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Deadspin | Kyle Higashioka’s homer helps Rangers extend Mariners’ skid Apr 7, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas. Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks. George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the last seven games. The Mariners took a quick lead against Eovaldi, who was seeking his first win and first effective start of the season as he entered with an 11.42 ERA. Eovaldi reached 1,500 career strikeouts when he got Josh Naylor swinging to end the top of the first inning but not before serving up a first-pitch leadoff home run to Seattle’s Brendan Donovan to begin the game. The Mariners went up 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning on a two-out rally. A Cole Young single, Eovaldi wild pitch and Cal Raleigh’s RBI single had the Mariners up two with Kirby and his 8-0 career record against the Rangers on the mound. But the Rangers were able to get to Kirby in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back singles for Joc Pederson and Evan Carter — with a throwing error from Donovan on the first — made it 2-1. Higashioka drilled a Kirby fastball into the seats in left field to give Texas the lead for good with a two-run homer. Kirby (1-2) needed just 90 pitches to get through eight innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts. The Rangers got two scoreless innings of relief from left-hander Jacob Latz, who has not given up a run in five appearances this season. Jakob Junis allowed back-to-back singles to open the ninth inning, but got the next three hitters in order for his second save in as many nights. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kyle #Higashiokas #homer #helps #Rangers #extend #Mariners #skid

Deadspin | Kyle Higashioka’s homer helps Rangers extend Mariners’ skid
Deadspin | Kyle Higashioka’s homer helps Rangers extend Mariners’ skid Apr 7, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas. Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks. George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the last seven games. The Mariners took a quick lead against Eovaldi, who was seeking his first win and first effective start of the season as he entered with an 11.42 ERA. Eovaldi reached 1,500 career strikeouts when he got Josh Naylor swinging to end the top of the first inning but not before serving up a first-pitch leadoff home run to Seattle’s Brendan Donovan to begin the game. The Mariners went up 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning on a two-out rally. A Cole Young single, Eovaldi wild pitch and Cal Raleigh’s RBI single had the Mariners up two with Kirby and his 8-0 career record against the Rangers on the mound. But the Rangers were able to get to Kirby in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back singles for Joc Pederson and Evan Carter — with a throwing error from Donovan on the first — made it 2-1. Higashioka drilled a Kirby fastball into the seats in left field to give Texas the lead for good with a two-run homer. Kirby (1-2) needed just 90 pitches to get through eight innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts. The Rangers got two scoreless innings of relief from left-hander Jacob Latz, who has not given up a run in five appearances this season. Jakob Junis allowed back-to-back singles to open the ninth inning, but got the next three hitters in order for his second save in as many nights. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kyle #Higashiokas #homer #helps #Rangers #extend #Mariners #skidApr 7, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas.

Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks.

George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the last seven games.

The Mariners took a quick lead against Eovaldi, who was seeking his first win and first effective start of the season as he entered with an 11.42 ERA.

Eovaldi reached 1,500 career strikeouts when he got Josh Naylor swinging to end the top of the first inning but not before serving up a first-pitch leadoff home run to Seattle’s Brendan Donovan to begin the game.


The Mariners went up 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning on a two-out rally. A Cole Young single, Eovaldi wild pitch and Cal Raleigh’s RBI single had the Mariners up two with Kirby and his 8-0 career record against the Rangers on the mound.

But the Rangers were able to get to Kirby in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back singles for Joc Pederson and Evan Carter — with a throwing error from Donovan on the first — made it 2-1. Higashioka drilled a Kirby fastball into the seats in left field to give Texas the lead for good with a two-run homer.

Kirby (1-2) needed just 90 pitches to get through eight innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts.

The Rangers got two scoreless innings of relief from left-hander Jacob Latz, who has not given up a run in five appearances this season.

Jakob Junis allowed back-to-back singles to open the ninth inning, but got the next three hitters in order for his second save in as many nights.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Kyle #Higashiokas #homer #helps #Rangers #extend #Mariners #skid

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Apr 7, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas.

Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks.

George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the last seven games.

The Mariners took a quick lead against Eovaldi, who was seeking his first win and first effective start of the season as he entered with an 11.42 ERA.

Eovaldi reached 1,500 career strikeouts when he got Josh Naylor swinging to end the top of the first inning but not before serving up a first-pitch leadoff home run to Seattle’s Brendan Donovan to begin the game.

The Mariners went up 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning on a two-out rally. A Cole Young single, Eovaldi wild pitch and Cal Raleigh’s RBI single had the Mariners up two with Kirby and his 8-0 career record against the Rangers on the mound.

But the Rangers were able to get to Kirby in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back singles for Joc Pederson and Evan Carter — with a throwing error from Donovan on the first — made it 2-1. Higashioka drilled a Kirby fastball into the seats in left field to give Texas the lead for good with a two-run homer.

Kirby (1-2) needed just 90 pitches to get through eight innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts.

The Rangers got two scoreless innings of relief from left-hander Jacob Latz, who has not given up a run in five appearances this season.

Jakob Junis allowed back-to-back singles to open the ninth inning, but got the next three hitters in order for his second save in as many nights.

–Field Level Media

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IPL Valuations Surge: What It Reveals About Indian Sport’s Imbalance <div id="content-body-70836947" itemprop="articleBody"><p>There is a moment in every boom when the numbers stop feeling real.</p><p>When Royal Challengers Bengaluru commands a sale price of USD 1.78 billion and Rajasthan Royals follows at USD 1.63 billion, it is tempting to read this as the triumph of Indian sport. It is, in truth, the triumph of one sport and an indictment of the rest.</p><p>In India, cricket is no longer merely leading the pack; it has lapped every other sport in the country.</p><p>The Indian Premier League is not a league in the conventional sense. It is a tightly held, 74-match property, compressed into a two-and-a-half-month window to engineer maximum yield. Its economic engine is calibrated and controlled: centralised media rights, franchise permanence, revenue sharing, all designed to compound value, season after season.</p><p>But to credit the IPL alone is to mistake the fruit for the tree.</p><p>Its extraordinary valuation rests on foundations laid long before April 18, 2008, when Brendon McCullum unleashed bedlam in Bengaluru. Beneath the spectacle lies a domestic system that stages over 2,000 matches a year, giving the league the depth it leans on. Without it, the IPL would be hollow.</p><p>No other sport in India has built that base.</p><p>Football comes closest in ambition. The All India Football Federation conducts roughly 1,800 matches across 22 national tournaments. The Indian Super League arrived in 2014 with money, momentum and a touch of glamour, with names like Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Carlos and David Trezeguet briefly turning Indian stadiums into something resembling a global stage. But without promotion, relegation or a coherent calendar, it drifted, uncertain of an identity to build or sustain.</p><p>The Hockey India League flickered. The Pro Kabaddi League, once a television disruptor, now carries the fatigue of repetition, its novelty worn thin without a deeper sporting ecosystem to support its growth.</p><p>While others chased the IPL’s visibility, they missed the harder, slower work that makes such visibility durable.</p><p>This is where a comparison with the United States sharpens the contrast. In the US, sporting success is diversified, with the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL operating as self-sustaining, deeply rooted systems. Talent advances through collegiate pathways, revenues are equitably distributed, and calendars are respected, each league playing its part in a wider sporting economy.</p><p>India, for now, has built excellence in isolation. The spectacle has been replicated in parts, but not the system.</p><p>And so Indian sport sits at an inflection point. Cricket’s rise has not come at the cost of others, but its dominance has exposed their structural fragility.</p><p>The money has arrived. The system, beyond cricket, remains a work in progress.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 08, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Valuations #Surge #Reveals #Indian #Sports #Imbalance

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In an age of hurry, Sai Sudharsan keeps his own time <div id="content-body-70836961" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Unlike most of his contemporaries, B. Sai Sudharsan employs a bat-down technique. He awaits the bowler in his crease with the bottom edge of the bat resting on the ground.</p><p>He raises his bat to load his shot only when the bowler reaches the popping crease, adjusting the extent of his backswing based on his reading of length and shot choice.</p><p>It is a batting style from a bygone era, one that makes the process seem tougher than it should be. For Sai Sudharsan, it is a habit born of childhood frailty, one he has considered changing but ultimately retained.</p><p>“I started playing by keeping my bat down when I was young,” explains Sai Sudharsan in an interview with <i>Sportstar</i>.</p><p>“The main reason at the time was that I was not very strong. My coaches would say, ‘You’re not so strong. So, don’t lift your bat. Otherwise, you’ll get tired soon. Just keep your bat down.’ That’s how I started.”</p><p>“But it is helping me. Yes, I had some temptations in between to change it. But I think I had more trust in this. The way I batted, the set-up I have, I trusted this more,” he added.</p><p>The 24-year-old’s faith in his natural style has brought rich rewards, most notably the Orange Cap in IPL 2025, when he accumulated 759 runs at an impressive strike rate of 156.17 for Gujarat Titans.</p><p>That massive haul was the punctuation mark on an upward trajectory that has defined his IPL career: 145 runs in 2022, 362 in 2023, and 527 in 2024.</p><p>At the heart of his progression has been a willingness to adapt by adding new shots to his repertoire, particularly behind square. The southpaw has integrated a variety of ramps and scoops into his strokeplay as he has expanded his run-scoring methods.</p><p>This evolution has been the result of conscious planning and focused off-season training, driven by a desire to add new tools without unsettling his batting foundation.</p><p>“I definitely do it [prepare for such shots] beforehand. The way the sport is going, we need multiple options against the bowler. Without disturbing my strengths, how can I still improve my range? That is the thought process. It takes time to develop a new shot, but I think I’ve done a very good job.”</p><p>While Sai Sudharsan has impressed individually, it is his opening partnership with skipper Shubman Gill that has underpinned Gujarat Titans’ team plan.</p><p>Over the last two seasons, the pair has aggregated a league-leading 1453 runs at an average of 63.17. With an emphasis on accumulation and risk minimisation, the two are expected to provide a stable base for the middle order to capitalise on.</p><p>Sai Sudharsan believes this is a perfect alignment of team strategy and individual strengths.</p><p>“I think it was in unison, where our strengths aligned with what the team required. The team requirement was also very similar. We focus more on taking the game deeper and winning it from there,” he says.</p><p>In addition to his appetite for runs, the Tamil Nadu batter is known for his quirky preparation routines. During the England Test series in 2025, he was spotted jotting in his journal before walking out to bat and engaging in visualisation exercises. This is in addition to his habit of not batting on the eve of a game and assessing the pitch by walking on it barefoot.</p><p>It would be easy to label these as superstitions and dismiss them. But in a high-pressure environment like competitive sport, such forms of pattern-building are essential for performance, he believes.</p><p>“Most sportsmen do it. It’s a feel-good thing. Whatever you do, even practice, it’s about making you feel good and confident. So, whatever helps us feel that way is good. There is a reason for me to do these things — to be in a good headspace and be expressive and natural when I step onto the ground.”</p><p>Sai Sudharsan also admits that he has toned down his routines, sticking only to pragmatic ones.</p><p>“I used to have a lot of superstitions, but over time I have reduced them and made everything more practical and logical. Sometimes I would eat the same food — it could be ice cream or biryani. If the game went well, I would repeat it for 14 games. I have done that before, but now I have taken it out of my system. It’s just an example,” he says.</p><p>The left-hander was last in action in national colours against South Africa in a home Test series, where India suffered a 2-0 defeat.</p><p>Sai Sudharsan featured only in the second Test in Guwahati and managed just 29 runs across both innings. It was a failure that prompted serious introspection.</p><p>“I had so much anger towards myself that I was not able to execute when the team needed it. But once the series finished, I understood that I need to work more, be better prepared, and be ready when the situation comes again. That was the biggest thing on my mind.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 08, 2026</p></div> #age #hurry #Sai #Sudharsan #time

