There’s almost too much happening in baseball right now between MLB divisional races heating up, an impending lockout looming and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter facing financial hardship.
Unless you live underneath a rock, you’ve probably heard that billionaire sports owner Mark Walter is facing a major federal investigation into billions in undisclosed loans tied to his insurance companies. He liquidated his ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, selling them for $12.5 billion. Even though the Dodgers aren’t for sale, their sweeter-than-cream television deal that allows them to lead MLB in payroll is under a fine tooth comb.
If Walter is forced to sell the Dodgers, it is unlikely to cost them Ohtani, but the international superstar would hold all of the leverage in that situation.
Ohtani’s contract has a unique “key man” opt-out clause, allowing him to become a free agent if controlling owner Mark Walter or president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman departs the organization. Obviously, if Walter is forced to sell, Ohtani would be able to exercise this clause and get out of his $700 million deal. Even though ESPN reported that Ohtani is considered unlikely to ever exercise that clause, it’s worth mentioning that it was ever inserted into the contract in the first place.
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Professional sports franchises get bought and sold all the time. Executives get hired, fired and depart organizations every season. So, why did the Dodgers add this key man opt-out clause to Ohtani’s contract? Were they covering themselves in case they wouldn’t be able to afford his $700 million deal, especially if Walter had to liquidate assets elsewhere?
It’s important to remember that Walter isn’t facing any charges in this situation. He also hasn’t expressed interest in selling the Dodgers.
But the sale of the Lakers moved really quickly. And there’s no denying that losing Ohtani would be a devastating blow for Los Angeles.
Ahead of an expected work stoppage to implement salary caps and floors, the Dodgers are eying for their third-straight World Series victory. Financial oddities aside, Los Angeles has a significantly higher payroll than the other 29 teams in baseball. That’s something that’s going to be addressed before next season, and it could be the reason why the start of baseball is delayed next spring.
Michael Carrick was asked about Patrick Dorgu’s half-time substitution after Man Utd’s defeat against Hull on Saturday.
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has no concerns about Patrick Dorgu following his half-time substitution against Hull on Saturday.
Dorgu had attempted three shots by half-time at the MKM Stadium, which was more than any other player, but they lacked quality and Carrick replaced him with Marcus Rashford for the second half.
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The Denmark international was signed to play as a left wing-back in Ruben Amorim’s system, but he has been relocated to the wing by Carrick.
Dorgu has exclusively played as an attacker during Carrick’s tenure, but he is now set to face competition from Rashford, who offered more in the second half against Hull.
When Carrick was asked if he would have to put an arm around Dorgu following his half-time substitution, he said: “Pat’s fine, we love him to bits. He’s a fantastic player, Pat. He’s a great character.
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“He’s a big part of what we do, and he will be. So it was just one of those decisions. It’s nothing personal. Sometimes you’ve just got to make them, you know, trying to do something a little bit different.”
United could not find a way to score after the change and Benjamin Sesko looked isolated when he was introduced with just over 20 minutes remaining.
“We changed things around a little bit in the second half and we kept trying to find a different way, a little bit of finding the spark. It happens, it does happen, it has happened before,” said Carrick.
“We’ve just got to keep finding those solutions, you know, and a little bit is that Ben’s been out for quite some time and hasn’t trained an awful lot. So there are kind of little bits of reasons for it.
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“Bryan [Mbeumo] has been really good for a lot of pre-season and was one of our better players again today.”
Do the Vikings want game-changing speed at RB3? Or, perhaps, is there a desire for somebody who is more understated but still intriguing?
Vikings runner Zavier Scott doesn’t generate a ton of fanfare. In fact, it would be quite easy to forget that Scott locked down the team’s RB3 job last year. Every so often, Kevin O’Connell cooked up unique plays to lean on the runner’s background as a receiver. Does that desire for a well-built, versatile depth RB continue into what’s looking like a fascinating Vikings season in 2026?
Vikings Runner Zavier Scott: Versatile, Works Hard, & Boasts a Nice Build
Zavier Scott didn’t set the world on fire in 2025. However, he did get involved, at least in a modest manner.
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The depth skill guy was involved in sixteen games. Added together, Scott ran the ball 32 times for 114 yards and 0 touchdowns. Averaging 3.6 yards per carry isn’t great. He then turned 16 targets into 14 catches for 98 yards and 1 touchdown. Again, not sizzling, but a pretty high ratio of targets turning into catches even within the acknowledgement that averaging 7 yards per reception isn’t a terrific number.
