennan said on Tuesday when reflecting on the moment with his mom. "The whole week I'm focusing on this week and trying to get into the FedEx Cup playoffs, and I didn't really -- I never thought about the perks of a win getting into the Masters until she told me after I putted in on 18."

Indeed, winning the regular-season finale ensured Augusta National Golf Club will extend a coveted invitation for the Masters in 2027. Brennan made his tournament debut there in April, when he shared 20th place through two rounds and wound up tied for 24th.

"I just had such a great time there this year," he said. "I kind of had a bit of a tough finish at Augusta and was bummed to -- I was close to the top-12 finish, getting the exemption again for the following year, and I just want to go back and play again so bad. So it was just kind of an unexpected but really exciting moment."

The Masters was, in fact, Brennan's best finish of the season until he tied for sixth at the Charles Schwab Challenge six weeks later. In what's essentially his rookie season -- he won for the first time on tour last fall, but on a sponsor's exemption -- Brennan has heated up since the start of July. He has made the cut six weeks in a row and posted increasingly better finishes before his breakthrough at the Wyndham.

Brennan was in the mix at both the 3M Open in Minnesota and the Rocket Classic in Detroit the previous two weeks, but he posted a final-round 74 at the former to tie for 24th and a final-round 73 at the latter to tie for 15th.

"I probably wouldn't have won last week if I didn't have those two experiences in the weeks prior," Brennan said. "So I'm grateful for those.

"... It's hard to stay in the present and not think about what the consequences of a win are. I felt like I got a little bit better at that from Minnesota to Detroit to then last week in Greensboro.

Brennan said he had never played in tournaments six weeks in a row until this current stretch. Now he's primed to make that seven.

"The last few weeks, I've taken Mondays off in Minnesota and Detroit, which is something that I normally don't do, but Week 4 and 5 just kind of getting along, and I thought it would be nice to kind of have a rest day," Brennan said. "So it's a little bit less time spent at the golf course, but I've played really good those two weeks.

"So that's something I've maybe learned about myself that maybe that's important for me to make sure I'm feeling good going into the week."

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:01:08 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263512.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29549322.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>PGA: Wyndham Championship - Final Round</media:title>
                    <media:description>Aug 9, 2026; Greensboro, North Carolina, USA; Michael Brennan wins the Wyndham Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>michael brennan</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29549322.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Ravens CB Nate Wiggins injures leg, carted off practice field</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263494</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins was carted off the field after sustaining a left leg injury during Tuesday's practice.

Testing showed that Wiggins sustained no structural damage, NFL Network reported late Tuesday afternoon. Earlier, Ravens head coach Jesse Minter told reporters that Wiggins was undergoing tests to determine the severity of the injury.

"I don't have a ton of information yet," Minter said before the NFL Network report. "... I think there's optimism."

Wiggins got his feet tangled with rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane during one-on-one drills. The former was in visible pain and struggled to put weight on his injured leg while heading into the team facility.

Wiggins, who turns 23 on Aug. 28, started all 17 games last season, recording 76 tackles and three interceptions.

He has 109 tackles, four interceptions -- including one returned for a touchdown -- and one forced fumble in 32 career regular-season games (23 starts). He was selected by Baltimore with the 30th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Clemson.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:48:51 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263494.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29479801.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NFL: Baltimore Ravens Training Camp</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jul 30, 2026; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) stretches during practice at Under Armour Peformance Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Nate Wiggins</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29479801.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Defending St. Jude champ Justin Rose, 46, still pushing to stay ‘elite’</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263508</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Nobody on the PGA Tour has been particularly surprised that Justin Rose has continued to win golf tournaments well into his 40s.

The Englishman arrives at the FedEx Cup playoff opener, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, as the defending champion after defeating J.J. Spaun in a playoff last year.

And Rose, now 46, followed that win last summer with his second victory at the Farmers Insurance Open since 2019, a seven-stroke runaway at the famed Torrey Pines.

"Obviously been around a long time, had a great career. I'm not really interested in sticking around and just making up the numbers and waiting for the Champions Tour or whatever that might be," Rose said. "For me, it's about just really pushing myself to stay elite, to stay playing at the top end of the game, and to kind of keep giving myself and putting myself in with experiences that will create lifetime memories.

"That's only going to happen by playing in the biggest tournaments and at the highest level. That's my motivation, and if I'm not achieving that, I would sort of really question why I'm making the sacrifice away from family and friends and all the other great things that I have going on in my life."

He went on to say that he's enjoying that challenge of disproving the notion that pro golfers should be fading at his age. Of Rose's 13 wins on the PGA Tour, six have come in the past 10 years.

Rose has been around long enough to know how to prepare for a tournament, and several years coming to Memphis' TPC Southwind in August have taught him just how hot and humid to expect the area to be.

Rose said it's possible he'll bring an umbrella on the course to shield him from the sun, not a common sight on the PGA Tour.

"It's not just, ‘OK, I'm now on the golf course, let's drink a lot of water.' It's just being ahead of things this week," Rose said.

"I'm considering using a parasol, umbrella. It's like 20 degrees cooler under the umbrella. I think especially as the week cranks up towards 100 degrees on the weekend, that might be something I will do, which is something I haven't done before, to be honest with you, but I used it in the practice round today, and it definitely made a difference."

Rose enters the FedEx Cup playoffs 24th in the points standings. Only the top 50 after this week will advance to the second playoff leg, the BMW Championship, and from there the top 30 will qualify for the Tour Championship.

