Sports

WNBA transgender row: Sophie Cunningham and Enes Kanter Freedom speak out

Published

48 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

The WNBA operates under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), a deal negotiated between the league and its players association (WNBPA), setting rules on matters including player salary caps, revenue sharing, benefits and overall league operations.

On player eligibility, the CBA states: “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”

The WNBA has yet to comment publicly on the row since Cunningham’s comments but league commissioner Cathy Engelbert reportedly sent a memo to teams last week in which she said the matter would be discussed at an upcoming pre-arranged meeting with team presidents.

In the memo, seen by the Associated Press, external, Engelbert said the league would “always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league”.

She added: “Our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.”

However, the lack of detail in the league’s eligibility criteria has been brought to light by Kanter Freedom, who finished his playing career with the Boston Celtics in 2022.

“If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA,” he wrote on Instagram, external.

Kanter Freedom, who has previously spoken out about human rights violations in China and Turkey, among other issues, added: “I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices.

“I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone – the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for.”

A day after Kanter Freedom’s ‘announcement’, Royce White – who made three appearances in the NBA as a player and is now a Republican Senate candidate – said he would also declare for the Draft, adding: “I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball.”

Whether the vagueness of the rules are by design to leave it open to transgender women or a sign of an oversight that genuinely needs tightening up is not clear.

BBC Sport has contacted Cunningham’s representatives, the WNBA and WNBPA for comment.

Sports

Derby County investment: Deal off as Turki Alalshikh shelves plans

Published

6 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

qasimgillani

A deal for Alalshikh, the co-founder of boxing promotion company Zuffa, to take a stake in the Championship club had been on the table with the football regulator since May.

An IFR spokesperson said: “The IFR has a statutory duty to thoroughly test all prospective owners of a club in the top five divisions of men’s football.

“The assessment was completed in 55 days out of the 90 days allowed by law.

“The IFR had taken a ‘minded-to decision’ to approve the bid before the start of the 2026-27 season. This had been communicated to all parties last week.

“In every case, we must consider a broad but fixed list of matters, all set out in statute.

“This includes assessing all candidates against the IFR’s test on financial soundness, sufficient financial resources, source of wealth, and honesty and integrity – including a check on any criminal proceedings or convictions, civil actions and other regulatory investigations.”

The proposed deal had raised concerns among human rights campaigners, including Amnesty International, which said in June that the independent regulator faced a “defining test” over the investment.

Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority – and someone who is close to the Kingdom’s de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman – has been criticised by human rights groups for his role in alleged ‘sportswashing’.

Saudi Arabia has been accused of using sports to improve its image in the wider world to distract from its human rights record, treatment of women, use of the death penalty and its anti-LGBT stance.

As well as being the owner of Egyptian club Pyramids between 2018 and 2019, Alalshikh recently owned Spanish side Almeria but sold the club to an investment group from Saudi Arabia last May.

Sports

How to watch Phillies vs. Cardinals: TV channel and streaming options for August 10

Published

17 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

qasimgillani

Aug. 10, 2026 12:19 pm EDT Updated

Kyle Schwarber leads the Philadelphia Phillies into a contest with the St. Louis Cardinals after homering twice in a 7-6 victory over the Blue Jays. It begins at 7:45 p.m. ET on Monday. Andrew Painter (1-8, 6.48 ERA) will start for the Phillies, who are 63-56 this season and second in the NL East. Hunter Dobbins (2-2, 3.60 ERA) is starting for the Cardinals, who are 59-59 and third in the NL Central.

How to watch Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Phillies vs. Cardinals odds

Favorite Moneyline: Phillies -120
Underdog Moneyline: Cardinals +100
Total: 9
Total Over Odds: -110
Total Under Odds: -110

Injury reports

Phillies

Rafael Marchan: 10 Day IL (Knee), Johan Rojas: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Brad Keller: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Adolis Garcia: 60 Day IL (Lat), Tanner Banks: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Derek Hill: day-to-day (Shoulder), Aaron Nola: day-to-day (Knee)

Cardinals

Ramón Urías: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Max Rajcic: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Stats to know

Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper has hit 25 home runs this season, which ranks 14th in MLB. He has also tallied 71 RBIs (16th in MLB) and has scored 72 runs. In 505 plate appearances, he has recorded a .255 BA, .368 OBP and .501 SLG with a 15.4% walk rate and a 21.2% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording seven steals on 12 attempts.
In 493 plate appearances, Luis Arraez has hit five long balls, tallied 48 RBIs and scored 56 runs. He is batting .320/.355/.441 and has posted a 4.7% strikeout rate and a 5.3% walk rate. Arraez has recorded 10 steals on 10 attempts.
St. Louis’ Alec Burleson is slashing .283/.349/.478 this season with 19 home runs, 78 RBIs (6th in MLB) and an OPS of .826. He has a 16.1% strikeout rate and an 8.7% walk rate in 496 plate appearances, and he has scored 63 total runs.
In 488 plate appearances, Jordan Walker has posted a 24.4% strikeout rate and a 7.6% walk rate while slashing .285/.342/.492 with 23 home runs, 83 RBIs (4th in MLB) and 69 runs scored. He has stolen 14 bases on 19 attempts.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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Sports

Chelsea close to deal for Vicente Garcia, 16, from LA Galaxy

Published

24 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

qasimgillani

general view of the stadium prior to the game between LA Galaxy and Minnesota United FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on April 04, 2026 in Carson, California

Garcia has signed a pro deal with LA Galaxy Luiza Moraes/Getty Images

Aug. 10, 2026 12:23 pm EDT Updated

Chelsea are close to finalising a deal for 16-year-old LA Galaxy midfielder Vicente Garcia.

Sources briefed on discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, said a deal was in place for Garcia to join Chelsea when he turns 18 in the summer of 2028, with the fee expected to be worth in the region of $3million (£2.25m) plus add-ons.

Chelsea’s move for Garcia comes after The Athletic reported in July that the Premier League club had agreed a deal to buy U.S. youth international Benji Flowers, 15, from FC Dallas when he turns 18. Dallas will receive an initial fee of around $3m, while performance-based add-ons could take the deal to around $10m.

Garcia signed his first professional contract with the Galaxy as a homegrown player in January 2025. Aged 14 years and 198 days, he became the fifth youngest player in MLS history to sign a professional deal. The midfielder will officially join the Galaxy on an MLS contract at the start of 2027.

At the beginning of August, Garcia was called up to the Galaxy first-team squad for an MLS fixture for the first time, and he was an unused substitute in the 0-0 draw with FC Dallas.

He has represented the United States and Mexico up to under-15 level, and was selected for a U.S. Under-17 camp in June.

Garcia has featured 16 times for Ventura County FC, the Galaxy’s MLS Next Pro affiliate (reserve) team, this season, providing three goals and four assists.

The global under-21 market is one Chelsea have been particularly active in in recent seasons. The club agreed to sign 15-year-old Ecuadorian attacker Kendry Paez in the summer of 2023 on a pre-arranged deal to join when he turned 18. U.S. defender Caleb Wiley and international team-mate Gaga Slonina have also moved to the west London club in recent seasons.

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