When Alyssa Thomas put a fist to the throat of Caitlin Clark, she was not punished in the immediate aftermath.

She ultimately was given a one-game suspension and a Flagrant 2 foul after the WNBA conducted a review, but that apparently was almost not the case.

According to the Sports Business Journal, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was not planning on suspending Thomas but was ultimately convinced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

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Caitlin Clark watches the action during the Indiana Fever’s highly anticipated matchup with the Las Vegas Aces. (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images))

Engelbert was reportedly worried that a suspension for a play that was not called on the court was too harsh a penalty. However, Silver said there was evidence of a flagrant foul and implored Engelbert to hand down the punishment.

The outlet reported that the league operated under usual protocols for potential flagrant fouls. However, it also said Engelbert does not want to show favoritism toward Clark because of her popularity while also trying to “appease players who believe they’ve been overshadowed by” her. On the flip side, the SBJ said Engelbert has not been to an Indiana Fever game since Clark was drafted.

The WNBA told SBJ that the report is “absolutely false” – neither league immediately responded to an email from Fox News Digital.

HOST CLAIMS WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT CANCELED INTERVIEW AS CAITLIN CLARK CONTROVERSY MOUNTS

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference prior to the NBA Japan Games 2019. (KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)

Silver told reporters on Tuesday that they will “have ongoing discussions about what the future looks like” regarding Engelbert’s role in the WNBA.

“I think Cathy continues to do a strong job building that league,” Silver said, citing her “tremendous progress.”

Clark has fallen victim to numerous hard fouls and boastful trash talk while being the clear face of the league. The Thomas incident prompted Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., to join a group of lawmakers to write a letter to Engelbert, saying she has a responsibility to ensure every player competes “in a safe and professional environment.”

The letter said “the face of your league” is subject to “repeated acts of unnecessary physical hostility and violence.” It concluded by urging the league to take stronger action.

“The league has an extraordinary opportunity to inspire the next generation of female athletes to pursue athletics, but that opportunity is undermined when its brightest stars are not adequately protected,” the letter reads. “Your fans deserve better, and so do the young girls who look to the WNBA as a model for excellence, sportsmanship, and opportunity.”

Connecticut Sun forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Clark recently went after the WNBA, saying it needs to do a better job of protecting its players both on and off the court. Thomas said she received death threats after the foul.

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Ben Stokes has responded to criticism from England great Ian Botham with a tongue-in-cheek social media post after announcing his retirement from international cricket.Stokes, who retired from international cricket during the Trent Bridge Test against New Zealand last month, was the subject of a light-hearted remark from Botham on the Test Match Special podcast. Reflecting on Stokes’ retirement, Botham joked that the England captain had now joined an exclusive club. “As we know Michael Vaughan & I. We don’t know what we’re talking about. Couple of old has-beens. “Ben, if you’re listening congratulations you’ve joined the club. You’re now a has-been,” Botham said. Stokes quickly responded on X, referencing a famous quote often attributed to Botham himself. “The quote ‘It’s better to be a has-been than a never-been’ originates from Lord Ian Botham,” Stokes posted.

Ben Stokes post

The exchange comes shortly after Botham had publicly criticised Stokes following an incident in which the England captain and fast bowler Gus Atkinson breached the team’s midnight curfew while celebrating England’s victory in the first Test against New Zealand. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Botham questioned Stokes’ judgement and said he was disappointed by the episode, especially given the support he had previously shown the all-rounder during difficult moments in his career. “Some people just don’t learn, do they? It’s as simple as that. We as a club, when he had the problems in Bristol, we stood by Ben Stokes, and I stood by him as chairman, but I really can’t see how you can justify what happened after the game,” Botham said. Stokes retired as one of England’s greatest all-rounders, bringing down the curtain on a 15-year international career that included more than 250 appearances across formats and numerous memorable performances for his country.

Wide receiver Jordan Addison is one of the rare success stories for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s drafting, generally a waste land of missed picks and poor trades. The Vikings 1st-Round selection from 2023 may nevertheless be a demotion candidate.

At the very top of the position is Justin Jefferson — a top receiver in the NFL. Nobody is taking the WR1 crown off Jefferson’s head. Can the same be said for Mr. Addison as it relates to his job as Minnesota’s WR2? The presence of Jauan Jennings makes things dicier for the homegrown young fella who has sometimes gotten into trouble off the field.

Vikings 1st-Round Selection Faces True Challenger for WR2

If the desire is to get more physical and more unpredictable — the coaches say that’s the case, but talk is cheap — then leaning on Jennings makes a lot of sense.

He was referred to as a dirtbag by Kyler Murray at minicamp, a descriptor meant to highlight the grit, ruggedness, and compete within the receiver’s game. He can bulldoze defensive backs in a way that’s unique in the NFL. Accordingly, the Vikings can be a considerably more dangerous team when running the ball when operating out of 11 personnel: 1 running back, 1 tight end, and 3 receivers.

