Sports

Sports Ticker #131

Published

5 months ago

July 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Published on 04 July 2025

In a fortnight which saw the eyes of the world tune into Wimbledon in clockwork fashion, Al-Hilal triumph over Manchester City with a last minute winner in the Club World Cup 2025, and the sad passing of Liverpool and Portuguese striker Diogo Jota, we bring you news on a radical shakeup in the world of county cricket, insights into Royal Ascot’s latest attendance successes, and a look at Tottenham Hotspurs’ legal spat with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group.

Lions Whoop at latest partnership with wearable tech brand

The British and Irish Lions have entered into a strategic partnership with Whoop, a wearable tech brand operating in the health and fitness space. As part of the partnership, Lions players and staff will sport the latest in Whoop’s range of wearable technology, the Whoop 5.0, which provides acute insights into: key health metrics; recovery optimisation; and even mitigating the impacts of jet lag. Whoop is an Official Supplier to the Lions for their British & Irish Tour to Australia 2025, the highly popular international rugby event. The latest arrangement presents the Lions and the Whoop team with an excellent opportunity to gather a substantial amount of data on the effects of long haul travel on athletic performance. Keep an eye on this space to see what they find out.

UK-backed consortium crosses the pond in search of the Lakers

Mark Walter, the CEO of UK-backed consortium TWG Global, has added NBA giants the Los Angeles Lakers to his business portfolio following a deal to take majority ownership of the team from previous owners the Buss family. The $10 billion deal sees the Lakers break the record for the highest valued sports team ever. Walter, who already holds a controlling interest in baseball team the LA Dodgers as well as part ownership of Chelsea FC, hopes to inspire the Lakers to continued glory under his stewardship (the team having won an astonishing 17 championships to date, although none since 2020). His predecessor Jeanie Buss, who has served as governor of the team since 2017, will retain her role with the side as well as a 15% ownership stake.

Counties take a bat to fixture list with plans to scale back domestic cricket

Cricket looks set for a radical shake up as the eighteen first-class counties (who make up the top-level of domestic county cricket) finalise plans to cut the County Championship and Twenty20 Blast series to twelve matches apiece from next season. The proposals, which have long been the aim of the England and Wales Cricket Board, are reported to have met reluctant acceptance from the counties following an increase in the volume of global franchise cricket fixtures and the demand to accommodate them in players’ already busy schedules. Although a final decision is yet to be made, it is understood the counties are likely to agree to the plans, which would see two games removed from each competition. Whilst fans of the county game may lose out, the restructure is likely to be a welcome change by players who have expressed concerns over their heavy calendars, as reported in a survey published by the Professional Cricketers’ Association in May.

Royal Flush: Ascot plays a strong hand to underpin continued success

Royal Ascot can thank memorable races, flawless weather and an aggressive marketing campaign for securing a second year of rising attendances across all five days of this year’s event, which peaked at an impressive 71,073 attendees on the final Saturday race day. In contrast to concerns over turnouts at Cheltenham and Epsom, the royal seal of approval looks to have kept Ascot afloat (although it is not only the regal touch that has contributed to the event’s continued success). As commented on by the Guardian, Ascot is reaping the rewards of innovative marketing schemes as well as efforts to expand its global reach, such as by being the first course to exploit the Asian betting market via the Hong Kong-based World Pool betting operation, which has brought substantial value as well as an additional raft high-calibre attendees to Ascot in recent years. The success of this year’s races will come at great relief to stakeholders in the sport, which comes at a time of great uncertainty; on the eve of the event, a parliamentary report was published which proposed to levy increased duties on sports betting, a move described by some as “an existential threat” to horseracing.

