It’s the zinger that has plagued WWE superstars, Stephen A. Smith and sports teams alike. Danhausen, the “very nice and very evil” pro wrestling personality that has laid his curse on The Miz, Kit Wilson and the ESPN pundit, did something that was more of the former rather than the latter. He “uncursed” the New York Knicks.
The Knicks and Knicks fans have been in a pit of basketball despair for about 27 years. Since the San Antonio Spurs swept them in the 1999 NBA Finals, joy when watching the Knicks has come in waves.
Danhausen enters the ring during WWE Backlash at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., on May 9, 2026.(Michael Owens/WWE)
The arrivals of Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony helped bring the spark back into their eyes. Jeremy Lin and “Linsanity” gave them hope and even Phil Jackson taking over as president of the team for three years in the mid-2010s was a moment that would have been engrained in fans’ heads for quite some time if it led to any kind of success.
But this year’s iteration of the Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson, has, so far, erased all of the tales of tragedy and small triumphs that never came to fruition. The Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals on Monday night with a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Danhausen cursed the Cavaliers, much to the chagrin of Cleveland sports fan The Miz. He even showed up to Madison Square Garden and received a jersey while WWE released a shirt in collaboration with the Knicks. The shirt read, “You are Uncursed.”
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Miz speaks with Danhausen during SmackDown at BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 1, 2026.(Meg Oliphant/WWE)
Danhausen took a victory lap on Tuesday, appearing in a video breaking out a broom to signify the sweep.
“UNCURSED,” he added in a separate post on X.
The moment underscores a perfect crossover moment between pro wrestling and mainstream sports. Brunson, himself, is a huge WWE fan and got involved in an angle last year with Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.
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Brunson has avoided commenting on Danhausen’s shenanigans, but said he and the training staff “acknowledge” world heavyweight champion Roman Reigns before every game.
“See, these are the questions I want asked! … I have a handshake with one of our trainers and we acknowledge him before every game,” he said back on April 30 after Reigns won the title at WrestleMania 42.
Whether it’s voodoo, magic, or whatever you want to call it, the Knicks have propelled themselves back into the hearts and minds of basketball fans and have become one of the feel-good stories of the year.
Across the city, in Queens, the New York Mets are still hoping for an “uncursing.” But Danhausen made clear to Fox News Digital during WrestleMania week in April that that the team wasn’t fully away from his curse.
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New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson reacts after scoring during the second half of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in New York, New York, on May 19, 2026.(Seth Wenig/AP Photo)
“I did un-curse the Mets. But it didn’t work because, I believe it was Brian Gewirtz who did not pay Danhausen. He did not send me my money so it did not take full effect,” he said. “Once I have the money, perhaps it will actually work because right now it’s probably about a half of an un-cursing. It’s like a layaway situation.”
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
TNT Tropang 5G’s Chris McCullough during a game vs Meralco Bolts in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 4. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Chris McCullough is not dwelling too much on the struggles that marred his PBA return, this time for TNT in the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
McCullough scored 24 points but was 7-of-22 from the field as the Tropang 5G fell 101-90 to the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday, which leveled their best-of-seven affair at 2-2 inside Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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The former San Miguel Beer reinforcement is confident that things will be smooth once he gets his groove going.
“I didn’t play basketball in 13 days,” said McCullough, who came over from a stint in Taiwan to serve as a permanent replacement to the injured Bol Bol. “This is my first time picking up a basketball in 13 days, so I’m still getting my rhythm, still getting my flow.
“But once I get going, it’ll be scary,” he added.
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Chris McCullough’s #PBA50 return wasn’t exactly as good as he would’ve liked it.
TNT tapped McCullough shortly after Bol went down with an Achilles injury that ended his much-publicized PBA stint. He arrived Sunday, allowing him two days to get used to the team.
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He also had nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks in 31 minutes for the Tropang 5G.
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“Chemistry is regular,” he said. “I know most of the guys. I’ve only been to two days in practice, so tomorrow we’re going to work on things, see what works and come back and fight it.”
Game 5 is set for Friday at the Big Dome, with the winner taking an all-important 3-2 lead.
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“Just take it one game at a time. We got a game Friday, one game at a time. Get a win and come back, and that’s it,” said McCullough.
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A Putellas arrival would not just make a statement for London City.
