Sports
SoFi Stadium workers set to vote on strike ahead of World Cup
May 27, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sofi Stadium worker Alex Mejia protests with Immigrant rights advocates and labor groups outside the FIFA Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee offices for changes to worker credential policies that they say could expose stadium workers and immigrant communities to immigration enforcement during the World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images With tensions between the union that represents 2,000-plus workers at SoFi Stadium and the stadium operators at their boiling point, Unite Here Local 11 has halted negotiations and authorized a strike vote, The Athletic reported Friday.
The vote is set to take place at the end of next week — just one week before the stadium in Inglewood, Calif., is scheduled to host the opening game of the 2026 World Cup in the United States. That game features the Americans against Paraguay on June 12.
The union represents workers in concession services, including the people who both prepare and serve the stadium’s food and beverages.
In all, eight World Cup matches are scheduled for SoFi Stadium, the home of both the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers of the NFL. The venue also is slated to host key events during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The labor agreement between stadium operator Legends Global and United Here Local 11 has expired, and bargaining sessions have failed.
Kurt Petersen, the co-president of the union, told The Athletic that his group ended negotiations on Tuesday.
“We felt the company (Legends) were not taking the concerns and demands seriously enough,” Petersen said. “At midday (Tuesday), the workers told the company that we intend to proceed with a strike vote. The vote is scheduled for next week over two days on Thursday and Friday.”
In a statement to The Athletic, a Legends Global representative said about the potential strike vote: “Legends Global has enjoyed a strong relationship with Unite Here Local 11 for more than a decade and remains committed to reaching a fair agreement through good faith negotiations. We look forward to delivering an outstanding hospitality experience for fans at the FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium.”
The World Cup organizing committee in Los Angeles declined to comment on what impact a strike could have on the scheduled SoFi matches.
The union has made demands that include, according to The Athletic:
–A guarantee that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will not be allowed on venue grounds during the World Cup, saying their presence could jeopardize employee safety. Government officials have said ICE agents would be on hand with security and not immigation enforcement their primary duty.
–Restricted use of subcontractors.
–No use of automation or artificial intelligence that could cause the loss of union jobs.
–Release of information to the union that would detail things such as work hours or the distribution of tips and service charges.
“Our members are clear,” Petersen told The Athletic. “They are angry about this. We recognize the World Cup is an extraordinary event but the lack of transparency and movement is raising concerns and this could impact the 2,000 food service workers at the stadium.
“If we were to strike, then FIFA has a significant problem because other workers may not be accredited, which is a whole process for them requiring background checks a while in advance and would not be straightforward to rush through.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tempo looking to repeat earlier success against Storm
May 13, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey (3) drives to the basket against Seattle Storm guard Lexie Brown (8) during the second half at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Toronto Tempo will be out for a repeat win against the visiting Seattle Storm on Saturday afternoon.
The expansion Tempo defeated the visiting Storm 86-73 on May 13 for the first victory in franchise history.
Toronto (4-4) is coming off Wednesday’s 111-104 road win over the Chicago Sky that snapped a two-game skid.
Seattle (3-5) had a two-game winning streak halted Wednesday with a 78-64 loss to the Washington Mystics.
In their win at Chicago, the Tempo had a career-best 29 points from Nyara Sabally, who also had six rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots.
“This is really not surprising to me,” said teammate Marina Mabrey, who had 24 points and seven assists. “(Sabally) is a really good player and can read the game really well and is super smart.”
“She is an important player for us,” coach Sandy Brondello said about Sabally.
Brittney Sykes added 20 points for the Tempo, who shot 56.1% (37 of 66), including 46.2% (12 of 26) from 3-point range.
The Storm trailed 48-29 by halftime against the Mystics and could not recover despite a 19-12 fourth-quarter edge.
Jade Melbourne led Seattle scorers with 15 points.
The Storm shot only 34.9% (22 of 63) from the field and 21.7% (5 of 23) from beyond the arc.
“We won’t turn the page,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “We’re never going to turn the page on any game. We want to make sure that, win or lose, we learn and we grow. We’ll go back. We’ll watch film. We’ll process it and then make the adjustments we need to make because some of the things that happened today are things that we want to be better at going forward, no matter who we play.”
In the first meeting against the Storm, the Tempo were led by Mabrey’s 26 points on 6-for-11 shooting from 3-point distance. She also had four rebounds, three assists and four steals.
“(Mabrey) makes all these 3s, but it’s how she creates for her teammates, too,” Brondello said.
Sykes added 18 points and eight rebounds against Seattle.
Dominique Malonga scored 21 points to lead the Storm in their first visit to Toronto. She did not play because of concussion protocol on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Luka Doncic, Donnie Nelson pair to purchase Rome pro team
May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77, middle) reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter of game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Luka Doncic and former Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson teamed to purchase professional basketball club Vanoli Cremona in Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A, with a bid to become NBA Europe’s representative in Rome.
The club is relocating to Rome ahead of the 2026-27 season as part of the purchase with Nelson, son of longtime NBA coach Don Nelson, and Doncic joined in the ownership group by former Italian league player Rimantas Kaukenas and coach Valerio Bianchini.
“I have dreamed about owning a team in Europe for a long time, to finally have this happen is amazing,” Doncic said in a statement. “Vanoli has a great history, and we are ready to take it to the next level in Rome. We have an amazing group of partners, and I really believe we can do something special for basketball in Italy and Europe.”
The NBA is partnering with FIBA to develop NBA Europe with plans for the league to begin as soon as fall 2027. Commissioner Adam Silver set a goal of at least 12 teams for the inaugural season with the potential for 16 total teams, depending on various factors.
Donnie Nelson, 63, was a key figure in the front office of the Mavericks when Dallas acquired Doncic on draft night in 2018 for Trae Young.
Bianchini, 82, earned a reputation as a consistent winner with three Italian league championships with three different clubs.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reds move RHP Graham Ashcraft (elbow) to 60-day IL
May 9, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft (23) reacts after a play in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images The Cincinnati Reds placed reliever Graham Ashcraft on the 60-day injured list on Friday with a UCL sprain in his right forearm.
Ashcraft, 28, last pitched on Monday, striking out two batters and allowing no hits or runs in the ninth inning in a 7-2 road win against the New York Mets.
Moving directly to the 60-day IL is a worrying sign for Ashcraft’s long-term prognosis, potentially indicating the need for surgery.
The right-hander is 1-1 with one save and a 3.33 ERA in 26 appearances out of the Cincinnati bullpen this season. Ashcraft is 26-26 with a 4.67 ERA in 148 games (60 starts) since making his debut with the Reds in 2022.
The Reds selected the contract of right-hander Yunior Marte from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. He is 2-0 with five saves and a 5.12 ERA in 20 games (no starts) this season at Louisville.
Marte, 31, last pitched in the majors in 2024 with Philadelphia. He is 2-2 with two saves and a 5.64 ERA in 102 career games (no starts) with the San Francisco Giants (2022) and Phillies (2023-24).
–Field Level Media
Tempo looking to repeat earlier success against Storm
Luka Doncic, Donnie Nelson pair to purchase Rome pro team