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Deadspin | Cam Schlittler dazzles again as Yankees hold off Rangers Apr 28, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Cam Schlittler pitched six stellar innings to best Jacob deGrom and Aaron Judge homered for the third straight game as the visiting New York Yankees hung on for a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas. The Yankees won for the 10th time in 11 games and Schlittler (4-1) turned in their 11th scoreless outing by a starting pitcher through their first 30 games. Schlittler allowed three hits, struck out eight and walked two. It is Schlittler’s fourth start without allowing an earned run. He ended the night with 49 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings. He threw 64 of 92 pitches for strikes and struck out Corey Seager twice a night after Max Fried fanned the shortstop three times in Monday’s 4-2 win. The Yankees mustered a run on three hits in six innings against deGrom (2-1). The two-time Cy Young award winner struck out five and walked none as Texas lost for the first time in his six starts this season. Cody Bellinger hit an RBI double in the first inning off the top of the right-center field fence after Judge had a two-strike single. Bellinger also made a nice catch at the warning track in left field on Brandon Nimmo in the first. Austin Wells added a homer in the seventh off Jalen Beeks to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Judge hit a 424-foot shot into the second deck in left field in the ninth off Cole Winn and tied Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami for the major league lead with 12. Schlittler did not encounter any significant trouble until the sixth. After Nimmo singled and Josh Jung walked on four pitches, Schlittler struck out Seager on three pitches before retiring Joc Pederson and Jake Burger. Brent Headrick stranded two in the seventh by fanning Nimmo, and Fernando Cruz stranded two in the eighth. Cruz made a backhanded catch Joc Pederson’s bunt groundout before using his splitter for strikeouts of Burger and pinch hitter Ezequiel Duran. David Bednar allowed an RBI triple to Danny Jansen in the ninth when center fielder Trent Grisham slammed into the fence and an RBI single to Jung. Bednar secured his ninth save, however, by getting Seager to bounce into a double play to end the game. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cam #Schlittler #dazzles #Yankees #hold #RangersApr 28, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Cam Schlittler pitched six stellar innings to best Jacob deGrom and Aaron Judge homered for the third straight game as the visiting New York Yankees hung on for a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas.

The Yankees won for the 10th time in 11 games and Schlittler (4-1) turned in their 11th scoreless outing by a starting pitcher through their first 30 games. Schlittler allowed three hits, struck out eight and walked two.

It is Schlittler’s fourth start without allowing an earned run. He ended the night with 49 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings. He threw 64 of 92 pitches for strikes and struck out Corey Seager twice a night after Max Fried fanned the shortstop three times in Monday’s 4-2 win.

The Yankees mustered a run on three hits in six innings against deGrom (2-1). The two-time Cy Young award winner struck out five and walked none as Texas lost for the first time in his six starts this season.


Cody Bellinger hit an RBI double in the first inning off the top of the right-center field fence after Judge had a two-strike single. Bellinger also made a nice catch at the warning track in left field on Brandon Nimmo in the first.

Austin Wells added a homer in the seventh off Jalen Beeks to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Judge hit a 424-foot shot into the second deck in left field in the ninth off Cole Winn and tied Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami for the major league lead with 12.

Schlittler did not encounter any significant trouble until the sixth. After Nimmo singled and Josh Jung walked on four pitches, Schlittler struck out Seager on three pitches before retiring Joc Pederson and Jake Burger.

Brent Headrick stranded two in the seventh by fanning Nimmo, and Fernando Cruz stranded two in the eighth. Cruz made a backhanded catch Joc Pederson’s bunt groundout before using his splitter for strikeouts of Burger and pinch hitter Ezequiel Duran.

