The All-Star forward exited the New York Liberty’s 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday less than four minutes into the first quarter after suffering an apparent non-contact injury as she ran up the court in transition. Stewart immediately called for a substitute with 6:33 remaining and went back to the locker room.

Stewart, 30, did not return and was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a lower leg injury. She finished the night with three points and one rebound in 3 minutes of play at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Following the game, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said she had ‘no update’ on Stewart’s injury.

The Liberty’s matchup against the Sparks on Saturday marked the second game of a back-to-back. New York defeated the Phoenix Mercury 89-76 on Friday evening, extending the team’s win streak to five games before falling to the Sparks on Saturday.

Stewart’s injury comes on the heels of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, where she recorded eight points, four rebounds and two assists in Team Napheesa Collier’s win on July 19. The Liberty resumed play on Tuesday with a 98-84 win over the Indiana Fever, the start of a daunting stretch of four games in one week.

The defending champion Liberty start a four-game road trip on Monday with a matchup against Dallas, followed by games against Minnesota on July 30 and Connecticut on Aug. 1 and Aug 3.

Stewart entered Saturday averaging 19.0 points (tied for fifth-highest in the league), 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 blocks, shooting 46.9% from the field in 23 games (all starts) this season.

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Jared Verse challenged future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald to a workout this offseason. Donald announced his retirement after the 2023 season, but the session went about as expected.

‘I tried to test a legend… and he responded with a workout from hell. Learned my lesson,’ Verse posted on social media accompanied with a picture.

While Verse lost a workout challenge to an all-time great, the mere fact he wanted to compete against Donald shows his mentality.

Verse desires to be the next Rams star defensive player.

Last year Verse became the first Rams player to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award since Donald in 2014 and the third player overall in franchise history. Shortly after winning the award, Verse told the media he’s not satisfied.

‘I think it’s a small step towards (becoming) one of the best players ever,’ Verse said. ‘But there’s a lot of people that have won this award that after they win it, they get satisfied. That’s the main thing, you can’t get satisfied. This is just a small step to a big goal.’

Verse led all rookies in QB hits (18) and pressures (77) last season. He’s a confident and more comfortable player going into Year 2 as the Rams conduct training camp.

“He’s got a relentless energy. I think he’s understanding how to be able to use that to his advantage. He’s continuing to mature. We used to hear Aaron Donald talk about controlled aggression and how consistent he can be,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “He has high standards for himself. He is getting better but he’s also very coachable…I love the guy’s approach. I love his energy.”

The Kansas City Chiefs are still AFC West favorites. But two things could sink them

On paper, the Rams appear to be improved from the team that pushed the eventual Super Bowl 59 champion Philadelphia Eagles to the brink during the divisional round of the 2024 playoffs. The Rams replaced Cooper Kupp with Davante Adams, drafted tight end Terrance Ferguson in the second round and added defensive tackle Poona Ford.

The Rams offense is generating a lot of buzz with Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and Adams, but the team’s defense could be a lot better, especially upfront with a more experienced Verse and Braden Fiske.

“For one, we’re young. And two, we’re relentless. We get after it. I think we’re just hungry. We got a lot of guys that are hungry to take that next step in their career and just get after it. As a whole, as a team and as a defense, we just appreciate being able to go out there together because these things don’t come often when you have a group like we have,” Fiske said this week. “I’m just excited to get after it with these guys. We got a really, really solid group.”

The defending NFC West champion Rams are entering this season as the division favorite. The Rams have only won the NFC West in back-to-back years once under McVay (2017-2018).

Los Angeles had the NFL’s 26th ranked defense a year ago. An improved defense could be the key ingredient to another division crown. They have an emerging defensive star who’s not complacent and hungry for more. And thanks to Donald, Verse has a new workout regime as he prepares to lead the defense into the regular season.  

“That workout was psychotic. I’m never doing that again. He did change my workout routine. Now my workouts don’t hit anymore. So, I had to go a little harder,” Verse said. ‘It was insane to see that’s the level it takes to be in the discussions of best defensive player ever or best player ever. So that’s the level I have to reach on a consecutive basis. That’s what I’m striving for now.’

