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Newcastle United's majority owners, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), has taken ownership of the Saudi Pro League's four leading clubs, including Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr and Al Ittihad, the side close to agreeing a deal to sign Karim Benzema.
As part of Saudi Arabia's so-called "Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project," the PIF has taken a 75% stake in each of Saudi champions Al Ittihad, reigning Asian champions Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Nassr, with the remaining 25% in each team being transferred to non-profit foundations from the Saudi Ministry of Sport.
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All Saudi clubs were previously "owned but not controlled" by the Ministry of Sport.
Multi-club ownership of teams participating in the same competition is not permitted in major leagues across the world, including the Premier League and LaLiga, while UEFA has forced Red Bull-owned teams RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg to prove a distinct difference in their organisational structure to enable both sides to compete in European club competitions.
There are no such restrictions in Saudi Arabia, which enables the PIF to become majority shareholders in the four teams.
In a statement, the PIF tweeted that it will liaise with the Saudi Ministry of Sport to "work closely on all the necessary regulatory procedures."
The Saudi PIF secured a majority stake in Newcastle in October 2021, despite the takeover initially being blocked by the Premier League amid concerns of Saudi government interference or control of the club's hierarchy.
Since taking charge at St James' Park, the PIF has hired manager Eddie Howe, injected significant funds into player recruitment and seen the team qualify for next season's Champions League and a reach a first major final this century before losing to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final in February.
Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr in December, after his United contract was mutually cancelled last November, brought new spotlight onto the Saudi Pro League and ESPN reported in April that there are plans for clubs in the league to target up to 50 leading out-of-contract players in Europe's major leagues this summer.
Benzema is close to agreeing a deal to sign for Al Ittihad following his departure from Real Madrid, while ESPN has reported that Al Hilal have made a lucrative offer for Lionel Messi to join them when his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires at the end of this month.
Pope 'confident' he is up to Ashes captaincy challenge if required
When Rob Key became England's managing director last year, he said that he was "not concerned with having to appoint a vice-captain" and that it was "low down on my priorities" but has gradually become convinced of the importance of the role - not least when observing Moeen Ali's influence within England's white-ball set-up.
Stokes and McCullum told him last month that they wanted Pope to be made vice-captain in a formal capacity after deputising in the winter, and his appointment was ratified before the Ireland Test. "It really shows where Ollie Pope is - how far he's come in a year," Key said.
On Pope's promotion, Stokes said after the Ireland Test: "[We had] given him more responsibility over the winter, using him more out on the field, running things by him about what I think. Then we just naturally came to a decision together. And he's excelled as a player and taken responsibility at No. 3.
"I just thought it was the right time to finally, officially, name a vice-captain and Popey was the man for it. I think it will do him the world of good, getting a double-hundred on his vice-captaincy debut."
Pope said that he saw the role as "a big honour" but that it would not represent a major change from the winter. "From what I was doing before, it doesn't make a big difference," he said. "I'm going to give my opinion and challenge Stokesy when he needs challenging. We're going to be tested in the Ashes along the way, so it's not always about going on and agreeing with him.
"It's about providing a different opinion to let ponder in his mind as well. Nothing's really changed. He's got a pretty clear vision, and he's got 15 guys in that changing room who know our roles now, so that's helpful for everybody."
Before his own appointment as captain last year, Stokes had served as Joe Root's deputy in two separate spells. He cared deeply about the position, which he lost in the aftermath of the street fight outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017 that briefly threatened his career.
"It's a role that I took very seriously," Stokes added on Saturday evening, "and I told him, I want him to take it as seriously as I did. That's why me and Joe worked so well together: I didn't take it just as a badge, almost, and we rubbed off [on] each other really well so I'm encouraging Popey to do the same role that I did."
Pope believes that Stokes will do everything in his power to be on the field at all times this summer, but said that he feels "confident" he would be able to "implement the same ideas" as his captain if the situation arises.
"Fingers crossed Stokesy's body's all good," Pope said. "It's going to take a hell of a lot for him not to be on the pitch even for a day's play, knowing what he's like.
"But if it did happen, I feel confident. We've played a lot together as a team over the last year and a bit, and he knows a lot how he wants the bowlers to operate, the kind of fields he sets, and tries to get players to hit balls in areas that they don't normally want to hit [them] in.
"So I've got a pretty good understanding of how he runs things now and, if needs be, can implement the same ideas."
