The football world was rocked earlier this week when it was reported that FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, was planning to sell a stake in a new commercial subsidiary to private equity investors close to US President Donald Trump, prompting widespread outrage.
European football’s governing body, UEFA, quickly condemned the plans with its 55 member associations voting unanimously to boycott future FIFA competitions — including the next men’s World Cup in 2030 but potentially starting with the under-20 Women’s World Cup on September 5 — were the plans to be implemented.
The Europeans soon received backing from CONCACAF, the regional body representing 41 North American and Caribbean football federations, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) with its 47 members, technically robbing Infantino of majority support among FIFA’s 211 member associations (MAs).
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FIFA advisor Cordeiro steps down
On Friday, the pressure on FIFA grew even more when Carlos Cordeiro, former head of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and more recently a senior advisor to both Infantino and President Trump during this year’s men’s World Cup, resigned in protest at the plans, which he described as a “bad deal for football.”
Carlos Cordeiro (center left) was a senior advisor to US President Trump (left) and FIFA President Infantino (second from right)Image: Daniel Torok/Avalon/Photoshot/picture alliance
In statement, Cordeiro, 69-year-old former partner at Goldman Sachs, questioned why FIFA needed to seek private equity investment at all given its unprecedented World Cup profits, and criticized a lack of transparancy, oversight and due process surrounding the plans.
“FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources,” he said. “The organization sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt. The FIFA president himself has highlighted the $15 billion in revenue generated [during FIFA’s last four-year World Cup cycle] between 2022 and 2026.
“If member associations believe additional investment is needed to develop the game, FIFA already has the financial capacity to provide that support from its existing resources. Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football’s most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football’s future without any compelling justification.”
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FIFA: ‘Nobody is selling football’
Despite the opposition voiced by UEFA, CONCACAF, AFC and individual national associations including the German Football Federation (DFB), FIFA had earlier doubled down on its plans to establish “FIFA Forward Enterprise” (FFE).
The subsidiary, valued by FIFA at around $20 billion (€17.5 billion), would be responsible for FIFA’s commercial rights like broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing contracts for its competitions, including the World Cup, but would sell a non-controling minority stake worth $4.2 billion to private equity investors.
“Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain,” FIFA said in statement earlier on Friday, slamming “incorrect media reports” without issuing clarification and what precisely was wrongly reported, and insisting that it would proceed with its “consultation process” — with member associations obliged to make a decision by September 19.
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“FIFA [member associations are] now being asked to believe that outside investors are needed to unlock greater value. I do not accept that proposition,” said Cordeiro.
“Most troubling of all is the absence of answers to fundamental questions: Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?”
UEFA lead FIFA criticism, threaten World Cup boycott
UEFA and its president Aleksander Ceferin have been at loggerheads with FIFA for some timeImage: Mike Egerton/PA/picture alliance
European football’s governing body UEFA, which has been at loggerheads with FIFA and Infantino for years and criticized the global body throughout the recent World Cup over expensive ticket prices and the Folarin Balogun red card affair, had come out publicly in opposition to the plan within an hour of it first being reported by the Financial Times and Times on Tuesday.
“No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership,” UEFA said in a statement after a unanimous vote by its 55 member associations at a hastily convened emergency meeting on Thursday.
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product … No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, political criticism came from new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a keen football supporter and one of the first European leaders to criticize the FIFA plans earlier in the week,
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“My view is strengthening [that] this was an outrageous suggestion,” said Burnham on Friday. “The idea that it could even be brought forward, in my view, shows that the FIFA general secretary [Infantino] is the wrong man to lead the organization.”
CONCACAF and AFC join opposition
Shortly after, North America’s soccer body CONCACAF also unanimously rejected the FIFA plan, though it stopped short of threatening a boycott by its 41 members.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also issued a scathing letter to its 47 member associations and warned the FIFA proposal would never succeed without the support of all six regional blocs.