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

The IndyCar Series takes on one of the most legendary tracks in the world this weekend with the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

It’s an unforgiving track with little margin for error around the 2.2-mile lap. It features one of the most challenging turns in the racing world, commonly known as ‘The Corkscrew’, a blind left-right combination that drops 59 feet in elevation in a second.

‘It’s very old style. It doesn’t allow you to have mistakes,’ Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou said after securing pole position in qualifying. ‘It rewards you a lot when you can be right there on the limit … as soon as you go off, you can crash quite easily.’

Palou will start the race from pole position for the second year in a row. That’s how much of the season has been for a driver on the brink of history entering the final four races of the IndyCar season.

Here’s how the Spaniard become the most dominant driver in the world in 2025.

Palou vaults to the top

Palou began racing after seeing a go-kart track on the walk to school with his father as a 6-year-old in Barcelona. Within five years, he’d won multiple national titles in karting and transitioned to open-wheel racing series across the world.

His results in the likes of Formula 2, Formula 3 and Japanese Formula 3 earned him an IndyCar test in 2019. Dale Coyne Racing signed him for the following season after the test.

Strong drives during his rookie season – notably a podium finish in his third-ever IndyCar race – caught the eye of Chip Ganassi, head of one of the best teams in series history.

Chip Ganassi Racing signed Palou for the 2021 season and it paid off immediately.

He won the IndyCar Series title in his first season with Chip Ganassi Racing, becoming the first Spanish driver to do so. A tumultuous 2022 campaign gave way to a methodical championship win in 2023.

Last year was an improvement again with 14 top-five finishes in 18 races behind an incredible attention to detail.

“He’s in pretty rarefied air right now,” Ganassi said after Palou won the 2024 title in Nashville. “His name has to be among and certainly in the conversation of the great drivers. He’s certainly in the conversation of the greatest.”

That title made Palou the 13th driver ever to win three American open-wheel racing championships. His Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, Scott Dixon, is the only other active driver to do so with his six championships.

‘Having [Dixon], probably one of the best if not the best IndyCar driver that we’ve ever had, being able to see so much that’s been teaching me so much about everything,’ Palou said. ‘How to work, how to stay focused, how to never give up, just push it and always be able to adapt.’

He has adapted and evolved into even more of a force in 2025.

Palou’s dominant 2025 campaign

IndyCar is known as a ‘spec series,’ meaning all teams buy their cars from the same manufacturer (Dallara) and have two choices for an engine supplier: Chevrolet and Honda. Both offer the same total power.

There’s no advantage from a top designer or dominant engine supplier seen in Formula 1. It’s down to the drivers and teams to set up their cars and consistently perform, something Palou relishes.

‘The love of the sport pushes me,’ Palou said. ‘Obviously I want to win more and get more championship wins and race wins, whatever, but for me it’s coming every single weekend, working with my engineers trying to figure what’s the best to do with the car. How we can we improve it, how I can improve myself and push a little bit more?’

IndyCar challenges its drivers by racing on road courses (such as Laguna Seca), street courses and ovals. Each format puts different demands on the drivers: the small margin of error on road courses, tight quarters of street races and high-speed challenges of ovals.

Palou established himself as a consistent contender on road and street courses early on but there were still questions about his acumen on ovals. He won four of the first five races in 2025 ahead of the biggest race in the series: the Indy 500.

He started sixth but took the checkered flag in first place.

‘It’s the only win that can change your life,’ Palou said. ‘Your face is going to be on the trophy forever. Even if IndyCar ends in 10 years, that trophy’s going to have my face forever.

‘Or even if it goes for 1,000 more years, my amazing face and my amazing nose is going to be there forever, right?’ he added with a smile.

Through 14 races, Palou has seven wins. That’s one less than his total from his last two seasons combined.

There’s a chance he could surpass the record for wins in a single season with 10, currently held by icons A.J. Foyt (in 1964) and Al Unser Sr. (in 1970). Sweeping the final four races would give him 11.

Palou could get one step closer to that record on Sunday. Laguna Seca is by far his best track on the calendar; he never has finished lower than third and won from pole position last season.

Can anyone catch Palou?

The 2025 IndyCar grid features four multiple-time champions, Palou included, but he’s been far ahead of the rest of the field.

Dixon, a six-time champion who holds the record for most IndyCar wins (59), offered Palou a ‘gift’ after the Spaniard won the Indy 500.

