Ever since the NFL announced it was looking to sell NFL Network and other media assets, ESPN had been seen as one of the favorites to make a deal.

Nearly five years later, a framework is&nbsp;finally in place.

The NFL announced Tuesday night that it has entered into a nonbinding agreement with ESPN. Under the terms, ESPN will acquire NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators and the league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.

The league and ESPN still have to negotiate a final agreement and get approval from NFL owners. The agreement will also have to undergo regulatory approvals.

“Sometimes great things take a long time to get to the point where it’s right. And we both feel that it is at this stage,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a call with The Associated Press.

Along with the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN will have a second nonbinding agreement where the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property that can be used by NFL Network and other assets that have been purchased.

“We have been talking about it in earnest for the last few years. But interestingly enough, we started talking about this over a decade ago but nothing really ended up happening. And we got back at it when I came back to Disney after my retirement,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a call with the AP.

ESPN is expected to launch its&nbsp;direct-to-consumer service&nbsp;before the end of September. The service would give cord-cutters access to all ESPN programs and networks for $29.99 per month. The addition of more NFL programming increases the value.

Many viewers will receive the service for free as part of their subscription to cable, satellite and most streaming services.

“When I came back to Disney and assessed essentially the future of ESPN, it became clear that ESPN had to launch a bigger and more robust and digital or direct-to-consumer product, not only for the sake of ESPN’s business, but for the sports fan,” Iger said. “And obviously, when you start thinking about high-quality sports content, your eyes immediately head in the direction of the NFL because there’s really nothing more valuable and more popular than that.”

NFL Network — which has nearly 50 million subscribers — would be owned and operated by ESPN and would be included in ESPN's direct-to-consumer product.

The NFL RedZone channel would be distributed by ESPN to cable and satellite operators. However, the NFL will continue to own, operate and produce the channel as well as retain the rights to distribute the channel digitally. ESPN would also get rights to the RedZone brand, meaning RedZone channels for college football and basketball or other sports could be coming in the future.

NFL Fantasy Football would merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, giving ESPN the official fantasy football game of the league.

NFL Network will still air seven games per season. Four of ESPN's games, including some that are in overlapping windows on Monday nights, would move to NFL Network. ESPN will license three additional games that will be carried on NFL Network.

The league gets a 10% equity stake in ESPN. Aidan O'Connor, a senior vice president at the Prosek Partners marketing firm, estimates the value of that would be $2.2 billion to $2.5 billion.

ESPN is currently 80% owned by ABC Inc. as an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The other 20% is owned by Hearst. Once the deal is official and approved, the breakdown of ESPN will be 72% ABC Inc., 18% Hearst and 10% NFL.

This isn't the first time the league has had an equity stake in a digital or communications business. It had that in the past with Sirius Satellite Radio and SportsLine. The NFL could also have equity in the newly formed “Paramount Skydance Corporation,” which owns CBS, due to the league's partnership with Skydance.

“This is new as far as a partner now operating a business that we built, ran and grew," said Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution. "It’ll also be a little bit new again with some of the dynamics here, but we’ll continue to balance that in a really arm’s length way where we’ll think about how we manage and work across to all our partners.”

The league will continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the official websites of the 32 teams, the NFL Podcast Network and the NFL FAST Channel (a free ad-supported streaming channel).

“The moves align with the NFL’s longstanding ambition to reach $25 billion in annual revenue by 2027 — a target first set in 2010, when league revenue stood at approximately $8.5 billion,” O’Connor said. “Financially, the move also signals to investors that ESPN is doubling down on differentiation and content stickiness by offering a scarce and premium product in a crowded marketplace. Intentionally ceding equity to the NFL transforms ESPN from a media licensee into a true platform partner — with few properties rivaling the league in terms of cultural significance, appointment viewing, audience reach, and monetization efficiency."

Viewers will likely not see any immediate impacts until next year once everything is approved.

Besides ESPN, the biggest winner in this could be NFL Network, which had seen reductions in original programming the past couple years. “Total Access,” the network's flagship show since its launch in 2003, ended in May 2024 amid a series of layoffs and cost-cutting moves. “Good Morning Football” also moved from New York, where it had been since its start in 2016, to Southern California last year.

NFL Network moved to a broadcast facility across the street from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in 2021.

“The thing that’s exciting for us is that we have put a lot into the network. I think it’s been very effective for fans. We know it’s in good hands,” Goodell said. “They’re innovative, they recognize great production and know how to produce it. They will do a fantastic job of operating the network and taking it to another level.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754488534841.jpeg" alt="ESPN Monday Night Football TV camera is seen during the second half of an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski, File)" />
 <figcaption>ESPN Monday Night Football TV camera is seen during the second half of an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>Ever since the NFL announced it was looking to sell NFL Network and other media assets, ESPN had been seen as one of the favorites to make a deal.Nearly five years later, a framework is&nbsp;finally in place.The NFL announced Tuesday night that it has entered into a nonbinding agreement with ESPN. Under the terms, ESPN will acquire NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators and the league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.The league and ESPN still have to negotiate a final agreement and get approval from NFL owners. The agreement will also have to undergo regulatory approvals.“Sometimes great things take a long time to get to the point where it’s right. And we both feel that it is at this stage,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a call with The Associated Press.Along with the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN will have a second nonbinding agreement where the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property that can be used by NFL Network and other assets that have been purchased.“We have been talking about it in earnest for the last few years. But interestingly enough, we started talking about this over a decade ago but nothing really ended up happening. And we got back at it when I came back to Disney after my retirement,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a call with the AP.<h2>What ESPN gets</h2>ESPN is expected to launch its&nbsp;direct-to-consumer service&nbsp;before the end of September. The service would give cord-cutters access to all ESPN programs and networks for $29.99 per month. The addition of more NFL programming increases the value.Many viewers will receive the service for free as part of their subscription to cable, satellite and most streaming services.“When I came back to Disney and assessed essentially the future of ESPN, it became clear that ESPN had to launch a bigger and more robust and digital or direct-to-consumer product, not only for the sake of ESPN’s business, but for the sports fan,” Iger said. “And obviously, when you start thinking about high-quality sports content, your eyes immediately head in the direction of the NFL because there’s really nothing more valuable and more popular than that.”NFL Network — which has nearly 50 million subscribers — would be owned and operated by ESPN and would be included in ESPN's direct-to-consumer product.The NFL RedZone channel would be distributed by ESPN to cable and satellite operators. However, the NFL will continue to own, operate and produce the channel as well as retain the rights to distribute the channel digitally. ESPN would also get rights to the RedZone brand, meaning RedZone channels for college football and basketball or other sports could be coming in the future.NFL Fantasy Football would merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, giving ESPN the official fantasy football game of the league.NFL Network will still air seven games per season. Four of ESPN's games, including some that are in overlapping windows on Monday nights, would move to NFL Network. ESPN will license three additional games that will be carried on NFL Network.<h2>What the NFL receives (and retains)</h2>The league gets a 10% equity stake in ESPN. Aidan O'Connor, a senior vice president at the Prosek Partners marketing firm, estimates the value of that would be $2.2 billion to $2.5 billion.ESPN is currently 80% owned by ABC Inc. as an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The other 20% is owned by Hearst. Once the deal is official and approved, the breakdown of ESPN will be 72% ABC Inc., 18% Hearst and 10% NFL.This isn't the first time the league has had an equity stake in a digital or communications business. It had that in the past with Sirius Satellite Radio and SportsLine. The NFL could also have equity in the newly formed “Paramount Skydance Corporation,” which owns CBS, due to the league's partnership with Skydance.“This is new as far as a partner now operating a business that we built, ran and grew," said Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution. "It’ll also be a little bit new again with some of the dynamics here, but we’ll continue to balance that in a really arm’s length way where we’ll think about how we manage and work across to all our partners.”The league will continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the official websites of the 32 teams, the NFL Podcast Network and the NFL FAST Channel (a free ad-supported streaming channel).“The moves align with the NFL’s longstanding ambition to reach $25 billion in annual revenue by 2027 — a target first set in 2010, when league revenue stood at approximately $8.5 billion,” O’Connor said. “Financially, the move also signals to investors that ESPN is doubling down on differentiation and content stickiness by offering a scarce and premium product in a crowded marketplace. Intentionally ceding equity to the NFL transforms ESPN from a media licensee into a true platform partner — with few properties rivaling the league in terms of cultural significance, appointment viewing, audience reach, and monetization efficiency."<h2>No major changes yet</h2>Viewers will likely not see any immediate impacts until next year once everything is approved.Besides ESPN, the biggest winner in this could be NFL Network, which had seen reductions in original programming the past couple years. “Total Access,” the network's flagship show since its launch in 2003, ended in May 2024 amid a series of layoffs and cost-cutting moves. “Good Morning Football” also moved from New York, where it had been since its start in 2016, to Southern California last year.NFL Network moved to a broadcast facility across the street from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in 2021.“The thing that’s exciting for us is that we have put a lot into the network. I think it’s been very effective for fans. We know it’s in good hands,” Goodell said. “They’re innovative, they recognize great production and know how to produce it. They will do a fantastic job of operating the network and taking it to another level.”

ESPN is acquiring NFL Network, rights for RedZone in a deal giving the NFL a stake in the network

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas'&nbsp;Daniel Hishaw Jr., and&nbsp;Leshon Williams&nbsp;were named to the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch list, the PWC SMU Athletic Forum announced on Tuesday.

Hishaw and Williams were among the 103 players named to the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List, which is awarded to the nation's most outstanding running back.

Hishaw, a redshirt senior from Moore, Oklahoma, has rushed for 1,490 career rushing yards on 282 carries for 18 touchdowns. Hishaw had a career season in 2023, rushing 121 times for 626 yards and 8 touchdowns and was later named to the College Football Comeback Player of the Year Watch List. Hishaw has now been named to the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List for three-straight seasons.