The WSL has never had a Ballon d’Or winner in the division and ultimately, if the league’s sixth-best team can lure Putellas, that sends an ominous message about its financial and reputational might.
Vidal believes the attraction of the WSL is seeping across Europe.
“It is clear they are paying more in England – Spain cannot compete with that,” she said. “Also, players want to be competitive every weekend. For many years, Barcelona have not had a rival.
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“There is a fear of losing all talent to England and if Alexia Putellas leaves for the WSL, that opens it up to everyone.”
This season, three English teams made the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but only Arsenal reached the semis.
In 2026-27, dominant WSL champions Manchester City will return to Europe’s premier competition, and have retained top scorer Khadija Shaw on a lucrative new contract.
Shaw is one of many WSL players who can be counted among the world’s best -Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, Chelsea’s Lauren James and Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa are among those to thrive this season.
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Others among Europe’s elite, including Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway and Putellas’ Barcelona team-mate Ona Batlle, could also switch to England this summer.
“I think the WSL can replicate to some extent what we have seen with the Premier League,” said football finance expert Kieran Maguire, “in that it effectively becomes a super league in its own right.
“There is sufficient interest from broadcasters, fans and commercially. It means WSL clubs can outbid clubs from elsewhere in Europe in terms of transfer fees and that will drive players here as well.”
Domestically, the league is increasing to 14 teams in September, with guaranteed TV funding until 2030 ensuring finances remain in rude health.
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Both Chelsea and Brighton have committed to their women’s teams in recent months too, the former lining up all home matches for Stamford Bridge next season and the latter announcing plans for Europe’s first bespoke stadium.
A potential Putellas arrival only adds to the anticipation for next season’s biggest year yet.
The social media game is a tough one to compete in. Influencing is not as easy as it looks and being able to sell yourself as a brand is tough for most people to come by.
Pro wrestling figures like Richard Holliday and Ben Bishop have masterfully put together a marketing game that has made them two of the most recognizable performers on the independent scene. The two wrestlers boast thousands of followers across multiple social media platforms.
Pro wrestler Dono Hefner is looking to make a name for himself on the indies.(Provided to Fox News Digital)
Dono Henfer is taking a page of out of their playbook.
Fans may not know the name just yet, but he’s working hard to use social media to his advantage. Inspired by Holliday, Bishop and Tommy Invincible, Hefner told Fox News Digital that social media is a key tool for everyone coming up on the indies.
“Richard Holliday – that’s one guy I look up to right now on the independent scene. I feel like he’s very smart. He’s putting himself out there and his brand,” he told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “A lot of people don’t use social media to their advantage. I feel like if that’s one tool you need in the pro wrestling world, I feel like a lot of people like that.
“Not a lot of people use social media up to their advantage like him, Ben Bishop, Tommy Invincible, all those guys. They’re all smart. And that’s kinda what I’m doing now. I post every day.”
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Most importantly, Hefner stressed, you never know who could be watching on the other end.
“No matter what it is, I always brainstorm new ideas. I always come up with a new way on how to put myself out there, how to expose my brand because you never know who’s watching,” he said. “Whether it’s 100 views, 500, 1,000, you just never know who’s behind that screen watching. People have their opinions on what you post, have their opinions on what you do, it doesn’t matter. It can be somebody in the WWE watching your stuff and you don’t know that because Instagram doesn’t tell you who’s watching your stuff.”
Pro wrestler Dono Hefner comes through the curtain.(Provided to Fox News Digital)
Hefner said he got into pro wrestling watching it as a child and wanting to go in a different route after high school.
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He told Fox News Digital that he took a chance on getting in the ring.
“Of course, I always loved wrestling since a little kid and as time went on, when I got older and got into high school, I was like, ‘What do I want to do with my life?’ No type of degree, no type of job – none of that interested me,” he said. “Wrestling has been with me ever since I was like 5 or 6 years old. So, I was like, you know what, let me be that different type of bubble.
“Not everyone can say they’re a wrestler. People are doctors and nurses and all that. So I said you know, let’s give this a shot. You only live once.”
Right now, as he looks to get booked as much as possible, Hefner said he’s going to continue to ride the pro wrestling wave for as long as it can go.