‘I’ve also got a surprise for Alex,’ Dixon joked at the Indy 500 awards ceremony. ‘I’ve bought yourself, your wife, all your family a summer vacation. Starts this Thursday, it’s for five weeks. I hope you really enjoy it, it’s all included, whatever you need.’

With a five-week break, he could have still led the standings. Mathematically, Palou could win the 2025 title this weekend. With a win and most laps led plus Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward finishing 25th or lower, Palou would win his fourth championship in five years.

O’Ward has been on a hot streak lately with two wins in the last three races, separated by a Palou win at Iowa Speedway, and starts second on the grid for this weekend’s race.

O’Ward has the best chance to catch Palou before the final checkered flag flies at the Nashville Superspeedway on Aug. 31. It’s still an uphill battle as Palou holds an 100-point lead in the championship entering race day from Laguna Seca.

‘Maybe now it doesn’t feel as special as probably in 10, 15 years whenever I look back and see that it’s opening minds of some people in Europe and especially Spain,’ Palou said.

‘People knowing that it’s not only possible to come to the U.S. and IndyCar and have fun and have a career, but also to win and fight for championships and Indy 500s. Hopefully that inspires one, two, 10 drivers in Spain and they see that there’s a future for them here.’

How to watch the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey

It’ll be Palou vs. O’Ward into Turn 1 at Laguna Seca with championship implications. Here’s how to catch the action:

• Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025
• Time: 3 p.m. ET/noon local
• Location: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey County, California
• TV: FOX
• Streaming: FOX Sports App, IndyCar App, Sling

Stream the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey on Sling

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi appeared far from ‘very upset,’ while watching his Inter Miami teammates from an on-field suite in his one-game absence for skipping the MLS All-Star Game.

Messi sat between his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and best friend/new Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul. He was seen often pouring hot water out of his new Stanley Flow Mate System into his mate cap, hydrating or passing it for others to drink.

On the pitch, Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati played to a scoreless draw despite the final minutes being filled with drama at Chase Stadium on Saturday, July 26.

Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson scored a header (90’+3’), but appeared to hit Inter Miami defender Noah Allen in the head during the score. The play was ruled a foul on the field, and VAR wasn’t enough to overturn it to a goal.

Luis Suarez tried his best to lead Inter Miami without Messi and Jordi Alba against first-place FC Cincinnati. But neither side was able to find the back of the net.

Suarez set several teammates up for shots towards the net to no avail, while Cincinnati’s Evander took several shots toward the net but was unable to deliver a standout performance like he did when he scored twice against Inter Miami in Cincinnati on July 18.

Both sides earned one point in the standings after the draw. Inter Miami maintained fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 42 points, while Cincinnati (49 points) dropped to second place behind Philadelphia (50 points).

This is how the quirkiest week of MLS’s Messi era ended.

Messi and Alba served a one-game suspension for not traveling to the July 23 All-Star Game in Austin in a ruling handed down by MLS commissioner Don Garber on July 25.

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said Messi and Alba were “very upset” about the decision. Maybe, Messi’s mood changed as he got much-needed rest after playing every minute in 22 of 23 matches since April 2.

Inter Miami debuted their new baby blue Riptide jerseys Saturday, and introduced De Paul, the Argentine World Cup champion and Messi’s close friend.

It’s unclear when De Paul could debut, but Messi’s return will come when Inter Miami begins the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament against Liga MX side Atlas FC on July 30. Messi led Inter Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup title shortly after his arrival to MLS.

Check out these highlights from USA TODAY Sports: 

Messi watches Inter Miami match next to Rodrigo De Paul

Messi watched his Inter Miami teammates take on Cincinnati, while sitting next to his newest club teammate Rodrigo De Paul.

Inter Miami introduces Rodrigo De Paul before Cincinnati match

Another World Cup champion joins Inter Miami as Rodrigo De Paul was introduced to fans. De Paul won the World Cup with Messi, and is one of his closest friends. Here’s more on his acquisition, announced a day before the match.

Inter Miami lineup vs. FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati starting lineup vs. Inter Miami

What time is the Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati match? 

The match begins at 7:15 p.m. ET.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati on TV? 

The match will be broadcast on FS1. 

How to watch Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati on live stream? 

The match will also be available to stream on AppleTV+ and MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Is Lionel Messi playing tonight? 

