sports

Rapper-actor Common, along with collaborators Karriem Riggins and James Poyser, has composed "Victory" as the official theme song for NBA on Prime Video's upcoming basketball coverage. The trio created three versions of the score—orchestral, hip-hop, and rock—recorded with a 70-piece orchestra in Nashville. The theme song will debut on October 24 during Prime Video's opening-night doubleheader featuring the Celtics vs. Knicks and Timberwolves vs. Lakers. For Common, who was once a Chicago Bulls ball boy and whose father played in the American Basketball Association, this project represents a meaningful way to connect with basketball through his musical talents.

Tara Davis-Woodhall won the gold medal in long jump at the world track and field championships in Tokyo, adding to her Olympic gold from last year. Despite acknowledging America's current difficulties, she expressed hope and belief in her country during an emotional medal ceremony. Her success stems from rededicating herself to better training and discipline after winning silver at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest. Beyond her athletic achievements, Davis-Woodhall has leveraged her influence and 1 million Instagram followers to successfully advocate for the inclusion of field events in the all-women's track circuit, Athlos, where she'll compete in Times Square next month.

The early 2024-25 European soccer season has been marked by a concerning surge in racist incidents targeting Black players across multiple leagues, with anti-discrimination campaigners noting incidents have more than doubled compared to the same period last year. Players like Antoine Semenyo, Christopher Antwi-Adjei, Weston McKennie, and Kylian Mbappé have all been victims of racist abuse from spectators in recent matches. Despite numerous initiatives from governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA, racism persists in soccer stadiums and on social media, leading frustrated players to call for tougher penalties against offenders. FIFA's latest response includes forming a 16-member "Players' Voice Panel" featuring soccer legends like George Weah and Didier Drogba to advise on anti-racism initiatives, while experts debate whether the problem stems from broader political trends or from structural issues within soccer itself.

Joe Black, the first Black pitcher to win a World Series game for the Brooklyn Dodgers, formed a profound brotherhood with Bill Cosby that lasted until Black's death. Beyond his baseball achievements, Black served as an Army officer, teacher, Greyhound executive who created opportunities for Black workers, and a devoted single father to his daughter Martha Jo, who later wrote a book about him. Cosby recounts their deep friendship, including their final conversation when Black was hospitalized after a fall, ending with Black's poignant final words to Cosby: "Let's go!" The article emphasizes Black's legacy beyond sports statistics, highlighting how he preserved Jackie Robinson's experiences and insisted on protecting Black history for future generations.

American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won the women's 100 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, setting a championship record time of 10.61 seconds, the fourth fastest in history. She dominated the race with the second-biggest winning margin in championship history, finishing 0.15 seconds ahead of Jamaica's Tina Clayton and 0.23 seconds ahead of Olympic champion Julien Alfred. Jefferson-Wooden attributed her success to preparation, hard work, faith, and focusing on execution while maintaining an undefeated record this season. She now aims to compete in the 200 meters, hoping to become just the second woman in 30 years to win both events at a single world championship.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the most decorated female 100-meter sprinter in history, concluded her 18-year career at the world championships in Tokyo, finishing sixth in the 100-meter final. Her career began in Japan in 2007 and has come full circle, ending in the same country where she first won a silver medal as a relay team reserve. Despite initially planning to retire after the Paris Olympics, she opted to continue after a gate mix-up prevented her from competing in the semifinals there. Throughout her illustrious career, Fraser-Pryce accumulated an impressive 24 medals from the Olympics and world championships combined, including 3 Olympic golds and 10 world championship golds.

A new report from Americans for Tax Fairness highlights the extreme economic disparity between NFL franchise owners and fans, with owners earning approximately $600 million annually—7,000 times the average fan's income of $85,000. The Republican tax plan will further widen this gap, giving the wealthiest 0.1% (including all NFL owners) tax cuts averaging $286,000 in 2026, while typical fans will experience financial losses of about $700 annually due to Trump's tariffs offsetting modest tax cuts. Meanwhile, fans face rising costs across all aspects of following the sport, including ticket prices averaging $125, expensive concessions further inflated by tariffs, and streaming costs that can exceed $1,000 annually to watch all games. The Green Bay Packers, as the NFL's only publicly owned franchise, demonstrate that billionaire ownership isn't necessary for team success, while Democratic leaders have proposed various tax reforms to address wealth inequality.

During a heated exchange following Taylor Townsend's victory at the US Open, Jelena Ostapenko told the American she had "no class" and "no education," sparking widespread reaction from tennis players. Naomi Osaka called the remarks among "the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority White sport" while defending Townsend's character and intelligence. Ostapenko later explained on social media that her frustration stemmed from Townsend not apologizing after benefiting from a net cord during their match. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka mentioned she spoke with Ostapenko after the incident, describing her as someone who sometimes loses emotional control.