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“It’s good to have an end goal, right? But I think of where, as time progresses, where it’ll take me. I’m here for the ride, whether it’s 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, people have their own stories, people carve their own paths,” he said. “Wherever I end up, wherever I am, that’s where I’ll be. I don’t really set a goal for myself.”
Dono Hefner performs a moonsault.(Provided to Fox News Digital)
Karen Hills has been named the 2025/26 Barclays WSL2 Manager of the Year after guiding Charlton Athletic Women to promotion.
Hills received the award at the LMA Awards following an outstanding season that saw Charlton secure a place in next season’s Women’s Super League.
Under her leadership, Charlton continued their impressive rise and finally reached the top division of women’s football in England after years of steady progress.
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The club also built a remarkable 27-match unbeaten league run across the last two seasons, helped by one of the strongest defenses in the division.
Goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse even finished the campaign with the Golden Glove award.
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Hills has now successfully led Charlton back to the WSL and established the club as one of the biggest success stories in women’s football this season.
Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach are available to play for Montreal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final.
The forwards skipped Wednesday’s morning skate for undisclosed reasons, but head coach Martin St. Louis said both are in the mix with the Canadiens trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Newhook scored series-clinching goals in Game 7 of the first two rounds against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres, with the latter coming in overtime.
The 25-year-old from St. John’s, N.L., has put up seven goals and three assists in 17 playoff games this spring, skating the majority of the time alongside Jake Evans and Ivan Demidov. Dach, also 25, has four goals and an assist in 17 contests on the fourth line.
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The Hurricanes have picked up consecutive 3-2 OT decisions after the Canadiens’ opened with a 6-2 victory.
The series shifts to Raleigh, N.C., for Game 5 on Saturday. Game 6, if necessary, would be back at the Bell Centre on Sunday.
If you’re not walking the golf course at least some of the time when you play, there’s a good chance your scores could be suffering as a result. If you don’t believe me, just ask golf course architect David McLay Kidd, who grew up playing some of Scotland’s best courses and has since learned how different it can be playing golf on this side of the pond — and too often seated in a golf cart while doing so.
“Walking is the purest form of playing golf,” he says. “You can feel the slope of the ground. You’re feeling the wind and the temperature and the softness of the surface. Just those things alone make a huge difference in [how you hit] a golf shot. A golfer from my part of the world is probably subconsciously suckling in all of those things as they’re walking and chatting with their buddies. And because they’re walking, their blood is bumping a little bit, so they’re loose and can make a smooth stroke [when it’s their turn to hit].”
If that’s not enough evidence to convince you that you should be walking more when you play, consider all the time you get to appreciate where you are while you’re walking down a fairway. Now think about how much of that time is spent following cart paths and driving along the periphery of the landscape that you’ve paid good money to see and experience. That’s why some of the country’s most celebrated golf courses and resorts, such as the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, the Straits course at Whistling Straits, and Bandon Dunes are all walking-only.
“If you’re going to a place like Bandon Dunes in order to experience the landscape, the environment, the weather, how do you do it from a golf cart?” McLay Kidd says. “You can’t. In every avenue of life, we’re all striving for authenticity and experience. But when you play golf in a beautiful place without walking, you’re getting neither.”
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Hoofer Lite 2023 Stand Bag, Black/Yellow – PING Golf
The Hoofer Lite’s enduring popularity will only grow with this new edition, which boasts an innovative new bottom that reduces club tangle by guiding clubs to the correct segment and keeping clubs separated while carrying. More upgrades: a stacked pocket configuration for easier access, an expanded ball pocket, and flexible storage. The re-designed bag top makes for easier handling, and 14 wide-ranging colorways are offered (2 women’s). All-new styling 4-way top 5 lbs. 9 pockets (7 zippered, 2 slip) 19L pocket volume New bag bottom reduces club tangle Range-finder pocket New ergonomic top eases handling Rain hood pocket Cart-strap channel Padded, convertible shoulder straps
By now, you’re likely ready to get out and walk the course the next time you tee it up. But if you’re unaccustomed to playing golf that way, there’s a short list of products and gear that will ensure you do it comfortably — and that means you’ll also thoroughly enjoy the experience.
