Sports
ESPN replacing 'Sunday Night Baseball' with WNBA, NWSL games
Jul 18, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu is interviewed by ESPN reporter Holly Rowe after winning the three-point contest during the 2025 WNBA All Star Skills Challenge at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images With “Sunday Night Baseball” moving to NBC this season, ESPN revealed Thursday it has elected to fill its premium Sunday slot with WNBA and NWSL games and ancillary coverage.
“Women’s Sports Sundays” will debut in prime time this summer. ESPN said 12 live games and accompanying studio segments will air over nine weeks.
“Sunday Night Baseball” was a staple on ESPN for 36 years, but the network and MLB terminated their agreement three years before it was scheduled to end. NBC has committed to airing “Sunday Night Baseball” through at least 2028.
ESPN, meanwhile, believes it is catching two leagues on the rise.
“Women’s sports are experiencing continued momentum, and ‘Women’s Sports Sundays’ is ESPN’s next step in meeting that demand,” Rosalyn Durant, ESPN’s executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, said in a statement.
“This franchise is about more than showcasing games — it’s about building a consistent, high-profile destination that reflects the passion, excellence and cultural impact of women’s sports today, while giving athletes and leagues the stage they deserve.”
Details about matchups and broadcast personnel will be announced at a later date.
More women’s sports properties, including college basketball, could be added to the Sunday night slate in future seasons, according to Front Office Sports.
The NWSL season starts March 13 and continues into November. The league expanded to 16 teams with the additions of Boston Legacy and Denver Summit.
WNBA training camps are scheduled to open April 19 ahead of tip-off on May 8, but a labor impasse threatens to delay the start of the season. The collective bargaining agreement with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association expired in January and negotiations about revenue sharing and salary structure have barely progressed.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Field Level Media's Top 100 NFL draft prospects
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8), linebacker Sonny Styles (6), safety Caleb Downs (2) and cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) work out during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 17, 2025. Field Level Media Top 100 rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft:
1. QB Fernando Mendoza Indiana (6-5, 225)
2. RB Jeremiyah Love Notre Dame (6-0, 210)
3. TE Kenyon Sadiq Oregon (6-3, 245)
4. S Caleb Downs Ohio State (6-1, 200)
5. WR Carnell Tate Ohio State (6-3, 195)
6. OT Spencer Fano Utah (6-4, 300)
7. WR Makai Lemon USC (5-11, 195)
8. LB Arvell Reese Ohio State (6-4, 243)
9. EDGE David Bailey Texas Tech (6-3, 247)
10. LB Sonny Styles Ohio State (6-5, 243)
11. EDGE Keldric Faulk Auburn (6-5, 285)
12. OT Kadyn Proctor Alabama (6-7, 365)
13. OT Francis Mauigoa Miami (6-6, 300)
14. CB Mansoor Delane LSU (6-0, 190)
15. DT Peter Woods Clemson (6-3, 315)
16. CB Jermod McCoy Tennessee (5-10, 193)
17. EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. Miami (6-2, 270)
18. CB Avieon Terrell Clemson (5-11, 190)
19. WR Jordyn Tyson Arizona State (6-2, 200)
20. DT Kayden McDonald Ohio State (6-2, 326)
21. EDGE TJ Parker Clemson (6-3, 255)
22. OLB Cashius Howell Texas A&M (6-2, 249)
23. CB Colton Hood Tennessee (6-0, 195)
24. CB Brandon Cisse South Carolina (6-0, 190)
25. WR KC Concepcion Texas A&M (5-11, 190)
26. QB Ty Simpson Alabama (6-2, 208)
27. OT Caleb Lomu Utah (6-6, 300)
28. CB Keith Abney II Arizona State (6-0, 190)
29. LB Anthony Hill Jr. Texas (6-2, 238)
30. OG Vega Ioane Penn State (6-4, 323)
31. RB Jadarian Price Notre Dame (5-10, 210)
32. C Connor Lew Auburn (6-3, 300)
33. LB Jake Golday Cincinnati (6-4, 240)
34. DT Lee Hunter Texas Tech (6-3, 333)
35. DT Caleb Banks Florida (6-6, 334)
36. CB Chris Johnson San Diego State (6-0, 185)
37. WR Omar Cooper Jr. Indiana (6-0, 204)
38. TE Max Klare Ohio State (6-3, 240)
39. LB CJ Allen Georgia (6-1, 236)
40. EDGE Akheem Mesidor Miami (6-3, 265)
41. CB Will Lee III Texas A&M (6-1, 191)
42. EDGE Joshua Josephs Tennessee (6-3, 240)
43. EDGE Malachi Lawrence UCF (6-4, 247)
44. FS Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Toledo (6-3, 209)
45. QB Taylen Green Arkansas (6-6, 225)
46. OLB R Mason Thomas Oklahoma (6-1, 249)
47. OT Monroe Freeling Georgia (6-7, 315)
48. OG Emmanuel Pregnon Oregon (6-4, 323)
49. OT Max Iheanachor Arizona State (6-5, 325)
50. WR Germie Bernard Alabama (6-1, 209)
51. EDGE Derrick Moore Michigan (6-3, 265)
52. WR Chris Bell Louisville (6-2, 220)
53. OT Dametrious Crownover Texas A&M (6-6, 335)
54. WR Bryce Lance North Dakota State (6-3, 210)
