Tributes continue to pour in from across the sporting world following Pep Guardiola’s emotional farewell as Manchester City manager, with basketball legend Michael Jordan and NBA champions Boston Celtics among the high-profile names celebrating the Spaniard’s legacy.

Jordan stunned fans during City’s farewell event after appearing in a special tribute video congratulating Guardiola on what he called an “unbelievable career.”

“Hey Pep, this is Michael Jordan,” the six-time NBA champion said.

“I just want to congratulate you on an unbelievable career. Enjoy your retirement. Good luck on the links (golf). And keep them straight.”

The Boston Celtics also joined the tributes on social media, posting:

Congrats Pep on a legendary run at @ManCity pic.twitter.com/ScbJWpGvsH

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 24, 2026

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The NBA champions’ connection to Guardiola runs deeper than a congratulatory message.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has repeatedly credited Guardiola for influencing his coaching philosophy during Boston’s championship-winning run. Mazzulla, a known admirer of Manchester City’s tactical structure and team culture, previously visited Guardiola in Manchester and maintained regular contact with the City boss during the Celtics’ title campaign.

After winning the NBA Finals, Mazzulla openly admitted Guardiola helped shape some of Boston’s tactical ideas.

“Pep helped me in transitions and how to move guys,” Mazzulla said while discussing how Boston solved Dallas’ defense during the Finals.

Mazzulla also praised Guardiola’s emphasis on “competitive joy” and togetherness, concepts he later implemented inside the Celtics locker room during their championship season.

The admiration between both coaches became one of the most fascinating cross-sport relationships in recent years. Guardiola attended Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Boston in 2024, while Mazzulla spent time observing Manchester City training sessions and exchanging ideas with the legendary football manager.

Guardiola’s influence has long stretched beyond football, with coaches from basketball, American football, rugby, and other elite sports often citing his leadership, tactical innovation, and team-building methods as inspiration.

The farewell celebration itself became a global sporting event, featuring emotional speeches, tributes from former players, celebrities, and musicians including lifelong Manchester City supporter Noel Gallagher.

After nearly a decade in charge, Guardiola departs Manchester City having transformed the club into one of football’s greatest modern dynasties — winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic trophies, and delivering the club’s first UEFA Champions League crown.

And judging by the tributes arriving from every corner of sport, Guardiola’s impact may ultimately be remembered as far bigger than football itself.

Former Major League Baseball All-Star Wander Franco will avoid prison despite being found guilty for a second time on charges of sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. A Dominican Republic judge granted the 25-year-old shortstop a judicial pardon.

The decision overturned Franco’s original June 2025 conviction, in which he received a two-year suspended sentence.

The charges against Franco stemmed from a months-long relationship the ex-MLBer had with a 14-year-old girl beginning in December 2022, when the former top baseball prospect was 21 years old. The court ruled that while Franco was criminally responsible for his actions, he was also the victim of an extortion and blackmail scheme allegedly orchestrated by the minor’s mother.

Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays watches the game during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Aug. 12, 2023. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco sits in court during his trial on charges of sexually abusing a minor in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on June 2, 2025. (Ricardo Hernandez/AP)

Prosecutors pushed aggressively for a five-year prison sentence for the Tampa Bay Rays star, but the court ultimately handed its harshest punishment to the minor’s mother. Investigators previously uncovered more than $100,000 in cash during raids on her home tied to Franco.

DOMINICAN APPEALS COURT GRANTS NEW TRIAL FOR CONVICTED MLB STAR WANDER FRANCO IN SEXUAL ABUSE CASE

The mother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation.

During the proceedings, prosecutors detailed how she allegedly used her daughter as a financial commodity, extracting thousands of dollars from the wealthy MLB player in exchange for consenting to the relationship.

While Franco avoided jail time, his pro baseball career in Major League Baseball is long over. He signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021.

Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field in Tampa, Fla., on June 8, 2023. (Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Franco has not appeared in an MLB game since August 2023, when allegations involving the minor first exploded on social media.

He was later placed on administrative leave before MLB moved him to its restricted list, freezing both his salary and service time.