Williams, a transfer running back from Iowa, has rushed for 1,323 career rushing yards on 318 attempts and 3 touchdowns. In 2023, Williams was an honorable mention All-Big Ten member, rushing for a career-high 821 yards on 170 attempts. Williams was also named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will also be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives. The recipient of the 2025 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on&nbsp;The Home Depot College Football Awards&nbsp;on December 12, 2024.

The award is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday of this season, The PwC SMU Athletic Forum will once again announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the week.&nbsp;University athletic departments nominate candidates for the award and can continue to do so through October.

The Kansas Jayhawks will kick off the 2025 football season on August 23, 2025 as they debut the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium vs. Fresno State. The season-opener serves as the first of seven games coming to Lawrence in 2025&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754483566711.jpeg" alt="KUAthletics.com" />
 <figcaption>KUAthletics.com</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas'&nbsp;Daniel Hishaw Jr., and&nbsp;Leshon Williams&nbsp;were named to the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch list, the PWC SMU Athletic Forum announced on Tuesday.Hishaw and Williams were among the 103 players named to the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List, which is awarded to the nation's most outstanding running back.Hishaw, a redshirt senior from Moore, Oklahoma, has rushed for 1,490 career rushing yards on 282 carries for 18 touchdowns. Hishaw had a career season in 2023, rushing 121 times for 626 yards and 8 touchdowns and was later named to the College Football Comeback Player of the Year Watch List. Hishaw has now been named to the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List for three-straight seasons.Williams, a transfer running back from Iowa, has rushed for 1,323 career rushing yards on 318 attempts and 3 touchdowns. In 2023, Williams was an honorable mention All-Big Ten member, rushing for a career-high 821 yards on 170 attempts. Williams was also named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List.The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will also be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives. The recipient of the 2025 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on&nbsp;The Home Depot College Football Awards&nbsp;on December 12, 2024.The award is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday of this season, The PwC SMU Athletic Forum will once again announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the week.&nbsp;University athletic departments nominate candidates for the award and can continue to do so through October.The Kansas Jayhawks will kick off the 2025 football season on August 23, 2025 as they debut the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium vs. Fresno State. The season-opener serves as the first of seven games coming to Lawrence in 2025&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hishaw, Williams Selected to Doak Walker Preseason Watch List

BOSTON (AP) — Garrett Crochet scattered four hits over seven innings and Trevor Story hit a blooper into center field to break a sixth-inning tie on Tuesday night and led the Boston Red Sox to their seventh straight win, 6-2 over the Kansas City Royals.

Crochet (13-4) struck out eight to win his ninth consecutive decision and help Boston win for the ninth time in 10 games. Story drove in two runs in the sixth and and added another RBI single in the three-run seventh, when the Red Sox took a 6-2 lead.

Ryan Bergert (1-1) gave up two runs on two hits and two walks, striking out two in 5 2/3 innings. He walked Alex Bregman with two outs in the sixth, then Angel Zerpa came in and gave up a double to Wilyer Abreu before Story lofted one over the second baseman's head to make it 3-1.

The Red Sox loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh on two walks and Jarren Duran's single off the shortstop's glove. Abreu hit a popup that fell between the out-sprinting second baseman and hard-charging right fielder to score two runs, then Story singled in another run to make it 6-2.

Crochet retired the first 10 Royals batters before Bobby Witt Jr. tripled in the fourth and scored on Maikel Garcia’s double. The Red Sox ace allowed just one more hit before Garcia walked to lead off the seventh and then scored on Randal Grichuk’s double off the tip of left fielder Duran’s glove to make it 3-2.

But Crochet struck out Nick Loftin for the second out and then got Luke Maile on a 97 mph fastball to end the inning.

The Red Sox are 13 games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2021 season.

The teams finish the series and the Red Sox go for their second straight sweep when trade deadline acquisition Dustin May (6-7, 4.85 ERA) makes his Red Sox debut against Kansas City’s Michael Wacha (5-9, 3.38).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754483369952.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals outfielder Nick Loftin fields a hit off the Green Monster in left field by Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran in the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals outfielder Nick Loftin fields a hit off the Green Monster in left field by Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran in the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)</figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — Garrett Crochet scattered four hits over seven innings and Trevor Story hit a blooper into center field to break a sixth-inning tie on Tuesday night and led the Boston Red Sox to their seventh straight win, 6-2 over the Kansas City Royals.Crochet (13-4) struck out eight to win his ninth consecutive decision and help Boston win for the ninth time in 10 games. Story drove in two runs in the sixth and and added another RBI single in the three-run seventh, when the Red Sox took a 6-2 lead.Ryan Bergert (1-1) gave up two runs on two hits and two walks, striking out two in 5 2/3 innings. He walked Alex Bregman with two outs in the sixth, then Angel Zerpa came in and gave up a double to Wilyer Abreu before Story lofted one over the second baseman's head to make it 3-1.The Red Sox loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh on two walks and Jarren Duran's single off the shortstop's glove. Abreu hit a popup that fell between the out-sprinting second baseman and hard-charging right fielder to score two runs, then Story singled in another run to make it 6-2.<h2>Key moment</h2>Crochet retired the first 10 Royals batters before Bobby Witt Jr. tripled in the fourth and scored on Maikel Garcia’s double. The Red Sox ace allowed just one more hit before Garcia walked to lead off the seventh and then scored on Randal Grichuk’s double off the tip of left fielder Duran’s glove to make it 3-2.But Crochet struck out Nick Loftin for the second out and then got Luke Maile on a 97 mph fastball to end the inning.Garcia had two hits for the Royals.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Red Sox are 13 games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2021 season.<h2>Up next</h2>The teams finish the series and the Red Sox go for their second straight sweep when trade deadline acquisition Dustin May (6-7, 4.85 ERA) makes his Red Sox debut against Kansas City’s Michael Wacha (5-9, 3.38).

Crochet, Story lead Red Sox to 7th straight win over Royals

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Son Heung-min agreed to a contract with Los Angeles FC on Tuesday, finalizing his move to Major League Soccer after a decade at Tottenham Hotspur. The 33-year-old South Korean superstar will join LAFC as a designated player after the club paid a reported fee of more than $20 million, which could end up being the most ever for an MLS transfer. Son formally announced his decision to leave Tottenham last week. The Spurs captain was a beloved fixture at the North London club, scoring 173 goals in 454 competitive appearances while rising to global prominence with his combination of speed, playmaking skill and finishing acumen. ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Aaron Judge is back in the lineup as the designated hitter for the New York Yankees following a 10-day stint on the injured list with a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow. There’s still no clarity on when the All-Star slugger will return to the outfield. Judge went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts in a 2-0 loss to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night. Manager Aaron Boone said Judge is supposed to start a throwing program Wednesday. Boone all but ruled out Judge returning to the outfield as early as the next couple of days.

A sex toy landed near Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham after it was thrown from the stands in Los Angeles while the Fever played the Sparks on Tuesday night. The incident in Los Angeles occurred with 2:05 left in the second quarter with the object landing in the lane near Cunningham, who had been vocal on social media about fans throwing the toys on the court. Kelsey Plum kicked it into the stands. According to social media posts, green toys were also thrown in Phoenix and New York, but didn’t reach the court. The one at Barclays Center landed near a child.

The NFL has entered into a nonbinding agreement to sell NFL Network and other media assets to ESPN. The league will receive a 10% equity stake in ESPN in return. The deal still requires a final agreement, the approval of NFL owners and regulatory clearance. ESPN plans to include NFL Network in its upcoming direct-to-consumer service. The NFL will continue to own and produce the RedZone channel but will allow ESPN to distribute it. NFL Fantasy Football will merge with ESPN Fantasy Football. Viewers are unlikely to see changes until next year.

MONTREAL, Canada (AP) — Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina has spoken out about receiving hateful abuse online from frustrated gamblers after losing a match in Canada. She lost to Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open on Tuesday night. Svitolina shared screenshots of the messages on Instagram, which included death threats and racial slurs against her husband Gael Monfils. She condemned the behavior, calling it shameful. Earlier this year, British player Katie Boulter also reported receiving death threats. The WTA and ITF have urged betting companies to address the issue of online abuse against players.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has been suspended for three games by the NFL. The suspension is due to a violation of the league's personal conduct policy related to a drunken driving case from last year. Addison avoided a trial by pleading no contest to a lesser charge last month. He was arrested in July 2024 when found asleep in his vehicle. The suspension will affect games against Chicago, Atlanta and Cincinnati. Addison, the 23rd pick of the 2023 draft, has been a key player alongside Justin Jefferson. The Vikings will rely on other receivers during his absence.

OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has not spoken to Micah Parsons since the star defensive end publicly requested a trade on Friday. Jones spoke to reporters Tuesday following a joint practice between the Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams, his second such media session in four days after Parsons took to social media amid a breakdown in negotiating a contract extension. Jones again said that the Cowboys organization has not has direct contact with Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, before reiterating that he does not consider the holdup in talks unusual. Parsons has not responded publicly to Jones’ remarks.

PHOENIX (AP) — San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller was bringing the heat. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. returned the favor. Gurriel crushed a 103.9 mph fastball from Miller into the left-field seats for a two-run homer in the eighth inning, tying the game at 5-all. It was the hardest hit pitch for a homer since MLB started pitch tracking in 2008. It was part of a two-homer night for Gurriel. The veteran also hit a two-run shot in the first inning.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The NFL is banning the use of smelling salts during games, citing safety concerns and the potential to mask concussion symptoms. The league sent a memo to teams on Tuesday explaining the decision. The memo references a 2024 FDA warning about the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of ammonia inhalants. The NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee recommended the ban. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle mentioned the ban during an interview, expressing hope for a compromise. However, the memo clearly prohibits any club personnel from providing or supplying these products.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday established a task force on the 2028 Olympic Games being held in Los Angeles that he said would ensure the event is “safe, seamless and historically successful.” This will be the first Olympics hosted by the U.S. since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Trump signed an executive order at the White House establishing the task force and said “The L.A. Olympics is shaping up to be a wonderful moment for America."

INTERLEAGUE Final Philadelphia 5 Baltimore 0 Final Houston 7 Miami 3 Final Cleveland 3 N.Y. Mets 2 Final Athletics 16 Washington 7 Final Toronto 10 Colorado 4

AMERICAN LEAGUE Final Boston 6 Kansas City 2 Final Minnesota 6 Detroit 3 Final Texas 2 N.Y. Yankees 0 Final Tampa Bay 7 L.A. Angels 3 Final Seattle 8 Chicago White Sox 3

NATIONAL LEAGUE Final San Francisco 8 Pittsburgh 1 Final Milwaukee 7 Atlanta 2 Final Cincinnati 5 Chicago Cubs 1 Final L.A. Dodgers 12 St. Louis 6 Final San Diego 10 Arizona 5

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739459822020.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Son Heung-min agreed to a contract with Los Angeles FC on Tuesday, finalizing his move to Major League Soccer after a decade at Tottenham Hotspur. The 33-year-old South Korean superstar will join LAFC as a designated player after the club paid a reported fee of more than $20 million, which could end up being the most ever for an MLS transfer. Son formally announced his decision to leave Tottenham last week. The Spurs captain was a beloved fixture at the North London club, scoring 173 goals in 454 competitive appearances while rising to global prominence with his combination of speed, playmaking skill and finishing acumen. ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Aaron Judge is back in the lineup as the designated hitter for the New York Yankees following a 10-day stint on the injured list with a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow. There’s still no clarity on when the All-Star slugger will return to the outfield. Judge went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts in a 2-0 loss to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night. Manager Aaron Boone said Judge is supposed to start a throwing program Wednesday. Boone all but ruled out Judge returning to the outfield as early as the next couple of days.A sex toy landed near Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham after it was thrown from the stands in Los Angeles while the Fever played the Sparks on Tuesday night. The incident in Los Angeles occurred with 2:05 left in the second quarter with the object landing in the lane near Cunningham, who had been vocal on social media about fans throwing the toys on the court. Kelsey Plum kicked it into the stands. According to social media posts, green toys were also thrown in Phoenix and New York, but didn’t reach the court. The one at Barclays Center landed near a child.The NFL has entered into a nonbinding agreement to sell NFL Network and other media assets to ESPN. The league will receive a 10% equity stake in ESPN in return. The deal still requires a final agreement, the approval of NFL owners and regulatory clearance. ESPN plans to include NFL Network in its upcoming direct-to-consumer service. The NFL will continue to own and produce the RedZone channel but will allow ESPN to distribute it. NFL Fantasy Football will merge with ESPN Fantasy Football. Viewers are unlikely to see changes until next year.MONTREAL, Canada (AP) — Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina has spoken out about receiving hateful abuse online from frustrated gamblers after losing a match in Canada. She lost to Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open on Tuesday night. Svitolina shared screenshots of the messages on Instagram, which included death threats and racial slurs against her husband Gael Monfils. She condemned the behavior, calling it shameful. Earlier this year, British player Katie Boulter also reported receiving death threats. The WTA and ITF have urged betting companies to address the issue of online abuse against players.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has been suspended for three games by the NFL. The suspension is due to a violation of the league's personal conduct policy related to a drunken driving case from last year. Addison avoided a trial by pleading no contest to a lesser charge last month. He was arrested in July 2024 when found asleep in his vehicle. The suspension will affect games against Chicago, Atlanta and Cincinnati. Addison, the 23rd pick of the 2023 draft, has been a key player alongside Justin Jefferson. The Vikings will rely on other receivers during his absence.OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has not spoken to Micah Parsons since the star defensive end publicly requested a trade on Friday. Jones spoke to reporters Tuesday following a joint practice between the Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams, his second such media session in four days after Parsons took to social media amid a breakdown in negotiating a contract extension. Jones again said that the Cowboys organization has not has direct contact with Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, before reiterating that he does not consider the holdup in talks unusual. Parsons has not responded publicly to Jones’ remarks.PHOENIX (AP) — San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller was bringing the heat. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. returned the favor. Gurriel crushed a 103.9 mph fastball from Miller into the left-field seats for a two-run homer in the eighth inning, tying the game at 5-all. It was the hardest hit pitch for a homer since MLB started pitch tracking in 2008. It was part of a two-homer night for Gurriel. The veteran also hit a two-run shot in the first inning.SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The NFL is banning the use of smelling salts during games, citing safety concerns and the potential to mask concussion symptoms. The league sent a memo to teams on Tuesday explaining the decision. The memo references a 2024 FDA warning about the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of ammonia inhalants. The NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee recommended the ban. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle mentioned the ban during an interview, expressing hope for a compromise. However, the memo clearly prohibits any club personnel from providing or supplying these products.WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday established a task force on the 2028 Olympic Games being held in Los Angeles that he said would ensure the event is “safe, seamless and historically successful.” This will be the first Olympics hosted by the U.S. since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Trump signed an executive order at the White House establishing the task force and said “The L.A. Olympics is shaping up to be a wonderful moment for America."FinalsINTERLEAGUE Final Philadelphia 5 Baltimore 0 Final Houston 7 Miami 3 Final Cleveland 3 N.Y. Mets 2 Final Athletics 16 Washington 7 Final Toronto 10 Colorado 4AMERICAN LEAGUE Final Boston 6 Kansas City 2 Final Minnesota 6 Detroit 3 Final Texas 2 N.Y. Yankees 0 Final Tampa Bay 7 L.A. Angels 3 Final Seattle 8 Chicago White Sox 3NATIONAL LEAGUE Final San Francisco 8 Pittsburgh 1 Final Milwaukee 7 Atlanta 2 Final Cincinnati 5 Chicago Cubs 1 Final L.A. Dodgers 12 St. Louis 6 Final San Diego 10 Arizona 5

Wednesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

The water has long been kind to Great Bend's Austin Levingston. It has earned him a meeting with 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, and also made him the subject of a short book about swimming. Saturday in Topeka, Levingston, representing Great Bend Storm, won a Kansas Special Olympics championship in the 50 meter freestyle race.

"Winning a Special Olympics gold medal stands out in a way that’s hard to compare to anything else I’ve achieved," said Levingston. "It’s not just about the medal — it’s about the journey, the perseverance, and the community behind it. Every win means something, but this one carries a different kind of weight. It reflects not just physical effort, but the strength to push through challenges, stay committed, and represent something bigger than myself."

Levingston, now 30, was diagnosed with autism at birth. He qualified for state as an alternate at Great Bend High School, then continued his career at Barton Community College where he swam in the national meet in Florida. In 2023, Levingston qualified for the Missouri Valley Senior Championships. 

"My drive to keep excelling at swimming as I get older comes from a mix of passion, discipline, and personal growth," he said. "Swimming has always been more than just a sport to me; it’s a space where I push limits, clear my mind, and feel completely present. As I get older, the goals evolve: it’s not just about getting faster, but about becoming stronger, more resilient, and more connected to the water and myself."

After Saturday's win, Levingston continues his 2025 season for USA Swimming. He hopes to qualify for the US Masters Swimming National Championships, the World Masters Swimming Championships, and his ultimate goal is to represent the United States in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754442634933.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe water has long been kind to Great Bend's Austin Levingston. It has earned him a meeting with 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, and also made him the subject of a short book about swimming. Saturday in Topeka, Levingston, representing Great Bend Storm, won a Kansas Special Olympics championship in the 50 meter freestyle race."Winning a Special Olympics gold medal stands out in a way that’s hard to compare to anything else I’ve achieved," said Levingston. "It’s not just about the medal — it’s about the journey, the perseverance, and the community behind it. Every win means something, but this one carries a different kind of weight. It reflects not just physical effort, but the strength to push through challenges, stay committed, and represent something bigger than myself."Levingston, now 30, was diagnosed with autism at birth. He qualified for state as an alternate at Great Bend High School, then continued his career at Barton Community College where he swam in the national meet in Florida. In 2023, Levingston qualified for the Missouri Valley Senior Championships. "My drive to keep excelling at swimming as I get older comes from a mix of passion, discipline, and personal growth," he said. "Swimming has always been more than just a sport to me; it’s a space where I push limits, clear my mind, and feel completely present. As I get older, the goals evolve: it’s not just about getting faster, but about becoming stronger, more resilient, and more connected to the water and myself."After Saturday's win, Levingston continues his 2025 season for USA Swimming. He hopes to qualify for the US Masters Swimming National Championships, the World Masters Swimming Championships, and his ultimate goal is to represent the United States in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Great Bend's Levingston wins gold medal at Special Olympics Kansas swim meet

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — After watching his Kansas City Chiefs get dismantled by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, general manager Brett Veach identified two specific areas where the three-time reigning AFC champions needed to improve.

One was left tackle, where a rotating cast struggled all season to protect Patrick Mahomes. The other was wide receiver, where injuries prevented the Chiefs from ever having the group that they expected to have on the field.

Now, it appears two positions of weakness in February could be positions of strength by the season opener in September.

On the left side of the offensive line, Veach signed Jaylon Moore in free agency, then drafted Josh Simmons in the first round out of Ohio State. He was widely considered to be the most talented tackle prospect available, but a knee injury that robbed Simmons of most of last season also sent his stock falling, and allowed him to fall right into the Chiefs' lap at No. 32 overall.

