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Winning the championship once is a hard thing to do. But when you’re OpTic Texas playing in the Call of Duty League Championships, the odds seem to dip a little in your favor in achieving history. That is what the 2024 and 2025 champions have done as they defeated the Vancouver Surge in a massive showdown to conclude the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 season. No one would have had this on their cards considering how hard it has been for a team to repeat in the CDL. And yet, OpTic has proven that the odds doesn’t always have to be in their favor to begin with before they can try to repeat as champions and show that they are still the best team in the league. Now that the victory on domestic stage is secured, OpTic now shifts its focus on the global stage – where they will battle in Riyadh for the Esports World Cup 2025 – which will also be the final tournament running for the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 before another one will begin with the next installment of the game. A Remarkable Feat Fans at Kitchener, Ontario hoped for a fantastic finish in the tournament, and so they saw one to remember. The atmosphere was electric, the stakes were sky-high, and both teams came ready for war. OpTic struck first, opening the series with a dominant 250-151 win on Hacienda Hardpoint. Vancouver Surge, unfazed, answered back by taking the second map in flawless fashion with a 6-0 sweep on Dealership Search & Destroy. The two teams traded blows through the next few rounds, but when the series reached its crucial final stretch, OpTic rose to the occasion. After a tightly contested Control map that ended 3-2 in their favor and a convincing 6-2 win on Hacienda Search & Destroy, they closed out the championship with a 250-215 win on Rewind Hardpoint. This win didn’t just earn OpTic another trophy—it reshaped the CDL landscape. In a league known for parity and surprise upsets, no team had ever successfully repeated as champions until now. With this historic back-to-back, OpTic has cemented itself as the defining franchise of the modern CDL era. Dominance Continues The individual performances throughout the tournament were equally impressive. Mercules, who entered the season as a promising talent, exploded onto the main stage with an MVP-worthy showing that captivated the fanbase. Meanwhile, Shotzzy, already a household name, further solidified his legacy by becoming the youngest player to win three world championships across both Halo and Call of Duty. Behind the scenes, legendary former player and now coach Damon “Karma” Barlow added yet another accolade to his resume, securing his fifth world title—two as a coach and three from his playing days. OpTic's Grand Final also broke viewership records. Over 353,000 fans tuned in live, making it the most-watched CDL event of all time. For a franchise with one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in esports, it was a moment of pride and affirmation. For OpTic, it’s not just about defending their title. It’s about dominating every stage they step on, proving that excellence isn’t seasonal—it’s who they are. In an esports world filled with unpredictability, one thing is certain: OpTic Texas isn’t just winning games. They’re making history, and this is the best way they can do it – to beat the odds and win it all.

It cannot be denied that BetBoom is on the rise once more with the way it has evolved as one of the toughest teams to beat in Dota 2. So far, their success in the PGL Wallachia Season 5 championship was a huge feat, and being able to take down the Gaimin Gladiators is a sign of solid dominance that they are mounting up in the big stage. This triumph marks the third tournament won by BetBoom – and the second overall this year. It can be remembered that the squad has seen some tough stretches with three years of inconsistent runs where they have lost and won from time to time. Now that they are back on the winning track, it seems that the European squad is getting to a bigger run now more than ever. On top of that, BetBoom has largely improved well in their games. They did have some poor performances in the past few tournaments, but this win in the PGL stage was a great look for the team considering that they had a lot of tough stretches. After coming up as a runner-up in DreamLeague Season 26, BetBoom has triumphed and earned its place at the top once more. A Big Win for BetBoom BetBoom took a commanding 3-1 victory in the Grand Finals of the PGL Wallachia Season 5, making it look easy against the Gaimin Gladiators – despite the tough competition that was seen from both teams for most of the tournament. BB took home a whopping $300,000 as the lion’s share of the prize money for the tournament. It was a strong outing for BetBoom in the whole tournament – they did have a struggle in the Group Stages when underdogs such as Edge and Natus Vincere nearly put them at the brink of elimination. They did bounce back later to tally just enough wins to push through, taking down Virtus.Pro, Xtreme Gaming, and Team Tidebound to blast their way into the playoffs. No struggles followed after that for the team. They took down Team Spirit in the first round before falling to Team Liquid in the next round. Luckily, they only fell to the lower bracket, which is still a good look for the team as they sent NAVI and Team Spirit before finally avenging their loss against Liquid once more in the same bracket. Grand Final Showdown BetBoom did not slow down in the Grand Final clash with the Gaimin Gladiators. They cruised for a strong win in 30 minutes for the first game, and then snowballed a start in Game 2 before claiming a 2-0 lead in 31 minutes. Gladiators did try to respond and took Game 3 with a better control of the lane to stay alive. However, BetBoom did not let themselves lose two games in a row and wrapped up the showdown after an hour in Game 4. As one of the rising powerhouses in Dota 2, BetBoom deserves a lot of praise for its impressive performances in PGL Wallachia Season 5. After all, they do have to make up for lost time as they seek to come up with strong campaigns that will see them emerge as a contender in the coming months. With the 2025 Esports World Cup and The International also closing in, it does seem that BetBoom has a lot to grind for and find a way to win big once more.

