Category: Sports

Toni Duggan, the former Everton and Manchester City forward, has announced her retirement from football, 17 years after making her debut at the Toffees.

The 33-year-old originally burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Everton during the 2007/08 campaign, before going on to win the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year and lifting the Women’s FA Cup in the following year.

Moves to Manchester City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid followed, which gave her the platform to solidify her spot in the England squad with 79 caps across her career.

“Strange really”, Duggan said when asked by Sky Sports how it felt to call an end to her career.

“For any professional in whatever sport, the timing will always come. The fact it is today feels a bit weird and it will for the next few weeks.

“A lot of thinking over the summer but happy I can finally walk away from the game with it in a much better place than when I started. I feel content with that.”

Her career has taken her far and wide across Europe but ultimately it came full circle in the end, as the Liverpool-born forward returned to Everton three years ago in a move that would prove to be her final one in the professional game.

“You never plan for retirement,” Duggan added when asked if she always envisaged finishing in blue.

“It’s kind of just a feeling and you can’t predict what will happen next. I just felt now is the right time to walk away and be happy with what I’ve done, on and off the pitch.

“It’s kind of nice that my career has gone full circle. I started at Everton, and I finish here, it’s a nice moment.”

Duggan featured in 22 Women’s Super League games for Everton in her first season back, scoring two goals and adding one assist, but missed the entirety of the next campaign after announcing she was pregnant with her daughter, Luella.

Her next move after retirement is yet to be determined but what is certain is her family will be at the forefront of any decision made.

She said: “I had offers from around the world but none that felt right, when you have a baby, they become your priority. It didn’t feel right but I think I’ve made the right decision.”

When asked about what avenue she did want to pursue in her post-playing days, Duggan admitted she is eager to continue working in football but wants to discover where her talents best lie before committing to one role.

“I’m not too sure what is next,” she continued. “It’s a bit too soon but I’ll be the type to dip my toes into different things.

“I want to stay in the game, I’ve always had a passion for football, and I’ve always helped younger girls and guided them where possible.

“I’ve loved working with brands and sponsors to raise the profile of the game, so hopefully I can continue do that. Maybe some agency work, helping the next generation and punditry is something I’ve always enjoyed.

“I just want to find out what I enjoy and I’m good at. But obviously spending some quality time with Luella.”

While many will focus on her accolades and honours on the pitch, Duggan’s impact off it must also be applauded.

Her eagerness to open the discussion about pregnancy in the women’s game and the clear demonstration that players can return to the highest level after starting a family is a glowing example set to future generations – but she is not done there.

“I think the women’s game is at a great level but there’s more progress to be made. Going through the pregnancy and going on that journey, there’s areas to improve. If I can help, that would be great. Just seeing the game go from strength to strength, I’m so proud of the journey.

“The sky is the limit for not just women’s football but women’s sport in general It’s fantastic to see the strides and even nicer to be a part of.”

Four domestic teams, just under 300 appearances and over 90 goals – but most importantly, the game she is leaving is better than the one she arrived into thanks to her time in the sport.

Honours

Everton

• FA Women’s League Cup (2007/08)
• FA Women’s Cup (2009/10)

Manchester City

• FA Women’s League Cup (2014, 2016)
• FA WSL (2016)
• Women’s FA Cup (2016/17)

Barcelona

• Copa de la Reina (2018)
• Copa Catalunya (2017, 2018)
• UEFA Women’s Champions League runner-up (2018/19)

Atletico Madrid

• Supercopa de Espana Femenina (2020/21)

England

• FIFA Women’s World Cup third place (2015)
• SheBelieves Cup (2019)

Everything that happens in sports has some additional context when viewed from a sports betting perspective. From season-changing injuries to record-setting moments and so much more, the sports news cycle will constantly and significantly affect the sports betting industry.

Our betting buzz file, with contributions from David Purdum, Doug Greenberg and others, aims to provide fans with a look at the sports betting stories that are driving the conversation.

