HARRISONBURG, Va. — It doesn’t take long. Visit James Madison University, and you will quickly notice how eager folks are to hold doors open for one another. Students for students. Students for professors. Locals for students. In this college town, aptly nicknamed the “Friendly City,” if they can see you …
Read More »Aitana Bonmati exclusive: Barcelona’s Ballon d’Or winner tells it like it is
When Aitana Bonmati won the Ballon d’Or last year, it brought a global spotlight to a player whose genius was crying out to be recognised. Even now, it would be hard to argue that there is a better female footballer on the planet. Over the past 16 months, Bonmati has …
Read More »Diana Taurasi hints at retirement after finale: ‘If it is the last time, it felt like the first time’
Diana Taurasi, playing in her 20th WNBA season, didn’t officially announce her retirement Thursday night after the Phoenix Mercury’s regular season finale against the Seattle Storm. But the Mercury icon hinted the end may be imminent as she addressed the home crowd. “If it is the last time, it felt …
Read More »An owner who ‘thinks he knows everything’ led the White Sox to historic disaster
A team doesn’t lose 117 games and counting because of just one thing. In the case of the 2024 Chicago White Sox a meddling owner, dubious leadership, injuries and an inability to properly value and integrate analytics only begin to tell the story. The White Sox would need to win …
Read More »Simone Biles says ‘not a big deal’ after video shows scoring inquiry snafu might have cost her gold
Simone Biles is not worried about potentially missing out on an additional gold medal over another gymnastics scoring inquiry snafu in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics. Video from a camera crew following Biles at the Paris Games for the Netflix documentary series “Simone Biles: Rising” was given to …
Read More »There’s heartbreak etched on Christian Benford’s face, but that’s only half the story
Christian Benford prefers to maintain a low profile, but his presence within the walls of One Bills Drive is formidable. He says little but is often last to leave the Buffalo Bills’ practice field. He’s not satisfied to start as a former sixth-round pick or to shine among the NFL’s …
Read More »Early MLB award predictions for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and more
We’re down to the final week and a half of the regular season, and although we’re still two months away from award season, we’ve seen enough to at least determine the front-runners for MLB’s major individual honors, which will be presented in November after the World Series. Therefore, let’s have …
Read More »What’s happened to Bryce Young? Lack of development, loss of confidence dooming Carolina QB
When Tom Brady officially moved from quarterback to announcer, he brought some of his real, honest opinions with him — like, for example, how the sport of football’s process for developing quarterbacks is broken. And while the player is never totally free of blame, it was hard not to think …
Read More »Inside Mikel Arteta’s managerial mindset, with Arsenal’s former head of methodology
Follow live coverage of Atalanta vs Arsenal in the Champions League today When The Athletic revealed last month that Mikel Arteta hired professional pickpockets to pinch valuables from his Arsenal players at a team dinner last season, there were plenty of people wishing they had been in the room to witness …
Read More »Can a reimagined Cobbs Creek fulfill its promise? Public golf is hoping so
Editor’s note: This article is part of The Changemakers series, focusing on the behind-the-scenes executives and people fueling the future growth of their sports. PHILADELPHIA — From the eastern boundary of Merion Golf Club, water flows southeast along the property, cutting inward across the 12th hole, framing the famed 11th green, where …
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