Sports
PSG Talon, paIN Gaming gain final spots at Worlds
The loading screen for League of Legends is seen projected on the wall behind the competitors. The loading screen comes up while waiting for the game to start, allowing players to view each characters basic information before the battle. Jan. 24, 2020 The lineup for the Swiss Stage of the $2.225 million League of Legends World Championship is set, with paIN Gaming and PSG Talon qualifying after wins Sunday in Berlin.
paIN Gaming knocked out Rainbow 7, which jumped to a lead with a 28-minute win on red. But paIN recovered to win in 31 minutes on blue and in 45 minutes on red to advance.
PSG Talon swept 100 Thieves to earn their shot at the Swiss Stage.
The losers were eliminated.
paIN Gaming and PSG Talon were the final two teams to advance out of the play-in round to the Swiss Stage, which features 16 teams from China, South Korea, Europe and North America.
Play in the Swiss Stage begins Thursday and runs through Oct. 13. Teams that reach three wins advance to the knockout round. Teams with three losses are eliminated.
The knockout round begins Oct. 17 and culminates with the grand final on Nov. 2.
2024 World Championships prize pool:
1. $445,000, 20 percent
2. $356,000, 16 percent
3-4. $178,000, 8 percent
5-8. $100,125, 4.5 percent
9-11. $77,875, 3.5 percent
12-14. $66,750, 3 percent
15-16. $55,625, 2.5 percent
17-18. $38,937.50, 1.75 percent — Rainbow 7, 100 Thieves
19-20. $22,250, 1 percent — Vikings Esports, Fukuoka HAWKS gaming
–Field Level Media
Sports
F1 'closely monitoring' situation in Middle East
Nov 21, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Formula 1 officials are “closely monitoring” the situation in the Middle East ahead of April’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Retaliatory missile strikes rocked the region Saturday after the United States and Israeli launched an attack on Iran.
The F1 season begins in Australia next weekend, then goes to China and Japan before heading to the Middle East for races in Bahrain (April 12) and Saudi Arabia (April 19).
“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan and not in the Middle East — those races are not for a number of weeks,” an F1 spokesperson said Saturday, per The Associated Press. “As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.”
Tire manufacturer Pirelli on Saturday announced the cancellation of its scheduled F1 tire testing in Bahrain.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami to visit White House
Dec 6, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) lifts the Philip F. Anschutz trophy after winning the 2025 MLS Cup against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Inter Miami received an invitation to the White House to commemorate the team’s MLS Cup championship in 2025, The Athletic reported.
The Miami Herald confirmed that the Herons will visit the White House on Thursday, two days before they play D.C. United in Washington, D.C. The newspaper also reported that every player — including superstar Lionel Messi — is expected to attend the ceremony with President Donald Trump.
Inter Miami captured the franchise’s first MLS Cup trophy by posting a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Dec. 6 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Herons co-owner David Beckham previously attended a White House ceremony while with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012. The Galaxy won the title in 2011.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Giants planning to release LB Bobby Okereke
Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) leaves the field after losing to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images The New York Giants are planning to cut inside linebacker Bobby Okereke in a cost-saving move, The Athletic reported Saturday.
Releasing the seven-year NFL veteran, who turns 30 in July, will save the Giants $9 million against the 2026 salary cap.
Okereke has led New York in tackles in two of his three seasons with the team, including 143 stops in 2025 and 149 in 2023.
Okereke added one sack, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in 17 games (all starts) for the Giants in 2025.
He has recorded 805 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in 110 career games (95 starts) with the Colts (2019-22) and Giants. Indianapolis drafted him in the third round in 2019.
–Field Level Media
F1 'closely monitoring' situation in Middle East
Reports: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami to visit White House
