>>Report: Titans Expected To Sign DeAndre Hopkins
(Nashville, TN) — The Tennessee Titans have won the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes. ESPN reports the free agent wide receiver is expected to sign a two-year deal worth up to 15-million-dollars in the first year. The 31-year-old will slot into the role as an outside receiver opposite second-year wideout Treylon Burks. The 10-year veteran joins head coach Mike Vrabel, who was the defensive coordinator when both were with the Houston Texans. The former Arizona Cardinals pass catcher chose the Titans over the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.
>>Jaguars And Engram Reach Three-Year Deal
(Jacksonville, FL) — The Jags are committing to their franchise pass-catcher. Tight end Evan Engram and the Jaguars have reached an agreement on a three-year contract. According to ESPN, the deal is worth 41.25-million-dollars and includes 24-million-dollars fully guaranteed. Engram had received the franchise tag and would have made 11.345-million-dollars this season. The 28-year-old set career highs in catches with 73 and receiving yards with 766 a year ago.
>>Inter Miami CF Introduces Lionel Messi
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) — Lionel Messi is officially joining Major League Soccer. The Argentina soccer superstar was introduced by Inter Miami CF on Sunday after signing a multiyear contract with the club. Messi was brought out in front of a sold-out crowd at DRV PNK Stadium. The 36-year-old said he “can’t wait to start training to compete” and wants to help Miami win. Messi is the latest star to play in MLS after David Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007. Beckham is the co-owner of Inter Miami CF.
>>Wimbledon Recap
(London) — Novak Djokovic’s quest for a calendar Grand Slam has come to an end. The four-time defending Wimbledon champion was defeated by top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller in the men’s final. Alcaraz pulled away in the fifth set to earn his second career Grand Slam title. The match was the third-longest final in Wimbledon history at four hours and 42 minutes. On the women’s side, Marketa Vondrousova became the first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon after taking down sixth-seeded Ons Jabeur in straight sets. Vondrousova rolled to a victory as she secured her first Grand Slam title.
>>Rory McIlroy Wins Genesis Scottish Open
(North Berwick, Scotland) — Rory McIlroy is celebrating another PGA TOUR victory. McIlroy finished atop the leaderboard at The Renaissance Club to win the Genesis Scottish Open. The 34-year-old shot a 68 in the final round to finish the tournament 15 under par. Robert MacIntyre finished in second place at 14 under. Three players finished tied for third place. Byeong Hun An, David Lingmerth and Scottie Scheffler all finished 10 under par. Defending champion Xander Schauffele finished tied for 42nd at three under.
>>NCAA Levels $8M Fine Against UT; Vacates Wins
(Knoxville, TN) — The University of Tennessee has been hit with a big monetary penalty for more than 200 NCAA infractions during the tenure of former football coach Jeremy Pruitt. The university did manage to avoid a bowl game ban but was slapped with an eight-million-dollar fine and a six-year show cause for Pruitt. There were 18 Level One violations. The Volunteers were also forced to vacate all 11 wins from the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
>>Nashville SC Falls To FC Cincinnati
(Cincinnati, OH) — Nashville SC fell to FC Cincinnati 3-1 over the MLS weekend. Walker Zimmerman scored the lone goal in the 31st-minute as Cincy remained undefeated at home with the victory. Nashville dropped to 11-5-and-8 and is fourth in the Eastern Conference with 38 points. The club is off until August 20th as the MLS enters the All-Star and League Cup breaks.