BASEBALL

The New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge hit his much-anticipated 61st home run of the season on Wednesday night, tying Roger Maris’ American League record. Judge now has seven games left to break Maris’ record.

FOOTBALL

The NFL announced they are replacing the annual Pro Bowl (which has been played since 1951) with a weeklong skills competition and flag football game held in Las Vegas. The new programming will be called “The Pro Bowl Games” and will be run by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions company.

BASKETBALL

LeBron James, Draymond Green, Kevin Love, and a group of other investors bought an expansion team in the new Major League Pickleball League. The league will be comprised of 16 teams and will host six tournaments in 2023.

BASKETBALL

After an investigation surfaced accusing Robert Sarver (owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury) of mistreating employees and “fostering a toxic workplace”, the owner agreed to sell the franchises. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos  and former Disney CEO Bob Iger have expressed an interest in buying the Suns, which is valued at $1.8 billion.

The Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the season after reports surfaced that Udoka had an inappropriate relationship with a female member of the staff.

FOOTBALL

The Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-17 on Thursday Night Football.

For $50 million annually, Apple Music is the proud sponsor of the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Apple replaces Pepsi as the official sponsor.

A University of Utah engineering student posted on social media she would detonate a nuclear reactor on campus if the football team lost to San Diego State. The threat was determined to be a joke, but the student was arrested and the police stated, “We have a zero-tolerance policy for these kinds of threats.”

BASKETBALL

The Las Vegas Aces beat the Connecticut Sun to win the WNBA Championship, the city’s first major pro sports championship.

FOOTBALL

Some exciting week 2 NFL games:

The Miami Dolphins stunned the fans with a 42-38 win after a deficit of 35-14. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw four fourth-quarter touchdown passes (two to WR Tyreek Hill). Tua captured a special place in Dolphins history by joining Hall of Famers Bob Griese and Dan Marino in throwing six touchdowns in one game.

The New York Jets were down 13 points but came back to beat the Cleveland Browns 31-10.

The San Francisco 49ers lost their starting quarterback Trey Lance (#3 pick in the 2021 draft) for the season due to an ankle injury. Veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo will take over the reins.

Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw his 450th career touchdown pass on Sunday in a 27-10 win over the Chicago Bears. Rodgers joins an elite group of passers with over 450 touchdown passes: Tom Brady (626), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539), and Brett Favre (508).

In the Monday night doubleheader, the Buffalo bills outscored the Tennessee Titans 41-7, while the Philadelphia Eagles overshadowed the Minnesota Vikings for a 24-7 win.

BASEBALL

Major League Baseball accidentally announced the Dodgers clinched a postseason berth on Sunday, but they made an error, but after a 6-0 win on Monday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers officially clinched. At 97-43, the team is the first to clinch a postseason berth this year.

In other baseball news, Aaron Judge hit his 56th and 57th home runs on Tuesday night. With 20 games to go, he only needs five more home runs to record an American League single-season record.

BASKETBALL

The NBA suspended Robert Sarver, owner of the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. According to the report, Sarver “violated common workplace standards” and “engaged in demeaning and harsh treatment of employees, including by yelling and cursing at them.” Sarver will be fined $10 million and serve a one-year suspension.

After Tuesday’s win, the Las Vegas Aces took a 2-0 lead over the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA Finals.

FOOTBALL

In the first in-season College Football poll, the AP ranked Alabama at #1 with Georgia moving to #2 after their monstrous 49-3 win over Oregon. Rounding out the top five is Ohio State at #3, Michigan at #4, and Clemson at #5.

In the opening game of the NFL season, the Rams lost to the Buffalo Bills 31-10.

BASKETBALL

It’s the end of an era for the legendary Sue Bird after the Las Vegas Aces beat her Seattle Storm in the semifinals. Bird will retire with a historic 13 All-Star appearances and as the WNBA’s all-time assists leader. The Aces will play the Connecticut Sun in the best-of-five Finals beginning Sunday at 3:00 pm ET.

TENNIS

The 24-year-old Frances Tiafoe will take on 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz (who beat Jannik Sinner in a five-hour, 15-minute riveting match) in the semifinals of the US Open. Tiafoe is the first American man to reach the semifinal since Andy Roddick in 2006.

Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur will meet in the Women’s Final. It is the first U.S. Open final for both players.

BASKETBALL

In a blockbuster trade, Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell is now a Cleveland Cavalier. After the Knicks walked away on Monday night, the Cavs swooped in and grabbed Mitchell in exchange for three players and a bunch of first round picks and pick swaps.

