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Despite entering the lottery with just 1.8% odds, the Dallas Mavericks landed the top selection for this year’s upcoming NBA Draft.The unexpected result sparked countless theories across the sports world. Many floated theories suggesting the NBA granted the Mavs a favor after the team traded superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. Dallas will now have the opportunity to draft Duke standout Cooper Flagg.Former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal became one of the latest high-profile figures to chime in on the debate. The four-time NBA champion recalled a story from 1992 about late NBA Commissioner David Stern.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Shaquille O’Neal is interviewed during the PointsBet Built Differently Media Event at Cargo Hall on Aug. 28, 2022 in Sydney. (Brett Hemmings/Getty Images for TLA)O’Neal, who was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992, claimed Stern approached him before that year’s draft lottery and inquired about his preferred NBA destination.NBA GREAT SHAQUILLE O’NEAL FLOATS THEORY ON BLUE ORIGIN FLIGHT”[He] pulled me to the side. ‘You want to play where it’s cold or where it’s hot?’” O’Neal said. “He asked me that. I said, ‘hot’ and then he smiled and I smiled.” Former NBA Commissioner David Stern, a member of the 2014 class of inductees into the Basketball Hall of Fame, listens to a question during a news conference in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Aug. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)A few months later, O’Neal watched as Orlando, Charlotte and Minnesota landed the top three picks.”Minnesota was No. 3. Charlotte was No. 2 and then Orlando, Florida, was No. 1,” he said. “I was like (while making a questioning face). I didn’t think much about it. You hear a lot of these conspiracy theories. There are a lot of situations that can make these things sound good.”CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPO’Neal said he wanted to avoid using the phrase “conspiracy theory” but he did describe the situation as “very interesting.”Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. 

Getty ImagesNick MashiterBBC Sport football news reporter 3 hours ago845 CommentsMandeep SangheraBBC Sport journalistLeicester City could face a future points deduction after being charged with an alleged breach of the EFL’s financial rules.The Foxes have been referred to an independent commission after being charged by the Premier League for an alleged profit and sustainability (PSR) breach for the year 2023-24, when they were in the Championship. The new charge follows a lengthy arbitration process over who holds jurisdiction over Leicester, with the club bouncing between the Championship and Premier League in recent seasons. A tribunal has now ruled the Premier League has the power to charge Leicester, who have been relegated from the top flight and will play in the Championship next season. The timeline of the case should still come under the Premier League’s 12-week fast-track process, meaning any possible points deduction, depending on the outcome of the case, could come in Leicester’s season in the Championship in 2025-26.But football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport he believes it is unlikely a punishment would be imposed on Leicester while they are in the second tier because the Premier League and EFL are separate entities.The independent commission will also assess two further alleged breaches by the Foxes; that they failed to provide accounts to the Premier League by 31 December, 2024, and that they did not “provide full, complete and prompt assistance to the Premier League in response to the league’s inquiries”.Under current PSR rules the Foxes’ losses cannot exceed £83m for the three years up to 2023-24. Premier League clubs cannot lose more than £105m over three years but the figure is reduced by £22m for every season a club spends outside the top flight. Leicester’s latest accounts showed a loss of £19.4m for the period ending 30 June, 2024. Those figures do not take into account ‘add backs’ – costs such as building infrastructure and investing in women’s football that the Premier League and EFL view as in general interests of clubs.In their 2022-23 accounts Leicester confirmed an £89.7m loss while in the 12 months up to May 2022 they lost a club record £92.5m.Leicester, who this season have been relegated to the Championship for the second time in three years, said: “The club intends to engage co-operatively in this matter now that the Premier League’s jurisdiction has been established for the period ending FY24 (financial year 2024).”In April last year, Everton were docked two points after an independent commission found the club had breached PSR by £16.6m for the three-year period to 2022-23 having already been hit with a 10-point penalty – reduced to six on appeal – a few months before for a 2021-22 breach. Nottingham Forest were also given a four-point deduction in March 2024 for a breach.What has happened and why can the Premier League do this?At the centre of the tribunal decision were two contrasting decisions.Leicester won an appeal in September 2024 against an alleged breach of Premier League PSR rules for the 2022-23 season.An independent panel found the Premier League did not have the jurisdiction to punish the Foxes as the club had been relegated to the Championship when their accounting period ended on 30 June 2023.The Premier League said at the time it