David Bednar allowed an RBI triple to Danny Jansen in the ninth when center fielder Trent Grisham slammed into the fence and an RBI single to Jung. Bednar secured his ninth save, however, by getting Seager to bounce into a double play to end the game.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cam #Schlittler #dazzles #Yankees #hold #Rangers">Deadspin | Cam Schlittler dazzles again as Yankees hold off Rangers Apr 28, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Cam Schlittler pitched six stellar innings to best Jacob deGrom and Aaron Judge homered for the third straight game as the visiting New York Yankees hung on for a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas. The Yankees won for the 10th time in 11 games and Schlittler (4-1) turned in their 11th scoreless outing by a starting pitcher through their first 30 games. Schlittler allowed three hits, struck out eight and walked two. It is Schlittler’s fourth start without allowing an earned run. He ended the night with 49 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings. He threw 64 of 92 pitches for strikes and struck out Corey Seager twice a night after Max Fried fanned the shortstop three times in Monday’s 4-2 win. The Yankees mustered a run on three hits in six innings against deGrom (2-1). The two-time Cy Young award winner struck out five and walked none as Texas lost for the first time in his six starts this season. Cody Bellinger hit an RBI double in the first inning off the top of the right-center field fence after Judge had a two-strike single. Bellinger also made a nice catch at the warning track in left field on Brandon Nimmo in the first. Austin Wells added a homer in the seventh off Jalen Beeks to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Judge hit a 424-foot shot into the second deck in left field in the ninth off Cole Winn and tied Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami for the major league lead with 12. Schlittler did not encounter any significant trouble until the sixth. After Nimmo singled and Josh Jung walked on four pitches, Schlittler struck out Seager on three pitches before retiring Joc Pederson and Jake Burger. Brent Headrick stranded two in the seventh by fanning Nimmo, and Fernando Cruz stranded two in the eighth. Cruz made a backhanded catch Joc Pederson’s bunt groundout before using his splitter for strikeouts of Burger and pinch hitter Ezequiel Duran. David Bednar allowed an RBI triple to Danny Jansen in the ninth when center fielder Trent Grisham slammed into the fence and an RBI single to Jung. Bednar secured his ninth save, however, by getting Seager to bounce into a double play to end the game. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cam #Schlittler #dazzles #Yankees #hold #Rangers

FIFA on Tuesday boosted overall World Cup cash distributions to nearly USD 900 million following concerns over the spiraling costs for teams taking part in the tournament.

Football’s global governing body said in a statement that money shared between the 48 teams taking part in the finals in Mexico, Canada and the United States would now total USD 871 million, up from an initial figure of USD 727 million announced in December.

The cash injection was announced following a meeting of FIFA’s ruling council ahead of the body’s Congress taking place in Vancouver on Thursday.

The hefty increase comes after several FIFA members reportedly argued that the high cost of travel, tax and overall operations could result in them losing money from taking part in the tournament.

FIFA has now moved to alleviate those concerns, hiking an award of USD 1.5 million for “preparation costs” to USD 2.5 million for each of the qualified teams.

A payment of USD 9 million for qualifying for the tournament has also been increased to USD 10 million.

Further contributions for team delegation costs and increased team ticketing allocations are also part of the overall increase.

“FIFA is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our member associations in an unprecedented way,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

“This is one more example of how FIFA’s resources are reinvested back into the game.”

FIFA is projected to earn around USD 13 billion from the current four-year World Cup cycle, which concludes with this year’s tournament, the largest World Cup in history.

FIFA’s prize money for the 2026 tournament announced last year had already shattered the cash handed out at the 2022 World Cup, increasing by 50 percent.

