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Deadspin | WNBA season set to start May 8 despite impasse

Deadspin | WNBA season set to start May 8 despite impasse

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Oct 17, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’Ja Wilson (22) celebrates during the 2025 WNBA Championship parade at Toshiba Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The WNBA plans to begin the 2026 season on May 8 despite the fact the league and players’ union remain at an impasse on agreeing to a new collective bargaining agreement.

There is currently a moratorium in place pertaining to league business like free agency. The league also hasn’t been able to hold an expansion draft for the new franchises in Portland and Toronto.

Still, season No. 30 will open with three games on Friday, May 8, the league announced Wednesday. One day later, four-time MVP A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces will open their season against the visiting Phoenix Mercury. Las Vegas has won three of the last four WNBA crowns, including the 2025 title.

The Toronto Tempo are slated to play their first game at home on May 8 against the Washington Mystics. One night later, the Portland Fire will host the Chicago Sky.

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever host Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings in their respective openers on May 9.

The playoffs are set to begin on Sept. 27.

“As we prepare to tip off the WNBA’s historic 30th season, this schedule reflects both how far the league has come and the momentum that continues to drive us forward,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “From welcoming two new organizations in Toronto and Portland, to honoring our history with marquee matchups that connect the league’s first game to today’s stars, the 2026 season will celebrate the WNBA’s past, present, and future. With a record number of games, growing global reach, and unprecedented momentum, this milestone season will help define the next chapter of the WNBA.”

On June 21, the Los Angeles Sparks host the New York Liberty in a matchup of the two teams that played in the inaugural WNBA game.

The WNBA All-Star Game is set for July 25 in Chicago. A 3-point contest and skills challenge will be held one day earlier.

The Commissioner’s Cup title game is slated for June 30.

The WNBA will go on hiatus for the basketball World Cup from Aug. 31-Sept. 16.

Training camp is scheduled to open April 19, just six days after the WNBA Draft.

–Field Level Media

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As many as 40 boxers face uncertainty after being omitted from the sanction letter issued by the Sports Authority of India for the national camp, casting doubt on their participation in the selection assessment process for this year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

According to the Boxing Federation of India’s selection policy, the top two finishers across 20 weight categories — 10 each in the men’s and women’s sections — at the Chief of Army Staff Cup, held from March 30 to April 5, were to be included in the national camp, which was scheduled to begin on April 25.

The policy, released in December last year, stated that these 40 boxers would be eligible for the assessment trials to determine India’s squads for the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Boxing Cup 2.

However, the sanction letter received by the BFI on April 29 did not include the names of these boxers.

“The sanction was received on April 29, 2026, and 40 names are currently missing from the list,” the federation said in a notification on Friday.

It is understood that the BFI has been in constant communication with SAI to resolve the issue but is yet to receive a response.

ALSO READ | Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar

The assessment process, originally scheduled to begin on May 5, has been pushed back by a day and will now start on May 6 due to the uncertainty.

“We were told winning the COAS Cup would get us into the camp. It is the same policy as last year, so I don’t know what the issue is. This is the only way of getting into the camp and vying for the CWG and Asian Games, as I missed the Nationals due to injury.

“I am just hoping the sanction letter arrives over the weekend so that I can reach the camp on time and take part in the assessment,” one of the 40 boxers told PTI.

Under the revised schedule, the assessment will be conducted in two phases. Strength and conditioning tests will be held on May 6 and 7, followed by sparring bouts from May 11 to 15 in a knockout format to determine final standings across weight categories.

The evaluation will carry a total of 200 marks, combining technical and non-technical parameters. Non-technical components, including attendance, weight management, health management, international potential, and strength and conditioning, will contribute alongside technical assessments conducted by a panel of evaluators.