Defense has always been the pride for the Denver Broncos in the past few years, and the 2024 season was no exception to that as well. After finally clinching double-digit wins for the first time last season since the 2015 campaign, it seems that linebacker Alex Singleton is expected to anchor the defense to bring Denver to the top of the league like they did before. The Broncos are one of the teams slowly moving towards elite playoff contention. They are building on last year’s successes and proving that they still have what it takes to be a top team to look out for. For starters, it seems that the 2015 Broncos are a promising benchmark to begin with. After all, that same squad was also the last version of Denver that managed to reach the Super Bowl and win it all. And that’s what the 2025 Broncos are eager to follow through with: the hopes of proving their worth now more than ever. This is the best they can aspire to be, and even Singleton knows that there are a lot of expectations heading into the campaign. Mile High City on the Rise Denver is one of the teams that have been known for its strong defensive performances in the league over the years, and the current iteration of the team is certainly built for that matter, and now they are chasing bigger goals with the hopes of winning titles at the end of the day. The Orange Crush in the 1970s and ‘80s has all shown that they have what it takes to win. So did the 1997-98 squad that went back-to-back in the championships. If that isn’t a landmark of defensive success at the top, then that’s what the Broncos need to follow as well. "It's one of those things where it's like, 'Let's be better than the 2015 defense.' Stuff where like that's what we need to chase," Singleton said in an interview with DNVR last week. "You have to chase it when we start practice. ... We have to be the best every single day to get where we want to go." For starters, the 2015 Broncos were a notable squad as it ranked 1st overall in total yards, passing yards, average yards per rush, and sacks. It featured elite stars such as future Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware and that year's Super Bowl MVP, Von Miller. A Chance at a Title? The Broncos were a promising team in 2024. They had a stellar defense led by eventual AP Defensive Player of the Year cornerback Patrick Surtain II. They’ve also managed to keep their key pieces such as D.J. Jones and Justin Strnad and lost only linebacker Cody Barton – with the latter eventually replaced by Singleton himself. "I think this year - a lot of guys, including in the building, didn't fully expect to add so much to the defensive side this offseason and when we got it it was like, 'Oh this is going to be fun,'" Singleton said. "We just went somewhere that a lot of teams don't ever go, we're really, really excited." Fans are yet to see the full strength of this Broncos defense on the biggest stage and against the toughest teams out there. With the season coming in hot, expect a lot of odds to start swaying into Denver’s favor as they try to win big.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has just released a report saying that the group of hackers that once targeted MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment may potentially hit the airline industry next. Scattered Spider, the hacking group that victimized the two biggest casino operators in 2023, may have airlines in its sights using social engineering, an increasingly used type of cyber thievery, and ransomware. The notorious cybercriminal group known as Scattered Spider - responsible for 2023's headline-making ransomware attacks on Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International - is now setting its sights on another high-profile sector: the airline industry. According to a recent alert from the FBI, this group of hackers has shifted focus from casinos to aviation, using sophisticated social engineering tactics to infiltrate airline IT systems. These tactics often involve impersonating legitimate employees or contractors in an attempt to fool help desk staff into granting unauthorized access. Scattered Spider actors are increasingly relying on social engineering techniques, often impersonating employees or contractors to deceive IT help desks, the FBI stated. These methods are also used to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA), such as tricking help desks into registering unauthorized MFA devices, the FBI added. Ransomware and extortion: a familiar strategy The FBI alert indicates that Scattered Spider is once again using ransomware to lock down corporate systems and extort payment from victims, a strategy that proved profitable in the group's previous attacks on the casino industry. In 2023, Caesars Entertainment reportedly paid the hackers $15 million to prevent the release of sensitive customer data. MGM Resorts, which refused to comply, suffered widespread technological outages that crippled its casino operations and cost the company roughly $100 million in lost revenue and another $10 million in one-time fees. The law enforcement agency is now warning airline companies and their partners to remain vigilant and is actively working with them to combat the growing threat. The FBI is collaborating with affected industries to address this activity and assist victims, the agency noted. We encourage any business that suspects it has been targeted to contact law enforcement immediately, it continued. Airlines already under siege While no airline has officially named Scattered Spider as the culprit, the sector has recently experienced a surge in cyberattacks. WestJet in Canada and Hawaiian Airlines both reported being targeted, while Delta Airlines has