Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Carnell Tate embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans as the number four pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Viewership of the 2026 NFL Draft dropped 12% year-over-year with an average of 6.6 million viewers across all networks for the three-day event, according to Front Office Sports.
Despite the drop from 2025’s three-day average of 7.5 million viewers, the 2026 version was the third-most-watched draft since 2010 when the league adopted a three-day format. The 2026 draft was broadcast on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network as well as on streaming services.
The 2020 draft, held virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, has the record with 8.4 million viewers.
Ratings for the first round of the draft last Thursday were down 3% from 2025, with 13.2 million fans tuning in compared to 13.6 million last year.
While fewer people watched on TV, the event set a record for in-person attendance with a three-day total of 805,000 people on hand to watch in Pittsburgh. The previous in-person record was 775,000 set in Detroit in 2024.
#Batters #dont #respect #bowlers #anymore #Muralitharan #SRHs #easy #chase">‘Batters don’t respect bowlers anymore’, says Muralitharan on SRH’s easy chase vs MI
Sunrisers Hyderabad continued to thrive in the high-scoring landscape of IPL 2026, chasing down a daunting total with authority, as assistant coach Muttiah Muralitharan pointed to a dramatic shift in batting approach across teams.
SRH successfully hunted down a target of over 200 with composure, powered by a blazing start in the powerplay and sustained aggression through the middle overs. Its openers laid the perfect platform, racing to nearly 80 in the first six overs — a trend that has become increasingly common this season — before the middle order ensured there were no late hiccups in the chase.
Reflecting on the game and the broader trend, Muralitharan admitted that bowlers are finding it tougher than ever to contain batters in the modern T20 setup.
“It is very difficult for a bowler nowadays. Every team’s openers don’t fear losing wickets. The average score has now gone up from 40 for one to eighty in six overs, that’s why the scores are going beyond 200,” he said in the post-match press conference.
SRH’s chase was calculated from the outset, with the team backing its knowledge of conditions. “We knew how the wicket would play, and chasing would be easy,” Muralitharan added, highlighting the clarity in the side’s approach.
The Sri Lankan legend also underlined the fearless mindset of contemporary batters, noting that reputation no longer guarantees restraint. “The batters are in top form, and they don’t respect any bowler, even if it is someone like Bumrah,” he remarked.
With another clinical chase under its belt, SRH reinforced its reputation as one of the most dangerous batting units this season — a side perfectly in tune with the evolving, high-risk, high-reward nature of T20 cricket.
#Deadspin #Brewers #place #LHP #Angel #Zerpa #forearm #15day #injured #list">Deadspin | Brewers place LHP Angel Zerpa (forearm) on 15-day injured list
Apr 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Angel Zerpa (61) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Brewers placed left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa on the 15-day injured list with left forearm tightness on Wednesday.
The move was retroactive to Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the Brewers called up left-hander Brian Fitzpatrick from Triple-A Nashville.
Zerpa, acquired in an offseason trade with Kansas City, was 0-2 with two saves, a 6.39 ERA, six walks and eight strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings over 12 appearances with Milwaukee.
“This looks like it could be serious. He’s not going to be back any time soon,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said before Wednesday’s game against Arizona. “Big blow, but we’re kind of used to that.”
Zerpa, 26, last pitched on Monday, giving up three runs, one hit and one walk with one strikeout in 2/3 of an inning in taking a 6-3 loss in 10 innings to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.
The native of Venezuela is 12-9 in his career with two saves, a 4.13 ERA, 59 walks and 158 strikeouts in 189 2/3 innings over 160 regular-season games (eight starts) with Kansas City (2021-25) and Milwaukee. He also was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in five playoff appearances with the Royals in 2024.
Fitzpatrick was 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA, two walks and 11 strikeouts in 10 relief appearances with Nashville. The 6-foot-7 pitcher allowed two runs, but none earned, in 10 1/3 innings. Fitzpatrick, 25, has never pitched in the majors.