Three weeks into training camp, not only has Simmons showed no lingering effects of last year's surgery, but he has routinely punished teammates in 1-on-1 drills, and solidified the starting job ahead of Saturday's preseason opener in Arizona.

“He's very talented, man. Very, very good rookie so far,” right tackle Jawaan Taylor said. "He’s been soaking up all the things we’ve been teaching him — Coach (Andy) Heck, the players, the veterans, and I feel like he’s going to have a great career here.”

They haven't had a true franchise left tackle since Eric Fisher left after two Pro Bowls following the 2020 season, and that came back to haunt them, especially against the Eagles in February. Mahomes was sacked six times in the 40-22 Super Bowl loss, and he was forced to throw under duress on at least twice that many plays.

In training camp, Simmons has consistently given Mahomes more time to throw, and that has resulted in the kinds of explosive downfield passing plays that have been absent from the Kansas City offense the past few years.

“First of all, he’s getting a lot of reps, which I think is important for a rookie,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "He’s been in there and consistently showing up every day and working and not taking plays off or anything like that.

“But he’s a worker,” Reid continued. "I mean, he’s willing to do it. It’s just a matter of keep on going. But he’s done a nice job with what we’ve asked him. He’s working on all the fundamentals and techniques, so that’s a challenge for him.”

At the receiving end of all those downfield throws are not only the wide receivers that Mahomes and Co. expected to have last season but a potentially improved group with the addition of fourth-round pick Jalen Royals.

Rashee Rice has shown no issues after a torn knee ligament cost him most of last season, while the shoulder injury that kept Marquise Brown off the field for months has likewise healed. Throw in a year of growth for Xavier Worthy, their first-round pick last year, and the Chiefs' wide receiver group is deeper, faster and more potent than it has been in a while.

“Not to take anything away from any receivers that we’ve been with here or anywhere else (but) for me, this collective group of wide receivers from top to bottom is extremely competitive and talented,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said.

“I don’t want to take for granted is JuJu Smith-Schuster. Unbelievable right now with what he is doing, as far as a leader in that room,” Nagy added. “Watching guys out here in walkthroughs, he's taking these young guys and using his experience and giving his knowledge to them, and it is exciting because he is a great player. So, from top down we have a lot of speed. The guys have knowledge, they’re smart, they play fast and tough. Now, it is just the timing of Pat.”

That timing has been on point so far, thanks in part to the voluntary passing camps that the two-time MVP has run the past few years at his home in Texas. Most of the receivers on the roster show up for at least some of it, and that typically gives them a big jump on training camp, when they begin facing defenders rather than just air.

“In order for our offense to be great,” Mahomes said, "you have to be able to complete those passes. It opens up everything else. ... If we can do that, I think it is really going to open up the offense and make us a better team in general.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754416001883.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and offensive lineman Joey Lombard (68) as they participate in a drill at NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and offensive lineman Joey Lombard (68) as they participate in a drill at NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — After watching his Kansas City Chiefs get dismantled by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, general manager Brett Veach identified two specific areas where the three-time reigning AFC champions needed to improve.One was left tackle, where a rotating cast struggled all season to protect Patrick Mahomes. The other was wide receiver, where injuries prevented the Chiefs from ever having the group that they expected to have on the field.Now, it appears two positions of weakness in February could be positions of strength by the season opener in September.On the left side of the offensive line, Veach signed Jaylon Moore in free agency, then drafted Josh Simmons in the first round out of Ohio State. He was widely considered to be the most talented tackle prospect available, but a knee injury that robbed Simmons of most of last season also sent his stock falling, and allowed him to fall right into the Chiefs' lap at No. 32 overall.Three weeks into training camp, not only has Simmons showed no lingering effects of last year's surgery, but he has routinely punished teammates in 1-on-1 drills, and solidified the starting job ahead of Saturday's preseason opener in Arizona.“He's very talented, man. Very, very good rookie so far,” right tackle Jawaan Taylor said. "He’s been soaking up all the things we’ve been teaching him — Coach (Andy) Heck, the players, the veterans, and I feel like he’s going to have a great career here.”The Chiefs need him to have one.They haven't had a true franchise left tackle since Eric Fisher left after two Pro Bowls following the 2020 season, and that came back to haunt them, especially against the Eagles in February. Mahomes was sacked six times in the 40-22 Super Bowl loss, and he was forced to throw under duress on at least twice that many plays.In training camp, Simmons has consistently given Mahomes more time to throw, and that has resulted in the kinds of explosive downfield passing plays that have been absent from the Kansas City offense the past few years.“First of all, he’s getting a lot of reps, which I think is important for a rookie,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "He’s been in there and consistently showing up every day and working and not taking plays off or anything like that.“But he’s a worker,” Reid continued. "I mean, he’s willing to do it. It’s just a matter of keep on going. But he’s done a nice job with what we’ve asked him. He’s working on all the fundamentals and techniques, so that’s a challenge for him.”At the receiving end of all those downfield throws are not only the wide receivers that Mahomes and Co. expected to have last season but a potentially improved group with the addition of fourth-round pick Jalen Royals.Rashee Rice has shown no issues after a torn knee ligament cost him most of last season, while the shoulder injury that kept Marquise Brown off the field for months has likewise healed. Throw in a year of growth for Xavier Worthy, their first-round pick last year, and the Chiefs' wide receiver group is deeper, faster and more potent than it has been in a while.“Not to take anything away from any receivers that we’ve been with here or anywhere else (but) for me, this collective group of wide receivers from top to bottom is extremely competitive and talented,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said.“I don’t want to take for granted is JuJu Smith-Schuster. Unbelievable right now with what he is doing, as far as a leader in that room,” Nagy added. “Watching guys out here in walkthroughs, he's taking these young guys and using his experience and giving his knowledge to them, and it is exciting because he is a great player. So, from top down we have a lot of speed. The guys have knowledge, they’re smart, they play fast and tough. Now, it is just the timing of Pat.”That timing has been on point so far, thanks in part to the voluntary passing camps that the two-time MVP has run the past few years at his home in Texas. Most of the receivers on the roster show up for at least some of it, and that typically gives them a big jump on training camp, when they begin facing defenders rather than just air.“In order for our offense to be great,” Mahomes said, "you have to be able to complete those passes. It opens up everything else. ... If we can do that, I think it is really going to open up the offense and make us a better team in general.”

Chiefs rookies have shined in camp, helping turn positions of weakness into a strength

D. Scott Fritchen KStateSports.com

Jaron Tibbs, a 20-year-old transfer from Purdue who signed with K-State on December 18, called himself a "late bloomer" at the wide receiver position, always fancying himself as a basketball player after a standout career at Catedral (Ind.) High School.

The 6-foot-2, 212-pound junior, as evidenced by video of his dramatic highlight-making high-point catch during K-State training camp, seems to be blooming into one of the most consistent pass catchers for a wide receiver group that largely lacks returning production but appears equipped with talented fresh faces eager to produce.

"He's a really savvy, confident football player," K-State wide receivers coach&nbsp;Matthew Middleton&nbsp;said after practice late last week. "These guys are hungry for development. Some have come from different places and have had different experiences. The young guys — this is what they've dreamed of.

"Tibbs had five catches for 42 yards as a freshman at Purdue and ranked third among the Boilermakers with 25 catches for 305 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore. This came after the three-star recruit was tabbed as the No. 16 prospect in Indiana by 247Sports. He broke out with 61 catches for 910 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior season and was named to the 2022 Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State Top-50 team.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

On his 36-hour visit to K-State, Tibbs, whose favorite route is the deep post, had a film session with Middleton and then met with the offensive staff and answered questions breaking down the intricacies of what he watched on tape.

Less than three weeks into live practice, Middleton appears impressed.

"He's a threat not only down the field but when it's thrown underneath, he's able to put a foot in the ground and get vertical and get that hidden yardage," Middleton said. "He makes contested catches as well.

"Tibbs could fit nicely with defensive backs also having to chase the likes of 6-foot, 179-pound junior&nbsp;Jayce Brown, and potentially 6-foot-5, 223-pound senior&nbsp;Jerand Bradley, among others, around the football field.

Brown, who has 18 starts over a span of two seasons to his credit, owns a career 17.0-yard average per reception, which ranks eighth in K-State history and fifth in the FBS among active players, and he was the seventh-fastest player to reach 1,000 career receiving yards.

Last season, Brown tied for fourth in the FBS with seven catches of at least 40 yards and eighth with four receptions of at least 50 yards. He also posted 25 receptions of at least 20 yards, which equated to 53.2% of his total catches.

He and roommate&nbsp;Avery Johnson&nbsp;have maintained a special connection that might only further flourish in the fall.

"Jayce is more confident in himself," Middleton said. "He's taken the next step seeing defenses and knowing what's going on and asking questions. He's done a great job elevating his mental part of the game because physically he knows what to do. Jayce and Avery work really hard together."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Meanwhile, Johnson will operate with the tallest wide receiver of his K-State career this fall. Although Bradley is 6-foot-5 and 223 pounds, he runs a 4.5 40 and brings a pair of sticky hands that made some amazing catches at Texas Tech. Among his achievements? He had 51 catches for a team-high 744 yards and six touchdowns for the Red Raiders in 2022. He ranked third among FBS freshmen in receiving yards, and his 180 receiving yards against Oklahoma marked the most by an FBS freshman on the season, while it also marked the most by a Red Raider since Michael Crabtree had 195 at Texas on November 10, 2007. Bradley earned second team Freshman All-American by&nbsp;The Athletic.

