The Indiana Fever said in a statement that they had no knowledge of a Tuesday night rally in support of guard Sophie Cunningham’s after her recent statements about transgender athletes. The rally took place outside of Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena prior to the Fever’s 105-95 win over the Seattle Storm. 

The rally consisted of a “few dozen” people who were there to support Cunningham and two Washington state initiatives that would bar transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics in state schools, per the Associated Press.

Neither Cunningham nor Caitlin Clark were made available to the media after the win. Kelsey Mitchell and Monique Billings joined coach Stephanie White at the podium. When White was asked about the rally and Cunningham’s comments, Fever PR stepped in with a statement: 

“Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers. Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission.”

The Storm also released a statement prior to the game, saying they were aware of the rally and “tracking it closely.” The team added it is “committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all guests.”

Additionally, Storm coach Sonia Raman made a comment during her pre-game press conference:

“Seattle and this organization and Climate Pledge, we always want to be an area where people feel welcome coming into this building. I think we’ve always done a really good job with that. So, I know our organization was working closely with Climate Pledge and the security just to make sure that everybody feels safe and included and welcome when they walk in this door.

“From what I understand, that was successful.”

However, the Storm ownership did release an apology on Wednesday after it was reported that Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton directed expletives at two fans sitting courtside who were visibly supporting Cunningham and her comments.

“We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game. We apologize that this happened,” Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder said in a statement released Wednesday. “Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect.”

What has Cunningham said?

In a recent ESPN profile, Cunningham said, as part of a discussion about her political views, 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.”

She doubled down on those comments when asked about them prior to the Fever’s win over the Connecticut Sun on July 22. 

“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham said. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said.”

Cunningham added that she doesn’t “dislike anyone” and that there’s “room to love everyone. She continued, “I’m also there to love biological women, and I think that there are rights that need to be protected. And, like I said, I’m gonna stand true to that. I’ll never falter in my beliefs in that. But I have never once stated that I hated the trans community.”

The Fever released a statement on July 22 after Cunningham’s pre-game media session:

“Our players are thoughtful adults with their own perspectives and voices, and those views are their own,” the statement said. “We are committed to welcoming fans from every background and treating everyone with respect, and that’s what guides us as an organization.”

Olympic champion cyclist Emma Finucane insists she has “nothing to prove” at the Commonwealth Games despite her ambitions of winning an elusive gold in Scotland.

Finucane, 23, collected two bronze medals in Birmingham four years ago but has since won 16 medals at the Olympics, World and European Championships.

The Welsh star says she is targeting “the top step” on the podium in Glasgow.

“I haven’t actually stood on the top step at the Commonwealth Games,” Finucane told BBC Sport Wales.

“That’s something I’d love to achieve this time round.

“I feel like I’m a different person four years on and I can’t wait to show what I can do on the track.”

The Carmarthenshire native credits the Birmingham 2022 Games as the “springboard” to where she is today.

“I would not be where I am today without the Commonwealth Games,” she said.

“The first time I was pretty young, pretty naive to the sport of sprint cycling.

“It was a very overwhelming experience, whereas this time round I feel like I’m more of an established rider.”

She added: “I was 19 [in Birmingham] and the year after I won my first world title, which was crazy for me.

“I think it gave me the confidence I needed as an athlete to develop in my career, and get to where I am so quickly.

“We became Olympic champions two years ago, and I actually don’t even know how that happened.”

What had been billed as a Battle of Britain instead became another emphatic demonstration of Australia’s dominance in the Commonwealth Games pool.

With Olympic relay gold medallists James Guy, Matt Richards and Tom Dean all lining up for the men’s 200 metre freestyle final, plus Jack McMillan – the reserve member of the Paris squad – the hope inside Tollcross Swimming Centre was that one of Britain’s decorated quartet would come out on top. Instead, it was Australia’s Kai Taylor who stole the show.