Rose racked up his points not only from winning the Farmers Insurance Open but also from a T3 finish at the Masters and T10 at the PGA Championship, two weeks where he was in contention to become one of the oldest major winners in golf history.

"Obviously the Masters, I played great golf there. That's the one that I look back and feel like that one got away," Rose said.

"I'm kind of waiting to sort of really catch fire again. I played some good, solid golf, but I'm kind of waiting for a run. Hopefully the three weeks off that we've just had is a bit of a refresher now, and I can really focus on this last, final push."

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:09:42 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263508.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29400158.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>PGA: The Open Championship - Second Round</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jul 17, 2026; Southport, ENG; Justin Rose plays his shot from the second tee during the second round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>justin rose</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29400158.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr. to start, play first half at Patriots</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263506</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Anthony Richardson Sr. was named the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts' preseason opener Thursday night at New England. 

Richardson, who is splitting second-team reps with Riley Leonard, has also practiced some with the third team during training camp. He requested a trade in the offseason, when the Colts made a stronger financial commitment to incumbent starting QB Daniel Jones. 

Head coach Shane Steichen said Tuesday following joint practices with the Patriots that Richardson would play the entire first half before Leonard takes over in the third quarter. 

"Riley will start against Atlanta (on Aug. 22), and AR will play the second half in Atlanta," Steichen said, adding it's "pretty obvious I don't want to take any chances with Daniel out there in the preseason."

Richardson did not start a game last season. When Jones was injured in November, the Colts were ready to turn to Leonard. But because of a minor injury, they instead coaxed Philip Rivers out of retirement. 

Jones won't be the only starter not on the field with Richardson this week. Steichen said the majority of his offensive starters are unlikely to play. 

"There's going to be a slew of them that aren't playing,'' Steichen said. "There will be a couple of guys that might get a few series here and there, but for the most part, the starters won't play.''

The opportunity gives Richardson, 24, a shot at improving his standing on the Indianapolis depth chart while also showcasing the ability that attracted the Colts to select him with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft out of the University of Florida. 

"I feel like finally getting out there, finally managing the game," Richardson said of the Thursday start. "And processing the live action plays will help me get back into the groove and just feel everything out."

Richardson threw two passes and played in only two games in 2025. In 17 total NFL games, he has a completion percentage of 50.6 with 11 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions and 10 rushing TDs.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:41:43 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263506.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-759nw/29480256.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="759">
                    <media:title>NFL: Indianapolis Colts Training Camp</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jul 30, 2026; Westfield, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) participates in a drill on day two of training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Robert Goddin-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Anthony Richardson </media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29480256.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers willing, not eager, to play vs. Packers, Jordan Love</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263502</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is willing but nowhere near eager to play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers and protege-turned-replacement Jordan Love. 

After the Packers committed to Love suiting up for the game, Rodgers said on Tuesday he would play if head coach Mike McCarthy decides he should. 

Rodgers also referred to preseason games as "not real football." He hasn't played a preseason snap since 2023 and in his 22nd NFL season on a second tour in McCarthy's offensive scheme, Rodgers won't be knocking down his coach's door to get a few extra snaps.

Rodgers said there is no added incentive to take the field against the Packers and Love in the first of two consecutive home preseason games. 

"If I do, great. If not, great," Rodgers said.

Under then-head coach Mike Tomlin, Rodgers did not play a snap in the 2025 preseason, then had a four-TD game in Week 1 of the regular season.

McCarthy said historically, from Brett Favre in Green Bay to Dak Prescott in Dallas and Rodgers between, he's never had a QB that "didn't want to play."

"It comes down to my decision, but we've been talking about playing or not playing since he signed," McCarthy said.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:53:19 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263502.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29506354.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp</media:title>
                    <media:description>Aug 03, 2026; Latrobe, PA, USA;  Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy talks with  quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a practice session at Training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Barry Reeger-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Aaron Rodgers</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29506354.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Chiefs WR Rashee Rice calls jail ‘learning experience’</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263501</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice called his time in jail this summer a "learning experience and a reality check" in his first public comments since last season.

"Don't focus on the past. Focus on what's going on now," he told reporters Tuesday. "I'm doing (well) mentally."

Rice, 26, was released from a Texas jail in mid-June after serving a 30-day sentence after testing positive for THC. That violated his probation for his role in a 2024 street-racing crash that left several people injured in Dallas.

He pleaded guilty in July 2025 to two third-degree felony charges and was sentenced to five years of probation and deferred adjudication on a 30-day jail sentence.

Rice spent part of his time behind bars rehabbing his right knee following a cleanup procedure shortly before he was incarcerated.

"I was in there early in the morning until it was time for me to go," he said. "I would stretch it, do some activation on it and then hit the weight room and jog, just condition and get the muscle fatigue going as well as my stamina."

Rice said it was challenging to stay positive while in jail.

"It was tough. Mentally tough. They gave me ways to communicate with my teammates still, as well as my athletic trainer," Rice said. "Besides the hard times in there, I kept my mind right watching shows and as much (comedian) Kevin Hart as I can to laugh. Then without that, just communicating with everybody on the outside."

Rice, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, increased his repetitions during the Chiefs' training camp practices this past week and says he wants people to know, "I'm 100 percent locked in on what's going on now with the team. Ready to go out there and dominate, and I've got a good group of brotherhood behind me."

It is unclear yet whether Rice will play Saturday when the Chiefs host the Los Angeles Rams in their preseason opener. 