urged customers to reset their passwords as a precautionary measure. The pattern of attacks, combined with the use of deceptive tactics, closely mirrors the methods previously deployed against casinos. Industry insiders and security experts suggest that it's highly plausible Scattered Spider is behind these recent intrusions. Airlines, much like casinos, manage a vast wealth of sensitive customer information, including names, physical addresses, travel itineraries, and details from government-issued IDs such as passports and driver's licenses. This makes them particularly attractive to hackers seeking to profit from data theft and extortion. Airlines are logical targets, cybersecurity experts say. They hold highly sensitive personal data that can be sold, ransomed, or leaked - each of which poses major reputational and financial risks. According to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Scattered Spider has a well-documented history of data theft and extortion, often in conjunction with ransomware known as BlackCat or ALPHV. The group is known for targeting not only large corporations but also their contracted IT providers, exploiting weak links in cybersecurity protocols. FBI reiterates: don't pay hackers Despite the temptation to resolve such incidents quietly, the FBI strongly advises businesses against paying ransom. Doing so, officials argue, only emboldens threat actors and increases the likelihood of future attacks. The growing threat posed by Scattered Spider demonstrates the critical need for robust cybersecurity across industries. As the group continues to expand its range of victims, companies in the travel, leisure, and aviation sectors are being urged to boost their defenses, train staff to recognize social engineering schemes, and report suspicious activity without delay.

A court in Sacramento, California has denied Underdog's request for a Temporary Restraining Order for the Office of the Attorney General Rob Bonta. AG Bonta is scheduled to issue his opinion on Daily Fantasy Sports, and this opinion may substantially affect Underdog's operations in the state. A California judge has denied Underdog Sports' attempt to block Attorney General Rob Bonta from issuing a legal opinion on the status of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in the state, dealing a blow to the fantasy sports and betting operator's efforts to safeguard its California operations. Judge Jennifer Rockwell of the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, dismissed Underdog's ex parte motion for a temporary restraining order on Wednesday. The motion, filed on July 1, sought to halt the imminent release of Bonta's anticipated opinion, which is widely believed to conclude that most forms of paid fantasy sports are illegal under current California law. Court finds no urgency for intervention In her ruling, Judge Rockwell emphasized that Underdog had ample time to challenge the attorney general's authority. The court noted that the DFS legal review was prompted more than 18 months ago when State Senator Scott Wilk formally requested an opinion from Bonta. "The fact that Petitioners delayed filing this action does not constitute a basis for ex parte relief," the ruling stated. Furthermore, the court underlined that any forthcoming opinion from the attorney general would not carry legal force on its own, nor would it change existing law. "The Attorney General's forthcoming opinion on fantasy sports does not effect any change in law and does not carry the weight of law," the court noted. "As a result, the court explained that the protective relief we sought was not necessary," a spokesperson for Underdog said in a statement following the decision. Underdog disputes Bonta's authority and legal interpretation Despite the court's ruling, Underdog continues to challenge Bonta's authority to issue an opinion on the matter. In its motion for the TRO, the company alleged that any opinion the attorney general might issue would rely on factual determinations that, under California law, fall outside the scope of the opinion process. "The last two Attorneys General, Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra, did not issue opinions on fantasy sports," an Underdog spokesperson stated. "Attorney General Bonta has been in office for more than four years without questioning fantasy sports games." Underdog maintains confidence in the legality of its operations and believes California law supports fantasy sports contests. The company drew parallels to legal battles in other states, noting that courts in both Illinois and New York ultimately rejected attorney general opinions that deemed DFS unlawful. "We are optimistic the law will be followed and are confident in the legality of fantasy sports in California," the spokesperson added. "If a negative opinion is issued, fantasy sports will prevail on the merits." Opinion expected any day, lawsuit still ongoing While the request for a restraining order has been denied, Underdog's broader lawsuit against Bonta remains active. The company is contesting whether the attorney general has the legal authority to issue such an opinion on DFS in the first place. The court's decision means Bonta is now free to release his opinion, which observers expect to arrive as soon as Thursday, the 3rd of July. While it may not carry the force of law, a negative stance from the attorney general could have significant implications for the perception and regulation of fantasy sports in California. In the meantime, Underdog has signaled that it will continue to operate in the state. We thank the court for that clarity and look forward to continuing to offer our fantasy contests in California, the company said.

