The 2025 Little League Softball World Series has begun, featuring four games on the first day on Sunday at Stallings Stadium in Elm Street Park, Greenville, North Carolina.

First game of the tournament is already through with Florida taking down Washington by a final of 9-2. They’ll face Oklahoma in the following round. The second game of the day was much tighter as the defending champions, Pitt County, North Carolina needed a three-run fifth inning to defeat Brazil. They scored four runs on just two hits to win 4-3, but that is what champions do. They’ll face the Central Region representatives in the next round.

Sunday’s third game was undoubtedly the closest. Canada had a 4-2 lead over the Czech Republic in the bottom of the sixth. A groundout should’ve ended the game, but the call was overturned. The Czechians proceeded to go on a massive two-out rally, tying the game and pushing it to extras. However, Canada would still get the last laugh, winning in the seventh, earning their first LLSWS victory since 2018.

The final game on Sunday saw all the scoring come in the final inning as Pennsylvania walked off with a 2-1 victory over Connecticut to compelete the action on the first day at the LLSWS.

Full updates on all the LLSWS action from Sunday, Aug. 3. below.

FINAL: Pennsylvania 2, Connecticut 1

There was no scoring in the game until the last inning as a pitcher’s duel between Pennsylvania’s Reagan Bills (6 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 2 walks, 15 strikeouts) and Connecticut’s Maeve Eagleson (5 2/3 innings, 2 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, six strikeouts) ensued.In the top of the sixth inning, Connecticut would take a 1-0 lead as Michaela Mascari would steal home with Maeve McGowan at the plate. But Pennsylvania would put together something special in the bottom of the sixth.

Mallory Bailor reached first on a field inning error and Pennsylvania still didn’t have a hit in the game at that point. Haley Shepherd would later walk with one out putting runners at first and second. Kendal Schilling’s RBI-single would tie the game but the second runner was tagged out trying to advance to third base. Leilah Schilling-Mansour put the finishing touches on the thrilling game with a game-winning RBI-single to right field.

Eagleson deals through trouble

Although Connecticut’s Eagleson had carried a perfect game into the fifth, Pennsylvania proved she was hittable, getting two runners on base in the inning and nearly scoring a run if not for a terrific grab by Eagleson on a comebacker. It’s up to her teammates to back her up now and put some runs up on Bills.

These pitchers do not miss

Connecticut’s Maeve Eagleson and Pennsylvania’s Reagan Bills have been borderline untouchable all game. The pair have minimized baserunners and through four full innings, we remain scoreless.

Eagleson still carries a perfect game, while Bills has struck out double digit batters.

Connecticut, Pennsylvania locked in pitcher’s duel

We’ve got aces on the mound for the first game of the LLSWS for each of these clubs, and this game could go by very quickly. Pennsylvania’s Reagan Bills has been lights out, striking out each of the first five batters she faced before allowing a runner to reach base via an error.

The pitching has been equally strong on both sides and we could be seeing donuts on the scoreboard for quite a while until either starting pitcher is removed.

FINAL: Canada 5, Czechia 4

Now it’s official, Canada has won their first LLSWS game since 2018, and it’s the country’s first win in 14 LLSWS games. It didn’t come easy, with Canada believing they’d won in the sixth, but an overturned call and a two-out rally pushed the game to extra innings, where Canada would walk-off.

Diving catch keeps game tied

Canada was in trouble, looking at a one-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh, but a diving grab from centerfielder Alicia Dupont kept the score at 4-4, much to the joy of her teammates, who swarmed her in the field.

Massive two-out rally ties the game

Canada nearly earned the win, but a wild sixth inning has pushed this game to extras potentially. Originally, the final was supposed to be 4-2. A tremendous play at third would’ve retired the final out, but replay showed that the runner beat the throw, extending the inning and scoring a run.

That was followed up with a single up the middle from Daniel Pendlova, driving in the tying run and putting runners on second and third.

Prescott replaced with injury

A strange occurrence as Canada pitcher Arielle Prescott suffered an injury and needed to be pulled from the game. She’d been dominant, but will take a back seat for now as she is evaluated. She has been replaced by Estelle Dionne, who was at first base before the injury.

Dionne faced some trouble, but struck out two Czechian batters back-to-back to end the inning, stranding the tying run at second base.

Canada adds another

Canada has seemingly figured out Czechia pitching after a lackluster first. They’ve scored four runs, including one in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead.

Canada avoids trouble with 3-2 double play

Canada pitcher Arielle Prescott has been crazy, with eight strikeouts through four innings. However, her control has been an issue and it led to some trouble as Czechia had runners on the corners with just one out.

Luckily, a great play at first base allowed Canada to step on first for the second out and then throw home, where the catcher applied the tag to end the inning. It remains 3-2 Canada heading into the bottom of the fourth.

Canada strikes back

After an unassuming first inning, Canada struck hard in the second, tallying a run and putting runners on second and third before recording a single out.