Drawn in the outside lane, Taylor attacked the race from the opening 50 metres and set a fearless pace that none of his rivals could match. While Guy and Richards closed relentlessly over the final 25 metres, the Australian never looked vulnerable, touching first to secure a surprise Commonwealth title.

Behind him, Guy and Richards shared silver after recording identical times in a frantic finish, while McMillan and Dean faded out of medal contention.

Scotland’s Duncan Scott, perhaps the ​pre-race favourite and another member of Britain’s Olympic relay-winning team in Paris, had not even made the final after an unexpected exit in the heats.

Guy and Richards, training partners and friends, embraced at the end but it was hardly jubilant.

Guy has fought his way back into elite freestyle form this season and, aged 30, may have just seen his last remaining hope of an individual Commonwealth Games gold medal slip through his fingers.

Ahmedabad 2030 feels a long way away.

Ironically, he was beaten by a swimmer who displayed the very tactics for which he is renowned for.

The man from Bolton has made a career out of setting a searing pace and then trying to hang on as best he can while the field comes back to him at the end.

It helped deliver him a World Championship in this discipline 11 years ago but here he was caught out.

“I saw at the halfway mark Kai Taylor was out in front. In those situations you want to stick to your plan. Fair play, he got his hand on the wall first,” Guy said.

“Listen, I’ve tried that. I’ve done it so many times before. I go off like a rocket and then you die.

“When you’re in the outside lane, that’s probably the only way you can do it. You can’t just sit back and wait. You have to go out and smoke it. That’s what you’ll see anyone do at a World Championships or Olympic Games.

“Kai had a great swim, got his hand on the wall first and his family’s lovely. They were chatting to my mum and dad, so fair play to them.”

His silver brought up medal number 49 at senior championships, while Richards made Welsh history by becoming the first swimmer from the nation to win four medals at a single Games.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want more,” said the 2023 world champion and Olympic silver medallist.

“I wanted a gold there but Kai was the better man tonight and that is sport. It’s frustrating but it gives me something to target again in four years.

“The record is pretty special in itself. To walk away with two bronzes, two silvers from this game is incredible. As much as that one stings tonight, there’s a lot of positives to take away this week.

“It’s tough not to beat yourself up when you feel like you are capable of more. But it’s been a phenomenal week and one that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.”

It was an underwhelming result for a partisan crowd, with this the blue-riband event of the meet.

But like most of the 56 finals, the only colours on display at the end were green and gold.

This marked Australia’s 29th win of the week, their national anthem ringing in the ears of anyone who has been near Tollcross during the Games.

Taylor’s win was one of the more surprising – this was his first ever individual gold. They won seven more to take their tally to 36.

There was some respite from Advance Australia Fair and some home nations success, as Angharad Evans announced herself as the new queen of Scottish swimming.

The 23-year-old completed a breaststroke double by adding the 200m crown to the 100m title she won earlier in the week, before playing a part in a 4x100m mixed medley relay silver.

“It’s really surreal,” she said. “I didn’t go into this meet expecting any sort of medal. I just wanted more experience and to put the demons to bed after a tough 2025, and I have done that, with the help of some medals. I’m really proud of myself.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £33m is raised every week for good causes. It’s because of you that sport, arts, heritage and community projects, as well as our athletes competing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, are supported across the UK

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz left Wednesday night’s matchup with the Boston Red Sox after he took a pitch to his left wrist. 

Kurtz, in the opening inning of the contest at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, took an inside pitch from Patrick Sandoval directly to his left wrist as he checked his swing. Kurtz immediately started hopping around, and bent over a few steps away from the plate, clearly in a lot of pain. 

The 2026 AIG Women’s Open begins early Thursday morning with the first round at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Thursday, including full AIG Women’s Open TV coverage, streaming info and Round 1 tee times.

How to watch AIG Women’s Open on Thursday

Charley Hull is hoping a return to her home country this week brings about her first major championship victory.

