Greetings, it’s Friday! This is your sports analyst, introducing a sneak peek into a potentially thrilling summer weekend on the sports scene. If you’re keen on soccer, the forthcoming days are set to be a real treat. Furthermore, with additional preseason football action and the Little League World Series, the weekend promises plenty of entertainment.
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🏈 Greetings to all, but a special mention for …
ISIDORE BELLAMY AND QUINLAN JENKINS
In two separate judicial matters, two notable NFL rookies observed the pathways to their professional football careers become considerably more straightforward Thursday, following the dismissal of charges. Undrafted free agent wide receiver Isidore Bellamy faced no indictment and is no longer confronted with criminal accusations, subsequent to his voluntary surrender earlier in the year pertaining to an unresolved warrant for sexual assault. Concurrently, the Broward (Fla.) State Attorney’s Office opted against pursuing an alleged instance of domestic violence involving Browns running back Quinlan Jenkins.
The State Attorney’s Office cited a scarcity of substantiating evidence and eyewitnesses, along with a “belated reporting of the incident” as the basis for their verdict on Jenkins’ situation. The Ohio State athlete was taken into custody on July 12, based on claimed battery and domestic violence.
NFL impact: The determination in Jenkins’ circumstance might create a route for him to ultimately endorse his rookie agreement with the Browns, who drafted him as the No. 36 selection in this year’s NFL Draft. The prevailing expectation suggests a division of playtime with Jerome Ford and potentially fellow rookie Dylan Sampson within the team’s backfield.
In tandem, a Collin County (Texas) grand jury delivered a “no bill” verdict in the sexual assault allegation concerning Bellamy, signifying no indictment will be issued. Therefore, the legal proceedings, which trace back to April 10 when Bellamy turned himself in to Frisco, Texas, law enforcement and furnished $25,000 bail to secure release from detention, have reached a conclusion.
NFL impact: Bellamy might soon be Jenkins’ colleague. The former Texas receiver conveyed appreciation to the Browns for affording him the prospect of prolonging his professional trajectory within the NFL in a statement shared on social media. According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, any potential arrangement between Bellamy and the Browns is yet to reach finalization.
✅ Commendable mentions
- The Browns’ commencing quarterback role seemingly belongs to Joe Flacco, barring any setbacks.
- Following a three-month absence due to an ankle ailment, Aaron Nola is reintegrated into the Phillies’ rotation.
- Jordan Love’s thumb operation “progressed favorably,” and he anticipates participating in the Packers’ inaugural game on Sept. 7.
- Brian Schottenheimer disclosed his triumph over thyroid cancer at the age of 28.
- It’s opportune to acknowledge the Brewers as genuine contenders for the World Series.
- The Lakers intend to commemorate former coach Pat Riley with a sculpture, scheduled for unveiling on Feb. 22, ahead of a contest against the longstanding rival Celtics.
- Entering his fifth year as a professional, Justin Herbert is slated to commence his inaugural preseason game this Sunday for the Chargers.
- Potential union between Odell Beckham Jr. and the Steelers? Discourse between the two parties has “transpired.”
- Following a decade-long tenure in the NFL, former All-Pro lineman Brandon Scherff has declared his retirement.
- Deion Sanders and Tim Tebow command attention as the lead figures of the AP All-Time All-America team.
- Shedeur Sanders’ debut with the Browns nearly shattered an NFL Network preseason viewership record.
- UFC fighters will be beneficiaries of amplified bonuses, a consequence of the fresh media rights accord with Paramount.
👎 And not as favorable for …
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MICHIGAN FOOTBALL
Roughly two years have passed since former Michigan football personnel member Connor Stalions purportedly masterminded a sign-stealing enterprise within the Wolverines program. Finally, the NCAA is poised to reveal its conclusions and sanctions for Michigan this Friday, thereby concluding its protracted inquiry into what is deemed one of the most significant controversies in recent college football chronicles. Sources have verified with CBS Sports’ John Talty that the pronouncement is projected to occur around noon ET.
The aftermath stemming from the sign-stealing narrative has been substantial and extended:
- Following a suspension without remuneration, Stalions tendered his resignation in Nov. 2023.