Key links: Sports betting home | NFL odds page | College football odds page | ESPN BET

Sept. 16: Giants’ kicker injury dooms field goal prop bettors

David Purdum: Veteran New York Giants kicker Graham Gano is a legend in some betting circles, remembered as the man who made a field goal that cost a sportsbook $20 million in Week 2 of the last season.

On Sunday, Gano was again a central character in another betting drama with a less happy ending for bettors.

Last week, FanDuel offered a prop bet on every team making a field goal during the early and afternoon slate at 60-1. The bet was recommended by a popular gambling forum known as “Goldboys,” spurring action on the prop.

Every team made a field goal in Sunday afternoon’s 13 games, except one — the Giants, who saw Gano injure his hamstring attempting to make a tackle on the opening kickoff against the Washington Commanders.

Punter Jamie Gillan took over place-kicking duties for Gano and missed an extra point after the Giants’ first touchdown. The Giants elected to go for two after their other touchdowns and passed on a 39-yard field goal that would’ve put them in the lead with two minutes to play, choosing to instead go for it on 4th and 4.

The owner of the Goldboys Discord, a bettor who goes by J.D., won big on the same field-goal prop bet in Week 2 of last season, when every team made a kick in the 12 afternoon games. The odds on the prop that week were 200-1 at FanDuel and generated enough action to put the sportsbook on the hook for more than $20 million. Gano made the final field goal, a 34-yarder against Arizona, resulting in one of the FanDuel’s biggest losses on an NFL long-shot prop. It was only the second time in the last 20 seasons that every team had made a field goal in the afternoon slate, and it produced the biggest score J.D.’s betting career — $316,800 — for the owner of Goldboys.

J.D. recommended the bet to his followers again this week, in part, he admits, because of nostalgia.

“We had to give it back out since we won it back in Week 2 last year,” J.D. told ESPN on Monday. “However, the odds were cut drastically from last year, so it wasn’t as big as push. It’s a shame the guy who won it for us last year is the one who crushed us this year.”

Sept. 15: Raiders, Buccaneers continue big underdog winning streak

Doug Greenberg: For the second time in as many weeks, the biggest underdog of the week won straight up over their heavily favored opponent. This time, it was the Las Vegas Raiders (+8.5) taking down the Baltimore Ravens on the road, 26-23.

The game was the third-largest outright upset according to the spread in Ravens history. The Raiders were down by 10 points on two separate occasions in the contest, with their longest in-game odds peaking at 20-1 around 3:40 p.m. ET.

Raiders-Ravens was the most-bet game of the day at ESPN BET with 69.3% of bets and 56.1% of handle on Baltimore to cover the spread. The Ravens attracted the most money of any team to cover at Bet MGM — though the book also reports that Las Vegas (+350) was among the most-bet moneyline underdogs by tickets.

Another popular underdog on the moneyline was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who took down the Detroit Lions straight up as 7.5-point dogs. Combined with the New England Patriots outright win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, 2024 marks the first time since 2003 that three favorites of more than seven points have lost in the first two weeks of the season, per ESPN Stats & Information.

Sept. 13: Ravens, Chargers, Jonathan Taylor among most popular NFL bets

David Purdum: As the football weekend approaches, here’s a quick overview of which teams and players have received the most support from bettors at sportsbooks this week:

Baltimore Ravens -8.5 (vs. Las Vegas Raiders): The Ravens have garnered more betting interest than any other team this week at multiple sportsbooks. They’re tops at DraftKings in the number of bets and the amount of money wagered. At BetRivers, there had been more bets on the Baltimore money line — the odds to win the game straight up — than any other NFL bet on the board.

Los Angeles Chargers -5 (at Carolina Panthers): The Chargers minus the points is the most popular spread bet at BetMGM, by number of bets and by amount of money wagered, and the second-most popular at DraftKings in both categories behind the Ravens

Entering the week, the Chargers entered the week as a consensus 4.5-point favorite. The line grew as high as -6.5 on Tuesday, before settling back at -5 as of Friday.

