Sports
President Trump will not attend USMNT-Belgium World Cup match
President Donald Trump stands in the octagon during UFC Freedom 250 at White House South Lawn. SEATTLE — President Donald Trump will not attend Monday’s round of 16 World Cup match between the United States and Belgium at Seattle Stadium.
A King County spokesperson confirmed Thursday that the county has been told neither Trump nor Vice President JD Vance will be in attendance.
The United States men’s national team advanced to Monday’s match with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night, just hours after Belgium staged a dramatic comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time.
Trump has attended several major sporting events while in office, including Game 3 of the NBA Finals last month. Kenmore Air had previously said the Federal Aviation Administration had notified the company last week of a potential presidential visit for Monday’s World Cup match if the USMNT advanced, which could have affected the local seaplane company’s ability to operate flights in the area.
Trump has not attended any World Cup matches to date, although some Cabinet members have. That includes U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who attended the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle on June 19.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended multiple group-stage matches in Seattle.
According to the Seattle Times, neither Trump nor Vance have paid a visit to Seattle in their capacity as president or vice president.
Seattle Stadium hosted four group stage matches, including Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Egypt and the USMNT win over Australia. Belgium’s victory over Senegal also came at Seattle Stadium, and the Red Devils’ World Cup base camp is located just a few miles south at the Sounders FC Performance Center.
Monday’s 5 p.m. PT match at Seattle Stadium will be the last at the site in this tournament.
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
Sports
Judge grants prosecutors access to Tiger Woods' medical records
Fans cheer as Tiger Woods makes his way to the 11th tee during the third round of the Memorial Tournament on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. [Joshua A. Bickel/Dispatch] Prosecutors in Tiger Woods’ DUI case have been allowed to obtain hospital records connected to the golfer’s medical treatment following his rollover crash in Jupiter Island, Fla.
Court documents revealed that prosecutors and Woods’ defense team agreed to allow the State of Florida to request records from Clinic Martin South Hospital related to his hospitalization on March 27.
Per Golf Digest, the State Attorney’s office filed a notice of its intent to subpoena Woods’ medical history from the hospital, specifically seeking “any and all reports documenting statements of the patient regarding alcohol or chemical substances use” and “any and all drug screen results.”
Martin County Judge Darren Steele signed the order on June 23, with the prosecutors and defense agreeing to limit the disclosures to only the State, their designated law enforcement officers and prosecution experts. The records must remain confidential and cannot be shared beyond those parties, per the order.
Woods’ attorney previously challenged a request from prosecutors to subpoena the golfer’s prescription drug records in April.
Woods, 50, has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor DUI charges following the two-vehicle crash.
Following the arrest, the 15-time major champion announced that he was stepping away from golf to seek treatment.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Alex Ovechkin: 'I'm back' on one-year deal with Capitals
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) wrists a shot on goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images Alex Ovechkin passed on retirement to return to the Washington Capitals on a one-year deal.
The Capitals announced the agreement for next season with the 40-year-old is worth $4.25 million, keeping the NHL’s all-time leader in goals in Washington and out of the rocking chair.
“I’m back,” Ovechkin said in the team-issued statement Thursday. “Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!”
Ovechkin can tack on $4.75 million in the form of a bonus by playing only 10 games, the team said. His base salary is $1 million with a signing bonus of $3.25 million.
Ovechkin completed a five-year, $47.5 million deal when the 2025-26 season ended. He said at his exit interview he expected to play hockey again, but wasn’t committed to signing another contract until Thursday.
He turns 41 before the start of the upcoming season.
With Wayne Gretzky in attendance, Ovechkin surpassed the Hall of Fame member when he broke his NHL goal record with career goal No. 895 in a game against the New York Islanders on April 6, 2025. Ovechkin has upped his goal total to 929 after scoring a team-leading 32 times this past season.
Ovechkin is 10th all-time in NHL history in total points (1,687).
He has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for leading the NHL in goals a league-record nine times since being selected by Washington with the top overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft.
Ovechkin guided the Capitals to a Stanley Cup title in 2018 and is a three-time Hart Trophy recipient as the NHL MVP.
–Field Level Media
Sports
NBA to test 'one free throw' rule in summer leagues
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) makes a free throw during the fourth quarter during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images The NBA will test the “one free throw” rule during the upcoming summer leagues, the league announced Thursday.
Any foul that would typically result in one, two or three free throws under standard NBA rules will instead result in a single free-throw attempt worth one, two or three points.
Standard NBA rules regarding free throws will still apply in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and throughout overtime.
The NBA G League has been using this format since the 2019-20 season in order “to improve game flow,” the league said in Thursday’s social media post.
–Field Level Media