While Hull has accomplished much in pro golf, including three LPGA Tour wins, the World No. 7 has never won a major. She came incredibly close at last year’s Women’s Open, eventually finishing T2. That’s the same position she ended up in at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, where Nelly Korda took home the title.

But with the fans behind the star English pro, there’s no better place than this week’s Open at Royal Lytham and St. Annes for Hull to finally find her major breakthrough.

You can watch the first round of the AIG Women’s Open on TV via Golf Channel and USA, with Golf Channel kicking off the coverage at 4 a.m. ET on Thursday. USA takes over the coverage at 8 a.m. ET.

Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the first round of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open.

How to watch on TV Thursday

USA and Golf Channel will provide first-round TV coverage of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open. Golf Channel’s telecast runs from 4-8 a.m. ET, followed by USA from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. ET on Thursday.

How to stream online Thursday

Additional streaming coverage for the first round of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open will be available via Golfchannel.com, the Golf Channel App and the NBC Sports App.

2026 AIG Women’s Open Round 1 tee times (ET)

Tee No. 1

1:30 a.m. – Alice Hewson, Amanda Doherty, Chloe Williams
1:41 a.m. – Amelia Garvey, Leonie Harm, Smilla Soenderby
1:52 a.m. – Wei-Ling Hsu, Aditi Ashok, Darcey Harry
2:03 a.m. – Anna Nordqvist, Cassie Porter, Sayaka Takahashi
2:14 a.m. – Minami Katsu, Yealimi Noh, Stephanie Kyriacou
2:25 a.m. – Carlota Ciganda, Karis Davidson, Maria Jose Marin (a)
2:36 a.m. – Ina Yoon, Alison Lee, Yunseo Yang (a)
2:47 a.m. – Jiyai Shin, Auston Kim, In Gee Chun
2:58 a.m. – Linn Grant, Jin Young Ko, Kiara Romero (a)
3:09 a.m. – Sei Young Kim, Rio Takeda, Yuna Araki
3:20 a.m. – Hyo Joo Kim, Minjee Lee, Mao Saigo
3:31 a.m. – Lottie Woad, Aki Iwai, Andrea Lee
3:42 a.m. – Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Haeran Ryu
3:58 a.m. – Hye-Jin Choi, Grace Kim, Mimi Rhodes
4:09 a.m. – Somi Lee, Esther Henseleit, Ayaka Furue
4:20 a.m. – Lindy Duncan, Amy Yang, Julia Lopez Ramirez
4:31 a.m. – Sophia Popov, Jenny Shin, Perrine Delacour
4:42 a.m. – Yan Liu, Shannon Tan, Yuka Saso
4:53 a.m. – Yani Tseng, Nastasia Nadaud, Alexandra Forsterling
5:04 a.m. – Arpichaya Yubol, Cara Gainer, Minji Kang
5:15 a.m. – In Kyung Kim, Manon De Roey, Carolina Chacarra
5:26 a.m. – Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Anna Zanusso, Justice Bosio
5:37 a.m. – Sara Kouskova, Soo Bin Joo, Annabell Fuller
5:48 a.m. – Pia Babnik, Anna Foster, Bel Wardle
6:14 a.m. – Jing Yan, Agathe Laisne, Lauren Walsh
6:25 a.m. – Kelsey Bennett, Weiwei Zhang, Kajsa Arwefjall
6:36 a.m. – Erika Hara, Chiara Tamburlini, Melanie Green
6:47 a.m. – Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Kana Nagai, Esme Hamilton
6:58 a.m. – Shiho Kuwaki, Helen Briem, Lucy Li
7:09 a.m. – Anna Huang, Jenny Bae, Paula Martin Sampedro (a)
7:20 a.m. – Lilia Vu, Shuri Sakuma, Rose Zhang
7:31 a.m. – Ariya Jutanugarn, A Lim Kim, Casandra Alexander
7:42 a.m. – Hinako Shibuno, Georgia Hall, Valentine Delon (a)
7:53 a.m. – Gaby Lopez, Chizzy Iwai, Celine Boutier
8:04 a.m. – Ruoning Yin, Nasa Hataoka, Jennifer Kupcho
8:15 a.m. – Miyu Yamashita, Jeeno Thitikul, Lauren Coughlin
8:26 a.m. – Charley Hull, Hannah Green, Brooke M. Henderson
8:42 a.m. – Maja Stark, Jin Hee Im, Allisen Corpuz
8:53 a.m. – Minsol Kim, Patty Tavatanakit, Megan Khang
9:04 a.m. – Pajaree Anannarukarn, Youmin Hwang, Leona Maguire
9:15 a.m. – Ashleigh Buhai, Fuka Suga, Dewi Weber
9:26 a.m. – Min Sun Kim, Mi Hyang Lee, Nicole Broch Estrup
9:37 a.m. – Chanettee Wannasaen, Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, Yu Liu
9:48 a.m. – Ryann O’Toole, Robyn Choi, Charlotte Naughton (a)
9:59 a.m. – Nataliya Guseva, Noora Komulainen, Lauren Crump (a)
10:10 a.m. – Carla Tejedo Mulet, Diksha Dagar, Yana Wilson
10:21 a.m. – Daniela Darquea, Polly Mack, Gina Kim
10:32 a.m. – Aunchisa Utama, Ana Pelaez Trivino, Vanessa Bouvet

