Sports

In Great Falls, a vacant dirt lot along Highway 87 is poised to transform into the dedicated facility for Electric City Volleyball Academy (ECVA). Owner and program director Alax Grundy plans to break ground within the next year, marking a pivotal moment for the two-year-old club. Grundy, who works in construction but draws inspiration from his sister's club volleyball experience, sees the project as a way to relieve pressure on local gyms and expand opportunities for young athletes. To fund the estimated $600,000 building without burdening families, he launched an RV and trailer storage business on adjacent land. The new gym will feature two courts, a weight room, storage, bathrooms, and spectator areas. Grundy emphasizes that the academy's primary goal is community betterment, not just college recruitment. He wants to cultivate responsible adults, not just players. The facility promises stability for the program, which currently relies on renting space around town.

The National Football League is set to play a regular-season game in Australia, a move that will create a unique scheduling quirk for American viewers: the contest will unfold on two separate calendar days depending on where they watch. Because Australia sits roughly 14 to 18 hours ahead of the United States, a game that kicks off on a Sunday afternoon in Sydney will land on a Saturday evening or early Sunday morning back home. The time warp means fans on the West Coast may catch the game on Saturday night, while those on the East Coast will tune in Sunday morning — and in Australia, it will already be Monday. The NFL has been expanding its international footprint with games in London, Mexico City, and Germany, and Australia represents the next frontier. While the league has not yet confirmed the opponent or exact venue, early reports suggest the game could take place in Melbourne or Sydney. The time difference poses challenges for TV ratings and fan engagement, but also offers an opportunity to grow the sport in a passionate sports market. The NFL has previously faced similar scheduling puzzles with its London games, which air in the early morning on the East Coast. The Australia game, however, will be the first to straddle two dates on the U.S. calendar, requiring viewers to adjust their routines — and perhaps their DVR settings — to catch the action live.

The 107th NFL regular season kicks off, the US Open is underway, and college football tailgating season has begun. Sporting events are becoming the centerpiece of travel plans, with 57% of travelers likely to attend a local game while on trips—rising to 68% among Gen Z and Millennials, according to Expedia. Travel expert Tomeka Jones highlights strategies to turn a single game into a complete getaway. For the US Open, she suggests exploring Queens beyond the tennis center, from Flushing Meadows Corona Park to the diverse food scene. College football offers traditions like Tennessee's Vol Navy or Ole Miss's Grove tailgating. NFL fans can combine a game in Seattle with visits to Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, while the league's international expansion—including nine games across seven countries in 2026—opens new possibilities. Jones advises booking the event first, comparing transportation options, and adding extra days to soak in local culture and attractions.

Fresh off their 2022 NBA title, the Golden State Warriors faced a critical decision with Jordan Poole: extend him early or let him play out the season as a restricted free agent. They chose the extension, signing him to a four-year, $140 million deal. The move backfired. Poole regressed in 2022-23, whether due to Draymond Green’s punch or natural decline, and the Warriors dumped his salary for Chris Paul, essentially losing him for nothing. Now Brandin Podziemski is extension-eligible, and the Warriors must avoid repeating that mistake. A team-friendly deal around $16–17 million per year might be justified, but anything more risks repeating the overpay. Podziemski’s two-way impact makes him less likely to crash than Poole, but waiting until restricted free agency could give the Warriors leverage. With Stephen Curry’s future uncertain, Golden State should prioritize flexibility over impulsive spending.

Former Texas A&M offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey appeared on KBTX to analyze film from the Aggies’ dominant 50-0 season-opening victory over Missouri State. Dickey highlighted key moments, including offensive line miscommunication, quarterback Marcel Reed’s scrambling agility, and wide receiver Terry Bussey’s electrifying jet-sweep touchdown. He also offered insights into the upcoming matchup against Arizona State, noting his previous coaching collaboration with Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham during their time together at Memphis. The segment provided a detailed breakdown of Texas A&M’s initial performance and the challenges ahead.

This Friday, the Iola Bulldogs and Burton Panthers renew their Brazos Valley rivalry in the KBTX High School Football Game of the Week. Last season’s dramatic 37-36 victory for Iola—sealed by a last-second field goal—propelled the Bulldogs to the third round of the playoffs under head coach Eric Blenden. Burton, a perennial small-school powerhouse, seeks to reassert its dominance after a narrow 17-14 win over Hearne. Both teams embrace a physical, old-school style of football. Iola enters at 0-2, still searching for its first win of the season, while Burton holds a 1-1 record. The mutual respect between coaches Blenden and Jason Hodde adds depth to this matchup. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Panther Field.

Week 4 of IHSA football brings pivotal conference matchups across Kendall County. In the Southwest Prairie West, undefeated Oswego (3-0) travels to Bolingbrook (2-1) in a clash of star rushers Ammar Banire and T.J. Lewis. Oswego East (2-1) looks to bounce back from a shutout loss as they host Plainfield North (0-3). Yorkville (2-1) aims to rebound after a loss to Bolingbrook when they visit Minooka (1-2), who just earned their first win. In the Kishwaukee River Conference, Johnsburg (2-1) seeks a third straight victory against winless Plano (0-3). Defending conference champion Richmond-Burton (3-0) continues its dominance with a test against Sandwich (2-1). Key players include Oswego quarterback Drew Kleinhans, Richmond-Burton running back Hunter Carley, and Sandwich's Wyatt Gregory. These games will shape playoff positioning and conference title races.

Marshall Faulk is learning to manage unexpected disruptions in his first season as Southern University's head coach. Days after a weather delay in the home opener, the Jaguars are now dealing with a campus-wide power outage that has forced practice relocation and disrupted film study. Faulk says the adversity can build character but admits it affects players mentally. The team has taken buses to train at Elite Training Academy in Baton Rouge and used a Marriott meeting room for game preparation. Despite the challenges, Faulk emphasizes that No. 22 Houston will not care about Southern's problems. The Jaguars (1-1) face the Cougars (1-0) on Saturday at TDECU Stadium in Houston.

Amid recent turmoil over LSU's new football coach and Jayden Daniels' retired jersey number, one constant remains: Billy Cannon, the last Tiger to wear No. 20 and the program's first Heisman winner, is the benchmark for all LSU greats. A new documentary, "Circles, The Life of Billy Cannon," premieres Monday at 7 p.m. on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. It traces Cannon's journey from childhood through LSU's first national championship, his professional career, his federal counterfeiting conviction, and later work as a dentist at Angola prison. Cannon's daughter, Bunnie Cannon, led the project, noting the family wanted to tell the full story after years of unanswered questions. Cannon died in 2018 at age 80. The article also includes updates on LSU's TV ratings — their win over Clemson drew 5.8 million viewers — and a reminder about Louisiana Tech's 1904 upset over LSU. The Tigers will wear purple jerseys and gold pants for Saturday's game, streaming on SECNetwork+.

Undefeated UFC fighter Tommy McMillen gears up for his next bout this Saturday at Noche UFC in Glendale, Arizona, where he will face Marwan Rahiki. The Great Falls, Montana native credits his hometown for shaping his relentless fighting spirit. A three-time state wrestling champion at Great Falls High School, McMillen says his parents enrolled him in wrestling to keep him out of trouble, a decision he deeply appreciates. Now competing on one of the sport's biggest stages, he hopes to inspire other Montana kids to chase their dreams. Citing fellow Montana fighter Sean O'Malley as proof that success is attainable, McMillen emphasizes that his roots remain central to his journey. 'Montana will always be home,' he states, as he prepares to step into the octagon once again.

Football season returns, and Dallas Cowboys fans across North Texas have plenty of places to gather for the season opener against the New York Giants. The game takes place Sunday, September 13, at 7:20 p.m. CT at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, airing on NBC. It marks the 13th time these rivals open the season together, with Dallas dominating the previous 12 matchups (11-1). From mineral pool viewing at WorldSprings in The Colony to rooftop parties at Happiest Hour in Dallas, fans can choose immersive experiences. Other options include Cosm Dallas for a dome-screen spectacle and Altitude at W Dallas with live music. The Giants begin a new era under head coach John Harbaugh. Whether you crave themed drinks, DJs, or giant screens, North Texas offers a watch party for every fan.

Kade Anderson, the 22-year-old rookie making his fourth major league start, fired six sharp innings to secure his first career victory as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 3-2 on Wednesday. Anderson allowed six hits, struck out five, and walked just one on an efficient 81 pitches, surrendering only a solo homer to Jake Burger in the second inning. Cole Young broke the tie with a two-run double in the fourth, giving Seattle a 3-1 lead they never lost. The Rangers trimmed the margin to one on Corey Seager's eighth-inning homer off Gabe Speier, but Andrés Muñoz slammed the door in the ninth for his 26th save. The loss kept Texas (72-74) from gaining ground in the AL wild-card race or on AL West-leading Houston. The series concludes Thursday with Logan Gilbert opposing Jacob deGrom.

Ashton Jeanty is back on the practice field for the Las Vegas Raiders, a significant boost as they prepare to host the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. The rookie running back, selected sixth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, had been sidelined since August 23 after suffering an ankle injury during training camp. Jeanty injured himself while diving for a low pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins, landing awkwardly on the turf and requiring assistance off the field. His status for the season opener was uncertain, but head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek consistently expressed optimism. Spytek recently noted that Jeanty was working hard and on the mend, expecting him back sooner than anticipated. Now that Jeanty has returned, the primary challenge is regaining game conditioning over a short window. Full game readiness is difficult to achieve without actual on-field action, so the coaching staff may limit his snaps against the Dolphins. Jeanty, a standout from Boise State, rushed 266 times for 975 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie, while adding 346 receiving yards and five scores through the air.

WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray shared his thoughts on the debut presentation of the 946 faction during the September 9 episode of WWE Raw. While he praised most of the buildup, Ray took issue with the closing shot of a burning car, arguing it lacked emotional weight for the audience. On Busted Open Radio, he questioned why viewers should care about property damage without a strong narrative reason to hate the perpetrators. Despite this criticism, Ray commended the faction’s overall look and menace, emphasizing they must continue dominating the Usos and Jacob Fatu to maintain credibility. He also highlighted potential storytelling opportunities, including tag matches and singles bouts between the two groups. The former WWE star noted that while the angle has many positive elements, the car fire moment felt like a dated trope from Vince McMahon’s playbook. Ray remains optimistic about the feud’s future, calling the overall presentation “so far so good.”

The Chicago Bears released their first official injury report Wednesday despite not holding a full practice at Halas Hall. As they prepare to face the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte on Sunday, two players would have been limited participants, while backup quarterback Tyson Bagent would not have practiced due to a back injury. Bagent impressed in the preseason finale, completing 16 of 17 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns against the Titans, but his status for Sunday remains uncertain. If he cannot play, Case Keenum will serve as the backup behind Caleb Williams. Wide receiver Rome Odunze is listed as day-to-day with a calf injury, and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, recovering from a torn patellar ligament suffered during the 2026 playoffs, would have been limited in Wednesday's workout—a remarkable sign of his faster-than-expected recovery. Head coach Ben Johnson praised Trapilo's work ethic and plans to continue having him practice in pads. For the Panthers, starting linebacker Patrick Jones II missed practice with a back injury, while running back Jonathon Brooks and defensive tackle Bobby Brown III were limited. Two more injury reports will follow before Sunday's noon kickoff.

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Montana men's basketball has finalized a demanding 2026-27 schedule that tests the Grizzlies from the opening tip. Head coach Travis DeCuire's squad will host five non-conference games in Missoula while traveling to face three Power 4 opponents and several high-major programs. The Big Sky Conference also undergoes a major shift: Sacramento State departs, while Utah Tech and Southern Utah join, creating an 11-team league with a new travel dynamic. The non-conference slate features early road tests against Oregon, San Francisco, Kansas State, Arizona State, and Cal Poly, with six of the first seven games away from home. Home highlights include matchups with Pepperdine and Providence. DeCuire acknowledges the grueling stretches but believes they will harden his team for the conference grind, which includes four straight road games in February. The Grizzlies renew the Brawl of the Wild rivalry with Montana State on Jan. 23 in Bozeman and Feb. 27 in Missoula. The expanded conference schedule brings 20 league games, offering more home dates but tougher travel logistics.

Eight-year-old Matty Tomlinson is navigating a grueling leukemia relapse while embracing a 'summer of baseball' with the Billings Mustangs. He carries a continuous chemotherapy backpack everywhere, preventing swimming or fishing. His family, living 60 miles away in Belfry, stays at the Ronald McDonald House near Dehler Park. The Live Like Jace Foundation and the Mustangs donated season tickets, easing the financial strain. A special night included a party tent and playing hacky sack with pitchers before the National Anthem. Matty's journey, documented on his Facebook page, stems from a childhood mispronunciation of leukemia as 'zuchinia.' As the Mustangs prepare for the Pioneer League playoffs, Matty hopes for a championship, cherishing a summer he will never forget.

The Miami Heat have reshaped their roster this offseason, most notably by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade. Despite strengthening their frontcourt with Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins, and adding shooting via Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr., one critical gap remains: elite shot creation and ball-handling, especially in late-game playoff situations. The article explores why Kyrie Irving, if he becomes available from the Dallas Mavericks, could be the ideal solution. Irving's proven ability to create his own shot, shoot efficiently from deep, and thrive alongside another superstar makes him a natural fit alongside Giannis and Bam. His presence would ease the offensive burden on the frontcourt duo, unlock dynamic pick-and-roll options, and provide a reliable isolation scorer when plays break down. While the Mavericks currently have no plans to trade Irving, the article argues that NBA situations evolve rapidly, and Miami should be ready to pursue him if circumstances change.