The NFL suspended Rice for six games to start the 2025 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Rice caught 53 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns in eight games last season. A second-round pick by the Chiefs in 2023 out of SMU, Rice has 156 receptions for 1,797 yards and 14 scores in 28 career regular-season games. He was on the Super Bowl-championship squad his rookie season. He is entering the last year of his rookie contract.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:43:20 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263501.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29534179.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NFL: Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jul 29, 2026; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) walks down the hill to the practice fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Denny Medley-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Rashee Rice</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29534179.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Vikings tab QB Kyler Murray as starter over J.J. McCarthy</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263490</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback on Tuesday.

Signed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal in the offseason after being released by the Arizona Cardinals, Murray is getting the nod over incumbent J.J. McCarthy. Murray will become the fourth consecutive different quarterback to begin the season for the Vikings, following Kirk Cousins (2023), Sam Darnold (2024) and McCarthy (2025).

"After some dialogue in-house and daily analyzing the overall of where we're at right now, we did name Kyler Murray as our starting quarterback," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said. "... It's been a true competition, and we feel like we're at a place where we made a complete evaluation."

O'Connell says he and new general manager Nolan Teasley met with Murray and McCarthy about the decision before informing the rest of the team. 

McCarthy was a first-round pick in 2024 who was elevated to the No. 1 job when Darnold left to sign with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent prior to last season. 

Quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also remain on the Vikings' roster.

Per O'Connell, both Murray and McCarthy will play in Minnesota's preseason opener against the New York Giants on Saturday.

Selected with the top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma, Murray was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and made the Pro Bowl in his second and third seasons.

"There's comfort from Kyler in the scheme," O'Connell said. "He had some really high completion days where he was able to show some really, really good understanding of just putting the ball in play, playing with great timing and rhythm. ... As you continue to look at the body of work really through those 10 days, what jumped out is what could be."

Murray, 29, played a career-low five games in 2025, ending the season on injured reserve with a foot injury. He threw for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions with a career-low 173 rushing yards and one rushing score.

He has played a full regular season just once in the last five years (2024). In 87 career games (all starts), Murray has a 38-48-1 record, completing 67.1% of his passes for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions with 3,193 rushing yards and 32 scores.

McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, also battled injuries last season in his first action after missing the entire 2024 season with a torn meniscus.

McCarthy, 23, made 10 starts in 2025, completing 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 picks. He also ran for 181 yards and four scores while compiling a 6-4 record.

"(He is an) incredibly important member of our quarterback room and our team," O'Connell said of McCarthy.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:12:11 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263490.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/27609041.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>Syndication: Arizona Republic</media:title>
                    <media:description>Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray watches his team from the sidelines as they play the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 16, 2025.</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>kyler murray</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/27609041.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
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          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Thorns, USWNT star Olivia Moultrie (ACL) out for season</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263495</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Portland Thorns and U.S. women's national team midfielder Olivia Moultrie will miss the rest of the NWSL season with a torn right ACL.

The Thorns confirmed Tuesday that Moultrie, 20, sustained the knee injury during a training session last week and has been placed on the season-ending injury list.

"Olivia is one of the most driven players I have been around, and she will use that drive during her recovery and rehabilitation," Thorns president and general manager of soccer operations Jeff Agoos said. "She has our full support and every resource this club can put behind her. "

Moultrie has recorded five goals and five assists through 16 appearances (15 starts) this season with the Thorns, who are in fifth place in the NWSL standings through 19 matches.

Moultrie made her USWNT debut in 2023 and has posted five goals in 18 appearances, helping the squad win the Concacaf W Gold Cup in 2024 and SheBelieves Cups in 2024 and 2026. She was named the 2023 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year.

With the long recovery required following an ACL reconstruction, Moultrie will miss the Concacaf W Championship in November and December. Her availability for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, which begins next June in Brazil, is potentially also in jeopardy.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:13:52 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263495.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-732nw/29407392.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="732">
                    <media:title>NWSL: Portland Thorns FC at Denver Summit FC</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jul 18, 2026; Centennial, Colorado, USA; Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie (13) controls the ball in the second half against the Denver Summit FC at Centennial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>olivia moultrie</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29407392.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Northwestern receives $35M donation for football program</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263497</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Northwestern's football program received a $35 million football-focused donation over the next three years, the university announced Tuesday.

The gift comes from the family of Liz and Dick Uihlein, with the school website saying the intention is that it supports "student-athlete development, operational priorities, recruiting, and strategic investments designed to position Northwestern Football for sustained success in the Big Ten and on the national stage."

Northwestern is set to debut the new Ryan Field in primetime on Friday, Oct. 2, when the Wildcats open Big Ten play against Penn State. The privately funded stadium cost more than $850 million,

"We are so grateful for Pat and Shirley Ryan's contributions to Northwestern and Chicago and want to follow their lead," Liz and Dick Uihlein said in a statement. "As multigenerational Chicagoans, we love this city and want to see it thrive. To us, Northwestern University is Chicago. Chicago loves sports and we need Wildcat Football to be competitive. We are pleased to support the university as it enters an exciting new era."

Said Northwestern athletic director Mark Jackson: "We are deeply grateful to the Uihlein family for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to Northwestern University. Their support will help us continue building a program that delivers an exceptional student-athlete experience while competing at the highest level of college football."

Northwestern finished the 2025 season with a 7-6 record, making a bowl for the second time in three seasons under head coach David Braun.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:07:22 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263497.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29481383.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NCAA Football: Big Ten Media Days</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jul 30, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Northwestern Football head coach David Braun speaks during Big Ten Media Days at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Northwestern football</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29481383.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Seahawks S Nick Emmanwori passes physical</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263492</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The Seattle Seahawks announced Tuesday that safety Nick Emmanwori passed his physical, a notable step forward after he underwent ankle surgery last month and began training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

Emmanwori sustained the injury prior to Super Bowl LX, however he was able to play in the Seahawks' 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots.