Oddly enough, Scott didn’t earn a huge workload on specials. His 105 snaps on offense stood alongside 149 snaps on special teams. Seeing him prove more capable of chewing up special teams work would do much to help his chance of sticking around.
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) hands off to running back Zavier Scott (36) during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Check out what Lance Zierlein had to say on the now Vikings runner going into the 2023 NFL Draft: “Scott is a fun watch on tape thanks to his versatility and the passion he shows on the field. He’s a big athlete who plays fast and with good determination, but he will be much more intriguing for teams with creative play-callers who are looking for multi-dimensional prospects.”
Further from Zierlein: “While he’s not a pure running back, he does possess running back talent and the same can be said about him as a receiver, although he needs much more polish. His toughness with the ball in his hands and potential roster flexibility make him worthy of Day 3 consideration.”
The draft arrived in 2023 arrived and nobody took the plunge. So, Scott got scooped up by the Colts. Going over to Indianapolis involved earning $45,000 in guaranteed money, per Over the Cap. For context, that was the same year that Minnesota onboarded Ivan Pace, doing so for $236,000 as guaranteed money in the linebacker’s deal.
What then followed was practice squad work for the Colts before going to the same assignment with the Vikings in 2024. There was then a full-time job on the Vikings’ roster for the 2025 season.
Part of what’s making life tough for Scott is the presence of Demond Claiborne. Neither of Aaron Jones nor Jordan Mason got shown the door. All that was done to adjust the RB room was to bring a 6th-Round speed demon to town. Claiborne isn’t perfect but he’s got wheels that can’t be taught. Quite possibly, the rookie runner is the Vikings’ fastest player.
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Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) gets a first down on a reception against Green Bay Packers safety Jaylin Simpson (38) in the fourth quarter during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
At Vikings training camp, Zavier Scott had quiet moments of success.
In one special teams rep I saw, Scott clearly won the 1-v-1 competition. On another occasion, I saw him hanging behind at practice unusually long for extra work. And then there’s just the basic criteria that Zierlein highlights in his scouting report and then was evident in Minnesota’s ’25 season. Scott boasts good size and has soft mitts. Coaches will be intrigued, especially those with a penchant for tossing a curveball here and there.
Look for Zavier Scott later on today. Not only will the catches and runs count but so, too, will his abilities as a pass blocker. Keeping the QB’s jersey clean will do wonders for his chance to make the final roster.
Scott wears the #36 jersey. The 27-year-old depth runner stands at 6’1″ and weighs roughly 220 pounds.
Angers and LOSC Lille get underway in the 2026-27 French Ligue 1 campaign when they square off at the Stade Raymond Kopa on Sunday. Having won the four meetings between the teams since August 2024, Davide Ancelotti’s men will be aiming to extend their two-year streak against the hosts and secure a seventh straight league victory on the road.
It was another forgettable league display from Angers last season as they secured a 13th-placed finish in the Ligue 1 standings, just four points above the relegation playoff spot.
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Stephane Gilli’s side lost 16 of their 34 league games, while picking up nine wins and nine draws to collect 36 points, equalling their total points tally from the 2024-25 season, when they finished 14th in the table.
Angers head into Sunday’s season curtain-raiser without a win in nine straight Ligue 1 matches (4D 5L), but they will draw inspiration from their solid display in pre-season, where they picked up two wins and two draws from their five friendly games.
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Elsewhere, Lille enjoyed an impressive league campaign last season, when they clinched third place in the Ligue 1 standings to secure a return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2022.
Ancelotti’s side picked up 18 wins and seven draws from their 34 league matches to collect 61 points, just two points above fifth-placed Olympique Marseille in the Europa League qualifying places.
Like Angers, Lille head into Sunday’s season opener off the back of a solid pre-season campaign, where they picked up two wins and two draws from five matches.
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Angers vs LOSC Lille Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
With nine wins from the last 21 meetings between the sides, Lille boast a slight upper hand in the history of this fixture.
Angers have picked up two fewer wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on five occasions.
Lille have won each of their last four games against Angers, scoring six goals and keeping four clean sheets since a 1-0 loss in April 2023.
Angers are without a win in six straight Ligue 1 home games, losing three and picking up three draws since a 1-0 victory over Toulouse back in February.
Angers vs LOSC Lille Prediction
While they will aim to continue their form from pre-season into the new league campaign, Angers will need to be at their best against a well-drilled Lille side who have won their last four encounters.
Ancelotti’s side are on a run of six consecutive away wins in the league, and we see them coming away with the desired result here.