was “surprised and disappointed” by the panel’s decision, while Leicester said they had “simply sought to ensure that the rules are applied based on how they are actually written”.In January the Premier League announced that no clubs were being charged for PSR breaches for the 2023-24 season, despite reports Leicester were one of several clubs close to the limit. In a joint statement, Leicester and the Premier League said the matter remained “the subject of confidential arbitration proceedings”.Tuesday’s latest tribunal ruling said the jurisdiction decision on the 2022-23 case was wrong, but that it would not overturn it because it “was not a perverse interpretation of the law”.The Premier League tightened its rules in April so that clubs were still bound by its rules even if they were relegated.Explaining the tribunal’s decision to give the Premier League jurisdiction over the 2023-24 season, the league said in a statement: “The alleged breach relates to the assessment period concluding at the end of the 2023-24 season, when the club was a member of the EFL Championship.”The tribunal confirmed that the Premier League has the power to investigate an alleged breach of the P&S Rules [PSR] because the EFL validly transferred responsibility for its investigation to the Premier League in June 2024, when the club was promoted from the Championship. “The Premier League continues to have jurisdiction even though Leicester City will be relegated to the Championship at the end of this season.”The EFL is waiting for the conclusion of proceedings, having passed the matter to the Premier League. An EFL statement read: “The EFL notes that the Premier League has today referred Leicester City to an independent commission for an alleged breach of profit and sustainability rules for the period ending season 2023-24. “The EFL commenced an investigation into this reporting period following the March 2024 submissions and as is permitted in accordance with EFL Regulations, jurisdiction for that passed to the Premier League at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season on the club’s promotion.”Timeline of Leicester case24 April 2023: Leicester change accounting period from 30 May 2023 to 30 June 202328 May 2023: Leicester relegated from Premier League12 June 2023: Leicester formally cease to be Premier League club 30 June 2023: Accounting period for 2022-23 season ends21 March 2024: Leicester charged by Premier League for breaching PSR rules for three-year period up to 2022-2322 March 2024: Leicester appeal against the Premier League’s charge26 April 2024: Leicester promoted back to Premier League3 September 2024: Leicester win appeal against Premier League charge20 May 2025: Premier League refers Leicester over alleged EFL financial breachAnalysis Football finance expert Kieran Maguire It does look as if the Premier League will now pursue a commission for an alleged PSR breach for the three years ended 30 June 2024. The EFL could, separately, pursue a similar case against Leicester for the three years ended 30 June 2025 should Leicester’s financial results end up exceeding the EFL PSR limit, which will be £83m over that period.Leicester and Bournemouth have previously been found guilty of breaches of EFL PSR rules after they were promoted to the Premier League, and in both cases were given fines.Had Leicester accepted a points deduction at the start of the season in relation to historic breaches it would not have made much difference to their relegation battle, although they would have potentially finished 19th instead of 18th and received £3m less prize money from the Premier League.While the Premier League and EFL are in dispute over financial distribution, their willingness to co-operate more in terms of the rules and regulations relating to promoted and relegated clubs will make it more difficult for Leicester’s original success in avoiding charges by either organisation harder to replicate. Related topicsLeicester CityPremier LeagueFootball

Glenn Murray speaks to three members of the four generations of the Hinshelwood family – the most recent of whom, Jack, is making waves at Brighton.Jack scored an 85th-minute winner against Liverpool on Monday, with his 17-year-old cousin Harry Howell making his debut for the Seagulls.Jack’s father Adam is managing York City in the National League play-off semi-final against Oldham on Tuesday.This video was originally posted in September 2024.Available to UK users only.Watch Football Focus, Saturdays, 12:00 BST on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and appGet all the latest Brighton & Hove Albion news and viewsMore from the Premier League (external site)

Huw Evans Picture Agency3 hours agoCommentsLiverpool forward Ceri Holland has been named in the Wales squad for the final Nations League group matches, two months after fears that she could miss Euro 2025.Holland, 27, is part of a 26-strong squad named by manager Rhian Wilkinson for the decisive League A matches against Denmark in Odense on May 30 and against Italy in Swansea four days later.The winger was taken off on a stretcher during Wales’ 2-1 defeat by Denmark in April but scans showed her leg injury was not as serious as first thought and she returned for Liverpool later that month.The news came as a great relief to not only the player, who was in tears coming off the pitch, but to a Wales team preparing for its first major women’s tournament when they take on the Netherlands on 5 July in Lucerne, Switzerland.Record cap-holder Jess Fishlock and striker Kayleigh Barton have also returned to Wilkinson’s squad for the upcoming Nations League matches.