Rankings within each weight category will be determined through a structured knockout format.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, while the Asian Games is scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi and Nagoya.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Forty #boxers #left #SAI #sanction #list #uncertainty #clouds #CWG #Asian #Games #selection #process">Forty boxers left out of SAI sanction list, uncertainty clouds CWG and Asian Games selection process As many as 40 boxers face uncertainty after being omitted from the sanction letter issued by the Sports Authority of India for the national camp, casting doubt on their participation in the selection assessment process for this year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.According to the Boxing Federation of India’s selection policy, the top two finishers across 20 weight categories — 10 each in the men’s and women’s sections — at the Chief of Army Staff Cup, held from March 30 to April 5, were to be included in the national camp, which was scheduled to begin on April 25.The policy, released in December last year, stated that these 40 boxers would be eligible for the assessment trials to determine India’s squads for the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Boxing Cup 2.However, the sanction letter received by the BFI on April 29 did not include the names of these boxers.“The sanction was received on April 29, 2026, and 40 names are currently missing from the list,” the federation said in a notification on Friday.It is understood that the BFI has been in constant communication with SAI to resolve the issue but is yet to receive a response.ALSO READ | Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in BhubaneswarThe assessment process, originally scheduled to begin on May 5, has been pushed back by a day and will now start on May 6 due to the uncertainty.“We were told winning the COAS Cup would get us into the camp. It is the same policy as last year, so I don’t know what the issue is. This is the only way of getting into the camp and vying for the CWG and Asian Games, as I missed the Nationals due to injury.“I am just hoping the sanction letter arrives over the weekend so that I can reach the camp on time and take part in the assessment,” one of the 40 boxers told PTI.Under the revised schedule, the assessment will be conducted in two phases. Strength and conditioning tests will be held on May 6 and 7, followed by sparring bouts from May 11 to 15 in a knockout format to determine final standings across weight categories.The evaluation will carry a total of 200 marks, combining technical and non-technical parameters. Non-technical components, including attendance, weight management, health management, international potential, and strength and conditioning, will contribute alongside technical assessments conducted by a panel of evaluators.Rankings within each weight category will be determined through a structured knockout format.The Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, while the Asian Games is scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi and Nagoya.Published on May 02, 2026 #Forty #boxers #left #SAI #sanction #list #uncertainty #clouds #CWG #Asian #Games #selection #process

Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar

The assessment process, originally scheduled to begin on May 5, has been pushed back by a day and will now start on May 6 due to the uncertainty.

“We were told winning the COAS Cup would get us into the camp. It is the same policy as last year, so I don’t know what the issue is. This is the only way of getting into the camp and vying for the CWG and Asian Games, as I missed the Nationals due to injury.

“I am just hoping the sanction letter arrives over the weekend so that I can reach the camp on time and take part in the assessment,” one of the 40 boxers told PTI.

Under the revised schedule, the assessment will be conducted in two phases. Strength and conditioning tests will be held on May 6 and 7, followed by sparring bouts from May 11 to 15 in a knockout format to determine final standings across weight categories.

The evaluation will carry a total of 200 marks, combining technical and non-technical parameters. Non-technical components, including attendance, weight management, health management, international potential, and strength and conditioning, will contribute alongside technical assessments conducted by a panel of evaluators.

Rankings within each weight category will be determined through a structured knockout format.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, while the Asian Games is scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi and Nagoya.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Forty #boxers #left #SAI #sanction #list #uncertainty #clouds #CWG #Asian #Games #selection #process">Forty boxers left out of SAI sanction list, uncertainty clouds CWG and Asian Games selection process

As many as 40 boxers face uncertainty after being omitted from the sanction letter issued by the Sports Authority of India for the national camp, casting doubt on their participation in the selection assessment process for this year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

According to the Boxing Federation of India’s selection policy, the top two finishers across 20 weight categories — 10 each in the men’s and women’s sections — at the Chief of Army Staff Cup, held from March 30 to April 5, were to be included in the national camp, which was scheduled to begin on April 25.

The policy, released in December last year, stated that these 40 boxers would be eligible for the assessment trials to determine India’s squads for the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Boxing Cup 2.

However, the sanction letter received by the BFI on April 29 did not include the names of these boxers.