Canada earned their first run thanks to a bit of a mishap from Czechia. Instead of taking a sure out at first, the shortstop decided to attempt to get the runner heading for third, but could not apply the tag in time. Czechia would get the next out but after a pair of singles would put Canada out in front with three runs.

Canada leads 3-2.

Czechia gets on the board

Canada’s pitcher, Arielle Prescott, has been great, striking out five hitters through two innings. However, her control has cost Canada dearly as both runs in the second inning have come on wild pitches.

Canada escapes early jam

Early on in the Czechia vs. Canada affair, Czechia was cooking with two runners reaching base before any outs were recorded.

Fortunately for Canada, even after the runners advanced to second and third, they were able to work their way out of the jam, keeping the game scoreless as they take the bats for the first time of the game.

FINAL: North Carolina 4, Brazil 3

After miscues on throws to third base in the previous half inning, Brazil attempted their own steal of third during the top of the sixth inning. However, it was clear that it was a miscommunication between the runner and coach.

Brazil needed one run to tie the game and potentially push the game to extra innings. It was likely that the runner thought the ball had gotten past the catcher. Instead of a runner in scoring position and one out, Brazil was down to their last out, which was secured just one pitch later on a grounder to second.

North Carolina wins the game thanks to a three-run fifth inning, scoring four runs with only two hits. It’s Pitt County’s sixth straight win at the Little League Softball World Series dating back to winning the championship in last year’s tournament.

They’ll face the Central region representative in the next round.

North Carolina breaks through

Perhaps getting Fugisaki out was all North Carolina needed, after getting Brazil’s ace out of the game, North Carolina put together a tremendous rally, aided by a few errors on Brazil’s end.

The team’s first run of the inning came after North Carolina attempted a double steal. Brazil’s third baseman was playing up to prevent a sacrifice bunt, so the catcher’s throw to third sailed into left field allowing a run to score. That was followed up with a single from Isabella Ford, which drove in the next run.

Just moments later, North Carolina drank from the same well that got them a run earlier. With a runner on second after a sacrifice, North Carolina attempted a steal, and with the Brazil third baseman playing up to prevent the bunt, the catcher’s throw went into left, and the run scored, giving North Carolina a 4-3 with only the sixth inning to go.

Great rally, defensive miscues lead to run for Brazil

North Carolina looked ready to get on offense again and tie up the game, but after one quick out, a walk to Fugisaki, a bloop single, and a walk, the bases were loaded with two outs.

A grounder to short would normally be exactly what the doctor ordered but a lapse in judgment on defense led to hesitation, allowing the runner to reach first and a run to score. It’s 3-1 Brazil heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Brazil takes the lead right back

It looked like it was going to be a quick inning for North Carolina. After tying Brazil, they found a groove, earning quick outs and looking to enter the bottom half with a chance to lead. However, some strong two-out hitting drew in the Latin America runner, giving Brazil a 2-1 lead.

It will be tough for North Carolina to make a comeback if they cannot earn hits. Their only run of the game has come via a walk, stolen bases, and a sac fly. They’ve yet to record a hit.

North Carolina ties it up

Brazil’s pitcher was one of the toughest against hitters throughout the entire Latin America tournament, but this North Carolina team is proving themselves more than capable.

In just the second inning, a series of great baserunning decisions followed up with a sac fly from Avery Cash was able to plate a tying run. It’s 1-1.

Brazil with a hot first inning

The Latin America team wasted no time getting on the board, with two singles in the first inning. A leadoff hit-by-pitch, succeeded by a stolen base put the Brazilian runner in scoring position. Another hit drove her home.

Brazil continued to threaten but a great play in foul territory by the North Carolina first baseman ended the inning. Heading to the bottom of the first, it’s 1-0 Latin America.

FINAL: Florida 9, Washington 2

There may have been a little rough water in the final inning, with Washington putting two runners on, but there was no damage to be done. Washington could not push any runners across, giving Florida their first win of the tournament, a 9-2 victory. They’ll face Oklahoma next.

Sam Bradley uses Ks to get through the 5^th inning

Sam Bradley gets two strikeouts in the bottom of the fifth inning and now has three strikeouts for the game as Florida leads 8-2 after five innings.

Washington adds another run in the third inning

Daphnee Calsyn’s sacrifice fly pushes another run across the plate for Washington. But Florida still leads 8-2 after three innings.

Washington gets on the board in the second inning

Anna Yoo draws a bases-loaded walk to knock in the first round for Washington. It is 8-1 Florida after two innings.

Addison Bono delivers another extra base hit

Bono is an RBI machine as she clears the bases with a double in the top of the second inning. She now has six RBI in the game and has driven in six of her team’s seven runs so far today. Sam Bradley adds an RBI-single and it is an 8-0 lead for Florida after the top of the second inning.