As you might expect, it starts with the right golf bag. These days, there’s no shortage of lightweight stand bags on the market, and their lightness is key. Take a look at most PGA Tour players’ bags and one thing is clear: they look heavy. That’s because they are heavy, which is why the world’s best not only pay someone else to carry their bags, they also offer them as much as 10 percent of their winnings to do it. So if you’re shouldering your own bag, consider Ping’s Hoofer Lite Stand Bag or TaylorMade’s FlexTech Super Light Stand Bag, which weigh 5 pounds and 3.9 pounds, respectively.
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Titleist ProV1x Left Dash 2026 Golf Balls
The Pro V1 With High Flight And Less Spin The modern mix of high speed and low spin, new Pro V1x Left Dash is faster, longer, and more penetrating in the wind. Why Play Pro V1x Left Dash? Pro V1x Left Dash is recommended for players who may benefit from high-trajectory flight, extremely low long game spin with tour-validated short game spin, and firmer feel. Comparison to Pro V1 Due to its unique dimple pattern, Pro V1x Left Dash has a higher flight than Pro V1. A smart-spin casing layer with added thickness produces lower long game spin than Pro V1. What’s New? New Pro V1x Left Dash now delivers even more speed and optimized flight for more distance. Not available for purchase or shipment to Australia.
When you’re loading up that bag, also take stock of how many balls you’ll need — packing excess Pro V1s is the fastest way to take a light stand bag up a few weight classes. Start paying attention to how many balls you typically lose during a round of golf. Once you know that, you’ll be better equipped to carry the right amount. That number could vary based on the course you’re playing or the day’s conditions, but chances are the two dozen balls that might be floating around in your bag are more than you’ll need.
You may also want to consider a golf bag organizer like Jolly Golf’s The Purist. It designed to hold all of the things you might need during a round — tees, ball markers, gloves, divot repair tools. There’s even a pocket for your phone, wallet and a clasp to hold keys or jewelry. Not only does it help to streamline your bag — you don’t really need that pouch stuffed to the brim with tees — it also lets you store everything in one place, which means that sleek carry bag with just a few pockets has all the storage area you need.
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Bushnell Pro X3+ Laser Rangefinder
Precision Perfected: Next Level Performance with Wind. Pro X3+ is the most powerful, precise laser rangefinder to date – packing all of the market-leading innovations you have come to expect from the #1 Rangefinder in Golf. NEXT LEVEL TOUR TRUSTED COMPENSATED DISTANCES Temperature and altitude have been added to Bushnell’s patented Slope technology to give golfers the most precise compensated distances ever. HOME ELEVATION ADJUSTMENT With the Pro X3+, you can now put in your home elevation to reflect the Slope with Elements compensated distances at the elevation where you play your most golf. LOCKING SLOPE-SWITCH The Slope-Switch with interaction locking mechanism, significantly reduces risk of accidentally getting the Pro X3+ into Slope mode during tournament play. DUAL DISPLAY Allows users the ability to easily toggle between the bright red or crisp black display settings based on lighting conditions and user preference. PINSEEKER WITH VISUAL JOLT A red ring now flashes as JOLT vibrates to give the golfer even greater feedback and confidence to know you have locked onto the flag. INTEGRATED BITE MAGNETIC MOUNT The Pro X3+ features Bushnell’s integrated BITE magnetic mount that allows you to easily mount the Pro X3+ right on the cart bar. LONGEST / MOST CONSISTENT & ACCURATE YARDAGE READINGS Pro X3+ is the most powerful golf laser rangefinder ever made, it will give you consistent yardage readings within a yard to flags at 600+ yards. Additional features: Built to Last: The Pro X3+ comes with rubber-armored metal housing and is IPX7 fully waterproof. Bushnell Golf App: Unlock useful information like hole layouts with distance, 3D flyovers with distance, and wireless course updates. Tour Domination: Bushnell Laser Rangefinders stand apart as the undisputed #1 Laser Rangefinder in professional golf. What’s in the box: Pro X3+ Laser Rangefinder Premium Carrying Case Washable Micro-fiber cloth 1 CR2 Battery Quick Start Guide
If you’re planning to walk most of your rounds, you’ll likely want to invest in a rangefinder, since you won’t have access to the GPS-aided course maps that many golf carts now feature. I’ve been using Bushnell’s Pro X3+ Laser Rangefinder for the last couple of years, and I swear by it. That said, Mileseey’s GenePro G1 Rangefinder offers the best of both worlds: laser-powered distance measuring and a 2-inch touchscreen that sports GPS-aided course maps. With this Swiss Army Knife of a golf accessory, you won’t even miss the latest golf carts’ bells and whistles.