Prediction: Angers 0-2 LOSC Lille
Angers vs LOSC Lille Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Lille to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – No (There have been fewer than three goals scored in the last eight meetings between the two teams)
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Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards – No (There have also been fewer than five bookings in four of the last five meetings between the two teams)
Brazil legend Ronaldinho has announced a surprise return to football at the age of 46, with the former Barcelona and AC Milan star joining Italian third-tier club Ravenna.
Thousands of fans gathered at a city beach for “Ronaldinho Day” despite heavy rain to welcome the former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker.
Ronaldinho retired from professional football in 2015 but will now become a shareholder at Ravenna and could feature for the Serie C side.
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“I’m very happy to be here with friends. We have a team that can do something good,” Ronaldinho said.
Asked if fans would see him play, he replied: “I don’t know, only the coach knows that. Coming back to Italy is wonderful. I’m here to help my teammates win.
“As you can see, I’m in shape, I feel good. If I could score my 300th goal, that would be even more beautiful.”
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Ronaldinho played his last official match for Brazilian club Fluminense in September 2015.
The former Brazil international enjoyed a highly successful career, winning the 2002 World Cup and scoring the winning goal against England in the quarter-finals. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
Ravenna owner Ignazio Cipriani first announced Ronaldinho’s comeback in June while attending the World Cup in Miami.
“His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal,” Cipriani said.
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“His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us.”
Cipriani confirmed that Ronaldinho will not play against Reggiana in Ravenna’s Serie C season opener on Monday.
Ravenna finished third in Group B of Italy’s third tier last season and are hoping to win promotion to Serie B, where they have not played since 2008.
Nigeria international Semi Ajayi was on target as Hull City stunned Manchester United 2-0 in their first Premier League match in nine years.
Hull, promoted through the Championship play-offs last season, produced a strong display at home to claim their first-ever Premier League win over Manchester United.
United started the new campaign with plenty of confidence after finishing third last season under Michael Carrick and securing Champions League football. However, they struggled to turn their possession and chances into goals.
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Ajayi gave Hull the lead in the 24th minute. Oli McBurnie’s effort was tipped onto the post by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, but Ajayi reacted quickly to fire the rebound into the net.
The goal was a special moment for Hull as it was their first Premier League goal since Sam Clucas scored against Tottenham in May 2017.
Hull doubled their lead in the 38th minute through another defender. Club-record signing Nobel Mendy marked his debut with a powerful header from Regan Slater’s free-kick.
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The result ended Hull’s long wait for a league win over Manchester United, their first since 1974 when both clubs were in the old Second Division.
Ajayi, who left West Brom last summer, was solid at the back as Hull defended their lead and frustrated United throughout the match.
United had 72% possession and created 21 attempts, but Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis made five saves to keep a clean sheet. He produced an important stop to deny Bryan Mbeumo late in the game.
Marcus Rashford was introduced at half-time on his return from a loan spell at Barcelona, but he was unable to inspire a comeback.
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Bruno Fernandes, Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha all tested Tzolakis, while Fernandes also sent another chance over the bar.
For Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic, it was a dream start to life back in the Premier League and a strong response to those who had tipped his side for relegation.
For Carrick and Manchester United, the defeat is an early warning that their new campaign will not be as easy as expected.
NEW DELHI: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed Kuldeep Yadav after the left-arm wrist spinner had a quiet first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Kuldeep managed just one wicket across the two innings, bowling 25 overs in the match. He struggled to find his usual rhythm and control, while Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja did most of the damage to the Sri Lankan batting line-up.
But ahead of the second and final Test in Colombo, beginning on Sunday, Gambhir had a clear message for the spinner.
“Bowl your best spell, don’t be desperate for wickets,” Gambhir said.
‘Best bowling attack that can get us 20 wickets’
India returned to winning ways in the World Test Championship after a 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday.
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Four days after that win, the visitors will be back in action in Colombo for the second and final Test. India will be pleased with most aspects of their performance in Galle, but Kuldeep’s form remains one of the major talking points.
Gambhir did not fully reveal whether India would stick to their winning combination for the Colombo Test. However, he made it clear that the team’s priority would be to field a bowling attack capable of taking 20 wickets.
“We will try to field the best bowling attack that can get us 20 wickets,” Gambhir said.
Kuldeep’s quiet outing in Galle has put the spotlight on his place in the playing XI. The left-arm wrist spinner dismissed Kamindu Mendis during his opening spell in the first innings but could not make much of an impact after that.
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He bowled 25 overs in the match and finished with just one wicket.
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‘It’s captain’s decision’
Kuldeep did not bowl much in the first Test, especially when the other Indian bowlers were making regular breakthroughs.