"He's a big target that bends and moves well and is a confident player," Middleton said. "He's a dangerous threat because you can see him wherever. He has the ability to sink in transition and win competitive catches, too. He's been competing."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Caleb Medford&nbsp;is a 6-foot, 211-pound senior who spent the last two seasons at the University of New Mexico after transferring from TCU. After posting 30 catches for 551 yards and two touchdowns in eight starts in 2023, Medford had 18 catches for 336 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Medford is the third Division I wide receiver who transferred to K-State during the offseason.

"He's in the mix," Middleton said. "He's competing. He's just learning what we're doing. He's a guy who's played in multiple systems and he's making sure he's right. He's coming right along."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Middleton is quick to mention a few other experienced or inexperienced pass-catchers and younger pass-catchers — "under-the-radar" prospective producers.

"Jemyri Davis&nbsp;has done a good job," Middleton said. "Sterling Lockett,&nbsp;Isaac Koch,&nbsp;Adonis Moise&nbsp;and&nbsp;Larry Porter IV&nbsp;have been doing a good job coming out and competing. Sterling has been working his butt off. He's gotten better throughout the summer and in this camp. He's another one of those veteran guys who's been around and understands me and competes and does a really good job.

"We're really impressed with how he's competed day in day out."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Hard work appears to be paying off at wide receiver. Middleton is hardly content.

"It's really playing fast and being confident in yourself and playing with really good effort," he said. "It doesn't matter your 40 times, it just matters how fast you play, how you identify things, and how you are decisive in what you're doing, and playing with effort to be in the right place. It's about continuing to promote confidence. It's making sure they learn in the classroom and are fast on the field."

In a way, it all starts with Johnson, who is regarded as one of the finest returning quarterbacks in the FBS after throwing for 2,712 yards and a school-record 25 touchdowns last season. Coupled with 605 rushing yards and seven touchdowns — many coming because of solid blocking by wide receivers — Johnson enjoyed one of the best overall seasons by a signal-caller in K-State history.

He could put up even better numbers in 2025.

Seems wherever wide receivers are on the field in training camp Johnson is also somewhere in the vicinity.

"He does a great job leading and making sure guys understand what's expected, what the standard is, and those guys respond to it and they talk to him," Middleton said. "They spend time together watching film. Avery has done a good job making sure guys are on the same page so he can feel confident and the guys can feel confident out there."&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754399632210.jpeg" alt="KStateSports.com" />
 <figcaption>KStateSports.com</figcaption>
 </figure>D. Scott Fritchen KStateSports.comJaron Tibbs, a 20-year-old transfer from Purdue who signed with K-State on December 18, called himself a "late bloomer" at the wide receiver position, always fancying himself as a basketball player after a standout career at Catedral (Ind.) High School.The 6-foot-2, 212-pound junior, as evidenced by video of his dramatic highlight-making high-point catch during K-State training camp, seems to be blooming into one of the most consistent pass catchers for a wide receiver group that largely lacks returning production but appears equipped with talented fresh faces eager to produce."He's a really savvy, confident football player," K-State wide receivers coach&nbsp;Matthew Middleton&nbsp;said after practice late last week. "These guys are hungry for development. Some have come from different places and have had different experiences. The young guys — this is what they've dreamed of."Tibbs had five catches for 42 yards as a freshman at Purdue and ranked third among the Boilermakers with 25 catches for 305 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore. This came after the three-star recruit was tabbed as the No. 16 prospect in Indiana by 247Sports. He broke out with 61 catches for 910 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior season and was named to the 2022 Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State Top-50 team.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On his 36-hour visit to K-State, Tibbs, whose favorite route is the deep post, had a film session with Middleton and then met with the offensive staff and answered questions breaking down the intricacies of what he watched on tape.Less than three weeks into live practice, Middleton appears impressed."He's a threat not only down the field but when it's thrown underneath, he's able to put a foot in the ground and get vertical and get that hidden yardage," Middleton said. "He makes contested catches as well."Tibbs could fit nicely with defensive backs also having to chase the likes of 6-foot, 179-pound junior&nbsp;Jayce Brown, and potentially 6-foot-5, 223-pound senior&nbsp;Jerand Bradley, among others, around the football field.Brown, who has 18 starts over a span of two seasons to his credit, owns a career 17.0-yard average per reception, which ranks eighth in K-State history and fifth in the FBS among active players, and he was the seventh-fastest player to reach 1,000 career receiving yards.Last season, Brown tied for fourth in the FBS with seven catches of at least 40 yards and eighth with four receptions of at least 50 yards. He also posted 25 receptions of at least 20 yards, which equated to 53.2% of his total catches.He and roommate&nbsp;Avery Johnson&nbsp;have maintained a special connection that might only further flourish in the fall."Jayce is more confident in himself," Middleton said. "He's taken the next step seeing defenses and knowing what's going on and asking questions. He's done a great job elevating his mental part of the game because physically he knows what to do. Jayce and Avery work really hard together."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Meanwhile, Johnson will operate with the tallest wide receiver of his K-State career this fall. Although Bradley is 6-foot-5 and 223 pounds, he runs a 4.5 40 and brings a pair of sticky hands that made some amazing catches at Texas Tech. Among his achievements? He had 51 catches for a team-high 744 yards and six touchdowns for the Red Raiders in 2022. He ranked third among FBS freshmen in receiving yards, and his 180 receiving yards against Oklahoma marked the most by an FBS freshman on the season, while it also marked the most by a Red Raider since Michael Crabtree had 195 at Texas on November 10, 2007. Bradley earned second team Freshman All-American by&nbsp;The Athletic."He's a big target that bends and moves well and is a confident player," Middleton said. "He's a dangerous threat because you can see him wherever. He has the ability to sink in transition and win competitive catches, too. He's been competing."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Oh, there's more.Caleb Medford&nbsp;is a 6-foot, 211-pound senior who spent the last two seasons at the University of New Mexico after transferring from TCU. After posting 30 catches for 551 yards and two touchdowns in eight starts in 2023, Medford had 18 catches for 336 yards and three touchdowns last season.Medford is the third Division I wide receiver who transferred to K-State during the offseason."He's in the mix," Middleton said. "He's competing. He's just learning what we're doing. He's a guy who's played in multiple systems and he's making sure he's right. He's coming right along."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Middleton is quick to mention a few other experienced or inexperienced pass-catchers and younger pass-catchers — "under-the-radar" prospective producers."Jemyri Davis&nbsp;has done a good job," Middleton said. "Sterling Lockett,&nbsp;Isaac Koch,&nbsp;Adonis Moise&nbsp;and&nbsp;Larry Porter IV&nbsp;have been doing a good job coming out and competing. Sterling has been working his butt off. He's gotten better throughout the summer and in this camp. He's another one of those veteran guys who's been around and understands me and competes and does a really good job."We're really impressed with how he's competed day in day out."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hard work appears to be paying off at wide receiver. Middleton is hardly content."It's really playing fast and being confident in yourself and playing with really good effort," he said. "It doesn't matter your 40 times, it just matters how fast you play, how you identify things, and how you are decisive in what you're doing, and playing with effort to be in the right place. It's about continuing to promote confidence. It's making sure they learn in the classroom and are fast on the field."In a way, it all starts with Johnson, who is regarded as one of the finest returning quarterbacks in the FBS after throwing for 2,712 yards and a school-record 25 touchdowns last season. Coupled with 605 rushing yards and seven touchdowns — many coming because of solid blocking by wide receivers — Johnson enjoyed one of the best overall seasons by a signal-caller in K-State history.He could put up even better numbers in 2025.Seems wherever wide receivers are on the field in training camp Johnson is also somewhere in the vicinity."He does a great job leading and making sure guys understand what's expected, what the standard is, and those guys respond to it and they talk to him," Middleton said. "They spend time together watching film. Avery has done a good job making sure guys are on the same page so he can feel confident and the guys can feel confident out there."&nbsp;&nbsp;

‘Playing Fast and Being Confident’

KUAthletics.com LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas redshirt senior quarterback&nbsp;Jalon Daniels&nbsp;was one of 45 players named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced on Monday.

The 2025 watch list includes 38 offensive players (21 quarterbacks, 11 running backs, five receivers/tight ends and one two-way player) along with eight from the defensive side of the ball. Daniels is one of four players from the Big 12 Conference to be named to the preseason watch list.

Daniels, of Lawndale, Calif., has been named to the Walter Camp Preseason Watch List for three straight seasons. Over his career, Daniels has completed 536-of-875 passing for 6,751 yards and 45 touchdowns. His 6,751 passing yards and 45 passing touchdowns rank second in program history. Daniels has also rushed for 1,043 career yards on 303 carries and 19 touchdowns.

In 2024, Daniels completed 171-of-300 passing for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns. Daniels served as a team captain and led the Jayhawks to three-straight ranked wins for the first time in program history. At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Daniels was named the Big 12 Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year, Kansas' first in program history.

The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is the nation's fourth-oldest individual college football accolade and is voted on by the 133 NCAA Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors. Walter Camp, "The Father of American football," first selected an All-America team in 1889. A former Yale University athlete and football coach, Camp is credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.

The 2025 Player of Year watch list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists in early November, and three finalists will be announced in early December. The 2025 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 133 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced on ESPN's College Football Awards Show on December 12.