Matt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98
The 2023 edition of the Women's CPL will feature seven matches, as opposed to four in the inaugural season last year. The league will host will get underway on August 30, with the final taking place on September 10 in Trinidad and Tobago.
As was the case last year, the sides taking part are Trinbago Knight Riders, Barbados Royals and Guyana Amazon Warriors. Barbados will serve as the other venue for the tournament.
This time around, the group stage will feature a double round-robin format, with the top two qualifying for the final.
"We are hugely excited to have an expanded WCPL schedule for 2023 and we are grateful to the government of Trinidad & Tobago for their support in helping to grow the tournament in 2023," Pete Russell, the CPL CEO, said.
Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe said: "Once again, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to partner with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as we get ready to host the final match of the 2023 Women's CPL. The hosting of this game comes at an opportune time as it strategically aligns with the goal of the Ministry's ongoing Pink Reign TT campaign, which speaks to promoting women and girls in sport."
The scheduling of the WCPL means the tournament avoids a clash with the Women's Hundred this year, with that competition running from August 1 to 27. It allows Matthews and Dottin to be available for the entirety of the Hundred before the WCPL starts, and frees other players signed up to both tournaments to play each in full. There was a significant overlap last year, with the final of the Women's Hundred on September 3 and the WCPL final the following day.
Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Ayabonga Khaka, Chamari Athapaththu, Hayley Jensen and Fatima Sana were the overseas players at the 2022 WCPL.
Less than 24 hours after securing the biggest win of his PGA Tour career, Norwegian world No. 5 Viktor Hovland is caddying Monday for a former college teammate who is looking to secure a spot in next week's U.S. Open.
Hovland earned his fourth PGA Tour title Sunday and first on U.S. soil at the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, and will now caddie for Zach Bauchou in Monday's 36-hole qualifier in nearby Columbus.
With Hovland on his bag, Bauchou was playing at Lakes Golf & Country Club and Brookside Golf & Country Club in a bid to make it through the final stage of U.S. Open qualifying.
Now THAT is a teammate!
Not even 24 hours after winning @PGATOUR's @MemorialGolf, Viktor Hovland is back out on Golf's Longest Day caddieing for his former @OSUCowboyGolf roommate Zach Bauchou. pic.twitter.com/SBXgqCVeL6
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 5, 2023
Bauchou and Hovland were teammates on Oklahoma State University's national championship-winning squad in 2018.
Hovland, who finished joint runner-up at last month's PGA Championship, will be making his fifth U.S. Open appearance next week at Los Angeles Country Club.
Bama DB Mitchell feared arrest would end career
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama defensive back Tony Mitchell said he feared his football career was over after his arrest on a drug charge.
The Crimson Tide freshman said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he knew "something much bigger could have happened."
A judge in Holmes County, Florida, on May 24 sentenced Mitchell to three years of probation with a fine and community service after Mitchell pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis.
"I didn't know if I'd be able to play football again, but I continued to work out and stay close with the Lord and those who love me unconditionally," Mitchell said. "During those times, it helped me to keep my mind off it. But when I was by myself looking at social media, what everybody had to say about it, it just felt like it happened again.
"I didn't sleep at night."
He was suspended from the Alabama team following the arrest, but Mitchell's father, Tony Mitchell Sr., posted on Facebook last week that the defensive back had been reinstated. An Alabama spokesman declined to comment on Mitchell's status.
Tony Sr. shared his son's video on Facebook, saying it was filmed during a talk to youth.
"I was doing things I knew I shouldn't to try to fit in," the younger Mitchell said, "but not everybody's your friend."
Mitchell, who is from Alabaster, Alabama, was a four-star prospect and the 15th-rated safety in the 247Composite rankings.
He had been charged in March with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell after a traffic stop when authorities said he drove over 141 mph while trying to evade deputies in the Florida panhandle. A deputy had spotted Mitchell's black Dodge Challenger traveling 78 mph in a 55 mph zone on a rural highway north of Bonifay.
He also received 100 hours of community service and paid a fine of $1,560.
Mitchell and a passenger were both charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to sell or deliver, according to a Holmes County Sheriff's Office arrest report. The other man also was charged with carrying a concealed gun without a permit.
Basketball great LeBron James will be the official starter when the 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race celebrates its centenary this weekend, organizers of the endurance classic said Monday.