“The sanction was received on April 29, 2026, and 40 names are currently missing from the list,” the federation said in a notification on Friday.

It is understood that the BFI has been in constant communication with SAI to resolve the issue but is yet to receive a response.

ALSO READ | Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar

The assessment process, originally scheduled to begin on May 5, has been pushed back by a day and will now start on May 6 due to the uncertainty.

“We were told winning the COAS Cup would get us into the camp. It is the same policy as last year, so I don’t know what the issue is. This is the only way of getting into the camp and vying for the CWG and Asian Games, as I missed the Nationals due to injury.

“I am just hoping the sanction letter arrives over the weekend so that I can reach the camp on time and take part in the assessment,” one of the 40 boxers told PTI.

Under the revised schedule, the assessment will be conducted in two phases. Strength and conditioning tests will be held on May 6 and 7, followed by sparring bouts from May 11 to 15 in a knockout format to determine final standings across weight categories.

The evaluation will carry a total of 200 marks, combining technical and non-technical parameters. Non-technical components, including attendance, weight management, health management, international potential, and strength and conditioning, will contribute alongside technical assessments conducted by a panel of evaluators.

Rankings within each weight category will be determined through a structured knockout format.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, while the Asian Games is scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi and Nagoya.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Forty #boxers #left #SAI #sanction #list #uncertainty #clouds #CWG #Asian #Games #selection #process
Deadspin | Jarren Duran, Jake Bennett help Red Sox knock off Astros May 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Jarren Duran hit a three-run home run and Jake Bennett pitched well in his major league debut to propel the Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Houston Astros in the opener of their three-games series Friday night. Bennett, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Friday to start in place of Garrett Crochet, allowed one run on five hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out three. Crochet was placed on the injured list Wednesday with shoulder inflammation. Boston received four scoreless innings from four relievers after Bennett (1-0) was pulled. Carlos Correa doubled against Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the ninth, but Chapman got Yordan Alvarez to ground out to second to end the game. Chapman earned his sixth save. The victory ended Boston’s two-game losing streak, and its three-game home losing streak. Correa had three hits, including his third home run of the season. Isaac Paredes and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros. Houston starter Mike Burrows (1-4) took the loss. He surrendered three runs on eight hits in six innings. Roman Anthony collected three of Boston’s 10 hits. Anthony hit a double and singled twice. Trevor Story was 2-for-4, and Marcelo Mayer collected a single to extend his hitting streak to nine games. The Astros grabbed a 1-0 lead on Correa’s solo home run in the top of the third. Boston took a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the third. After Carlos Narvaez walked and Caleb Durbin singled, Duran drove in both runners when he hit his second home run of the season. Houston had runners on second and third with two outs in the eighth, but Garrett Whitlock retired Cam Smith on a pop-up to first base. The loss dropped Houston’s road record to 4-13. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jarren #Duran #Jake #Bennett #Red #Sox #knock #AstrosMay 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Jarren Duran hit a three-run home run and Jake Bennett pitched well in his major league debut to propel the Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Houston Astros in the opener of their three-games series Friday night.

Bennett, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Friday to start in place of Garrett Crochet, allowed one run on five hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out three. Crochet was placed on the injured list Wednesday with shoulder inflammation.

Boston received four scoreless innings from four relievers after Bennett (1-0) was pulled. Carlos Correa doubled against Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the ninth, but Chapman got Yordan Alvarez to ground out to second to end the game. Chapman earned his sixth save.

The victory ended Boston’s two-game losing streak, and its three-game home losing streak.

Correa had three hits, including his third home run of the season. Isaac Paredes and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.


Houston starter Mike Burrows (1-4) took the loss. He surrendered three runs on eight hits in six innings.

Roman Anthony collected three of Boston’s 10 hits. Anthony hit a double and singled twice. Trevor Story was 2-for-4, and Marcelo Mayer collected a single to extend his hitting streak to nine games.

The Astros grabbed a 1-0 lead on Correa’s solo home run in the top of the third.

Boston took a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the third. After Carlos Narvaez walked and Caleb Durbin singled, Duran drove in both runners when he hit his second home run of the season.

