This is the Sportacados Discussion Thread, for talking about all things sports! Feel free to live-chat games, talk about the latest news and rumours, discuss sports history, and anything else that relates to watching other grown adults throw or hit a ball. Hateration is allowed, but try to keep it within the realm of light banter.
News and Results
* I was all set to write this off as a slow news period (see the stories below) and hit post when Shams dropped the long-awaited news about LeBron James’ future decision. LeBron’s “final decision” was moving to the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year deal. The Sixers will have a very impressive starting line-up with James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, V. J. Edgecombe and Joel Embiid, but fit, bench depth and health will be concerns.
* Jurgen Klopp has officially been named the new head coach of Germany in a widely-expected mode. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola turned down an offer to coach the Italy national team, saying that he wants to take time off, so we’ll have to wait to see them face off on an international stage.
* The Ravens waived prolific college quarterback and Heisman finalist Diego Pavia ahead of training camps. Pavia was a likable story who tried to stay in college a little too long, which I can relate to, so hopefully he finds a landing spot somewhere.
* Sebastian Berhalter will be transferring from the Vancouver Whitecaps to Middlesbrough for the upcoming Championship season. It’s easy to make fun of Berhalter as a USMNT nepo baby (fun too!) but he was a big part of the Whitecaps’ recent success and I wish him well in Europe.
Schedule
(To avoid clogging up the thread and image library, I’ve decided to just include national TV games here.)
Boxing
* Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga (Saturday 9 AM, DAZN PPV)
* Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu (Saturday 9 PM, Prime Video PPV)
* Zuffa Boxing 9: Berlanga vs. Butler (Sunday 9 PM, Paramount+)
Cricket
* West Indies vs. Pakistan, Test (Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM)
* Zimbabwe vs. India, T20I (Saturday & Sunday, 7AM)
MLB
* Yankees @ Phillies (Friday 6:45 PM, Apple TV)
* Blue Jays @ Red Sox (Friday 7:15 PM, Apple TV)
* Padres @ Marlins (Saturday 4:10 PM, FS1)
* Dodgers @ Mets (Saturday 7:15 PM, FOX)
* Mariners @ Rangers (Saturday 7:15 PM, FOX)
* Guardians @ Rays (Sunday 12:15 PM, Peacock)
* Yankees @ Phillies (Sunday 7:20 PM, NBC)
MLS
* Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinatti (Saturday 7:15 PM, FS1)
* Montreal CF vs. Inter Miami (Saturday 7:30 PM, TSN)
* San Diego FC vs. FC Dallas (Saturday 9:30 PM, FS1)
MMA
* LFA 237: Carlos Tardio vs. Macksom Lee (Friday 9 PM, VICE)
* UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov (Saturday 12 PM, Paramount+/Sportsnet)
* PFL Washington: Thad Jean vs. Ernesto Rodriguez (Saturday 10 PM, ESPN/DAZN)
NWSL
* Portland Thorns vs. Gotham (Friday 10:00 PM, Prime Video)
* Boston Legacy vs. Kansas City Kansas (Saturday 5:00 PM, ION)
* North Carolina Courage vs. Utah Royals (Saturday 7:45 PM, ION)
* San Diego Wave vs. Seattle Reign (Sunday 5:00 PM, CBSSN)
* Angel City vs. Racing Louisville (Sunday 9:00 PM, ESPN)
Tennis
* ATP Austrian Open
* ATP Estoril Open
* WTA Hamburg Open
* WTA Prague Open
WNBA
* All-Star Showcase (Friday 8PM, ESPN/TSN)
* All-Star Game (Saturday 8:30PM, ABC/CTV)
Other
* AUSL Softball Championship Series: Chicago Bandits vs. Utah Talons (Saturday 1PM ABC/TSN, Sunday 2PM ESPN/TSN)
* Commonwealth Games (ongoing, beIN Sports/CBC)
* Sumo July Basho final days (Friday and Saturday evening into early morning, Midnight Sumo Twitch channel)
* Tour de France (ongoing, Peacock)
* USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships (Saturday 2PM and Sunday 4PM, NBC)