RAYS NIXING NEW STADIUM DEVELOPMENT; TEAM REMAINS COMMITTED TO REACHING ‘BALLPARK SOLUTION’

Under U.S. immigration law, the case likely qualifies as a “crime involving moral turpitude.”

Because Franco was not fully exonerated, immigration experts believe it will be nearly impossible for him to secure the work visa necessary to resume his Major League career.

Dominican baseball star Wander Franco gestures during his trial in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on June 26, 2025. Franco received a two-year suspended sentence after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage girl. (Luis Tavarez/AFP)

The sentence also gives the Rays significant leverage financially.

With roughly $160 million remaining on Franco’s contract, the organization is under no obligation to pay him if he cannot obtain a visa or report to the team.

The Rays could also attempt to void the remainder of the deal under morality clauses commonly included in professional sports contracts.

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Major League Baseball’s independent investigation under its Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy remains ongoing.

MLB previously said it was waiting for the Dominican Republic’s legal process to conclude before issuing formal disciplinary action.

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Monday that her country has “no issue” with hosting Iran‘s World Cup team, following the squad’s decision to move its training base from the United States to Mexico for the summer soccer competition.

The team is still scheduled to play its matches in the U.S., but its new base has been relocated to Tijuana, Mexico, situated just south of San Diego, California, as confirmed by Iran’s soccer federation.

President Sheinbaum clarified at a news conference Monday that she was told by a FIFA representative that the U.S. was reluctant to have the Iranian soccer team spend time outside of their scheduled games on U.S. territory.

“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States,” Sheinbaum told reporters. She said a FIFA representative had then asked, “Can they stay overnight in Mexico?”

“And we said, ‘Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that’,” she said.

Iran’s soccer team is slated to play matches in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and against Belgium six days later, before facing Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.

Before the war broke out, the team was originally planned to set up its base in Tucson, Arizona. But with tensions simmering, Iran’s team moved its base to Tijuana in Mexico, Sheinbaum said, confirming an announcement by the Iranian federation over the weekend. The federation said the Iranians had received approval from FIFA, though it has not confirmed the move.

Teams use base camps to train before and after matches. This year’s World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The possibility of a move had simmered for months in the uncertainty surrounding the war in the Middle East and security concerns. U.S. sanctions on Iran were likely to only make the team’s stay in the U.S. more complex.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement on Monday that President Donald Trump had made it clear the Iranian team was welcome to participate in the tournament.

The department’s statement did not address where the team might stay, or Sheinbaum’s comments.

Sheinbaum said that her government was working with FIFA to hash out all the details before the competition.

Lionel Messi was substituted during Inter Miami’s latest Major League Soccer match because of “muscle fatigue” in his left hamstring, his club said on Monday.

There had been fears that the 2022 World Cup winner had suffered an injury during Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union.

However, the MLS club announced that medical tests showed that it was nothing more than “an overload associated with muscle fatigue”.

“The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress,” Inter Miami said.

Having set up two of Miami’s four first-half goals on Sunday, Messi clutched his leg in the 73rd minute after taking a free-kick and was immediately withdrawn in the team’s final game before the World Cup break.

The 38-year-old went straight down the tunnel but appeared to be walking normally.

“He really was fatigued,” Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the game when asked about Messi’s condition. “He was tired; the pitch was heavy and when in doubt, the standard approach is always to ensure you don’t take any risks.”

Messi has not formally confirmed he plans to play for defending champions Argentina in the World Cup, which begins on 11 June.

However, he is widely expected to make a record-equalling sixth appearance at a World Cup, with the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Argentina’s squad is due to be named next week, with their opening game against Algeria on 16 June.

Since moving to Miami in 2023, the Barcelona legend and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has carefully managed his workload but has still spent spells out of action with hamstring issues.

He has 12 goals and eight assists in 14 MLS games this season, only one behind the leader in each category, having scored a league-leading 29 goals and assisted 19 times in 28 games during the 2025 regular season.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was found criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor, a judge in the Dominican Republic ruled Monday, but he will not serve a sentence. Franco was given a judicial pardon because he was both a defendant and a victim of extortion in the case.

Franco was convicted of sexual abuse in a Dominican court last June and received a two-year suspended sentence. An appeals court reversed the decision, which led to Franco standing trial in front of a new panel of judges. Full sentencing will take place June 16. Even though he was pardoned, the conviction and sentence will still appear on Franco’s record.

