LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold for the second time in a year, going to businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record-breaking price. This sale agreement is $12.5 billion, according to a person familiar with the terms who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because neither side revealed specific details. ESPN first reported Wednesday that Kushner and Iger are buying the NBA’s most valuable franchise. The businessmen had been involved in trying to get an expansion team for Las Vegas. By buying the Lakers, Iger and Kushner simply don’t have to wait for that decision. Expansion might not take place until the 2028-29 season.
The WNBA is criticizing those trying to create a narrative about transgender women playing in the league. The league's anti-hate task force, which was formed last year, met virtually on Wednesday. A league spokesperson says “there are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the league.” The spokesperson also says the league opposes “bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.” The league's collective bargaining agreement says only women are eligible to play in the WNBA, without specifics. Last week, two former NBA players said they wanted to enter the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Russell Westbrook, the NBA’s career leader in triple-doubles and the 2017 MVP, announced Wednesday he’s retiring after 18 seasons during which he was selected to the league’s 75th anniversary team. The two-time scoring champion shared his decision on social media in a post featuring a video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan where the guard never says a word. Westbrook was the No. 4 pick in 2008 out of UCLA by the Seattle SuperSonics, just before they moved to Oklahoma City. He played his first 11 seasons with the Thunder and spent this past season with the Sacramento Kings.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Travis Kelce calls training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs his “sanctuary.” That refuge is especially welcome after his recent star-studded wedding to Taylor Swift at Madison Square Garden. The event tying together the famous tight end and even more famous pop star featured celebrities like Adam Sandler, Stevie Nicks and Tom Brady. Kelce has also been busy with business ventures, including buying a stake in the Cleveland Guardians. Despite contemplating retirement after last season, Kelce is determined to prove he can still perform at a high level. He remains focused on preparing for what many believe could be his final year in the NFL.
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson will start Cleveland’s exhibition opener at Chicago on Saturday. It will be the quarterback's first game action since 2024 due to injuries. Watson is competing with Shedeur Sanders to be the Browns' full-time starter. First-year coach Todd Monken informed the QBs of his plans following Wednesday’s practice. The QBs have been battling throughout training camp with every throw, incompletion and interception being scrutinized by media and fans. Monken intends to play his starter for the first half against the Bears. The second QB will play the third quarter. The roles will be flipped against Buffalo on Aug. 22.
PHOENIX (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has participated in a study at Boston University to find ways to diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy in living individuals. The degenerative brain disease linked to head trauma currently can only be diagnosed after death. Hasselbeck, who played in the NFL for 17 years, hopes his involvement will aid researchers in finding ways to diagnose CTE accurately. Michael Alosco leads the study, which seeks participants who played football or have Alzheimer’s disease. The research aims to distinguish CTE from Alzheimer’s and develop diagnostic markers. Hasselbeck’s participation highlights changing attitudes towards head injuries in football.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has one regret about starting his final NFL season with an exhibition game against the team that drafted him. He would have preferred Thursday’s matchup with the Packers take place in Green Bay rather than Pittsburgh. Rodgers wanted to have one final moment in the place where he spent his first 18 seasons and won four MVP awards and a Super Bowl. Rodgers has announced that he will retire after this season. There's no indication whether Rodgers will play Thursday.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A representative for Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has told LSU it can no longer use the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner’s name, image and likeness. ESPN got a copy of the letter that was sent to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry and said Daniels’ decision stems from the school’s decision to allow cornerback D.J. Pickett to wear a No. 5 jersey. That’s the number Daniels wore during his two seasons at LSU. This would mark the first time an LSU player has worn No. 5 since Daniels’ departure. The school hadn't retired the jersey.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Freddie Freeman apparently avoided serious injury when the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman took a frightening tumble down the stairs and into the visitors’ dugout as he tried to catch a foul popup in the eighth inning Wednesday night. Freeman isn’t sure whether he’ll play when the Dodgers begin an important four-game series with the MLB-leading Brewers on Thursday, but he’s grateful his freefall to the dugout floor wasn’t much worse. Freeman stayed in the game and finished the top of the eighth, but Tommy Edman pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the inning before Los Angeles closed out a 4-2 victory, its fourth in five games.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new AP-Ipsos poll finds Americans overwhelmingly see major benefits to children playing organized sports, but higher-income families are more likely to participate. Learning teamwork and reducing screen time are among the perceived benefits of youth sports. About half of U.S. parents with K-12 school-aged children say their kids play a structured sport, but participation is more common among higher-income parents. About two-thirds of K-12 parents with at least one child playing sports estimate spending up to $2,000 annually on equipment, fees, training and travel for youth athletics.
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final Houston 2 San Francisco 1
Final Chicago White Sox 5 Cincinnati 0
Final L.A. Dodgers 4 Kansas City 2
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Minnesota 7 Baltimore 5
Final Tampa Bay 8 Athletics 4
Final Cleveland 6 Detroit 4
Final Toronto 6 Boston 4
Final N.Y. Yankees 10 Seattle 5
Final L.A. Angels 5 Texas 2
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final St. Louis 7 Philadelphia 1
Final Colorado 6 Arizona 4
Final San Diego 4 Milwaukee 3
Final Miami 8 Pittsburgh 2
Final Atlanta 6 N.Y. Mets 3
Final Chicago Cubs 12 Washington 6