WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman believes Caitlin Clark is to thank for the league’s new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that has allowed players to get much higher salaries.

“She’s a generational player. She came with a fan base of millions, and it’s helping the league,”Lieberman said.

“They don’t get the $2.2 billion collective bargaining agreement, honestly, without her being there.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Women’s basketball legend Nancy Lieberman said she would have punched Chennedy Clark in the face if she were Caitlin Clark. (Getty Images)

That recent surge in attention has helped change the financial future of the WNBA.

The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association reached a tentative new collective bargaining agreement in March. The deal delivers major salary increases, a larger salary cap and more player benefits.

The new WNBA CBA is a transformative seven-year labor deal establishing the first-ever revenue-sharing model (averaging 20% of league and team revenue). It nearly quintuples the team salary cap and introduces sweeping upgrades to player benefits, family planning and facility standard

Lieberman said Clark’s arrival helped push the league into a new era.

“You can’t deny she brings the media,” Lieberman said. “You’re talking about her. You probably weren’t talking about anybody four years ago.”

Lieberman compared Clark’s effect on the WNBA to that of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods on their respective sports.

“She’s done her job, just like Tiger did, just like Michael Jordan did,” Lieberman said.

FEVER’S LEXIE HULL SPEAKS OUT AGAINST ATTACKS ON PLAYERS AS TEAM’S POPULARITY GROWS DURING CAITLIN CLARK ERA

Clark entered the WNBA in 2024 after a record-setting college career at Iowa. She brought massive television audiences, sold-out arenas and a national conversation that followed her from college into the pros.

Lieberman said that kind of attention does not take away from the rest of the league. It helps expose more fans to everyone.

“Now, you take A’ja, you take Napheesa, you take Stewie, you take Kelsey Plum, and you take Sabrina, and all these other great athletes, and now you put them together — that’s very formidable,” Lieberman said.

“These young players that are coming into the league have this incredible fan base,” Lieberman added. “They were making millions of dollars in college with their NILs, so they just brought that to the league…

“We shouldn’t be jealous of them,” Lieberman said. “We should celebrate them, not tolerate them.”

Clark’s Indiana Fever are off to a surprisingly underwhelming start to the 2026 season amid championship expectations after how close the team got last year.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

In 2025, the Fever came one game shy of reaching the WNBA Finals, all while Clark was sidelined with injury. But so far Indiana is off to just a 6-5 start this year, while Clark has seen a seeming decline in shooting accuracy.

But Lieberman believes the Fever will be “fine” as the season develops. Lieberman said teams now circle Fever games the way players once circled matchups with Michael Jordan.

“You see the schedule and you get amped up for the Fever because you’re dealing with some of the most famous players in the league,” Lieberman said.

“Same with Angel Reese. So, it’s just part of it, people used to get amped for Michael Jordan. It’s okay, you’ve created a reputation for yourself, you’ve been able to exceed the reputation, and people want to play against the best.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

She said the same is true for other marquee teams and stars.

“It’s like the Aces,” Lieberman said. “You look at the schedule and you go, ‘We’re playing A’ja Wilson,’ and you get amped up for this. Same with Angel Reese.”

EXCLUSIVE: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has allegedly used the country’s soccer system to spy on citizens, potentially violating FIFA bylaws, according to a new report from a major opposition party.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)’s U.S. office provided the report to Fox News Digital. It outlines an alleged plot for Iran’s soccer federation and top clubs to be drawn into a broader state security apparatus, and that at least 15 IRGC commanders have been formally documented and identified in soccer club management.

The NCRI, citing alleged official IRGC documents, accuses the IRGC of using clubs, stadium infrastructure and security-linked management posts to monitor fans, suppress dissenting athletes and violate FIFA rules on political interference.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The report alleges facial-recognition technology and other devices and tracking systems were used to monitor spectators. The report cites alleged internal Iranian security documents, including Tehran Province Security Council material from 2025 and a Sarallah Headquarters security plan from 2024.

According to NCRI-US’s translations of those documents, officials discussed facial-recognition cameras at Azadi, Takhti and Shahr-e Qods stadiums; ticketing tied to Iran’s national civil-registration database; seat-by-seat mapping of spectators by national ID; monitoring and vetting of fan-club leaders; and designated police staging areas or quick-reaction units inside stadiums.

“It is highly critical for security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies to utilize and exploit the video surveillance cameras of the Azadi Complex during matches, given the constant potential for unpredictable security incidents. It is highly conceivable that future riots and civil unrest could originate inside the sports stadiums,” the report said, quoting the documents.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran’s mission to the United Nations for comment.