Tottenham Hotspur takes a shot at INEOS Automotive in new legal action

Tottenham Hotspur has commenced legal action against INEOS Automotive, a division of the INEOS Group owned by Manchester United part owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Spurs seeks more than £11 million following the breakdown of a high-profile sponsorship deal between the parties, which saw INEOS become official vehicle partner of the London-based side. The arrangement came to an abrupt halt in December 2024 – three years earlier than planned – after INEOS allegedly failed to pay Tottenham its annual instalment fee. It’s not the first time that INEOS has been accused of reneging on a major sports sponsorship in recent times. As discussed in Sports Ticker #125, INEOS also parted ways with the All Blacks in some fiery circumstances, which eventually saw the parties enter into a private settlement. It’s unclear where things will head this time around, although INEOS insists it had the right to terminate the deal. Will Spurs secure a second triumph of the season over a Ratcliffe-backed business (following their victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final earlier this year), or will it be victory for the seasoned businessman this time round? Stay tuned.

Extra time…

…and finally, over 50% of the population thinks Team GB athletes should receive more funding, pushing athletes like Keeley Hodgkinson to receive more than the national average of £22,500. At around £13,000 less than the average employee’s annual earnings, it’s no surprise that many athletes have to rely on additional sources of income to supplement their careers – one has recently gone so far as opening an OnlyFans account, leading to his suspension from Paddle UK. “The tension we’ve seen across public funding models for support… opens up a crucial conversation about how we diversify funding” notes Professor of Applied Sport Finance, Rob Wilson. Wilson and others argue that it is high time that sports funding evolved past reliance on standard funded models, be that through an updated National Lottery system, private investment or enhanced commercial partnerships.

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Slekis Announces 2026 T&F Slates & Staff Updates

Published

9 minutes ago

December 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University track and field coach Stefanie Slekis announced the 2026 schedule along with the hiring of assistant coach Cameron Bolt on Monday afternoon.

Nicholls will compete in two in state meets and two out of state meets for the indoor season. The teams will begin the season in Baton Rouge at the LSU Purple Tiger on Jan.16 followed by the McNeese Indoor II on Jan. 30. The Colonels will cross state lines to compete in the Bulldog Invitational hosted by Samford University on Feb. 13 before concluding the season at the Southland Conference Championship on Feb. 25-26.

The outdoor season is action packed with three out of state completion’s and four instate events. The Red & Gray will begin outdoor action at the Louisiana Classics hosted by Louisiana in Lafayette on March 20-21. Next, the squads will open the month of April in Austin, Texas at the Texas Relays on April 1-4. The Colonels return to the boot for the Pelican Relays (4/10-11), Strawberry Relays (4/17), and the LSU Alumni Gold (4/25). Nicholls will wrap up regular season action at Texas A&M’s Alumni Muster in College Station, Texas on May 1-2. The Southland Conference Championship is in Nacogdoches, Texas on May 14.

Coach Slekis is looking forward to the new season with some new opportunities for her student-athletes. Bolt joins the staff after coaching over 200 National qualifiers, 15 All-Americans, four National Champions. Additionally, he is the owner of Bolt Track and Field Club team that he started in 2023 and has had more than 20 National qualifiers.

We are so excited for our 2026 Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field schedule. For our schedule we changed up the second half of both our Indoor and Outdoor seasons from the past few years,” Slekis said. “Indoor we will head to Birmingham to compete at Samford’s Bulldog invitational which will give our team the opportunity to test themselves on the facility we will return to for the indoor championship. Outdoor we close out the season at two of the best SEC track & field programs in the country who have phenomenal facilities. Going first to LSU and then bringing full teams to Texas A & M for the Alumni Muster. Before we return to Texas for the Southland Championship hosted by SFA.”

Coach Slekis gave her overall thoughts on the addition of Coach Bolt and how he can help the team improve.

“We are changing things up a bit this year and I am also really excited to see how well our student-athletes perform this season especially our track & field only student-athletes who had the entire fall semester working with our new assistant coach Cameron Bolt,” Slekis said. “Cam comes with a wealth of knowledge as a young coach who founded his own track & field club and continuously worked to prepare himself for his first NCAA Division I collegiate coaching opportunity. His energy combined with his knowledge base make him a phenomenal hire. He understands how to develop student-athletes and maximize their potential. Through fall testing his event group has seen improvement across the board so it will be fun to see that hard work translate to their specific events this next semester.”

