📬 | Are NCAA Athletes Employees? ⚖️ | Phillies Sweep Dodgers 🧹 | Today: Phoenix Mercury @ Indiana Fever 📺

The Lead 📬

Court rules NCAA athletes as employees (3-minute read)

In a blow to the NCAA's effort to maintain the illusion of amateurism, the judicial system has once again intervened. Judge L. Felipe Restrepo wrote in his decision, "We have opted against using the term… 'student-athlete.' As scholars have noted, the term is an NCAA marketing invention.” The ruling could qualify some NCAA athletes for minimum wage, citing that their work primarily benefits the institutions.

Team USA Basketball defeats Canada in exhibition (4-minute read)

Never trailing in the second half, Team USA defeated Canada 86-72 in this pre-Olympic matchup. The USA started the game slowly, going down 1-11 at the outset, but ultimately turned things around in the subsequent quarters. With a team full of Hall of Famers and All-Stars, Head Coach Steve Kerr’s starting five featured LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, and Joel Embiid.

Bill Belichick joins 'Inside the NFL’ (1-minute read)

Eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick will be joining the program as an analyst. After parting ways with the Patriots following 24 seasons as their head coach, he was unable to land a coaching job this cycle, as teams opted for younger candidates than the 72-year-old. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain insights from one of the all-time great coaches.

Scoreboard 🏟️ 

Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies (5-minute read)

Three games played, and three games won as the Phillies swept the Dodgers with a 4-1 victory in the series' third game. Three of Philadelphia’s four runs came from solo homers. Heading into the final series before the All-Star break, the Phillies have cemented themselves as the best team in the first half of the season.

New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays (3-minute read)

The Yankees' comeback fell short as they dropped the series to the Rays with a 5-4 final. New York left 10 men on base, including two in the ninth inning. The All-Star break couldn’t come soon enough for the Yankees, who haven’t won a series in over a month.

Chicago Sky at New York Liberty (1-minute read)

New York outscored Chicago 28-14 in the fourth quarter to secure a 91-76 victory. Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty with 21 points, while Angel Reese recorded another double-double, extending the WNBA record to 15 consecutive games.

Scouting Report 📺

Phoenix Mercury at Indiana Fever - 7:30 PM ET (2-minute read)

The Mercury are on a three-game win streak as they visit Indiana on Friday. The Fever and Mercury both sit fourth in their respective conferences. These two teams matched up just over a week ago, with the Fever winning 88-82.

New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles - 7:05 PM ET (4-minute read)

Thanks to the Yankees' massive slide, the Orioles are back in first place in the AL East. Baltimore holds a two-game lead over their division rivals and looks to create greater separation over this three-game series.

Texas Rangers at Houston Astros - 8:10 PM ET (6-minute read)

In-state rivals face off Friday night when the Rangers visit the Astros. These teams are familiar with each other, having played seven times already this year, with Houston leading the series 4-3. Both teams sit behind Seattle in the AL West, with the Astros two games back and the Rangers 6.5 games back.

Highlights 🎥

Lamar Jackson wins ‘Best Play’ at ESPYs

Curry ally-oop to Lebron in Team USA’s win

Paul Skenes throws seven-inning no-hitter with 11Ks

Kyle Schwarber crushes a solo home run

Extra Extra 📰

Titans agree to deal with former Seahawks safety Jamal Adams

Klopp turns down USMNT job

Paolini reaches second straight Grand Slam final

Former NFL DC Monte Kiffin, father of Lane, passes away at 84