“While the immediate debate centres on FFE, the AFC considers this issue extends far beyond a single proposal. Rather, it has exposed fundamental weaknesses in FIFA’s consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed,” read an AFC statement.
“This is not the first occasion where major stakeholders have been confronted with significant initiatives after the direction of travel appears to have already been determined. Such an approach undermines confidence in FIFA’s governance framework and diminishes the authority of its statutory bodies.”
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African body CAF said it would convene an executive committee meeting next week to look into the proposal, saying in a statement:
“CAF is committed to continue consulting and working together with its Member Associations, FIFA, other Football Confederations and stakeholders in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide,” it said.
South America’s CONMEBOL has yet to comment, but its president, Alejandro Dominguez, recently spoke out in favor of a further expansion of the men’s World Cup to 64 teams in 2030 — which would effectively result in all but one South American nations qualifying automatically.
Amid the outrage over the investment plans, the Press Association reported on Friday that FIFA was indeed pursuing precisely such an expansion, with a decision expected by August 14.
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Germany: What has the DFB said?
German DFB President Bernd Neuendorf can’t see the FIFA plan going forward without UEFA on boardImage: Ulrich Wagner/picture alliance
Germany’s mass-circulation Bild paper reported that key UEFA officials including German Football Federation (DFB) President Bernd Neuendorf had already discussed the FIFA plans via a video call on Wednesday.
“We must not lose the fans’ support, but we are well on the way to squandering that,” Neuendorf told public broadcaster ZDF, adding:
“I consider this to be extremely problematic and unacceptable. If UEFA rejects this request [for approval of the plan], then it is dead, because I believe that you won’t be able to find any investor who would be willing to go ahead with this project if UEFA is out.”
It’s not the first time that the DFB has crossed swords with FIFA. At the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Germany’s men’s team covered their mouths before a game in protest at not being allowed to wear a “One Love” rainbow armband to support LGBT+ rights.
In 2024, the Bundesliga was forced to abandon plans to sell a share of its TV rights to foreign investors due to fan protests that included tennis balls and remote control cars with smoke bombs being thrown onto pitch during matches.
Such actions are commonplace in German football, where the so-called 50+1 ownership model bars single investors owning a majority stake in a club and ensures fans retain more power than elsewhere in the world.
Golf star Charley Hull pulled off a savage prank on her caddie, Adam Woodward, earlier in the week, and some people were upset about it. She doesn’t care.
Hull, 30, gave Woodward a fake scratch-off lottery ticket, and he thought he had won $100,000. She recounted the tale while speaking with the media ahead of the Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in England, and people criticized Hull on social media. Hull had a blunt message for those people.
“No, and people that have complaints about it, I’d say loosen up,” Hull told reporters when asked if she regretted it.
Charley Hull of England interacts with her caddie, Adam Woodward, on the fourth hole during the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship 2026 at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 11, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France.(Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
The star golfer said Woodward took it like a champion and thought it was funny.
“He thought it was funny after, he’s not uptight, like it’s a joke. If people don’t like it they can lump it, do you know what I mean? I felt bad for (Woodward) but at the end of the day, I just got to have a good week and then at the end of the week I’ll buy him 100 scratch cards,” Hull said.
“Hopefully he can earn more money than that as well this week if we play well.”
Charley Hull of England and her caddie, Adam Woodward, look across the third hole during the second round of The Amundi Evian Championship 2026 at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 10, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France.(Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Hull said she bought the fake scratch-off lottery ticket in town on Monday, and gave it to Woodward on Tuesday. The golfer said Woodward was jubilant after thinking he had struck gold with his newfound fortune.
“He’s scratching it, scratching it, scratching, and he’s like ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve won’ and he’s taken his hat off, he’s taken his glasses off. He’s literally running around the player’s lounge saying ‘I’ve won $100,000, I’m taking today off.’