The saga is just beginning: we've already reported that the California AG is set to release its opinion on DFS in the state, which may make it illegal - and now, we've just learned that Underdog has sued the Attorney General in order to stop the AG from releasing its opinion on Daily Fantasy Sports. Daily fantasy sports operator Underdog has filed an emergency lawsuit to stop California Attorney General Rob Bonta from issuing a legal opinion that could significantly impact the fantasy sports market in the state. Filed Monday in the Sacramento Superior Court, the lawsuit argues that the attorney general lacks the legal authority to issue such an opinion and warns that doing so could cause 'irreparable harm' to the company. The anticipated opinion is expected to declare daily fantasy sports illegal under California law - a move that Underdog says would not only destroy its own operations but also upend an industry that has operated in the state for decades. Underdog warns of 'imminent irreparable harm' In a memorandum supporting its request for a temporary restraining order or TRO, Underdog said it was blindsided by the impending release of Bonta's opinion. The company notes that approximately 10% of its overall business is tied to California customers. "Without this Court's immediate intervention, this unlawful gambit may succeed," the memorandum states. "Underdog faces imminent irreparable harm - from fleeing customers, risk-averse banks and payment processors, and the loss of investment and goodwill - if the Attorney General issues the opinion as planned." The company is seeking the TRO to preserve what it describes as the long-standing status quo for DFS in California, pending further court review. Challenging the Attorney General's authority At the heart of the lawsuit is Underdog's contention that the attorney general has no authority to weigh in on the legality of DFS through this type of opinion. The company asserts that such legal opinions are limited to questions of law directly tied to the responsibilities of the officials requesting them. "Absent relief from this Court, Attorney General Rob Bonta will issue an opinion later this week that will decimate fantasy sports in California," the filing reads. "Attorney General Bonta should be enjoined from doing so, not because he is wrong in his views on the legality of fantasy sports - though he certainly is - but because...he lacks authority to issue the opinion." Underdog contends that neither of the statutory requirements are satisfied in this case, and therefore the AG's office is overstepping its bounds. Pressure campaign alleged In a supporting declaration, Underdog attorney David Gringer of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP claimed that the AG's office is using the forthcoming opinion to apply pressure on DFS companies to exit the state voluntarily. According to Gringer, a representative of the AG's office indicated that the goal was to follow the playbook of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose 2016 opinion led one major DFS company to cease operations in that state. "The representative stated that...the goal of the Attorney General's office would be to use the threat of an enforcement action... to pressure Underdog into agreeing to leave California entirely," Gringer's declaration reads. Citing California's legal guidelines Gringer also questioned the internal guidelines used by the AG's office in deciding when to issue opinions. According to state law (Section 12519), the attorney general may only issue formal legal opinions at the request of certain state officials - and only when the questions pertain to the duties of their respective offices. When asked about these limits, the AG's office reportedly claimed that it was obligated to answer all questions posed by legislators, regardless of context. But Gringer pushed back, including a reference to the AG office's own published guidelines that contradict such an interpretation. The attorney general's office has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, but a formal legal opinion is still expected by the end of the week. If issued, the opinion could lead to widespread disruption in California's thriving DFS sector.