Naomi Osaka of Japan looks on during a women’s singles match against Ashlyn Krueger of the United States during day three of the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

WASHINGTON–Women’s third seed Naomi Osaka also punched her quarterfinal ticket in the 2026 Mubadala DC Open, advancing when American Ashlyn Krueger retired while trailing 6-3, 3-1.

Japan’s Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion coming off a quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon, cut a confident figure on the Washington hardcourts.

But she admitted it was hard to stay focused with Krueger still hindered after receiving treatment on her right ankle while trailing 4-1 in the first set.

“It’s a tough situation, and I hope that she gets better ASAP,” Osaka said.

She’ll next face Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who toppled eighth-seeded American Emma Navarro 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Meanwhile, Filipino rising star Alexandra Eala dumped out defending women’s champion Leylah Fernandez to reach the quarterfinals.

Eala, 21, defeated the seventh seed from Canada 6-2, 7-6 (7/1), battling back from 5-1 down in an epic second set.

It continues a breakout season for Eala, who stunned Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon last month to become the first Philippine player to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam.

“Everything’s kind of a blur right now. I really made an effort to stay in the moment, and I was ready for anything that could have happened,” Eala, now ranked 28th in the world, said.

Back in March, the Vikings opted to ship out edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. Many saw that development as brutal news.

Doing so meant welcoming a pair of 3rd-Round selections. Added together, those picks are reasonably valuable. Better yet, there was some cap space that got saved while then being able to avoid needing to hand out a meaty extension.

The problem, though, rested in losing an EDGE1. Already, some depth issues existed, so sending out a player who terrorizes QBs and shuts down the run certainly didn’t help. Part of Minnesota’s motivation for moving on likely rested in concern about injury, which has been a reoccurring problem in Greenard’s career.

Adam Schefter of ESPN has been on a heater with the news updates. Another arrived in the form of Greenard’s injury: “Eagles Pro Bowl LB Jonathan Greenard is being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to a pectoral injury he recently suffered.”

Brutal News for Jonathan Greenard

Thankfully, the injury doesn’t appear to be super serious.

— READ MORE: OL Gets Nice Boost as Vikings’ Star Left Tackle Said to be Ready —
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— READ MORE: Hulking NFC Defensive Lineman Demands Trade as Vikings Rebuild D-Line —

Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team sent out an update: “#Eagles pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard, who was acquired in a trade this offseason and received a 4-year, $100M contract, recently suffered a pectoral injury while lifting and will begin training camp on the PUP list. The team believes the injury is not significant and he should be back sooner than later.”