A Bono bomb to start things off for Florida

Addison Bono hits a no-doubt three-run home run to left field to give Florida a 3-0 lead after the top of the first inning. According to ESPN, it was her fourth home run of the postseason as she blasted a long ball in the district tournament, the state tournament, the Southeast Region tourney and now the Little League World Series. Also, Acadia Graney adds a two-out, RBI-single to push the lead to 4-0. Florida gets Washington to go quietly with a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the first and Florida leads 4-0 after the first inning.

Florida vs Washington underway at the LLSWS

If the name Lake Mary Little League sounds familiar – it should − because the baseball 12U All-Stars from Florida won the 2024 Little League World Series with a 2-1 extra-innings victory over Chinese Taipei in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The 12U softball All-Stars from the same little league are the Southeast Region champions and are looking to make history themselves after qualifying for the LLSWS for the first time. The last team from Florida to win the LLSWS (Countryside Little League, Clearwater, Florida) did it in 1996. 

The 12U All-Stars from Mill Creek, Washington are making their first appearance in the LLSWS. They are the Northwest Region champions after an extra-innings win in the regional championship game this year. A team from Washington has never won the LLSWS.

How to watch 2025 Little League Softball World Series

The 2025 Little League Softball World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+.

• Dates: Aug. 3-10
• TV: ESPN, ESPN2, ABC
• Stream: ESPN+
• Location: Greenville, North Carolina

Little League Softball World Series: Meet the 2025 teams

Greenville, North Carolina enters its fifth straight year of hosting the Little League Softball World Series when the event takes over Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park from August 3-10, 2025.

For the 12 teams (eight from the United States) competing for the 2025 title, the dream of hoisting the Little League Softball World Series championship banner will come on Sunday, August 10.

Little League Softball World Series 2025 teams

LLSWS teams in the purple bracket

Mid-Atlantic − West Suburban Little League (Johnstown, Pennsylvania)

New England − Guilford Little League (Guilford, Connecticut)

Northwest − Mill Creek Little League (Mill Creek, Washington)

Southeast − Lake Mary Little League (Lake Mary, Florida)

Southwest − Tulsa National Little League (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

West − Westchester-Del Rey Little League (Los Angeles, California)

LLSWS teams in the orange bracket

Asia-Pacific − Tohoku Little League (Iwate, Japan)

Canada − On Field Little League Softball (Repentigny, Quebec)

Central − Floyds Knobs Community Club Little League (Floyds Knobs, Indiana)

Europe-Africa − Prague Little League (Prague, Czechia)

Latin America − Cantareira Little League (São Paulo, Brazil)

North Carolina − Pitt County Girls Softball Little League (Winterville, North Carolina)

Catch the Little League Softball World Series on ESPN+

2025 Little League Softball World Series schedule

Sunday, Aug. 3:

• Game 1: (Purple Bracket) Northwest Region vs Southeast Region, 10 a.m. ESPN+
• Game 2: (Orange Bracket) North Carolina Region vs Latin America Region, 1 p.m. ESPN+
• Game 3: (Orange Bracket): Canada Region vs Europe-Africa Region, 4 p.m. ESPN+
• Game 4: (Purple Bracket) New England Region vs Mid-Atlantic Region, 7 p.m. ESPN+

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi may have suffered an injury, but Inter Miami’s stars were able to salvage their chance to advance in the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament.

New Inter Miami signee Rodrigo De Paul delivered two assists in his second game, including an equalizing header by left back Jordi Alba in added time (90’+2’) and Luis Suarez kicked the game-winning penalty kick in the shootout to secure the victory on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Inter Miami earns two points in the Leagues Cup MLS standings after the 2-2 (5-4 on penalty kicks) win. They have five points atop the table, but that standing could be short-lived with six matches to be played on Aug. 3, and another round of matches in the group stage Aug. 5-7.

De Paul, Benjamin Cremaschi, Alba, Federico Redondo and Suarez scored the penalty kicks, while Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo blocked a kick by Tomás Badaloni in the third round of the shootout to help them win without Messi.

Messi sustained an upper, right-leg injury in the opening minutes, leaving the match at Chase Stadium in the 11th minute, following an offensive charge to the penalty area that saw him trip and fall before his right thigh was evaluated by trainers near the Inter Miami bench.

Badaloni (33’) and Ricardo Monreal (81’) scored for Necaxa, while Inter Miami’s Telasco Segovia scored in the 12th minute, shortly after Messi’s injury exit.

Both clubs finished the match playing with 10 men due to red card ejections.