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedLike Holland, 38-year-old Fishlock, who is in line to win a 161st cap, was a late injury withdrawal for the 1-1 draw away to Sweden. Barton, 37, also missed the trip as well as the Denmark game in Cardiff four days earlier.But experienced goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan-Jones does not feature after sustaining an ACL injury which has also ruled her out of Euro 2025..Eighteen-year-old Aston Villa keeper Soffia Kelly has been called up in her place, one of three uncapped teenagers along with fellow stopper Poppy Soper and Bristol City forward Tianna Teisar. Manchester United’s once-capped 18-year-old midfielder Mared Griffiths is also included.Wales will be relegated from League A if they lose to Denmark or if they draw and Italy do not lose to Sweden. To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedWales squadGoalkeepers: Olivia Clark (Leicester City), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Soffia Kelly (Aston Villa), Poppy Soper (Blackburn Rovers).Defenders: Rhiannon Roberts (Real Betis), Josie Green (Crystal Palace), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), Hayley Ladd (Everton), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Mayzee Davies (Manchester City), Lily Woodham (Crystal Palace – on loan from Seattle Reign), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Esther Morgan (Sheffield United).Midfielders: Alice Griffiths (Durham – on loan from Southampton), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Mared Griffiths (Manchester United).Forwards: Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Rachel Rowe (Southampton), Kayleigh Barton (Charlton Athletic), Tianna Teisar (Bristol City), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace).Related topicsWales Women’s Football TeamFootballWomen’s Football

Getty Images4 hours agoUncapped Adelaide United forward Erin Healy has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Turkey and Slovenia. San Diego-born Healy, who qualifies through her Monaghan-born grandfather, scored eight goals in her first A-League season and was named Adelaide’s player of the year.Louise Quinn has been included despite announcing her retirement last month. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) says Quinn will “bring her leadership to the squad ahead of retiring this summer”. Megan Connolly is recalled after missing the wins over Greece in April because of injury, but Heather Payne, Leanne Kiernan, Tara O’Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg and Jess Ziu are sidelined. Captain Katie McCabe will link up with the squad following her involvement with Arsenal in Saturday’s Champions League final against Barcelona. The Republic of Ireland face Turkey away on 30 May before hosting group leaders Slovenia in Cork on 3 June (both 17:00 BST) in their final Nations League game. Under new boss Carla Ward, the Irish have beaten Turkey at home and secured back-to-back wins over Greece, but lost 4-0 to Slovenia.Republic of Ireland squadGoalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic).Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Louise Quinn (Unattached), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Unattached), Katie McCabe (Arsenal).Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne).Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Erin Healy (Adelaide United).Related topicsRepublic of Ireland Women’s Football TeamNorthern Ireland SportFootballWomen’s FootballIrish Football

Getty ImagesAlex BrothertonBBC Sport journalist5 hours ago80 CommentsAfter pulling off a remarkable victory against Lyon in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals last month, Arsenal are 90 minutes away from European glory.Barcelona stand between Renee Slegers’ side and a second European crown, 18 years since the Gunners last appeared in the final.In April 2007, Arsenal became the first – and so far only – English side to win the competition, then called the Uefa Women’s Cup.Vic Akers’ quadruple-winning team overcame Sweden’s Umea 1-0 on aggregate in a two-legged final, with Alex Scott’s long-range stunner in first leg injury-time proving the difference.That Arsenal team was packed with legendary players who went on to achieve remarkable feats both on and off the pitch.Lining up against the Gunners was a 21-year-old Brazilian forward named Marta – we all know where she ended up, but what happened to Arsenal’s history-makers?OptaEmma ByrneGoalkeeper Emma Byrne played a key role in Arsenal’s dominance of the 2000s and early 2010s, winning 11 top-flight league titles, nine Women’s FA Cups and three League Cups.Over 16 years she made 459 appearances for Arsenal, the most in the club’s history.The former Republic of Ireland international was capped a record 134 times for her country, and in 2018 became the first female player to be inducted into the Irish Football Association’s Hall of Fame.Byrne left Arsenal in December 2016 at the end of her contract, and after playing for second tier Brighton in the 2017 Spring Series, announced her retirement at the age of 38.In 2019, she came out of retirement to join Terrassa FC in Spain, but an Achilles injury forced her to retire again.Byrne has since coached in Arsenal’s academy, worked as a goalkeeper coach with Ireland and provided punditry and commentary.Alex ScottGetty ImagesAlex Scott had three separate spells at Arsenal after graduating from the club’s