Of note at BetRivers’ sportsbooks: While the Chargers have attracted the bulk of the spread bets (89%), the underdog Panthers have garnered 81% of the money that had been wagered as of Friday. In fact, more money had been bet on the Panthers than any other NFL side entering the weekend.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor Anytime TD: Taylor has been the most popular pick to score a touchdown of any player offered at ESPN BET. He’s listed at even money at ESPN BET to score in Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Sept 12: Dolphins drawing heavier betting action despite recent issues with Bills

Doug Greenberg: For the first time since Tua Tagovailoa’s very first start against the Buffalo Bills, the Miami Dolphins are favored in a game against their division rivals, showing a -2.5 point spread at home for “Thursday Night Football”.

In that initial matchup, the final game of the 2020 regular season for both teams, the Dolphins were 3-point home favorites. The Bills would go on to win that one 56-26 for a cover margin of 33 points, the largest in the seven games the two sides have played against each other in the Tagovailoa era.

Buffalo has largely dominated the series, having been a favorite in every game since that first one, prior to Thursday’s contest, and posting records of 4-2-1 against the spread and 6-1 straight up. The Bills also show an average cover margin of 11.9 in the series. Miami’s only covers over that period were both in the 2022 season when they won a game straight up as 4-point underdogs and covered a 7-point underdog spread in the other. The Bills covered both of last season’s meetings and QB Josh Allen is 11-2 outright against the Dolphins including the playoffs.

Still, that hasn’t stopped bettors from supporting the Dolphins’ spread en masse for “Thursday Night Football.” At ESPN BET, Miami -2.5 has 58.3% of the bets and 71.9% of the handle, which may have played a role in moving the line from its opener at a pick ’em to its current position. BetMGM also reports 54% of the tickets and 61% of the money on the Dolphins spread.

“Bettors are all over the Dolphins tonight; a Bills cover is ideal for the sportsbook,” said BetMGM senior trading manager Tristan Davis. “Additionally, we are cheering for anyone except for Josh Allen and Tyreek Hill to find the end zone.”

The sportsbook reports big liability on Allen for an anytime touchdown, while Hill has taken a lot of money to score the first touchdown. ESPN BET also says that Allen is its most-bet anytime TD scorer, as well as the most popular pick for non-TD props (over 250+ passing yards).

While it’s probably a much less significant amount of total handle, Buffalo is getting some love as a small underdog on the moneyline. ESPN BET has 66.9% of its bets on the Bills to win, while BetMGM reports 67%.

Sept 10: Allen makes huge MVP odds jump after Week 1

Greenberg: After one week of NFL play, two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes continues to stand atop the MVP oddsboard after completing 71% of his passes for 291 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the Kansas City Chiefs‘ win over the Baltimore Ravens. His odds to win the league’s highest individual honor for a third time moved from +500 before the season to +375 at ESPN BET.

But by far the biggest mover for MVP betting after Week 1 was Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The 28-year-old, who is seeking his first MVP honor in his seventh NFL season, put up a monster game in Buffalo’s 34-28 win over the Arizona Cardinals, passing for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 39 yards and two more scores.

The performance moved his MVP odds from +1000 prior to Sunday’s game to +550, placing him right behind Mahomes and allowing him to leapfrog C.J. Stroud (+850) and Joe Burrow (+1600, down from his opener of +900). Jalen Hurts (+1100), Brock Purdy (+1600) and Lamar Jackson (+1600) round out the top MVP candidates.

Ahead of last Sunday, Allen ranked fourth in MVP betting, taking 7% of bets and handle at ESPN BET. Since kickoff on Sunday, Allen has taken a leading 16% of tickets and 25% of money, which likely played a factor in his odds shortening. At BetMGM, Allen now has 8.5% of the handle, behind only Mahomes (14.1%), Stroud (8.8%) and Jared Goff (8.8%).