Watch Leagues Cup matches on Apple TV

Here’s everything you need to know about the Inter Miami-Necaxa match, and stay tuned for live updates from USA TODAY Sports: 

Inter Miami vs. Necaxa highlights

Inter Miami wins penalty shootout vs. Necaxa 5-4, results

Here are the results:

• Necaxa: Agustín Palavecino scores, 1-0
• Inter Miami: Rodrigo De Paul scores, 1-1.
• Necaxa: Johan Rojas scores, 2-1.
• Inter Miami: Benjamin Cremaschi scores, 2-2.
• Necaxa: Tomás Badaloni blocked by Rocco Ríos Novo. 2-2.
• Inter Miami: Jordi Alba scores, 3-2.
• Necaxa: Ricardo Monreal scores, 3-3.
• Inter Miami: Federico Redondo scores, 4-3.
• Necaxa: Ezequiel Unsain scores, 4-4.
• Inter Miami: Luis Suarez score, wins 5-4.

Inter Miami 2, Necaxa 2: Jordi Alba scores equalizer with header

Inter Miami 1, Necaxa 0: Telasco Segovia scores goal

Shortly after Messi’s substitution, Telasco Segovia scored to give Inter Miami an early lead. The score also marks the first assist for Rodrigo De Paul in his second match with Inter Miami.

Messi leaves Inter Miami match with injury

Is Messi playing tonight? Inter Miami vs. Necaxa starting lineups

Yes, Messi is playing and in the starting lineup, announced before the match. 

What time is Inter Miami vs. Necaxa Leagues Cup match? 

The match begins at 7 p.m. ET (8 p.m. in Argentina). 

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Necaxa in Leagues Cup?

The match is available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Necaxa coach knows Messi, Inter Miami well

Necaxa, which beat Atlanta United 3-1 in its Leagues Cup opener July 30, is led by new coach Fernando Gago. 

Gago was a starter alongside Messi and Mascherano in Argentina’s 1-0 win in the Olympic men’s soccer final in 2008, and came off the bench in their loss to Germany in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup final.

“It’s always special to face people you know, people you’ve shared so many good times with,” Mascherano said of Gago. “And in the end, when the ball starts rolling, I’ll try to do everything I can to compete in the best way possible and win so we can still hope to qualify.”

Inter Miami vs. Necaxa prediction 

Inter Miami 4, Necaxa 1: Messi finds the back of the net again for two goals, Luis Suarez and Tadeo Allende score as Inter Miami cruises to a victory at home. — Safid Deen

Inter Miami vs. Necaxa betting odds

Here are the betting odds, according to BetMGM.

• Inter Miami: -220
• Draw: +340
• Necaxa: +400
• Over/under: 3.5

Inter Miami upcoming schedule

• Aug. 6: Inter Miami vs. Pumas, 7:30 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
• Aug. 10: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami, 8 p.m. (MLS regular season)
• Aug. 16: Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
• Aug. 19 or 20: Leagues Cup quarterfinals (if applicable) 
• Aug. 23: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)

Major League Baseball attempted to make history and shatter an attendance record in the first regular season game played in Tennessee, taking place at Bristol Motor Speedway between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.

But Saturday’s game faced a two-hour delay due to rain then underwent a second delay that led to action being suspended.

Play is set to resume at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.

The famed racetrack has been converted to host baseball for the showcase. Over 85,000 fans were expected on hand for the first-of-its-kind event. MLB’s previous attendance record was 84,587 fans at a 1954 game in Cleveland featuring the New York Yankees.

‘We’re locked and loaded,” Reds pitcher Brent Suter said. ”I tell you who’s locked in is the wives. We’ve got all these kids who are gonna be in like pit crew outfits. And wives with NASCAR boots and stuff.

“It’s awesome,” Suter added. “Their buy-in is off the charts.”

The abbreviated evening still featured stunning visuals from the racetrack that opened in 1961 and can seat nearly 150,000 for motorsports:

MLB Speedway Classic suspended

The MLB Speedway Classic game between the Reds and the Braves was suspended after facing a second rain delay. The game will resume Sunday.

David Ortiz visits bar with MLB Speedway Classic delayed

Former MLB All-Star David Ortiz was tasked as a member of the Fox broadcast team to help stall for time while the MLB Speedway Classic was delayed.

Oritz was seated next to Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Kevin Burkhardt throughout part of the show before getting out of his seat and visiting a bar at the venue.

Ortiz interacted with the crowd while talking to his broadcast team and joked about Jeter and Rodriguez picking up the bill for everyone sharing a beverage.

MLB Speedway Classic fans wait out rain

Fans in Tennessee waited out the rain while waiting for the start of the game. Some fans wore team-themed ponchos and remained seated.

Rain or shine, some fans are still having a good time.

MLB Speedway Classic: Braves vs. Reds delayed

The MLB Speedway Classic was delayed nearly two hours due to rain in the area. The tarp that covered the field was removed and final preparation is happening before the game can begin.

Not only did the weather delay impact the game’s start time, but also who would play on Saturday night.

Spencer Strider, who was originally slated as a starter, will not pitch for the Atlanta Braves.

MLB Speedway Classic: Pregame flyover

MLB’s official X account provided a video of the pregame flyover from the roof of Bristol Motor Speedway.

MLB Speedway Classic: Reds, Braves starting lineups announced

A NASCAR pit crew helped introduce the starting lineups for both the Reds and Braves.