OLYMPIANS UNITE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST IRAN FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE COUNTRY’S STAR ATHLETES

NCRI-US is the Washington office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, an Iranian opposition coalition that advocates replacing the Islamic Republic with what it describes as a democratic, secular and non-nuclear republic. The group says the material was obtained through the network inside Iran of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, or MEK, a major opposition movement that Tehran considers an enemy.

Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of NCRI-US, told Fox News Digital that the organization first became focused on stadium surveillance while tracking how Iranian authorities identified protesters during recent uprisings.

“Our focus was basically in terms of the protests and seeing how the Iran regime actually [was] trying to identify the protesters in the streets, identifying the leaders of the protests,” Jafarzadeh said. He said NCRI later realized, while reviewing what he described as a large batch of internal material, that “when it comes to a sports field, the Iran regime has a special attention on sports as a means of repression.”

Jafarzadeh added that Iranian soccer stadiums are among the few spaces where large numbers of young people gather and express collective emotion, making them a target for security forces. Soccer is Iran’s most popular sport, and clubs such as Persepolis and Esteghlal draw massive followings.

According to NCRI’s report, minutes from a May 2025 Sports Commission meeting under the Tehran Province Security Council discussed the need to equip multiple Azadi, Takhti and Shahr-e Qods stadiums with facial-recognition cameras.

The same document says cooperation from the Football Federation, the Football League Organization, Esteghlal and Persepolis was “strictly required” for the video surveillance project at Azadi Stadium, according to the NCRI. Another section lists the president of Iran’s soccer federation, Mehdi Taj, among officials copied for “executive implementation.”

The report also cited minutes from a later Tehran Province Security Council session saying officials discussed smart ticketing connected to Iran’s National Organization for Civil Registration, mandatory identity verification, numbered seats matched to national ID numbers, facial-recognition cameras, X-ray scanning machines and “fan cards” for pre-vetted fan leaders.

Jafarzadeh said NCRI believes the purpose of collecting such information is to identify people who oppose the regime and enable later arrests.

IRAN REGIME USES WAR TO MASK ‘BRUTAL’ EXECUTION SURGE AGAINST POLITICAL OPPONENTS

Iranian football supporters gathered at Enghelab Square in Tehran on May 13, 2026, for a ceremony honoring the Iran national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event featured performances of anthems dedicated to the team and the unveiling of the team’s kit. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)

“The information they got from the sports facilities, they used in order to identify the people who were opposed to the regime, and then later on arrested them,” Jafarzadeh said. “The regime uses sports and athletic events in order to exert its repression on the population.”

The report further alleged that Iran’s soccer system has been penetrated by IRGC and security-linked figures for decades. NCRI names at least 15 people it describes as IRGC or security-linked figures who have held senior positions in clubs, federations, league management or sports bodies. Among them, the report identifies Taj as a former IRGC intelligence officer who currently leads the Iran soccer federation.

Official FIFA bylaws say member associations must “manage their affairs independently,” ensure their affairs are not influenced by third parties, and that they be “neutral in matters of politics and religion,” “independent,” and avoid “any form of political interference.”

Jafarzadeh said FIFA should expel Iran’s soccer federation, comparing the case to international sports bans imposed on apartheid-era South Africa.

Iranian football supporters gather at Enghelab Square in Tehran during a ceremony for the Iran national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 13, 2026. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)

“You cannot have a sports club, a sports facility, dominated with the military, which is part of the Iran regime,” he said. “Sports federations, they have to be able to operate autonomously independent of the government…

“My message to FIFA is that do exactly what you did with South Africa during the apartheid. The Iranian Football Federation that is controlled by the Revolutionary Guards must be expelled from FIFA.”

FIFA also says violations of that independence requirement can lead to sanctions, even if the outside influence was not the fault of the association.

Fox News Digital has reached out to FIFA for comment.

The report also accuses Iran of systematic gender discrimination in sports, especially restrictions on women entering stadiums and state control over female athletes’ uniforms.

Human Rights Watch reported in 2022 that Iranian authorities blocked dozens of women from entering a soccer stadium in Mashhad. FIFA, however, has also pointed to recent cases where women were allowed to attend Iranian matches, including a 2024 women-only crowd at a Persian Gulf Pro League match in Isfahan.

Rights groups say Iranian women continue to face discriminatory barriers to stadium access.