The increase in cash payments comes with FIFA increasingly under fire for the high cost of tickets to the tournament, while some local authorities in the United States have dramatically raised transport costs during the event.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#FIFA #boosts #cash #payments #World #Cup">FIFA boosts cash payments for World Cup 2026 FIFA on Tuesday boosted overall World Cup cash distributions to nearly USD 900 million following concerns over the spiraling costs for teams taking part in the tournament.Football’s global governing body said in a statement that money shared between the 48 teams taking part in the finals in Mexico, Canada and the United States would now total USD 871 million, up from an initial figure of USD 727 million announced in December.The cash injection was announced following a meeting of FIFA’s ruling council ahead of the body’s Congress taking place in Vancouver on Thursday.The hefty increase comes after several FIFA members reportedly argued that the high cost of travel, tax and overall operations could result in them losing money from taking part in the tournament.FIFA has now moved to alleviate those concerns, hiking an award of USD 1.5 million for “preparation costs” to USD 2.5 million for each of the qualified teams.A payment of USD 9 million for qualifying for the tournament has also been increased to USD 10 million.Further contributions for team delegation costs and increased team ticketing allocations are also part of the overall increase.“FIFA is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our member associations in an unprecedented way,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.“This is one more example of how FIFA’s resources are reinvested back into the game.”FIFA is projected to earn around USD 13 billion from the current four-year World Cup cycle, which concludes with this year’s tournament, the largest World Cup in history.FIFA’s prize money for the 2026 tournament announced last year had already shattered the cash handed out at the 2022 World Cup, increasing by 50 percent.The increase in cash payments comes with FIFA increasingly under fire for the high cost of tickets to the tournament, while some local authorities in the United States have dramatically raised transport costs during the event.Published on Apr 29, 2026 #FIFA #boosts #cash #payments #World #Cup

Deadspin | Bobby Witt Jr.’s bomb in extras gives Royals win over A’s Apr 28, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Athletics during the tenth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images Bobby Witt Jr. smacked a tiebreaking three-run homer in the top of the 10th inning and the Kansas City Royals stretched their winning streak to a season-best four games with a 4-1 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night at West Sacramento, Calif. Salvador Perez also homered for Kansas City, which has won five of six contests following an eight-game skid. Maikel Garcia and Perez each had two hits in the opener of a three-game series. Jacob Wilson had an RBI single and Shea Langeliers had three hits for the Athletics, who left 14 runners on base. Nick Mears (2-1) worked a perfect ninth and Lucas Erceg walked Carlos Cortes with two out in the 10th before Zack Gelof reached on an infield hit to load the bases. Erceg then retired Darell Hernaiz on a soft liner to second to post his seventh save for Kansas City. The Royals had runners on first and second with none out in the 10th against Justin Sterner (1-3) before Garcia popped up a bunt that Langeliers caught in foul territory. Witt then came up and hit the second pitch to right center and the ball barely cleared the short wall for his second homer in two days. Witt didn’t hit any in the team’s first 27 games. The Athletics lost Tyler Soderstrom to an apparent right shoulder injury after a dive for a fly ball in the fifth — he initially stayed in — and the Royals saw Vinnie Pasquantino exit with lower-back tightness after being hurt during his swing while grounding out in the sixth. The Athletics’ Aaron Civale didn’t allow a run in five scoreless innings while giving up five hits and one walk. He struck out three. Kansas City’s Kris Bubic gave up one run and four hits in five-plus innings. He struck out six and walked four and departed after hitting Cortes with a pitch to start the sixth. The A’s took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Gelof reached on an infield hit and scored from second on Wilson’s two-out single to center. Perez tied the score with one out in the sixth when he jumped on a 2-2 fastball and ripped a 425-foot blast to center off Hogan Harris. The nine-time All Star has homered twice in his last three games. Perez nearly had a homer in the fourth but he didn’t have enough elevation on a liner that smacked against the left field wall. He was held to a single by Soderstrom. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bobby #Witt #Jr.s #bomb #extras #Royals #winApr 28, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Athletics during the tenth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

Bobby Witt Jr. smacked a tiebreaking three-run homer in the top of the 10th inning and the Kansas City Royals stretched their winning streak to a season-best four games with a 4-1 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night at West Sacramento, Calif.

Salvador Perez also homered for Kansas City, which has won five of six contests following an eight-game skid. Maikel Garcia and Perez each had two hits in the opener of a three-game series.