Houston had runners on second and third with two outs in the eighth, but Garrett Whitlock retired Cam Smith on a pop-up to first base.

The loss dropped Houston’s road record to 4-13.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Jarren #Duran #Jake #Bennett #Red #Sox #knock #Astros">Deadspin | Jarren Duran, Jake Bennett help Red Sox knock off Astros May 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Jarren Duran hit a three-run home run and Jake Bennett pitched well in his major league debut to propel the Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Houston Astros in the opener of their three-games series Friday night. Bennett, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Friday to start in place of Garrett Crochet, allowed one run on five hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out three. Crochet was placed on the injured list Wednesday with shoulder inflammation. Boston received four scoreless innings from four relievers after Bennett (1-0) was pulled. Carlos Correa doubled against Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the ninth, but Chapman got Yordan Alvarez to ground out to second to end the game. Chapman earned his sixth save. The victory ended Boston’s two-game losing streak, and its three-game home losing streak. Correa had three hits, including his third home run of the season. Isaac Paredes and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros. Houston starter Mike Burrows (1-4) took the loss. He surrendered three runs on eight hits in six innings. Roman Anthony collected three of Boston’s 10 hits. Anthony hit a double and singled twice. Trevor Story was 2-for-4, and Marcelo Mayer collected a single to extend his hitting streak to nine games. The Astros grabbed a 1-0 lead on Correa’s solo home run in the top of the third. Boston took a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the third. After Carlos Narvaez walked and Caleb Durbin singled, Duran drove in both runners when he hit his second home run of the season. Houston had runners on second and third with two outs in the eighth, but Garrett Whitlock retired Cam Smith on a pop-up to first base. The loss dropped Houston’s road record to 4-13. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jarren #Duran #Jake #Bennett #Red #Sox #knock #Astros

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has told AFP he will remain “tough” on the issue of athletes switching nationality after his federation blocked a bid by top Jamaicans and Kenyans to move to Turkey.

The 2024 Olympic men’s discus champion Roje Stona from Jamaica, and a quintet of Kenyans including former women’s marathon world record-holder Brigid Kosgei, were among the 11 targeted by lucrative offers from Turkey.

“The concept is very simple, there should be a very clear understanding and philosophy that the country an athlete starts their career in is the country that they finish their career in,” Coe said in an interview on Friday ahead of the World Athletics Relays event in Botswana.

“And for global championships to have meaning and to have understanding, people need to witness championships where you have national-based competitions,” he added.

Coe said a World Athletics panel examined every request to switch nationality and he accepted in some cases there would be circumstances in which it was acceptable, such as marriage or “political intolerance”.

But he said Turkey’s bid to recruit elite athletes from other countries by offering them financial packages in a bid to boost its medal count at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was the kind of move that would always be rejected.

ALSO READ: Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar

“If it is simply about wanting to move from one federation to another, that doesn’t fall into that criteria. We will remain tough,” Coe said.

“It’s very important, most federations rely very heavily on government investment and government investment will dry up if those governments think that they are investing in talent programmes for other countries.”

Letsile Tebogo, the 2024 Olympic 200 metres champion and the leading light of a talented crop of Botswanan sprinters, revealed in December that he has rebuffed offers to switch to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.

Botswana, a country of 2.5 million inhabitants which is largely desert, has experienced economic turbulence with the downturn of the global diamond market, which represents 30 percent of its GDP, but continues to inject funds into its successful athletics programme.