Charley Hull of England shows a video of her caddie Adam Woodward on her phone as she speaks to the media, explaining how she pranked him with a fake scratch card earlier this morning, during a press conference prior to the AIG Women’s Open 2026 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes on July 28, 2026 in Lytham St Annes, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)(Richard Heathcote/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
“He was sweating, he was trembling, he couldn’t believe his luck, and we had to tell him it was fake and he nearly quit the job,” Hull said with a laugh.
Hull has put herself and Woodward in position to make some money at the Women’s Open, as she is tied for seventh at 2-under par after two rounds. She is four strokes off the lead.
The Vikings’ cap space was sitting in a spot that was teetering between medium and modest. Does that remain so after the Brian O’Neill signing?
Over the Cap had long put the estimate around $13 million in open room. To a certain extent, that was somewhat misleading since the removal of the offseason’s top-51 cutoff is going to lower the open room. What happens, though, if that O’Neill savings gets applied? OTC now insists that Vikings are sitting on cap space that’s a pretty rotund $21,264,099.
The Vikings’ Cap Space to Get Replenished
Replenishing the budget always comes with fascination. What can be more fun than a (potential) spending spree?
Many think of edge rusher as a spot that’s aching for some added help. Jadeveon Clowney, in particular, boasts promise as somebody who is uniquely talented even as he’s a touch older. Another name that has gained some miles flying around in the headlines has been Kyle Van Noy.
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) looks on following the game during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Texans 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Otherwise, there’s some need at tight end, the interior of the offensive line, in the secondary, and possibly at defensive tackle. Going bold would mean taking a major swing at DT Vita Vea.
Or, perhaps, Nolan Teasley continues being patient.
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The new decision maker in the front office has mostly made small decisions. Adding safety/linebacker Jamal Adams gets plenty of attention since that’s a player who climbed to being elite in the past. What he’s capable of doing in 2026 remains to be seen; he’s playing on a modest contract regardless.
Otherwise, there have been adds such as RB Jordan Mims, WR Michael Briscoe, and TE Marshall Lang (among some others). As a rough guideline, think of these additions as being in the range of $1 million(ish). Very modest, at least in the NFL.
Tennessee Titans running back Jordan Mims (24) runs the ball during the fourth quarter of an NFL pre-season game against the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. – Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
But then there are the possibilities that arrive via open cap space.
By finding themselves at roughly $21.3 million in open room, the Vikings will live in the top half of the NFL for open room. Possessing that buying power means being able to remain open for business. Bringing back Harrison Smith, signing somebody for the pass rushing department, and/or dipping into the trade market could all be on the table.
Worst case, the Vikings’ cap space doesn’t get chewed up. Minnesota can then assess how things look at the trade deadline. If they again stay on the sidelines, the Vikings can move that open room into the future.
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Keep swinging by Vikings Territory. The NFL has turned on the news faucet, meaning the updates are flowing. Quite possibly, that reality will lead to the Vikings making an add or two.
-7 H Ryu (Kor); -6 S Kuwaki (Jpn); -5 Y Noh (US), A Thitikul (Tha); -3 S Joo (Kor); -2 L Woad (Eng), C Hull (Eng), C Wannasaen (Tha), L Li (US), J Yan (US), L Coughlin (US), P Martin (Esp), M Katsu (Jpn)
Selected others: -1 L Ko (NZ), M Rhodes (Eng); +2 A Hewson (Eng), +6 G Hall (Eng), +7 M Yamashita (Jpn)
South Korea’s Haeran Ryu birdied the 18th to bounce back from a poor start and end the second round as leader of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The 25-year-old, aiming to become only the fifth woman in history to claim three majors in a calendar year, is one shot clear of Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki.
Despite being three over for the day through five holes, she sank five birdies to shoot two under par and build on her opening-round score of 66.
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“The last hole is so important as it is always good for tomorrow, I always want to make a good score on the last hole,” Ryu told BBC Sport.
“I’ve had two birdies on it, which is a good thing.
