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The Rams’ late-season slip could have mammoth NFL consequences

The Rams’ late-season slip could have mammoth NFL consequences

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It wasn’t long ago that the Los Angeles Rams looked like the class of the NFL. On November 24th this team was sitting at 9-2, fresh off a blowout win against the Buccaneers, and holding a remaining schedule that made it appear like they were going to coast to the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Fast forward five weeks and things are now very, very different.

Not only are the Rams 2-3 in their last five games, but they’ve endured two embarassing losses at the hands of the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons. Injuries have played a role, especially with Davante Adams being sidelined — but that still shouldn’t take an elite team like Los Angeles and cast them into the doldrums. It’s unclear if the team took their foot off the gas too early, wanted to save their energy for the playoffs, or simply looked past their weak opponents to tougher competition, but the result is the same either way: The Rams are on the verge of costing themselves much of what they built this season.

The loss of the No. 1 seed

These flat performances have taken the Rams out of contention for the NFC West, as well as the No. 1 seed. Now they will have to play on Wild Card weekend, and travel throughout the playoffs. This is bad for two reasons: Firstly, it gives less time for Davante Adams to recover, who is pivotal to Los Angeles’ red zone passing game, and secondly there’s an inherent disadvantage for the Rams to travel across time zones to prep for games.

If the playoffs began today the Rams would travel to Chicago to face the Bears, rather than have the Packers come to Los Angeles. The Bears are one of the hottest teams in the division right now, while Green Bay has lost three straight.

Matthew Stafford’s MVP candidacy has taken a massive hit

The yards have continually racked up for Stafford, but so have the interceptions. Going back to that same Nov. 24 date he was sitting at 30 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, which was the biggest selling point for his resume against Drake Maye’s breakout year.

Now he’s thrown six interceptions in five games, taking his overall TD/INT ratio to 42/8. Obviously this is still a mammoth year, but Maye now sits at 30/8 with a much worse supporting cast on offense. What was once a runaway award, much like the Rams No. 1 seed chances, has now pulled back. There’s a very real case to be made for someone other than Stafford to win MVP.

Losing to the Falcons did major damage to their own draft pick

One of the best moves at the 2025 NFL Draft was the Rams trading away the No. 26 pick to the Falcons, who then selected James Pearce Jr. A win in Atlanta would have put that draft pick heading to L.A. at No. 8. Currently it’s at No. 12, with a very real chance the pick could end up as low as 20th.

What was once a chance to land a top quarterback to develop a succession plan has now evaporated. The Rams won’t be able to get a top passer without trading up, which seems highly unlikely. They needed that win in Atlanta in more ways than one.

The NFC South has bizarrely found a way to solve Puka Nacua

This is a big deal when it comes to a potential playoff game in the NFC South without Davante Adams. This season Nacua has nine games where he’s failed to reach 100 yards receiving, including all four games against the Rams’ NFC South opponents.

Nacua has averaged 77.75 yards per game against the NFC South, and 120 yards against non-NFC South opponents. Part of this is because the division all tends to run three-deep zone coverages designed to take away explosive plays, which drastically limits the Rams’ passing game.

This is something to watch, especially if the Rams manage to land the No. 5 seed where they will travel to face the winner of Panthers vs. Buccaneers.

There’s a tendency to look at each loss in isolation and say “well, they still have a good record.” This is partially true, but doesn’t tell the whole story. Teams now have five losses of film to look over and identify what beat the Rams, particularly on offense.

Los Angeles has been a team that soared due to the No. 1 scoring offense in the NFL, and the shared DNA in four of those five losses was an inability to hit their season scoring average. The only outlier was their loss to the Seahawks, in which their overtime touchdown prevented them from falling below the mark.

Sean McVay is one of the best coaches in the NFL, without question — but good coaches will be able to learn from the weaknesses shown in losses and capitalize in the playoffs.

The Rams are still really good … I think

This is a team indicative of the 2025 season. The second you think you found a good team, they find a way to make you eat your words. There’s still every reason to believe that Los Angeles is an elite team with the potential to win the Super Bowl, but there are major cracks showing.