Goff didn’t have the flashiest of opening weeks, but it was enough to get his Detroit Lions a primetime win against his former team, the Los Angeles Rams. Goff sits at +1800 after opening at +4000 and has taken 8% of bets and 7% of handle since Sunday midday. He’s also firmly in the top five overall for tickets and money at DraftKings.

Two other quarterbacks who saw increased action off of strong Week 1s include Dak Prescott (+1800) and Baker Mayfield (+7500). Since the start of play on Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys QB has taken 20% of handle, behind Allen and Mahomes at 22%, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal caller has taken 14% of bets, behind only Allen.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has said football’s governing bodies must begin consulting players ahead of the Champions League’s new format that sees the introduction of an expanded league phase.

Each team will play a total of eight games before the Champions League knockout stages — two more than in previous years — in what promises to be the longest-season ever with FIFA’s new Club World Cup scheduled to be played next summer.

“Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” Alisson said. “Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter, but everybody knows what we think about having more games. Everybody’s tired of that.”

“So many players have spoken already about it, we just need to be listened to,” he added. “If you are tired you cannot compete at a high level. What I want is to give my best in all the games I play.

“At the moment it doesn’t look like we are close to a solution for football’s sake and for the players’ sake.”

Previous Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp was infamously criticial of football’s increasingly congested schedule, however his successor at Anfield, Arne Slot, was less scathing.

“The only thing I like about it just as someone who loves to see football is that on every night there is a nice fixture,” he said.

“But how is it going to be with two extra games for the players? That’s something we have to find out but I don’t think anyone has the answer at the moment.”

Liverpool face an away trip to AC Milan on Tuesday in their first game of the Champions League league phase.

Manchester United
vs Barnsley. Carabao Cup Round 3.

8:00pm, Tuesday 17th September 2024.

Old Trafford.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants will be without kicker Graham Gano for at least “a few weeks” because of a hamstring injury, according to coach Brian Daboll.

Gano, who already was dealing with a groin injury heading into Sunday’s 21-18 loss to the Washington Commanders, then injured his hamstring trying to chase down the returner on the opening kickoff, leaving the Giants without a kicker for the remainder of the game.

Both injuries were to Gano’s kicking leg.

“He has a hamstring, so we’ll see where he’s at and I would assume it’s going to be a few weeks here,” Daboll said Monday.

New York plans to hold a kicker workout this week with the intention on adding a veteran to the roster. The Giants currently have rookie Jude McAtamney, an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers, on the practice squad with an international pathway roster exemption.

“He’s done a great job. He has a very talented leg,” Gano said. “I think he will play. He has the ability to do that at some point. … He’s been doing a great job. He’s been working really hard and he has a bright future for sure.”

Gano, 37, could end up on injured reserve. He originally popped up on the injury report Saturday with the groin problem. He had trouble moving and bending after the game because of the hamstring injury.

Daboll took criticism after the last-second loss for not having a contingency plan in place for Gano, who was clearly affected prior to the game. Gano admitted the groin was bothering him before the game and looked uncomfortable at times during warmups. Gano even went inside at one point to get his groin wrapped.

Not having a kicker for all but one play in the contest proved costly for the Giants. Punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra point attempt after their first touchdown, and Daboll opted against kicking for the remainder of the contest.

New York bypassed a 39-yard field goal attempt with just over two minutes remaining in a tie game.

Daboll chalked the way the situation unfolded to bad luck and did not link Gano’s two injuries.

“He didn’t hurt his groin,” Daboll said. “He hurt his hamstring.”

It’s the second straight year the Giants have been in this situation. Gano tried to play through an injury last year and missed a pair of makeable kicks in an overtime loss to the New York Jets. He eventually needed surgery and missed the final nine games of the season.

Gano returned and looked fine this summer. He made his first two field goals this season, with one being from 50 yards.

