An All-Star goodbye? Plus, another World Cup surprise
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Good morning! Earn some boos today. Coming up:
Starting 9: Nine positions, nine stories
There are days when the important sports events pile up. Sometimes I stare at the metaphorical mountain and feel lost. What stories are most important? What slice of the sports world am I leaving on the cutting room floor?
Then I looked at my TV screen and saw the box score of the MLB All-Star Game. Nine’s a good number. Nine big stories is enough, right? Let’s pick a Wednesday starting nine:
1: SP — All-Star Game
We’ll start back in Philadelphia in honor of our theme. The American League ran away with what ended up being a ho-hum event, a 4-0 win that saw the AL score three in the first inning off Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez.
- No home run swing-off this year. The pitching was top-notch, though the injury to Rays star Junior Caminero is worrisome. I hope everyone got cheesesteaks afterward.
- The main worry hanging over the event: It may have been an awkward goodbye as the league braces for a work stoppage.
Mauro Pimentel / AFP via Getty Images
2: C — France catches an upset
The World Cup favorites looked nothing of the sort yesterday afternoon against Spain in a 2-0 loss. A kick to Lamine Yamal’s leg and a late goal from Pedro Porro were enough to stifle the potent French team on Bastille Day, of all days. France barely registered a goal chance until late in the contest.
As Adam Crafton wrote, this Spain team is not covered in stardust like its French counterpart, and that helped the Spaniards yesterday.
3: 1B — The race to meet Spain
With France out, suddenly this World Cup feels brazenly open. Will it actually come home? Can Lionel Messi really go out with two straight World Cup trophies? Anything feels possible, and the atmosphere in Atlanta today will certainly be fervent.
What’s even better, though? This is a matchup steeped in bad blood, as detailed here. It makes for great theater.
4: 2B — A Balogun double-back
To stick with soccer for another moment, the International Olympic Committee has been asked to investigate whether FIFA president Gianni Infantino was personally involved in the red-card suspension reversal for American star Folarin Balogun. President Donald Trump said after the initial red-card decision that he phoned Infantino to request a review. Infantino has maintained that he was not involved in any decision-making about Balogun’s suspension. Read more on the inquiry here.
For what it’s worth, it’s hard not to feel bad for Balogun here. He said yesterday that he could see how the controversy impacted his teammates before the loss against Belgium. Tough ending to a fun World Cup run.
Let’s take a quick news break before filling out the rest of the card:
News to Know
Aaron J. Thornton / Getty Images
Manuel addressed Moore relationship in 2024
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel — whose job status appears to be in jeopardy — spoke with former Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore about his relationship with his former executive assistant in August 2024, according to a Wall Street Journal report, just before Moore’s first game as head coach. Moore was fired in 2025 due to an inappropriate relationship with the assistant, and Manuel has said since that there was no evidence of any impropriety until 2025.
The information stems from an external investigation into the matter, which is yet to be released. See more details in our full report.
Fan fired for sending slur to Gray
A fan who allegedly messaged a racial slur to Aces guard Chelsea Gray has been fired from his job, Hilton Grand Vacations confirmed yesterday. Gray posted a screenshot on her Instagram showing the message, which read: “You suck ass ugly ass n—–.” Internet sleuths then connected the sender to his employer. Read the full backstory here.
More news:
- Roch Cholowsky, the No. 1 pick in last weekend’s MLB Draft, earned a record $10.35 million signing bonus, which is still somehow under slot value.
- Major League Baseball is proposing a significant suspension if any player skips out on the Olympics. Read more.
- LeBron James’ departure from the Lakers has no impact on Bronny James’ future with the team, sources told The Athletic. More context here.
- A battery investigation focusing on Jets quarterback Geno Smith is now inactive.
- A Shohei Ohtani rookie card sold for more than $3 million. Details inside.
- EA Sports NHL 27 cover athlete: Sharks star Macklin Celebrini.
- Former LSU and Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly sounds like he’s trying to make amends in South Bend. Read his comments here.
- Ole Miss is considering suing two former Rebels football players who decamped to LSU with Lane Kiffin. I love when my alma mater is in the news.
📰 Find more news here 24/7.
Starting 9, Cont.: The rest of the card
Let’s continue, reaching across the ocean for our next “player.”
5: 3B — The Open Championship
It starts tomorrow, and of course, we have a full team on the grounds at Royal Birkdale. Naturally, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the man to watch, but not for reasons you may think.
Scheffler arrived at Royal Birkdale early because he missed the cut at the Scottish Open, the first time that’s happened on the PGA Tour in nearly four years. Scheffler also happens to be the defending Open champion.
A few resources for you before tee times tomorrow:
And if you read any Open content today, make it Brody Miller’s feature on Jordan Spieth’s 2017 win at Royal Birkdale, one of the wildest Opens in recent memory.
6: SS — A Tour de France villain?
Tadej Pogačar, aiming for his third straight Tour de France victory, won Stage 10 in dominant fashion yesterday to extend his overall lead. He also found some haters near the finish line.
It was his 24th Tour stage win and third on Bastille Day. Apparently, some fans think Pogačar is winning by too much. Read more on that here.
7: LF — Kawhi “Groot” Leonard
The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov broke an important story yesterday about a second investigation into theoretical Raptors star Kawhi Leonard and possibly improper endorsement deals. The trade sending Leonard to Toronto hinges on the NBA’s investigation wrapping up.
As part of his report, Mike acquired some concept art of Leonard actually participating in a marketing campaign for Aspiration, the company at the heart of the first investigation. Some of those images depicted Leonard as Groot, a popular Marvel character. Sure.
Mike’s full report is worth a read.
8: CF — Mike McDaniel, the most important OC
There may be no NFL man under more pressure this year than Mike McDaniel, the former Dolphins head coach hired by the Chargers to fix their offense. The other L.A. team is a ready-made playoff group that hasn’t been able to put the right pieces together. McDaniel earns that job, while also inheriting the expectation to unlock quarterback Justin Herbert.
He’s one focus of our questions for every new offensive play caller in the NFL. See them all here.
9: RF — LeBron James and his last decision
Every night, I expect the news of James’ new destination to land. The 41-year-old, still quite good at basketball, is the focus of a renewed pitch from contending teams across the league. Both Philadelphia and Minnesota are dreaming of a title push featuring James. So are the Warriors. Most think the hometown Cavaliers remain the favorite, too.
I just can’t believe we’re waiting on a LeBron James free-agency decision in 2026.
Almost done:
Watch Guide
📺 World Cup: England vs. Argentina
3 p.m. ET on Fox and Telemundo
Let’s see who plays Spain for the trophy. Lionel Messi has a golden chance to take the goals lead in this tournament, too, with Kylian Mbappé eliminated. Find a TV.
📺 WNBA: Valkyries at Fever
8 p.m. ET on USA Network
Golden State is one of the best teams in the league, in only its second year of existence. Indiana is playing well, too. This is a good game.
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