Sports
IFAF Flag Football World Championships: U.S. men dominate Italy
Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Members of the Great Britain IFAF European flag football world champions team pose for a photo before an NFL International Series game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The IFAF Flag Football World Championships 2026 concluded in Dusseldorf, Germany on Sunday with the United States taking home the title for the men and Canada securing the victory for the women.
In the men’s tournament, the United States cruised to a 46-26 win over Italy. They were dominant from the start, building a 38-8 lead at halftime.
Tyler Davis led the way with three touchdowns. Defensively, Aamir “Nuskiii” Brown had a big day, coming up with two interceptions. Jordan Bouah scored two touchdowns for Italy.
In the bronze medal game, Canada pulled out a 34-26 overtime victory over Mexico. In overtime, Canada’s Antony Auclair scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Then, Guillaume Beland secured the win with an interception.
For Canada, Auclair and Daniel Petterman led the way with two touchdowns each. Damian Chirinos scored two touchdowns for Mexico.
In the women’s tournament, Canada defeated the United States 27-20 in the gold medal match. Following a Frederique Morneau touchdown, they extended their lead to 27-14 with 6:12 remaining. Morneau scored three touchdowns on the day.
Madison Fulford scored to cut the lead to 27-20 with 2:25 left. The United States got the ball back with 32 seconds left but were unable to pull out any late game heroics.
Mexico defeated Great Britain 20-19 in the bronze medal game. Mexico built a 20-6 lead at halftime, but Great Britain stormed back in the second half. The two teams posted similar offensive numbers; Mexico led Great Britain in yardage 117-113. However, Mexico’s three interceptions proved to be the difference.
The World Championships serves as a qualifying event for the 2028 LA Olympic Games. As the host nation, the United States automatically qualifies. As a result, the next two highest-placing teams in the men’s (Italy and Canada) and women’s (Canada and Mexico) tournaments earned an automatic Olympic bid.
–Field Level Media
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Surprise Qi4D driver switch leads to win
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PLDT ends perfect preseason prep and gets to touch lives of fans as well
Kath-Arado, the bemedaled PLDT libero, does a selfie with fans from her hometown of Lanao del Norte. —MARLO CUETO
PLDT may have played a different format in what was supposed to be its title defense of the PVL On Tour, but the High Speed Hitters were pleased to win both games and meet fans from different provinces before beginning their season in the Invitational Conference starting Aug. 31.
PLDT fended off Akari, 25-14, 26-24, 21-25, 25-20, to end its preseason campaign on a high note on Saturday at the Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium in Tubod, Lanao del Nortem as the two-time PVL champion High Speed Hitters had a perfect On Tour stint after also beating Choco Mucho in four sets in Vigan City last July 25.
The chance to see their fans in Isabela, the original venue of the Choco Mucho game, last week, didn’t happen because of foul weather. And that is the only regret the High Speed Hitters have in this offseason.
“It would’ve been nice to play in the Isabela leg, but at least in our final On Tour game, we achieved our goal of improving from our game against Choco Mucho,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort in Filipino. “Credit to Akari, especially in that set when they refused to give up.
“I kept telling our players that there’s really no room for complacency,” he went on. “We’re happy that we bounced back in the fourth set and got the win.”
The High Speed Hitters won their maiden championship in the PVL during last year’s On Tour. But a pure preseason showdown was implemented this year.
Ricafort and his wards understood the situation and still took every preseason game like a regular one as they prepare for a new season.
“It’s not really something we have control over, whether it continues as a regular conference or not,” he said. “Some teams were affected because they had players with Alas Pilipinas, so their lineups were incomplete.
“That’s just how our calendar worked out this time,” Ricafort continued. “At least we have the Invitationals to look forward to, and I’m sure that won’t be easy to win. We’ll prepare well and hopefully (play well) there.”
Savi Davison, who led the High Speed Hitters with 22 points on 19 kills, two blocks and an ace, while adding 13 excellent receptions and nine digs, enjoyed her chance to visit other provinces and touch the lives of the fans.
“I think it’s just being able to adapt in other places,” said the Filipino-Canadian hitter. “I know for us, it’s hard because there are so many fans and so much support here. There’s also a lot of support in Manila, but it’s not the same here since it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them to come see us.