Iranian football supporters gather at Enghelab Square in Tehran during a ceremony for the Iran national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 13, 2026. Thousands attended the event where anthems dedicated to the national team were performed and the team’s kit for the tournament was unveiled. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)

Rights groups have documented cases in which Iranian athletes faced punishment after supporting or participating in anti-government protests.

Habib Khabiri, a former famed Iran national soccer player and team captain, was listed in a 1985 United Nations report among people “allegedly summarily and arbitrarily executed” in Iran in 1984-1985. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that Khabiri was arrested in 1983, tortured in prison and executed in 1984 after alleged ties to the Mojahedin-e Khalq.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Jafarzadeh highlighted Khabiri as a symbol of the regime’s repression of athletes, as Khabiri was a rising soccer star who became captain of Iran’s national team before being arrested and asked to appear on television to renounce his political beliefs.

“He refused, and he was executed on June 21, 1984,” Jafarzadeh said. “He became a symbol for all of the athletes.”

With elite talent comes enormous valuations. As clubs continue to spend record-breaking sums in the transfer market, the World Cup has become one of the biggest scouting events in global sport. Every performance is analysed by executives, sporting directors and recruiters looking to identify players capable of transforming their teams.

With that in mind, we have assembled the most valuable starting XI from players set to participate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The lineup features the highest-valued player in each position based on current market estimates and represents a combined valuation of approximately $1.68 billion.

From global icons such as Kylian Mbappé to teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, this star-studded XI is expected to provide many of the defining moments of the tournament.

The most striking aspect of this team is not just its staggering $1.68 billion valuation but also its youth.

Lamine Yamal is the youngest player in the lineup at just 18 years old and is already valued alongside some of the biggest names in world football. Spain’s Pau Cubarsí follows closely behind at 19, further highlighting the country’s emergence as a production line for elite young talent.

The XI has an average age of approximately 24.6 years, demonstrating how heavily clubs continue to invest in players who are either entering or yet to reach their peak years. Only Gabriel Magalhães, at 28, is older than 27, while Achraf Hakimi and Kylian Mbappé are both 27.

Why The Most Valuable Player Isn’t Necessarily The Best Player

Market value and footballing ability are not always the same thing.

A player’s valuation is influenced by a variety of factors beyond performances on the pitch. Age, contract length, injury history, club status, commercial appeal and resale potential all play significant roles in determining how much a player is worth in the transfer market.

Younger players often command higher fees because clubs are investing not only in what they can deliver today but also in what they might become in the future. Likewise, players with long-term contracts generally carry higher valuations because their clubs are under less pressure to sell.

Commercial considerations also matter. Global popularity, sponsorship appeal and social media reach increasingly influence how clubs and brands assess a player’s value.

This explains why some of the world’s best footballers may not necessarily top market valuation rankings. Experienced stars approaching their 30s can still perform at an elite level, but younger players often carry higher price tags because they offer a longer period of potential return on investment.

Liverpool and PSG are among the teams monitoring his development, and a strong World Cup could significantly accelerate his rise. For a player who has previously spoken about his admiration for PSG, the tournament could become the perfect platform to trigger a blockbuster move. 

Rayan (Brazil) – Brazil’s Next Transfer Market Sensation 

Current Club: AFC Bournemouth Projected Value: $92.8 million 

Rayan’s inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad raised eyebrows initially, particularly after more established attacking options were overlooked. However, the Bournemouth forward quickly justified the faith shown in him. Since arriving in England, the teenager has showcased a combination of power, directness and end product that has made him one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe. 

With clubs such as PSG, Liverpool, Arsenal and AC Milan reportedly keeping tabs on him, a standout World Cup could push his valuation into elite territory and place him among the most sought-after forwards on the market. 

Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco) – The Midfield Prodigy Ready for the Big Stage 

Current Club: Lille Projected Value: $69.6 million 

Still only 18, Ayyoub Bouaddi has already accumulated two full seasons of senior football with Lille, a remarkable achievement for a player of his age. The midfielder’s decision to represent Morocco over France has only increased excitement around his future. Comfortable under pressure, dominant in aerial duels and capable of unlocking defences with precise distribution, Bouaddi possesses a skill set that appeals to Europe’s elite clubs. 

Arsenal, Bayern Munich and PSG are all believed to be admirers, and the World Cup offers him an opportunity to announce himself to a truly global audience. 