“I just stayed patient after that [the tough start] and I made some birdies to finish under par. I am so happy now.”
Kuwaki, who finished Thursday two shots behind leader Jeeno Thitikul, carded a one-under-par round to take advantage of Thitikul’s dropped shots.
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Following a spectacular seven-under-par 64, Thailand’s Thitikul shot a two-over-par 73.
American Yealimi Noh joins world number two Thitikul on five under par after shooting 70.
England’s Lottie Woad is in a strong position to compete for a first major title despite a disappointing end to her second round.
The 22-year-old, who arrived as one of the favourites, ended the day on two under par.
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Woad’s bogey-free opening round of 69 was followed up by a score of 71, which included three birdies on the front nine.
However, two dropped shots on the back nine – one on 17 – leaves her five shots back.
England’s Charley Hull went round in even par to remain on two under par, while world number one Nelly Korda shot 68 to recover from an opening-round two-over-par 73.
Three-time major champion Lydia Ko is also well placed to make a move from one under par, as is England’s Mimi Rhodes, who recovered from two early bogeys to sink three birdies.
The Promise Ring is a Secret Unit Equipment in Anime Expeditions that is designed exclusively for Cursed Student (True Love), the evolved version of the Secret unit, Cursed Student. Besides improving the unit’s combat stats, it replaces its original passive with powerful new abilities that significantly increase its damage potential during battle.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Promise Ring in Anime Expeditions, including how to obtain it, evolve the required unit, and the bonuses it provides.
An overview of the Promise Ring in Anime Expeditions
The Promise Ring Equipment info (Image via Roblox)
How to get
The Promise Ring can only be obtained by completing the Mastery Act of School Grounds, the first Story Mode stage in Anime Expeditions. School Grounds features:
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Act 1
Act 2
Act 3
Act 4
Act 5
Infinite Act
Mastery Act
However, the Promise Ring only drops from the Mastery Act and has a 5% drop chance and a 20-run pity. If you don’t obtain the equipment after repeated clears, the pity system guarantees it on your twentieth completed Mastery run. Like all Unit Equipment, the Promise Ring can only be equipped by its designated unit.
How to evolve Cursed Student into Cursed Student (True Love)
Before equipping the Promise Ring, you’ll first need to evolve Cursed Student into Cursed Student (True Love). The evolution requires:
x1 Student ID
x20 Sprite (Blue)
x20 Sprite (Purple)
x20 Sprite (Rainbow)
x5,000 Gold
Once evolved, the unit becomes eligible to equip the Promise Ring.
Stats and passives
The Promise Ring comes with two randomized rollable substats when obtained.
Rollable stats
Range: +1% to +5%
Damage: +1% to +10%
You can reroll these bonuses using Equipment Rerolls if you’re looking for better stat rolls. The Promise Ring also replaces Cursed Student (True Love)’s original passive with an exclusive Equipment Passive.
Spirit Bats
The Spirit Bats passive rewards you for applying Bleed stacks to enemies. Its effects include:
Every time enemies within the unit’s attack range accumulate 20 total Bleed stacks, a Bat Spirit is summoned at the unit’s location.
You can have up to three Bat Spirits active at the same time.
Each Bat Spirit deals 25% of Cursed Student (True Love)’s current Damage with every attack.
Bat Spirits disappear after performing three attacks.
This passive works exceptionally well with Cursed Student (True Love)’s Bleed-focused playstyle, allowing you to generate additional damage as Bleed stacks build up throughout a battle. The more consistently you apply Bleed, the more frequently Bat Spirits will appear to support your attacks.
FAQs on Anime Expeditions
How do I get the Promise Ring in Anime Expeditions?
The Promise Ring drops from the Mastery Act of School Grounds, with a 5% drop chance and a 20-run pity.
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Which unit can equip the Promise Ring?
Only Cursed Student (True Love) can equip the Promise Ring.
Can I obtain the Promise Ring from the Infinite Act?