The Brewers also announced that outfielder Luis Matos has cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Sounds. Matos, 24, hit .200 (4-for-20) in nine games in his first season with Milwaukee after parts of three seasons with the San Francisco Giants (2023-25).
Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland Cavaliers to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for the Cavaliers. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.
RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.
Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland Cavaliers to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for the Cavaliers. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.
RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.
Published on Apr 30, 2026
#NBA #Playoffs #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins">NBA Playoffs: Rockets, Pistons stay alive with Game 5 wins
Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into its first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best- of-seven Western Conference series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.
The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.
Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for his side, which will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).
Pistons 116, Magic 109
Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as top-seeded Detroit Pistons stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.
The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Magic. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.
45 POINTS FOR CADE.
45 POINTS FOR PAOLO.
2nd time EVER two opponents have dropped 45 in a postseason game… Pistons keep their season alive in an ALL-TIME battle between the 2021 and 2022 No. 1 picks 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BvRX27ZP8S
Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland Cavaliers to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for the Cavaliers. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.
RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.
#Deadspin #Hunter #Goodman #homers #Rockies #power #Reds">Deadspin | Hunter Goodman homers twice as Rockies power past Reds
Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) gestures after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning of the MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Hunter Goodman went 3-for-4 with two homers, three RBIs and four runs as the visiting Colorado Rockies cooled off the Cincinnati Reds with a 13-2 win on Wednesday.
Brett Sullivan doubled twice among his three hits and had three RBIs for Colorado, which out-hit the Reds 15-10 and bounced back from a 7-2 loss in the opener of the three-game series on Tuesday.
The Rockies led 8-0 before adding five runs in the ninth against position player Jose Trevino.
Will Benson hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth for Cincinnati, which had won eight of its previous 10 games.
Brenton Doyle, TJ Rumfield and Willi Castro each had two hits and Ezequiel Tovar singled in two runs to help the Rockies win for the fourth time in their past five games.
Rockies starter Tomoyuki Sugano (3-1) allowed four hits and three walks while striking out two over 5 1/3 scoreless innings.
Colorado claimed a 3-0 lead in the first inning against Brandon Williamson (2-3) after Doyle doubled with one out and moved to third on Rumfield’s groundout. Williamson issued back-to-back walks to load the bases, and Sullivan followed with a three-run double to right field.
The Rockies tacked on another run in the third when Doyle drew a leadoff walk, Rumfield singled, and Castro doubled in a run with one out.
Williamson allowed four runs on four hits over three innings. He walked four and struck out four.
Luis Mey replaced Williamson and pitched a scoreless fourth inning before giving up Goodman’s solo homer with one out in the fifth.
Colorado extended its lead with three runs on four hits in the seventh. Rumfield lined a one-out double in front of Goodman, who turned on a 1-0 fastball for a 415-foot homer to left.
Castro followed with a single and moved to third on Sullivan’s double before scoring on Kyle Karros’ sacrifice fly.
Trevino pitched for the Reds in the ninth and allowed five runs on six hits, including Tovar’s two-run single. Mickey Moniak followed with an RBI double, and a run scored on Jordan Beck’s groundout before Doyle singled in a run.
#FIFA #President #Infantinos #request #police #escort #denied #Canadian #police">FIFA President Infantino’s request for police escort denied by Canadian police
A request for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to give be given a police escort while in Vancouver, British Columbia, for FIFA meetings has been denied, the Vancouver Police Department confirmed on Wednesday.
“Formal motorcades where traffic is stopped are reserved for heads of state,” Deputy Chief Don Chapman said in a statement.
“As the FIFA executive do not meet Internationally Protected Person (IPP) standards that would warrant such an escort (closing roads, intersections, not adhering to traffic devices, etc.), the request was declined,” Chapman said.
FIFA did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Football’s governing body is holding meetings this week in Vancouver, one of the 16 sites of World Cup matches in a tournament co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
FIFA’s Congress, a meeting of representatives from all its members, is scheduled for Thursday.
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Carnell Tate embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans as the number four pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images 