- The Big Ten enforced a suspension upon former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for the concluding three matchups of the 2023 regular season.
- Michigan terminated then-linebackers coach Chris Partridge under allegations of evidence destruction.
- Michigan imposed a two-game suspension on coach Sherrone Moore for the third and fourth contests of the 2025 season.
The extent of punitive measures the NCAA might enforce upon the Wolverines remains ambiguous. However, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel recently stated that he has not engaged in any discussions with the NCAA concerning a prospective postseason ban. Michigan had previously accused the NCAA of “grossly overreaching” and “excessively exaggerating” accusations against the university in connection with the matter.
👎 Less than commendable mentions
- Florida State discharged safety Conrad Hussey due to involvement in a physical dispute with a position coach during training.
- Rashee Rice is scheduled to convene with the NFL Sept. 30 for his disciplinary hearing. Anticipate his participation in the Chiefs’ initial four games.
- A former Nuggets mascot initiated legal action against the team, alleging unjust dismissal and discrimination.
- Sam LaPorta will be sidelined for “a brief duration” attributable to an unspecified injury.
- A hamstring ailment will preclude Jordin Canada from participating for a minimum of two weeks.
- Matthew Stafford persists on the sidelines with an aggravated disc in his back, yet he intends to undertake workouts this weekend.
- Enthusiasts are obliged to await at least another week to witness Aaron Rodgers in preseason competition.
- Despite his recent contract extension and a substantial track record as a starter, the Patriots relegated Kyle Dugger to a second-team capacity.
- Mike Vrabel marked his 50th birthday by intervening in an altercation during the Patriots’ and Vikings’ joint practice.
- A federal appeals court unearthed insurmountable deficiencies within the NFL arbitration framework, thereby enabling Brian Flores to proceed with his assertions of discriminatory treatment directed toward him and other Black coaches.
- Sophie Cunningham voices displeasure with WNBA officials and asserted that Paige Bueckers benefited from a favorable officiating bias.
- Michael Phelps advocated for extensive modifications to USA Swimming amidst declining interest and performance.
⚽ European soccer leagues are primed to initiate Friday
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The Premier League, Ligue 1, and La Liga are each poised to commence Matchday 1 on Friday, heralding the inauguration of the club season across England, France, and Spain. For aficionados of English soccer, in particular, presented herein is a comprehensive overview of essential information in advance of the Premier League’s 2025-26 season:
- These 10 emergent talents, encompassing Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, are poised to exert considerable influence.
- The transfer window is currently open, with Liverpool recently executing a notable acquisition by securing the services of 18-year-old Italian defender Giovanni Leoni. This acquisition merited an “A” grade within the transfer evaluation framework, incorporating exhaustive assessments of each significant maneuver during the summer period.
- The forthcoming season’s schedule encompasses the Tyne-Wear derby involving Sunderland and Newcastle United, marking its return since 2016. Esteemed Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has prominently noted this matchup on his agenda.
- Ruben Amorim is set to commence his inaugural full season at the helm of Manchester United this Sunday. Nonetheless, the duration of his managerial tenure remains a subject of speculation.
- The quest for the championship appears destined to traverse through Liverpool, while Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa likewise occupy favorable positions within the preseason power rankings.
📅 The NBA incorporates 75 additional games into its national schedule for the 2025-26 season
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With opening night on the horizon, the 2025-26 NBA season is a mere two months distant, prompting the league to unveil its comprehensive schedule for the forthcoming campaign. Proceedings are slated to commence on Oct. 21, as the reigning champion Thunder encounter the Rockets, thereby establishing a fitting inauguration for Kevin Durant’s debut in Houston.
This juncture similarly signifies the inception of a fresh era pertaining to media rights for the NBA. Accompanying the league’s novel partnerships is an augmented allocation of nationally televised contests. The count of 247 national broadcasts represents an escalation from the 172 games telecast nationwide during the preceding year. The Lakers, Warriors, Thunder, and Knicks are each primed to participate in the highest number of national games, with 34 apiece. Conversely, the Wizards, Jazz, Raptors, Nets and Pelicans are slated to partake in the fewest national games, with two each.
