📰🏟️ Shooting stars

Good afternoon. Today’s edition brings you the top news from around the sports world. Let’s get right to it.

• Note: We’ll be off tomorrow, and back in your inbox next Tuesday.

—Kyle

1) Stars shine in World Cup Day 6

Legendary striker Lionel Messi scored all three goals in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, tying the all-time World Cup goals record (16) in his record-high sixth tournament. Messi, 38, also became the oldest player to net a hat trick at the World Cup.

In other results: 

• French striker Kylian Mbappé became the country’s leading all-time World Cup scorer, notching two goals in a 3-1 win over Senegal
• Norwegian star Erling Haaland scored two goals in his World Cup debut, a 4-1 win over Iraq.
• In its first-ever World Cup match, Jordan lost 3-1 against Austria.

A preview of today’s slate of games

2) Knicks-Spurs is most-watched Finals of 21st century

An average of 24.5M viewers (peak: 33M) tuned in to the NY Knicks’ Finals-clinching win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, making it the most-watched Game 5 this century.

• This year’s NBA Finals averaged 20.6M viewers overall, the most since Michael Jordan won his 6th and final title in 1998 (29M viewers).
• The average was ~100% higher than last year, when the Finals between OKC and Indiana averaged 10.3M viewers across 7 games.

Inside the NBA’s viewership boom

3) US Open is Scheffler’s first shot at Grand Slam

Scheffler, the #1-ranked golfer since 2023, arrives at this week’s US Open with his first chance to complete a career Grand Slam, after winning the PGA Championship and Open Championship last year.

• He hopes to join Rory McIlroy, who recently became the 6th golfer in history to complete the Grand Slam.
• Scheffler is also competing with McIlroy for the top spot on the PGA Tour’s career earnings list, with both players within striking distance of passing Tiger Woods this summer.

Latest news & analysis from US Open

4) Floyd Mayweather faces felony charges over bad check

The 49-year-old boxer has been charged with two felonies in Las Vegas over allegations that he wrote a bad check to purchase a $200K Audemars Piguet watch from a luxury resale store in late 2024.

• Mayweather could face a potential prison term of 1-20 years, if convicted—though non-violent first-time offenders typically can avoid jail time.
• The boxer is also facing a lawsuit over his alleged failure to pay rent, has filed an ongoing suit accusing his former business manager of fraud, and is in multiple financial disputes with jewelers.

“Money” Mayweather is on the ropes

5) WNBA to expand to 50-game seasons in 2027

Starting next year, the WNBA will transition from its current 44-game regular season format to an expanded 50-game season, the longest in league history.

• The WNBA has rapidly expanded its schedule in recent years amid growing fan interest, with the option to further expand to 52 regular-season games beginning in 2029.
• It marks a significant step up from the 32 games/season on the WNBA schedule from 2003-19.

Get ready for more WNBA action

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