BLOOMINGTON — How do you follow perfection?
That is Curt Cignetti’s task in 2026. So much of Indiana’s season last year became historic, at both the individual and program-wide levels, that it’s hard to even fathom what comes next. Unless, of course, you’re Cignetti, who declared just days after winning IU football’s first national championship that he was turning the page to “Chapter 3.”
What will that look like? Difficult tests once again await his team both at home and on the road.

Nottingham Forest may move for Premier League stopper
Liverpool Monitor Lucca Brughmans as Nottingham Forest Explore Giorgi Mamardashvili Transfer

Liverpool are keeping a watching brief on Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans as the final stages of the transfer window bring uncertainty around Giorgi Mamardashvili’s future, with Echo reporting that Nottingham Forest are weighing up a move for the Georgia international.

Brughmans, who turned 18 in June, has quickly emerged as one of the more highly regarded young goalkeepers in Europe.

Journalist names Chelsea man as potential Liverpool target
Liverpool Confident on Ismaïla Sarr Deal as Winger Plans Take Shape

Liverpool’s pursuit of Ismaïla Sarr appears to be moving with purpose, with confidence growing around the proposed transfer as the club continues to shape its attacking options for Andoni Iraola. Credit to Khadim Diakhate, whose report indicates there is increasing belief among those close to the situation that the move can be completed.

There is also a significant detail on Liverpool’s side of the negotiations.

Everton submit offer for Monaco’s Folarin Balogun

Everton have submitted a bid for AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun (25), according to a report fromFabrizio Romano.

Balogun, who set Ligue 1 alight last season, has not played for the Principality club this season. The striker played through the FIFA World Cup with a minor injury, Filipe Luís has explained, and so the former Arsenal man is continuing his recovery. He was, however, in the stands at the Stade Louis II on Sunday night as Monaco beat Olympique de Marseille (2-0).

The bankruptcy trial of Deion Sanders’ son Shilo is starting in downtown Denver on Monday, Aug. 31, and will spend up to five days examining what Shilo Sanders did or didn’t do at age 15 at a very specific time and place – his school in Dallas on Sept. 17, 2015.
More than $11 million is at stake in this trial. Deion Sanders, Colorado’s football coach, might even be called as a witness the day after his team plays at Georgia Tech on Sept. 3.
Here’s what to know about a case that is 11 years in the making and recently had four lawyers representing Shilo Sanders at a pretrial hearing.

ONAWAY — All day long, Bryan McKinstry couldn’t wait to get on the field.  
While he was nervous throughout the day, he was itching to get his chance.

Done deal: Robinio Vaz set to join Hull City on loan

It’s a hectic time for Roma’s transfer market.

The summer transfer window is closing in on the club (September 1, 8:00 PM), and yesterday the Giallorossi announced the arrivals of Balerdi and De Roon.

D’Amico is also seeking reinforcements in attack and is creating the necessary space to make at least one more signing. Robinio Vaz, in fact, will leave the capital in the next few hours.

The 2007-born player, signed during the January transfer window for €22 million plus €2 million in bonuses, will move to Hull City.

Tottenham Hotspur target move for Serie A attacker
Tottenham Weigh Christian Pulisic Move as Spurs Accelerate Search for Attacking Reinforcements

Tottenham’s late-window planning has shifted quickly after missing out on Cody Gakpo, and attention is now turning towards a fresh group of attacking targets. According to TeamTalk, Spurs have made enquiries over AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic as they push to strengthen before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Julian Alvarez, Cody Gakpo and Enzo Fernandez are among players who could have new clubs by Tuesday [Getty Images]
The summer transfer window may have been open since 15 June but several Premier League clubs are still scrambling to get key deals over the line before Tuesday’s 23:00 BST deadline.
From Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez to Cody Gakpo and Ismaila Sarr, some of football’s biggest names could yet be on the move.
But they will have to battle the clock to earn their dream moves before the market closes.

🗞️ Today’s headlines: Madrid enjoy themselves, shame…
Summer ends, August ends, and the transfer window deadline is approaching. So, with all that and more, this 31st begins, and we’re going to review the front pages of the sports newspapers.

MARCA

AS

Mundo Deportivo

SPORT

Superdeporte

L’Equipe

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Corriere dello Sport

Daily Express Sport

Mirror Sport

A Bola

O Jogo

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Atletico Madrid gave Julian Alvarez written consent for Barcelona move – report

Atletico Madrid privately gave Julian Alvarez written permission to discuss a move to Barcelona, despite the club’s public insistence that no deal with the Catalan side would ever be entertained.