"I think the best way to describe it is something that he's been dealing with since the Super Bowl, he was able to perform, like able to train, do some things in the offseason program, but just got to the point where it was the best for him for the long term, just to go ahead and get it fixed," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said at the beginning of training camp. "And so that's what we all decided to do. It's really the best thing for him, for now and the foreseeable future, for the rest of his career."

Emmanwori, 22, missed the majority of his first four games of his rookie season after sustaining an ankle injury in the opener.

He fared well in his return, finishing with 81 tackles -- nine for loss -- 2.5 sacks and one interception in 14 games (11 starts) since being selected by the Seahawks in the second round out of South Carolina. He finished second in voting for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:28:47 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263492.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29161790.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NFL: Seattle Seahawks Minicamp</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jun 9, 2026; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) speaks to the media after minicamp practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Steven Bisig-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Nick Emmanwori</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29161790.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Matt LaFleur: Packers RB Josh Jacobs out 'at least this week'</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263491</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs remains sidelined with a groin injury and won't be a full participant in training camp workouts any time soon.

Head coach Matt LaFleur gave a general timeline of "at least this week" when asked how long Jacobs could be limited. He participated in a training group on a side field on Tuesday. 

MarShawn Lloyd has been a bright spot in training camp, LaFleur said, and is likely to work with the No. 1 offense in the preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. LaFleur said starting quarterback Jordan Love also would be available for the game. 

Limited by injuries, the 28-year-old Lloyd has only six regular-season carries for 15 yards since being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jacobs dealt with numerous injuries last season, finishing with 929 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in 15 games (all starts). He also had 36 receptions for 282 yards and a score.

Signed to a four-year, $48 million deal in 2024, Jacobs is a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2020, 2022, 2024). He also was a first-team All Pro in 2022, when he led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,653 yards as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Jacobs, 28, has rushed for 7,803 yards on 1,840 attempts with 74 touchdowns in 105 career games (104 starts) with the Raiders and Packers. He has 269 catches for 2,072 yards and two scores.

The Raiders selected him in the first round of the 2019 draft.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:08:31 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263491.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-831nw/29499188.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="831">
                    <media:title>Syndication: Green Bay Press-Gazette</media:title>
                    <media:description>Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) rides a bicycle to practice on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Josh Jacobs</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29499188.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Colts GM: WR Alec Pierce (ankle) on target for Week 1</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263489</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce has not been activated from the physically unable to perform list but his recovery from offseason foot surgery is on track, according to general manager Chris Ballard.

Ahead of joint workouts with the Patriots in advance of the preseason opener Thursday night in Foxboro, Ballard also clarified the nature of Pierce's March surgical procedure and denied that a second platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to aid recovery was needed before training camp.

The Colts were satisfied enough with Pierce's recovery timetable to sign him to a four-year, $114 million contract and traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He had 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. He has averaged 18.7 yards per catch in four seasons since being selected in the second round of the 2022 draft.

Pierce traveled with the team to New England and worked in the rehab group, doing conditioning and individual drills during the joint practice.

Ballard said Pierce had the PRP injection in January due to lingering soreness in the heel and ankle but still required surgery in March. No second procedure or injection was required, contrary to published reports, according to Ballard.

Wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne wouldn't address whether he was satisfied with the depth chart at the position as Josh Downs (groin) and Pierce work their way back to the field.

"We know what he means to our (WR) room. I just want him whenever he's 100%," Wayne said. "I don't want him at 80, I don't want him at 85."

The Colts added D.J. Montgomery to the roster Monday for his third stint with the team.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:50:15 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263489.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/27931832.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NFL: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans</media:title>
                    <media:description>Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA;  Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) is pushed out of bounds by Houston Texans cornerback Ja'marcus Ingram (42) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Thomas Shea-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Alec Pierce</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/27931832.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Red Sox activate C Adley Rutschman for debut vs. Jays, Dylan Cease</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263487</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Adley Rutschman is set for his Boston Red Sox debut on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Dylan Cease. 

Rutschman was acquired last week at the MLB trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles in a seven-player trade. He played two games at Triple-A Worcester on a rehab assignment before the Red Sox and was 1-for-5 with two RBIs. 

Rutschman, 28, went on the injured list on July 20 with inflammation in his left wrist. He was added to the Boston roster on Tuesday.

An All-Star this season, Rutschman was batting .251 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs in 67 games for Baltimore. The three-time All-Star is a career .254 hitter with 69 home runs and 277 RBIs in five seasons and 572 games for the Orioles.

The former No. 1 overall pick, Rutschman joins a Red Sox team with a 27-7 record since the start of July despite a glaring void at catcher. 

He is 6-for-25 against Toronto this season, which includes a 4-for-4 game with five RBIs on June 5. Against Cease, Rutschman is 2-for-6 with a double and four walks in 10 plate appearances.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:35:46 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263487.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29104129.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles</media:title>
                    <media:description>May 31, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Adley Rutschman (35) hits a sacrifice fly to score a run during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>Rutschman </media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29104129.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>Preview</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Golf Glance: FedExCup Playoffs begin; LPGA and Champions in PNW</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263485</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The FedExCup Playoffs begin in Memphis, the LPGA Tour and Champions Tour are in the Pacific Northwest, while the DP World Tour returns following a three-week break.

PGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: FedEx St. Jude Championship, Memphis, Aug. 13-16
Course: TPC Southwind (Par 70, 7,288 Yards)
Purse: $20M (Winner: $3.6M)
Defending Champion: Justin Rose
FedEx Cup Leader: Scottie Scheffler
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 2-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC); 3-6 p.m. (CBS)
Streaming: Thursday-Sunday: 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m. ET 
X: @FedExChamp
NOTES: The top 70 players in the final regular-season standings qualified for the opening leg of the three-event playoffs. Daniel Berger qualified but is not playing this week due to injury. The top 50 players in the standings after this week will qualify for the BMW Championship, and then the top 30 after the BMW will advance to the Tour Championship. ... There are no cuts in playoff events. ... Michael Brennan's victory last week made him the only player to vault into the top 70 after the Tour Championship. Steven Fisk was bumped out. Rookie Jackson Koivun claimed the 70th and final spot. ... Tommy Fleetwood is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend a FedExCup title. ... Xander Schauffele holds the longest active streak in having qualified for the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons. ... No. 7 Si Woo Kim is the highest-ranked player in the FedExCup standings without a win in 2026. ... Hideki Matsuyama holds the tournament scoring record at TPC Southwind of 263 set in 2024.
BEST BETS: Scheffler (+460 at DraftKings) has not won since the American Express. His T3 last year was Scheffler's best career finish in six starts at TPC Southwind. ... Rory McIlroy (+1025) also has a career-best finish of T3 in this event, coming back in 2023. The only three-time FedExCup champion, McIlroy skipped this event last year. ... Cameron Young (+1900) finished solo fifth here last year and is looking to rebound from a T61 at the Wyndham. ... Schauffele (+1900) hasn't won in 2026 but is coming off a runner-up at the Rocket Classic in his most recent start. ... Fleetwood (+2050) tees it up for the first time since his T4 in his hometown at The Open. ... Sam Burns (+2200) also returns for the first time since his solo third at The Open. That followed a runner-up at the U.S. Open and a T12 at the Travelers.
Last Tournament: Wyndham Championship (Michael Brennan)
Next Tournament: BMW Championship, St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 20-23

LPGA TOUR 
THIS WEEK: The Standard Portland Classic, Portland, Ore., Aug. 13-16
Course: Columbia Edgewater CC (Par 72; 6,541 Yards)
Purse: $2M (Winner: $300,000)
Defending Champion: Aki Iwai
Race to CME Globe Leader: Nelly Korda
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 6-9 p.m. ET; Saturday: 3-6 p.m.; Sunday: 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Streaming: 
X: @PortlandClassic
NOTES: This is the 54th edition of the event, which is the longest-running one on the LPGA Tour outside of the major championships. ... The 144-player field will be cut to the top 65 and ties following 36 holes. ... Iwai claimed her maiden LPGA Tour victory by shooting a final-round 66 to defeat Gurleen Kaur by four strokes last year. ... Chanettee Wannasaen set the tournament scoring record of 26-under 262 in 2023.
Last Tournament: AIG Women's Open (Shiho Kuwaki)
Next Tournament: CPKC Women's Open, Edmonton, Alberta, Aug. 20-23

DP WORLD TOUR
THIS WEEK: Danish Golf Championship, Funen, Denmark, Aug. 13-16
Course: Great Northern, Funen, Denmark (Par 72, 7,314 Yards)
Purse: $3M (Winner: $500,000)
Defending Champion: Marco Penge
Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 7 a.m.-Noon ET; Saturday: 6:30-11 a.m.; Sunday: 6-11 a.m. (Golf Channel)
X: @DPWorldTour
NOTES: The event is located in Kerteminde, about two hours from Copenhagen, and is playing host to its first DP World Tour event. ... The player atop the standings in the "Closing Swing" after next week's Nexo Championship will earn a spot in each of the Phase Two events of the season and a $200,000 bonus. ... This will be the 179th and final DP World Tour start for Alexander Bjork, who announced last September his plan to retire.
Last Tournament: Corales Puntacana Championship (Stefano Mazzoli)
Next Tournament: Nexo Championship, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Aug. 20-23

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
THIS WEEK: Boeing Classic, Snoqualmie, Wash., Aug. 14-16
Course: The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge (Par 72, 7,217 Yards)
Purse: $2.3M (Winner: $345,000)
Defending Champion: Steve Allan
Charles Schwab Cup Leader: Stewart Cink
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Friday: 10 p.m.-Midnight ET (Golf Channel - Tape Delay); Saturday: 6-8 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday: 5-7 p.m. (Golf Channel)
X: @ChampionsTour
NOTES: Eight events remain before the start of the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs. ... Cink and rookie Zach Johnson have combined to win eight of the first 17 events of the 2026 season, including three of the five majors. ... Cink is trying to become the first player to lead the standings every week in a season in the 25-year history of the Charles Schwab Cup.
Last Tournament: Portugal Invitational (Zach Johnson)
Next Tournament: Rogers Charity Classic, Calgary, Alberta (Aug. 21-23)

LIV GOLF
THIS WEEK: OFF.
2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: 4Aces GC
Last Event: LIV Golf New York (Individual: Joaquin Niemann; Team: Crushers GC)
Next Event: Indianapolis, Aug. 20-23

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:10:30 -04:00</pubDate>
               <guid isPermaLink="false">Story-263485.xml</guid>
               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/29445614.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>PGA: 3M Open - Second Round</media:title>
                    <media:description>Scottie Scheffler begins the FedExCup Playoffs atop the standings.</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Nick Wosika-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>scottie scheffler</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/29445614.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Dodgers C Dalton Rushing doesn't believe he needs UCL surgery</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263484</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing believes he can avoid surgery to repair the partially torn ligament in his right elbow.