Without Davante Adams the offense has taken a big step back, and the defense is faltering against sub-par competition. None of it makes sense, but one thing is certain: The Rams have done a lot of damage to themselves over the past five weeks, and the ramifications for 2025 and beyond are significant.

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Deadspin | Struggling Blue Jays look to salvage series finale vs. Rays Jul 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images The Tampa Bay Rays will go for a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday afternoon that also would give them a split on their eight-game road trip. The Rays, who opened the trip with four losses to the surging Boston Red Sox, won their third in a row against the Blue Jays with a 4-2 decision on Wednesday. The game turned on three unearned runs in the sixth inning started by center fielder Daulton Varsho’s error on a flyball by Yandy Diaz that bounced off the heel of his glove. The Rays are 8-1 this season against the Blue Jays, who fell 10 games below .500. Toronto sits last in the American Leagie East, 13 1/2 games behind the first-place Rays and 6 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. The Blue Jays have made six errors in the series, but their lack of hitting continues to be a problem and falls far short of making up for the sloppy play in the field. The Blue Jays have scored 10 runs in going 1-5 in the first six contests of their seven-game homestand. “We talk about it every day,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “We talk about it a lot. We talked about it today, at length, with the guys. It’s tough. It’s tough because we’re better and they’re better than what’s going on right now on the field.” Left-hander Ian Seymour (6-2, 4.79 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rays. He is 2-1 with a 5.02 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against Toronto He has four relief appearances versus the Blue Jays this season with a 4.50 ERA. Toronto will turn to right-hander Shane Bieber (1-1, 5.70), who is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA in seven career starts against the Rays. Victor Mesa Jr. had two RBI singles for the Rays on Wednesday and the speedy Chandler Simpson was again prominent going 1-for-2 with a single, a walk, a sacrifice fly and two stolen bases. Simpson was 4-for-5 with an RBI on Tuesday in Tampa Bay’s 12-2 win. “When Chandler’s going, the havoc he’s creating — he got two hits (Tuesday) night, traditional hits, and then two hits with a routine ground ball to short and a tweener — not many guys in baseball can get hits like that, but he can,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ve watched it all season long. He creates, like, a panic on defensive players, and really good ones. … Chandler hits it on the ground, and everybody’s having to move a lot faster than what they usually do.” Players like Simpson provide some needed support to the lineup of Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero. “It’s very key,” Simpson said. “The big three, as you’d call it, they’re amazing and they’ve been superheroes the whole time. So if 5-9 can just help out a little bit and get them up to the plate as much as possible, it would be good for us.” “I think that’s the biggest key of all,” Cash said. “Good offenses, they’re able to turn the lineup over.” The Blue Jays recalled outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo and put Jonatan Clase on the injured list with left plantar fasciitis. Pinango started in left field Wednesday and was 1-for-2 before being replaced for a pinch hitter. They also recalled right-hander CJ Van Eyk from Buffalo and optioned Lazaro Estrada to Triple-A. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Struggling #Blue #Jays #salvage #series #finale #RaysJul 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Rays will go for a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday afternoon that also would give them a split on their eight-game road trip.

The Rays, who opened the trip with four losses to the surging Boston Red Sox, won their third in a row against the Blue Jays with a 4-2 decision on Wednesday.

The game turned on three unearned runs in the sixth inning started by center fielder Daulton Varsho’s error on a flyball by Yandy Diaz that bounced off the heel of his glove.

The Rays are 8-1 this season against the Blue Jays, who fell 10 games below .500. Toronto sits last in the American Leagie East, 13 1/2 games behind the first-place Rays and 6 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.

The Blue Jays have made six errors in the series, but their lack of hitting continues to be a problem and falls far short of making up for the sloppy play in the field. The Blue Jays have scored 10 runs in going 1-5 in the first six contests of their seven-game homestand.

“We talk about it every day,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “We talk about it a lot. We talked about it today, at length, with the guys. It’s tough. It’s tough because we’re better and they’re better than what’s going on right now on the field.”