The Los Angeles Lakers forward, the NBA's leading career scorer and a four-time champion, joins a list of celebrity starters who have carried out the ceremonial role over the decades.
Hollywood actor Brad Pitt was the starter in 2016, and Steve McQueen lowered the French flag to start the race in 1971, the year he starred in the movie "Le Mans."
"King James" will unleash the 62-strong field Saturday.
"There's nothing like seeing and experiencing sports at their highest level," the 38-year-old said.
"It's an honor for me to be part of this historic moment in motorsport and help celebrate the centenary of one of the biggest sporting events in the world."
James is a partner in Fenway Sports Group, which co-owns the RFK Racing NASCAR team.
The U.S.-based stock car series is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has a special entry at Le Mans driven by seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, 2009 Formula One champion Jenson Button and 2010 Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller.
Sources: Clippers tab Redden, solidify front office
The LA Clippers are promoting Trent Redden to general manager and Mark Hughes to Senior VP/Assistant GM, sources told ESPN on Monday.
The promotions come in the wake of former general manager Michael Winger's recent departure to run the Washington Wizards and solidifies a Clippers front office group that's been together for six years now.
Both Redden and Hughes had been assistant general managers and will continue to report to Clippers' president Lawrence Frank, who has been able to hold onto both executives in recent years despite offers for promotions elsewhere.
Redden has been a lead strategist and talent evaluator for the Clippers. He spent 11 years with the Cleveland Cavaliers before joining the Clippers' front office in 2017.
Hughes' leadership, scouting and relationships inside and outside the organization has been an immense reason for his upward trajectory in front offices. He joined the Clippers in 2017 after four years with the New York Knicks and several years as an assistant coach in the NBA after his pro playing career.
The New York Mets designated catcher Tomas Nido for assignment Monday after parts of seven seasons with the club.
Nido, 29, became expendable with the emergence of rookie backstop Francisco Alvarez and Omar Narvaez's reinstatement from the injured list Monday.
Nido is batting just .125 in 22 games this season.
The Mets are on the hook for the remainder of the $3.7 million owed to Nido, provided he doesn't reject an outright assignment to the minors. Nido is 15 days shy of reaching five years of MLB service time, which would have allowed him to reject being outrighted in favor of free agency.
Nido is a career .213 batter with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs. He has thrown out 22% of baserunners trying to steal. The Mets selected him in the eighth round of the 2012 draft.
Surbiton Trophy: Andy Murray beats Chung Hyeon on grass-court return
Watch the winning moment as Andy Murray begins his grass-court season by beating Chung Hyeon 6-3, 6-2 in the Surbiton Trophy.
Matches will be streamed from 5 June from 11:00 BST on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app and the BBC Red Button.
Available to UK users only.
French Open 2023: Casper Ruud beats Nicolas Jarry in straight sets to reach quarter-finals
Fourth seed Casper Ruud came through a stern test from in-form Nicolas Jarry to make the French Open quarter-finals.
Ruud, the 2022 Roland Garros runner-up, was pushed hard by the unseeded Chilean in a match that lasted three hours and 22 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
But the Norwegian, 24, won the key points at the key moments to triumph in straight sets, 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-5.
Ruud will face fellow Scandinavian Holger Rune, of Denmark, or Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in the last eight.
Jarry had never won a match at Roland Garros before this year, suffering three first-round exits, but the 6ft 6in South American proved a far more obdurate obstacle for Ruud than a straight-set defeat suggests.
Ultimately, Ruud's experience on the big stage told as he comfortably won a first set tie-break in which Jarry's shot selection let him down on more than one occasion.
The world number four, beaten by 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal in last year's final, came from 4-1 and break point down to take the second set, helped by Jarry netting an overhead smash at set point.
Jarry, who beat Ruud in three sets on his way to the Geneva Open title last month, broke serve in the third set too but gifted the break straight back and lost his service again at 5-5 before the Norwegian served out victory.
"I felt physically fine - I was ready for more if we had to play more," Ruud said in his on-court interview following the victory.
"I was down a break in both the second and the third sets but I was able to stay in and neutralise his serve and win the most important points of the match."
Alexander Zverev faces Grigor Dimitrov in Monday's evening session match on court Philippe-Chatrier, with the winner to face Tomas Martin Etcheverry or Yoshihito Nishioka in the quarter-finals.
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