Ibrahim Maza (Algeria) – The Engine of Algeria’s Future 

Current Club: Bayer Leverkusen Projected Value: $58 million 

While attacking stars often dominate headlines, Ibrahim Maza’s influence comes from the work he does between the lines. The 20-year-old has already established himself as a trusted performer at Bayer Leverkusen, earning regular minutes through his intelligence, work rate and tactical awareness. 

Maza excels at winning possession, progressing the ball and creating opportunities for teammates. As Algeria look to make an impact on the world stage, he is expected to play a central role. Strong performances could attract serious interest from clubs such as Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, potentially making him one of the tournament’s biggest midfield winners. 

Víctor Muñoz (Spain) – The Attacker Ready to Seize His Opportunity 

Current Club: Osasuna Projected Value: $46.4 million 

Víctor Muñoz’s decision to leave Real Madrid in search of regular football has already paid dividends. The versatile attacker has flourished at Osasuna, using his pace, creativity and finishing ability to establish himself as one of Spain’s most promising young forwards. With injuries opening doors in Spain’s attack, Muñoz could find himself with a bigger role than many anticipated heading into the tournament. 

Real Madrid retain a buy-back option, but interest from Barcelona and several Premier League clubs suggests his future remains wide open. A productive World Cup could dramatically increase both his profile and his market value. this is the final story draft. please make it more readable but don’t remove any facts. also see whether the flow of the copy seems right o and suggest if something can be added in the end.

More Than a Trophy: Why the World Cup Is Football’s Biggest Shop Window

While the World Cup is ultimately about lifting football’s most coveted trophy, it has also become the sport’s most influential marketplace.

History is filled with examples of players using the tournament as a springboard to greater opportunities. In 2014, James Rodríguez arrived in Brazil as a promising talent and departed as the Golden Boot winner before completing a blockbuster move to Real Madrid. Four years later, Kylian Mbappé used the tournament in Russia to establish himself as football’s next global superstar.

The 2026 edition offers an even greater opportunity. With 48 teams, more matches and a global audience expected to run into the billions, players will receive unprecedented exposure. Every goal, assist and standout display will be watched not only by fans but also by scouts, sporting directors and club executives searching for their next major signing.

For some players, the World Cup is an opportunity to justify an already enormous valuation. For others, it is a chance to enter an entirely new financial bracket.

VikingsTerritory will have a 53-man roster projection in July and August, but first, it’s time to look at the lay of the land before mandatory minicamp, which begins this week in Eagan. The Minnesota Vikings didn’t have the busiest offseason known to man per player movement, though the team does feel somewhat different with Kyler Murray in the saddle.

The following is a depth chart projection — with training camp seven weeks out. All rookies are noted in bold.

Vikings Roster Battles Come into Focus before Training Camp

— Offensive Roster —

Quarterback

QB1: Kyler Murray
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
QB3: Carson Wentz
QB4: Max Brosmer

The first week of OTAs — and probably upcoming minicamp — taught the masses that Murray is the unabashed frontrunner to win the Vikings’ QB1 job. It’s not that mysterious.

Running Back

RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Jordan Mason
RB3: Demond Claiborne
RB4: Zavier Scott
RB5: Kejon Owens

Claiborne flashed at OTAs, and he’ll have three more months to do that before perhaps getting some rookie touches in September. He’s got the speed for the job — 4.37.

Fullback

FB1: Max Bredeson

With C.J. Ham freshly retired, Minnesota won’t abandon the fullback spot; Bredeson is in the house as a replacement.

Wide Receiver

WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Jauan Jennings
WR4: Tai Felton
WR5: Myles Price
WR6: Jeshaun Jones
WR7: Dontae Fleming
WR8: Dillon Bell
WR9: Luke Wysong
WR10: Marcus Sanders
WR11: Terrill Davis
WR12: Michael Briscoe
WR13: Trayvon Rudolph

The Jennings acquisition made this group to die for — and perhaps the NFL’s top WR corps. Bell, an undrafted free agent, has already turned heads this month.

Tight End

TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Ben Yurosek
TE4: Gavin Bartholomew
TE5: Bryson Nesbit

This is the single untouched roster spot from the 2026 offseason, though Ben Sims left for the Miami Dolphins.

Left Tackle

LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Caleb Tiernan
LT3: Caleb Etienne
LT4: Tristan Leigh

Darrisaw said he feels the best he has in two years, and that his ACL is “great” overall. That makes fans feel, well, great.

Right Tackle

RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: Ryan Van Demark
RT3: Walter Rouse

Expect O’Neill contract extension talks to heat up between now and September.

