Sports

Are the 49ers off to an all-time great start? Here's what history tells us about four early NFL trends

Just how good are the 49ers? Are the Texans and Bucs better than their records? Are the Giants and Browns worse? We put the NFL season's first month in historical context.

Don't look now, Michiganders, but you're back in the Bottom 10

Apparently the Wolverines were so comfortable on our dubious list last week, they decided to stick around.

If they're not starting, they're departing: The QB2 talent drain

How hard is it to get, hold onto and pay a backup QB in today's college football?

Why expansion to Houston makes too much sense for the NHL

Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league is considering a new team, and Houston's viability is concrete.

NHL Rank: From 1 to 100, who will be the best players in 2026-27?

Connor McDavid remains No. 1, but who lands after him? Here are the players our panel believes are the best this season.

What could these playoffs mean for baseball's labor battle? We asked MLB players, execs

Does a Dodgers three-peat mean a salary cap is coming? Would a Rays or Brewers title prove small-market teams are just fine? Here's what insiders have to say.

Division series: What Guardians, Yankees, Braves, Padres must do to stay alive

It's a loaded day in the 2026 MLB playoffs, with eight teams in action as both the ALDS and NLDS roll on.

The top NCAA hockey teams to watch for high-end prospects in 2026-27

The college hockey season is just underway. Here's where to get a glimpse at the next wave of NHL stars.

Power Rankings: Where do the final three undefeated teams stand?

How does every team stack up heading into Week 5? We made our 1-32 list and sized up each franchise's performance so far.

Latest intel on NFL Week 5: What we're hearing on key injuries, potential trades, early coaching buzz

Could injuries to Saquon Barkley, Lamar Jackson and others derail their teams? Which AFC teams should trade for a WR? Which coordinators could get head coach interest?

Sources: EuroLeague members reject NBA offer to merge into NBA Europe

Members of the EuroLeague rejected a formal offer from the NBA this week to merge and create a single NBA Europe operation, sources told ESPN.

Portugal boss Jesus responds after fiery Ronaldo statement

Hamilton: Ferrari have to catch up with rivals on power

Lewis Hamilton is urging Ferrari to improve the performance of their power unit for the 2027 Formula 1 season as the 41-year-old eyes a shot at a record eighth world championship next year.

Scot Prem latest: Hibs eye deal for ex-Rangers winger as backroom team revealed

'We want a winning era' - Arteta signs new Arsenal contract

Mikel Arteta has signed a new long-term contract to extend his stay at Arsenal.

Gassiev: Fury-AJ title decision 'strange', calls for winner next

Murat Gassiev has called for the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua victor to make a mandatory defence against him if they are going to box for the WBA ‘super’ heavyweight title.

What's the story, Pocognoli? What we learned from his first Scotland camp

Following Steve Clarke’s resignation as national team head coach, there was a thirst from Scotland fans for change.

Pettersen to make golf comeback - and it may not be a one-off

Suzann Pettersen is making a second return to professional golf since her retirement in 2019 with an appearance at this week's Aramco Korea Championship - and it may not be a one-off.

Robertson struggles to understand Scotland display vs Slovenia

ARSENAL PODCAST: Listen to an Arteta new contract special!

Mikel Arteta says this is "only the beginning" of Arsenal's success after signing a new contract with the Premier League champions until 2030.

How does Arteta turn champions into serial winners?

When Mikel Arteta signed his last Arsenal contract in September 2024, his quest to bring major silverware back to the club was ongoing. Two years later, he signs his new one after leading them to a long-awaited Premier League title.

Gauff left 'drained' by online racist abuse after losing at China Open

Coco Gauff said she had been left drained by the racist abuse she experienced during the China Open after suffering a shock defeat by Elise Mertens as Iga Swiatek reached the quarter-finals.

'Ruthless' Arteta enters step five of Arsenal project

Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal into Premier League champions but does his new contract take him into a new stage of his project? And can he bring more trophies to eclipse Arsene Wenger?

'No excuses' for Reed after injury as he looks to increase Race to Dubai lead

Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed says becoming the second American to be crowned European No 1 would mean "a lot" and insists he has "no excuses" as he looks to extend his advantage over Rory McIlroy after returning from a shoulder injury.

How Alonso could solve Chelsea's familiar problems

Chelsea made a thrilling start to the season under Xabi Alonso but after being beaten at Arsenal, blows against Hull and Brentford have set them back.

Should 'cracking kid' Bamber be awarded England call-up?

Should England add Ethan Bamber to their battery of seam bowlers in Test cricket?

Worcester and Sedgefield feature on Wednesday

National Hunt action comes from Worcester and Sedgefield on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Racing.

Kane sums up England legacy on special night - but can he make final step?

Some things are inevitable in life. Harry Kane delivering for England is always one of those inevitabilities. On his momentous, milestone match, he stuck to the script perfectly.

Sky Sports to show England's ODI tri-series in Pakistan

Sky Sports will broadcast England's one-day international tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in full this October.

Papers: Arsenal 'interested' in Paz but bid to sign Como star dealt blow

The top stories and transfer rumours from Wednesday's newspapers...

PODCAST: Is Alonso solving Chelsea's big problems?