The very first virtual sports product has been launched in the US by the Virginia Lottery in collaboration with Aristocrat Gaming and Inspired Entertainment. Referred to as VSports, these virtual lottery games include sports such as basketball, football, horse racing, and more, available through the Virginia Lottery's online platform. The Virginia Lottery has made history by becoming the first US regulated lottery to offer virtual sports draw games online, marking a groundbreaking step in the evolution of digital lottery entertainment. This new suite of games, called VSports, was launched through a strategic partnership involving Aristocrat Interactive, Inspired Entertainment, and NeoPollard Interactive. A pioneering move in the US iLottery market VSports represents the first-ever introduction of virtual sports to a regulated digital lottery platform in the United States. The games simulate popular sports such as basketball, football, and horse racing, and are now available to players through the Virginia Lottery's online platform. Unlike traditional sports betting, these games rely on a certified random number generator, delivering outcomes that are both fair and entertaining, but not tied to real-world events. Offering new ways to play, the virtual games operate on a frequent, rapid schedule - running every two to three minutes - and replicate the excitement of live sports for digital lottery players. This innovation is designed to enhance engagement while aligning with regulatory standards in the gaming space. Tech integration and key partnerships The new product was developed by Inspired Entertainment, a global leader in virtual sports content, and was seamlessly integrated into the Virginia Lottery's digital ecosystem through Aristocrat Interactive's Fusion aggregation platform. NeoPollard Interactive also played a key role in delivering the content by leveraging its longstanding operational partnership with the Virginia Lottery. The collaborative approach helped ensure that the integration was both technically robust and aligned with the lottery's strategic goals. The Managing Director of Aristocrat Interactive iLottery, Chris Shaban, highlighted the significance of the launch, stating: "The introduction of these first-of-its-kind draw games for the Virginia Lottery exemplifies how customers can benefit from strategic integrations that drive new innovations." A win for players and public education From the Virginia Lottery's perspective, the introduction of VSports is more than just a novel gaming option - it's a way to expand player offerings while staying true to its mission of supporting public education. "This relationship allows us to provide a wide range of new, distinctive games that we are confident will be exciting and appealing to our players," said the Deputy Executive Director of Marketing at the Virginia Lottery, Scott Kenyon. "At the same time, it supports the Lottery's overall mission of raising revenue for K-12 public education in the Commonwealth." Part of a broader growth strategy The launch of VSports comes amid strong digital performance from Aristocrat Interactive in 2025, particularly in the North Carolina and Virginia markets through its NPI venture. The iLottery and digital content segments were among the few bright spots for Aristocrat in the first half of the year, contributing to a 9% increase in overall group revenue despite headwinds in its international gaming division. The success of the Virginia launch is expected to pave the way for further expansion of virtual sports offerings in other regulated lottery markets. Inspired Entertainment confirmed that more VSports titles are on the horizon, describing the current rollout as the first phase in a broader content roadmap aimed at transforming the digital lottery experience nationwide. As digital gaming continues to gain momentum across the US, the Virginia Lottery"s VSports debut could serve as a blueprint for how traditional lottery organizations can innovate while maintaining regulatory compliance. With more titles expected to launch and additional states watching closely, this pioneering move may be just the beginning of a larger shift in how Americans engage with lottery games online.

After yet another exit in the first round in the playoffs, LeBron James opts in with the Los Angeles Lakers with his player option to play one more year with the Purple & Gold as he seeks to come up with another championship run heading into the 2025-26 NBA season. With this decision, James now becomes the first player to play a 23rd season in the history of the league. James is slated to earn $52.6 million on his final deal with the Los Angeles Lakers and will become a free agent by July 2026 provided that he does not sign any other deals with the Lakers or other teams. On top of that LeBron also returned to on-court workouts this week after taking some time to recover from his sprained knee ligament that he suffered in Game 5 of the First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. In that regard, it seems that Los Angeles will be keeping its main star for one more year as they hope to come up with a promising campaign that will have them ready for another competitive run. After all, James is still seeking his first NBA title since winning last 2020, and that would be a legendary finish to his already majestic NBA career. Was There Any Doubt? Ahead of the final games of the 2025 NBA Finals, James has released a few videos detailing his future and hinting at one more season to play in the NBA at the very least. LeBron, at the very least, didn’t have any doubts about staying in the league as he still has a very healthy finish compared to most players. “I have a lot of time to take care of my injury, my knee, the rest of my body and make sure I’m as close to 100% as possible when training camp begins in late September,” James said in that interview. James is known well for his longevity in the league. He has rarely missed a lot of games in a single season, and is rarely hurt and struck by major injuries that we have seen from the likes of Tyrese Haliburton most recently. So far, it seems that LeBron is keen to return to play one more year for now. While talks about his retirement are still largely buzzing, this decision by the four-time MVP is certainly going to trim a lot of those discussions moving forward into the offseason. Big LeBron Run Coming Up As he is set to return, LeBron will now be playing alongside his co-star Luka Doncic for the first time in a full year. Doncic was traded last February to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. While they did made better strides en route to the playoffs, Los Angeles eventually fell to Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round in five games. Still, the Lakers finished at a satisfactory pace as the third seed in the West. James is also set to turn 41 this December – although it is unlikely to affect his level of play. If you are not impressed, note that James has averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in the previous campaign – that is way better than many other young players in the league right now. Oh, and he is still slated to add more to his points tally as the NBA’s All-Time scoring leader.