Left-hander Ian Seymour (6-2, 4.79 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rays. He is 2-1 with a 5.02 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against Toronto He has four relief appearances versus the Blue Jays this season with a 4.50 ERA.

Toronto will turn to right-hander Shane Bieber (1-1, 5.70), who is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA in seven career starts against the Rays.


Victor Mesa Jr. had two RBI singles for the Rays on Wednesday and the speedy Chandler Simpson was again prominent going 1-for-2 with a single, a walk, a sacrifice fly and two stolen bases.

Simpson was 4-for-5 with an RBI on Tuesday in Tampa Bay’s 12-2 win.

“When Chandler’s going, the havoc he’s creating — he got two hits (Tuesday) night, traditional hits, and then two hits with a routine ground ball to short and a tweener — not many guys in baseball can get hits like that, but he can,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ve watched it all season long. He creates, like, a panic on defensive players, and really good ones. … Chandler hits it on the ground, and everybody’s having to move a lot faster than what they usually do.”

Players like Simpson provide some needed support to the lineup of Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero.

“It’s very key,” Simpson said. “The big three, as you’d call it, they’re amazing and they’ve been superheroes the whole time. So if 5-9 can just help out a little bit and get them up to the plate as much as possible, it would be good for us.”

“I think that’s the biggest key of all,” Cash said. “Good offenses, they’re able to turn the lineup over.”

The Blue Jays recalled outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo and put Jonatan Clase on the injured list with left plantar fasciitis. Pinango started in left field Wednesday and was 1-for-2 before being replaced for a pinch hitter.

They also recalled right-hander CJ Van Eyk from Buffalo and optioned Lazaro Estrada to Triple-A.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Struggling #Blue #Jays #salvage #series #finale #Rays">Deadspin | Struggling Blue Jays look to salvage series finale vs. Rays Jul 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images The Tampa Bay Rays will go for a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday afternoon that also would give them a split on their eight-game road trip. The Rays, who opened the trip with four losses to the surging Boston Red Sox, won their third in a row against the Blue Jays with a 4-2 decision on Wednesday. The game turned on three unearned runs in the sixth inning started by center fielder Daulton Varsho’s error on a flyball by Yandy Diaz that bounced off the heel of his glove. The Rays are 8-1 this season against the Blue Jays, who fell 10 games below .500. Toronto sits last in the American Leagie East, 13 1/2 games behind the first-place Rays and 6 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. The Blue Jays have made six errors in the series, but their lack of hitting continues to be a problem and falls far short of making up for the sloppy play in the field. The Blue Jays have scored 10 runs in going 1-5 in the first six contests of their seven-game homestand. “We talk about it every day,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “We talk about it a lot. We talked about it today, at length, with the guys. It’s tough. It’s tough because we’re better and they’re better than what’s going on right now on the field.” Left-hander Ian Seymour (6-2, 4.79 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rays. He is 2-1 with a 5.02 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against Toronto He has four relief appearances versus the Blue Jays this season with a 4.50 ERA. Toronto will turn to right-hander Shane Bieber (1-1, 5.70), who is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA in seven career starts against the Rays. Victor Mesa Jr. had two RBI singles for the Rays on Wednesday and the speedy Chandler Simpson was again prominent going 1-for-2 with a single, a walk, a sacrifice fly and two stolen bases. Simpson was 4-for-5 with an RBI on Tuesday in Tampa Bay’s 12-2 win. “When Chandler’s going, the havoc he’s creating — he got two hits (Tuesday) night, traditional hits, and then two hits with a routine ground ball to short and a tweener — not many guys in baseball can get hits like that, but he can,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ve watched it all season long. He creates, like, a panic on defensive players, and really good ones. … Chandler hits it on the ground, and everybody’s having to move a lot faster than what they usually do.” Players like Simpson provide some needed support to the lineup of Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero. “It’s very key,” Simpson said. “The big three, as you’d call it, they’re amazing and they’ve been superheroes the whole time. So if 5-9 can just help out a little bit and get them up to the plate as much as possible, it would be good for us.” “I think that’s the biggest key of all,” Cash said. “Good offenses, they’re able to turn the lineup over.” The Blue Jays recalled outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo and put Jonatan Clase on the injured list with left plantar fasciitis. Pinango started in left field Wednesday and was 1-for-2 before being replaced for a pinch hitter. They also recalled right-hander CJ Van Eyk from Buffalo and optioned Lazaro Estrada to Triple-A. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Struggling #Blue #Jays #salvage #series #finale #Rays

