QUICKREADS

Who is Claire Sweeney, Ricky Hatton's ex-girlfriend?
Ricky Hatton, British boxing icon, died at 46. Earlier in 2024, he briefly dated actress Claire Sweeney after meeting on Dancing on Ice. They vacationed together but amicably split, remaining friends due to different lifestyles.

Parker Romo fails to recognize Leonard Floyd, hilarious 4-word reaction viral: ‘Nice to…’
Parker Romo, new Falcons kicker, went viral after failing to recognize teammate Leonard Floyd during a post-game interview, awkwardly saying "Nice to meet you" despite sharing the same team.

Soccer-Chelsea's Kerr makes scoring return after 20-month layoff
Sam Kerr made a triumphant return to the pitch after 20 months sidelined by a knee injury, scoring her 100th goal for Chelsea in a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa. The Australian striker expressed relief and pride in her achievement, emphasizing her love for the club. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor praised Kerr as an idol for her resilience and contributions.

A’ja Wilson (29 points), Aces overpower Storm in Game 1
The Las Vegas Aces dominated the Seattle Storm 102-77 in Game 1 of their WNBA playoff series, moving within one win of advancing. A'ja Wilson led with 29 points, while the Aces extended their winning streak to 17 games, one shy of the league record. Game 2 is set for Tuesday in Seattle.

Terry Bradshaw scores big at Churchill Downs as his filly wins $251,250 Pocahontas Stakes
Terry Bradshaw's two-year-old filly Taken by the Wind won the $251,250 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs, earning $136,710 and 10 Kentucky Oaks points. Purchased for $20,000, the horse remains unbeaten in two starts.

Will Xavier Worthy play in Week 3 vs. Giants? Chiefs WR injury update
Chiefs rookie WR Xavier Worthy is out for Week 2 after dislocating his shoulder in Week 1. Despite early practice return, he's expected to play in Week 3 against the Giants, with recovery progressing faster than anticipated.

Jalen Hurts' 5-word response to Chris Jones' low yardage taunt caught on hot mic, 'We won...'
Jalen Hurts responded to Chris Jones' taunt about low yardage with a defiant "We won the f****** game" after the Eagles defeated the Chiefs 20-17, emphasizing victory over individual stats.

Soccer-The week in Asian football
Al-Ittihad continued their winning streak in the Saudi Pro League with a 4-2 victory over Fateh, while Al-Nassr and Al-Khaleej also secured wins. In Japan, Kashima Antlers closed in on Kyoto Sanga after a 3-0 win, and in China, Chengdu Rongcheng leads the league following a 1-0 win over Changchun. Jeonbuk Motors maintained a commanding lead in South Korea with a 1-0 win.

Racing Louisville's DeMelo collapses during match against the Reign
Racing Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo was stable after collapsing during a match against the Seattle Reign, prompting the game's early suspension. Medical personnel provided immediate care, and she was transported to a local hospital. The NWSL emphasized player safety and will reschedule the match. DeMelo previously dealt with health issues, including Graves’ disease.

Japan and Fiji cruise into Pacific Nations Cup rugby final rematch
Japan and Fiji secured dominant victories in the Pacific Nations Cup semi-finals, setting up a rematch of last year's final. Japan defeated Tonga 62-24, while Fiji triumphed over Canada 63-10. Both teams prepare for the championship match next Saturday, with Fiji looking to defend their title after last year's 41-17 win over Japan.

NWSL roundup: Thorns' Olivia Moultrie sets teenage scoring record
Olivia Moultrie scored a record-breaking free-kick for the Portland Thorns, leading to a 1-1 tie against the Chicago Stars. Moultrie achieved her 14th NWSL goal as a teenager, the most in league history. Meanwhile, Utah Royals defeated Houston Dash 2-0, and a match between Racing Louisville and Seattle was abandoned due to a medical emergency involving a player.

Why investors are piling into niche sports
The rise of fringe sports like "World Chase Tag" and volleyball is fueled by pandemic-driven demand for entertainment and new broadcasting opportunities. Investors are flocking to niche leagues, seeing potential for growth and diversification as established franchises remain inaccessible. However, challenges like market saturation and financial instability persist, raising questions about sustainability amid the excitement.

Red Sox bats back Garrett Crochet (12 K's) in win vs. Yankees
The Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 6-4, highlighted by a six-run first inning and Garrett Crochet's 12 strikeouts over six innings. Carlos Narvaez hit a two-out homer, while Amed Rosario and Aaron Judge homered for New York. The Yankees remain 1.5 games ahead of the Red Sox in the AL wild-card standings.

Did Taylor Swift attend Travis Kelce's Chiefs vs Eagles game? New clip hints at 'sneaky' entry
Taylor Swift's presence at the Chiefs vs Eagles game sparked speculation, with a mysterious video showing a hidden screen. Two sources confirmed her attendance, marking her first game since Travis Kelce's engagement, despite initial doubts about her being there.

Kipyegon bids for fourth 1500m world gold, Wanyonyi in loaded 800m
Olympic champions Faith Kipyegon and Hamish Kerr are set to shine on day four of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, featuring finals in men's 800m, men's high jump, and women's 1,500m. Emmanuel Wanyonyi aims to challenge David Rudisha's 800m world record, while Kipyegon seeks to defend her 1,500m title against rising star Nelly Chepchirchir.

Carlos Narváez’s solo HR caps 6-run 1st, Garrett Crochet fans 12 and Red Sox hold off Yanks 6-4
The Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 6-4, avoiding a three-game sweep and ending a three-game losing streak. Carlos Narváez's solo homer highlighted a six-run first inning, while Garrett Crochet struck out 12 batters. Aaron Judge hit his 48th homer, but the Yankees fell four games behind the AL East-leading Toronto.