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08

Australian Open to provide platform for pickleball from 2025

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Melbourne Park's Court 3 will transform into pickleball central from Jan. 24-26 next year, as an international field of players compete for top honors.

Tsunoda loses out in Red Bull's F1 reshuffle

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A flurry of Red Bull announcements culminated on Friday with 20-year-old Isack Hadjar confirmed as Tsunoda's teammate.

Friday, Dec 20

Carmelo Anthony and Sue Bird among first-time Hall of Fame nominees

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Finalists will be selected during NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 14, and the Class of 2025 will be revealed at the men's Final Four on April 5 in San Antonio.

07

Tyson Fury all business ahead of rematch with Oleksandr Usyk

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Usyk beat Fury in a split decision in Saudi Arabia in May to become a four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.

05

Japan Rugby League One plays leading role through tough days in Japanese rugby

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At the JRLO’s official 2024-25 season kickoff press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 9, the mood could only be described as festive and upbeat.

Spurs' Ange Postecoglou defends style after reaching League Cup semifinals

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Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou bristled at suggestions he should tone down his side's entertaining style.

04

Chiefs star Mahomes set to face Texans after injury scare

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Mahomes was dropped from the Chiefs' injury report on Thursday, clearing the way for him to suit up against the Texans.

03

Sammy Sosa and Cubs set to reconcile after slugger apologizes for "mistakes"

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Sosa, beloved among Cub fans during his 13 years with Chicago, has remained distant from the team since his final season with the club in 2004.

Thursday, Dec 19

11

Lawson officially replacing Perez at Red Bull F1 team

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The move means that the more-experienced Yuki Tsunoda will stay with the RB team for the 2025 season.

07

Warriors lead way as average value of NBA team reaches $4.6 billion

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Golden State is considered the second most valuable franchise in U.S. sports, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys.

Italy combats spread of mafia among soccer fan groups across country

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Ultra groups at Inter and AC Milan, two of the biggest names in Italian soccer, have allegedly been infiltrated by the mafia.

04

Ferrari boss noncommittal about when Lewis Hamilton will make debut

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Ferrari fans are eager for a first glimpse of the seven-time world champion driving for their team since his move from Mercedes.

Max Fried excited to become part of Yankees' winning tradition

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The 30-year-old lefty received a $20 million signing bonus as part of a deal that will pay him an average of $27.5 million per season until 2032.

03

Liverpool gets back on track to reach League Cup semifinals

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Rare goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott sent the 10-time League Cup winner into the last four for a record 20th time.

Ferrari boss says competition between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will help team

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Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One champion, is moving from Mercedes to replace Carlos Sainz.

World Athletics uses AI to protect 25 athletes targeted by cyberbullies

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World Athletics recently unveiled findings of a four-year report analyzing online abuse in the sport.

Mikaela Shiffrin's status for remainder of season in doubt after injury

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The 29-year-old American has been sidelined since suffering a punctured abdomen on Nov. 30.

Wednesday, Dec 18

10

New Nadeshiko Japan coach Nils Nielsen targets World Cup glory

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The 53-year-old Dane becomes Japan's first foreign-born women's coach and succeeds Futoshi Ikeda, who left at the end of his contract in August.

09

Jets' draft pick Kevin He becomes first Chinese-born player to sign pro contract

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The Jets selected the Beijing-born player in the fourth round, 109th overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft.

08

Amateur sumo world caught by surprise as Hakuho Cup set to go ahead

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It was widely assumed that the tourney would be put on hiatus in the wake of an abuse scandal that resulted in the shuttering of Hakuho's Miyagino stable.

07

Giannis Antetokounmpo stars as Bucks beat Thunder to win NBA Cup

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Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP, delivered a triple-double of 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists along with two steals and three blocked shots for the Bucks.

04

NBA All-Star Game to have mini-tournament format in 2025

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The change follows criticism about the lack of intensity by players in the midseason exhibition contest in recent years.

Tampa Bay Rays secure new stadium deal as county approves bonds

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The vote caps Stu Sternberg’s long quest to establish a permanent home for the Rays on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

03

Yankees acquire outfielder Cody Bellinger from Cubs

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The Yankees will take on the bulk of Bellinger's $27.5 million salary, but Chicago kicked in $5 million to New York in the deal, according to reports.

European Super League promoters launch Unify League, call on UEFA to recognize it

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It is the latest attempt by A22 to get the competition off the ground after the original European Super League collapsed in 2021.

Red Bull set to replace Sergio Perez with Liam Lawson, not Yuki Tsunoda

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The move comes after Red Bull saw its run of consecutive constructors' championships come to an end in 2024, McLaren finishing on top.

Tuesday, Dec 17

10

Kyrgios to team up with Djokovic for Brisbane International doubles

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The pair have developed a friendship after once being at loggerheads.

09

Kanto misses out yet again as Ritsumeikan wins the Koshien Bowl

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Panthers claim victory in thrilling contest, but challenges abound for Japanese gridiron.

05

Former England assistant Holland named Yokohama F. Marinos manager

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Holland takes over from John Hutchinson, who stepped in as interim coach when Harry Kewell left the club due to a run of poor results in July.

04

Orioles sign pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to one-year deal

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Sugano, a star pitcher with the Yomiuri Giants, arrives in MLB after 12 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball.