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The women's sports explosion continues.

Major League Baseball will be making a "strategic investment" in the new AUSL—Athletes Unlimited Softball League—in a "first-of-its-kind, comprehensive partnership with a women's professional sports league," the body announced Thursday.

The partnership will serve to elevate and grow the AUSL by leveraging MLB's "marketing, events, distribution, editorial, digital and social platforms, content and more, including select AUSL games airing on MLB Network and MLB.com," per the release.

Major League Baseball will also support the fledgling operation financially by assisting with operational costs and growth initiatives.

“Major League Baseball’s investment in the AUSL represents an opportunity to support softball’s long-term growth and expand our engagement with these outstanding athletes and their fans," said baseball commissioner Robert Manfred.

"During this extraordinarily exciting time for women’s sports, we want softball to thrive. MLB is committed to help build a sustainable and impactful league that drives fandom, serves the softball community, and benefits all female athletes.”

Added AUSL commissioner and former Miami Marlins GM Kim Ng: “This is a watershed moment for women’s sports and especially for softball. MLB’s investment will supercharge our efforts to build the sustainable professional league this sport has long deserved, and sends a powerful message about the value of female athletes and the importance of creating professional opportunities for them. Together, we’re going to reach new fans and inspire the next generation of softball players.”

The AUSL will begin its inaugural season, comprising 24 games, on Saturday, June 7. Four teams will compete this year: the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts.

West Ham United are now looking to sign a “sensational” £35m midfielder who’s won the Premier League title two times, amid growing uncertainty surrounding his future…

West Ham eyeing new midfielder amid Paqueta uncertainty

West Ham star Lucas Paqueta recently admitted that he wanted to return to Brazil during the summer transfer window, saying: “Maybe I shouldn’t even be saying this, but I had some conversations with Filipe (Luís), who is a friend, in addition to the work he’s doing at Flamengo,”

“I really expressed my desire to return and also showed it to my agents.”

Ultimately, the attacking midfielder ended up staying put, however, and he has since gone on to put in some impressive performances in the Premier League, scoring three goals, most recently finding the back of the net in the 3-1 victory against Newcastle United.

That said, the Hammers won’t be particularly reassured by the fact one of their key players was angling for a move, and they have now set their sights on a new attacking midfielder, who could be brought in next summer.

That is according to the print edition of the Sunday Mirror (via West Ham Zone), with a report stating West Ham want to be kept informed about Harvey Elliott’s situation, having failed to make an impact since arriving at Aston Villa on loan from Liverpool.

Villa have an obligation to pay £35m for Elliott if he plays ten matches this season, but he hasn’t been getting a look-in as of late, which means Liverpool may recall the Englishman during the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old, who is represented by the same agency as Niclas Fullkrug, is viewed as a target for the summer, rather than this winter, but the Hammers may have to fend off rival interest, with RB Leipzig also named as potential suitors.

"Sensational" Elliott could reignite career at the London Stadium

The attacking midfielder’s move to Villa simply hasn’t worked out, but he is still very young, and there are plenty of signs he could be an exciting acquisition for West Ham, having impressed at times during his spell with Liverpool.

West Ham and Tottenham get Ivan Toney response after holding discussions

The Al-Ahli striker is fielding enquiries ahead of January.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 29, 2025

The London-born midfielder made 149 appearances for the Reds, amassing 15 goals and 20 assists and playing a role in his side winning two Premier League titles, while the 28-cap England U21 star has also caught the eye at international level.

As such, West Ham should continue to monitor Elliott’s situation as the season goes on, ahead of potentially launching a move next summer, with the former Fulham man in need of a move to a club where game is guaranteed, if he is going to fulfill his potential.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola took full blame for the club's Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen after a "first time in my life" selection gamble. City failed to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday as Guardiola paid the price for making 10 changes to his starting lineup.

• Guardiola's selection gamble backfires

  It was a special occasion for one of Europe's greatest coaches as Guardiola featured in the dugout for the 100th Champions League game of his career on Tuesday, with City squaring off against Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen at Etihad Stadium. It was not a happy occasion for Guardiola or City, though, as Leverkusen outplayed his team of second-string players.