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Wisconsin volleyball beats Texas in four to reach Final Four

Published

2 hours ago

December 16, 2025

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Four Zips Named to the 2025 Academic All-MAC Volleyball Team

Published

2 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced the 78 student-athletes placed on the Academic All-MAC Team for the 2025 volleyball season, as Martina Villani, Gabby Brissett, Vanessa Del Real and Sarah Bettis represented the University of Akron.

The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests in that sport.

Martina Villani, Junior Criminology and Criminal Justice, 3.861

Gabby Brissett, Senior, Biology, 3.745

Vanessa Del Real, Junior, Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, 3.81

Sarah Bettis, Junior, Biomedical Science, 3.363

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Five Rockets Receive Academic All-MAC Honors

Published

2 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo women’s volleyball team had five student-athletes named to the Academic All-MAC team for the 2025 season, the league office announced on Monday.

Senior Macy Medors led the Rockets, tallying a 3.989 GPA as she earned her third conference honor. Anna Alford and Sierra Pertzborn received the honor for a second-consecutive season. Grace Freiberger and Olivia Heitkamp were named honorees for the first time.

To qualify, student-athletes must be a sophomore or higher academic standing, have maintained a 3.20 cumulative GPA or higher and competed in 50% of contests during the 2025 season.

2025 Toledo Women’s Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team

Anna Alford, Senior, Public Health Management, 3.415

Grace Freiberger, Sophomore, Recreational Therapy, 3.909

Olivia Heitkamp, Sophomore, Early Childhood Education, 3.501

Macy Medors, Senior, Recreational Therapy, 3.989

Sierra Pertzborn, Redshirt Sophomore, Nursing, 3.558

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ESPN serves up NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Semifinals and Championship, Dec. 18 & 21

Published

3 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Kansas City field consists of No. 1 Kentucky, No. 1 Pitt, No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 3 Wisconsin
Championship broadcast live on ABC for the third straight year; semifinals slated for ESPN, Thu., Dec. 18
All matches will also stream on the ESPN App

It all comes down to Kansas City as ESPN’s exclusive coverage of the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship culminates this week live from the T-Mobile Center with the National Semifinals on Thursday, Dec. 18, followed by the Championship match on Sunday, Dec. 21.

The stage is set as the final four teams face off in the semifinals beginning with No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh in the first semifinal on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed 30 minutes later by No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Kentucky. Both matches will be presented on ESPN and available on the ESPN App.

For the third consecutive year, ABC is home to the Championship match, broadcasting live on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 3:30 p.m. and for the first time, ABC will also air a dedicated 30-minute preview show ahead of the Championship’s first serve, beginning at 3 p.m. Both the preview show and the match will be available on the ESPN App.

On the Mic
For the fourth straight year, game action for all three matches will be called by play-by-play commentator Courtney Lyle, alongside analysts Holly McPeak (three-time beach volleyball Olympian) and Katie George (2015 ACC Player of the Year). For the second consecutive year, the trio is joined by sideline reporter and former FSU beach volleyball standout Madison Fitzpatrick.

Studio Coverage
Studio Coverage will originate from the T-Mobile Center as Christine Williamson, Emily Ehman (four-year Northwestern standout) and Mary Wise (three-time AVCA Coach of the Year) bring viewers pre- and post-game insights and analysis throughout the semifinals and Championship.

The trio will prep viewers for all they need to know ahead the National Semifinals and National Championship match, bringing additional insight and analysis as a champion is crowded.

Every Serve, Every Angle
ESPN has all the action in Kansas City covered from every angle, including exclusive and behind-the-scenes coverage. This year, along with 25-plus cameras and two dozen replay sources, ESPN will have new and enhanced telestrations, giving the fans an additional in-depth look at the Xs and Os of the game.

Additionally, the presentation will have multiple jibs, giving fans a sweeping view over the arena. ESPN will also use six state-of-the-art slow-mo cameras to give viewers a look at the action at the net.

For the first time at the National Championship, the broadcast will feature Bolt 6, showcasing enhanced technology that shows viewers serve speed, spike speed, spike height and other statistical facets of the game.

In addition to the traditional main telecast, an alternate “High End Zone” viewing option will be available on ESPN+/ESPN App for the semifinals and the Championship, giving fans the option to watch the match from the end zone angle.

Kansas City Bound
The National Semifinals boast programs that have made a combined 15 national semifinal appearances. Pittsburgh is making its fifth consecutive trip to the National Semifinal with a No. 1 seed behind them as the Panthers look to hoist their first NCAA trophy. The Wildcats are making their first trip back to the semifinals since the ’20-21 season in which they cut down the nets in Omaha. Storied program Wisconsin makes its seventh trip to the national semifinals, looking to win the program’s second national title (2021). Rounding out the field are the Texas A&M Aggies, who are on the quest to win the program’s first national championship.

2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship

Date	Time (ET)	Match	Network
Thu, Dec 18	6:30 p.m.	No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George, Madison Fitzpatrick	ESPN ESPN App *
	Between Match Coverage	NCAA Women’s Volleyball Studio Christine Williamson, Emily Ehman, Mary Wise	ESPN ESPN App *
	30 mins after Semifinal 1	No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Kentucky Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George, Madison Fitzpatrick	ESPN ESPN App *
Sun, Dec 21	3 p.m.	NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship Preview Show Christine Williamson, Emily Ehman, Mary Wise	ABC ESPN App
	3:30 p.m.	NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George, Madison Fitzpatrick	ABC ESPN App *
	Following Championship match	NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Trophy Ceremony	ESPN App

* There will be two streams available on the ESPN App (Traditional Simulcast and High End Zone angle)

All of ESPN. All in One Place.
ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans on the ESPN App, providing more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, including more than 47,000 live events per year, on-demand replays, industry-leading studio shows and original programming, and more. The ESPN App gives fans a unique viewing experience that includes multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing options, swipe-able vertical video and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as integrated game stats, ESPN Fantasy sports, betting odds and information from DraftKings, sports merchandise, and more. These features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a pay TV package. Bundling options available for fans include a limited time offer for the ESPN DTC Unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month for the first 12 months. For more visit stream.espn.com.

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Reilly Named AVCA Player of the Year Finalist – University of Nebraska

Published

3 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Nebraska junior setter Bergen Reilly is one of four finalists for the AVCA Division I Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year Award.

The other three finalists are Olivia Babcock (Pittsburgh), Mimi Colyer (Wisconsin) and Eva Hudson (Kentucky). The announcement of the Player of the Year takes place on Friday, Dec. 19 at the AVCA Awards Banquet in Kansas City.

Reilly set the Huskers to a school-record .351 hitting percentage, as the Big Red concluded their season with a 33-1 overall record and 20-0 mark in Big Ten play en route to a third straight conference title.

Reilly averaged 10.47 assists per set and 2.70 digs per set. She also totaled 73 kills, 67 blocks and 19 aces.

Reilly was named Big Ten Player of the Year, as well as Big Ten Setter of the Year and All-Big Ten First Team for the third time. NU’s .351 hitting percentage ranks first nationally and is the best hitting percentage by a Big Ten team since 2009 Penn State.

Reilly set Nebraska to a .400 or better hitting percentage nine times this season, a school record in the rally-scoring era. Reilly had double-doubles in all six of the Husker matches that went longer than three sets, and she had four double-doubles in sweeps.

A two-time AVCA All-American, Reilly ranks No. 3 in school history in career assists in the rally-scoring era with 3,723. Her career assists per set average of 10.70 ranks No. 4 among active Division I players and No. 2 in school history in the rally-scoring era.

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