Beyond the highly anticipated opener between the Thunder and Rockets, the subsequent assemblage of contests emerges as paramount, demanding the attention of every NBA enthusiast:
- Oct. 22: Mavericks vs. Spurs
- Oct. 29: Pistons vs. Magic
- Nov. 3: Pacers vs. Bucks
- Nov. 26: Warriors vs. Rockets
- Nov. 26: Timberwolves vs. Thunder
- Nov. 28: Lakers vs. Mavericks
- Dec. 19: Knicks vs. 76ers
- Dec. 25: Knicks vs. Cavaliers
- Jan. 19: Cavaliers vs. Thunder
🌵 College Football Playoff bowl forecasts
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Speculating regarding the teams poised to vie in the College Football Playoff, the squads slated to secure bowl eligibility, and those poised to commence the offseason prematurely remains a timeless pursuit. Brad Crawford’s preseason bowl projections have been released, encompassing selections for each of the eight inaugural-round and quarterfinal CFP matchups.
A playoff encounter transpiring in Lubbock. A plausible Big Ten versus Big Ten showdown within the Rose Bowl. All such scenarios remain within the realm of possibility, with Crawford envisioning an array of compelling confrontations in his comprehensive projections.
Within the framework of non-playoff bowls, the narratives abound. As per the projections, prominent brands are poised to clash within the Citrus Bowl, featuring a face-off between Michigan and Oklahoma. The Alamo Bowl could potentially showcase a pairing of Big 12 teams (perhaps BYU and Arizona State). Might a TCU-Texas A&M skirmish within an in-state Texas Bowl pique interest? Or perhaps Bill Belichick’s postseason debut within the Gator Bowl?
📺 Forthcoming weekend viewing schedule
Examine the channels to catch the BMW Championship and Little League World Series all weekend.
Friday
⚽ Liverpool FC at AFC Bournemouth, 3 p.m. on USA Network
🏈 Titans at Falcons, 7 p.m. on NFL Network
🏀 Mystics at Fever, 7:30 p.m. on ION
🏀 Aces at Mercury, 10 p.m. on ION
🏈 Chiefs at Seahawks, 10 p.m. on NFL Network
⚽ Angel City FC at Utah Royals, 10 p.m. on Paramount+
⚾ Padres at Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. on MLB Network
Saturday
⚽ Wolverhampton at Manchester City, 12:30 p.m. on NBC
🏈 Browns at Eagles, 1 p.m. on NFL Network
⚽ Mallorca at FC Barcelona, 1:30 p.m. on ESPN2
🏀 Liberty at Lynx, 2 p.m. on CBS
⚽ German Supercup Final: VfB Stuttgart vs. Bayern Munich, 2 p.m. on ABC
⚾ Pirates at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. on FS1
⚽ Orlando Pride at Kansas City Current, 4 p.m. on CBS
🏈 49ers at Raiders, 4 p.m. on NFL Network
🏈 Jets at Giants, 7 p.m. on NFL Network
🏁 Cook Out 400, 7 p.m. on USA Network
🥊 UFC 319: Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev (Forecasts available here, and methods to view.)
⚾ Tigers at Twins or Yankees at Cardinals, 7:15 p.m. on FOX
⚽ Seattle Sounders at Minnesota United, 8:30 p.m. on FS1
🏈 Cardinals at Broncos, 9:30 p.m. on NFL Network
Sunday
⚽ Manchester United at Arsenal, 11:30 a.m. on NBC
🏈 Jaguars at Saints, 1 p.m. on NFL Network
🏀 Fever at Sun, 1 p.m. on NBA TV
🤠 PBR Team Series Games of the Week, 1 p.m. on CBS
🏀 BIG3 Celebrity Game and Playoffs, 3 p.m. on CBS
🏀 Wings at Aces, 3:30 p.m. on ABC
⚽ Espanyol at Atlético Madrid, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2
⚾ MLB Little League Classic: Mariners vs. Mets, 7:10 p.m. on ESPN
🏈 Bills at Bears, 8 p.m. on FOX
🏀 Dream at Valkyries, 8:30 p.m. on NBA TV