No. The Promise Ring is exclusive to the Mastery Act of School Grounds and cannot be obtained from the regular story acts or the Infinite Act.
Major League Baseball’s Aug. 3 trade deadline is mere days away, and teams are busy making plans in advance of that important date on the calendar. That means trade rumors aplenty. Friday is no exception, and you can find the latest dose of trade talk just below.
The Yankees are in search of an upgrade at catcher in advance of the deadline. While contenders are usually hesitant to add a new starting catcher in the middle of the season, the Yankees’ desperate situation is such that they’re willing to overlook such concerns. On that front, the New York Post reports that the Yanks are engaged in discussions with the Rockies about their catcher, Hunter Goodman.
The Yankees are not alone in their interest in Goodman, and the price will be high considering that he still has multiple years of team control remaining. With the Twins now buyers and thus seemingly no longer willing to engage on Ryan Jeffers, New York’s options for a sorely needed upgrade at the position may be quite limited. They’ve also been linked to Adley Rutschman, but it’s not certain the Orioles are willing to trade him, especially to a division rival.
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Tigers scratch Mize ahead of deadline
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Tigers right-hander Casey Mize was slated to start on Friday against the A’s, but Detroit has altered those plans and will instead go with a bullpen game, as MLB.com notes. The decision suggests the Tigers are listening to trade offers for the 29-year-old Mize. While most of the attention when it comes to the Tigers surrounds whether or not they’ll trade Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, Mize himself is a pending free agent who’s having a strong 2026. The former No. 1 overall pick will no doubt drum up interest on the market.
Brewers, Pirates interested in Weaver; other relievers also on the block
As part of the Mets’ forthcoming/ongoing fire sale, reliever Luke Weaver seems likely to be shipped off to a contender. Quality relievers are of course of broad interest to contenders this time of year, and the Athletic names the Brewers and Pirates as possible pursuers of a trade for the 32-year-old right-hander. Weaver is in the first year of a two-year, $22 million contract, and he’s been a highly effective bullpenner since converting from a starting role for the 2024 season.
Speaking of the Mets’ bullpen, the Pirates also have interest in right-hander Huascar Brazobán, the New York Post reports. Brazobán has been among the Mets’ more effective high-leverage arms this year and has three more years of team control.
Right-hander Freddy Peralta, a pending free agent, on Friday night is scheduled to make what figures to be his last start in a Mets uniform. While Peralta has struggled in 2026, he has a much stronger recent track record going for him — from 2023-25, Peralta had an ERA+ of 124 and topped 30 starts and 200 strikeouts in each of those three seasons. As such, he’s expected to have a healthy market for his services leading up to Monday’s trade deadline. Speaking of which, the Mets and lead executive David Stearns will be seeking a top-100 overall prospect in exchange for Peralta, the Athletic reports. The Braves, Cubs, Rays, and Phillies may be among the teams with interest.
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Mets begin sell-off with Minter-to-Twins trade
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The Mets have traded veteran lefty reliever A.J. Minter to the Twins in exchange for a pair of prospects, the team announced Friday morning. The 32-year-old Minter is enjoying a standout season in 2026, and he’ll immediately fortify the struggling Minnesota bullpen as they angle to secure a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.
As for the Mets, they’re getting a pair of infield prospects: Bruin Agbayani, the son of former Met Benny Agbayani, and Billy Amick. Agbayani, 19, was a sixth-round choice in 2025. Amick, 23, is a former second-rounder who has 23 home runs in 86 games at Double-A this season.
For the last-place Mets and lead decision-maker David Stearns, this is just the start of what figures to be a substantial sell-off before Monday’s deadline.
Very likely out the door before that deadline will be 40% of the current rotation — veteran right-handers Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes, to be specific. Peralta is a pending free agent who’s struggled this season but has a much stronger recent track record. Holmes is close to returning from a fractured fibula and has been a strong rotation piece since making the conversion from reliever prior to last season. He has a player option for 2027 in his contract that he seems unlikely to exercise. Other relievers who could follow Minter out of Queens include Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, and Huascar Brazoban.