João Fonseca’s journey to Wimbledon 2025 is already one for the ages. At just 17 years old, the Brazilian phenomenon has embarked on a path that has seen him rewrite history and electrify tennis audiences worldwide – and now, he’s set to make his much-anticipated main-draw debut at the sport’s most venerated stage. Just six months ago, Fonseca was little more than a promising junior, ranked outside the top 200. But that began to change at the Australian Open, where in his very first Grand Slam main-draw match he defeated world No. 9 Andrey Rublev in straight sets – a stunning breakthrough that made him only the second teenager since 1973 to beat a top‑10 player in his debut match. It was a moment that sent shock waves through the tennis world – and one that served notice: Fonseca was not simply a rising talent, he was a force. His rapid ascent continued as he became the youngest Brazilian ever to crack the ATP top 100, soaring from No. 651 to No. 99 within a few months. In February, he clinched his first ATP title in Buenos Aires – becoming his country’s youngest tour-level champion and only the seventh-youngest ATP champion since 2000. The Testament to Growth in Tennis All of these successes by Fonseca is just proof that he thrives well under pressure – showing grit, resilience through adversity, and maturity well beyond his years. As the grass-court season commenced, Fonseca continued to break new ground. He displayed gritty determination at the Halle tournament, narrowly losing a well-fought three-set opener, and used it as critical experience to prepare for Wimbledon. His grass game showed significant progression – during practice sessions alongside two-time defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, Fonseca demonstrated an uncanny ability to match the rhythm and intensity of one of the sport’s elite. “For me this tournament is a dream. Everything you can see is perfect, even the flowers. Every detail is just perfect. When you come here, you just see how amazing it is,” the 18-year-old Fonseca said. “It's just a dream come true. It's for sure my favourite Grand Slam because of the culture and the history of Wimbledon. Every kid that plays tennis and wants to be a professional wants to come here.” Wimbledon represents another milestone. Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Fonseca dreamt of playing on its manicured lawns. Now, he’s walking out onto Court One, that dream materialized, filled with the cultural weight of Wimbledon’s tradition. Reuters reports him acknowledging that everything he sees, the manicured grass and the storied flowers – all feel extraordinary; it is his dream realized. And as he steps onto the grass, he’s not just a debutant; he’s a history-maker in the making. A History Waiting to be Written Of course, the path forward remains uncertain. Grass is unforgiving, and the margins are razor-thin. But Fonseca has shown a willingness to learn, adapt, and evolve – qualities that underpin greatness. His coach notes he “likes playing with pressure,” channeling it into performance. He’s entering Wimbledon as more than just a talent; he’s armed with belief, grounded by family, and buoyed by global applause. So when the first serve is struck on Court One, João Fonseca won’t just be making history – he’ll be continuing it. From junior world No. 1, to a Grand Slam debut that shocked the sport, to becoming Brazil’s youngest tour-level champion, and now crossing the iconic threshold at Wimbledon, his trajectory is nothing short of cinematic.

