When the United States needed to beat Iran to make the knockout stage of this World Cup, the story of the ongoing protests in Iran captured the attention of American media. On Saturday, Duke beat Arkansas 78-69, sending Coach K to his 13th and final Final Four. What's happened with the bluebloods, as Duke, Kentucky, and Michigan State fight to make it to the Big Dance? The Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky also have a first round date, which if they see them face last year's champs, the Seattle Storm, in the second round. If there's one man who personifies the layers and complexities of NBA-China relations it's Joe Tsai, the Chinese billionaire who owns the Brooklyn Nets. 2 in the nation after knocking off Alabama, and they have a meeting with No. It was a record amount of money paid for an immediately made the Hershey, PA native the most visible American ever on the soccer stage. It's a situation that could potentially force Irving to miss every Nets home game, and cost him millions of dollars in the process. As Thomas heads to the Ivy League championships, ESPN's Katie Barnes tells the story of this barrier-breaking swimmer, the policies and politics that surround her. That's because no sport has been transformed by the Name, Image and Likeness revolution across college athletics as much as Women's Gymnastics. Gonzaga's on the brink of a perfect season, but they'll likely have to get through another #1 seed like Baylor. Bill Barnwell details the "why" and "how" of Sunday's action, with implications for this year's playoffs. From the league's beginnings and the rise of stars like Lisa Leslie and Cheryl Swoops to the modern game and the myriad of social justice initiatives undertaken by the players, the game has changed massively in the past quarter-century, both on and off the court.
Given all that's been aired, what's next for the league? All eyes are on the quarterback competition in Carolina, between Baker Mayfield, who's gearing up for a revenge tour, and Sam Darnold, who started for the Panthers last season. After a quiet offseason for New England, many believed the Pats were sticking by their QB, Jarrett Stidham, thus leaving the AFC East wide open. To pay homage to his recently slain father. No sports during quarantine? Jeremy Schaap, boxing historian and host of E60 and Outside the Lines, shares how political and cultural views were projected onto Ali and Frazier, with their different personalities, history and fighting styles. After being detained in Russia for 265 days, Brittney Griner is currently in the process of being transferred to a penal colony. Lionel Messi is arguably the most famous athlete on the planet. Lionel Messi is finally a World Cup champion! How will the fights work? Paolo Uggetti has been covering Williams since he was a viral sensation at Gonzaga High School in Washington, D. C., and he helps us get to know Williams and understand his meteoric rise. The lucrative world of sports collectibles has gone from 0 to 100 in the past two years. But if previous scandals and offenses haven't seemed to move the needle enough for the league, now Snyder and the Commanders are under scrutiny for something we know the NFL cares about: money.
Week 2 in the NFL saw not one, but TWO 20-point comebacks. The relationship between the former first overall pick and Philly has bent to a likely breaking point since the team exited last season's NBA playoffs. ESPN investigative reporter Steve Fainaru brings us his latest reporting on what happened inside the NBA China academies, and how the league is addressing these concerns. Katie Barnes joins the show to share stories from the women of the Lynx. But in the social media economy, it turns out, what you're really monetizing is your audience. So, today, for everyone who watched that clip with awe (and maybe a little confusion too) we bring you Wayne Mardle himself, as he tells the glorious story of the darts game that was heard around the world.
Ahead of their matchup with the 7-2 Buffalo Bills, we examine what's made Murray so effective this season, his unique abilities (including his baseball background), and if 2020 has the makings of a Murray MVP season, with ESPN Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss. MLB insider Jeff Passan makes the case for the electronic umpire system and what it could mean for the future of baseball. Their contrasting thoughts and behaviors have sparked important conversations that transcend sports. Many thousands have died, millions have been displaced, and incalculable damage has been done to Ukraine's towns and cities.
ESPN NFL analyst (and former ESPN Daily host) Mina Kimes runs through the chances for Joe Burrow and the Bengals, how things are going in Tampa for Tom Brady, and whether her Seahawks have improved this offseason.