That’s according to an update from El Chiringuito TV, which claims Atletico put their approval in writing to the Argentine striker, directly contradicting the hardline stance the club has taken in public throughout the summer.

Journalist Jordi Jota says he has personally seen the document.

On Sunday night, Novak Djokovic was upset by Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open. What happened — and what it means for the tournament.

Joe Prince-Wright catches up with new Newcastle

Report: Liverpool have made contact over blockbuster £130m move
Liverpool Open Rayan Talks as Bournemouth Forward Emerges in Late £130m Transfer Push

Liverpool have made contact with Bournemouth over Rayan, with the 20-year-old now emerging as a serious option as the club reshapes its attack before the deadline. The latest update comes via Matt Thielen on X, who reports that discussions have been opened regarding the Brazilian forward’s availability.

This sits within a wider end-of-window overhaul at Anfield.

Novak Djokovic, 39, is out of the US Open after a first-round defeat to Mariano Navone on Sunday night, losing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a five-set marathon that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. He had never lost in the first round at the US Open.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 30: Scottie Scheffler of the United States follows his shot on the 17th hole during the final round of the TOUR Championship 2026 at East Lake Golf Club on August 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Former Texas men’s golf standout Scottie Scheffler brought home his second FedExCup title in three years—his second since initially taking home the crown back in 2024. Scheffler did so as he went 4-under-par 66 to make it a three-stroke victory at the TOUR Championshnip at the East Lake Golf Club.

The Tennessee Titans will have one of the NFL’s best positions in the waiver wire pecking order when the league’s final roster cuts are finalized.
Tennessee reduced its roster to the league-mandated maximum of 53 players, and now the real fun will begin. Players who are subject to waivers as part of those final roster reductions will then be available for other teams to claim, with the claiming period expiring at 1:00 p.m. ET on Monday, August 31.
The Titans enter the process with the No.

Alex Palou (10) makes his first p[it stop during the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026 at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
At some point, we have to stop calling Alex Palou the next great IndyCar driver and start asking a much bigger question: Is he already on his way to being the greatest ever?
Palou just captured his fifth IndyCar championship, his fourth consecutive title, putting him firmly among the sport’s all-time elite. Only A.J. Foyt’s seven championships and Scott Dixon’s six now stand ahead of him.
And he’s only 29.
That’s the scary part.

Report: Newcastle United set to battle Sunderland for Serie A star
Newcastle Transfer News: Matias Soule Battle Emerges With Sunderland

Newcastle United have moved into contention for Matias Soule, adding a fresh layer to one of the more intriguing late-window stories. According to TeamTalk, the Magpies are now competing directly with Sunderland for the Roma attacker, with the 23-year-old increasingly viewed as a realistic market opportunity before the deadline.

Soule has been a long-running target at the Stadium of Light.

Novak Djokovic had won all of his previous 19 US Open first-round matches [Getty Images]
Novak Djokovic broke down in tears during a US Open first-round defeat by Argentina’s Mariano Navone which provided further evidence age is fast catching up with the 39-year-old great.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was overcome by emotion in the deciding set of a dramatic match where he struggled physically throughout and had to vomit into a towel bin.
Djokovic, seeded fourth in New York, showed the fight for which he has always been renowned before succumbing to a 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 loss.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic receives treatment during his five-set first-round loss to Mariano Navone at the US Open (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)
Ailing Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years on Sunday, falling in five brutal sets to Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open.
The 48th-ranked Argentine’s 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory ended Djokovic’s latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Among basketball’s most meaningful mentorships, few relationships combined intellectual curiosity and genuine authenticity quite like the connection between Kobe Bryant and Kyrie Irving. Irving’s latest recollections suggest that Bryant’s most valuable influence on him extended well beyond the basketball court.
Kobe Bryant Encouraged Kyrie Irving to Look Beyond Proving His Doubters Wrong
For Irving, achieving the highest level of basketball success happened relatively early in his career.

Rashid Latif slams Mohsin Naqvi’s PCB as ‘worst cricket board in 70 years’ after Pakistan’s horror Test series defeat in England originally appeared on Cricket News.
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Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the team’s Test series defeat in England.
Pakistan under Babar Azam lost the three-match series after going 0-2 after Leeds and Lord’s Tests.

(WFRV) — On Sports Xtra this Sunday, Sports Director Kyle Malzhan introduced the newest member of our sports team, Marie Kane.
Marie comes to Green Bay by way of DePaul University, where she spent four years studying Sports journalism. She was the general manager for DePaul’s on-campus radio station (Radio DePaul) for three years, while also serving as an on-air host. In addition to her role with Radio DePaul, she covered DePaul men’s and women’s basketball, plus all of Chicago’s professional sports teams as a reporter.

Watch the highlights from the opening round of

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Hear from Mariano Navone following his victory

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Watch highlights as future Hall-of-Famer Nneka

NEW YORK NEW YORK – AUGUST 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts against Mariano Navone of Argentina during their Men’s Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Novak Djokovic looked distressed from the beginning of his first-round match with Mariano Navone at the U.S. Open.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 18: Jay Huff #32 of the Indiana Pacers reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 18, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS – Jay Huff is in new territory as he heads into his sixth NBA season and second with the Indiana Pacers. For the first time ever, his offseason is defined by stability.
The Virginia product has been everywhere, often chasing his next contract.

Back in March, the Green Bay Packers got a little creative with addressing one of their more notable roster needs. With the 2026 NFL Draft looming and linebacker high on their priority list, Green Bay traded interior defensive lineman Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts for linebacker Zaire Franklin.
The trade allowed the Packers to focus on other positional needs in the NFL Draft while also giving them a former Pro Bowl linebacker to pair with Edgerrin Cooper. Meanwhile, the Colts added a former fourth-round pick who had a career-high 50 tackles in 17 games played in 2025 (16 starts).

Lindsey Thiry and Adam Schefter join SportsCent

For the Red Sox, this weekend offered a tantalizing opportunity: Take three out of four in the Bronx against the Yankees, and Boston would secure the season tiebreaker and leap its rival in the standings. It would’ve been a fulfilling culmination of sorts for a club that was, just a few months ago, very down and incredibly out.
Instead, the Sox were outplayed and outclassed in a disappointing series loss that likely complicates their path to postseason glory.

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Owen Edwards believes Welsh golfers need more support as they look to establish themselves in the professional game [Getty Images]
Owen Edwards was within touching distance of a breakthrough in his career and a moment to savour for Welsh golf.
With six holes remaining in final qualifying for last month’s Open Championship, Edwards had a healthy lead over the best field he has ever competed against.

Watch highlights from the Cincinnati Reds 7-5 w

Jason Bennati, Anthony Rizzo and Jeff Brantley

Sal Stewart talks with Ahmed Fareed postgame ab

The Seahawks finally signed cornerback Terrion Arnold, more than two weeks after agreeing to a deal with him. The league, as expected, promptly placed Arnold on paid leave.
The administrative move flows from eight felony charges against Arnold, arising from an alleged kidnapping and armed robbery that happened earlier this year in Florida.
On Sunday, Seahawks G.M. John Schneider was asked about the factors the team considered in signing the 2024 first-round pick.
“There is a ton of different factors that went into it,” Schneider told reporters.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 22: Joe Fagnano #12 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of a preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Ravens defeated the Vikings 13-3. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Baltimore Ravens have whittled their roster down to 53 players with quarterback Joe Fagnano and outside linebacker Ethan Burke continuing the franchise’s long tradition of undrafted rookies making the team.

The Chargers announced their initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season.
While it’s unlikely to be exactly like this come Week 1, let alone within 48 hours, I have plenty of thoughts after general manager Joe Hortiz and the coaching staff’s moves to reach the roster limit on Sunday.
Here are eight takeaways:
Heavy numbers along the offensive line
The Chargers placed offensive lineman Branson Taylor on injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning he will miss at least the first four games.

Dave Hanna, author of “LaVell’s Leadership Playbook,” presents a copy to BYU football coach Kalani Sitake.
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Courtesy Dave Hanna

Dave Hanna was there when it all began.

Cavan Sullivan goes primetime, Messi scores a poker & more from Matchday 23
By Charles Boehm
Was the rule of four in effect across MLS this weekend?
We were treated to four-goal thrillers in Seattle, New Jersey and San Diego. The runaway league leaders pinned four unanswered on a pretty good team at GEODIS Park. And some guy named Leo sniffed out four all by himself to ensure a ‘new coach bump’ down in Miami, and give us a new Golden Boot presented by Audi leader.
Let’s take a quick foray into Matchday 23.

Pete Crow-Armstrong obliterates another ball fo

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Sal Stewart squared up a high pitch and hit his

As roster churning continues across the NFL in the days following cut‑down day, teams that waived players they liked but couldn’t fit on the initial 53‑man roster now have to wait and see whether those players clear waivers. Unlike vested veterans who become free agents immediately, waived players must pass through the waiver wire before the team that released them can re‑sign them to the practice squad.
For the Denver Broncos, that’s the situation with former Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York, who was waived Sunday, per Chris Tomasson.