Quarterbacks leading the way in Mid-South region in 2027

Elijah Haven – No. 2 overall

Peyton Houston – No. 15 overall

Colton Nussmeier – No. 18 overall

Weston Nielsen – No. 67 overall

Jerry Meyer III – No. 71 overall

Malachi Zeigler – No. 78 overall

No. 18 Michigan is making a change at quarterback ahead of their Big Ten opener, switching to junior Alex Orji for Saturday’s game against No. 11 USC, coach Sherrone Moore announced Monday.

Orji will replace senior Davis Warren, a former walk-on, for one of the Wolverines’ biggest matchups of the season.

“Excited for him,” Moore said of Orji. “I know he’s chomping at the bit.”

Warren is averaging 148 yards per game and has thrown for only two touchdowns with six interceptions in three games this season, including a 31-10 loss at home to Texas. Warren’s QBR is 35.3, which ranks 103rd in the country.

Warren had three interceptions and only 122 passing yards in a 28-18 victory over Arkansas State last week.

“I wouldn’t call them an issue,” Moore said of the position. “We’re just gonna go to work. So we’ll get better as we did in the running game last week. We’ll get better in the passing game and we’ll continue to strive forward.”

Orji, for his part, has only seen limited touches, throwing the ball six times and carrying it 10, albeit for an average of 5.8 yards per carry. His dual-threat potential could give the Wolverines a much-needed jolt after losing J.J. McCarthy (19 passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns in 2023) to the NFL.

Orji did not have a single passing attempt last season, but he carried the ball 26 times for 155 yards. So far this year, Orji has the same amount of passing touchdowns as Warren and zero interceptions.

Patton Kizzire secured his first PGA Tour title since 2018 after completing an impressive five-shot victory at the Procore Championship, the opening event of the FedExCup Fall.

Kizzire mixed an eagle with three birdies and three bogeys during a two-under 70 on the final day at Silverado Country Club, seeing the American end on 20 under and comfortably ahead of closest challenger David Lipsky.

The 38-year-old came into the event outside of the top-125 in the FedExCup standings but has now secured his PGA Tour card for the next two years, with the win ending 176 events without a victory since his previous success at the 2018 Sony Open in Hawaii.

“I’m going to enjoy this win,” Kizzire said. “It’s just so sweet to get through the ups and downs. That’s life. You just got to stay positive. That’s what led me to here, to right now.”

Kizzire had started the final round four ahead but had seen his lead halved when Lipsky made birdies at the first and fourth, only for him to respond by holing a 50-foot chip at the par-five fifth to make an unlikely eagle.

Lipsky birdied the next but bogeyed his next two holes but found himself back within two when he picked up a shot at the 11th, where Kizzire had dropped a shot following an errant tee shot and after also bogeying the ninth.

Kizzire got up and down from the greenside bunker to birdie the par-five 12th and added another at the next, with his advantage increasing to five when he converted from 10 feet at the 15th, with a bogey at the 16th and two pars to finish closing out an impressive win.

Lipsky bogeyed the par-five last to finish in second with a one-under 71, while Patrick Fishburn took third spot ahead of Mackenzie Hughes, Ben Silverman, Greyson Sigg. Sahith Theegala ended his title defence in a share of seventh place.

What’s next?

The Presidents Cup takes place from September 26-29, where the International Team chase just a second win over the United States in the event’s history, while the FedExCup fall schedule continues with the Sanderson Farms Championship from October 3-6. Stream the PGA Tour and more sport with NOW.

NASHVILLE — New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson was carted off the field Sunday with a potentially severe injury to his right Achilles in the third quarter of this team’s 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.

After the win, Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters that “it’s looking like” Johnson tore his Achilles If Johnson’s injury is indeed long term, it will put pressure on the Jets to resolve the contract situation with holdout Haason Reddick.

Johnson, who made the Pro Bowl last season as an injury replacement, went down while pass rushing Will Levis on what appeared to be a noncontact injury. The cart came out immediately. Johnson’s teammates gathered around him, as the former first-round pick buried his head in his hands. He put a towel over his head, then gave a thumbs-up as he was taken off the field.