Nothing has been easy for Walker Buehler so far, and his continued struggles on the pitching side have been quite disappointing given the way he has played so far. While there are still a lot of games to play in the season, the Red Sox star has been quite on the fence about his chances to improve his play, and finally get back on track with his level of play now more than ever. If there’s going to be a list of struggling players in the 2025 MLB season, it seems that Buehler would definitely be topping the list with the way he is playing right now. He has been struggling to find ways to win in his games, and it is clear that he could not come up with a promising stretch that would see him thrive on the biggest stage now more than ever. Buehler is a great player in his own right, but it is the untimely struggles, albeit a hint of promising pitches from time to time, that have bothered his game. So far, this is expected to be the big issue in his game, and consistency is going to be quite a serious matter if he is going to stay in the lineup. Struggles Happen in MLB Despite being one of the most experienced players in the game, Buehler has seen the toughest stretch of his career now more than ever. In that regard, the two-time World Series winner has lost his rotation spot and could not find a way to break out of his slump. But then again, if injuries can happen – struggles are definitely more possible as well. “Yeah, I think I'm fighting for my spot in the game honestly,” said Buehler. “I think at some point, the way that I’ve thrown, there’s not a lot of places for 7 ERA starting pitchers in the big leagues. I don’t know what the next step is, and obviously I want to take the ball every fifth day and keep going and keep fighting.” There was even a day when Buehler even gave up four hits and four runs – and walking three and striking out three on 72 pitches. At this point, his ERA has swelled up to 6.45. Even for manager Alex Cora, it is not the time to think about Buehler’s spot in the Red Sox’s rotation. Can Buehler Bounce Back? Boston’s rotation depth, fortunately, is messed up enough to the point that they are buying Buehler some time to get back on his best game now more than ever. Tanner Houck is yet to come up with a great return from rehab, and Hunter Dolphins is still dealing with right elbow soreness. However, all of these help Buehler stay in the team – at least for now. “At the end of the day, we have depth and talent in this organization and there are realities in this game,” Buehler said. “I’ll kind of keep going and keep trying to figure it out. I think I kind of owe that to my family and to myself, given the rehab that we go through, and what that does to you. I’m going to find it and have a run. I just don't know when or where that'll be.” But he’s still grinding. After all, his one-year, $21.05 million contract in December isn’t endless.

With his contract almost up, the Edmonton Oilers are mulling their options as they now prepare to offer everything they’ve got to keep their main star Connor McDavid with the hopes of keeping him for good. However, they will have to wait until the star center is ready to engage in contract discussions before they can put up a lucrative deal now more than ever. Most of the discussions with McDavid in the past few weeks after being eliminated in the Stanley Cup Final was all about how the team can improve its chances, what they need to work out on this offseason – but way never about the contract that he needs to stay with the team for the years to come. At the age of 28, McDavid is coming off back-to-back losses in the Stanley Cup Final. He is still in his prime years, and he is also approaching the final year of his eight-year, $100 million deal that he signed way back in July 2017. This just means that he could either sign yet another big deal, or the worst-case scenario – see how the coming season will turn out for the Oilers before inking a deal, or try out his worth in the free agency market. A Big Season Coming Up The 2025-26 NHL season will be the biggest for McDavid. Entering his 11th year in the squad, the center has become quite a phenomenal performer – tallying 1,082 points (361 goals, 721 assists) in 712 regular-season games and 150 points (44 goals, 106 assists) in 96 playoff games. He has also won the Hart Trophy (MVP) three times. He also ended up winning the Ted Lindsay Award four times. Perhaps the best of his feats – the Art Ross Trophy five times and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the finals MVP of the 2025 Playoffs. However, all of these mean nothing unless he adds the final trophy he’s missing in his already historic career – the Stanley Cup. Reaching the top at the best time of his career is definitely one of the historic moments a player can enjoy. McDavid is certainly keen to reach that point and show that he can be an elite performer when it matters most. This just says a lot about how Edmonton needs to focus on keeping their main star satisfied and actively pursuing the goal. “This core has been together for a long time, and we’ve been building to this moment all along,” McDavid said. “The work that’s gone on behind the scenes, the conversations, the endless disappointment, and some good times along the way obviously as well. We’re all in this together trying to get it over that finish line. More Work to Do Whether or not Edmonton will pursue a new deal with McDavid, the team still has a total of six players entering the free agency market this week. Talents such as forwards Corey Perry, Jeff Skinner, Connor Brown, Kasperi Kapanen, and Derek Ryan, and defenseman John Klingberg are all going that way – as unrestricted free agents. If they want to keep McDavid, the team also has to surround him with the right talent to win. Luckily, Leon Draisaitl is secured, so there’s no need to come up with more talks around him. Evan Bouchard is currently a restricted free agent, and contract talks are underway. So there’s that. Until it is possible that McDavid would have a championship core heading for next season locked in, he may not be willing to start contract negotiations as well.