No, Messi is not playing against FC Cincinnati. 

Why is Lionel Messi not playing tonight? 

Messi was disciplined with a one-game absence by MLS commissioner Don Garber for skipping the MLS All-Star Game earlier this week in Austin, Texas.

Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati betting odds

Inter Miami still favored to win vs. Cincinnati, even without Messi, according to BETMGM.

• Inter Miami: +130
• Tie: +270
• Cincinnati: +175
• Over/under: 3.5 goals

When is Messi’s next game? Inter Miami upcoming schedule

Inter Miami will begin the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament after facing FC Cincinnati. 

• July 30: Inter Miami vs. Atlas FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Aug. 2: Inter Miami vs. Club Necaxa, 7 p.m. ET
• Aug. 6: Inter Miami vs. Pumas UNAM, 7:30 p.m. 

 Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton’s renaissance season has been cut short.

The Valkyries announced that Thornton successfully underwent surgery on Friday, July 25 after suffering a right knee injury in practice, effectively ending Thornton’s career-best campaign and dealing a devastating blow to the Valkyries’ hopes of becoming the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural season in nearly three decades.

The news comes nearly a week after Thornton participated in the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, where she recorded 15 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and one steal off the bench for Team Caitlin Clark. It marked the 10-year veteran’s first All-Star nod of her career, and she’s the first player to be named an All-Star as a member of a first-year team since Candice Dupree for the Chicago Sky in 2006.

The UTEP alumna played for the Washington Mystics (2015) and Dallas Wings (2017-22) before winning a Commissioner’s Cup and WNBA championship with the New York Liberty in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Thornton was a role player on the Liberty in 2024, averaging 5.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 20.2 minutes of play per game on the championship roster. But that all changed when Thornton was drafted in the expansion draft by Golden State in December.

Thornton quickly became the No. 1 option on the Valkyries, playing a team-high 30.1 minutes per game. Although expectations are typically low for expansion teams early on — the Atlanta Dream went 4-30 in their inaugural season in 2008, while the Chicago Sky went 5-29 in 2006 — the Valkyries jumped to an unprecedented 10-9 start and are the third expansion team in WNBA history to pick up its 10th victory in 20 games or less.

Thornton led the Valkyries in scoring through 22 games (all starts) and averaged a career-high 14 points per game, besting her previous high of 10.4 points per game in 2019 by nearly four points. She also set career-highs in rebounds (7) and steals (1.3), leading the team in both categories.

‘It goes beyond basketball. She’s a tremendous person. She’s someone that you wanna be around all the time,’ teammate Kate Martin said after Thornton dropped a career-high 29 points in a win over the Chicago Sky on June 27. ‘She’s a great leader in the locker room and a great friend, so it’s really fun whenever she’s all of that, but also a phenomenal basketball player.

‘You can learn a lot from KT And how she plays and I’m just really glad she’s getting all the success she’s getting. She deserves it and I’m thankful that I’m her teammate.’

How Thornton’s injury affects Valkyries playoff chances

The Valkyries have fallen on hard times and dropped five of their last six games heading into the All-Star weekend. Thornton’s season-ending injury marks a significant loss, and it’s only going to get tougher.

Golden State opens the second half of the season with a matchup against the Dallas Wings at home on Friday, July 25, before going on a five-game road trip to face Connecticut (July 27), Atlanta (July 29), Washington (July 31), Chicago (Aug. 1) and Las Vegas (Aug. 3).

The Valkyries (10-12) are currently ninth in the standings and would miss the playoffs if the postseason started today. Golden State is looking to become the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural season since the Detroit Shock in 1998.

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Saniyah Hall, the top female high school basketball recruit in the class of 2026, according to ESPN’s rankings, has committed to play for USC after receiving offers from nearly 30 schools, including UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, North Carolina and LSU. The 16-year-old made the announcement on ESPN’s ‘NBA Today’ on Friday, saying, USC ‘felt like home.’

‘It’s such a blessing to be in this position, but I think I truly found my home, and I’m ready to tell the world where I’m going,’ she said before revealing a Trojans shirt underneath her jacket. ‘I am headed to the University of Southern California. Go Trojans! Fight on.’