Linebacker C.J. Mosley left with the game in the second quarter with a toe injury on his right foot. He was carted to the locker room and didn’t return.

The Jets’ plan was to pair Johnson and Reddick as their bookend pass rushers, but Reddick — acquired in a March 29 trade with the Philadelphia Eagles — hasn’t reported because he’s unhappy with his contract. If Johnson is out for the season, they’d be down to Will McDonald and Micheal Clemons as their top defensive ends. Both were projected as backups.

The Jets also played without cornerback D.J. Reed (knee), who was a late scratch.

Many of the nation’s top college football programs are courting Jake Kreul.

The Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy pass rusher, who broke out for 17 sacks as a sophomore last fall at Bishop Moore High School out of Orlando, has picked up where he left off early in his junior campaign.

It means the national offer list has only grown, though one of the original suitors for Kruel got him on campus over the weekend. It was a return to Oklahoma for the Floridian, with his parents alongside.

“It was a great trip,” he told Rivals. “Coach (Miguel) Chavis has been recruiting me the longest so it is always great to see him person.

“I took my mom to see OU, which this was the first time taking her with me on a recruiting trip. It was just an overall great time. Me, my mom and dad loved it and had a great experience.”

The time in Norman, with Chavis and other assistant coaches, reemphasized the standing Kruel has on the Sooner recruiting board.

“(They said) I’m a priority recruit and (Chavis) loves what he has been seeing with me at IMG,” he said.

The staff and the family have also long established contact. Kruel was in Norman twice in 2023 alone.

“We’ve been on a group text with them and my family for a while so she (mom) was excited to finally meet them (in person),” he said. “The game day vibe was great. It was a sold out stadium and they definitely bring the juice through the coaches and locker room.

“On the defense it was awesome to see R Mason Thomas get three sacks because that is someone with a very similar physical build and game as me.”

The next planned trip for the pass rusher, will be to Texas A&M for the Aggies November 16 tilt against New Mexico State.

Kruel has no timeline to make a verbal commitment.

NEW YORK — Boston Red Sox radio broadcaster Joe Castiglione said Sunday he is retiring at the end of the season, his 42nd calling the team’s games.

Castiglione, 77, made the announcement on the WEEI broadcast as the Red Sox batted in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees.

Castiglione will remain with the team in an honorary ambassador role. The Red Sox will honor him before their regular-season finale on Sept. 29 against Tampa Bay.

Castiglione joined Boston’s broadcast crew in 1983 during the final season for Hall of Fame outfielder Carl Yastrzemski and is the longest tenured play-by-play announcer in team history. He was on the air when the Red Sox ended an 86-year title drought by sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004 and called three more championships in 2007, 2013 and 2018.

Castiglione received the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting last July. He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014 along with Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens and Nomar Garciaparra, and in 2022 the home radio booth at Fenway Park was named the Joe Castiglione Booth.

“After 42 seasons with the Red Sox and more than 6,500 games, I have decided it’s time to retire from a regular broadcast schedule,” Castiglione said in a statement released by the team. “While I feel I am at the pinnacle of my career … it’s time to spend more time with Jan, my bride of almost 53 years, my kids, and grandkids.”

Castiglione began his broadcasting career at WFMJ-TV in Youngstown, Ohio, before calling big league games for Cleveland (1979, 1982) and Milwaukee (1981). He also broadcast games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and college basketball on NESN.

“Joe is one of the greatest in baseball broadcasting,” Red Sox principal owner John Henry said in a statement. “His recognition by the Hall of Fame in July punctuated a career of vivid storytelling that has brought the game to life for generations of listeners.”

Fact or Fiction: Javion Hilson is a near lock to Texas

1. After experiencing the environment at Nebraska last weekend, the Huskers have the edge for 2026 five-star OL Jackson Cantwell.

2. Alabama is a serious contender for Justus Terry after he visited Tuscaloosa last weekend.

3. After decommitting from Florida State, five-star Javion Hilson is a near lock to Texas.