Braves vs. Reds jerseys: MLB Speedway Classic

Watch Bristol Motor Speedway add a baseball field

Bristol Motor Speedway provided a time-lapse video of the transformation.

MLB played in different states

The MLB has brought its product to the state of Tennessee for the first time in the league’s history. Tennessee joins the list of states that have recently hosted an MLB game.

Since 2016, five different states welcomed the MLB for the first time.

• North Carolina (2016)
• Nebraska (2019)
• Iowa (2021)
• Alabama (2022)
• Tennessee (2025)

MLB Speedway Classic trophy

Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones unveiled the trophy that will go to the winning team.

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The Minnesota Lynx’s dominance was on display Saturday with a 111-58 victory over the Las Vegas Aces, but the historic win was mitigated by forward Napheesa Collier leaving the game with a right ankle injury.

Collier twisted her ankle after inadvertently colliding with teammate Alanna Smith under the basket on a rebound attempt with 10.8 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the Lynx up by 43 points. An emotional Collier remained down on the floor at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas and was surrounded by players from both teams before unsuccessfully attempting to stand on her own.

Collier was able to walk off the court with assistance and went to the locker room. She was ruled out the remainder of the game with a right ankle injury, finishing with 18 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals in the largest road win in WNBA history.

Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said it’s ‘just way too early’ to provide an injury update for Collier following the win, but noted that the five-time All-Star will undergo imaging and evaluations per team protocol.

Reeve added, ‘We’ll worry until we know more.’

Collier scored 14 of her 18 points in the third quarter before she got injured. The Lynx had amassed such a large lead that Aces coach Becky Hammon pulled her starters with 5:22 seconds remaining in the third as the Aces trailed by 33 points.

When asked if Lynx starter should have been pulled earlier in the game, Reeve said, ‘No.’

‘It’s the third quarter of a game on someone else’s floor. I don’t think the game is over. I don’t think like that. (Collier) had a sub there and she wasn’t going to play the fourth quarter. Sometimes these things happen,’ Reeve said postgame. ‘I get it. People are going to rail on me and that’s part of sitting in the seat that I’m sitting in. We did what we think was right. Sometimes these things happen and it’s unfortunate and hopefully she will be OK.’

Minnesota win by 53 points is the second biggest blowout in WNBA history, second only to the Lynx’s 59-point victory over the Indiana Fever on Aug. 18, 2017.

Kayla McBride finished with a team-high 24 points after starting 8-of-8 from 3-point range. Minnesota finished with a franchise-high 17 3-pointers in the win, with two coming from Collier.

‘You hate to see anyone go down, especially your MVP,’ McBride said. ‘When we see Phee go down, we see Phee the person before the basketball player. Just wishing the best for her. Speedy recovery. We just want her to be healthy. She’s had such an amazing season and she’s just so impactful for us on both ends of the floor.’

McBride said Collier was ‘in good spirits’ in the locker room.

Collier is the MVP frontrunner. She’s averaging a career-high and league-leading 23.8 points through 25 games. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year also ranks among the top five in the league in steals (1.8 per game) and blocks (1.7 per game).

Minnesota faces Seattle (Aug. 5) and Washington (Aug. 8) before three consecutive games against the Liberty (Aug. 10, 16 and 19.)

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Sha’Carri Richardson was arrested after an alleged incident at the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, according to a police report obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

According to the report, Richardson was arrested for domestic violence on Sunday.

Richardson and a male companion were involved in a verbal altercation as they exited through airport security, the police report states. Richardson allegedly pushed the man and he fell into a nearby column, according to the Seattle Police Department.

According to the report, police viewed airport security footage, and the video allegedly showed the man attempting to walk away from Richardson, but she continued to bump into him. Police also say Richardson threw a pair of headphones at the man.

Richardson was booked at the South Correctional Entity in Des Moines, Washington, on Sunday and released on Monday, jail records show.

“We are aware of the report and we have no comment at this time,” USA Track and Field said to USA TODAY Sports.

Richardson ran a 11.07 and finished second in her heat in the 100 meters to advance to Friday’s semifinal at the U.S. track and field championships. Richardson later withdrew from the 100 semifinal but has decided to run in the 200 on Sunday, according to USA track and field.

The U.S. championships serves as a qualifing meet for the world championships. Richardson has a bye into the 100 at this year’s world championships because she is the defending champion.

Richardson earned a silver medal in the 100 at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was also a part of Team USA’s gold-medal winning 4×100-relay team.

Richardson is one of the most recognizable American track and field athletes. She won the 100 meters at the 2020 Olympic trials but was later suspended for testing positive for marijuana and didn’t compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

This story has been updated with new information.

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In one of the biggest media deals this century, ESPN and the National Football League agreed to a deal that will send popular entities such as RedZone over to the network, according to The Athletic.

The deal, according to the report, could be worth billions and is expected to be formally announced next week.