England's Nations League takeaways: Kane makes history, Tuchel steadies ship

England bounced back from defeat to Spain with three straight wins, giving Thomas Tuchel plenty to build on as the Nations League heads toward a decisive November window.

Messi marks tearful Argentina farewell with goal: Wish I could play forever

Lionel Messi marked his 208th and final game for Argentina with his 126th goal as his country bid an emotional farewell to the global icon.

King Kane marks milestone match with star display as England beat Czech Republic

Harry Kane marked his record-equalling 125th cap with a sensational display as he led England to a 3-0 win over Czech Republic at Wembley.

Yamamoto outduels Sale as Dodgers take 2-1 NLDS lead over Braves

Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominated the much-anticipated matchup with Atlanta ace Chris Sale, and Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer as the Dodgers beat the Braves 3-1 to take a 2-1 lead in the NLDS.

Eagles All-Pro RT Johnson retires to 'focus on my mental health'

Eagles two-time All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement Tuesday, ending a 14-year career spent entirely in Philadelphia.

📈 Ovechkin's retirement announcement sparks major ticket price hike

Ever since the NHL's all-time goals leader announced his retirement, ticket prices to Capitals games have been soaring -- and not just for home games.

At trial in Florida, Hill's wife alleges he attacked her while pregnant in '24

Tyreek Hill's wife recounted details of assault and verbal abuse during testimony Tuesday on the first day of a civil assault and battery trial in Florida, proceedings that began a day after ESPN reported Hill would potentially sign an NFL contract soon.

USMNT finishes perfect window with feisty win over Canada

The United States capped its September/October international window with a scrappy 1-0 win over Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Tuesday night.

Gauff falls to Mertens, says abusive comments were 'draining'

Coco Gauff lost to Elise Mertens, whom she had beaten in all five of their previous matchups, before saying she felt drained over the abusive comments she received during the China Open.

Cronenworth's HR, King's relief help Padres stay alive in NLDS

Game 1 starter Michael King lived up to his declaration, coming in to pitch the final two innings as the Padres avoided playoff elimination with a 4-3 victory over the Brewers in Game 3 of the NLDS.

Why England have an obligation to prove themselves against Greece

When England were consigned to the World Cup play-offs back in June, it felt like a massive step backwards. How were the European champions not a shoo-in for the next major tournament in the international calendar?

BPI projections for the NBA season: Ranking all 30 teams and stacking Finals favorites

ESPN's Basketball Power Index projections for the 2026-27 NBA season are out, including a ranking of all 30 teams.

Could Manchester City be expelled from the Premier League?

A panel of BBC Sport correspondents explore what sanctions Manchester City could face after being found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

Senior figures worried about Man City being in next season's Champions League

Senior figures within the English game are concerned that Manchester City could play in the Champions League next season even if they are relegated for breaching financial regulations.

'Draining' few days for Gauff after online racist abuse

Coco Gauff says she had a "draining" few days after receiving racist abuse online before her fourth-round China Open exit.

Tuchel's England 2.0: what has changed?

What has Thomas Tuchel tweaked as he looks to refine his England blueprint rather than rewrite it from scratch?

Former UFC security guard Everett wins fighter contract

Former UFC employee Sal Everett wins a fighter contract with the promotion after knocking out Ozzy Martin in Dana White's Contender Series.

FIA directives questioned after formation lap 'farce' at Bahrain GP

David Croft has questioned the FIA after the chaotic formation lap scenes at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, describing a software glitch that saw several drivers slowing to a crawl or stopping completely as a "farce".

Messi ends Argentina career with goal on emotional night

Lionel Messi described playing for Argentina as "the most wonderful thing that can happen to you" after ending his international career with a goal in a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires.

Who are the winners and losers of England's international break?

It's been a long international break for England. But it could be a pivotal one in Thomas Tuchel's thinking.

Ronaldo's stunning statement in full after Portugal walkout

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence over his Portugal walkout in a lengthy statement in which he says he is not retiring from the national team.

O'Neill confirms decision to stay on as Celtic boss

Martin O'Neill has confirmed his decision to stay on as Celtic manager after reflecting on his future over the international break.

Inside Scarlets and their struggle for existence

Scarlets are ready to fight for their existence as the Welsh Rugby Union presses on with controversial plans to cut a west Wales club.

Kenya must be 'clean' to be credible, says Wada chief

Wada president Witold Banka says Kenya must strengthen testing, investigations and anti-doping enforcement before hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships.

Was it right to default Medvedev for hitting spectator with ball?

Daniil Medvedev was defaulted for hitting a spectator with the ball during his semi-final with Novak Djokovic at the China Open, but was it the correct decision or should he have been able to continue playing?

UEFA monitoring Man City case as it considers potential action

UEFA is monitoring developments and will wait until the end of the Premier League's disciplinary process before deciding whether to take any potential action against Manchester City.

Messi's final Argentina match was an emotional send-off worthy of a legend

There was hardly a dry eye in the house as 85,000 Argentina fans gathered in Buenos Aires to express their gratitude for Lionel Messi one last time.

Russell to start from back of Singapore grid after penalty

Britain's George Russell will start from the back of the grid in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix because of a power-unit penalty from last weekend's race.