American tennis player Taylor Townsend upset world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva in the third round of the US Open, winning 7-5, 6-2 in just 76 minutes. The victory advances Townsend, more known for her doubles expertise as a reigning Australian Open women's doubles champion and world No. 1, to the fourth round, equaling her best grand slam singles performance. The match came amid controversy following a tense exchange with Jelena Ostapenko after their previous match, where Ostapenko made comments that Naomi Osaka criticized as inappropriate toward a Black tennis player. Townsend, wearing a phoenix-inspired outfit that she says represents her career transformation, received a standing ovation from the crowd after her victory.

Coco Gauff advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 victory over Ajla Tomljanovic despite continuing struggles with her serve, including 10 double faults. The defending champion recently enlisted biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to help address her serving issues, which have been a persistent problem this season with 320 double faults prior to this tournament. Despite the serving challenges, Gauff's excellent court coverage, strong backhand, and net play ultimately secured her victory in a nearly three-hour match. As the tournament progresses, Gauff has a chance to overtake her competitors and reach the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career.

Naomi Osaka, the two-time U.S. Open champion and current No. 23 seed, defeated Greet Minnen 6-3, 6-4 in her first-round match on Tuesday night. Osaka made a fashion statement by entering the court with sparkly red roses in her ponytail that complemented her crystallized Nike bubble hem skirt, though she removed the hair accessory before playing due to its weight. The elaborate outfit was specifically designed as her "night outfit" for playing under the lights in New York, with the crystalized performance attire requiring significant preparation time. Osaka explained that while the outfit design was planned well in advance, the idea for the decorative hair roses came together just two weeks before the match.

The U.S. Open is prominently honoring Althea Gibson, the first Black player at a major tennis tournament, 75 years after her groundbreaking achievement. Gibson's image is featured throughout the tournament, including as the event's logo, on screens inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, and in a tribute narrated by Venus Williams. Despite her remarkable accomplishments—winning Grand Slam titles and breaking racial barriers in both tennis and golf during the Jim Crow era—Gibson's contributions have historically been marginalized compared to other pioneers like Jackie Robinson. The USTA is now making a concerted effort to properly celebrate Gibson's legacy through various tributes throughout the two-week tournament, including a special luncheon, performances, and educational initiatives highlighting her struggles and achievements.

Venus Williams, 45, has received a wild-card invitation to compete in singles at the U.S. Open, making her the oldest singles entrant since Renee Richards in 1981. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion will be returning to major tournament play after a two-year absence from Grand Slam tennis, having last played at the 2023 U.S. Open where she lost in the first round. Williams, who recently returned to competitive tennis at the DC Open after a 16-month absence following surgery to remove uterine fibroids, has also received a wild-card entry for the mixed doubles competition with American player Reilly Opelka. Her comeback has generated significant attention both for her tennis achievements and her personal life, including her engagement to an Italian actor.

Olympic bronze medalist Frederick Richard is challenging men's gymnastics uniform rules by wearing shorts with compression leggings instead of traditional stirrup pants at the U.S. Championships, despite receiving a 0.3 point deduction each competition day. Richard believes modernizing the uniform is essential to make gymnastics more appealing to young boys who might otherwise abandon the sport for alternatives they consider "cooler." Despite the deductions potentially affecting his competitive placement, Richard remains committed to this cause, arguing that updated uniforms could help address declining participation in men's gymnastics in the United States. While Richard wouldn't wear his modified uniform in team competitions, he's considering continuing his uniform protest on the international stage in individual events.

Iñaki Williams has become the first Black captain for Athletic Bilbao, a significant milestone given the club's historical Basque-only policy and Spain's current political climate. The 31-year-old, born in Bilbao to Ghanaian immigrant parents, views his captaincy as meaningful representation for immigrants in the Basque Country and Spain. Williams, who has faced racist abuse alongside his brother Nico, emphasized the importance of speaking out against far-right rhetoric while overcoming barriers. Athletic Bilbao will compete in the Champions League for the first time since 2014-15 after finishing fourth in last season's Spanish league.

Hulk Hogan's recent death at age 71 has evoked deeply divided reactions among wrestling fans, especially in the Black community. While many celebrate Hogan's iconic status and undeniable influence in popularizing professional wrestling, others cannot separate his legacy from his documented racist comments, including slurs captured on recordings in 2007. Black wrestling enthusiasts like Kazeem Famuyide, who hosts "The Ringer Wrestling Show," express complex feelings about Hogan—acknowledging his childhood hero status while criticizing his apparent lack of genuine remorse for racist statements. The contradictory responses to Hogan's death reflect broader tensions about race within both wrestling culture and American society as a whole.