There’s a case to be made, though, for Jennings being the second receiver when Minnesota leans on 12 or 21 personnel. In these formations — ones that feature either a second running back or a second tight end — there are only a pair of receivers.

Jefferson claims one spot. Addison is the assumed option to run alongside Jefferson, but Jennings will have something to say about that seemingly foregone conclusion.

During the 2025 season, Jauan Jennings piled up 643 yards and 9 touchdowns within his 55 catches. Averaging 11.7 yards per catch is good but a touch below his career average of 12.3 yards. His longest catch of the season went for 42 yards and he averaged 3.3 yards after the catch. Jennings offered these statistics within fifteen games and within the context of the 49ers having some passer turmoil.

Meanwhile, Jordan Addison was putting together his most modest season as a pro. The reasons are twofold. To begin, there was his three-game absence due to suspension. He then had to sort through a horrendous quarterback situation, a reality that impacted everybody.

Addison had 42 catches for 610 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 14.5 yards-per-reception average is better than his career average: 13.7 yards. His longest catch went for 81 yards. So, too, did he offer a pair of runs, totalling 81 rushing yards and a touchdown. Like Jennings, Addison averaged 3.3 yards after the catch.

Consider those statistical details alongside what is known about these Vikings.

Recent seasons has featured a pile of 11 personnel. Last year, for instance, Minnesota was in that formation for close to 64% of their plays, coming in at tenth in the NFL. Back in 2024, the Vikings finished off at twenty-second in the NFL with a bit above 57% of the snaps being out of 11 personnel.

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Where does the team land in the upcoming season?

If the football gods have mercy on the Vikings — not something that occurs very often — then Kevin O’Connell will finally figure out how to run the football. Doing so effectively will require a consistent commitment to moving the pigskin on the ground. Doing so effectively will be aided by being unpredictable and by blocking well.

Jennings can catch well and be a terrific blocker. Addison has the potential to be a very good receiver and just an average blocker. What that means for each player’s snap count remains to be seen, but insisting that Jennings only displaced Tai Felton on the depth chart can’t be assumed.

Jennings is a great football player who helps a team win even when the ball isn’t in his hand. Can Addison say the same?

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Addison, 24, is moving into his fourth season as a pro. The Vikings picked up his 5th-year option, meaning he’s under contract for two more seasons. Jennings is operating on a single-season deal worth a maximum of $13 million.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, Sumer Sports, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

You may not realise it, but weekend sport has a strange power over otherwise reasonable people. By Friday afternoon, you can be calmly checking fixtures. By Saturday morning, you’ve somehow formed strong opinions about a lunchtime football match, a rugby handicap, a racing outsider and a late GAA result that depends on a team you only half-follow but suddenly trust with your whole chest.

That’s part of the fun. Sport gives you stories before anything has happened. A team needs a response after a poor result. A striker’s due a goal. A province has a point to prove. A favourite looks short but hard to oppose. An underdog feels dangerous because the weather’s grim and the crowd will be loud.

A sportsbook brings all of those little arguments into one place. The trick isn’t pretending you can predict every twist. It’s knowing how to read the weekend without letting the fixtures bully you into backing everything with a start time.

The Early Kick-Off Is Usually the Trap

The early kick-off always looks harmless. It’s sitting there at the top of the day, waving politely, acting like a sensible place to start. Then the team news lands, one full-back is missing, the favourite starts slowly and suddenly your carefully planned Saturday has taken a personal insult before lunch.

That’s why early matches deserve more respect. They often carry a much different energy. Players may look flat. The crowd may take time to warm up. Managers may choose caution because nobody wants to spend the rest of the weekend explaining a silly defeat.

Before you get too attached to the first fixture, ask whether the price suits the setup. Is the favourite away from home? Has there been rotation? Is the underdog organised enough to make it awkward? Does the match need goals, or are you only hoping for them because it’s the first thing on screen?

One Strong Opinion Beats Six Loose Ones

Every sports fan knows the danger of a weekend slip that grows legs. One football pick becomes three. Then a rugby selection joins in. Then racing looks tempting. Then someone mentions darts, and suddenly you’re emotionally invested in a match you didn’t know existed 20 minutes earlier.

That’s where using the betmaster.ie sportsbookis more useful when you arrive with a plan instead of a wandering thumb. A good sportsbook gives you plenty to choose from, but choice only helps if you know what you’re looking for.

The better approach is to build around your strongest read. Maybe it’s a football match where the team news supports your view. Maybe it’s a rugby market where the handicap looks too generous. Maybe it’s a racing selection where conditions suit the horse better than the headline price suggests.

Live Sport Changes the Argument

Pre-match thoughts are useful, but sport has no manners. It changes the argument as soon as the action starts. A football favourite may dominate the ball without creating anything. A rugby side may lose discipline early. A horse may drift before the off for a reason the casual viewer has missed.

