Sports
Anneli Maley Earns Standard Liberty Contract After Seven WNBA Waivers and Snub
Australian forward Anneli Maley has earned a standard WNBA contract with the New York Liberty, converting from a developmental deal that capped her at 12 activated games this season, the team announced. The 28-year-old was left out of the Opals' 12-player World Cup squad nine months ago while leading the WNBL in rebounding, then endured a whirlwind WNBA season: a training-camp contract in May, waiver at final cuts, a one-year 270,000-dollar deal with Phoenix worth more than the league minimum, a single point in six minutes on opening night, another waiver, and a Liberty return on May 23. Across two clubs she has played nine games for six points, scoreless in seven. The upgrade removes her activation limit and comes as Liberty star Satou Sabally is out for the season with a head injury. Development players earn a 750-dollar weekly stipend plus 6,136 dollars per activated game, while the standard minimum is 270,000 dollars prorated.
Sports
Jalen Duren Feels Disrespected by Pistons as Contract Rift Casts Cloud Over Camp
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren reportedly feels disrespected by the franchise as his restricted free agency stalemate stretches toward an October 1 deadline, with ESPN's Marc Spears reporting that the 22-year-old's grievance is no longer about money. The Pistons' latest offer is worth approximately 190 million dollars over five years while Duren is seeking at least 200 million, and the All-NBA Third Team selection is eligible for a five-year contract worth roughly 287 million under the Rose Rule, which would raise his starting salary to 30 percent of the cap. Duren has until October 1 to accept his 9.6 million dollar qualifying offer for 2026-27, a route that would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer and surrender more than 180 million in potential guaranteed money, though The Athletic reports the gap between Detroit's maximum now and another team's maximum next summer could be as little as 6 million over five years. Sacramento, where president of basketball operations Scott Perry has a longstanding relationship with Duren, is considered particularly well positioned among three serious suitors if he reaches the open market.
Sports
NBA Explores Majority Stake in EuroLeague as Adam Silver Confirms Ongoing Negotiations for Unified Europe
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed the league is in ongoing negotiations with the EuroLeague, including a possible majority purchase, as plans for the new NBA Europe competition ramp up toward a targeted 2027-28 launch. Speaking after the Board of Governors meeting in New York, Silver described the project as a "once-in-forever opportunity" and said the league would be strengthened by joining forces with the incumbent: "I think we would all be better off as a unified front in Europe." EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno confirmed no offer has yet been received but said the organization is "open to explore collaboration and partnership opportunities." The EuroLeague's owners, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, will meet in Como, Italy, on October 5 to discuss their own expansion plans. Silver said additional announcements are expected "over the next several weeks."
Sports
USA Overcome 14-Point Deficit to Beat France for Fifth Straight Basketball World Cup Gold
The United States women's basketball team overcame a 14-point first-half deficit to beat France 97-79 in Berlin on Sunday, 13 September 2026, winning a fifth consecutive FIBA Women's World Cup title and stretching an unbeaten run at the Olympics and World Cups to 20 years. Captain Breanna Stewart scored 22 points and was named tournament MVP, while Caitlin Clark added 12, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer that swung the halftime momentum. France, chasing revenge for their one-point loss in the Paris 2024 Olympic final, took silver in their best-ever finish after the USA outscored them 30-12 in the third quarter. The Americans have now won 12 World Cup titles in total, and the final drew about 1.2 million viewers on TNT.
Sports
NBA Preseason Games Scheduled in Abu Dhabi as League Expands Global Reach
The NBA announced that its 2026 preseason will include games in Abu Dhabi marking the league continued expansion of its global footprint. The games will feature teams from the Eastern Conference and represent the NBA fifth consecutive year of preseason games in the UAE capital. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the Abu Dhabi games are part of the league strategy to grow basketball internationally. The games will be played at Etihad Arena and will be broadcast live in the United States and across the Middle East. The NBA has also announced plans for regular-season games in Mexico City and Paris during the 2026-27 season.
Sports
NBA Approves Expansion Franchise in Seattle Returning Professional Basketball After 18 Years
The National Basketball Association approved the return of a Seattle expansion franchise on September 2, 2026, awarding the 32nd NBA team to an ownership group led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen estate and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. The new team, tentatively named the Seattle SuperSonics, will begin play in the 2028-29 season at a new 18,500-seat arena currently under construction in the SoDo district. Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the expansion fee was set at 4 billion dollars, the highest in professional sports history. The franchise will be Seattle first major professional basketball team since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Sports
LeBron James Announces Retirement After Record-Setting 23rd NBA Season
LeBron James announced his retirement from professional basketball on September 1, concluding a 23-year career that included four NBA championships, four MVP awards, and the all-time scoring record. The 41-year-old made the announcement in a video posted to his social media accounts, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. James scored 40,474 career points across the regular season and playoffs, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar previous record of 38,387 points. His departure marks the end of an era for the NBA and professional basketball worldwide.