Mark Walter, the Los Angeles Dodgers' principal owner and CEO of Guggenheim Partners, is facing criticism over financial connections to companies that profit from immigrant detention and surveillance. Walter's Guggenheim Partners holds a $12 million stake in the GEO Group, which operates ICE detention centers, while his TWG Global has partnered with Palantir Technologies, which developed immigration tracking software for ICE. These ties gained attention following ICE raids in Los Angeles, when the Dodgers remained silent for nearly two weeks before donating $1 million to affected communities, an amount critics called inadequate damage control. The team has also faced legal challenges from America First Legal over diversity initiatives and criticism regarding the historical displacement of Mexican-American neighborhoods to build Dodger Stadium.

David "Syd" Lawrence, the first British-born Black cricketer to play for England, has died at age 61 after battling motor neurone disease. Lawrence had a notable cricket career with England and Gloucestershire that ended prematurely due to a knee injury, later becoming a bodybuilder, nightclub owner, and advocate against racism. His significant contributions to cricket were recognized through his appointment as Gloucestershire's first Black president and his recent receipt of an MBE from King Charles III for outstanding services to cricket. Even while facing his illness, Lawrence remained active in fundraising efforts to fight motor neurone disease and was honored by cricket organizations for his pioneering impact on the sport.

The San Diego Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and its philanthropic arm held their 36th Annual LtCol Clancy Davis, USMC (Ret) and Bobby Hatcher Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament on June 28, 2025, with a record attendance of 116 golfers. The chapter, celebrating its 75th anniversary since being chartered in 1950, has consistently supported the San Diego community through scholarships, holiday bike donations, and other local initiatives. During the post-tournament awards luncheon, this year's scholarship recipients were introduced, including Morghan Foster, Nailah Wyatt, and Derrick Shima, who received awards totaling $12,500. Over the past four years, the chapter has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors in San Diego County and members of the Delta Epsilon Chapter at San Diego State University.

In a stunning upset at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska (world No. 42) defeated second-seeded Coco Gauff in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-1. Gauff, who recently won the French Open, struggled throughout the match with nine double faults and only six winners compared to Yastremska's sixteen. This loss, combined with Jessica Pegula's defeat, marked a historic moment as the first time in women's major Open Era history that two of the top three seeds lost in the first round. After the match, Gauff acknowledged feeling mentally overwhelmed following her French Open victory, while Yastremska celebrated what she called the biggest win of her career.

Women across North America are actively participating in tackle football leagues such as the American Women's Football League (AWFL), Women's National Football Conference (WNFC), and Women's Football Alliance (WFA), often paying their own expenses and risking injuries for their passion for the sport. These leagues are gaining visibility with championship games being broadcast on ESPN2 and played in professional venues like the Dallas Cowboys' Ford Center and the Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. While players currently don't receive salaries, some leagues are securing sponsorships from brands like Adidas, Dove, and Riddell to offset costs and provide championship prizes. League commissioners believe women's tackle football is poised for significant growth alongside the rising interest in women's sports generally and the NFL's investment in women's flag football.

Kamaiu Johnson secured his second consecutive APGA Tour victory at the Juneteenth Classic held at Chester Washington Golf Course in Los Angeles, defeating Marcus Byrd in a sudden-death playoff after both finished at 12-under-par 128. Johnson, who didn't monitor the leaderboard during play, birdied four of the final five holes to force the playoff and ultimately claimed the $7,500 winner's share from the $25,000 purse. The win carried special significance as it occurred on the eve of Juneteenth, with Johnson emphasizing the importance of preserving African American history and acknowledging golf pioneers like Charlie Sifford and Tiger Woods who paved the way for his success. The APGA Tour, founded in 2010, continues its mission of diversifying golf through competitive opportunities, with its next tournament scheduled at TPC Deere Run in Illinois.

NiJaree Canady, a 22-year-old African American softball star, has made history by becoming the first college softball player to secure an NIL deal exceeding $1 million through Texas Tech's Matador Club. After transferring from Stanford to Texas Tech, Canady signed a $1,050,024 one-year contract while demonstrating exceptional athletic performance, including leading Texas Tech to its first Big 12 regular-season and conference titles with a 26-5 record and nation-leading 0.86 ERA. The 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year has an impressive resume that includes the Honda Sport Award, multiple Women's College World Series honors, and representation on Team USA in the 2024 Japan All-Star Series. Her groundbreaking deal represents a significant shift in opportunities for Black female athletes in collegiate sports.

Coco Gauff defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 to win her first French Open title, becoming the first American woman to triumph at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. Gauff, ranked second in the world, overcame the painful memories of her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Swiatek, demonstrating improved mental strength and emotional control throughout the match. Despite challenging windy conditions that led to numerous unforced errors from both players, Gauff maintained her composure and made fewer mistakes than Sabalenka, who committed 70 unforced errors compared to Gauff's 30. The victory marks Gauff's second Grand Slam title following her 2023 U.S. Open win, which also came against Sabalenka.