“So, it’s really about making adjustments point by point and set by set,” she said. “I’m just happy that we were able to keep adjusting and get the win.” INQ
Sports
Is Aaron Donald signing imminent? DT works out with Rams again, Sean McVay mum on timeline
The waiting game on a potential Aaron Donald return continues in Los Angeles, and while Rams coach Sean McVay said he would prefer the defensive tackle make a decision before long, he declined to put a timeline on an announcement one way or another.
Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has been considering a comeback since early June when the Rams traded for star edge rusher Myles Garrett. He worked out with the team on Sunday for the second time this month, suggesting he and the Rams are beginning to get a clearer picture of whether he could suit up in 2026.
“I’m hopeful that it will be sooner than later, but I also want to respect when he does feel like that clarity will come,” McVay said after Saturday’s preseason game. “I think there’s a chance that we’ll be closer to that than not, but I don’t want to say too much or put some sort of invisible deadline on something that doesn’t exist, in my mind, for him.”
Donald initially showed up at the Rams’ facility on Aug. 5. The team was required to report his activity on the NFL transaction wire because he used team equipment in their building during training camp. It was the closest thing to an official practice Donald participated in since he retired at the end of the 2023 season.
The workout videos Donald regularly posted to social media throughout his retirement showed that he remained in excellent shape during his first couple of years away from football. Still, he needs to demonstrate that, at 35, his body can withstand the rigors of playing as an elite defensive lineman. Every workout in Los Angeles is an additional data point in that regard. And if he proves to both himself and the Rams’ staff that he is up to the task, the team has made it clear they would welcome him back with open arms.
“If Aaron does decide he wants to do it, I’ve been very open that we want to try to explore that opportunity,” McVay said. “But I think he has earned the right to be able to say he knows himself in terms of ‘Am I able to stack back-to-back days? Am I able to do some of the different things?’ And some of those benchmarks that he’s set out for himself.
“What I don’t want to sit here and do is put a timeline on it, and then something comes up where I’ve got to push it back. What I have said with him; we have some loose things where we have identified dates that we would like to be able to hit. But what I don’t want to have is any sort of unnecessary pressure on him if there’s some unforeseen circumstances.”
The Rams’ defense already projects as a top-flight unit in 2026 following the Garrett trade and the additions of cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Adding arguably the greatest defensive tackle of all time back into the mix would only further solidify Los Angeles as the preseason Super Bowl favorite.
While it would be unfair to expect Donald to produce at the same level he did during his prime, anything close to that kind of output would be a boon to the Rams’ defensive front. The eight sacks, 16 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback hits he posted in his final season were far from career highs, but they were still good enough to earn Donald an eighth first-team All-Pro selection. If he could flirt with those numbers in a comeback season, the Rams would take it in a heartbeat.
Sports
‘This is probably my last year’, reveals plans after football
Cristiano Ronaldo has said the 2026-27 season could be the final year of his playing career, offering his clearest indication yet that retirement is approaching. The 41-year-old has spent more than two decades at the highest level and, with his contract at Al Nassr running until June 2027, has now begun speaking openly about what he wants his life to look like once football is over.“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told Vogue in an interview published on Sunday.
Ronaldo opens up about life after football
Ronaldo has previously spoken about retirement without committing to a particular date. In November, he said he expected to continue playing for “one or two years” and confirmed that the 2026 World Cup would be his final tournament.Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the round of 16 last month. Ronaldo scored three goals at the tournament and became the first player to score at six different World Cups, finishing his World Cup career with 11 goals from 27 appearances.He was less specific about his overall playing future after Portugal’s exit. His comments to Vogue are the closest he has come to putting a timeframe on it.Ronaldo said he has already planned for the period after football and expects to spend more time with his family, travel and play and watch padel.“I have my future all mapped out,” he said. “I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard.“Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned — what we’ve earned.“Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”
A final season with Al Nassr and Portugal still ahead
Ronaldo remains contracted to Al Nassr until June 2027 and has continued to play for Portugal after the World Cup.He is also 24 senior goals short of reaching 1,000, a milestone he has spoken about wanting to achieve during the latter stages of his career.Portugal’s new manager, Jorge Jesus, described Ronaldo as a “symbol of Portuguese football” after taking the job in July and said he would continue selecting him while the forward remains fit and playing.Ronaldo’s three goals at the 2026 World Cup took his international total to 146, the highest in men’s international football.His club career has continued alongside those international records. He began at Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al Nassr. His most prolific spell came in Madrid, where he scored 450 goals in 438 appearances, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer.