The most important gear, as you might expect, are your shoes. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that not all golf shoes are designed for the rigors of walking rounds. Think of them like golf bags. Some bags are specifically engineered for golf carts. Likewise, some shoes are designed to perform well during the swing, but they’re not ergonomically designed to feel good after 15,000 steps. As a general rule, sportier, spikeless styles, such as the Ecco Biom C5 BOA, FootJoy’s Pro|SL, and True Linkswear’s Antigravity Spikeless Golf Shoes are well-equipped for walking rounds. That being said, I recently wore a new pair of Payntr Golf’s Reserve Classic Tour RS for a walking round and was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they were right out of the box — and how comfortable they were walking the entire day, especially considering they’re a more classically designed spiked offering.
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Swiftwick ASPIRE Zero Tab Socks, White
Our most popular running sock and a great no-show cycling sock. The ASPIRE™ is engineered with firm compression and a thin profile for a responsive feel. Firm compression supports every contour of the foot to reduce fatigue during endurance activities. Zero cuff height sits below the ankle with minimal extension above the shoe. Maximum Cushion Relaxed Compression Breathable Upper 52% Polyester / 44% Nylon / 4% Spandex
Your socks matter, too. In fact, McLay Kidd insists they’re most important, so much so that he always carries a fresh pair in his bag so that he can change them after 18 holes (if he’s playing 36 in a day) or sometimes even after 9 holes if the conditions call for it.
When it comes to socks, 100% cotton is the kiss of death, as the fabric absorbs sweat and can then crease and bunch in ways that can cause blisters. A synthetic blend is better, especially if it’s constructed to be performance-driven and compression-like. My sock drawer is full of Swiftwick styles, all of which perform admirably on the course.
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Finally, if the thing that’s holding you back about walking is actually carrying the bag on your back, there’s no shortage of well-designed push carts on the market that can alleviate some of that stress (Sun Mountain’s Speed Cart X is one of the leaders of that pack.) That said, on some courses — the Irish at Whistling Straits, for example — pushing or pulling a cart across rugged terrain can actually be more arduous than shouldering the bag and letting your legs do the heavy lifting.
Five-time Olympian, Asian Games gold medallist Raja Randhir Singh dies at 79
New Delhi: Over the past decade, Randhir Singh could be seen once in a while treating his young granddaughter to an ice-cream at a south Delhi Nirula’s outlet after picking her up from school. It seemed like delivering on a promise for the well-known face of Indian sports administration, who had decidedly slowed down to spend more time with family.Singh’s death, at the age of 79 due to illness on Wednesday, marks the end of a significant chapter in Indian sport.In a time, when the push is to have accomplished sportspersons in India’s much-maligned sports administration, and while the move is producing mixed or debatable results, Randhir Singh was the original, and an aberration.While many sportspersons struggle to transition into governance, Singh successfully bridged both worlds with credibility and respect. He belonged to that rare group in Indian sport — individuals who achieved distinction both as elite athletes and as top-level administrators.A pioneering shooter, Olympian and one of the country’s most respected sports administrators, Singh dedicated nearly six decades of his life to Indian and Asian sport. He combined excellence as an athlete with measured and effective leadership as an administrator, earning admiration across generations of sportsmen and officials.He was a calm and experienced administrator who consistently advocated stronger sporting structures, better athlete support systems and greater engagement between Indian and Asian sporting institutions.But before all that, Randhir was one of India’s finest shooters at a time when the sport received little national attention. Long before India became a recognised force in global shooting, Singh’s success helped inspire interest in the sport and encouraged future generations of Indian shooters. He represented India at five Olympic Games and became known for his discipline, composure and commitment to excellence.His defining achievement came at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, where he won the gold medal in trap shooting, becoming India’s first Asian Games gold medallist in shooting.His achievements earned him the Arjuna Award and established him as one of the pioneers of Indian shooting.After retiring from competition, Singh moved into sports administration and went on to become one of the most influential figures in the Olympic movement in Asia. As secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for more than two decades, he played a major role in shaping sports governance in the country and strengthening India’s presence in international sporting forums.He also served in important positions within the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia, where he earned respect for his diplomatic skills and ability to build consensus among sporting bodies. His election as President of the Olympic Council of Asia in 2024 reflected the high regard in which he was held internationally, though health concerns later limited his active involvement.Like several senior officials associated with Indian sport during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Singh’s tenure also coincided with a period marked by allegations of irregularities and organisational lapses. However, no wrongdoing was ever linked to him and he continued to enjoy the trust and respect of the sporting fraternity throughout his long administrative career.Tributes poured in following his death. “We have lost an exceptional leader and his irreplaceable wisdom,” IOA president PT Usha said.Abhinav Bindra described him as a figure whose contribution went far beyond medals and official positions. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Randhir Singh ji. He was a towering figure in Indian sport, but beyond the positions he held, he carried himself with warmth, dignity, and a genuine love for the Olympic movement,” Bindra told TOI.“He gave a lifetime to sport and to the athletes, administrators and institutions that serve it. For many of us, he was not just an elder in Indian sport, but a source of encouragement, guidance and grace. His presence had a rare gentleness, and his contribution will be remembered with great respect,” added the 2008 Olympic gold medallist.Shooter Gagan Narang too paid his tribute. “When I stood on that podium in London in 2012, he was part of why that moment was possible,” Narang, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, wrote.“I will always remain grateful for the guidance, values and belief he gave athletes like us through generations. India has lost a towering figure today, and I have lost someone I deeply admired,” he told TOI. (With inputs from Tushar Dutt)
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The slugging Orioles first baseman is one of our two picks to go deep on Wednesday
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There’s a full day of MLB action to look forward to on Wednesday, with the first game getting started at 1:07 p.m. ET and the last under way at 10:10. With 15 games of baseball on tap, there’s plenty of MLB betting opportunities available, including home run props. Betting on player props is always popular for MLB bettors, and the most popular prop bet by far is home run picks. We’ve identified two hitters worth backing to go deep on Wednesday. For even more MLB expert picks and predictions, make sure you see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.
Alonso hasn’t settled in to life in Baltimore as well as many would have hoped, but he still has 10 home runs on the young season. He hasn’t gone deep in four games, so you could say he’s due. Fortunately for Alonso (and for home run prop bettors) the wind should be blowing out today at Camden Yards. Alonso can also look forward to facing a lefty in Steven Matz, whom he has good numbers against (3-for-8 with a homer) in limited action.
The Dodgers just dropped a 15-run depth charge on the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday. One of the batters to go deep was Pages, who’s enjoying quite a breakout campaign in 2026. Colorado has now allowed 74 home runs this season, tied for the third-most in the sport. Needless to say, there are worse teams to pick against than the Rockies when it comes to home run props. Given their proclivity for allowing the long ball, it’s a bit of a dart throw to decide who will go deep in a given game, but we’ll roll with Pages to do it again thanks to his attractive odds.
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama froze out the media on Tuesday night, following a brutal Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder that resulted in a 127-114 loss.
Wembanyama scored 20 points, but got 12 from the free-throw line. He was 4-of-15 from the field and missed each of the five 3-pointers he shot. He had three blocks and two steals and was minus-8 on the floor. It was his worst game of the series after helping the Spurs to two victories with 41-point and 33-point performances
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama moves on the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA playoffs in Oklahoma City on May 26, 2026.(Julio Cortez/AP)
After the game, Wembanyama was nowhere to be found.
“He’s got to take more than 15 shots, even with the free throws,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson told reporters after the game. “He’s going to have to score more than 20 points, for sure. … OKC did a good job. We’ve got to do a better job.”
Wembanyama tried to rally his teammates with an impassioned speech after the Thunder opened an 18-point lead. Oklahoma City was able to get the lead up to 20 points before San Antonio was able to cut it to eight.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama in the second half of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City.(Julio Cortez/AP)
However, the Spurs couldn’t get closer to that. San Antonio was only able to score two points in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter.
The Thunder blitzed Wembanyama with several defenders, including Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams and Alex Caruso.
“It’s a team defense,” Thunder guard Jared McCain said. “We talked about it. We made adjustments to it. We know that when he gets going, their whole team gets going.”