The Kansas Jayhawks will kick off the 2025 football season on August 23, 2025 as they debut the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium vs. Fresno State.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754398420336.jpeg" alt="Photo by: Missy Minear/Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo by: Missy Minear/Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>KUAthletics.com LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas redshirt senior quarterback&nbsp;Jalon Daniels&nbsp;was one of 45 players named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced on Monday.The 2025 watch list includes 38 offensive players (21 quarterbacks, 11 running backs, five receivers/tight ends and one two-way player) along with eight from the defensive side of the ball. Daniels is one of four players from the Big 12 Conference to be named to the preseason watch list.Daniels, of Lawndale, Calif., has been named to the Walter Camp Preseason Watch List for three straight seasons. Over his career, Daniels has completed 536-of-875 passing for 6,751 yards and 45 touchdowns. His 6,751 passing yards and 45 passing touchdowns rank second in program history. Daniels has also rushed for 1,043 career yards on 303 carries and 19 touchdowns.In 2024, Daniels completed 171-of-300 passing for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns. Daniels served as a team captain and led the Jayhawks to three-straight ranked wins for the first time in program history. At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Daniels was named the Big 12 Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year, Kansas' first in program history.The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is the nation's fourth-oldest individual college football accolade and is voted on by the 133 NCAA Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors. Walter Camp, "The Father of American football," first selected an All-America team in 1889. A former Yale University athlete and football coach, Camp is credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.The 2025 Player of Year watch list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists in early November, and three finalists will be announced in early December. The 2025 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 133 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced on ESPN's College Football Awards Show on December 12.The Kansas Jayhawks will kick off the 2025 football season on August 23, 2025 as they debut the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium vs. Fresno State.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jalon Daniels Named to Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List

Forty-seven percent&nbsp;of student-athletes from Barton Community College achieved a 3.50 or better grade point average during the 2024-25 academic year.

Exceeding last year's accumulated grade point average by compiling an overall Department-wide&nbsp;3.296&nbsp;classroom achievement,&nbsp;147&nbsp;(47.8%) of Barton's 307 student-athletes received either national and/or conference academic honors.

On the national level,&nbsp;105&nbsp;Barton student-athletes were among 13,915 across the NJCAA earning a spot on one of three All-Academic teams for obtaining a 3.60 or better GPA.

Forty&nbsp;Cougars achieved a perfect 4.0 in the classroom meeting national requirements to earn 1st team NJCAA All-Academic distinction,&nbsp;thirty-three&nbsp;earned 2nd Team distinction having a 3.80-3.99 range GPA, with another&nbsp;thirty-two&nbsp;falling within the 3.60-3.79 GPA range for 3rd team national accolades.

The academic year's honors caps the 2024-25 year that also saw Barton Track and Field athletes&nbsp;Celine Riddle&nbsp;and&nbsp;Trevon Hamer&nbsp;receiving National Scholar Field Athlete of the Year awards distributed by the U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), Cheer's&nbsp;Tierra Yohon&nbsp;and&nbsp;Paige Mink&nbsp;of the Women's Swim team chosen as the 2025 Outstanding Barton graduates, Softball's&nbsp;Allyson McDougal&nbsp;a Student Ambassador of the Year, as well as,&nbsp;Mink&nbsp;and Women's Track and Field athlete&nbsp;Ivanilda Semedo&nbsp;selected to the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society All-State Academic team.

Barton Student-Athletes All-Academic Achievements *Denotes repeat NJCAA All-Academic earner

Perfect 4.0 GPA - NJCAA 1st Team All-America Baseball: Cam Bergstrom, John Connors, *Barrett Donaldson, Braden Hauschel, Hunter Houfek, Tyler Janssen, Jack Jewell, *Cade Kunz, Kiernan Meredith, *Ethan Minaker, *Cooper Tabor

Bowling (Women):&nbsp;Ellie Weeks, Zoe Wimmer

Soccer (Men):&nbsp;Gabriel Bergamin, Gabriel Henrique, Sho Kinjo, Nils Knecht, Pedro Lyra, *Hugo Pacheco, *Maxence Voinier

Soccer (Women):&nbsp;*Kyra De Boer, Katie Potter, Jasmin Siegenthaler, *Mio Tanaka

Softball:&nbsp;Ava Fink, Meleia Ingram, Aubrey Pate

Swimming (Men):&nbsp;Joao Ribeiro, Skyler Fair

Tennis (Men):&nbsp;*Carl Baskerville, *Hayden Loffler

Volleyball:&nbsp;Macy Nachtigal, *Phoebe Reyes

Wrestling:&nbsp;Landon Koelling, *Jarret Mader, Skyler McMullen, Derek Truman

3.80-3.99 GPA - NJCAA 2nd Team All-America Baseball:&nbsp;Tate Blasi, Jack Dilley, *Cesar Gomez, Kyle Graves, *Ayden Hadley, Dalton Jorgensen, Remmington Miller

Basketball (Women):&nbsp;Emilia Borissova, Brittany Simpson

Cross Country (Women):&nbsp;Elaine Sleichter

Golf (Men):&nbsp;Matteu Cauvin-Piacentini

Golf (Women):&nbsp;Chomchanok Laparojkit, Lexus Petersilie

Indoor Track and Field (Women):&nbsp;Zadie Mackey, Elaine Sleichter

Outdoor Track and Field (Women):&nbsp;Zadie Mackey, Elaine Sleichter

Soccer (Men):&nbsp;Gabriel Nshuti, Francisco Pina, *Diego Sano, *Lucas Thiago Dos Santos

Soccer (Women):&nbsp;Candice Burnier, Maria Eduarda De Paiva, Louhanne Jarry

Softball:&nbsp;*Chloe Enslinger, *Jillian George, Peyton McCormick

Swimming (Women):&nbsp;Kaytlyn Alvarez, Paige Mink

Volleyball:&nbsp;Aubrey Olander, *Elena Stankovic

Wrestling:&nbsp;*Ethan Boles, Jaden Vetter, *Deryk Yott

3.60-3.79: NJCAA 3rd Team All-America Baseball:&nbsp;Isaac Bluemel, Antonio Mendez, Wyatt Yetter

Basketball (Women):&nbsp;Joy Biribebe, Alaina Eck, Getrude Mapiye, *Macie Smith

Golf (Women):&nbsp;Alayna Crosby, Kadynce Nash, Joellen Vogt

Indoor Track and Field (Men):&nbsp;Gabriel Carty, Jorge Pena

Indoor Track and Field (Women):&nbsp;Celine Riddle, *Ivanilda Semedo, Asharria Ulett, Widlife Vermilus

Outdoor Track and Field (Men):&nbsp;Gabriel Carty, Jorge Pena

Outdoor Track and Field (Women):&nbsp;Celine Riddle, *Ivanilda Semedo, Asharria Ulett, Widlife Vermilus

Soccer (Men):&nbsp;Diogo Gimenez, Jose Guajardo, Yoshitomo Shibao

Soccer (Women):&nbsp;Sara Aguirre, Lucia Alvarez, Maki Kimura, *Ines Mahiaoui, Leticia Silva

Swimming (Men):&nbsp;Lautaro Arel Caspe, Arnaldo Cezario Guimaraes, Mateo Serge Jean Michel Wallet&nbsp;Tennis (Men):&nbsp;*Oliver Naude

Additional individuals earning KJCCC Honors and/or didn't meet the NJCAA's criteria earning All-America distinction Baseball:&nbsp;Hunter Alvord, Kyler Horsman, Hayden Oviatt, Carter Ulrich, Austin Young

Basketball (Women):&nbsp;Kodi Greer, Vivian Onugha

Bowling (Men):&nbsp;Logan Lindsley, Landon Wareman

Bowling (Women):&nbsp;JaeLinn Thetford, Alexis Wareman

Indoor Track and Field (Men):&nbsp;Wanyae Belle, Jasiah Clapp, Trevon Hamer, Boris Peranovic

Outdoor Track and Field (Men):&nbsp;Wanyae Belle, Jasiah Clapp, Trevon Hamer, Boris Peranovic

Golf (Women):&nbsp;Diana Alvarado, Frida Mondragon

Soccer (Men):&nbsp;Loic Kanku, Eric Monnier, Raku Okazaki, Juan Orozco

Soccer (Women):&nbsp;Maelle Harnisch, Paige Hiracheta, Mary Kahraman, Micaella Ribeiro, Kamea Rice

Softball:&nbsp;Elina Bartlett, Alicia Goseland, Grace Hembree, Mollie Steiner, Laney Wood