The career Ronaldo is preparing to leave behind
Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Ors and five Champions League titles, along with league championships in England, Spain and Italy. With Portugal, he won the European Championship and Nations League.His career has also produced records across club and international football, including his position as men’s international football’s leading goalscorer and his six World Cup appearances.The 2026 tournament was already established as the end of his World Cup career. Now, with the new domestic season beginning, Ronaldo has indicated that the wider playing career could have only one more season left.His comments came in an interview conducted five days before his marriage to Georgina Rodríguez in Cascais, Portugal. The couple had been together for nearly a decade before announcing their marriage with a photograph of their wedding rings.Ronaldo has also spoken about wanting to spend more time with his family after football and about the interests he intends to pursue away from the sport.
Messi has also raised questions about his future
Ronaldo’s comments came shortly after Lionel Messi expressed uncertainty over how much longer he would continue playing following the death of his father, Jorge.The pair have spent much of the past two decades at the centre of football’s defining individual rivalry, collecting major individual awards and setting scoring records while playing for Barcelona, Real Madrid and their respective national teams.Both are now 39 or older, with Ronaldo at 41 and Messi at 39, and both have recently spoken about circumstances that could bring their playing careers towards an end.For Ronaldo, there is still football to play, goals to chase and a contract that extends into 2027. But for the first time, he has put the possibility of retirement at the end of the current season into his own words.
Sports
Eala advances after Ruse retires, and Filipina wunderkind will come in fresher in clash with another top 10 foe in Anisimova
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines plays Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania during day 5 of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 15, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by MATTHEW STOCKMAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Alex Eala got off her Cincinnati Open debut in a manner of finish she really didn’t want as second round foe Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired while trailing because of a foot injury.
A 6-1, 3-0 win, carved out after the Filipina ace won the last six games of the first set after being broken in her first service game, had Eala advancing to the chance of taking out another Top 10 WTA player in Amanda Anisimova on Monday in Manila.
This will be the first meeting between the two, and at stake is the chance to take on reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, the Czech who will play an Eala victim, Clara Tauson of Denmark, in the third round. And Eala would just be all too willing to chalk up a win over Anisimova and add her to a list of top 10 victims that led to a maiden WTA title in Washington DC two weeks ago.
The 21-year-old Eala already has eight wins against top 10 foes this season, counting one over Iga Swiatek in England and Jessica Pegula for the Mudabala crown in DC.
“I think that I was playing well, I think I felt the ball good, was really focused and tried to keep myself in the zone,” Eala said after bouncing back from her first loss in nine matches to Belinda Bencic in the fourth round in Toronto last week. “I think I did a good job of that.”
“Of course, nobody likes to finish a match with a retirement,” she went on. “First and foremost, I just want to wish Gabriela-Ruse a speedy recovery, injuries aren’t fun, so I hope she recovers soon.”
Anisomova, the No. 9-ranked player in the world seeded 10th here, also posted an authoritative victory over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez, 6-2, 6-3, before expressing nothing but excitement in her clash with Eala.
“I haven’t played her (Eala) before. She’s been having such an incredible season, an incredible year,” Anisimova said. “[She is a] very great player with a lot of fans, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
Djoko falls early
While some of the ladies stars on the rise advanced, all-time men’s great Novak Djokovic’s stay at the Cincinnati Open was a short one. It also might be his last.
The 24-time major champion fell to Thiago Agustin Tirante 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday in a match that took 2 hours, 44 minutes in hot and humid conditions.
A 25-year-old from Argentina, Tirante is ranked No. 50 in the world. Djokovic—a three-time Cincinnati champion and No. 5 in the rankings—was playing for the first time since his loss to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals.
Up next for Djokovic is the US Open, which starts Aug. 30 in New York.
Djokovic appeared to struggle physically in the heat and had his 10-match winning streak in Cincinnati snapped. The 39-year-old told reporters that an unspecified health condition made it difficult for him to play in hot and humid weather.
“It’s just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years,” Djokovic said. “A lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot. I did anticipate it (would be humid), but there are all these things, like nerves and everything involved that make it worse, and that’s what happened.”
Djokovic has had plenty of success in Cincinnati, with a 45-13 record and titles in 2018, 2020 and 2023. But he wasn’t sure he would return.