ESPN is gearing to start its direct-to-consumer service within weeks, which consumers are expected to pay nearly $30 a month, allowing buyers to cut cable subscriptions even further as people have more choices than ever in how they consume content featuring the nation’s most popular and attended spectator sport.

The network is expected to absorb the aforementioned RedZone, NFL Network, headquartered in Inglewood, California, and to take on its slate of games this season as well as the league’s popular fantasy football franchises. It is not expected that NFL Films is part of the deal, but the league is likely to take a 10% stake in the majority Disney-owned ESPN. The league is currently in an 11-year, $111 billion media rights deal with Amazon, CBS, ESPN, Fox, and NBC, which is set to expire in 2033.

The deal still needs to be approved by government regulators, but is expected to be done in plenty of time for the network to gear up for its Super Bowl 61 coverage. The game is set for February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The game is to be aired by ABC, another Disney-owned property.

Jhoan Duran made his Philadelphia Phillies debut Friday night, and it didn’t disappoint.

Duran made his way out of the bullpen wearing No. 59 to a loud roar from the crowd at Citizens Bank Park, just two days after he was traded to Philadelphia by the Minnesota Twins for a pair of Top 100 prospects: Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait.

Who is Jhoan Duran?

Duran is a 6-foot-3, 230-pound right-hander from the Dominican Republic. 

He entered Friday with a 6-4 record, a 2.01 ERA and 16 saves in 49 games with the Twins this year.

Jhoan Duran records save in debut

Duran secured the victory with just four pitches as the Phillies completed the comeback against the Detroit Tigers to win 5-4 on Friday night.

Jhoan Duran wears No. 59 for Phillies

The Phillies are doing their best to welcome Duran with open arms.

Duran wore the No. 59 throughout the first four years of his major league career with the Twins. The number was already in use in Philadelphia, by manager Rob Thomson.

Usually, when a player is inquiring about a jersey number, there is some level of bargaining that takes place to complete the swap. That wasn’t needed — Thomson willingly gave up the number to Duran. 

‘The number really doesn’t mean much to me,’ Thomson said. ‘But if it makes you feel better, I’m all-in. He said, ‘Yeah.’ Then it’s all yours.’

Thomson will wear the No. 49 in honor of former New York Yankees pitcher Ron Guidry.

Watch Jhoan Duran entrance

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A gender discrimination lawsuit against Stephen F. Austin State University could have national implications after U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale ordered SFA to reinstate three women’s sports teams Friday, Aug. 1.

Six Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) athletes from the women’s bowling and beach volleyball teams filed a class action lawsuit in the Eastern District of Texas against their school this summer claiming Title IX discrimination after the university announced in May it would be cutting those two programs and men’s and women’s golf effective the end of the 2024-25 academic year. “The decision was based on sustained departmental budget deficits and the anticipated financial impact of upcoming revenue-sharing requirements with Division I athletes” SFA athletics said in a press release. 

The plaintiffs sought to keep the school from axing these programs.

SFA argued that the plaintiffs’ case is based ‘exclusively on a three-part test contained in guidance and interpretation documents,” rather than the Title IX statute itself. Defendant lawyers urged the court to disregard the policy interpretation handed down by the U.S. Department of Education 46 years ago, citing the 2024 Supreme Court ruling Loper-Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. If the court declined, however, defendant lawyers claimed SFA still complies with Title IX under the 1979 guidance.

After two days in court, spanning 17 hours and 14 witnesses, Judge Truncale issued a written ruling in favor of the plaintiffs. SFA has been ordered to reinstate all three women’s teams. Truncale affirmed that the Loper-Bright case cannot be applied to Title IX in what plaintiff attorney John Clune called an ‘incredibly important’ win for gender equity in sports.

‘If a court were to find that Loper-Bright meant that the Department of Education was not allowed to rely on policy interpretations of their own regulations, the entire framework for compliance with gender equity in sports would be thrown out the window,’ Clune told USA TODAY. ‘You’d still be required to have gender equity in sports, but what that means and how you decided would no longer exist.

‘… Really happy about the ruling, but we’re not surprised by the ruling. If you follow the law, this is what the outcome should be.’

SFA will appeal the ruling, university spokesperson Korbin Pate told USA TODAY. In an official statement on the decision, SFA said “We remain confident in the legality and rationale behind our decision to reduce the number of sports we sponsor. … Since there was no evidence that the difficult decision to cut these four teams was based on sex, we maintain that our actions are fully compliant with Title IX requirements.” 

What is the three-part test?

Under the Department of Education’s three-part test, a school can be in compliance with the participation aspects of Title IX in any one of the following ways:

• The number of male and female athletes is substantially proportionate to their respective enrollments; or
• The institution has a history and continuing practice of expanding participation opportunities responsive to the developing interests and abilities of the underrepresented sex; or
• The institution is fully and effectively accommodating the interests and abilities of the underrepresented sex.

