Sports
Mexico return luxury watches received as gift
June 30, 2026; Mexico City, Mexico; Mexico’s Julian Quinones reacts. Mandatory Credit: Raquel Cunha-Reuters via Imagn Images Mexico are returning Rolex watches given to them by American content creator Stevewilldoit.
The World Cup team received the gifts at its training base ahead of its round of 32 match versus Ecuador. Stevewilldoit, whose real name is Stephen Deleonardis, said in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel that the watches ranged from $30,000 to $90,000 and were worth $1 million overall.
At another point in the video, Deleonardis told the team when asked by midfielder Obed Vargas that he gifted them the watches because he lived in Mexico and bet $2 million that they’d beat Ecuador, which Mexico eventually did 2-0. Deleonardis also said the wager would result in a $1 million profit, which equals the value of the watches.
FIFA’s code of ethics states that only gifts of “symbolic or trvial value” are permitted, and that gifts are not permitted if they are offered or accepted “as a way of influencing” participants to violate the rules or create a conflict of interest.
Punishments for any violations of the rule can result in a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,500) and “a ban on taking part in any football-related
activity for a maximum of two years”.
Mexico posted on their social media channels that they mutually decided to give the watches back to Deleonardis. They also said the content creator, who has over 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, gifted the watches “on his own initiative”.
Mexico, who are co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, have yet to allow a goal in four matches. They’ll host their round of 16 match versus England at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
MLB Picks Today: Best Bets for Padres vs. Dodgers, Marlins vs. Athletics, Blue Jays vs. Mariners
Apr 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani pitches against the New York Mets in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images We were led to believe the San Diego Padres would challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for National League West supremacy. But it looks like the Dodgers can be awarded a TKO prior to the All-Star break.
The two-time defending World Series champions are rolling over opponents and own the best record in the majors at 59-31. And on Sunday, the Dodgers will look to complete a four-game series sweep of the unraveling Padres, who have lost a season-worst eight straight games, sit two games under .500 and trail the Dodgers by a whopping 15 games.
Hard to believe the San Francisco Giants designated Otto Lopez for assignment. He’s now the leading hitter in the majors and a first-time All-Star. His Marlins look to sweep the Athletics on Sunday. We’ll also look at the rematch of last season’s American League Championship Series – Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners.
SAN DIEGO PADRES AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS
The Dodgers are 7-2 against the Padres this season and have won five straight recent meetings and there’s no reason to expect anything different in the finale. The Dodgers set the tone in the series opener by overcoming a 6-0 deficit to post a 12-7 victory and they seem intent on sending a message to San Diego.
Shohei Ohtani sat out Saturday with right biceps and left knee injuries and he might get another day of rest. Freddie Freeman had a solo homer and an RBI single in Saturday’s 3-0 victory and fellow All-Star starter Andy Pages had a run-scoring hit for his 63rd RBI.
The Padres have scored the fewest runs (343) in the majors, which is stunning when there’s high-priced guys like Manny Machado (.187 average), Fernando Tatis Jr. (five homers) and Xander Bogaerts (.234) and young gun Jackson Merrill (.213) on the roster. Guys like Jake Cronenworth (.171) and Freddy Fermin (.152) can’t find the Mendoza Line with a telescope.
San Diego’s starting pitching is also a mess with Opening Day starter Nick Pivetta (forearm) being on the shelf since mid-April and fellow righty Joe Musgrove (Tommy John) is still out 21 months after his surgery. Left-hander JP Sears (0-1, 6.97 ERA) starts Sunday and that surely doesn’t bode well for the Padres.
Dodgers -1.5 runs spread, -109 (DraftKings)
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MIAMI MARLINS AT ATHLETICS
Lopez has been a virtual hit machine for the Marlins and he sports a .341 average. But 27 months ago, Lopez was playing for Triple-A Sacramento when he learned he was DFA’d by the Giants. On Saturday, he was at the same ballpark when he learned he was an All-Star.
“It’s a good story I would say,” Lopez said before going 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs in Saturday’s 7-2 victory. Kyle Stowers complimented Lopez by smacking two homers and he has three in the series. The Marlins have eight homers and have scored 19 runs while winning the first two games of the series.
The Athletics are sinking fast in the American League West due to 10 losses in their past 13 games. The A’s sit seven games below .500 and reside in fourth place in the division.
All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers (left thumb) will sit out for the second straight game. He’s tied with All-Star first baseman Nick Kurtz for the team homer lead of 20. Rookie left-hander Gage Jump (3-2, 2.93) will start for the Athletics and he gave up five runs and 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings during a loss to the Dodgers his last time out.