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Dodgers eyeing Holmes
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Speaking of Holmes, the Dodgers may have interest in acquiring the 33-year-old, ESPN reports. L.A. still has eyes for Tigers ace and back-to-back AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, but if the price isn’t acceptable to them — or if Detroit opts not to trade him — then they could pivot to a rotation depth piece like Holmes. The Dodgers’ rotation is presently beset by injuries, which means the two-time defending champs are highly likely to add a starting pitcher by Monday.
Speaking of the champs and the Detroit ace, the Dodgers’ motivations for pursuing Skubal in trade are, first and foremost, that he’s the top deadline talent who’s theoretically available and he fills their rotation void (and then some). The other part of the Dodgers’ Skubal chase, though, may have to do with gamesmanship. According to the New York Post, the Dodgers also fancy Skubal because landing him would by definition keep him away from their leading pennant rivals in the National League — namely, the Brewers, Braves, and Phillies, who all have varying degrees of interest in the decorated lefty.
The Astros have been asking after Giants ace Logan Webb, USA Today reports, but San Francisco continues to tell interested parties that Webb is not available in trade. This, of course, could just be posturing on the part of the Giants designed to drive up the asking price on Webb. Or it could be that lead executive Buster Posey doesn’t presently have the appetite for the scale of rebuild a Webb trade would suggest.
Available or not, the appeal of Webb is easy to see. The 29-year-old right-hander is a three-time All-Star who on three occasions has finished in the top six of the NL Cy Young vote. This season has not been Webb’s strongest to date, but the track record remains appealing.
Mathews promotion may hint at May trade
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The Cardinals will promote left-handed starter Quinn Mathews in time to take the mound on Saturday against the Blue Jays. The 25-year-old out of Stanford has thrived in recent weeks thanks in part to improved control, and he’s not far removed from a 2024 campaign in which he struck out more than 200 batters across four different minor-league levels.
The promotion of Mathews, which will require the Cardinals to clear a spot on the 40-player roster, hints at what is already known — that Dustin May is very likely to be traded before the deadline. If that comes together before Mathews’ big-league debut, then Mathews could take May’s spot on the 40 and the active roster and his spot in the St. Louis rotation.
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While the 29-year-old May doesn’t have especially strong top-line results, the underlying indicators are indeed quite strong, which makes him appealing on the market. He’s also stayed healthy and enjoyed a significant velocity rebound. May’s contract includes a mutual option for 2027 that, like most mutual options, will probably not come into play.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) discusses strategy with head coach Kevin O’Connell on Sep 14, 2025, during first-half play against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The two reviewed adjustments on the sideline as the rookie continued gaining command of the offense under O’Connell’s guidance in the early stages of his first NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Is Kevin O’Connell getting sick of the questions about whether the quarterback competition is a true competition? Maybe so.
Kyle Brandt, a co-host for Good Morning Football, asked about “this impression that maybe he wasn’t given enough opportunity.” Coach O’Connell began in a normal manner. Upbeat and positive, the skipper pointed toward McCarthy’s youth. Shortly thereafter, O’Connell offered the strange part of the answer: “Even the level of, I wouldn’t even say scrutiny, but even the tone of the question kind of falls under the category of I want, we want to let him develop.”
Kevin O’Connell Comments on “Tone” of Question
By no means was this a Matt Patricia moment. The former Lions coach infamously chastised a media member for poor posture, a truly bizarre thing to worry about from within the context of a Detroit team that was a joke.
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What of the “tone” comment from Kevin O’Connell?
