Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
Lillard's deal includes a player option in … [+2411 chars]

Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Trail Blazers, sources told ESPN on Thursday.

ESPN

Sources: Lillard finalizing return to Trail Blazers - ESPN

Rashee Rice not only settled his criminal case, the Chiefs wide receiver also has settled one of the civil cases against him.
Court records indicate Rice agreed Wednesday to pay one of the victims $… [+645 chars]

Rashee Rice not only settled his criminal case, the Chiefs wide receiver also has settled one of the civil cases against him.

NBCSports.com

Report: Rashee Rice settles one of the civil cases against him - NBC Sports

The headline at ESPN.com speaks in absolutes. The relevant quote absolutely does not.
In a story sold as Texas A&amp;M coach Mike Elko saying that Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart wont be return… [+1483 chars]

The headline at ESPN.com speaks in absolutes.

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko: "No intentions" of Shemar Stewart returning to Aggies - NBC Sports

There will not be a T.J. Watt holdout this summer. 
According to multiple reports, Watt has agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension that will make him the leagues highest-paid non-quarter… [+1093 chars]

The dispute between Pittsburgh and Watt is over, as the edge rusher is set to become the highest-paid defensive player in league history.

Steelers, T.J. Watt agree to three-year contract extension - NBC Sports

NFL teams are beginning to finish rookie contracts with their second-round draft picks, and Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris is finally getting his deal done today as his team opens training camp.
… [+911 chars]

NFL teams are beginning to finish rookie contracts with their second-round draft picks, and Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris is finally getting his deal done today as his team opens training camp.

Chargers second-round pick Tre Harris agrees to rookie deal - NBC Sports

The Chargers opened training camp on Thursday with quarterback Justin Herbert looking in midseason form

Chargers.com

Chargers Camp Report: Herbert-Reagor Connect For 50-Yard TD on Day 1 - Los Angeles Chargers

Jul 17, 2025, 03:54 PM ET
President Donald Trump is considering an executive order that would require federal authorities to clarify whether college athletes can be considered employees of their sch… [+5706 chars]

President Donald Trump is considering an executive order that would require federal authorities to clarify whether college athletes can be considered employees of their schools.

Trump mulls EO on athletes' employment status - ESPN

The first round of the 2025 Open Championship saw Royal Portrush giving the 156-player field all it could handle as ever-changing weather conditions allowed the Northern Ireland course to show off it… [+7637 chars]

The three pretournament favorites all put themselves in position to contend after 18 holes at Royal Portrush

CBS Sports

The Open 2025 leaderboard live updates: Golf scores, Open Championship coverage, Round 1 at Royal Portrush - CBS Sports

Austrian extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner, who jumped down to earth from the stratosphere in a 2012 stunt, died in a paragliding accident in the eastern Italian town of Porto SantElpidio on Thursday… [+1933 chars]

Austrian skydiver and extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner has died in a paragliding accident in Italy, according to local media. The 56-year-old shot to global fame in 2012 with his record-breaking free-fall from space.

DW (English)

Extreme skydiver Baumgartner dies in paragliding accident - DW

Count Sarah Spain among those who weren’t impressed with Shane Gillis’ performance as ESPYs host.
In a post shared early Thursday on X, the former ESPN reporter called out the Worldwide Leader for b… [+1668 chars]

Count this former ESPNer among those who weren’t impressed with Shane Gillis’ performance as ESPYs host.

New York Post

Ex-ESPNer Sarah Spain slams Shane Gillis after polarizing ESPYs appearance - New York Post

Another second-round pick is set to sign his rookie contract. 
Via Mike Klis of 9News Denver, the Broncos have agreed to terms with running back RJ Harvey. 
Harvey, 24, was the No. 60 overall pick … [+505 chars]

Another second-round pick is set to sign his rookie contract.

Broncos sign second-round pick RJ Harvey - NBC Sports

The Ducks have signed goaltender Lukas Dostal to a five-year contract through the 2029-30 NHL season.
Lukas has proven he is a No. 1 goaltender and we are so pleased to get this deal done, said Duck… [+2662 chars]

Goaltender drafted by Anaheim in 2018 has appeared in 121 games with the Ducks, led team in wins and appearances in 2024-25

NHL News

Ducks Sign Dostal to Five-Year Contract - NHL.com

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams is calling it a career.
An agent for the 30-year-old wideout informed the Los Angeles franchise Wednesday night that his client is retiring after eight seasons i… [+1925 chars]

The 30-year-old wideout signed with the Chargers in March during free agency.

Mike Williams abruptly retires at 30 after forgettable Jets run - New York Post

Midweek MLS opened the door for household names and breakout stars to slot onto the Team of the Matchday presented by Audi for Matchday 25.

MLSsoccer.com

Team of the Matchday: FC Cincinnati, Nashville SC produce statement wins - MLSsoccer.com

It took a while to get the ball rolling, but the 2025 second-round picks are starting to sign with their NFL teams. 
According to multiple reports, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo has agreed to terms … [+641 chars]

It took a while to get the ball rolling, but the 2025 second-round picks are starting to sign with their NFL teams.

Bears agree to terms with second-rounder Ozzy Trapilo - NBC Sports

Jordan Addison's DUI case in Los Angeles has concluded with a plea bargain. 
The conclusion of the case came Thursday in Los Angeles County Metropolitan Court, where court records say he pleaded nol… [+1988 chars]

Jordan Addison's DUI case in Los Angeles has concluded with a plea bargain.

Sports Illustrated

Vikings WR Jordan Addison pleads no contest in DUI case, accepts 'wet reckless' deal - Sports Illustrated

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Caitlin Clark is out of All-Star weekend.
The Indiana Fever guard injured her right groin on Tuesday night in the final minute of the teams win over the Connecticut Sun. She said T… [+2051 chars]

Caitlin Clark is out of All-Star weekend as a participant. The Indiana Fever guard injured her right groin on Tuesday night in the final minute of the team’s win over the Connecticut Sun. She said Thursday in a message posted on X that she was “sad and disapp…

Associated Press

Caitlin Clark pulls out of All-Star weekend because of groin injury - AP News

Below is a list of every player drafted through the first 43 picks (up to the second round) of the 2025 MLB Draft.
Each club has until 5 p.m. ET on Monday, July 28, to come to terms with its Draft s… [+5332 chars]

Below is a list of every player drafted through the first 43 picks (up to the second round) of the 2025 MLB Draft.
Each club has until 5 p.m. ET on Monday, July 28, to come to terms with its Draft selections. If a player has exhausted his collegiate eligibili…

MLB.com

2025 Draft first-round signings tracker - MLB.com

Bradley Beal’s Phoenix Suns tenure came to an end on Wednesday when the team agreed to a buyout of the remaining two years on his nine-figure contract.
To put a bow on the experience, Beal posted to… [+361 chars]

Bradley Beal posted a final tribute to his Suns tenure on Instagram, garnering several chuckles from other players across the NBA.

Arizona Sports

Bradley Beal bids the Suns farewell on Instagram - Arizona Sports

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson said in June that his shoulder would be healthy when training camp begins. 
Now theres another indication that will, in fact, be the case. 
ESPNs Stephen Holder… [+1048 chars]

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson said in June that his shoulder would be healthy when training camp begins.