SPORTS HEADLINES

Anticipation builds ahead of the full schedule release for the upcoming NFL season

The full 2026 NFL schedule will be released Thursday night, completing the list of 272 games over 18 weeks. The season kicks off on Sept. 9 when the Seahawks raise their Super Bowl banner. It’ll be the second time the NFL season opens on a Wednesday — the Giants hosted the Cowboys on Sept. 5, 2012. Several games already were announced, including a record nine international games across four continents. The 49ers face the Rams in Melbourne on Sept. 10 in the first international game of the season. The Steelers play the Saints on Oct. 25 in Paris in the NFL’s first regular-season matchup in France.

Aronimink proving to be a major test at PGA Championship. Four players share early lead at 67

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — The PGA Championship at Aronimink is proving to be a major test. No player scored better than 67 among early starters. Rory McIlroy struggled, finishing with a 74. Bryson DeChambeau was even worse at 76. Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee and Ryo Hisatsune managed to score 67 with enough birdies to offset mistakes. Xander Schauffele is among those at 68. Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka are at 69. Spieth was hopeful of a better score the way he hit the ball. But it’s a good start as he goes for the final leg of the career Grand Slam.

Rory McIlroy has a bad finish for a rough start at the PGA Championship

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — Rory McIlroy had a blister on his right pinky toe during practice rounds for the PGA Championship. That was the least of his worries Thursday at Aronimink. The Masters champion suggested bashing driver and figuring it out from there would be the strategy. But he couldn’t figure out how to hit a fairway. The result was four straight bogeys at the end for 74. It’s been 27 years since a PGA champion started out by shooting 74 or worse, so he has his work cut out for him. McIlroy hit only five fairways, none on the last eight holes.

Bryson DeChambeau fails to stay in contention with 6-over 76 in long day at PGA Championship

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — Bryson DeChambeau’s attempt to climb the PGA Championship leaderboard hit a snag when his tee shot landed on a hospitality tent’s stairs. Confused by the shot, DeChambeau is on the brink of missing the cut for his second straight major. He shot a 6-over 76 at Aronimink Golf Club, his worst score to par in the PGA Championship. Despite his struggles, DeChambeau remains popular, with fans cheering his long drives. His future with LIV Golf is uncertain, as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has pulled its backing. DeChambeau may focus on social media if he doesn’t re-sign.

Georgia safety Ja’Marley Riddle arrested on drug, speeding charges

Georgia safety Ja’Marley Riddle has been arrested on two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor speeding charge. According to a police report obtained by WGIG 98.7 FM, Riddle was observed weaving through traffic at about 95 miles per hour on Friday night. Officers stopped him and noted nervous behavior and an odor of marijuana. Police discovered a bag in his backpack containing multicolored packaging labeled as marijuana and THC vapes. The football team spokesperson said they are gathering more information and declined further comment. Riddle transferred to Georgia this winter from East Carolina University.

WNBA foul calls rise slightly as the league cracks down on physical play

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA is trying to fix its physicality problem and is going through some growing pains during the opening week of the season. Fouls are up so far in the first week of the WNBA season with teams averaging 21.6 fouls. That’s up from 19.9 at the same point last year. That number dropped over the course of the year with 17.5 fouls on average per game for each team. The increased fouls aren’t really leading a major increase in free throws with 21.9 being attempted this season to 21.4 last year at this point.

Saudi Arabia continues its soccer push with a World Cup deal, even after pulling out of LIV Golf

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund became an “official tournament supporter” of the World Cup on Thursday and reaffirmed its commitment to invest in sports despite notable retreats from other ventures in recent months. The kingdom’s public investment fund (PIF) announced this month that it was pulling the plug on future funding for LIV Golf, raising questions about its long-term plans for other sports after its enormous spending in recent years. But in announcing the partnership, it said sport was a “priority sector”. The value of the deal, which covers North America and Asia, was not disclosed, but it further strengthens ties between Saudi Arabia and world soccer’s governing body.

Israeli minister criticizes Barcelona star Lamine Yamal for waving Palestinian flag

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The defense minister of Israel has criticized Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal for his waving of a Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Spanish league title win. Minister Israel Katz has written on X that Yamal’s waving of the flag “incites hate” against Israel. The 18-year-old Yamal waved a large Palestinian flag from an open-top bus during a victory parade by Barcelona’s team through the city on Monday. Yamal is set to star for Spain at next month’s World Cup to be played in North America.

Oilers fire Kris Knoblauch after 1st-round playoff exit that followed 2 Stanley Cup Final trips

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers have fired coach Kris Knoblauch after losing in the first round of the playoffs. Knoblauch guided the Oilers to consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final after taking over as a midseason replacement when Jay Woodcroft was fired following a bad start in November 2023. They are now set for their sixth coach in 12 seasons since Connor McDavid entered the NHL and became the best player in the world alongside fellow MVP Leon Draisaitl. General manager Stan Bowman dismissing Knoblauch seems to indicate he will remain in his job along with president of hockey operations Jeff Jackson.

Brittany Russell, with husband Sheldon riding, could make Preakness history with Taj Mahal

Brittany Russell has a chance to make horse racing history as the latest woman to train a Triple Crown race winner. Following Cherie DeVaux’s Kentucky Derby win and Jenna Antonucci’s Belmont victory, Russell aims to complete the sweep by winning the Preakness Stakes with Taj Mahal on Saturday. The race takes place at Laurel Park, Russell’s home track, and her husband Sheldon is the jockey. This could make them the first married couple to win a Triple Crown race as trainer and jockey. Taj Mahal is a strong contender, unbeaten in three races at Laurel Park.