“When we have the full sentence in hand, we will give you more details,” Franco’s lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez, told the Associated Press. “He was exempted from punishment and we think that’s fine, but we need to have the sentence in hand.”

In January 2024, prosecutors delivered roughly 600 pages of evidence alleging that Franco had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl for four months. He was also accused of providing the girl’s mother with cash payments and a car in exchange for her consenting to the relationship. The girl’s mother received a 10-year prison sentence.

Now that the criminal proceedings in the Dominican Republic are complete, Franco will be investigated by MLB and will face a suspension under the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Criminal charges or a conviction are not required for discipline under the domestic violence policy.

“We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” MLB said in a statement.

The longest suspension under the league’s domestic violence policy is the 324-game ban given to Trevor Bauer in April 2022, after multiple women accused him of sexual abuse. Bauer’s suspension was later reduced to 194 games on appeal.

Franco last played a game for the Rays on Aug. 12, 2023. He was on administrative leave from that day through July 10, 2024, when charges were filed. At that point, he was placed on the restricted list. Franco has not been paid nor received service time while on the restricted list. This is Year 5 of the 11-year, $182 million contract extension he signed in November 2021.

Now 25, Franco was once one of the brightest young stars in the game. He finished third in the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year voting despite playing only 70 games, and he was an All-Star in 2022.   

Scotland and Ireland own the conversation, and for good reason. St. Andrews, Muirfield, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush and Ballybunion are as good as advertised — possibly better. The difficulty is that everyone knows it. Tee times open 18 months in advance, and the most coveted are gone within hours. A trip that once felt like a rite of passage now requires the planning of a military operation.

The answer is hiding in plain sight. England. Crazy? Stay with me.

London may be the greatest golf city in the world. Melbourne is in the conversation, but no other city comes close. Within 45 minutes of Heathrow are four courses on GOLF’s World Top 100 list, and unlike New York, Chicago or San Fran, where golf of this caliber sits behind private gates, every one is open to the visiting golfer.

On the outskirts of the capital, the Surrey Sandbelt takes five days to play. Settle in and the courses — Sunningdale Old and New, St. George’s Hill, Swinley Forest — are 30 minutes apart. The least celebrated of those is ranked No. 57 on our World list. Walton Heath (Old) sits within an hour, and its sibling New Course rewards those who squeeze it into their itinerary. Six world-class rounds, well within reach of the airport. For the golfer with time to spare, the three W’s —Worplesdon, Woking and West Hill — are must-plays too.

For those traveling as a couple, Central London has it all. The hotels are among the finest anywhere. The restaurant scene has long since earned its place among the world’s best. Globally renowned art galleries, shopping, theater and live sports abound. A non-golfing partner will not be kept wanting while you play England’s best.

Two hours from London, the Southeast coast will reset your preconceptions about English golf. Royal St. George’s, Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s sit side by side on linksland that belongs in the same conversation as any in the British Isles. Add Rye and, for many, the Southeast becomes the whole reason for the trip.

The South may have the glamour, but it doesn’t have all the golf. Four hours north of London, Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham and Royal Birkdale need no introduction. Hillside, Wallasey and Formby complete a stretch that would be celebrated the world over were it located almost anywhere else.

The tee sheets are open, the courses are in magnificent shape and the golfer who makes the trip to England leaves asking the same question: What took me so long?

Book your 2027 (and beyond) dream trip with 8AM Golf by contacting discovery@8amtravel.com.

A billionaire Saudi government official claimed in October last year that Manchester United were at an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor

Turki Alalshikh is reportedly interested in Derby County after claiming last year that Manchester United were “at an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor”.

Alalshikh, 44, called it “the best news” he heard that day, before adding: “I hope he’s better than the previous owners.” The billionaire clarified a day later: “I am not the investor, nor are they from my nation.

“I’m posting this as a fan who wishes the deal to happen, though it might not necessarily happen.” He described the “potential sale” as an “advanced negotiation phase with a new investor”.