“I certainly hope so, but it looks more likely not, unfortunately,” Djokovic said. “But let’s see what the future brings.”—With a report from AP INQ
Sports
Barcelona finally get Ballon d’Or winner Rodri after third offer as Man City reportedly accept €76.5m deal
Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement in principle to sign Rodri from Manchester City, with the Spain captain set to return to La Liga after seven trophy-filled seasons in England.The proposed deal is understood to be worth €76.5 million (about $88.4 million) in total, after Barcelona returned with a third offer for the 30-year-old midfielder. Rodri is set to sign a four-year contract with the La Liga champions. The move would bring one of the world’s most accomplished midfielders back to Spain just weeks after he captained the country to the 2026 World Cup and was named the tournament’s best player.
Barcelona return with third offer
Barcelona had already seen two approaches for Rodri rejected before returning with an improved proposal over the weekend.According to sources cited by ESPN and The Athletic, Barcelona’s third offer takes the total package to €76.5 million ($88.4m). City will receive an upfront €60 million ($68.8m), with more than €11 million in highly achievable bonuses, and the Premier League club expects to receive at least €71.5 million overall for Rodri, who has less than 12 months left on his contract.Rodri is expected to travel to Barcelona in the coming days and could be presented before Wednesday’s Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al Ahly at Spotify Camp Nou.The agreement follows a summer in which Rodri’s future had become increasingly uncertain. He was entering the final year of his Manchester City contract, giving the English club a reason to consider a sale if the right offer arrived.Barcelona’s interest also developed after Frenkie de Jong suffered a long-term injury, prompting the Spanish champions to explore the midfield market more seriously.Rodri was not initially considered a priority target, but his availability changed the picture. Barcelona then moved ahead with their pursuit, while sources told ESPN that the midfielder preferred a return to Spain with Barça over a move to Real Madrid.
A statement signing for Barcelona
Barcelona see Rodri as a major addition to a squad that has won consecutive Spanish league titles and are understood to view him as a player capable of strengthening Hansi Flick’s side for the coming seasons.His arrival would also add another established leader to a summer recruitment drive that has already brought Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Jesse Bisiwu to the club.João Cancelo is also set to return to Barcelona as a free agent, according to sources cited by ESPN, while the club continue to pursue a striker. Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez is their leading target following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.Rodri’s experience would be particularly valuable in a squad preparing to compete on multiple fronts. He has won at the highest level in both club and international football, while his ability to control games from midfield has made him one of the defining players in his position.
Rodri leaves City after seven seasons
Rodri joined Manchester City from Atlético Madrid in 2019 after previously playing for Villarreal and Atlético.Across 298 appearances in seven seasons, he helped City win 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League in 2022-23.His time in England was interrupted by a serious knee injury that ruled him out for much of the 2024-25 campaign, while a hamstring problem also disrupted parts of last season.He returned to his best level at the 2026 World Cup, captaining Spain to the title after a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina. Rodri was also awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.The World Cup triumph followed his success at Euro 2024, where he was also named player of the tournament. That performance helped him win the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Rodri with the 2024 Ballon d’Or trophy
Rodri would therefore leave Manchester City having added almost every major honour available to his collection.
City prepare for life without their midfield anchor
Barcelona’s opening proposal was reportedly rejected last week, with City turning down an offer worth around €45.2 million ($52.2 million) before the Catalan club increased its bid.After Sunday’s Community Shield defeat by Arsenal, new City manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged the difficulty of replacing a player of Rodri’s calibre.“Rodri is a player who just won the World Cup and Ballon d’Or,” Maresca said. “He’s a top player, all the teams need a Rodri, so it’s not about if we miss Rodri or not.”
Manchester City’s Rodri . (AP Photo)
Rodri’s departure would bring an end to his seven-year spell at the Etihad and leave City without a midfielder who has been central to their most successful period.For Barcelona, meanwhile, the agreement would bring home a player who has already won a World Cup, European Championship and Ballon d’Or, while still being 30 years old and entering what could be several important seasons at the Camp Nou.
Sports
LOOK: Bears LT Ozzy Trapilo back in action at training camp practice
The Chicago Bears got a big return to their roster this weekend as it was announced that the team has activated offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo from the physically unable to perform list, and he was spotted working during Sunday’s practice.