  Key stars were left out of the starting XI, including Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Ruben Dias. The gamble backfired as City lost 2-0, with Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick scoring for the visitors. 

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  'It didn't work'

  Speaking to reporters after the match, Guardiola said: "I take full responsibility. Too many changes. I always had the belief it’s a long season and everyone has to be involved but maybe it was too much. It was the first time in my life I’ve done it and it was too much. I take responsibility but I saw them and I like everyone to be involved. When you are a football player and don’t play for five, six, seven games it’s tough but maybe it was too much. Always I like to be too nice and involve everyone because I have the feeling after the international break there are games every three or four days and there is no human being who can sustain that. We were at home, in a good position in the Champions League and I thought ‘let’s try and let’s have weapons on the bench’. It didn’t work and we have to accept it."

• City needs more goalscorers

  While resting Haaland in a Champions League game certainly was a gamble that backfired for Guardiola, it is also true that City need their other attackers to score more goals. They cannot completely depend on one player for all of their goals across all competitions. 

  Guardiola acknowledged this after the Newcastle defeat at the weekend, as he said: "Yes [the chances] were clear, but we have to score more goals. Our players have the ability and quality to do it."

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  Must win game vs Leeds up next

  With back-to-back losses against the Magpies and Leverkusen, City's confidence will be extremely low. The defeat against Newcastle also extended their gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to seven points. They next face a struggling Leeds United side on Saturday at home and Guardiola will hope that his team can get back to winning ways and remain in the race for the title with the Gunners. 

The struggles continue for the New York Mets' $765 million man, Juan Soto.

Soto, hitless in his last 14 at-bats, has now seen his batting average (.224) dip 57 points below his career average in a first half that has thus far been a massive disappointment relative to expectations for his first season in Queens. And as the struggles compound, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns believes that Soto is pressing.

"I honestly don't have like a 'this is the issue he needs to fix to get better'," Stearns said when asked what he believes the issue is. "I think he's taking pretty good at-bats. Controlling the strike zone pretty well. Hitting the ball on the ground a little bit more than he has in the past. That's something he's aware of."

"But telling yourself, 'Hey, I need to hit the ball in the air more,' doesn't immediately translate to hitting the ball in the air more. Do I think he's trying to do a little bit too much right now? Yeah, I think he's probably trying to do a little bit too much right now. And that is natural for a player who cares about improving."

Stearns's words somewhat echo those of Soto's agent Scott Boras, who told Tom Verducci that he believes Soto is having a hard time getting used to wearing "the crown" as baseball's highest-paid player. And while there are a whole host of reasons for Soto's underwhelming start to 2025, Mets brass has been unified in the belief that this too shall pass.

Stearns on Friday didn't seem concerned about Soto and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has been adamant that Soto is passing the "eye test" despite the lack of results at the dish. Even Mets owner Steve Cohen, the man who opened his checkbook to sign Soto to the biggest contract in North American sports history, preached patience when it comes to his star slugger's struggles.

Despite the slow start from Soto, the Mets (34-22) sit in second place in the National League East.

Sunderland have now reportedly set their sights on signing a Ligue 1 midfielder, who could yet arrive as a free agent when his current contract expires next summer.

Le Bris: Man City "deserved" win on "difficult" Sunderland day

It shows where Sunderland are at that many expected them to put up more of a fight against Manchester City at the Etihad. Ultimately, however, not even their impressive form could stand in the way of the familiar fate that so many promoted sides have faced in the last nine years.

The Black Cats were pushed aside by the Citizens and manager Regis Le Bris admitted that it was a “difficult” afternoon against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Those in Wearside don’t have time to think too much about their thrashing in Manchester, however, with the first Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League since 2016 fast approaching.

Victory over Newcastle United would cap off a sensational start to their Premier League return, which has left them in the perfect position to attract further arrivals in January.

The Black Cats have already been linked with moves for the likes of Bailey Rice following reports that the Rangers youngster could be heading for an Ibrox exit.

Sunderland star who Speakman was "excited" to sign is the new Jeremain Lens

This summer signing by Sunderland is on his way to becoming the new Jeremain Lens.