academy, making 313 appearances and winning 18 major trophies.The right-back represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games and earned 140 caps for England, a total bettered only by former Gunners team-mate Karen Carney, Jill Scott and Fara Williams.Since retiring in 2018, Scott has become one of the faces of BBC Sport, covering both women’s and men’s football.She’s also branched out into non-sports broadcasting as an occasional host of The One Show.Anita AsanteAnita Asante’s 20-year career began at Arsenal after progressing through the club’s youth ranks, where she made 160 appearances.After retiring in 2022, the former defender became a first-team coach at Bristol City, who she helped win promotion to the WSL, and has coached the England Under-23 team.Asante regularly appears as a pundit on BBC Sport’s coverage of the WSL and the Women’s FA Cup.Katie ChapmanKatie Chapman played a key role in Arsenal’s success both in central midfield and defence, following spells with Millwall, Charlton and Fulham.She spent seven years with the Gunners – with a short spell with Chicago Red Stars sandwiched in the middle – before leaving in 2013 to play for London rivals Chelsea.Chapman – who earned 94 England caps – is now an ambassador for Chelsea.Mary PhillipVersatile defender Mary Phillip only spent four seasons at Arsenal between 2004 and 2008, but in each one she helped the Gunners to league and FA Cup doubles.Phillip earned 65 caps for England and became the first black captain of the Lionesses.After retiring in 2008 aged 31, following a brief stint with Chelsea, Phillip turned to coaching.In 2019, she became manager of men’s non-league side Peckham Town – a position she still holds today – two years after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).A year later they became the first senior men’s team to win a trophy with a female manager.Karen CarneyGetty ImagesKaren Carney is perhaps better known for her time at Chelsea and Birmingham City, but she was a key part of the quadruple-winning side of 2007.The midfielder made appearances for England and represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.Since retiring in 2019, Carney has been a prominent pundit on both men’s and women’s football for various broadcasters, covering international tournaments, Champions League and domestic competitions.In 2022, she was appointed chair of the Future of Women’s Football Review for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, looking into ways the government can develop women’s football.Jayne LudlowJayne Ludlow played 356 games over 13 years at Arsenal, putting her third on the club’s all-time appearance list.The midfielder scored 221 goals – the most in club history – and captained the side in both legs of the European final. She also won nine league titles and six FA Cups.The former Wales international moved straight into coaching upon retiring in 2013, holding youth coaching roles with Arsenal and Wales.Ludlow took charge of the Wales women’s team in 2014 after a season managing Reading, before spending three years as technical director of Manchester City Girls’ Academy until early last year.Ciara GrantWith 403 appearances to her name, only Emma Byrne has played more games for Arsenal than Ciara Grant.The midfielder – who earned 105 caps for the Republic of Ireland – brought her 16-year association with Arsenal to an end by joining Reading in 2014, before retiring a year later.Grant – who won nine league titles with the Gunners while working full-time as a development officer for the club – has had two children since retiring.Getty ImagesRachel YankeyRachel Yankey enjoyed two spells with Arsenal amounting to 15 years, during which time she won eight top-flight league titles and nine FA Women’s Cups.She won another two FA Cups and the league title during a four-year stint with Fulham, before returning to Arsenal in 2005 where she stayed until her retirement in 2016.The midfielder’s 314 appearances are the fourth most in club history, while 129 England caps puts her seventh on the all-time list.Awarded both an OBE and MBE, Yankey is considered one of the most influential figures in women’s football history.Since retiring Yankey has coached at London Bees and Barnet, as well as providing sessions for school-age girls.Yankey also regularly works in broadcasting, and is an occasional guest on the BBC’s Women’s Football Show.Julie FleetingGetty ImagesJulie Fleeting is considered one of the pioneers of women’s football, largely because she helped forge a pathway for British players to play in the United States.In 2002, the striker joined San Diego Spirit, becoming the first Scot to play as a full-time professional in the Women’s United Soccer Association.She joined Arsenal in 2004, where she made 141 appearances and won eight league titles in eight years.Fleeting remains Scotland’s most prolific goalscorer, with 116 in 121 games.For much of her time at Arsenal, the Scotland international continued to work as a PE teacher, flying down to London for matches.Since retiring in 2016, Fleeting has continued to work as a PE teacher alongside broadcast work with BBC Scotland.Lianne SandersonForward Lianne Sanderson joined Arsenal at nine years old, before making her first-team debut at 15.She made 184 appearances over two spells with the Gunners, and earned 50 caps for England.After playing in Spain, Cyprus, the United States and Italy, Sanderson retired in 2019. The 37-year-old regularly covers women’s football as a television pundit.Related topicsFootballWomen’s Football