Trapilo suffered a ruptured patellar tendon just seven months ago back in the team’s Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers in January, and is now back on the field just seven months later. Trapilo has not returned in a full capacity just yet, as he was captured on video returning to individual drills but has not yet returned to full team activities or drills.
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The Bears will certainly take a cautious approach to getting Trapilo back on the field, as they ramp him back into action, but Sunday’s return and activation off the PUP list is the first big step to getting him back on the field in a much sooner than expected time.
Chicago currently has a wide-open competition at the left tackle position, where they currently have veterans Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie, and Jedrick Wills battling it out among them. Trapilo’s return to the lineup will be an interesting wrench thrown into the competition, as he took over late last season, starting at left tackle in Week 12 of the 2025 season, and was a consistent presence on the offensive line until his energy.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: LOOK: Bears LT Ozzy Trapilo back in action at training camp practice
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VT’s Postgame Breakdown: 6 Thoughts after the Vikings Beat the Giants

The current version of VT’s postgame Vikings breakdown considers Minnesota’s debut preseason game in New York.
Far from a barn burner, the Vikings found a way to win behind a score of 13-10. Anyone who fell asleep on the couch will be forgiven. Check out six quick-hitter thoughts as an all-too-quick recap.
A Quick-Hitter Postgame Vikings Breakdown
1 — Just Terrible News for Jamal Adams

The great issue for Jamal Adams throughout his career has been injury. Yet again, the problem has arisen, leading to the safety seeing his season undermined before it could really begin. Minnesota’s social media sent along a vague but ominous update: “Head Coach Kevin O’Connell has said that Jamal Adams suffered a right knee injury in today’s game and that initial examinations don’t look good.”
2 — J.J. McCarthy Didn’t Respond
Going 4/7 for 34 is a brutal outcome. Obviously, a larger sample size would be preferable but there’s not a ton there, as the 69.9 passer rating suggests. Nothing from today indicated that he should be the starter over Kyler Murray.
3 — Max Bredeson Could Be Key

Looked active out there. Max Bredeson boasts a good build and should represent a noticeable step forward over C.J. Ham from an athleticism standpoint. The 2026 season could be the one where Kevin O’Connell leans on the fullback more than ever before.
4 — Up and Down from Caleb Banks
Check out a poor rep:
As Will Ragatz indicates, there’s a pad level issue. Caleb Banks needs to sink his hips by bending at his knees so he can control the offensive lineman with his mitts and long arms. Losing the balance battle at the line of scrimmage means getting beat.
5 — Great to See Myles Price Shine

The young fella knows how to work. His 4 targets went for 4 catches for 51 yards and 1 touchdown. Not a bad day at the office for somebody who is shooting for the WR4 job.
6 — The Sack Artists
Good to see Dallas Turner begin with a sack. So, too, did Jay Ward put a strong hit onto the quarterback. Nice to build up some momentum. Can Brian Flores get away with rushing just four a bit more commonly? If so, the Vikings have more guys for coverage duty.
Sports
Arsenal vs Manchester City FA Community Shield live match time, streaming | Football News
The new English football season gets its traditional curtain-raiser on Sunday as Arsenal take on Manchester City in the FA Community Shield 2026 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The annual fixture brings together the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners, offering both sides an early opportunity to lay down a marker before the domestic campaign gets fully underway.
Arsenal head into the contest as the reigning Premier League champions after another impressive campaign under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners have steadily established themselves as one of England’s leading sides under the Spanish manager, but their preparations for the new season have not been entirely smooth. Arsenal suffered defeats against Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund during pre-season, making the Community Shield an important test of their readiness ahead of the Premier League campaign.
Manchester City, meanwhile, enter a new era after Pep Guardiola’s departure. The club have appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager, giving the Community Shield added significance as the Italian begins his tenure in a high-profile competitive fixture. City will also be looking to build momentum after winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season.
The match also comes with plenty of intrigue surrounding City’s squad. Tijjani Reijnders is set to leave the club, while questions continue to surround the future of midfielder Rodri. Despite the uncertainty, Rodri is expected to feature in the Community Shield, adding another major talking point to an already eagerly anticipated encounter.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Community Shield 2026 live telecast and streaming details
Q. When will Arsenal vs Manchester City be played?
A. The FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City will be played on Sunday, August 16.
Q. What time will Arsenal vs Manchester City start in India?
A. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM IST.