#HISTORY #CHARGING #MOUND #EPISODE #LENNY #RANDLE">THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 6: LENNY RANDLE Hello! I’m Jon. When Alex and I were piecing together the script for “The History of the Seattle Mariners” way back in 2019, our short Lenny Randle segment went through a couple of revisions. Although he only spent a small fraction of his career in Seattle, Lenny established himself as a Mariners legend, and we had to rein ourselves in from writing an extensive tangent covering his entire story.It took us long enough, but six-plus years later, Lenny finally gets his own Secret Base video. Time and again, he found himself standing center stage during baseball’s oddest, most chaotic scenes. Sometimes he just happened to be there and passively observed the ruckus. Other times, he conjured it himself. Since “The History of Charging the Mound” is, above all else, a story about baseball chaos, it was inevitable that he’d find himself here.Hope you enjoy his story as much as I did. As always, if you want more from this series, or more special projects like this, and get them as soon as they’re ready – check out Secret Base on Patreon. If you’re a member over there, then you would’ve gotten to see an uncensored butt in this video. Best sales pitch we’ve got. #HISTORY #CHARGING #MOUND #EPISODE #LENNY #RANDLE

#HISTORY #CHARGING #MOUND #EPISODE #LENNY #RANDLE">THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 6: LENNY RANDLE

Hello! I’m Jon. When Alex and I were piecing together the script for “The History of the Seattle Mariners” way back in 2019, our short Lenny Randle segment went through a couple of revisions. Although he only spent a small fraction of his career in Seattle, Lenny established himself as a Mariners legend, and we had to rein ourselves in from writing an extensive tangent covering his entire story.

It took us long enough, but six-plus years later, Lenny finally gets his own Secret Base video. Time and again, he found himself standing center stage during baseball’s oddest, most chaotic scenes. Sometimes he just happened to be there and passively observed the ruckus. Other times, he conjured it himself. Since “The History of Charging the Mound” is, above all else, a story about baseball chaos, it was inevitable that he’d find himself here.

Hope you enjoy his story as much as I did. As always, if you want more from this series, or more special projects like this, and get them as soon as they’re ready – check out Secret Base on Patreon. If you’re a member over there, then you would’ve gotten to see an uncensored butt in this video. Best sales pitch we’ve got.

#HISTORY #CHARGING #MOUND #EPISODE #LENNY #RANDLE

The formation of the much-awaited National Sports Board (NSB) will take more time as the Sports Ministry extended the deadline for submission of applications for the selection of its chairman and members by 15 days to August 6, 2026.

The original deadline for submission of applications expired on Wednesday.

“It is hereby informed that the last date for submission of online applications has been extended by 15 days’ ie., from 22.06.2026 to 06.08.2026 (up to 20:00 Hrs.),” the ministry circular stated.

The appointments in the National Sports Board will be made on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee headed by cabinet secretary T. V. Somanathan.

ALSO READ | CWG 2026 preview: Can the Reimagined Games envision a new future for India’s stars?

Olympic bronze-winning former shooter Gagan Narang and weightlifting great N. Kunjarani Devi are also in the five-member committee. The other members are Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) Executive Council member Lt. General (Retd) Harpal Singh.

The candidates would be required to be “from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing, having knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields.” In addition to granting affiliation, the National Sports Board will maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel and a register of affiliate units of the National Sports Bodies.

The Board has also been empowered to specify model guidelines or regulations on sports governance. An age cap of 65 has been set for its members.

The NSB is being formed under the National Sports Governance Act that was passed in August last year.

Deadline for NST applications extended again

The deadline for applications for appointments to the National Sports Tribunal has been extended for a second time. Originally set at June 18, the deadline was extended till July 18 the first time and has once again been revised to July 25 now.