The plaintiffs in this case argued that SFA violated all three prongs. The plaintiffs filed a report by former chief executive officer of the Women’s Sports Foundation, expert witness Donna Lopiano, Ph.D., to prove such. Using EADA data and annual NCAA participation reports, Lopiano wrote that women made up 62.8% of SFA’s enrollment during the 2023-24 academic year but less than 35% of SFA’s varsity athletes.

SFA cited the 2024 Supreme Court ruling Loper-Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo in an effort to have the three-part test thrown out. The Supreme Court’s decision made in favor of Loper-Bright overturned a 40-year precedent known as “the Chevron doctrine” directing courts to defer to government agency interpretations of ‘ambiguous’ laws. But Judge Truncale wrote in his decision that Loper-Bright is about an agency’s interpretation of a statute, not an agency’s interpretation of its own regulation. He also wrote that Loper-Bright does not overturn any case law that previously interpreted policy. Thus, it does not apply to Title IX’s 1979 policy interpretation.

Breaking down the Title IX lawsuit against Stephen F. Austin State University

Sophia Myers, Kara Kay, Ryann Allison, Elaina Amador, Berklee Andrews and Meagan Ledbetter filed a class action lawsuit on June 30 against Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) after it announced the elimination of women’s beach volleyball, women’s bowling and men’s and women’s golf on May 22. The six plaintiffs, represented by renowned Title IX attorneys Clune and Arthur Bryant, are current athletes on the women’s beach volleyball and bowling teams.

They argued that the university violated Title IX by depriving them of equal opportunity in intercollegiate athletics and sought an emergency preliminary injunction to preserve the three women’s programs “and all other women’s teams at SFA, until this case is resolved.”

‘Title IX mandates that schools provide equal participation opportunities for men and women to compete in intercollegiate sports,’ the initial complaint read. ‘Nonetheless, SFA has a long history of depriving female athletes of an equal opportunity to participate. Consistent with that history, SFA opted to further discriminate against women in violation of Title IX by eliminating three successful women’s teams: beach volleyball, bowling, and golf. SFA’s decision undercuts Plaintiffs’ civil rights and, if permitted to move forward, will irreparably harm their academic and athletic careers.’

SFA, represented by Marlayna Marie Ellis and Sheaffer Kristine Fennessey of the attorney general’s office, argued that the plaintiff’s case is based ‘exclusively on a three-part test contained in guidance and interpretation documents, rather than the statute or 1975 implementing regulation.” Defendant lawyers urged the court to disregard the three-part test but affirmed that SFA is Title IX compliant regardless, citing the test’s first and third prongs.

The first prong requires “the number of male and female athletes is substantially proportionate to their respective enrollments.” The third requires “the institution is fully and effectively accommodating the interests and abilities of the underrepresented sex.” Defendant lawyers claimed there is “no strict rule” defining ‘substantially proportionate,” and that SFA “effectively accommodates the interest and abilities of women, despite the discontinuation of the women’s beach volleyball, bowling, and golf teams.” 

Financial pressure from House settlement not valid defense for cutting women’s sports

SFA opted into the House settlement, where schools are able to pay athletes directly starting this athletic year with a $20.5 million cap per institution. These new financial pressures are why athletic director Michael McBroom said the decision to cut teams was made.

The athletic department reported a $1 million surplus during the 2024 fiscal year, with about $24 million in institutional support out of $28.8 million in total operating revenue. In FY2023, SFA reported a $61,000 deficit, with $19.4 million in institutional support. And in FY2022, SFA reported a $275,000 deficit, with $17.7 million institutional support.

Plaintiffs argued, successfully, that ‘budgetary constraints are not a legitimate defense to Title IX.’

‘The funding of those revenue-sharing payments for football players and men’s basketball absolutely cannot come at the expense of women’s sports,’ Clune said. ‘So this is a huge message to schools across the country. Whatever you have to do to figure out how you’re going to fund your revenue-sharing payments, it’s not going to come at the expense of women’s opportunities to participate in sports. That’s a big deal.’

Reach USA TODAY Network sports reporter Payton Titus at ptitus@gannett.com, and follow her on X @petitus25.

This story has been updated with new information.

The Indiana Fever have been without superstar Caitlin Clark for more than half of the season due to injury, but that hasn’t stopped the team from putting together its longest winning streak of the year. 

The Fever defeated the Dallas Wings 88-78 on Friday, Aug. 1 at the American Airlines Center, extending Indiana’s winning streak to four games in a collective team effort. Four of five Indiana starters scored in double digits.

‘This is the second half of the season. We know the margin of error is very small,’ said guard Aari McDonald, who finished with 15 points, while hitting four of six 3-pointers. ‘When four people are in double figures and they are all offensive threats, I think that opens up the floor for us.’

Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 23 points and three assists. Aliyah Boston recorded her fifth consecutive double-double and is up to 13 double-doubles on the season, second only to to the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese (17). Natasha Howard also finished with a double-double, tallying 11 points and 16 rebounds, which tied her career-high for rebounds.