55. EDGE LT Overton Alabama (6-2, 274)
56. OG Chase Bisontis Texas A&M (6-6, 320)
57. EDGE Zion Young Missouri (6-5, 255)
58. OT Blake Miller Clemson (6-6, 314)
59. DT Domonique Orange Iowa State (6-2, 325)
60. OT Caleb Tiernan Northwestern (6-7, 325)
61. TE Eli Stowers Vanderbilt (6-3, 240)
62. SS Jakobe Thomas Miami (6-2, 200)
63. SS DQ Smith South Carolina (6-1, 209)
64. RB Jonah Coleman Washington (5-9, 225)
65. OT Markel Bell Miami (6-9, 340)
66. WR Ted Hurst Georgia State (6-3, 193)
67. CB Keionte Scott Miami (6-0, 195)
68. C Logan Jones Iowa (6-3, 302)
69. C Brian Parker II Duke (6-5, 300)
70. FS Bud Clark TCU (6-0, 190)
71. LB Harold Perkins Jr. LSU (6-1, 222)
72. SS Jalon Kilgore South Carolina (6-1, 197)
73. CB Charles Demmings Stephen F. Austin (6-0, 185)
74. RB Nick Singleton Penn State (6-0, 226)
75. QB Carson Beck Miami (6-4, 225)
76. CB Treydan Stukes Arizona (6-2, 200)
77. CB Hezekiah Masses California (6-1, 185)
78. QB Cade Klubnik Clemson (6-1, 210)
79. FS Genesis Smith Arizona (6-2, 204)
80. FS Dillon Thieneman Oregon (6-0, 205)
81. WR Zachariah Branch Georgia (5-10, 175)
82. WR Chris Brazzell II Tennessee (6-4, 200)
83. SS AJ Haulcy LSU (5-11, 222)
84. EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton Penn State (6-5, 265)
85. WR Antonio Williams Clemson (5-11, 190)
86. OG Gennings Dunker Iowa (6-5, 315)
87. FS Kamari Ramsey USC (6-0, 205)
88. RB Kaytron Allen Penn State (5-11, 220)
89. SS Zakee Wheatley Penn State (6-2, 192)
90. WR Deion Burks Oklahoma (5-9, 190)
91. OT Drew Shelton Penn State (6-5, 305)
92. CB Daylen Everette Georgia (6-0, 193)
93. OG Anez Cooper Miami (6-6, 350)
94. DT Tim Keenan III Alabama (6-2, 320)
95. EDGE Patrick Payton LSU (6-6, 255)
96. FS Isaiah Nwokobia SMU (6-1, 205)
97. CB Julian Neal Arkansas (6-2, 208)
98. CB Tacario Davis Washington (6-4, 200)
99. DT Darrell Jackson Jr. Florida State (6-5, 337)
100. EDGE Max Llewellyn Iowa (6-5, 263)
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Sporting KC trading F Daniel Salloi to Toronto
Jul 19, 2025; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Daniel Salloi (10) celebrates after scoring a gal during the second half of the match against New York City FC at Children’s Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-Imagn Images Toronto FC are finalizing a deal to acquire Hungarian winger Daniel Salloi from Sporting Kansas City, The Athletic reported on Thursday.
In exchange, Sporting KC will receive $300,00 in general allocation money and $700,000 in add-ons. Salloi would not occupy a Designated Player spot with Toronto, per the report.
Salloi, 29, has recorded 54 goals and 32 assists in 242 regular-season matches since joining SKC in 2016. He was an MLS All-Star in 2021 and helped the team win the U.S. Open Cup in 2017.
Salloi had seven goals and four assists in 33 MLS matches (24 starts) last season.
The 2026 MLS regular season begins this weekend with Toronto visiting FC Dallas and Sporting KC visiting the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Lakers name Lon Rosen president of business ops
Apr 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers president Stan Kasten (left) and executive vice president Lon Rosen before a game against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Longtime Dodgers executive Lon Rosen was named the Los Angeles Lakers’ new president of business operations on Thursday.
Rosen has been the executive vice president and chief marketing officer for the Dodgers since 2012. The Dodgers have increased revenue every year under his watch while leading major league baseball in attendance every season since 2013 and winning three World Series titles.
The Dodgers and Lakers are both owned by Mark Walter.
“For many years, I have seen the impact that Lon has had in our industry,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a news release. “Over that time, I have learned that not only is Lon a great person, but he also has a deep understanding of both sports and entertainment and a true feel for where this business is headed.”
Rosen replaces Tim Harris, who is stepping down after more than three decades with the organization.
“I’m beyond grateful to Jeanie and Mark for trusting me with this incredible opportunity,” Rosen said. “As everyone knows, the economics of the sports business are constantly changing — and they will continue to do so.
“But, at root, my job is a simple one: figuring out how to do right by our employees and our partners while ensuring that the Lakers continue to provide an unparalleled experience for our fans in Los Angeles and around the world.”
Rosen interned for the Lakers when he was in college and worked in their front office in the 1980s before leaving to become an agent and sports business leader.
–Field Level Media
Field Level Media's Top 100 NFL draft prospects
Report: Sporting KC trading F Daniel Salloi to Toronto
