Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has agreed to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history. The deal carries an average annual value of $20.4 million, the first time any player has reached $20 million per season. Makar, 27, was entering the final year of a six-year, $54 million deal and was set to become an unrestricted free agent. He has been a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman for six straight seasons. The Avalanche won the President's Trophy last season with a league-best 55 wins before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final. The extension locks up the team's cornerstone defenseman through the 2034-35 season and resets the market for elite NHL defensemen.
American hurdler Masai Russell broke the women's 100-meter hurdles world record at the Diamond League meeting in Zurich on Thursday. Russell crossed the line in 12.09 seconds, improving the old mark by 0.03 seconds. The previous record had stood for years and was seen as one of the toughest marks in the sport. Russell ran a clean race despite a slight headwind and pulled away over the final three hurdles. It was the first world record set at the Zurich meeting in a decade. Russell celebrated by pointing at the clock and waving to the crowd. She now heads into next month's world championships as the heavy favorite. Her coach said the record came from a long-term plan built around strength and rhythm training.
Tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine at an ATP Tour event. The test result was confirmed by anti-doping authorities, and Kyrgios has not commented publicly. A provisional suspension bars a player from competing while the case is reviewed, and a hearing will decide on any final penalty.
The SEC and Big Ten have passed rules barring professional athletes from returning to college competition, including basketball players who left early for the NBA or WNBA. The move comes after court orders opened the door for former pros to rejoin college rosters. The new rules aim to block that path, but legal experts say the fight is not over. Coaches and players reacted strongly, with Rams coach Sean McVay joking that the situation left him feeling like he 'took a gummy.' The conferences say the rules protect the amateur model and roster fairness. Opponents argue athletes should have the freedom to compete wherever they are eligible. The decision adds another layer to the ongoing turmoil in college athletics.
The Houston Astros fired general manager Dana Brown, hours after the team fell below .500 and entered a tie for the division lead. Owner Jim Crane and Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell will take on bigger roles in baseball operations while the team searches for a new GM. Brown's exit caps a season of inconsistency for a roster many analysts picked to win the American League West. Injuries and an uneven offense have hurt the team all year. Around the league, at least seven other front-office leaders are seen as facing similar pressure if their teams miss the postseason.
Caitlin Clark set a career high with eight three-pointers and scored 37 points as the Indiana Fever beat the Chicago Sky 113-90 on Sunday. Clark shot 13 of 24 from the field and 8 of 12 from beyond the arc, and added 10 assists. It was her fifth career game with at least 30 points and 10 assists, a mark no other player in league history has reached more than four times. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Fever, who had lost to the New York Liberty the day before. Clark also crossed 100 three-pointers for the season. She is averaging a career-best 22.1 points and 8.3 assists per game across 35 appearances this season.
Serena Williams will return to the U.S. Open for the first time since 2022, teaming with Carlos Alcaraz in mixed doubles. The U.S. Tennis Association announced Saturday that the pair received a wildcard into the main draw. Together they hold 44 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles. The mixed doubles competition runs August 24-26, four days before singles play begins. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, returned to tennis this summer after a long break. Alcaraz is the defending U.S. Open singles champion and is coming back from injury. The pairing is one of the most anticipated stories of the tournament.
Amanda Serrano defeated Lucrecia Manzur by decision to notch her 50th professional win. Serrano controlled the pace and landed the cleaner shots over the full distance. The victory extends her place among the most decorated women in boxing history. Serrano has held world titles in multiple weight classes and remains one of the biggest draws in the sport.
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell extended her historic scoring streak to 21 games, setting a new WNBA standard. Mitchell surpassed the previous record of 20 consecutive games with at least 20 points, set by A'ja Wilson. The Fever guard has been the league's most consistent scorer this season. Her streak has helped lift Indiana into playoff contention. Mitchell's run has drawn attention across the league. Teammates and coaches praised her focus and preparation. The record is another milestone in a breakout season for the veteran guard. Mitchell said she is focused on helping her team win rather than on personal marks.
Cameroon won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the first time on Sunday, beating tournament debutants Malawi 3-0 in the final in Rabat, Morocco. Marie Ngah Manga scored twice and Naomi Eto added a stunning volley as Cameroon put the game beyond reach inside the first half. The Indomitable Lionesses had lost three previous finals, in 2004, 2014 and 2016, all against Nigeria. Malawi, the lowest-ranked team at the tournament at 153rd in the world, reached the final on the strength of the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, but their attacking stars were kept quiet by the Cameroon defense. Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who was born in Cameroon, celebrated the victory on social media.