North American professional basketball league of 30 teams.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has published an essay calling for frontier AI development to slow and has committed Anthropic to embed third‑party evaluators with employee‑level access. OpenAI's Sam Altman and xAI's Elon Musk have publicly backed the proposal, lawmakers and markets are reacting, and President Donald Trump has dismissed the slowdown argument.
Spain has beaten Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the New Jersey final and the match has drawn record U.S. audiences: Fox's English broadcast has averaged about 38.9 million viewers and Telemundo/Peacock has added roughly 23.9 million, a combined total that far exceeds the 22.3 million U.S. viewers for the 2022 final.
NBCUniversal has struck a multi-year deal adding Peacock Premium to YouTube Premium in the U.S. from early 2027. Peacock, NBC’s live sports and popular shows will be accessible directly within YouTube, without extra charges for Premium subscribers. The move aims to broaden Peacock’s reach and boost advertising revenue, as NBCU expands distribution beyond its own apps.
A French trans player Tetart, aged 34, says she would consider playing in the WNBA if allowed by country, while debates over transgender participation in women’s sports continue. Tetart led France’s Ligue 2 last season with 21.2 points and 20.2 rebounds per game, earning multiple player awards.
Don Nelson, a Hall of Fame basketball coach and longtime Mavericks figure, has died at 86. Family statements describe him as beloved husband, father and grandfather. Nelson leaves a legacy as a pioneering coach who popularized fast-paced play and Nellie Ball, influencing teams and players across the league.
Don Nelson, a Hall of Fame coach who revolutionized NBA offense with a fast, versatile game, has died at 86. He led Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State to extensive success, shaped star careers like Dirk Nowitzki and Steph Curry, and left a lasting mark on the sport.
New York City has hit peak summer activity with record crowds and spending. After Knicks’ championship and World Cup crowds, the city remains lively as visitors push commerce and events into high gear this August.
The Knicks will host the 76ers on Oct. 20 to raise their 2023-24 championship banner, then begin the NBA Cup schedule with a group-stage game against Philadelphia in New York. The league has released a partial schedule, with key Christmas and opening-night matchups revealed and full details due Thursday.
Zach Holland has admitted to faking a hole‑in‑one at WingHaven Country Club in Missouri during a member‑member event. He has resigned from the club amid backlash and questions about integrity in amateur golf. The incident follows a pattern of scrutiny over ethics in sport.
Bob Iger and Josh Kushner have agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter in a transaction valuing the franchise at about $12.5 billion. The sale has been announced this week, requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors and is subject to due diligence and Kushners divestment of a Miami Heat stake.
Travis Kelce has described his New York wedding to Taylor Swift as the best night of his life. The ceremony at Madison Square Garden has drawn global intrigue, with guests and outfits keeping a tight lid on photos and specifics. Kelce and Swift have kept most details private, while paid city costs and security drew attention.
Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement after an 18-year career that included a 2016-17 MVP season, 42 triple-doubles in a season, and stints with several teams, including the Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets and Kings. The farewell video, narrated by Michael B. Jordan, marks the end of an era.
The Cavaliers have secured a multi-year deal with James Harden, including a player option for 2028-29 and a trade kicker, after Harden declined a $42.3 million option earlier this summer. The move follows Cleveland’s recent trades, including acquiring Peyton Watson from Denver. Harden has averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 games for Cleveland this season, and his career marks span 1,221 games across multiple teams.
The Trump administration has mobilized a broad sanctions push to choke Iran’s economy while coordinating with G20 partners. Officials say secondary sanctions will target countries and firms doing business with Tehran, with a looming wave of penalties expected to press Iran’s leaders toward a deal. The effort unfolds amid a tense stand-off in the Middle East and global energy-market jitters.
The Buss siblings are contesting the sale of the Lakers while Joey and Jesse Buss have secured a minority stake in the San Diego Padres. Jeanie Buss argues the sale is void, citing fiduciary concerns. The ownership shift unfolds as the Padres deal brackets a broader family-dynasty moment in Southern California sports.
Josh Kushner has issued his first public statement on the collapsed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, saying he still supports its aims but would not have invested had he known how the process would unfold. UEFA has filed US court papers seeking document production and depositions from Kushner and Thrive as it prepares possible criminal mismanagement claims against FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Federal filings show a nurse practitioner prescribed hundreds of thousands of opioid pills across more than 20 states, guiding clients on evading DEA scrutiny. The DEA has revoked her authority to prescribe controlled substances. Civil settlement reached earlier this year did not admit wrongdoing. Details tie prominent athletes and others to the operation.
A wave of court rulings on prediction markets, led by Kalshi, has put federal and state regulators at odds. The Ninth Circuit has ruled Nevada may apply its gaming laws to Kalshi’s sports-event contracts, a decision echoed by other circuits as litigation intensifies. The Supreme Court is likely to weigh in as cases diverge.
Naomi Osaka has continued her high-profile fashion storytelling at the US Open, wearing a basketball-inspired, Allen Iverson tribute outfit while advancing to the second round with a straight-sets win. The look blends Nike’s basketball theme with nods to Iverson, echoing past grand-slam entrances and building anticipation for further stylistic reveals.
Westbrook has joined the upstart league Project B as an equity holder and chief strategy officer, with a seat on the board as it launches in January 2027. The move follows his retirement after 18 seasons.
The NBA has found misconduct by the Clippers tied to off‑court income deals for Kawhi Leonard, resulting in five first‑round picks forfeited between 2029 and 2033, a $30 million fine, and suspensions for owner Steve Ballmer and team executives. Leonard has expressed responsibility for lapses and is focusing on the future after the situation. The league notes ongoing compliance monitoring for five years.
Engelbert has announced she is stepping down at the end of 2026 after seven years as the WNBA's first commissioner. The league has seen record growth under her leadership, including a historic CBA, a long-term media deal, and expansion plans, though criticism from players on leadership and responses to protests has persisted.
The Clippers have faced a sweeping NBA punishment including a $30 million fine, five first-round picks forfeited, and a one-year suspension for Ballmer. Ballmer has publicly apologized, stating the team is complying with penalties and focusing on moving forward as Leonard’s trade to Toronto remains on hold pending the investigation.
Sports leagues have pressed regulators to permanently revoke betting privileges for anyone who threatens or harasses athletes, coaches or staff. The initiative seeks uniform rules across states to curb harassment as legal sports betting expands.
The Knicks have paused single-game ticket sales after an internal pricing error sent early prices soaring. MSG Sports says it will roll back to last year’s prices with an average 12% increase and refund buyers who already purchased tickets. Sales will restart with new prices next week.
Azeez Al-Shaair has been fined $11,941 by the NFL for wearing the name Hind Rajab on his eye black during a Texans-Bills game. The gesture honors a Palestinian girl killed in Gaza; the NFL maintains rules forbid personal messages on game day. The case follows a prior fine for a similar gesture.
Ausar and Amen Thompson have signed rookie-scale extensions, reshaping the Pistons’ defensive backbone. Detroit is facing a standstill with Jalen Duren’s contract status as they shuffle veterans and youth in a market-shaping summer.
The Lakers have seen a surge in value and ticket prices as a new ownership group takes control, with plans to grow to a $30 billion franchise while expanding media rights, sponsorships, and global reach.