Pretty famously, O’Connell made past comments about franchises failing passers before passers fail franchises. That comment generated a ton of praise for him, especially since he was ascending as one of the NFL’s preeminent “QB whisperers.” Since then, Sam Darnold has been allowed to walk and McCarthy largely imploded in 2025. Some of the shine has worn off.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) slaps hands with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell after a made field goal against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
In the past, I’ve enumerated the reasons why O’Connell needs to shoulder a ton of blame for McCarthy’s poor play last year. Asking the kid to bounce back from injury behind a patchwork offensive line while he adjusted his mechanics and didn’t get ground support simply wasn’t a fair setup. That falls on O’Connell.
Do note, though, that O’Connell didn’t cross the line in his response. For starters, O’Connell’s tone was professional, even amicable. Furthermore, the broader context helps to better understand what he was getting at.
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O’Connell clarified where he thinks the current development path is going: “So now what we’re trying to do is just make sure, always being mindful of his individual development, where we think he is at and how we can help get him to a place, through competition, that will be a really good outcome for J.J. and the Minnesota Vikings.”
Brandt’s job in asking the question is to function as the interlocutor. Brandt does so by channelling a widespread perspective that McCarthy isn’t getting a fair shot at this thing.
Kevin O’Connell responds to the “scrutiny” and “tone” in a way that’s not accusative of Brandt specifically. Rather, his response is toward the broad assessment that Minnesota has given up on the young fella. At the risk of putting words in his mouth, I think Kevin O’Connell is saying, “There could be a sense that we’ve moved on, but that’s your perspective; my perspective is that McCarthy now needs to compete in a new way.”
As he continues developing the answer, O’Connell acknowledges the issues with injury. So, too, does the coach clarify that his main goal always needs to be what’s best for the team to compete, which is exactly right.
But then there’s also a commitment by continuing to push McCarthy. What has changed is the insertion of direct competition. To O’Connell’s eye, the Kyler Murray add does not signal Minnesota’s abandonment of McCarthy; all that has been adjusted is the amount of friction as McCarthy tries to continue securing the starting spot.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell watches from the sideline during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Nov 23, 2025. O’Connell monitored Minnesota’s offense and game management in Green Bay as the Vikings battled their NFC North rival during a pivotal late-season divisional road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
J.J. McCarthy finished his debut season as the main starter with 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He completed 57.6% of his passes for a total of 1,632 yards. Most concerning is that he missed a pile of time due to three separate injuries.
Kevin O’Connell gets back to work with his team later on today for training camp.
Linda Noskova of Czech Republic poses with the trophy after winning against Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
LONDON — Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen highlight the lineup of players nominated Friday to compete in the Billie Jean King Cup finals.
Jasmine Paolini and doubles partner Sara Errani are back to lead two-time defending champion Italy in the competition, which features eight teams and will be held Sept. 22-27 in Shenzhen, China.
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Noskova will be joined by Karolina Muchova, the woman she beat in the Wimbledon final, plus top-ranked doubles player Katerina Siniakova, on a strong Czech Republic team.
Rybakina leads Kazakhstan and Zheng, who won gold at the 2024 Paris Games, leads host China.
Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina lead Ukraine.
Matchups feature two singles matches and a deciding doubles if necessary.
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Nations can make up to four changes to their squads until the day before the finals.
India’s flagship track and field star Neeraj Chopra returns to the Commonwealth Games stage tonight as he competes in the Men’s Javelin Throw Final at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow. Having captured gold at Gold Coast 2018 and missed out on Birmingham 2022 due to an injury, Chopra aims to reclaim the Commonwealth crown in what promises to be one of the most high-octane field finals of the Games.
The final is scheduled to start at 12:45 AM IST on Saturday, August 1.
Overcoming tricky Commonwealth Games Glasgow weather in qualification
Neeraj Chopra sealed his place in the 12-man final after posting a best mark of 79.61m on his second attempt during Thursday’s preliminary round. While the mark remained below his usual standards and national record of 90.23m, it proved more than enough to place fifth overall in a qualification session heavily disrupted by cold temperatures and unpredictable crosswinds.