As with wide receivers, teams get in trouble when there’s only a single threat at edge rusher.

Think back to that 2022 season. Justin Jefferson was a single-man demolition crew. Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn were closer to solid than sizzling. Teams therefore had the luxury of sending two (or more) coverage guys at Jefferson. Trading for T.J. Hockenson helped but the weapons deficit became very apparent in the Vikings’ one-and-done playoff effort.

Similarly, boasting just a single threat to take down the quarterback isn’t a good spot to be. That singular threat will face constant double teams in the form of tights ends, fullbacks, and even cracking receivers. Go watch how Danielle Hunter got treated during that 2023 season where he still piled up sacks.

The Vikings are proceeding with the hope that two pass rushing terrors remain. Andrew Van Ginkel is an elite athlete who hasn’t slowed with age. Look for him to pin his ears back more. He’s going to feast if Brian Flores lets him chase down quarterbacks.

There’s then Dallas Turner. To my eye, he’s reminiscent of Leonard Floyd as a long, explosive player who can bring down the passer. So far, he has yet to prove capable of mirroring Greenard, Hunter, and others who are well-rounded, complete edge defenders. Minnesota thinks that will change.

Jonathan Greenard arrived in the Twin Cities in the free agency period in March of 2024. His four-year agreement for $76 million quickly proved to be a bargain. Coach Flores leaned on the rugged, all-effort defender to bring juice in the pass rush; Greenard didn’t disappoint. Combined with his upbeat personality and outgoing leadership style, Greenard quickly became a favorite in Minnesota.

In 2025, Greenard took a step back on the stat sheet. Part of the problem rested in missing time due to injury. Another issue was found in getting his paws onto the passer but not getting him to the ground. He was like a goal scorer in hockey who kept hitting the post even though he was getting good looks to score.

If health allows, the edge rusher appears bound to bounce back with some huge numbers as an Eagle. Playing alongside those terrific d-tackles will help.

The 29-year-old defender stands at 6’3″ and 260 pounds. Many boast about having a great motor but few can mirror the effort that Jonathan Greenard offers. Philly snagged a good one.

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

Before the super-heavyweight bout Abdul told the BBC he wanted to become the new ‘King of Scotland’ – in reference to Amin declaring himself that name in 1976.

After taking power in a coup in 1971, Amin ran a brutal regime during which an estimated half a million people were killed. He was also known as the Butcher of Uganda.

Abdul, who never met his grandfather, was chasing Uganda’s first Commonwealth boxing medal since Auckland in 1990 – something which would have been guaranteed had he beaten Thomas.

Instead, he was given warnings in the previous two rounds and was trailing on all of the judges’ scorecards.

“All I can say about this is the decision is not right, I am not happy,” he said.

“He elbowed me. He caught me with the elbow.

“It [the head movement] was not intentional. I was trying to come back.

“How can I headbutt someone? I would not.

“He was the person they wanted to win. He was the winner before.

“I knew if I did not get knockout I could not win the fight.”

BBC Sport has contacted Commonwealth Games organisers and World Boxing for a response to Abdul’s comments.

Thomas, who is now guaranteed at least a bronze medal, said it was “not the way” he wanted to win.

“I can’t change what happened today but I can control how I box on Friday,” he said.

Amin, himself a boxer, harboured a fascination with Scotland after serving in the King’s African Rifles in his 20s.

At the height of the regime, he was fond of wearing a kilt and playing the bagpipes – and even declared himself “King of Scotland” in 1976.

Some years later, those predilections even spawned an Oscar-winning film, The Last King of Scotland, starring Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy.

In a previous interview, Abdul said he was “inspired” by Amin, although it was not entirely clear whether he was talking about his boxing feats or not.

Speaking to the BBC, he refused to answer when asked if he was proud to be the dictator’s grandson, but he did address the question of how he feels when he is linked to someone with such a sinister reputation.