Hall’s announcement comes on the heels of her gold medal win with Team USA at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup. She was named MVP after averaging 19.9 points and 6.4 rebounds, shooting 52.6% from the field and 39.3% on 3-pointers. She scored 25 points vs. Australia in the gold-medal game. Her 19.9 points per game may have set a USA U19 record, but Hall said she’s proudest of her defense: ‘I had a lot of steals that game and a lot of blocks.’

She’ll join a Trojans squad that is assembling elite talent under coach Lindsay Gottlieb. McDonald’s All-American Jazzy Davidson, the third overall recruit in the 2025 class, who competed alongside Hall on the USA U19 team, also committed to play for USC. The Trojans were 31-4 last season and lost to UConn in an Elite Eight game after superstar Juju Watkins went down with an ACL injury during the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Hall said Gottlieb and her teammates led to her choice to commit to USC. On Friday, she said, ‘I love all my teammates. The girls there are so fun to be around definitely Lindsay (Gottlieb)… she’s definitely there to support me and I’ve built a relationship with her. She’s a great coach.’

The Ohio native will finish her senior season of high school basketball at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio. Last season, she played for Montverde (Florida) Academy and averaged 20.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Hall signed an NIL deal with Jordan brand earlier this month. During her announcement, Hall said, ‘I don’t have anything to prove. I just go out, play basketball. I let my game do the talking. Actions speak for themselves.’

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

SmackDown was a night of remembrance for WWE.

The July 25 edition of WWE’s weekly show was the first one to take place since the death of Hulk Hogan, arguably the biggest star in company history. WWE typically holds tributes during shows after former stars have died, but given Hogan’s status and impact on the industry, it was a night full of remembrance for the creator of ‘Hulkamania’ with major names paying respect to the WWE Hall of Famer.

Even though the night was mostly dedicated to Hogan, it was still a WWE show with matches and more buildup to SummerSlam on Aug. 2-3. USA TODAY Sports provided the highlights and more from SmackDown:

Watch: Hulk Hogan tribute video

A tribute video narrated by Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque encapsulates Hogan’s career, from the beginning to his top moments in the ring — from WrestleMania main event matches to the New World Order to ‘Hollywood’ Hulk Hogan. It also touches on his career outside of the ring, from movies to becoming a worldwide celebrity.

Ten-bell salute for Hulk Hogan

WWE does an honorary ten-bell salute as people in the crowd hold up signs for Hogan. Jimmy Hart was seen wiping tears away.

WWE roster pays tribute to Hulk Hogan

The SmackDown roster joins WWE chief content officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque on stage for a tribute. Other WWE icons like Jimmy Hart and Sgt. Slaughter are in the crowd. Levesque also speaks.

‘He captivated millions of people and inspired them around the globe,’ Levesque said. ‘We would not be standing here right now − all of us together − if it was not for him.’

Remembering Hulk Hogan vs. The Iron Sheik

WWE shows footage from Madison Square Garden in 1984, when Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik to win his first WWE title.

Hogan was a six-time WWE Champion, and one of those reigns lasted 1,474 days, the third longest run in company history.

Cody Rhodes thanks Hulk Hogan

Before he talks about his SummerSlam matchup, ‘The American Nightmare’ thanks Hogan for his contributions to wrestling.

‘I know emotions and feelings regarding it are complicated,’ Rhodes said. ‘But what is not complicated is his accomplishments and his contributions to WWE, to sports entertainment, to pro wrestling, to entertainment as a whole, they are staggering and they are indisputable.

‘As someone who gets to stand here and say that I’m a WWE superstar, he was the original, and I just want to take a moment to say thank you Hulk Hogan.’

Remembering Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant

Arguably Hogan’s most memorable match, Hogan faced Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3. In the battle of giants, Hogan famously picked up his opponent and executed his signature running leg drop to defeat him.

It was just one of the eight times Hogan was in the main event of WrestleMania.

Other SmackDown results

Randy Orton and Jelly Roll face off with Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre

Cleveland-native Paul entices the crowd to make fun of Jelly Roll, who then emerges and trades words with Paul. McIntyre comes out for backup and Orton appears before a fight breaks out.

After taking some shots, Jelly Roll impresses with some jabs and a slam to Paul.

Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez def. Bliss.

Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green

Cargill def. Green.

The Secret Hervice attacks Cargill after the match but Tiffany Stratton comes to Cargill’s aid.