Teams combine for over 9.5 runs, -110 (DraftKings)
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TORONTO BLUE JAYS AT SEATTLE MARINERS
The Blue Jays and Mariners put on a great show in the ALCS with Toronto eventually winning in seven games. This weekend, each club has been blanked once after the Mariners rolled to an 11-0 win on Saturday.
Cal Raleigh delivered a three-run homer for just his ninth blast of the season, far shy of his famous 60-homer campaign in 2025. Randy Arozarena hit a grand slam while going 3-for-4 and scoring three times.
Toronto had just one hit Saturday and has only two runs and seven hits in the series. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to have a power void and last went deep on June 18. He has just four homers.
Based on the lack of offense, the Blue Jays will be counting on right-hander Trey Yesavage (4-3, 3.34 ERA). He has given up five or fewer hits in all 12 of his starts.
Trey Yesavage to strike out seven or more batters, +136 (DraftKings)
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A's Nick Kurtz to start All-Star Game in place of ailing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Jul 3, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz will start the All-Star Game at first base for the American League, replacing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Guerrero had been voted in as a starter by fans but is opting to let his ailing back heal as opposed to participating in the game. Kurtz, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, received the most votes among American League first basemen on the player ballot and will move into the starting role.
Guerrero has dealt with periodic back issues, and he missed consecutive games against the New York Yankees in mid-June when the ailment flared up. He also sat out the game against Toronto last Tuesday against the New York Mets due to his back.
“It’s very difficult for me. But I really have to take care of myself and I’ve got to put my team first for the second half,” Guerrero said, per Sportsnet.
This was his sixth consecutive All-Star selection.
Guerrero, 27, is having a sluggish offensive season, batting .265 with just four homers and 35 RBIs in 82 games. He has hit 23 or more homers in five consecutive seasons, including an MLB-leading 48 in 2021.
Kurtz, 23, is hitting .278 with 20 home runs and 66 RBIs in 88 games.
The All-Star Game is set for July 14 in Philadelphia.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Boston Celtics' Eastern Conference Reign May Be Coming to an End
The Boston Celtics have largely run the Eastern Conference this decade.
They’ve won 50-plus games in five straight seasons, made the 2022 NBA Finals and then won the title in 2024, the franchise’s first in 16 years to cap off a rebuild that didn’t stay down for very long.
But the way this offseason has played out makes it seem that the Celtics may no longer be the bosses of the East.
The New York Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought by bringing home their own title.
The Miami Heat, who have been wandering in the wilderness that is being a consistent play-in tournament competitor, beat out the Celtics for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in his exit from Milwaukee.
Because Boston reportedly dangled Jaylen Brown — fresh off a sixth-place finish in NBA MVP voting — as a trade chip to try and land the Greek Freak, it seems to have effectively ended Brown’s desire to stay with Boston.
And so, the Celtics wound up bolstering another contending Eastern Conference team, the Philadelphia 76ers, by sending them Brown in exchange for aging star Paul George and two first-round picks, neither of which they’ll be able to use until 2028.
Need I remind you all that Brown — not Jayson Tatum, who Boston chose over him — was the Celtics’ NBA Finals MVP in 2024. With Tatum sidelined for much of last season after tearing his Achilles during the 2025 playoffs, Brown had the best season of his career, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, all career bests.
But even though this core had already won a title and Brown remains firmly in his prime at 29 years old, the Celtics elected to move him.
In return, the Celtics got a nine-time All-Star in George, albeit seemingly far removed from that form. Now 36, George played no more than 41 games in each of his two seasons with the Sixers. He’s played more than 56 games once in the last seven seasons, battling a rash of injuries.
He’s no longer the six-time All-NBA player he once was.
To supplement their roster, the Celtics signed former Knicks backup center Mitchell Robinson to a three-year, $47 million deal, veteran guard Mike Conley to a one-year deal and Ron Harper Jr. to a three-year deal.
They also signed center Neemias Queta to a four-year, $56 million extension after he averaged 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds last season, his first as a starter.
All of these moves should help the Celtics to varying degrees. They’re not going to suddenly stop being a perennial playoff team.
But that’s not the standard for a franchise that has 18 NBA title banners hanging in its arena’s rafters. And it feels weird coming off a season where they overachieved in the regular season compared to somewhat lower expectations, which they largely did because of Brown.
The Celtics are betting on their development, that guys like Payton Pritchard, Derrick White and Queta take the next step.
It’s worked for them before. But it’s a bold choice which could age poorly, considering they had a pretty good thing going.
MLB Picks Today: Best Bets for Padres vs. Dodgers, Marlins vs. Athletics, Blue Jays vs. Mariners
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