Month: August 2025

The sport world can be an especially challenging environment for gender equality, with its mix of new and old cases of inequality in sports participation and opportunities, pay, and gender-based harassment. This is why UNESCO is collaborating with the world’s leading players in sports to accelerate efforts to promote women’s leadership and equality in governance models, prevent and respond to gender-based violence, close the gap in investment in girls’ sports and promote equal economic opportunities, ensure women’s equal participation and bias-free representation in media, and promote gender-neutral policies that strengthen, rather than harm, sport for all.

Gender stereotypes in sports still persist, with girls as young as five feeling that they don’t belong in sport. This can be due to an insidious combination of factors, including lack of role models and a perception that sport is only for boys. It also includes the belief that men are better athletes than women, which is based on misinformation and false assumptions.

It is time to dispel the myth that trans athletes have an unfair advantage in sport. The truth is that the vast majority of studies assessing performance in trans athletes have found them to be as competitive as their cisgender counterparts. Moreover, claims that the transgender community poses an “athletic threat” are based on misogyny and not science. It is time to reclaim women’s prizes, their sports and their spaces. This will go a long way toward making the world of sports more inclusive and welcoming to everyone.

The ICC’s World Test Championship has been a success, creating a more structured way of playing the longest form of cricket. The competition has been lauded for its ability to draw crowds to stadiums around the world and for its role in increasing the value of the Test mace. But there are detractors, and many of them are from England. The ECB has a strong aversion to a two-division format, fearing they might miss lucrative rivalries with Australia and India. They also oppose an increase in over-rate penalties, arguing that they penalise players too harshly and can have a negative impact on Test standards.

There’s no denying that the World Test Championship has been a success in bringing crowds back to the game, with both of the finals – between New Zealand and Australia in 2021 and Australia and South Africa in 2023 – being held in sell-out conditions in Southampton and The Oval. But the competition has come under a torrent of criticism, with Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack’s Lawrence Booth branding this week’s final as “a shambles masquerading as a showpiece”.

The criticisms have been numerous, from the scheduling (which saw the Proteas play fewer than the four other top teams in the championship) to a points system that is not well-balanced. But perhaps the most stinging attack has been over the fact that this is the only WTC final to have a reserve day scheduled – a nod to a bygone era of so-called ‘timeless Tests’ and an admission that England’s summer can be fickle.

The 2023 class of athletes who retired includes many names you’ve heard of, like NBA legend Carmelo Anthony and Olympic medalists Megan Rapinoe, Peter Sagan, Tessa Worley and others. But they all have one thing in common: they all walked away from their respective sports in style.

As more and more young athletes train to be elite, they can find themselves facing retirement at a much younger age than in the past. This is especially true for women, who can retire in their late 20s or even earlier. A recent scoping review suggests that this trend may have serious implications for athlete wellbeing.

“Athletes who are unprepared or struggle to adapt to the transition from sport often experience negative psychological states, such as depression and anxiety, which can have a significant impact on their daily functioning,” the report says.

It’s not uncommon for professional athletes to find new careers in business, coaching or politics after retiring from their sport. Many of them also take on public speaking, philanthropy and mentoring roles. Others become product endorsers, such as Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan or Tom Brady.

Athletes often need support after leaving the spotlight, but it can be difficult to find. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee recently announced a $100 million program to provide post-retirement financial assistance for Olympians. The funding is largely from a gift by Richard Stevens, the CEO of Stone Ridge Holdings Group. The program will pay each U.S. Olympian $100,000 per Olympic Games they compete in — and it will multiply with each additional Olympic Games they participate in.

With the lull of early-season training, testing and tweaking behind us, the club ultimate season shifts gears to one of its most demanding events – the 2025 US Open. The field features all 12 2024 national semifinalists and a host of elite international teams looking to push their American counterparts in some exciting ways.

The tournament, which kicks off with “Fan Week” qualifying from August 18-23 and runs through September 7, takes place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. The main draw opens on Sunday August 24 with the first round of singles played over three days (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) in addition to the usual two-day schedule.

It’s impossible to know what the scheduling will look like this year since the decisions about which halves of each draw play on Day 1 and when aren’t announced until after the final round of qualifying is finished (around Wednesday/Thursday Aug 21-22 2025). However, in the past, it has generally followed a similar pattern to other Grand Slams where the top half of the draws plays a Day 1 match while the bottom half goes into the Night session on Days 2-5.

With all the pieces in place, a new champion could emerge from New York this year. In the men’s division, #1 Boston Brute Squad has a strong team that looked good in a 15-8 statement win over #4 Washington DC Scandal at PEC East last month. And while the defense is still missing top-line defender Calvin Brown, the club is loaded with experienced defensive talent and incoming freshmen such as Raleigh transfer Ben Dameron and Aurora’s Anders Juengst who should provide significant depth.

Any sincere fan will, at times, display what may seem like an inordinate amount of emotional attachment and angst over sports celebrity gossip. Whether yelling at a referee or still in mourning over Brangelina, every fan carries a little bit of sports celebrity gossip inside them.

Whether it’s a megastar of music, film or television spotted in the stands or courtside as spectators at a game, a celebrity presence creates a buzz and excitement that often increases viewership and ticket sales for the event. For example, when singer Taylor Swift started showing up to Kansas City Chiefs home games to cheer on tight end Travis Kelce, the team’s viewership and merchandise sales increased dramatically.