The Miz returns

After more than two months away, Ohio-native The Miz returns to an ovation from the crowd. He challenges Jacob Fatu to a match.

The Miz vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu def. The Miz.

MFT comes in and immediately beats down Fatu. Jimmy Uso comes to help but Talla Tonga is too much and the attack continues. Fatu catches his breath and tries to hit Solo Sikoa with a chair, but Tonga again thwarts the attempt.

WWE Tag Team Championship match: The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. Andrade and Rey Fenix

Andrade and Rey Fenix def. The Wyatt Sicks by disqualification. Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis retain titles.

Fraxiom, Motor City Machine Guns and the Street Profits come out and an all-out brawl breaks out. #DIY emerge with general manager Nick Aldis, and he announces all six teams will face off in a tables, ladders and chairs match. The fight continues.

When is WWE Friday Night SmackDown?

WWE SmackDown takes place on Friday, July 25 at 8 p.m. ET.

How to watch WWE Friday Night SmackDown

SmackDown airs on USA Network. It can be streamed via Fubo.

How long is WWE SmackDown?

SmackDown is a two-hour event.

WWE to pay tribute to Hulk Hogan

WWE said it will remember the legacy of Hogan on SmackDown. It has not been announced what tributes will be made.

When did Hulk Hogan die?

Hogan died on July 24 at the age of 71.

Hulk Hogan cause of death

Hogan died after suffering cardiac arrest. The Clearwater (Florida) Police Department said fire and police personnel responded to a medical call on July 24 at 9:51 a.m. ET in Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida, near Tampa.

Authorities said ‘the nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest’ and Hogan was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m. ET.

WWE SmackDown match card, schedule

• WWE pays tribute to Hulk Hogan
• Cody Rhodes addresses street fight against John Cena at SummerSlam
• Randy Orton and Jelly Roll face off with Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre
• WWE Tag Team Championship match: The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. Andrade and Rey Fenix
• Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez

WWE stars, icons remember Hulk Hogan

Several major WWE stars past and present have given tributes to Hogan since his death, including company founder Vince McMahon, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Ric Flair.

Jimmy Hart, Jerry Lawler react to Hulk Hogan death

Two people who were close to Hogan — Jimmy Hart and Jerry Lawler — spoke to USA TODAY Sports after Hogan’s death, and were emotional trying to process the news.

‘It’s just a sad situation,’ Lawler said.

– Read more here.

AI-assisted summary
• Around 100 NFL players and 24 club employees face fines for selling Super Bowl 59 tickets above face value.
• The NFL’s ongoing investigation found players and employees sold tickets to ‘bundlers,’ who resold them at higher prices.
• Penalties include fines and restrictions on future Super Bowl ticket purchases.

The NFL is fining roughly 100 players and two dozen club employees for violating the NFL’s policy for selling Super Bowl 59 tickets above face value, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The Associated Press was first to report the news.

A memo sent to teams by NFL chief compliance officer Sabrina Perel and obtained by USA TODAY said the investigation is ongoing.

‘Our initial investigation has determined that a number of NFL players and coaches, employed by several NFL clubs, sold Super Bowl tickets for more than the ticket’s face value in violation of the policy. This longstanding league policy, which is specifically incorporated into the collective bargaining agreement, prohibits league or club employees, including players, from selling NFL game tickets acquired from their employer for more than the ticket’s face value or for an amount greater than the employee originally paid for the ticket, whichever is less,’ the memo read.

‘We are in the process of completing our investigation into this matter, but the investigation has revealed that club employees and players sold their tickets to a small number of ‘bundlers’ who were working with a ticket reseller to sell the Super Bowl tickets above face value.’

The Associated Press reported that players who resold their tickets to bundlers will have to pay a fine of 1 1/2 times the face value they paid. They also won’t be permitted to buy tickets for the next two Super Bowls unless they are playing in the game. Team employees who violated the league’s policy will be fined two times face value.

Those who worked to bundle the tickets will also face increased penalties.

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl 59.

‘In advance of Super Bowl 60, we will be enhancing the mandatory compliance training regarding the policy for all league personnel, which will emphasize the specific requirements of the policy and the broader principle that no one should profit personally from their NFL affiliation at the expense of our fans,’ the memo stated. ‘We will also increase the penalties for future violations of this policy.’

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.