NFL buys minority stake in ESPN.
Following talks first reported two years ago, ESPN is acquiring the NFL Network and rights to the fan-favorite RedZone Channel in exchange for the league taking a 10 percent stake in the sports network. It's all fodder for ESPN's upcoming streaming service which could launch this month for $29.99. ESPN parent Disney reports earnings later today so expect to hear more then. Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. Thomas Ricker Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Thomas Ricker
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9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Payton Tolle, 'one of the better pitching prospects' in the Red Sox' farm system, promoted to Triple-A Worcester
WORCESTER — Chad Tracy didn't parse words when describing his newest pitcher Payton Tolle. 'From the things I've heard, this is one of the better pitching prospects (we've had) roll through here in my time,' the four-year WooSox manager said, 'and I'm excited to watch him throw.' Currently ranked as Boston's top pitching prospect, according to Tolle has been terrific in his first full season inside the Red Sox organization. The 22-year-old left-hander was promoted from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. Tolle, who stands at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds and sports a major league mustache, possesses a 2.93 ERA with 116 strikeouts across 76⅔ innings in the minors this year. He comes in as Boston's No. 3 prospect overall. 'This guy's a bulldog and has just ripped through the minors,' Tracy said, 'and his stuff is great, and he throws strikes, and he's big, and he's strong.' Selected by Boston in the second round (No. 50 overall) of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft out of Texas Christian, Tolle began this season with High-A Greenville — going 1-3 with a 3.62 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 11 games (10 starts) for the Drive. Following his call up to Double-A Portland on June 24, the Oklahoma native posted a 1-1 record with a 1.67 ERA and 37 strikeouts in six games (5 starts) with the Sea Dogs. 'He's got a lot of electric stuff,' said WooSox pitcher Connelly Early, a teammate of Tolle in Portland before Early was called up to Triple A last week. 'When he's out on the mound, he's got that bulldog mentality, which is what you need. Seeing him go out there, it seemed like every single time he went out there he was just dominating, and it was amazing to watch.' Tolle's collegiate career first started at Wichita State, where he starred as a two-way player from 2022-23. He then transferred to TCU as a pitcher only in 2024, when he was a finalist for both the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy — which is given to the best amateur player in the U.S. and the national collegiate player of the year, respectively. Now, after being drafted by the Red Sox and experiencing a rapid rise through the organization, Tolle finds himself one call away from the big leagues. 'I was talking to one of my family friends back home, and he's like 'You do realize, you did get drafted last year?' ' Tolle recalled. 'I was like 'Yeah, it's kind of a whirlwind, I guess, but in the best way possible.' 'Just couldn't be more thankful.' While Tolle's fastball has touched 98 miles per hour this year, the tall lefty usually sits in the mid 90s with his heater. To strengthen his arsenal, though, Tolle has implemented an improved cutter, changeup and curveball to his pitch mix this season. 'Just having more weapons than just the fastball,' Tolle said ahead of his first game on the WooSox bench Wednesday. Tolle's repertoire, skill and size make him one of the more intriguing prospects in the Red Sox farm system at the moment. His personality plays a part, too. 'He's a big giant, but at the same time, he's a teddy bear to all the guys he's around in the clubhouse,' Early said. 'Great guy to have, from a team perspective, and, obviously, out on the mound.' Said Tracy: 'I haven't heard a single negative thing about him at all.' 'I'm going to have a whole lot of fun on the mound,' Tolle added. 'And I hope people have as much fun watching me pitch.' While Tolle is scheduled to start for the WooSox Aug. 10 at Polar Park, in his Triple-A debut, there is a strong possibility the Red Sox prospect could move to the bullpen — like new teammate David Sandlin did earlier this week — at some point down the road to help Boston with its stretch run. 'I think it's good to kind of let that carrot dangle,' Tolle said. 'But, at the same time, trying (the best I can to be where my) feet are. It can be very difficult, especially being this close (to the majors) now, but just trying to take it one day at a time.' When it comes to being a starter or a reliever the rest of the way, Tolle says he's game for whatever. The tall left-hander has enjoyed his rapid rise through the Red Sox ranks the past year. He hopes it continues. 'The end goal of this whole thing is to have a long, prosperous big-league career,' Tolle said. 'And whatever that role may be, whatever is going to put the organization in the best position possible. So whether that's bullpen, whether that's starting, whether that's handing out water, like, whatever. 'Whatever I need to do to give myself the best career, but also the most successful in the team aspect as well.' The returns on Payton Tolle have been good so far in Worcester. And he hasn't even thrown a pitch. 'We're definitely excited to have him,' Tracy said. —Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Top Red Sox pitching prospect Payton Tolle promoted to Triple-A Worcester
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pau Gasol congratulates Luka Doncic on Lakers contract extension
Los Angeles Lakers mystique is alive and kicking, as 26-year-old superstar Luka Doncic agreed to a three-year contract extension on Saturday. He will be under contract with the Lakers for at least the next three years, and he has now set himself up to receive a gargantuan payday in 2028 when he will be eligible for a supermax extension. Doncic immediately made an announcement on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account that he's giving back a bit of his newfound wealth to help others. He's going to give out $5 million to help 77 young athletes achieve their dreams, and he has also become an ambassador for the Take Back Sports initiative, which encourages kids to play sports. Former Lakers star big man and two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol congratulated Doncic on not only his extension but also his philanthropy. Gasol wasn't just a Hall of Fame player for the Lakers — he's also one of the most compassionate people who has ever played in the NBA. He has been involved in humanitarian efforts such as UNICEF and the "Hoops for St. Jude" charity program, and he and his brother Marc started the Gasol Foundation to promote healthy lifestyles and fight childhood obesity. Months ago, just after coming to the Lakers in that huge February trade, Doncic donated $500,000 to help with the recovery efforts following the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires that ravaged the Southland this past winter. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Pau Gasol congratulates Luka Doncic on Lakers contract extension
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Canadian teen Mboko beats Rybakina to reach WTA Montreal final
Canadian wild card Victoria Mboko saved a match point on the way to a thrilling 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) victory over former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on Wednesday to reach the final of the WTA Canadian Open. The 18-year-old fed off the energy of the crowd, crediting ecstatic supporters with carrying her through after a tumble left her with a sore right wrist in the third set of her first tour-level semi-final. Mboko, who ousted top-seeded French Open champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round, didn't let it stop her. After going down an early break in the third set she refused to go quietly, loading up on her forehand fending off a match point as she broke Rybakina in the 10th game to level the set. A couple of untimely double faults helped ninth-seeded Rybakina break back for a 6-5 lead, but the ninth seed from Kazakhstan was broken at love in the next game, setting the stage for a gritty tiebreaker. "Anything can happen," an exhausted Mboko beamed as the crowd's cheers rained down on her. "Unfortunately I fell, but I had everyone supporting me and pushing me." Mboko, playing in just her third 1000-level event, will play the winner of the second-semi-final between four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan and Denmark's Clara Tauson. Osaka, still seeking to find consistency since returning from maternity leave in 2024, arrived in Montreal ranked 49th in the world. She'll face a tough challenge in Tauson, who reached the semi-finals with wins over Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek and Australian Open winner Madison Keys. bb/sla