Published on May 02, 2026

#World #Athletics #president #Coe #vows #tough #athletes #seeking #nationality #switch">World Athletics president Coe vows to be ‘tough’ on athletes seeking nationality switch World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has told AFP he will remain “tough” on the issue of athletes switching nationality after his federation blocked a bid by top Jamaicans and Kenyans to move to Turkey.The 2024 Olympic men’s discus champion Roje Stona from Jamaica, and a quintet of Kenyans including former women’s marathon world record-holder Brigid Kosgei, were among the 11 targeted by lucrative offers from Turkey.“The concept is very simple, there should be a very clear understanding and philosophy that the country an athlete starts their career in is the country that they finish their career in,” Coe said in an interview on Friday ahead of the World Athletics Relays event in Botswana.“And for global championships to have meaning and to have understanding, people need to witness championships where you have national-based competitions,” he added.Coe said a World Athletics panel examined every request to switch nationality and he accepted in some cases there would be circumstances in which it was acceptable, such as marriage or “political intolerance”.But he said Turkey’s bid to recruit elite athletes from other countries by offering them financial packages in a bid to boost its medal count at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was the kind of move that would always be rejected.ALSO READ: Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar“If it is simply about wanting to move from one federation to another, that doesn’t fall into that criteria. We will remain tough,” Coe said.“It’s very important, most federations rely very heavily on government investment and government investment will dry up if those governments think that they are investing in talent programmes for other countries.”Letsile Tebogo, the 2024 Olympic 200 metres champion and the leading light of a talented crop of Botswanan sprinters, revealed in December that he has rebuffed offers to switch to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.Botswana, a country of 2.5 million inhabitants which is largely desert, has experienced economic turbulence with the downturn of the global diamond market, which represents 30 percent of its GDP, but continues to inject funds into its successful athletics programme.Published on May 02, 2026 #World #Athletics #president #Coe #vows #tough #athletes #seeking #nationality #switch

Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar

“If it is simply about wanting to move from one federation to another, that doesn’t fall into that criteria. We will remain tough,” Coe said.

“It’s very important, most federations rely very heavily on government investment and government investment will dry up if those governments think that they are investing in talent programmes for other countries.”

Letsile Tebogo, the 2024 Olympic 200 metres champion and the leading light of a talented crop of Botswanan sprinters, revealed in December that he has rebuffed offers to switch to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.

Botswana, a country of 2.5 million inhabitants which is largely desert, has experienced economic turbulence with the downturn of the global diamond market, which represents 30 percent of its GDP, but continues to inject funds into its successful athletics programme.

Published on May 02, 2026

#World #Athletics #president #Coe #vows #tough #athletes #seeking #nationality #switch">World Athletics president Coe vows to be ‘tough’ on athletes seeking nationality switch

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has told AFP he will remain “tough” on the issue of athletes switching nationality after his federation blocked a bid by top Jamaicans and Kenyans to move to Turkey.

The 2024 Olympic men’s discus champion Roje Stona from Jamaica, and a quintet of Kenyans including former women’s marathon world record-holder Brigid Kosgei, were among the 11 targeted by lucrative offers from Turkey.

“The concept is very simple, there should be a very clear understanding and philosophy that the country an athlete starts their career in is the country that they finish their career in,” Coe said in an interview on Friday ahead of the World Athletics Relays event in Botswana.

“And for global championships to have meaning and to have understanding, people need to witness championships where you have national-based competitions,” he added.

Coe said a World Athletics panel examined every request to switch nationality and he accepted in some cases there would be circumstances in which it was acceptable, such as marriage or “political intolerance”.

But he said Turkey’s bid to recruit elite athletes from other countries by offering them financial packages in a bid to boost its medal count at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was the kind of move that would always be rejected.

ALSO READ: Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar

“If it is simply about wanting to move from one federation to another, that doesn’t fall into that criteria. We will remain tough,” Coe said.

“It’s very important, most federations rely very heavily on government investment and government investment will dry up if those governments think that they are investing in talent programmes for other countries.”

Letsile Tebogo, the 2024 Olympic 200 metres champion and the leading light of a talented crop of Botswanan sprinters, revealed in December that he has rebuffed offers to switch to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.

Botswana, a country of 2.5 million inhabitants which is largely desert, has experienced economic turbulence with the downturn of the global diamond market, which represents 30 percent of its GDP, but continues to inject funds into its successful athletics programme.

Published on May 02, 2026

#World #Athletics #president #Coe #vows #tough #athletes #seeking #nationality #switch

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