That’s why watching matters. Not in a dramatic, notebook-at-the-ready way. Just enough to see whether your read still makes sense once the event begins. Sometimes the market moves because something real is happening. Sometimes it moves because everyone’s reacting to noise.

In football, watch whether pressure is turning into chances or just possession. In rugby, look at territory, penalties and set-piece control. In racing, pay attention to ground, pace and how the market behaves close to the start.

Live sport gives you extra information, but it also tempts you into quick decisions. The key is staying picky. If the match has changed in a way you understand, fair enough. If you’re only reacting because the odds moved and your tea went cold, maybe take a breath first.

The Best Weekend Bets Survive a Second Look

The most useful test is simple: would you still like the selection if it weren’t starting soon? Urgency can make an average idea feel better than it is. A match being live, televised or widely discussed doesn’t automatically make it worth backing.

A good weekend pick should survive a second look. You should be able to explain the case without relying on vibes alone. Why this team? Why this market? Why this price? What would make you change your mind? If those answers are fuzzy, the bet may be more boredom than belief.

This applies across sport. A favourite can still be too short. An outsider can still be too hopeful. A goals market can look lively but lack the setup. A rugby handicap can feel tempting until you check the weather, rotation or recent away form.

Choose the angles that actually make sense, enjoy the rest and let Saturday be chaotic without letting your bet slip join in.

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Morgan Rogers is set to be England’s only change for their colossal World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta tonight.

The Aston Villa midfielder, 23, has started just once so far the tournament, in the final group game against Panama, but impressed off the bench against Norway in the quarter-finals.

He is set to play on England’s right, taking the place of Noni Madueke, which means Bukayo Saka once again starts on the bench.

Thomas Tuchel has an almost fully fit squad of players to pick from, with Declan Rice fully recovered and able to start in midfield for the Three Lions after illness.

Ezri Konsa is set to keep his place over Djed Spence at right back, John Stones in line to partner Marc Guehi at centre-back.

Jarell Quansah remains suspended, while injury-prone Reece James could be saved for later in the game. Jordan Henderson’s wrist injury rules him out.

Argentina’s side is settled, with either Julian Alvarez or Lautaro Martinez, both back in scoring form for the Albiceleste, starting alongside Lionel Messi.

It will be the first time Messi takes on England, thanks to an “anti-football” red card to miss a 2005 friendly, with Tuchel admitting that he could use man marking to combat the No 10.

“I was thinking about [how to deal with Messi],” Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference. “If we do an old school man mark, not sure if we follow through with this idea, but it crossed my mind. Everyone knows the space he wants to show up. Everyone knows he sees stuff before everyone else.”

Thiago Almada and Nico Gonzalez bring attacking options in midfield, but Leandro Paredes could offer more defensive cover and is the favourite to start in the other key decision for Lionel Scaloni.

The winner will face Spain after Luis de la Fuente’s side eased past France in a comprehensive 2-0 victory in Dallas.

England predicted starting line-up: Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Argentina predicted starting lineup: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Paredes; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez

File phot of India coach Gautam Gambhir© AFP

Norwegian Soren Waerenskjold launched a long-range sprint to claim victory at the Tour de France on Wednesday in the fastest stage in the race’s history.

Dutchman Olav Kooij took second ahead of Belgian Jasper Philipsen at the end of the 161km 11th stage from Vichy to Nevers.

At an average speed of 50.91kph, it was the fastest ever road stage in the 113 editions of the Tour.

Once again, there was a fairly disjointed sprint finish with none of the teams able to organise a sprint train to set up their fast man.

Kooij’s lead-out rider Cees Bol launched off the front as the main sprinters hesitated, but Waerenskjold was the first to chase after the Dutchman.

He instantly put several bike lengths of daylight between himself and the rest and although both Kooij and Philipsen caught him by the line, they did not have enough strength to edge past Waerenskjold.

It was the second Tour stage victory for the Norwegian Uno-X Mobility team, which is in its first year as a World Tour outfit, after Jonas Abrahamsen succeeded once last year.

The team also held the yellow jersey for two stages this year with Torstein Traeen before he crashed out with a concussion and broken ribs.

Reigning champion Tadej Pogacar finished safely in the pack to retain his overall lead of more than three and a half minutes to two-time former winner Jonas Vingegaard.

A four-man breakaway had set off early into the stage which began in the ancient spa town of Vichy.

They were never allowed a longer leash than 1min 40sec and four became three when Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe, a former world champion and yellow jersey-wearer, was dropped on a short climb with around 40km left.

But Anthon Charmig, Mathis Le Berre and Nelson Oliveira collaborated well together to resist the inevitable return of the peloton.

With 10km to ride their lead was down to just 20sec.

But within four kilometres, their resistance was over and the expected sprint took centre stage.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)