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The Telegraph now reports that Derby have conducted extensive discussions with Alalshikh about potentially backing the Championship side. However, the publication notes that the extent of the Saudi billionaire’s involvement remains uncertain.

The Independent Football Regulator is said to be conducting due diligence on the Saudi government official before approving any transaction. Alalshikh holds a ministerial position advising the Royal Court and heads the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), which oversees the nation’s entertainment industry.

CEO Today outlined in a profile published last year that his wealth exceeded £2billion as of 2024. However, it seems unlikely that he would assume a comparable position to the one he currently holds at the GEA.

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Clowes is understood to plan to remain Derby chairman under any arrangement, even if he no longer holds a majority shareholding in the club. Alalshikh previously owned Egyptian Premier League club Pyramids and only relinquished Spanish second-tier outfit Almeria last summer after six years at the helm.

Months after that sale, Alalshikh dismissed reports connecting him with Bristol City last September. He said on X: “It is not true that I will buy Bristol City FC.”

Their chief executive, Tom Rawcliffe, however, confirmed weeks later that the club had conversations with Alalshikh. The Robins, like Derby, are receptive to investment as they seek promotion to the Premier League.

Following speculation about a potential interest in the Rams, apparently sparked by supporters noticing that Alalshikh had followed several fan accounts on X, he addressed those rumours on social media. He posted: “Derby,” followed by the person shrugging emoji.

It comes nearly a year after offloading Almeria to a Saudi investment group. The transaction occurred just weeks before he co-founded boxing promotion company Zuffa Boxing alongside UFC chief executive Dana White.

The billionaire’s ties to boxing stretch back almost three years, beginning with Tyson Fury’s bout against Francis Ngannou in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia had already played host to Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title rematches with both Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk.

Alalshikh has subsequently arranged several other marquee contests, including the undisputed heavyweight title bout between Fury and Usyk. Now operating through Zuffa, he remains active in staging events throughout the United Kingdom and the United States.

The top-seeded Carolina Hurricanes take on the third-seeded Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference finals best-of-seven series on Monday night. Carolina is coming off a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday to tie the series at 1-1. The Hurricanes (53-22-7), who finished the regular season with 113 points, are looking to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2005-06. The Canadiens (48-24-10), who finished the regular season with 106 points, are looking to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2020-21.

Face-off from Bell Centre in Montreal is set for 8 p.m. ET. Carolina is the -140 favorite (risk $140 to win $100) in the latest Hurricanes vs. Canadiens odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total goals scored is 5.5. Before making any Canadiens vs. Hurricanes picks, check out the NHL predictions and betting advice for Hurricanes vs. Canadiens from the SportsLine Projection Model.

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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times. The model entered the second week of the conference final round of the 2026 NHL playoffs with a +668 return on top-rated money-line NHL picks. Anyone following its NHL betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns.  

Now, the model has simulated Hurricanes vs. Canadiens 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NHL picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NHL odds and trends for Canadiens vs. Hurricanes:

Top Canadiens vs. Hurricanes predictions

After 10,000 simulations of Hurricanes vs. Canadiens, SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (5.5). The Over has hit in four of the past six head-to-head matchups. The Over has also hit in five of the past 10 Montreal games, including one push. The Over has also hit in 13 of the last 21 Carolina games when playing against a team that has won over 55% of their games.

The SportsLine model is projecting Carolina’s Seth Jarvis to score .39 goals and .42 assists, while goaltender Frederik Andersen will make 21.6 saves and allow 2.78 goals. Montreal’s Cole Caufield is projected to score .51 goals and .41 assists. Goalie Jakub Dobes will make 25.0 saves and allow 2.78 goals. It also projects 5.9 combined goals between the teams, making the Over the value play. See the model’s Hurricanes vs. Canadiens predictions at SportsLine.

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How to make Hurricanes vs. Canadiens picks 

After simulating each shift of Canadiens vs. Hurricanes 10,000 times, the model also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NHL picks. 

So who wins Canadiens vs. Hurricanes, and which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Hurricanes vs. Canadiens spread to back, all from the model that has returned $668 on top-rated NHL picks, and find out.

The Minnesota Vikings have plenty of running backs, so much so that trading for one might be perceived as strange. But down in Arizona, Trey Benson is buried on the Cardinals’ depth chart, desperately needing a fresh start.