Q. Where will Arsenal vs Manchester City be played?
A. The Community Shield will be played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Q. Which TV channel will telecast Arsenal vs Manchester City in India?
A. The match will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network.
Q. Where can fans stream Arsenal vs Manchester City online?
A. The match will be available for live streaming on Sony LIV.
Sports
Why sports teams are selling for eye-popping prices across major leagues | Business
By Tania Ganguli
Not long ago you could buy a National Basketball Association (NBA) team in the country’s second-largest city for just $2 billion. Yet those days are already a thing of the past.
Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner announced this week that they had bought control of the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that priced the franchise at $12.5 billion. It was a record figure for a NBA team, eclipsing the $10 billion paid for the Lakers just last year — and was the latest in a pattern of skyrocketing sale prices for sports franchises. Is it mania or just a reasonable resetting of the market?
“Like anything else, it’s worth what someone is willing to pay,” Mark Cuban, the former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, said in an email. Cuban bought the Mavericks from Ross Perot Jr in 2000 for $285 million. When he sold a majority stake of the NBA team to Miriam Adelson and her son-in-law Patrick Dumont in 2023, the team was valued at around $3.5 billion.
That same year, the NBA’s Suns and the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA’s) Mercury, both in Phoenix, were sold to Mat Ishbia, who had made his fortune in mortgage lending, for a valuation of $4 billion. Also in 2023, Michael Jordan, the NBA legend, sold a majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets that priced the team at $3 billion — $2.7 billion more than he paid in 2010. At the time, those numbers seemed outlandish, especially given the size of those teams’ markets. It was only the start.
In 2025, Bill Chisholm-led group bought the Boston Celtics at a $6.1 billion valuation, just a few months before Mark Walter, a financier, bought a majority stake in the Lakers with a valuation at $10 billion. NFL teams sell much less frequently, but the Seattle Seahawks sold for $9.6 billion last month.
“I am absolutely convinced that we have not reached anything close to a ceiling,” said Irwin Kishner, a partner at the law firm Herrick and co-chair of its sports law division. And particularly with the most recognisable teams, he said: “You could only envision the numbers going further north.” By that he means teams like the NBA’s New York Knicks, the National Football League’s (NFL’s) Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Indeed, the Yankees received a $2.6 billion investment this week that valued the franchise at close to $10 billion.
People in the sports industry said at least a few things had contributed to the rising prices. Sports is one of the last big draws to live TV, and as a result leagues — and therefore the teams — are being paid far more. Kishner pointed to the NBA’s recent TV rights package: an 11-year agreement with broadcasters worth about $77 billion.
The legalisation of sports betting has also opened a new revenue stream for franchises, Kishner said. And then there’s the feeling that sports, as well as other live and in-person events, may be insulated from the impact of artificial intelligence. Many of the recent deals have involved investor groups, not individual buyers. On Friday, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, was part of a crowded investment group that joined forces to buy about a third of Liverpool Football Club.
“I do think that going forward, one individual writing a check for a team will be rare,” Cuban said. “Which brings its own inherent changes.” Not everyone agrees this influx of cash is a good thing.
“Sport is the goose that laid the golden egg,” said David Andrews, a professor at the University of Maryland who studies the sociology of sport. He has wondered if fans will become disillusioned if sports leagues and teams become too commercialised or financially driven. “But that doesn’t seem to have happened,” he said. “For whatever reason, the goose is kind of still alluring, and we’re still enchanted by the game despite its hyper-financialisation.”
Bill Simmons, a media mogul and prominent Boston sports fan, has lamented that the super wealthy increasingly view sports teams as investments, rather than prized civic entities to protect.
“You still want to think that the people running the best teams actually care about those teams,” Simmons said during a recent episode of his namesake podcast. He said there seemed to be an era approaching where sports teams were “just giant hedge fund plays.”
Simmons argued that Iger, the recently retired chief executive of Walt Disney, and Kushner, a venture capitalist, would also view the Lakers as simply a financial asset.
Kushner and Iger tried to soothe such concerns in a statement released after announcing their purchase. They said they were “deeply honoured for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers.”
“I don’t think like the people that own these teams, that their motivation is to buy and flip,” said Diane Gotua, who led the NBA’s global business strategy for almost five years and is now the chief commercial officer for the start-up Pro Padel League. “It’s almost like a legacy asset. It’s how they want to be known and remembered.”
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