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No thrower in the 18-man qualifying field managed to cross the automatic qualification benchmark of 84.00m. Speaking after the round, Chopra noted that the primary focus was simply securing a spot in the final round without overexerting in severe conditions.
Heavyweight line-up awaits in the final of Javelin Throw at Commonwealth Games
The field assembled for the Glasgow final represents one of the deepest lineups in Commonwealth Games history:
Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan): The reigning Olympic and Commonwealth Games champion qualified seventh with a throw of 78.63m.
Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (Sri Lanka): The rising South Asian star topped qualification with an 82.84m effort and enters with a world-leading 92.62m personal best set earlier this season.
Anderson Peters (Grenada) and Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago): Global champions who add immense championship experience to the 12-man final.
India’s triple presence in Glasgow final
India enters the final as the only country with three throwers competing for medals. Joining Chopra in the final are Rohit Yadav, who qualified ninth with a throw of 78.37m, and Yash Vir Singh, who placed tenth with a mark of 78.36m. With three Indian throwers in peak form and an elite international field, tonight’s Javelin Throw final at Scotstoun Stadium is set to be one of the marquee events of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is coming off the physically unable to perform list as he continues his comeback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The move clears Kraft to return to practice, though Packers coach Matt LaFleur said the 2023 third-round draft pick wouldn’t be participating in team drills for now.
“We’re just going to kind of get him back ingrained into the process and into individual,” LaFleur said before the Packers’ practice Friday. “What’s great is when they do come off PUP, then now he can partake in some of the walk-through periods, especially that we do in the evenings, just to get him back hearing the call, lining up and then just going through that.”
Kraft caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games last season before tearing his right ACL on Nov. 2 during a 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The week before his injury, Kraft caught seven passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-25 victory at Pittsburgh.
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Kraft said during Green Bay’s mandatory minicamp in June that he expected to be ready for the Sept. 13 season opener at Minnesota and that he believed he was playing as well as any tight end in the NFL at the time of his injury.
This isn’t the first time Kraft opened a training camp on the PUP list. It also happened in 2024 after he tore a pectoral muscle that May.
“I was on the PUP for the start of a training camp going into the 2024 season, so came off the PUP and I played a full year completely healthy,” Kraft said Wednesday. “So that that’s the goal this time, is when I come off the PUP, there’s, you know, obviously some guardrails for me there initially as far as some activations, getting acclimated to the team reps and things like that, but playing the rest of the year fully healthy.”
Alas Pilipinas women’s team ahead of its match vs Vietnam in the SEA V Cup Legi 1 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas women’s team succumbed to Vietnam, 27-29, 17-25, 25-20, 19-25, in the opening day of SEA V Cup Leg 1 on Friday evening at Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi.
After losing in the first two sets, Alas put up a gallant stand in the third with Bella Belen scoring two consecutive kills, followed by Jia De Guzman’s 1-2 play to mount a 23-17 lead.
Vietnam answered with three straight points before Dell Palomata scored off the block to reach set point, 24-20. Belen closed out the set to extend the match.
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However, the home team was quick to recover and dominate the fourth to seal their first win, with Tran Thi Thanh Thuy leading the charge.
Japanese coach Taka Minowa’s debut as Alas Pilipinas coach was spoiled by the Vietnamese.
Alas Pilipinas, the winner of four straight bronze medals in the tournament since 2024, will have a short turnaround as it faces Thailand on Saturday at 5 p.m.
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The Filipinos nearly snatched the first set after Erika Santos and Bella Belen sent Alas to set point, 24-23, but Thuy forced a deuce for the Vietnamese.
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Palomata scored crucial hits, but Alyssa Solomon’s attack error sent the host to set point, 27-26, before Eya Laure saved a point. Thuy then put on the finishing touches, capped by a block on Solomon, to complete Vietnam’s comeback from Alas’ 5-1 start.
Vietnam, eyeing a second straight crown after ruling last year’s Leg 2, takes on Indonesia next.
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