FOOTBALL

Russell Wilson agreed to a five-year $245 million contract extension with the Denver Broncos. Wilson will get $165 million guaranteed, the fourth largest contact for quarterbacks.

TENNIS

After a four-year hiatus, Venus and Serena Williams teamed up to take on Linda Nosková and Lucie Hradecká at the U.S. Open. Unfortunately for the sisters, they lost in straight sets to the Czech players. 7-6 (5), 6-4

Rafael Nadal and longtime rival Fabio Fognini took center court next. Fognini grabbed the first set and was ahead in the second before Nadal found his rhythm and cruised to victory. 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1

BASKETBALL

Dennis Rodman announced he plans to travel to Russia to help release WNBA player Brittney Griner. Rodman has previously traveled to North Korea to showcase his relationship with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.

Kevin Durant will remain with the Brooklyn Nets. After months of speculation, Durant and the Nets agreed to “move forward.”

FOOTBALL

Alabama head coach Nick Saban signed a contract extension where he’ll earn $10.75 million this season and will average $11.7 million annually through 2029. At 70 years old, Saban is one of six college coaches who earn at least $9 million annually. The other coaches are Ryan Day (Ohio State), Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M), Brian Kelly (LSU), Mel Tucker (Michigan State), and Kirby Smart (Georgia).

GOLF

In response to LIV Golf and with the influence of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, the PGA Tour has made some big changes to its schedule and compensation.

Woods, McIlroy, and CEO Mike McCarley also announced their new business venture, TMRW Sports, which will focus on “building technology-focused ventures that feature progressive approaches to sports, media, and entertainment.” Woods released a statement saying, “I am excited to work with TMRW Sports in bringing people more access to sports. So many athletes, entertainers, and people I meet from all walks of life share our passion for sports, but they also share our desire to build a better future for the next generation of sports fans. Together, we can harness technology to bring fresh approaches to the sports we love.”

FOOTBALL

Alabama grabbed the #1 spot (for the 5th time in the last 7 years) in the AP preseason poll. Rounding out the top five is (2) Ohio State, (3) Georgia, (4) Clemson, and (5) Notre Dame.

The NY Jets have had a tough pre-season. Their starting quarterback Zach Wilson had arthroscopic knee surgery and will be out at least 2-4 weeks, while their offensive tackle Mekhi Becton suffered a season-ending knee injury. Jets coach Robert Saleh believes 37-year-old Joe Flacco should take over quarterbacking duties until Wilson is healthy enough to start.

BASKETBALL

The NBA announced it will not schedule any games on November 8th (Election Day). The League stated its intention to promote “nonpartisan civic engagement and encouraging fans to make a plan to vote during midterm elections.”

LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the LA Lakers. The agreement also includes a player option for his final season. James expressed that his dream is to play at least one season with his son Bronny, who will become eligible for the NBA draft in 2024.

BASKETBALL

The NBA is retiring Bill Russell’s #6 jersey. Russell, who passed away a few weeks ago, will become the first NBA player to have his number retired. Any current NBA player wearing #6 is grandfathered in and won’t have to change jersey numbers. That list famously includes LeBron James. Baseball’s Jackie Robinson (#42) and Hockey’s Wayne Gretzky (#99) have also had their jerseys retired.

In other basketball news, Kevin Durant trade rumors continue. The Brooklyn Net star is now considering a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers (in addition to saying a couple of days ago he’d entertain a deal with the Boston Celtics).

BASEBALL

The Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds in the second annual “Field of Dreams” game in Iowa Thursday night. The game, like the movie “Field of Dreams“, had many generational moments and field good themes. One of the highlights was a hologram of the late Harry Caray singing his signature “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. It was scarily realistic. Check it out here.

FOOTBALL

Kyler Murray signed a massive $230.5 million contract extension last week to stay with the Arizona Cardinals. News then leaked that the contact had conditions requiring Murray to commit to four hours per week of “independent study” while also requiring him to refrain from watching TV or playing video games while studying. The contract raised all sorts of questions about the team not trusting Murray to adequately prepare before games and for (according to Murray) “doubting his preparation and maturity.” After much backlash, the team removed the “homework clause” from his contract.

The Cleveland Browns traded for Deshaun Watson last March giving him the largest contract in NFL history ($230 million dollars), but now he’s been suspended for six games after being sued by 24 women who accused him of sexual misconduct while giving him massages.

San Francisco 49er wide receiver Deebo Samuel agreed to a 3-year extension for up to $73.5 million with $58.1 million guaranteed.

BASKETBALL

Eleven-time NBA champion and civil rights activist, Bill Russell passed away on Sunday. Click here for highlights of his legendary career.