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The Verdict: The curious case of James Rodríguez and Minnesota United

At least James Rodríguez is giving the people of Minnesota a parting gift. After signing a short-term contract with Minnesota United in February, Rodríguez is now just days away from leaving the U.S., adding another club and league to his lengthy résumé — and providing more fodder for both his most ardent supporters and the detractors who, in his own words, serve as a driving force. Since 2020, the Colombia international and former Real Madrid playmaker has ping-ponged his way around the world,...

All 12 Stanley Cup Final matchups left in play, ranked purely on narratives

You know what they say: When it comes to a hockey playoff series, all that matters is what happens on the ice. You wave away the distractions and noise and just focus on the games being played.That’s what they say, because they are fools. It’s the playoffs. It’s all about the narrative, baby.OK, I’ll acknowledge the slight possibility that my media background is shining through here, and not everyone cares about pre-built storylines quite as much as I’ve been trained to. But it’s my column, so t...

2026 NBA mock draft: From AJ Dybantsa to Brayden Burries, our writers make lottery picks

The 2026 NBA Draft class is a strong one, and we now know which teams will be picking at the top. The Washington Wizards (first), Utah Jazz (second) and Memphis Grizzlies (third) hold the top three selections in the June draft after Sunday afternoon’s lottery.Our draft expert Sam Vecenie has already shared his view of how the lottery will shake out, but let’s dive into how others on The Athletic NBA staff see the top-14 picks unfolding.Advertisement

McLaren ‘definitely want to defend’ the title – Stella

Following a better weekend for McLaren in Miami, Team Principal Andrea Stella has given his assessment on whether the squad can potentially defend both titles in 2026.

'We'll make a decision': Mumbai Indians provide big update on Hardik Pandya

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya is sidelined with a back issue, missing consecutive IPL 2026 matches. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene confirmed the ongoing treatment, stating his return is day-to-day. This setback comes as MI, already eliminated from playoff contention, suffered another defeat, highlighting their disappointing season.

NBC touted Michael Jordan's participation in its NBA revival. The reality fizzled

The iconic Chicago Bulls 1990s intro music from The Alan Parsons Project filled Radio City Music Hall during NBC’s “upfronts” a year ago, the annual event where networks try to energize advertisers to spend with them.“Froooom North Carolina, at guard, 6-6, Michael Jordan,” the voice of PA announcer Ray Clay boomed.Advertisement

Foul or no foul? Every expert opinion on West Ham vs Arsenal VAR controversy

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‘Worth fighting for’: Krunal’s painful scar photo goes viral after RCB-MI thriller

Krunal Pandya battled severe cramps to score a match-winning 73 off 46 balls, powering Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a thrilling last-ball victory against his former franchise, Mumbai Indians. Despite immense physical pain, Pandya's resilience and crucial partnerships revived RCB's chase, securing a vital win that knocked MI out of playoff contention.

धोनी की एक सलाह से सब बदल गया, तूफानी फिफ्टी जड़ने के बाद उर्विल ने खोला राज

West Ham to make official complaint as Arsenal VAR drama escalates

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Premlall one shot off Woods record in maiden win

Premlall one shot off Woods record in maiden winImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Premlall is the eighth first-time winner on the DP World Tour this seasonPublished6 minutes agoSouth Africa's Yurav Premlall was one shot away from breaking Tiger Woods' 26-year-old record for the biggest winning margin on the DP World Tour as he stormed to victory at the Catalunya Championship.Premlall carded a final-round 63 to finish on 28 under and secure his maiden DP World Tour win by 14 shot...

An NBA coach and referee were once college teammates. But in the playoffs, it's 'professional'

CLEVELAND — Everyone, it seemed, was talking to Curtis Blair during Thursday’s Game 2 of the Cavs-Pistons series. Everyone, that is, except Kenny Atkinson.Cleveland star James Harden held a side chat with the barrel-chested referee at the end of the first quarter. Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff gave Blair an earful more than once. And Blair just sort of … let him go.Advertisement

Vinesh Phogat contests federation ban, arrives for comeback wrestling event

Vinesh Phogat contests federation ban arrives for comeback wrestling event

As the splitter rises in popularity, why do left-handers rarely throw the pitch?

During the final seasons of his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career, Clayton Kershaw experimented with baseball’s trendiest pitch. For years, Kershaw had tried and failed to throw a changeup. His delivery didn’t allow him to pronate enough to throw the pitch consistently. So he tried a split-fingered fastball.Advertisement

Without Saudi riches, LIV Golf finally has to stand on its merits. Best of luck

POTOMAC FALLS, Va. — This is how LIV Golf would like the story of its tournaments to be written: “On a mostly lovely Sunday afternoon, Australian Lucas Herbert shot a nervy 69 to stave off Spain’s Sergio Garcia and American star Bryson DeChambeau and win LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National Golf Club. Moreover, Anthony Kim — LIV’s inspiration of a comeback story — made 10 birdies en route to a 62 and then parred the first playoff hole to lift 4Aces GC to the team title.”A LIV Golf tournament has...

What's next in the NFL? Schedule release, A.J. Brown trade, Brandon Aiyuk's status

NFL front offices have completed most of the heavy lifting associated with the offseason.Thanks to the completion of free agency and the NFL Draft, most rosters stand near the 90-man offseason limit, and voluntary practice sessions have kicked off across the league.From now until the middle of June, coaches and players will work to establish a foundation for training camps, which begin in late July. Free agents must acclimate themselves to new systems. Rookies will navigate their new lives on an...

The New York Jets’ offseason winners and losers (so far): A great spring for two QBs

The New York Jets’ offseason program is in full force.Their two-day rookie minicamp ended on Saturday and it would be difficult to take too much away from those light practices — though the Jets did sign one tryout player to their roster (veteran offensive lineman Landon Young) and fourth-round rookie QB Cade Klubnik is quickly becoming a fan favorite.Advertisement

Steelers rookie camp takeaways: Drew Allar's total rebuild, O-line alignment clues

PITTSBURGH — Drew Allar took his first steps as a Steeler over the weekend. Slow, methodical steps.During rookie minicamp, the former Penn State quarterback worked his two- and three-step drops at an almost robotic-like pace. That was intentional. Precision is the priority above all else, as the Steelers begin rebuilding the third-round pick’s mechanics from the ground up.Advertisement

Knicks owner James Dolan is winning his bet on Mike Brown over Tom Thibodeau

PHILADELPHIA — Tom Thibodeau did not deserve to be fired.James Dolan did the right thing by firing him and replacing him with Mike Brown.Both things can be true in the bizarro world of professional sports, and both things are true today, with the Knicks back in the Eastern Conference finals and playing a level of basketball they haven’t reached in more than three decades, and maybe in more than five.Advertisement

Colts says QB Anthony Richardson Sr. 'here to compete' amid trade request

INDIANAPOLIS — Anthony Richardson Sr. does not want to be a member of the Indianapolis Colts. He made that clear when he requested a trade in February after three seasons with the franchise. Since then, however, the Colts have been unable to strike a deal, and after missing the first two weeks of voluntary spring practice, Richardson rejoined the team Monday.Advertisement