Gillian Zucker was Steve Ballmer’s trusted lieutenant. Now she’s at the center of the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard scandal

Zucker rose from an unpaid minor-league internship to become one of the most powerful women in sports

Jeff EisenbergSenior writer

Trail Blazers owner says he intends to bring a championship to Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — New Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon told season ticket holders that he intends to bring a championship to Portland.

NBA star Gilgeous-Alexander takes stake in Spanish soccer giant Atletico Madrid

MADRID (AP) — NBA champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has joined the ownership group at Atletico Madrid, the Spanish top-flight club said Friday.

College watchdog eyeing possible NIL violations at between 5-10 Power Four schools, AP source says

The College Sports Commission is looking into possible rules violations at between five and 10 Power Four conference schools regarding payments to players.

Knicks say they are pausing contract negotiations and will focus solely on preparing for the season

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks are focused on their NBA title defense now and will worry about contract negotiations later.

Caitlin Clark denounces the hateful messages Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell says she received

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark still wants Kelsey Mitchell as a teammate — even though Clark understands that's not always easy.

Hilllmon's late bucket, Reese heroics lead Dream to an OT win over Liberty

ATLANTA (AP) — Angel Reese scored 23 points, Naz Hillmon made the go-ahead layup with 20.8 seconds left in overtime and the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 101-98 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the WNBA semifinals.

Manager Maresca says he has complete trust in Man City despite bombshell verdict

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manager Enzo Maresca defended Manchester City's ownership on Friday following the club being found guilty of financial wrongdoing in the biggest scandal in Premier League history.

The WNBA set an attendance record. What new heights can the league reach?

Experts say the WNBA could play more games in larger venues as it surges in popularity, thanks to the rise of star players, new teams and a wave of interest in women's sports more broadly.

Tonda Eckert hits back at critics with blunt response after escaping touchline ban for Southampton Spygate scandal

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has broken his silence following the Football Association’s decision regarding the controversial "Spygate" scandal. The 33-year-old German coach has successfully avoided an immediate touchline ban, leaving him free to lead his side in the upcoming high-stakes derby against Portsmouth.

Ex-college basketball player Kerr Kriisa admits demanding $9,000 from victim in fraud scheme

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP) — Former college basketball player Kerr Kriisa admitted Thursday to demanding $9,000 from a victim as part of a fraud scheme.

Heat center Bam Adebayo kept the secret that A'ja Wilson was the WNBA's MVP again

MIAMI (AP) — A'ja Wilson found out Thursday that she was the WNBA's Most Valuable Player.

MLS commissioner Don Garber urges Harry Kane to follow Lionel Messi to America as 'dream' transfer target

Major League Soccer (MLS) commissioner Don Garber has welcomed the prospect of Harry Kane moving to the United States. Following the Bayern Munich striker's admission that he would consider an American transfer, Garber believes landing the England captain would fulfil a long-term dream for the competition.

Bucks entering uncertain new era as they adjust to life without Giannis Antetokounmpo

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Tyler Herro understands the skepticism surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks now that they’ve traded away Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP who led the franchise to its first title in half a century.

Reese scores 23, Hillmon makes go-ahead basket in OT as Dream beat Liberty 101-98 for a 2-0 lead

ATLANTA (AP) — Angel Reese scored 23 points, Naz Hillmon made the go-ahead layup with 20.8 seconds left in overtime and the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 101-98 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the WNBA semifinals.

NBA, FIBA reiterate plan for new Europe league whether EuroLeague merger happens or not

LONDON (AP) — The NBA was pressing ahead with plans to launch a new European basketball league, saying on Thursday the current model was seriously undervalued.

Will Man City find FFP charge ‘loopholes’? Questions asked of why sanctions have not been revealed in long-running battle that involves ‘best legal minds in the world’

Danny Mills has admitted to GOAL that if there are any “loopholes” in Manchester City’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) case, then the “best legal minds in the world” will find them. Questions are, however, being asked of why the Premier League giants - after being found guilty on 114 counts of wrongdoing - have not yet been made aware of what potential sanctions will be.

LeBron James has a strong start in his first game with the 76ers and expects things to get better

NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James knew Thursday night was going to feel different, playing in a game for the Philadelphia 76ers for the first time.

Kenneth Walker's fast start with the Chiefs comes after uncertain offseason for the Super Bowl MVP

Kenneth Walker III had moments of uncertainty after the Super Bowl MVP helped the Seattle Seahawks win the Lombardi Trophy in February.

Down 2-0 to Valkyries in WNBA semifinals, defending champion Aces face elimination at home

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Becky Hammon is blunt and brutally honest.

Breanna Stewart: Liberty moving on after confusion over timeout in Game 2 OT loss

NEW YORK (AP) — Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty are moving on from Game 2 and the confusion of whether they had a timeout in the waning seconds of overtime.