"I don't have to go lay on a table and get my arm cut open," he told The Athletic after the Dodgers' 6-5 win against Kansas City on Monday night. "That's a good thing. That's where we're at right now."

Rushing, 25, landed on the 10-day injured list last week with a slight tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm. Manager Dave Roberts said Rushing would not throw for four to six weeks.

Discussing the injury for the first time Monday, Rushing said the injury was not a surprise to him or the team.

"From a structural standpoint, we had a history a little bit of it," Rushing said. "(The Dodgers) were aware of it. Everyone was aware of it. I think that's what popped up as of recently on scans and kind of threw up a red flag for some people.

"But as far as the feel of it, we're worried about the muscle side of it that surrounds it. That's what we're going to rehab."

If he can avoid season-ending surgery, Rushing hopes to rejoin the Dodgers in time to pursue their third consecutive World Series championship this fall. Will Smith, the team's No. 1 backstop, has been out since June with a neck injury and is expected to resume batting practice this week.

Rushing is batting .253 with a .335 on-base percentage, a .475 slugging percentage, 12 homers and 36 RBIs in 74 games this year. He broke into the majors with Los Angeles last year, hitting .204/.258/.324 with four homers and 24 RBIs in 53 games.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:05:52 -04:00</pubDate>
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               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-749nw/27000925.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="749">
                    <media:title>MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates</media:title>
                    <media:description>Sep 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (68) reacts after committing a first inning throwing error against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>dalton rushing react</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/27000925.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Yankees receive $2.6B in private equity deal</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263482</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The New York Yankees are receiving $2.6 billion in a deal with the private equity fund Apollo Sports Capital, the team announced on Tuesday.

The huge capital infusion for Yankee Global Enterprises will allow the team to refinance or retire much of its existing debt and then pursue new ventures, according to The Athletic.

Hal Steinbrenner remains the Yankees' managing general partner and the Steinbrenner family maintains full control of the historic franchise. Patriarch George Steinbrenner, who died in 2010, led a group of investors that bought the team from CBS for $10 million in 1973.

"We are continually seeking ways to strengthen our positioning, and this partnership allows us to explore pursuing strategic opportunities," Hal Steinbrenner said in a news release.

An individual private equity fund can hold no more than a 15 percent stake in a club under the rules of Major League Baseball. The exact percentage of Apollo's stake was not announced. Forbes' annual list of MLB franchise valuations listed the Yankees at $8.5 billion in March.

In addition to the baseball team, Yankee Global Enterprises' assets include the YES Network and stakes in MLS club New York City FC and Italian soccer team AC Milan, all of which could benefit from the new money.

Apollo Sports Capital is a branch of Apollo Global Management, a New York-based firm with nearly $1 trillion in assets under management. Apollo became the majority stakeholder of Spanish soccer power Atletico Madrid in 2025.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:49:54 -04:00</pubDate>
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               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/19663660.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>MLB: New York Yankees-Aaron Judge press conference</media:title>
                    <media:description>Dec 21, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; Hal Steinbrenner during a press conference at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>hal steinbrenner</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/19663660.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
               </media:content>
          </item>
          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Tampa looking to rework funding plan for Rays' proposed $2.3B stadium</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263486</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The Rays' plans to build a long-awaited ballpark in Tampa, Fla., have hit a stumbling block financially, and the franchise now is turning to the city council for a save in the ninth inning.

The team must have the issue resolved before construction can begin on the $2.3 billion ballpark. The obstacle is a planned $180 million city contribution that at least one council member wants to retool.

Construction must begin this fall if the ballpark is to open before the 2029 season, meaning the financing issue must be resolved soon.

The city originally intended to pay the $180 million through funding generated by a community investment tax and a community redevelopment area. Instead, city leaders are working to raise the money through "tax-increment financing of a mixed-use development around the ballpark," Front Office Sports reported late Monday.

The reasoning for the shift is that under Plan B, the city could use funds generated by the stadium project instead of spending money intended to serve greater public needs.

"What I'm trying to do is create a win-win-win situation," Tampa city council member Bill Carlson told WUSF-TV. "The city went from having to pay money, taking money from other sources, to now participating in a revenue stream that will fund infrastructure without raising taxes. We're not subsidizing any for-profit activities."

Using money not diverted from public funds could help strengthen public and political support for the project. Between the city and other public entities, taxpayer cash will total up to $976 million -- the agreed-to cap. The Rays are set to pay the balance.

The Rays entered a non-binding memorandum of understanding regarding the stadium with the city and Hillsborough County in May but likely will need to adjust the spending allocations before the two bodies will finalize their contributions.

The planned 30,000-seat domed ballpark will be part of a mixed-used development that is being modeled, in part, after The Battery, which surrounds the Atlanta Braves' stadium. The Battery includes local dining establishments, a hotel, shopping and services.

On an earnings call last week, Braves officials said The Battery generated revenues of about $54.9 million in the first six months of the year, up about 26% from last year.

The Rays have called Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg their permanent home since 1998.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:47:08 -04:00</pubDate>
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               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/28669997.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>MLB: Chicago Cubs at Tampa Bay Rays</media:title>
                    <media:description>Apr 6, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; a general view of the stadium before a game between the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>tropicana field general view</media:keywords>
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          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>President Trump: Removing FIFA's Gianni Infantino would be 'terrible mistake'</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263480</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Embattled FIFA leader Gianni Infantino has a powerful and vocal supporter -- President Donald J. Trump.