Jacob Wilson had an RBI single and Shea Langeliers had three hits for the Athletics, who left 14 runners on base.

Nick Mears (2-1) worked a perfect ninth and Lucas Erceg walked Carlos Cortes with two out in the 10th before Zack Gelof reached on an infield hit to load the bases.

Erceg then retired Darell Hernaiz on a soft liner to second to post his seventh save for Kansas City.

The Royals had runners on first and second with none out in the 10th against Justin Sterner (1-3) before Garcia popped up a bunt that Langeliers caught in foul territory. Witt then came up and hit the second pitch to right center and the ball barely cleared the short wall for his second homer in two days. Witt didn’t hit any in the team’s first 27 games.


The Athletics lost Tyler Soderstrom to an apparent right shoulder injury after a dive for a fly ball in the fifth — he initially stayed in — and the Royals saw Vinnie Pasquantino exit with lower-back tightness after being hurt during his swing while grounding out in the sixth.

The Athletics’ Aaron Civale didn’t allow a run in five scoreless innings while giving up five hits and one walk. He struck out three.

Kansas City’s Kris Bubic gave up one run and four hits in five-plus innings. He struck out six and walked four and departed after hitting Cortes with a pitch to start the sixth.

The A’s took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Gelof reached on an infield hit and scored from second on Wilson’s two-out single to center.

Perez tied the score with one out in the sixth when he jumped on a 2-2 fastball and ripped a 425-foot blast to center off Hogan Harris. The nine-time All Star has homered twice in his last three games.

Perez nearly had a homer in the fourth but he didn’t have enough elevation on a liner that smacked against the left field wall. He was held to a single by Soderstrom.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bobby #Witt #Jr.s #bomb #extras #Royals #win">Deadspin | Bobby Witt Jr.’s bomb in extras gives Royals win over A’s Apr 28, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Athletics during the tenth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images Bobby Witt Jr. smacked a tiebreaking three-run homer in the top of the 10th inning and the Kansas City Royals stretched their winning streak to a season-best four games with a 4-1 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night at West Sacramento, Calif. Salvador Perez also homered for Kansas City, which has won five of six contests following an eight-game skid. Maikel Garcia and Perez each had two hits in the opener of a three-game series. Jacob Wilson had an RBI single and Shea Langeliers had three hits for the Athletics, who left 14 runners on base. Nick Mears (2-1) worked a perfect ninth and Lucas Erceg walked Carlos Cortes with two out in the 10th before Zack Gelof reached on an infield hit to load the bases. Erceg then retired Darell Hernaiz on a soft liner to second to post his seventh save for Kansas City. The Royals had runners on first and second with none out in the 10th against Justin Sterner (1-3) before Garcia popped up a bunt that Langeliers caught in foul territory. Witt then came up and hit the second pitch to right center and the ball barely cleared the short wall for his second homer in two days. Witt didn’t hit any in the team’s first 27 games. The Athletics lost Tyler Soderstrom to an apparent right shoulder injury after a dive for a fly ball in the fifth — he initially stayed in — and the Royals saw Vinnie Pasquantino exit with lower-back tightness after being hurt during his swing while grounding out in the sixth. The Athletics’ Aaron Civale didn’t allow a run in five scoreless innings while giving up five hits and one walk. He struck out three. Kansas City’s Kris Bubic gave up one run and four hits in five-plus innings. He struck out six and walked four and departed after hitting Cortes with a pitch to start the sixth. The A’s took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Gelof reached on an infield hit and scored from second on Wilson’s two-out single to center. Perez tied the score with one out in the sixth when he jumped on a 2-2 fastball and ripped a 425-foot blast to center off Hogan Harris. The nine-time All Star has homered twice in his last three games. Perez nearly had a homer in the fourth but he didn’t have enough elevation on a liner that smacked against the left field wall. He was held to a single by Soderstrom. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bobby #Witt #Jr.s #bomb #extras #Royals #win

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