Swimming (Men):&nbsp;Juan David Gonzalez Gomez

Swimming (Women):&nbsp;MaKayla Baxter, Marcela Contes Tribst

Volleyball:&nbsp;Josie McLean, Maurin Reyes, Mya Thompson, Anna Clara Wierzbicki

Forty-seven percent&nbsp;of student-athletes from Barton Community College achieved a 3.50 or better grade point average during the 2024-25 academic year.Exceeding last year's accumulated grade point average by compiling an overall Department-wide&nbsp;3.296&nbsp;classroom achievement,&nbsp;147&nbsp;(47.8%) of Barton's 307 student-athletes received either national and/or conference academic honors.On the national level,&nbsp;105&nbsp;Barton student-athletes were among 13,915 across the NJCAA earning a spot on one of three All-Academic teams for obtaining a 3.60 or better GPA.Forty&nbsp;Cougars achieved a perfect 4.0 in the classroom meeting national requirements to earn 1st team NJCAA All-Academic distinction,&nbsp;thirty-three&nbsp;earned 2nd Team distinction having a 3.80-3.99 range GPA, with another&nbsp;thirty-two&nbsp;falling within the 3.60-3.79 GPA range for 3rd team national accolades.The academic year's honors caps the 2024-25 year that also saw Barton Track and Field athletes&nbsp;Celine Riddle&nbsp;and&nbsp;Trevon Hamer&nbsp;receiving National Scholar Field Athlete of the Year awards distributed by the U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), Cheer's&nbsp;Tierra Yohon&nbsp;and&nbsp;Paige Mink&nbsp;of the Women's Swim team chosen as the 2025 Outstanding Barton graduates, Softball's&nbsp;Allyson McDougal&nbsp;a Student Ambassador of the Year, as well as,&nbsp;Mink&nbsp;and Women's Track and Field athlete&nbsp;Ivanilda Semedo&nbsp;selected to the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society All-State Academic team.Barton Student-Athletes All-Academic Achievements *Denotes repeat NJCAA All-Academic earnerPerfect 4.0 GPA - NJCAA 1st Team All-America Baseball: Cam Bergstrom, John Connors, *Barrett Donaldson, Braden Hauschel, Hunter Houfek, Tyler Janssen, Jack Jewell, *Cade Kunz, Kiernan Meredith, *Ethan Minaker, *Cooper TaborBasketball (Men):&nbsp;Blake RuckerBasketball (Women): Eva ClementsBowling (Women):&nbsp;Ellie Weeks, Zoe WimmerSoccer (Men):&nbsp;Gabriel Bergamin, Gabriel Henrique, Sho Kinjo, Nils Knecht, Pedro Lyra, *Hugo Pacheco, *Maxence VoinierSoccer (Women):&nbsp;*Kyra De Boer, Katie Potter, Jasmin Siegenthaler, *Mio TanakaSoftball:&nbsp;Ava Fink, Meleia Ingram, Aubrey PateSwimming (Men):&nbsp;Joao Ribeiro, Skyler FairSwimming (Women):&nbsp;*Elena LaraTennis (Men):&nbsp;*Carl Baskerville, *Hayden LofflerVolleyball:&nbsp;Macy Nachtigal, *Phoebe ReyesWrestling:&nbsp;Landon Koelling, *Jarret Mader, Skyler McMullen, Derek Truman3.80-3.99 GPA - NJCAA 2nd Team All-America Baseball:&nbsp;Tate Blasi, Jack Dilley, *Cesar Gomez, Kyle Graves, *Ayden Hadley, Dalton Jorgensen, Remmington MillerBasketball (Women):&nbsp;Emilia Borissova, Brittany SimpsonBowling (Men):&nbsp;Torrey LindleyCross Country (Women):&nbsp;Elaine SleichterGolf (Men):&nbsp;Matteu Cauvin-PiacentiniGolf (Women):&nbsp;Chomchanok Laparojkit, Lexus PetersilieIndoor Track and Field (Women):&nbsp;Zadie Mackey, Elaine SleichterOutdoor Track and Field (Women):&nbsp;Zadie Mackey, Elaine SleichterSoccer (Men):&nbsp;Gabriel Nshuti, Francisco Pina, *Diego Sano, *Lucas Thiago Dos SantosSoccer (Women):&nbsp;Candice Burnier, Maria Eduarda De Paiva, Louhanne JarrySoftball:&nbsp;*Chloe Enslinger, *Jillian George, Peyton McCormickSwimming (Women):&nbsp;Kaytlyn Alvarez, Paige MinkTennis (Women):&nbsp;Salalee SeejongVolleyball:&nbsp;Aubrey Olander, *Elena StankovicWrestling:&nbsp;*Ethan Boles, Jaden Vetter, *Deryk Yott3.60-3.79: NJCAA 3rd Team All-America Baseball:&nbsp;Isaac Bluemel, Antonio Mendez, Wyatt YetterBasketball (Men):&nbsp;Pavel IvanovBasketball (Women):&nbsp;Joy Biribebe, Alaina Eck, Getrude Mapiye, *Macie SmithBowling (Men):&nbsp;Braydon BastinCross Country (Men):&nbsp;Gabriel CartyGolf (Men):&nbsp;Mason MooreGolf (Women):&nbsp;Alayna Crosby, Kadynce Nash, Joellen VogtIndoor Track and Field (Men):&nbsp;Gabriel Carty, Jorge PenaIndoor Track and Field (Women):&nbsp;Celine Riddle, *Ivanilda Semedo, Asharria Ulett, Widlife VermilusOutdoor Track and Field (Men):&nbsp;Gabriel Carty, Jorge PenaOutdoor Track and Field (Women):&nbsp;Celine Riddle, *Ivanilda Semedo, Asharria Ulett, Widlife VermilusSoccer (Men):&nbsp;Diogo Gimenez, Jose Guajardo, Yoshitomo ShibaoSoccer (Women):&nbsp;Sara Aguirre, Lucia Alvarez, Maki Kimura, *Ines Mahiaoui, Leticia SilvaSwimming (Men):&nbsp;Lautaro Arel Caspe, Arnaldo Cezario Guimaraes, Mateo Serge Jean Michel Wallet&nbsp;Tennis (Men):&nbsp;*Oliver NaudeVolleyball:&nbsp;Mina KanekoAdditional individuals earning KJCCC Honors and/or didn't meet the NJCAA's criteria earning All-America distinction Baseball:&nbsp;Hunter Alvord, Kyler Horsman, Hayden Oviatt, Carter Ulrich, Austin YoungBasketball (Men):&nbsp;Carter CoombsBasketball (Women):&nbsp;Kodi Greer, Vivian OnughaBowling (Men):&nbsp;Logan Lindsley, Landon WaremanBowling (Women):&nbsp;JaeLinn Thetford, Alexis WaremanCross Country (Men):&nbsp;Jasiah ClappIndoor Track and Field (Men):&nbsp;Wanyae Belle, Jasiah Clapp, Trevon Hamer, Boris PeranovicOutdoor Track and Field (Men):&nbsp;Wanyae Belle, Jasiah Clapp, Trevon Hamer, Boris PeranovicGolf (Women):&nbsp;Diana Alvarado, Frida MondragonSoccer (Men):&nbsp;Loic Kanku, Eric Monnier, Raku Okazaki, Juan OrozcoSoccer (Women):&nbsp;Maelle Harnisch, Paige Hiracheta, Mary Kahraman, Micaella Ribeiro, Kamea RiceSoftball:&nbsp;Elina Bartlett, Alicia Goseland, Grace Hembree, Mollie Steiner, Laney WoodSwimming (Men):&nbsp;Juan David Gonzalez GomezSwimming (Women):&nbsp;MaKayla Baxter, Marcela Contes TribstTennis (Men):&nbsp;Shane TaperaTennis (Women):&nbsp;Diana SouzaVolleyball:&nbsp;Josie McLean, Maurin Reyes, Mya Thompson, Anna Clara WierzbickiWrestling:&nbsp;Alonso Frances Aguilar

Barton student-athletes earn All-Academic Awards

BOSTON (AP) — Jarren Duran hit a three-run homer and Brayan Bello pitched six effective innings, helping the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 8-5 on Monday night for their sixth consecutive victory.

Rob Refsnyder drove in two runs, and Duran added a leaping,&nbsp;run-saving catch&nbsp;in front of the Green Monster in the fourth.

Bello (8-5) allowed an unearned run and six hits. The right-hander has surrendered three earned runs or fewer in 13 of his last 14 outings.

The Royals got back-to-back home runs from Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia off Jorge Alcala as part of a four-run eighth. But Aroldis Chapman handled the ninth for his 21st save.

Royals starter Bailey Falter (7-6) was pulled after four innings. He was charged with seven runs and eight hits.

Refsnyder put the Red Sox in front with a two-run single in the first. Duran then pushed the lead to 5-0 with two out, hitting a 419-foot drive deep to center for his 12th homer.

Boston rookie Roman Anthony was scratched from his scheduled start in right field due to mid-back tightness. He was replaced by Wilyer Abreu.

With Boston leading 8-5 in the eighth, Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. singled to right field. Nick Loftin attempted to score from second, but Abreu’s throw from right beat him and Loftin was tagged out in a collision with catcher Connor Wong. The Royals challenged, arguing Wong illegally blocked the plate, but it was upheld after a video review.

The Red Sox have outscored their opponents 44-16 during their win streak.

Rookie right-hander Ryan Bergert (1-0, 2.78 ERA) starts for Kansas City on Tuesday night, and left-hander Garrett Crochet (12-4, 2.23 ERA) goes for the Red Sox.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754397958772.jpeg" alt="Boston Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)" />
 <figcaption>Boston Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)</figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — Jarren Duran hit a three-run homer and Brayan Bello pitched six effective innings, helping the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 8-5 on Monday night for their sixth consecutive victory.Rob Refsnyder drove in two runs, and Duran added a leaping,&nbsp;run-saving catch&nbsp;in front of the Green Monster in the fourth.Bello (8-5) allowed an unearned run and six hits. The right-hander has surrendered three earned runs or fewer in 13 of his last 14 outings.The Royals got back-to-back home runs from Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia off Jorge Alcala as part of a four-run eighth. But Aroldis Chapman handled the ninth for his 21st save.Royals starter Bailey Falter (7-6) was pulled after four innings. He was charged with seven runs and eight hits.Refsnyder put the Red Sox in front with a two-run single in the first. Duran then pushed the lead to 5-0 with two out, hitting a 419-foot drive deep to center for his 12th homer.Boston rookie Roman Anthony was scratched from his scheduled start in right field due to mid-back tightness. He was replaced by Wilyer Abreu.<h2>Key moment</h2>With Boston leading 8-5 in the eighth, Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. singled to right field. Nick Loftin attempted to score from second, but Abreu’s throw from right beat him and Loftin was tagged out in a collision with catcher Connor Wong. The Royals challenged, arguing Wong illegally blocked the plate, but it was upheld after a video review.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Red Sox have outscored their opponents 44-16 during their win streak.<h2>Up next</h2>Rookie right-hander Ryan Bergert (1-0, 2.78 ERA) starts for Kansas City on Tuesday night, and left-hander Garrett Crochet (12-4, 2.23 ERA) goes for the Red Sox.