The selection process will be carried out by a search-cum-selection committee headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Supreme Court judge, designated by the CJI.

It will also include the Sports Secretary and the Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

“The Committee will scrutinise applications and assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the position. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for personal interaction,” the ministry stated.

ALSO READ | CWG 2026 full schedule: List of sports, Glasgow 2026 venues, Commonwealth Games events start time in IST

The final recommendation for appointment will be made on the basis of overall evaluation of candidates, taking into account their qualifications, experience, and performance during the personal interaction.

Once in operation, the Tribunal’s orders would only be challengeable in the Supreme Court.

If the appointed Chairperson or member of the Tribunal is a serving judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court, “he shall either resign or obtain voluntary retirement from his parent service before joining the Tribunal.” According to the Sports Ministry, over 350 cases are currently in progress in various courts of the country over issues ranging from selection to election, significantly hampering the progress of athletes and NSFs.

The setting up of a National Sports Tribunal promises to end this for good as it would have “all the powers of a civil court.”

Published on Jul 23, 2026

#delay #National #Sports #Board #formation #Sports #Ministry #extends #deadline #applications">More delay in National Sports Board formation, Sports Ministry extends deadline for applications The formation of the much-awaited National Sports Board (NSB) will take more time as the Sports Ministry extended the deadline for submission of applications for the selection of its chairman and members by 15 days to August 6, 2026.The original deadline for submission of applications expired on Wednesday.“It is hereby informed that the last date for submission of online applications has been extended by 15 days’ ie., from 22.06.2026 to 06.08.2026 (up to 20:00 Hrs.),” the ministry circular stated.The appointments in the National Sports Board will be made on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee headed by cabinet secretary T. V. Somanathan.ALSO READ | CWG 2026 preview: Can the Reimagined Games envision a new future for India’s stars?Olympic bronze-winning former shooter Gagan Narang and weightlifting great N. Kunjarani Devi are also in the five-member committee. The other members are Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) Executive Council member Lt. General (Retd) Harpal Singh.The candidates would be required to be “from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing, having knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields.” In addition to granting affiliation, the National Sports Board will maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel and a register of affiliate units of the National Sports Bodies.The Board has also been empowered to specify model guidelines or regulations on sports governance. An age cap of 65 has been set for its members.The NSB is being formed under the National Sports Governance Act that was passed in August last year.Deadline for NST applications extended againThe deadline for applications for appointments to the National Sports Tribunal has been extended for a second time. Originally set at June 18, the deadline was extended till July 18 the first time and has once again been revised to July 25 now.The selection process will be carried out by a search-cum-selection committee headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Supreme Court judge, designated by the CJI.It will also include the Sports Secretary and the Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice.“The Committee will scrutinise applications and assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the position. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for personal interaction,” the ministry stated.ALSO READ | CWG 2026 full schedule: List of sports, Glasgow 2026 venues, Commonwealth Games events start time in ISTThe final recommendation for appointment will be made on the basis of overall evaluation of candidates, taking into account their qualifications, experience, and performance during the personal interaction.Once in operation, the Tribunal’s orders would only be challengeable in the Supreme Court.If the appointed Chairperson or member of the Tribunal is a serving judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court, “he shall either resign or obtain voluntary retirement from his parent service before joining the Tribunal.” According to the Sports Ministry, over 350 cases are currently in progress in various courts of the country over issues ranging from selection to election, significantly hampering the progress of athletes and NSFs.The setting up of a National Sports Tribunal promises to end this for good as it would have “all the powers of a civil court.”Published on Jul 23, 2026 #delay #National #Sports #Board #formation #Sports #Ministry #extends #deadline #applications

CWG 2026 preview: Can the Reimagined Games envision a new future for India’s stars?

Olympic bronze-winning former shooter Gagan Narang and weightlifting great N. Kunjarani Devi are also in the five-member committee. The other members are Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) Executive Council member Lt. General (Retd) Harpal Singh.

The candidates would be required to be “from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing, having knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields.” In addition to granting affiliation, the National Sports Board will maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel and a register of affiliate units of the National Sports Bodies.