Center

C1: Blake Brandel
C2: Michael Jurgens
C3: Gavin Gerhardt

Brandel took all starting snaps at OTAs. He’s “the guy” at center in 2026, believe it or not.

Left Guard

LG1: Donovan Jackson
LG2: Henry Byrd
LG3: Delby Lemieux

Jackson said last week that he felt like a “headless chicken” learning the Vikings’ playbook as a rookie and that he now feels more acclimated.

Right Guard

RG1: Will Fries
RG2: Joe Huber
RG3: Vershon Lee
RG4: Tomas Rimac

It’s a big year for Fries. Minnesota spent big on him last offseason, but can somewhat easily offload him next offseason if he proves to be a dud.

— Defensive Roster —

Outside Linebacker

OLB1: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB2: Dallas Turner
OLB3: Bo Richter
OLB4: Tyler Batty
OLB5: Chaz Chambliss
OLB6: Cam’Ron Stewart
OLB7: Arden Walker

The Vikings will embark on a regular season without Danielle Hunter or Jonathan Greenard for the first time since 2014.

Defensive End

DE1: Jalen Redmond
DE2: Caleb Banks
DE3: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
DE4: Isaiahh Loudermilk
DE5: Eric Johnson
DE6: Smith Vilbert
DE7: Monkell Goodwine
*Please Note: Most NFL terminology considers this spot “defensive tackle.”

With Loudermilk and Johnson signed in the last several weeks, Minnesota keeps stacking DT depth.

Nose Tackle

NT1: Domonique Orange
NT2: Levi Drake Rodriguez
NT3: Taki Taimani
NT4: Elijah Williams

This group has a lot of beef, which is exactly what you want from a nose tackle room.

Middle Linebacker

MLB1: Eric Wilson
MLB2: Ivan Pace Jr.
MLB3: Jacob Roberts
MLB4: Bangally Kamara

Some think Pace Jr. could be cut in August if rookie Jake Golday is the real deal.

Weakside Linebacker

WLB1: Blake Cashman
WLB2: Jake Golday
WLB3: Josh Ross
WLB4: Keli Lawson

Like O’Neill, Cashman is eligible for a contract extension, although he turned 30 this offseason.

Cornerback

CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
CB2: Isaiah Rodgers
CB3: James Pierre
CB4: Charles Demmings
CB5: Dwight McGlothern
CB6: Zemaiah Vaughn
CB7: Da’Veawn Armstead
CB8: Marcus Allen
CB9: Tyreek Chappell

This group doesn’t have stars, but it finally has a bit of depth. That eluded the Vikings last year while Murphy Jr. and Rodgers somehow didn’t miss a single game.

Safety

S1: Josh Metellus
S2: Jay Ward
S3: Theo Jackson
S4: Jakobe Thomas
S5: Tavierre Thomas
S6: Kahlef Hailassie
S7: Jacob Thomas

Vikings Nation remains on Harrison Smith Watch. We bet he returns for one more year.

— Special Teams Roster —

Kicker

K1: Will Reichard will battle Brandon Aubrey from the Dallas Cowboys in 2026 for the title of best kicker in football.

Punter

P1: Johnny Hekker
P2: Brett Thorson

Thorson won the award for best college punter in 2025, and he’s somehow not automatically the Vikings’ main punter in 2026.

Long Snapper

LS1: Andrew DePaola

DePaola is the oldest man on Minnesota’s roster.

Kick Returner

KR1: Myles Price

Price wants to play more on offense in 2026; we shall see if that’s real or just a summer talking point.

Punt Returner

PR1: Myles Price
PR2: Tai Felton

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

Everton are in talks with Idrissa Gueye about a new deal to keep the veteran midfielder on Merseyside until he is almost 38.

Gueye’s contract expires at the end of this month but Everton are keen to keep him for an eighth season and a fifth since returning from Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

The former Aston Villa player, who is representing Senegal at the World Cup, made 25 appearances this season, interrupted by a suspension for a strange sending-off, when he slapped teammate Michael Keane in the win at Old Trafford, and the African Cup of Nations, which his country first won and then had the title stripped from them.

The defensive midfielder has scored 10 goals in 236 games for Everton and formed a partnership in the centre of the pitch with James Garner last season.

Everton are nevertheless interested in strengthening their midfield with Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, who was named the Championship’s player of the year, a target.

They are also expected to try to bring in a right-back, with captain Seamus Coleman ending his playing days with them after 17 years and 435 games.

At left-back, Vitalii Mykolenko has committed his future to Everton, signing a new three-year deal.