As soccer organizations around the world continue to call for the resignation of the FIFA president, post-World Cup, Trump blasted that idea in a message he posted to Truth Social on Monday night. 

"FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino," Trump wrote.

"He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!"

UEFA (Europe), Concacaf (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) and the AFC (Asia) joined together earlier Monday to release an open letter, signed by the president and general secretary of each organization, urging Infantino's resignation.

Infantino has been under fire since last month's failed plan to launch the FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have sold part of the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors to raise billions of dollars.

He apparently caused further damage by holding a crisis meeting last week in Morocco with some members of FIFA's management team.

"This recent meeting, where a select number of members of the FIFA Management Committee -- not the full Committee -- were summoned abroad, rather than leadership going to Zurich to address the heart of FIFA, its staff, only reinforces these concerns and represents a continuation of the very pattern of conduct that brought us to this moment," reads the letter from UEFA, Concacaf and AFC.

"It is not the conduct of a custodian of the game, but of one who believes the game is answerable to him. There is silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness.

"These are not the qualities football deserves in its leadership. That is why we have taken this stance: not lightly and not alone, but together, and out of duty to the game we serve."

Also Monday, U.S. Soccer and others issued their own statement backing Concacaf.

"U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer, CFU (Caribbean Football Union) and UNCAF (Central American Football Union) stand together, along with our colleagues around the world, in calling for meaningful change that strengthens FIFA's governance, transparency and accountability," the statement read.

Infantino, 56, has served as FIFA president since his initial election on Feb. 26, 2016. His current term runs through 2027, and he has announced his bid for reelection to extend his tenure to 2031.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:33:46 -04:00</pubDate>
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                    <media:title>Soccer: FIFA World Cup 2026 - Final - Spain v Argentina</media:title>
                    <media:description>July 19, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.; U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the trophy presentation following the FIFA World Cup Final at New York New Jersey Stadium.  Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images </media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>trump infantino</media:keywords>
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          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>LeBron James, 76ers visit Knicks as part of NBA opening slate</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263477</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[The New York Knicks will tip off the 2026-27 in style, raising their championship banner on Oct. 20 ahead of their home game against LeBron James and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers.

The star-studded affair that also includes Philadelphia's Jaylen Brown and New York's Jalen Brunson at Madison Square Garden is the middle game of three contests on the opening day of the season. The Boston Celtics will visit the Detroit Pistons at 3 p.m. ET, while Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will host the Oklahoma City at 9:30 p.m. ET in a rematch of the Western Conference finals.

The NBA also unveiled its Christmas Day schedule with five games on tap, highlighted by James facing his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Spurs and Knicks open the day's slate at noon ET, followed by the Miami Heat at Boston, the 76ers at the Lakers, the Thunder at the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets tangling with the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:26:42 -04:00</pubDate>
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               <media:content url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/1100-733nw/28933217.jpg" type="image/jpg" medium="image" width="1100" height="733">
                    <media:title>NBA: Playoffs-Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers</media:title>
                    <media:description>May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>LeBron James</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/28933217.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
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          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <category>celebrity</category>
               <title>DiJonai Carrington: 'White privilege' comment wasn't about ejection</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263455</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington disputed an assessment that her use of the term "white privilege" in a social media post was a reference to her ejection from a game on Saturday.

Carrington also talked about the incident on Monday ahead of the Sky's road game against the Seattle Storm.

"I already spoke with people who potentially will have the agency to create the change that I'm hoping comes about from not just this incident, but ones in the past and that are obviously going to be coming up in the near future, probably," Carrington said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Carrington then went out and scored a career-high 26 points in Chicago's 97-88 loss at Seattle. She added six rebounds and five steals.

Carrington was thrown out of the Sky's 90-86 loss to the visiting Fever in the first quarter for a hard hit on Indiana's Sophie Cunningham. As Cunningham went up for a layup, Carrington knocked her down with an arm that made contact to the head and face.

The referees checked the video and upgraded the initial call to a flagrant-2 foul, triggering an automatic ejection.

Shortly thereafter, Carrington, who is Black, posted on her Threads account: "WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever." Cunningham is white.

Former NFL player Emmanuel Acho said Sunday on his podcast, "This was not a race-based decision. To call that a white privilege-based foul is to completely undermine the term of white privilege and to also completely ignore the rules in basketball. You hit her in the head. You drew blood. You didn't connect with the ball at all whatsoever.

"So to me, it was just very ignorant and, to some degree, asinine by D.J. Carrington to suggest that that call was based on white privilege. Have we seen examples of white players make that same foul and get away with it? Have we seen examples of black players make that same foul and get away with it? Yes. There was no white privilege involved in that specific call."

Carrington responded by writing on social media, "I've never once claimed that the assessment of the foul was white privilege (that was your assumption). Try exercising your critical thinking skills, I know you studied psych. Furthermore, I'm the LAST thing from ignorant or asinine when it comes to speaking on ‘white privilege', do ya research on that one. I actually went to school, one of the top universities might I add, to educate myself on this exact subject.

"I would never use that term as a rhetorical weapon knowing the historical and social weight it holds without having the proper evidence to substantiate it."



Carrington continued to elaborate on her view of the foul on Cunningham on Monday.

"It was unfortunate that I made contact with her in the way that I did, but it was never intentional," Carrington said, according to the Sun-Times. "And look, it might happen again. That's just how I play. I'm gonna always go all out. I'm not gonna just let an open layup happen. But like I said, I'm never intending to hurt anybody, regardless of the outside noise or whatever the situation may be."