Benson’s buried role in Arizona could give Minnesota a low-cost chance to add fresh backfield upside.

His stock is at its lowest, and Minnesota should inquire about his asking price via trade.

Arizona’s Silly Depth Chart Could Open the Door for Minnesota. Again.

A late-rounder might drag the deal over the finish line.

Benson on the Trade Block?

CardinalsWire‘s Jess Root wrote earlier this month, “When the Arizona Cardinals drafted running back Jeremiyah Love third overall in the 2026 NFL draft last month, the running back room changed and shifted projections for the final roster. A player the Cardinals once were counting on as a key cog in their offense is now a trade candidate: RB Trey Benson, trade candidate.”

“Benson, a former third-round pick who many believed could turn into a starter, is coming off his second straight year that ended with an injury. He has top-end speed. He has averaged 5.4 yards per attempt in his career. He has good size. He has value and upside. As the season approaches, he might be able to be dealt for a late Day 3 pick.”

For context, here’s the Cardinals’ RB room as of late May:

• Jeremiyah Love
• Tyler Allgeier
• James Conner
• Trey Benson
• Bam Knight
• Corey Kiner

Too many. Benson could benefit from a geographical cure.

The History on Benson

In 2024, coming out of the draft, Carolina Panthers halfback Jonathon Brooks and Benson were the two main RB names to watch — for fantasy football and real-life. To date, injuries have plagued both men’s careers to the point that 2026 feels like a make-or-break year.

Benson is in a particularly rough spot because he’s essentially guaranteed to get no action in the Cardinals’ offense. They have Love, Allgeier, and Conner for those jobs — proven commodities.

Still, Benson is 6’0″ and 220 pounds, an ideal size for a workhorse running back. He’s banked 92 rushing attempts in two seasons, compiling 451 yards on the ground, a touchdown, in addition to 19 receptions. In a career that emphatically has not taken off — he’s missed 50% of all games since 2024 — Benson still averages 4.9 yards per carry. Some team, even if the Vikings are not interested, must take a flyer on him. A man with roughly 5 yards per rushing attempt should not be squandered as an RB4 of the lowly Cardinals’ depth chart.

In that regard, this is a golden opportunity. The Vikings can return to the wishing well of poor Arizona decision-making that might propel their season with Murray at the helm. Try it twice.

Last Word on Sports‘ David Latham noted on Benson last week, “Benson has no clear path to the field. LaFleur didn’t draft him, which means he’s likely the third or fourth running back on the depth chart.”

“Running back is an injury-prone position, but it’s hard to envision Arizona keeping him around with all the depth ahead of him. While they won’t cut him, they could try to trade him to a team that still believes in his natural abilities.”

The Trade Price

This is the fun part. Benson is buried. Like buried-buried. Thirty-one general managers know that Benson is not a hot commodity; he’s staring up at Love, Allgeier, and Conner on a depth chart.

It won’t take much to acquire Benson. For example, if Arizona got cute and requested a 3rd- or 4th-Rounder for his services, every suitor would decline, and the Cardinals would be stuck with Benson on their roster — doing nothing.

For the Cardinals, it’s wiser team-building to nab a 5th-, 6th-, or 7th-Round pick for Benson, knowing the RB room already has too many cooks in the kitchen. Arizona has no leverage; they tipped their hand this offseason by welcoming Love and Allgeier.

Quite realistically and reasonably, Minnesota could ship a 6th-Round pick to Arizona for Benson and call it good. They can turn around and put his 5 yards per carry to work in an offense that desperately must fix its rushing efficiency.

Two More Years of Team Control

The final cool perk? Trading for Benson would welcome an affordable asset for two more seasons. Benson’s rookie contract runs out after the 2027 season, at which point he’d hit free agency. Meanwhile, the Vikings’ main running back, Aaron Jones, is old. He may not be with the club in 2027. If the front office already knows that, adding Benson can prepare for the Jones afterlife.

Trade for Benson and incorporate him into the 2026 offense, with upside of becoming an RB1 candidate in 2027 and 2028.

He’ll turn 24 in July. Go get him.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker