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Lacrosse
5 min read

The Robots Are Here, and They’re Coming for Sports

Today’s guest column is by professors John Cairney and Rick Burton. A recent New York Times story about “robot athletes” caught our collective attention in September and got us thinking about how androids will influence the future of sport business.
The Robots Are Here, and They’re Coming for Sports

Hurts reportedly out for season

WNBA Finals Game 2 preview

The Robots Are Here, and They’re Coming for Sports

(Courtesy John Cairney and Rick Burton)

John Cairney and Rick Burton

Mon, October 19, 2026 at 4:01 AM UTC·

Oh, you thought we wouldn’t be doing this one? Think again. Get the picture. The final horn has sounded. A college football game has ended, and a college football coach has added a tick mark to the loss column, not the win column. ”Vince Dooley’s starched white dress shirt!“ you exclaim, ”“What must that guy […]

Pat McAfee pokes fun at New York Times column during ‘College GameDay’

As we’ve learned at Awful Announcing, Pat McAfee often sees what’s written about him. Specifically, he has an eye for negative things—or at least what he perceives as negative. Just this week, the former Indianapolis Colts punter put the kibosh on a Front Office Sports column that floated whether his Field Pass altcast, which ESPN…

Interview: Dr. Bettina Love shares of how basketball has shaped her career, and how she’s using her passion for the game to inspire the next generation

A former college player, Dr. Love aims to inspire kids with her forthcoming book about her passion for basketball.

‘Insane That This Is Allowed,’ ‘So Much More Is Going To Be Exposed’ — NFL Fans React to Coach’s Bombshell That Owner Tried To Block Pro Bowler’s $300,000 Incentive

Terry Robiskie served as interim head coach of the Washington Redskins in 2000 after owner Daniel Snyder fired Norv Turner, and he recently shared an account from that period that has drawn attention online. Robiskie recalled receiving a message from the team’s owner telling him not to let fullback Larry Centers earn a contract incentive, but he ignored it and made sure the bonus was secured.

NBA expands ‘Tap to Watch,’ adds AI tools and new NBA App features for 2026-27 season

The NBA is taking its “Tap to Watch” feature to TikTok and X for the 2026-27 season, one of several digital changes the league announced Monday as it enters the second year of its broadcast deal with ESPN, NBC and Amazon. Any TikTok post that mentions #NBA will now carry a Tap to Watch link,…

Y! Sports Biz: In the hunt or on a wild goose chase?

Playoff expansions promise access and hope. Are those empty promises?

Prediction markets are partnering with top athletes and sports teams. Why it’s taking the magic away for many fans

Partnerships between prediction markets and teams have for some, become emblematic of what fans see as unfettered greed permeating throughout sports.

Alex Golesh hopes Georgia win will spark next generation of Auburn Tigers

The Auburn head coach hopes Saturday's win over Georgia is a sign of great things coming to the Plains.

ESPN journalist celebrates career with collection of best investigative reporting and storytelling

Seth Wickersham, a top sports journalist with ESPN in Bristol for over 25 years, has assembled his best work into a nearly 500-page paperback collection. “Be On That Hill: Stories from the Summits of Sport,” released in September by Hyperion Avenue Books, is a weighty tome but an easy read. Wickersham writes expressly for sports enthusiasts, as a journalist for the premiere sports information ...

Duke Football Player May Be In Serious Trouble After Swatting Female Medical Staffer's Arm Today

Duke head coach Manny Diaz may have to seriously discipline one of his players over an incident involving the medical staff.

A perfect Monday, plus the Rams’ demise

Good morning! Our bylines are going to be a bit different this week, as most of the newsletter team will be together in New York. Happy Monday: 📆 There’s a lot happening today 😵‍💫 Are the Rams bad? ⏱️ Rays inch closer to WS Light Equinoxes: What a day we have ahead We don’t have to have the October conversation again, but today is one of those days where the schedule trumps all. Starting this afternoon, the following games will occur: NFL’s “Monday Night Football” WNBA Finals Game 2 MLB’s ALCS G

‘Can’t Happen,’ ‘She Handled It Poorly’ — Fans Divided After Kevin Kelley Calls Out Duke CB Kimari Robinson for Swiping at Female Trainer

Kimari Robinson was standing over an injured teammate when a female athletic trainer reached him and tried to move him out of the way. The Duke junior cornerback swiped at her, and ESPN cameras caught it during Saturday’s 24-20 loss to North Carolina at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Doctors Are Defending The Behavior Of Duke Football's Female Trainer

Doctors are defending her in agreement.

“That Is All Gone”- Alex Bowman Sounds The Alarm on NASCAR’s Disappearing Driver Etiquette

The courtesy is gone. Alex Bowman remembers when a driver could let a faster car pass, save the fight, and hope the favor came back later.

ESPN's Bold Celtics Prediction Has Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta Producing Like an All-Star

Boston's center duo might be better than people think.

Tennis’ Betting Problem Back in Focus as Insider Challenges ATP & WTA to Follow NBA

Jon Wertheim has a challenge for the ATP and WTA. Match-fixing has plagued tennis for decades, and the problem is not staying at the lower levels anymore, not when the US Open is partnering with betting platforms.

Duke football player, female athletic trainer exchange sparks controversy

A viral moment between Duke football player Kimari Robinson and a female medical staffer has some calling for his dismissal.

Erin Andrews Not Happy With FOX's Joke About Her Outfit Sunday

However, there appears to be some miscommunication.

CFL game delightfully interrupted by rabbit friends

There are too many breaks in modern American sports. Football fans are pummeled minute after minute with ads for gambling, prediction markets (also gambling), drugs you should ask your doctor about, and NBC’s Chicago Wednesdays between every single possession without fail. If you want a break from the ads, your best bet is to turn…

Zach Stinson returns to Free Press Marathon to win adaptive athletes division

Zach Stinson, 37, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, won the adaptive athlete division in the 49th annual Detroit Free Press Marathon presented by MSU Federal Credit Union

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It was published on October 19, 2026. The time of the story is shown in your own time zone on the page.

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