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama moves against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA playoffs in Oklahoma City on May 26, 2026.(Gerald Leong/AP)
Richard Hughes to AC Milan? Liverpool Face Unwanted Sporting Director Noise
AC Milan Rebuild Puts Anfield Executive in Focus
Liverpool supporters have grown used to transfer rumours circling players. They are less accustomed to the same machinery turning towards executives. Yet TEAMtalk’s report that AC Milan are considering Richard Hughes as part of a major San Siro rebuild adds an intriguing layer to what already feels like a defining summer at Anfield.
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According to TEAMtalk, Milan are reshaping their football structure after a disappointing campaign, with RedBird Capital looking for new leadership behind the scenes. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, still influential as a senior advisor, is understood to be involved in that search. Hughes, now Liverpool’s sporting director, has emerged as one of the names admired by the Italian giants.
For Liverpool, the timing could hardly be more awkward. Hughes arrived with a clear brief, to help shape the next era after Jürgen Klopp and support Arne Slot through a period of considerable transition. That work is only beginning to take full form.
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Hughes Profile Makes Milan Interest Understandable
Milan’s interest is not difficult to understand. Hughes has Italian roots, having grown up in Milan and spent time in Atalanta’s academy. TEAMtalk also highlights his fluency in Italian, recruitment experience and growing reputation within elite football circles.
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That combination matters. Modern sporting directors are no longer simply dealmakers. They are interpreters of identity, economics and ambition. They must understand markets, managers and ownership expectations. In that sense, Hughes would look like a natural fit for a club trying to restore order after upheaval.
His work around ambitious Liverpool deals, including Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, is said to have impressed Milan. Whether every supporter agrees with the direction of Liverpool’s recruitment is another matter, but Hughes clearly has standing within the game.
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Anfield Cannot Afford Structural Uncertainty
Liverpool’s issue is not merely whether Hughes would be tempted. It is what the speculation represents. Anfield has already endured a period of enormous change, from Klopp’s departure to the arrival of Slot, a Premier League triumph followed by a trophyless campaign that has sharpened scrutiny around recruitment, coaching and squad balance.
Photo: IMAGO
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If Liverpool are to move decisively this summer, they need clarity. A sporting director cannot be half present during a major rebuild. He must be fully involved, fully empowered and fully aligned with the head coach.
TEAMtalk report that Hughes recently rejected interest from Al-Hilal and remains focused on Liverpool. That should reassure supporters, at least for now. Milan, though, are not a passing curiosity. They are one of Europe’s grand institutions, and for someone with Hughes’ personal history, any approach would carry emotional weight.
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Summer Decisions Will Define Liverpool Direction
Tiago Pinto, now at Bournemouth, is also reportedly under consideration by Milan. That suggests the Italian club are not simply chasing a name, they are searching for a Premier League hardened operator who understands complex markets.
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For Liverpool, the priority must be simple. Remove doubt. Back the structure. Make sure Hughes, Slot and FSG are operating from the same script.
The danger is not only losing an executive. It is allowing uncertainty to seep into a summer when Liverpool need precision. Milan’s admiration may flatter Hughes, but Anfield’s needs are more urgent.
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From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this is one of those stories that feels small until you consider the timing. Richard Hughes is not a player supporters sing about, but his influence over the next version of Liverpool could be enormous. After a trophyless season under Arne Slot, this summer already feels like a referendum on the club’s direction.
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The Milan link is understandable. Hughes speaks the language, knows the culture and has a football background that fits Serie A. If Zlatan Ibrahimovic and RedBird are searching for someone to modernise Milan, it makes sense they would look at Liverpool’s sporting director.
Still, Liverpool cannot be relaxed about this. The club needs joined up thinking after a year when too many supporters felt the football lacked identity and the squad looked uneven. If Hughes is central to transfers involving Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike or any other major targets, then the idea of Milan circling him is not helpful.
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The reassuring detail is TEAMtalk’s claim that Hughes rejected Al-Hilal and remains focused on Liverpool. That sounds positive. Yet football moves quickly, especially when personal ties are involved.
For fans, the message is clear, Liverpool must show ambition, stability and urgency. Losing Hughes now would not be catastrophic, but it would raise serious questions about the club’s planning. This summer needs leadership, not another layer of uncertainty.a
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