By
Dan Emery

Nov 30, 2025

Now, fresh reports have also name-dropped Arthur Avom, as Sunderland set their sights on adding another midfielder to Le Bris’ ranks in 2026.

Sunderland set sights on Avom move

According to Africa Foot, Sunderland are now eyeing a move to sign Avom from FC Lorient with the midfielder set to become a free agent at the end of his current contract next summer.

The 20-year-old does have the option to extend his deal for another year, but Sunderland’s interest could yet put a pin in those plans. What’s more, whilst Strasbourg are also interested in Avom, Le Bris’ links with former club Lorient could yet hand the Black Cats a key advantage against their French competition.

A reported Chelsea target earlier this year, Avom could now get his chance to join the Premier League courtesy of Sunderland. He’s certainly one to watch based on the numbers too. Back in November, the midfielder was even enjoying better passing numbers than Real Madrid’s Arda Guler.

Better than Xhaka: Sunderland flop is one of "the best" in the PL after leaving

Former Manchester City player Joey Barton has received a suspended sentence for 'grossly offensive' social media posts to football pundits Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward and broadcaster Jeremy Vine. The 43-year-old was handed a six-month prison sentence, which is suspended for 18 months. The ex-Newcastle United man claims that he "never meant to hurt anyone" with his electronic communications.

• Barton found guilty by jury

  In November, Barton was found guilty of sending 'grossly offensive' social media posts, where he called Vine a "bike nonce" and compared Ward and Aluko to serial killer couple Fred and Rose West on X. Jurors at Liverpool Crown Court found that he had "crossed the line between free speech and a crime" on six counts after being charged with 12 counts of sending a grossly offensive electronic communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety back in January 2024.

  At the trial, Barton said: "It was not meant to call him a paedophile. It was a bad, dark, juvenile joke. I have not at any point tried to cause distress or anxiety or risk his life or his daughters' lives. I don't want people to fear for their lives, I'm a dad. I cannot believe I'm on trial for this. Words on a social media site."

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  Barton avoids jail term

  The former Bristol Rovers manager was handed an 18-month suspended sentence, which means he will not serve any time behind bars unless he reoffends in that period. He was given six months each for two offences against Aluko and four months for each of the four counts related to Vine and Ward. At the sentencing, Judge Andrew Menary KC also ordered Barton to perform 200 hours of unpaid community work and pay more than £20,000 in costs. 

  After leaving court, Barton told The BBC: "If I could turn back the clock I would. I never meant to hurt anyone. It was a joke that got out of hand. Nobody wants to go to jail."

• 'Sustained campaign of online abuse'

  The judge added that targeting individuals online, in the way Barton did, falls outside the realm of freedom of speech. 

  He told the court: "Robust debate, satire, mockery and even crude language may fall within permissible free speech. But when posts deliberately target individuals with vilifying comparisons to serial killers or false insinuations of paedophilia, designed to humiliate and distress, they forfeit their protection. As the jury concluded, your offences exemplify behaviour that is beyond this limit – amounting to a sustained campaign of online abuse that was not mere commentary but targeted, extreme and deliberately harmful."

  Menary added that he was satisfied that Barton's custodial terms did not have to be "served immediately" and he had faith he could change his ways for good.

  He said: "In light of the steps you have taken, I am persuaded that there is some prospect of rehabilitation – that an immediate custodial sentence is not required to protect either the public or the victims. A suspended sentence order may – may – itself operate as a deterrent against any future defending by you."

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  What now for Barton?

  Two-year restraining orders were issued against each of Barton's victims, which includes publishing any reference to them on any social media or broadcast platform.

  After the verdict, Vine added: "I'm happy the case is over. Joey Barton has been made to pay a lot for his disgusting lies and abuse, but I fear he'll keep offending until the day he dies."

  Cheshire Police said they hoped this case would deter others from sharing "abusive and hateful messages" online going forward.

  "Barton's posts would have been seen by hundreds, if not thousands of people, and yet he showed no regard or consideration for how this would impact on his victims and their wellbeing. The sentence handed to him today comes with a number of strict conditions and should he breach these in any way he may face the prospect of time behind bars," said the police spokesperson.