Red Sox ride Duran HR, strong outing from Bello to 6th straight win, beating Royals 8-5

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Aaron Judge will be activated by the New York Yankees on Tuesday, when he is eligible to come off 10-day injured list. He hasn't played since July 25 because of a flexor strain in his right elbow. Judge hit off Yankees minor league pitchers at the team's complex in Tampa for the second day in a row Monday, then was in Texas for the series opener. Manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees lost 8-5 in 10 innings that the two-time AL MVP would be available Tuesday. If he plays in Texas, Boone says Judge will be the designated hitter.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley has declined an invitation to join President Donald Trump's council on sports, fitness, and nutrition. The council is being revitalized under an executive order that also reestablishes the Presidential Fitness Test for American children. Barkley, a standout player for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, was on a list with other sports personalities. Barkley explained Monday that he declined due to a busy schedule. Trump reestablished the fitness test last week, a program that began in 1966 but was phased out during the Obama administration. Barkley recently won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Max Muncy from the injured list and put fellow infielder Tommy Edman on the list Monday. Muncy has been out since July 2, missing nearly five weeks with a bone bruise in his knee after a collision on a tag play during a game against the Chicago White Sox. The veteran slugger had been on a monthlong roll at the time of his injury, boosting his OPS to .832 with 13 homers and 55 RBIs. But just when Muncy is healthy enough to return, the NL West-leading Dodgers are losing Edman after he aggravated his injured right ankle.

The NCAA has decided not to expand the men's and women's basketball tournaments beyond 68 teams in 2026. Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball, announced the decision. Discussions about possibly expanding to 72 or 76 teams for the 2027 tournaments remain ongoing. NCAA President Charlie Baker believes adding teams could enhance the tournament's value. He mentioned having productive talks with TV partners CBS and Warner Bros. Their current deal, valued at about $1.1 billion annually, runs through 2032.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox has agreed to a four-year, $228 million contract extension, an AP source has confirmed. Fox has career averages of 21.5 points and 6.1 assists over eight NBA seasons. He is currently under contract for the final year of his five-year, $163 million deal. The extension starts in the 2026-27 season.

Seattle's Cal Raleigh, known as "Big Dumper," has been a powerhouse this season, hitting 42 homers. Manager Dan Wilson praises his defensive skills as a catcher, highlighting his ability to lead the pitching staff. Raleigh's dual role as a slugger and catcher is impressive, especially as Seattle fights for a playoff spot. Despite the physical demands, Raleigh's focus and consistency have been key to his success. His achievements are part of a broader trend of increased offensive production from MLB catchers. Raleigh's performance stands out, earning admiration from fans and peers alike.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have brought back Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator to revive their struggling defense. The team hopes he can recreate the success of 2019 when the defense helped them reach the Super Bowl. Saleh returns after being fired as head coach of the New York Jets. The 49ers aren't alone in making coaching changes. Detroit, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay have also replaced coordinators because of promotions or departures. Other teams such as Houston, Cincinnati, and Seattle have made changes to spark improvement. These moves could significantly impact which teams succeed in the upcoming season.

This should be an exhilarating moment for college tennis. Wimbledon featured a record 26 current or former college players in men’s singles and nine more in the women’s draw. Yet this breakthrough is occurring as the threat of elimination faces numerous tennis programs. Division I schools dropping tennis programs since 2023 include Central Arkansas, Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood, Louisiana-Monroe, Radford, St. Francis College, San Francisco, Seattle and UTEP. Nearly two dozen men’s or women’s tennis programs were eliminated during the pandemic.

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane told The Associated Press that he isn’t sure how long the contract standoff with James Cook will last after the running back declined to participate in practice for a second straight day. Cook wore a white hat, red Bills pullover and blue shorts upon briefly entering the practice field, before ducking into a portable bathroom. He then left the field, exiting through the trainer’s tent and did not re-appear during the two-hour session. This marks the second day Cook has not participated in practice in the fourth-year player’s next step in escalating his bid to extend the final year of his contract.

ATLANTA (AP) — Former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley has announced his 2026 Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in Georgia. He is running against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. Dooley is backed by Gov. Brian Kemp and on Monday joined a GOP field that includes U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter and Mike Collins. Kemp turned to Dooley after deciding not to run himself. Dooley has never held elective office and plans to run as a political outsider. He aims to bring "Georgia common sense" and work with President Donald Trump. Dooley's candidacy has already faced criticism for his lack of conservative credentials.

INTERLEAGUE Final Houston 8 Miami 2 Final Philadelphia 13 Baltimore 3 Final Cleveland 7 N.Y. Mets 6 Final Toronto 15 Colorado 1

AMERICAN LEAGUE Final Detroit 6 Minnesota 3 Final Boston 8 Kansas City 5 Final Texas&nbsp; 8 N.Y. Yankees 5 Final L.A. Angels 5 Tampa Bay 1

NATIONAL LEAGUE Final Milwaukee 3 Atlanta 1 Final Pittsburgh 5 San Francisco 4 Final Cincinnati 3 Chicago Cubs 2 Final Arizona 6 San Diego 2 Final St. Louis 3 L.A. Dodgers 2

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739459822020.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Aaron Judge will be activated by the New York Yankees on Tuesday, when he is eligible to come off 10-day injured list. He hasn't played since July 25 because of a flexor strain in his right elbow. Judge hit off Yankees minor league pitchers at the team's complex in Tampa for the second day in a row Monday, then was in Texas for the series opener. Manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees lost 8-5 in 10 innings that the two-time AL MVP would be available Tuesday. If he plays in Texas, Boone says Judge will be the designated hitter.PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley has declined an invitation to join President Donald Trump's council on sports, fitness, and nutrition. The council is being revitalized under an executive order that also reestablishes the Presidential Fitness Test for American children. Barkley, a standout player for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, was on a list with other sports personalities. Barkley explained Monday that he declined due to a busy schedule. Trump reestablished the fitness test last week, a program that began in 1966 but was phased out during the Obama administration. Barkley recently won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Max Muncy from the injured list and put fellow infielder Tommy Edman on the list Monday. Muncy has been out since July 2, missing nearly five weeks with a bone bruise in his knee after a collision on a tag play during a game against the Chicago White Sox. The veteran slugger had been on a monthlong roll at the time of his injury, boosting his OPS to .832 with 13 homers and 55 RBIs. But just when Muncy is healthy enough to return, the NL West-leading Dodgers are losing Edman after he aggravated his injured right ankle.The NCAA has decided not to expand the men's and women's basketball tournaments beyond 68 teams in 2026. Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball, announced the decision. Discussions about possibly expanding to 72 or 76 teams for the 2027 tournaments remain ongoing. NCAA President Charlie Baker believes adding teams could enhance the tournament's value. He mentioned having productive talks with TV partners CBS and Warner Bros. Their current deal, valued at about $1.1 billion annually, runs through 2032.SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox has agreed to a four-year, $228 million contract extension, an AP source has confirmed. Fox has career averages of 21.5 points and 6.1 assists over eight NBA seasons. He is currently under contract for the final year of his five-year, $163 million deal. The extension starts in the 2026-27 season.Seattle's Cal Raleigh, known as "Big Dumper," has been a powerhouse this season, hitting 42 homers. Manager Dan Wilson praises his defensive skills as a catcher, highlighting his ability to lead the pitching staff. Raleigh's dual role as a slugger and catcher is impressive, especially as Seattle fights for a playoff spot. Despite the physical demands, Raleigh's focus and consistency have been key to his success. His achievements are part of a broader trend of increased offensive production from MLB catchers. Raleigh's performance stands out, earning admiration from fans and peers alike.SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have brought back Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator to revive their struggling defense. The team hopes he can recreate the success of 2019 when the defense helped them reach the Super Bowl. Saleh returns after being fired as head coach of the New York Jets. The 49ers aren't alone in making coaching changes. Detroit, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay have also replaced coordinators because of promotions or departures. Other teams such as Houston, Cincinnati, and Seattle have made changes to spark improvement. These moves could significantly impact which teams succeed in the upcoming season.This should be an exhilarating moment for college tennis. Wimbledon featured a record 26 current or former college players in men’s singles and nine more in the women’s draw. Yet this breakthrough is occurring as the threat of elimination faces numerous tennis programs. Division I schools dropping tennis programs since 2023 include Central Arkansas, Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood, Louisiana-Monroe, Radford, St. Francis College, San Francisco, Seattle and UTEP. Nearly two dozen men’s or women’s tennis programs were eliminated during the pandemic.PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane told The Associated Press that he isn’t sure how long the contract standoff with James Cook will last after the running back declined to participate in practice for a second straight day. Cook wore a white hat, red Bills pullover and blue shorts upon briefly entering the practice field, before ducking into a portable bathroom. He then left the field, exiting through the trainer’s tent and did not re-appear during the two-hour session. This marks the second day Cook has not participated in practice in the fourth-year player’s next step in escalating his bid to extend the final year of his contract.ATLANTA (AP) — Former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley has announced his 2026 Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in Georgia. He is running against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. Dooley is backed by Gov. Brian Kemp and on Monday joined a GOP field that includes U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter and Mike Collins. Kemp turned to Dooley after deciding not to run himself. Dooley has never held elective office and plans to run as a political outsider. He aims to bring "Georgia common sense" and work with President Donald Trump. Dooley's candidacy has already faced criticism for his lack of conservative credentials.FinalsINTERLEAGUE Final Houston 8 Miami 2 Final Philadelphia 13 Baltimore 3 Final Cleveland 7 N.Y. Mets 6 Final Toronto 15 Colorado 1AMERICAN LEAGUE Final Detroit 6 Minnesota 3 Final Boston 8 Kansas City 5 Final Texas&nbsp; 8 N.Y. Yankees 5 Final L.A. Angels 5 Tampa Bay 1NATIONAL LEAGUE Final Milwaukee 3 Atlanta 1 Final Pittsburgh 5 San Francisco 4 Final Cincinnati 3 Chicago Cubs 2 Final Arizona 6 San Diego 2 Final St. Louis 3 L.A. Dodgers 2