This week, we’ve got the latest on a former WWE star who lost her job over Coldplay cheating drama, a surfing star with a gruesome injury and more. Plus, Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard reveals what it’s really like to live in his Subaru and NBA star Suni Lee and her new beau, OG Anunoby, make their relationship official.

Then we’ll talk about how soccer legend Lionel Messi rolled up to America’s best grocery store in slides and bought some American cereal that his kids probably begged him to purchase. And we’ll discuss how a UFC star faced NSFW messages on TikTok, and why Adam Sandler loved starring with Sam Chalamet in “Happy Gilmore 2.” Plus, WNBA superstar Suni Lee and her NBA player boyfriend OG Anunoby finally make their relationship official.

Combat Sports are athletic endeavors that involve forced physical contact between two opponents within a set of rules. They can include weapons handling (fencing, MMA), striking, grappling, kicking or a combination of techniques. Some of the most popular combative sports are boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo.

These modalities of fighting are a great way to exercise and strengthen the entire body. They also help develop coordination, balance and flexibility. It’s important to find a discipline that you love practicing and is available in your city. The best way to determine what is your favorite is to try several different disciplines before registering. Also, make sure to wear protective equipment like padded gloves, mouth guards and helmets. You should also practice in a ring or mat to avoid injury during competitions and training.

People around the world have always had a yearning to see two warriors test their mettle against one another in sanctioned and controlled sport. Whether the goal is glory, prize, freedom or national pride, fighting sports have left an indelible mark on culture.

From epic battles between legendary rivals to underdog triumphs, these high-profile events captivate audiences and showcase the incredible skills and dedication of athletes of all ages. But beyond the glamour and drama, the practice of combat sports teaches invaluable life lessons like discipline, perseverance and respect. And for many, the journey toward mastery is as rewarding as the achievement itself.

For sports teams, fans and athletes alike, the future of technology in sports looks bright. As new innovations are incorporated faster than ever before, they have the potential to expand the sport business, improve athletic performance and decrease career-ending injuries. These advancements are revolutionizing the way we watch and play the games we love, while bringing in new revenue streams and improving the quality of the sporting experience for everyone involved.

With so many changes sweeping the industry, it can be challenging for sports organizations to keep up and determine which technologies are worth their investment. To help, Next League’s 2023 Industry Outlook report has identified 7 key sports technology trends that are worth keeping an eye on.

1. Data tracking and collection tech.

With smart sensors embedded in equipment like cleats, helmets, and training gear, sports tech can collect and analyze data to provide valuable insights for optimal athletic performance. This information is used to track player health, evaluate fitness, and monitor injury risk. Additionally, this data is useful for analyzing team and player performance and creating more personalized and effective training programs.

2. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).

With AR and VR, players can see game-changing info overlays on the action – including real-time betting odds – while immersive experiences create an enhanced fan experience. This is driving increased investments in AR and VR in the sports tech sector, where they are used to enhance player training, scouting, and fan engagement. Additionally, these technologies are a great stepping stone to more advanced AI-based solutions for sports teams, clubs and fans.

Formula 1’s blend of tradition and futurism captivates millions around the world. With regulations constantly evolving to accommodate greener practices and novel challenges, the sport continues to evolve and expand in exhilarating ways. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the importance of ranking systems to determine champions in both Driver and Constructor Championships.

In each race, drivers and teams earn F1 points based on their finishing position. The team and the individual with the most points at the end of the season are named champions. But how exactly are these points earned, and what makes them so important?

Drivers earn most of their points by finishing in the top ten of every completed race. They also gain points by participating in qualifying, securing pole position (first place on the starting grid) and earning a podium finish (first, second or third place). In addition, a bonus point is awarded to the fastest lap of each race.

The FIA Formula 1 World Constructors’ Championship recognises the collective performance of the entire team – from the engineering of the car to its strategy and pit crew, all the way up to the driver(s). The constructor with the most points at the end of the year is crowned champions.

As such, the Constructors’ Championship is often more competitive than the Drivers’ Championship and there have been 12 occasions when the drivers’ champion has come from a team different to the constructors’ champions. Interestingly, Mercedes have won the championship the most times in the past 20 years with eight titles, while Ferrari and Williams are tied on 16 wins each.

With 5 billion engagements on social media during the 2022 World Cup and 12 billion during the 2024 summer games, sports teams, athletes, and brands are leveraging the power of digital platforms to amplify their messages and connect with fans in new ways. But the journey isn’t without its challenges.

Athletes rely on social media to share their insights and perspective about the game, but it can also provide a platform for misinformation or rumors that can damage a team’s reputation or even a player’s career. That’s why it’s important for coaches, sports organizations, and leagues to have the tools they need to help their athletes understand how their actions on social media impact their professional and personal lives.

Athletes are encouraged to use social media to showcase their passion for the sport and interact with fans. Whether it’s sharing training tips, their favorite protein shake, or how they take their dog for a walk, the ability to communicate directly with their audience enables athletes to humanize themselves and create connections beyond the confines of a stadium or TV screen.

Social media also offers athletes a platform to advocate for social causes or engage in activism, further enhancing their personal brand and influence public perception. Athletes like LeBron James, Colin Kaepernick, and Megan Rapinoe have used their platforms to speak out against injustice and promote equality, amplifying their message and demonstrating the value of their personal brand. This type of advocacy can even result in sponsorship opportunities, such as Hershey’s Reese’s campaign with WNBA star Angel Reese.