MLB's home run leader will officially be competing in the Home Run Derby prior to the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh announced on social media Friday that he will compete in his first Home Run Derby this year. Raleigh is set to make his debut amidst a career year in which he leads the league with 32 home runs. He is currently the only player with at least 30 home runs at this point of the season, and will almost certainly make his first All-Star team as well this year.

Raleigh is the second player to announce they will be competing in the Home Run Derby this year, after Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. shared earlier this week that he will compete in the Home Run Derby.

Acuña will represent the hometown team at the derby while Raleigh, a North Carolina native, will also get to play close to home for the competition.

“It's really cool,” Raleigh said, via MLB.com. “Obviously, for all my family, it'll be easy for them to get to. And friends have already been texting me and asking if I would do it. So now hopefully I can put their mind at ease a little bit.”

Raleigh's Home Run Derby debut will get a special assist from his family. Raleigh's dad, Todd, a former college baseball coach, will throw to Raleigh during the derby. Raleigh is hoping that his younger brother, Todd Jr., will catch at the event.

“As a dad, it doesn't get any better than that. It's all downhill from there,” Todd told MLB.com over the phone. “To be able to be there with him on the field and have [Todd Jr.] involved, I mean, it's kind of like one of those Hallmark moments.”

One minute before the MLB's trade deadline on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, insider Jon Heyman tweeted that the Tigers were still "working hard" to lock down a starting pitcher. For a moment, it seemed that maybe Detroit ran out of time.

That was until the news dropped that the Tigers landed starting pitcher Charlie Morton from the Orioles, as reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan. The 41-year-old is in his 18th MLB season and now will play for his eighth MLB team.

The Tigers are dominating the AL Central so far this season with a 64–46 record and nine-game lead over the Guardians in second place. Adding another starting or relieving pitcher was high on the Tigers' to-do list before the deadline.

In 23 games and 17 starts this season for the Orioles, Morton has posted a 5.42 ERA, which is his highest since his rookie season in 2008. He's in somewhat of a slump, but maybe a new environment will create a spark for his pitching game.

Morton has thrown 101.1 innings, throwing 101 strikeouts while giving up 110 hits, 61 earned runs and 16 home runs.

Bukayo Saka’s second-half penalty to seal three points against West Ham United in the Premier League saw him become a centurion. The winger has 100 direct goal involvements across 200 fixtures in England’s top flight.

One of the poster boys of English football, Arsenal’s talisman has suffered an injury-disrupted start to the campaign, but three goals across all competitions and a sumptuous strike for England on Thursday evening underscore his world-class credentials.

That left-footed strike is something we’ve seen before.

He’s the cream of the crop, but it has been a plentiful harvest for Hale End over the past few years, with more than a few elite prospects underlaying Mikel Arteta’s ever-improving senior set-up.

Having finished runners-up in the Premier League for three successive seasons, Arsenal know that they need to reward the brilliant fanbase with silverware this season. It has been five years, after all. But for all the exciting big-money signings, those Hale Enders continue to shine brightly.

Arsenal's most exciting Hale Enders

Saka is hardly the only homegrown star plying their trade at the Emirates right now. An initialo £60m fee was spent to bring the 27-year-old Eberechi Eze back home this summer after so many years away, and the former Crystal Palace man looks to have been an astute signing for a side challenging for the biggest prizes.

It’s not always Arsenal let homegrown talents slip through their fingers, though, with Ethan Nwaneri still going from strength to strength as he looks to nail down a place in Arteta’s wider and grander plans.

And how could we forget Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has played the left-back berth with such consummate ease since breaking into the first team last season.

The 19-year-old has already chalked up 46 senior showings for the Gunners, and he has made his first three caps for the Three Lions.

Powerful and talented on the ball, Lewis-Skelly’s versatility and confidence have already seen him rise to the fore and become a Premier League star. Youth coach Jack Wilshere has long marvelled at how he is “unplayable” when fit and firing on all cylinders, but the translation to life on the senior stage has probably surpassed even the retired Gunner’s expectations.

However, ‘MLS’ is naturally a central midfielder, and there’s no guarantee he will not find his way back into the engine room permanently in the coming years.

With this in mind, Arsenal may rue Edu’s decision to cash in on another academy graduate who has earned praise for his quality.