Asked if Kuldeep was under-bowled, Gambhir said it was a decision for captain Shubman Gill based on what he felt was right during the match.
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“It’s captain’s decision depending on what he feels right during a period,” Gambhir said.
With Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja bowling well, Kuldeep had to wait for his opportunities. When he was brought into the attack, he struggled to find his usual lines and lengths.
However, India may still continue with Kuldeep because of his experience and quality. The team management will now have to decide whether to give him another chance or bring in someone like Indore off-spinner Saransh Jain.
Saransh has a good First-Class record, having taken 188 wickets in 54 matches for Madhya Pradesh. But Kuldeep remains one of India’s most experienced and skilled spinners.
The football that Diego Maradona punched into the net for his infamous “Hand of God” goal is under the hammer this weekend. The historic ball from that infamous quarter final World Cup match between Argentina and England in 1986 is expected to fetch over 10 million dollars. Details by Camille Knight.
Christopher Nkunku has signalled his desire to return to RB Leipzig after a season with AC Milan, according to Sky Germany. RB Leipzig and Milan are discussing a possible loan move with an option to buy, according to the report. Nkunku previously played for Leipzig from 2019 to 2023 after joining from PSG. He was the Bundesliga top scorer in the 2022/23 season with 16 goals before moving to the English Premier League to join Chelsea for €60m. His time in west London was far from ideal as Nkunku was plagued by injuries and failed to replicate the form that saw him become one of the sought-after attackers in Europe. Nkunku’s contract with Milan, where he made 32 league appearances last season, scoring seven goals and assisting three, lasts until 2030. The two clubs are discussing the move, and reports suggest that the 28-year-old French player is set for a return to the Bundesliga, where he will hope to revive his best form having scored 70 and created a further 56 in 172 appearances during his first stint.GGFN | Brook Genene
India vs Netherlands LIVE Score, FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Pool E LIVE Updates: India face a must-win situation as they take on co-hosts and reigning Olympic champions Netherlands in the World Cup second round opener
Much like Ninja’s impactful victory in the Missile Stakes a fortnight ago, Apocalyptic is poised to make a similar statement as she commences her campaign in the Toy Show Quality at Randwick.
Having previously dominated the Princess Series as a three-year-old filly in the spring, Apocalyptic’s performance dipped in two autumn starts, prompting trainer Michael Freedman to curtail her preparation.
Her seasonal reappearance is scheduled for Saturday, and veteran jockey Tommy Berry is confident that all signs indicate Apocalyptic is set to recapture the form she demonstrated 12 months prior.
“She’s had a really good break, very similar to Ninja,” Berry commented. “Michael has decided to treat her more like a sprinter this preparation and you can tell. She’s been trialling sharply, and her work has been very sharp.”
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“The only thing I didn’t really want was to draw in with her because she does like a bit of room, and she has drawn perfect in six. There won’t be any excuses Saturday. She’s in great order.”
With two scratchings reducing the field, the Toy Show Quality (1100m) now consists of seven runners. Nonetheless, it shapes up to be a demanding contest, featuring the reappearance of Surround Stakes placegetter Savvy Hallie, alongside Prima Bella and Gatwick who possess the advantage of recent race fitness.
The transition to racing as a mare presents a challenge for both Apocalyptic and Savvy Hallie, a point Berry acknowledges.
“They’re up against the older horses now so there’s nowhere to hide,” he stated. “She’s got to step up and show she is up to some of the better races. The world is her oyster. We know what we’ve got at home with her, but you like to see them come back and tick that first box, a bit like Ninja did against the older horses.”
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Berry will also partner the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl in the Winx Stakes (1400m), reuniting with the esteemed mare for the first time since the 2022 Epsom Handicap. Hong Kong-based rider Hugh Bowman had been earmarked for the ride but was unable to meet her weight requirements and will instead guide stablemate Lindermann.
Fangirl has been a consistent performer in major carnivals over several seasons and retains fitness from a two-start winter campaign in Brisbane. Berry expressed no surprise at her continued presence at the elite level as an eight-year-old.
“That’s Chris Waller. He can get long preparations out of them, and he can get longevity out of them, especially his fillies and mares,” Berry remarked. “Via Sistina, he did a great job with her. He won a Melbourne Cup with Verry Elleegant. It’s one of his biggest strengths, so it’s no surprise to see her doing the same.”
Berry’s extensive book of rides at Randwick includes eight of the ten races, four for Waller, featuring the favourite Campione D’italia in the Show County Quality (1200m). Explore Australian betting sites for the day’s racing.
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