The Board has also been empowered to specify model guidelines or regulations on sports governance. An age cap of 65 has been set for its members.

The NSB is being formed under the National Sports Governance Act that was passed in August last year.

Deadline for NST applications extended again

The deadline for applications for appointments to the National Sports Tribunal has been extended for a second time. Originally set at June 18, the deadline was extended till July 18 the first time and has once again been revised to July 25 now.

The selection process will be carried out by a search-cum-selection committee headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Supreme Court judge, designated by the CJI.

It will also include the Sports Secretary and the Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

“The Committee will scrutinise applications and assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the position. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for personal interaction,” the ministry stated.

ALSO READ | CWG 2026 full schedule: List of sports, Glasgow 2026 venues, Commonwealth Games events start time in IST

The final recommendation for appointment will be made on the basis of overall evaluation of candidates, taking into account their qualifications, experience, and performance during the personal interaction.

Once in operation, the Tribunal’s orders would only be challengeable in the Supreme Court.

If the appointed Chairperson or member of the Tribunal is a serving judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court, “he shall either resign or obtain voluntary retirement from his parent service before joining the Tribunal.” According to the Sports Ministry, over 350 cases are currently in progress in various courts of the country over issues ranging from selection to election, significantly hampering the progress of athletes and NSFs.

The setting up of a National Sports Tribunal promises to end this for good as it would have “all the powers of a civil court.”

Published on Jul 23, 2026

#delay #National #Sports #Board #formation #Sports #Ministry #extends #deadline #applications">More delay in National Sports Board formation, Sports Ministry extends deadline for applications

The formation of the much-awaited National Sports Board (NSB) will take more time as the Sports Ministry extended the deadline for submission of applications for the selection of its chairman and members by 15 days to August 6, 2026.

The original deadline for submission of applications expired on Wednesday.

“It is hereby informed that the last date for submission of online applications has been extended by 15 days’ ie., from 22.06.2026 to 06.08.2026 (up to 20:00 Hrs.),” the ministry circular stated.

The appointments in the National Sports Board will be made on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee headed by cabinet secretary T. V. Somanathan.

ALSO READ | CWG 2026 preview: Can the Reimagined Games envision a new future for India’s stars?

Olympic bronze-winning former shooter Gagan Narang and weightlifting great N. Kunjarani Devi are also in the five-member committee. The other members are Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) Executive Council member Lt. General (Retd) Harpal Singh.

The candidates would be required to be “from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing, having knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields.” In addition to granting affiliation, the National Sports Board will maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel and a register of affiliate units of the National Sports Bodies.

The Board has also been empowered to specify model guidelines or regulations on sports governance. An age cap of 65 has been set for its members.

The NSB is being formed under the National Sports Governance Act that was passed in August last year.

Deadline for NST applications extended again

The deadline for applications for appointments to the National Sports Tribunal has been extended for a second time. Originally set at June 18, the deadline was extended till July 18 the first time and has once again been revised to July 25 now.

The selection process will be carried out by a search-cum-selection committee headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Supreme Court judge, designated by the CJI.

It will also include the Sports Secretary and the Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

“The Committee will scrutinise applications and assess candidates based on their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the position. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for personal interaction,” the ministry stated.

ALSO READ | CWG 2026 full schedule: List of sports, Glasgow 2026 venues, Commonwealth Games events start time in IST

The final recommendation for appointment will be made on the basis of overall evaluation of candidates, taking into account their qualifications, experience, and performance during the personal interaction.

Once in operation, the Tribunal’s orders would only be challengeable in the Supreme Court.

If the appointed Chairperson or member of the Tribunal is a serving judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court, “he shall either resign or obtain voluntary retirement from his parent service before joining the Tribunal.” According to the Sports Ministry, over 350 cases are currently in progress in various courts of the country over issues ranging from selection to election, significantly hampering the progress of athletes and NSFs.

The setting up of a National Sports Tribunal promises to end this for good as it would have “all the powers of a civil court.”

Published on Jul 23, 2026

#delay #National #Sports #Board #formation #Sports #Ministry #extends #deadline #applications

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