Asked about Cunningham not receiving a technical foul for shoving Carrington in the aftermath of the hard foul, Carrington said, per the Sun-Times, "I would just love consistency across the board when it comes to things like that. Whether it's the foul that I commit, whether it's the reaction or retaliation, I would just love for it to be consistent across the board, regardless of the name on your jersey or your skin color or the score of the game, whatever.

"I don't think we're there yet. That's something that I've talked to the league about as well. I think that will eliminate a lot of frustrations that we all have."

Carrington played college basketball for Stanford (2016-17 to 2019-20) and Baylor (2020-21) before she was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft by the Sun. Following four seasons in Connecticut, she played for the Dallas Wings and Minnesota Lynx last season, then joined Chicago before this season.

The 28-year-old San Diego native was selected the WNBA's Most Improved Player in 2024, when she also made the All-Defensive first team.

In six games off the bench for the Sky this season, Carrington is averaging 12.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists. She has career averages of 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 168 games (56 starts).

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 01:48:28 -04:00</pubDate>
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                    <media:title>WNBA: Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky</media:title>
                    <media:description>Aug 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) is fouled by Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington (7) as she drives to the basket during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>DiJonai Carrington</media:keywords>
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          <item>
               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Disney, Comcast reach deal, lifting NFL Network blackout</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263444</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Comcast, the nation's second-largest cable television provider under the brand Xfinity, has reached an agreement with Disney to lift the current blackout and resume airing the NFL Network and NFL RedZone to its roughly 11 million subscribers in time for the 2026 season.

Disney owns 72% of ESPN, which took over NFL Media assets earlier this year. Shortly after the takeover, the contract with Comcast expired and the two parties could not reach an immediate deal.

Xfinity TV subscribers have been in the dark since the end of April.

Financial terms of the agreement were not announced. Disney was believed to have demanded higher fees and additional live game broadcasts, but it is unclear whether Comcast agreed to any of those demands.

The NFL Network was launched in 2003 and, as of June 2023, was available in 51.5 million homes across the United States.

NFL RedZone, hosted by Scott Hanson, was launched in September 2009.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:30:06 -04:00</pubDate>
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                    <media:title>NFL: Super Bowl LX-Opening Night</media:title>
                    <media:description>Feb 2, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Sports commentator Scott Hanson speaks to the media during Opening Night for Super Bowl LX at San Jose Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>scott hanson</media:keywords>
                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.imagn.com/image/thumb/180-180/28143689.jpg" width="180" height="180" />
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               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Daniel Berger out of FedExCup playoff opener due to injury</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263445</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Daniel Berger won't compete in the FedEx Cup playoffs despite qualifying for the second straight year.

Berger did not commit to play in this week's playoff opener in Memphis, the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The PGA Tour told Golfweek that Berger's decision was due to injury.

Berger, 33, missed the better part of two years on tour due to a serious back injury. He returned in 2024 and made the FedEx Cup playoffs in 2025, reaching the second of three tournaments but withdrawing after three rounds of the BMW Championship.

This season, Berger finished 60 in the points race even as he withdrew from last week's Wyndham Championship, the PGA Tour's regular-season finale. Berger had not teed it up since the Open Championship a month ago.

The top 70 players in the season-long points race qualify for Memphis, and Berger won't be replaced in the field, leaving 69 competitors at the St. Jude. Without playing this week, Berger has no way to reach the top 50 who'll move on to the BMW Championship.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:26:26 -04:00</pubDate>
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                    <media:title>PGA: Cadillac Championship - Final Round</media:title>
                    <media:description>May 3, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Daniel Berger watches his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Cadillac Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Jeff Romance-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>daniel berger</media:keywords>
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               <dc:creator>Field Level Media</dc:creator>
               <category>Story</category>
               <category>News</category>
               <category>Top Story</category>
               <title>Reports: DT Quinnen Williams inks $105.9M extension with Cowboys</title>
               <link>https://fieldlevelmedia.com/latest-stories?storyId=263442</link>
               <description xml:space="preserve"><![CDATA[Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams has signed a three-year contract extension that will make him the second-highest paid at his position, according to multiple reports on Monday.

Williams, who came to Dallas in a trade deadline deal with the New York Jets last season, will earn $105.9 million over the length of the extension (through 2030). Reports said the deal includes $101 million guaranteed, $63.55 million guaranteed at signing and a $31.85 million signing bonus.

The 28-year old's $35.3 million annual average is second to Philadelphia's Jalen Carter, who just signed a four-year extension worth $38 million per year.

The Jets received defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 first-round selection for Williams. After trading back six slots with Detroit, New York selected Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds at No. 50 in the April draft.

After the trade, Williams amassed 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits and three tackles for loss in seven games played for the Cowboys.

From a team perspective, Dallas reduced its rushing yards allowed per game from 143 before Williams' arrival to 99.1 in the seven games he played.

The Jets took the Alabama product third overall in the 2019 draft. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 when he exploded for a dozen sacks.

The four-time Pro Bowler (2022-25) has played in 105 games in seven seasons, recording 343 tackles, 62 tackles for loss, 41.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a pair of interceptions.

--Field Level Media]]></description>
               <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:35:08 -04:00</pubDate>
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                    <media:title>NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions</media:title>
                    <media:description>Dec 4, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images</media:description>
                    <media:credit role="photographer">Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images</media:credit>
                    <media:keywords>quinnen williams </media:keywords>
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