Edu cashed in on "England's future left-back"

Edu left Arsenal 11 months ago, and Andrea Berta’s start to life in his stead as the Emirates technical director has suggested that the right move was made.

It’s futile keeping track of all the up-and-coming hopefuls, but one who might come back to bite Edu and Arsenal is Lino Sousa, who flourished through his academy years in north London but was sold to Aston Villa for a small fee in January 2024.

Now 20 years old, the England U19 international, who is also eligible for Portugal, is a natural talent when out wide but showed an aptitude in learning to invert, something Lewis-Skelly has done with aplomb over the past months.

Yet to feature for Unai Emery’s Villans, Sousa has been steadily cutting his teeth, spending the latter half of the 2023/24 campaign out on loan in the Championship with Plymouth Argyle before heading out again to Bristol Rovers last term, where his success in the duel caught the eye.

There’s certainly work still to be done, but the nuts and bolts of the talent’s skillset are there. Though he took a step down the ladder last season, the full-back demonstrated a raised level of confidence and quality regardless.

There’s no doubting Sousa’s potential. Still, there is an anticipation that he will pull it all together and make headway on the professional stage. Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson has even gone as far as to suggest the teenager could be “England’s future left-back”.

Athletic, pacy and blessed with a mean crossing ability, Sousa has the talent to rise to the top, and it’s worth issuing a reminder that development in football is often a non-linear thing. Lewis-Skelly’s today might be Sousa’s tomorrow.

But Arteta lives in the now, even though the sharp-witted Spaniard keeps a side-eye on the future.

Whether the Londoners come to regret their decision to part ways with Sousa remains to be seen. He featured 53 times for the club’s respective development sides, after all, and notched eight goal contributions.

Aged 17, he was promoted to the Europa League matchday squad as Arsenal took on Swiss side FC Zurich in 2022, but the meteoric rise over the past three terms emphasises the ruthlessness needed and shown. Arsenal have eclipsed expectations, and with that comes some sacrifices.

Ultimately, Edu had his shortcomings, and Sousa was perhaps a victim of the realities of breaking onto the senior stage when informed he would be leaving his boyhood club, having failed to make a single appearance for the men’s team.

But given that Lewis-Skelly has been in such fine fettle and plays at the highest level, it’s not something Arteta and co are likely to lose much sleep over.

Not Dowman: Arteta has a Saka & Odegaard hybrid in "phenomenal" Arsenal ace

The outrageous talent is like Saka and Odegaard and could be Arteta’s next Arsenal superstar.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 11, 2025

The Mets and their $341 million payroll are one step closer to the postseason. But there's still a long way to go.

Behind a three-hit game from Brandon Nimmo and homers by Francisco Lindor and Brett Baty, New York defeated the Cubs 8-5 on Thursday night at Wrigley Field. The win improved the Mets' record to 82-77, good for a one-game lead over the Reds and a two-game cushion over the Diamondbacks in the NL wild-card race.

Before the win Thursday at the "Friendly Confines," Fangraphs gave the Mets a 64.5% chance to make the playoffs. Those odds increased to 78.1% after the win.

While the Mets control their own destiny, they can't be sitting comfortably heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Due to their intradivision record, the Mets would lose tiebreakers to both the Diamondbacks and Reds if they finish the 162-game schedule with the same record.

The Reds kept their playoff hopes alive Thursday, defeating the Pirates 2-1 thanks to Noelvi Marte's heroic home-run robbery in the ninth inning. Arizona lost its second straight game, an 8-0 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers.

The Mets close out their season this weekend with a three-game series against the Marlins, who were just officially eliminated from the playoffs on Thursday. The Reds, meanwhile, will battle the Brewers at American Family Field, and the Diamondbacks visit the Padres.

Unlike the American League, there isn't much drama heading into the final weekend of NL play aside from the final wild-card spot. The Brewers, Phillies and Dodgers have all clinched their respective divisions, and the Cubs and Padres have secured a spot in October with wild-card spots.

Here's how everything is looking in the National League heading into Friday's slate of games:

National League Playoff Picture

NL DIVISION LEADERS

NL WILD CARD