The Fever improved to 16-2 on the season and 8-7 without Clark in the lineup.

The Fever dominated from beyond the arc, knocking down 12-of-28 3-pointers. The Wings were limited to two 3-pointers and were out-rebounded 44-30, including 14 offensive rebounds for Indiana compared to four for Dallas.

The Fever now lead the regular-season series vs. the Wings, 3-0. Indiana won the first matchup of the season 94-86 without Clark, who was sidelined at the time with a left groin injury. Fans got the highly-anticipated matchup between Clark and Bueckers on July 13 in Indianapolis, which the Fever won 102-83. Clark had 14 points, 13 assists and five steals in that victory, while Bueckers had 21 points and two steals in the loss.

USA TODAY sports had full coverage of Friday night’s game. Scroll below for highlights and a recap by quarter.

Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings: Full highlights

Paige Bueckers returns after hard fall

Bueckers checked back into the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter after suffering a hard fall in the third quarter. Bueckers got right back to business and is up to a game-high 22 points, cutting the Wings’ deficit to six points with 5:33 remaining in the game.

End of Q3: Fever 68, Wings 57

The Fever have a 13-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, led by 18 points and three rebounds from Kelsey Mitchell. Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard are both closing in on double-doubles. Boston added 10 points and eight rebounds, while Howard is up to nine points and 13 rebounds.

Paige Bueckers appeared to be shaken up in the third quarter after fighting through a screen set by the Fever’s Boston with 4:03 remaining. Bueckers went down hard and appeared to grab her right thigh area as she writhed in pain on the ground. She was able to get up under her own power before limping over to the bench. Buckers had a team-high 18 points, three rebounds and two assists before being subbed out.

No other Wings player has reached double-digits in scoring and they have yet to knock down a 3-pointer (0-of-8) so far. Myisha Hines-Allen has nine points off the bench, while Arike Ogunbowale added eight points and five assists.

Halftime: Fever 48, Wings 42

The Fever led by as many as eight points in the second quarter and take a six point lead into halftime. The Fever are 13-4 this season when leading at halftime, while the Wings are 1-17 when trailing at the half.

Natasha Howard is up to nine points and eight rebounds, while Kelsey Mitchell also scored nine points. The Fever have lived in the paint, scoring 24 of their 48 points from close range, but the addition of Chloe Bibby has helped Indiana stretch the floor. She’s up to six points off the bench, shooting a perfect 2-of-2 from the 3-point line.

Paige Bueckers has a game-high 15 points, three assists, two rebounds and no turnovers. Bueckers has reached double-digit points in all 23 games she’s played in her rookie season. Arike Ogunbowale has six points, and Myisha Hines-Allen added seven points off the bench. Haley Jones was limited in the second quarter with four fouls after picking up two fouls in a matter of 13 seconds.

The Wings are 0-of-5 from three, but they’ve knocked down 12-of-13 free throws to remain close. The Fever are 5-of-15 from beyond the arc and 7-of-9 from the free throw line.

End of Q1: Fever 22, Wings 22

Things are all tied up after a back-and-forth first quarter that featured four ties and one lead change.

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell has a game-high seven points, while forward Natasha Howard is closing in on her seventh double-double of the season with six points and seven rebounds after the first quarter.

Indiana is out-rebounding Dallas 13-9, including five offensive rebounds, but the Wings have managed to get to the free throw line more. Dallas had nine free throw attempts in the first, compared to one for Indiana.

Paige Bueckers leads the Wings with five points, while Myisha Hines-Allen added five points off the bench.

Caitlin Clark injury update: Fever guard ruled out

The Fever All-Star guard will not be available for Friday’s matchup against the Wings due to a right groin injury that has kept her sidelined for six consecutive games. Clark suffered the injury in the final minute of the Fever’s win over Connecticut on July 15, another setback in Clark’s injury-riddled sophomore season.

What time is Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings?

The Dallas Wings will host the Indiana Fever at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 1 at the American Airlines Center, home of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. The game will be broadcast on ION.

How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings: TV, stream

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas)
• TV channel:  ION
• Streaming: WNBA League Pass

Indiana Fever starting lineup

With Clark sidelined with an injury, the Fever’s starting lineup is made up of Aari McDonald, Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston. This lineup has made five starts this season and is 3-2.

Fever signs Chloe Bibby for the rest of the season

On Friday, the Fever announced that the team signed Australian forward Chloe Bibby for the rest of the year. Fever initially signed Bibby to a seven-day contract on July 25 and she went on to appear in two games, averaging 9.0 points while shooting 44.4% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.

Dallas Wings starting lineup

The Wings are sending Paige Bueckers, Luisa Geiselsoder, Haley Jones, Arike Ogunbowale and JJ Quinerly. This lineup has made two starts together and gone 1-1.

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