Counties face points deductions for financial losses under strict new ECB rules

Cricket counties will face automatic points deductions for making repeated losses under strict new financial rules that will be introduced next season.The Guardian has learned that the England and Wales Cricket Board is planning to bring in its own version of football’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) underpinned by points deductions in a shadow form next year to give counties time to adjust, before fixed punishments for clubs that fail to break even are introduced in 2028.The proposed new rules are understood to be similar to the financial framework operated by the Premier League and EFL, whose clubs are limited to making losses of £105m and £39m respectively over a rolling three-year period.The Premier League is dropping PSR next season in favour of new regulations that will cap player spending to 85% of a club’s football revenues, but the EFL’s profitability and sustainability limits will remain in place.Under the ECB’s version of PSR, counties would be required to show they are running profitable businesses over a four-year period, with fixed tariffs in place for those that consistently lose money

I can tell Stephen A Smith why many Black people don’t like him | Etan Thomas

Dear Stephen A Smith,Let me first say that I tremendously respect all you do for historically Black colleges and universities. You have helped generate millions in scholarships, promoted student enrollment and brought national media attention to HBCUs across the United States. Specifically, as ambassador, you have promoted the annual HBCU College Fair, which has garnered over $12m in scholarships. You encourage students to consider HBCUs for their higher education, highlighting the community and nurturing environment they provide.And yet, you wonder why many Black people in America feel that you “betrayed your race”

Bookmaker subject to AFL integrity unit probe continues in role for Gold Coast Suns

A bookmaker continues to work inside the Gold Coast Suns’ dressing room while he is subject to an AFL integrity unit investigation, as the competition’s chief executive Andrew Dillon flagged the apparent conflict of interest will be addressed.Mark Opie’s gambling firm Okebet was fined $100,000 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) in 2024 for inducing bets by players at local footy clubs.Opie – a Richmond Tigers life member who moved to the Suns in 2024 – managed warm-ups for the Suns before their weekend victory over St Kilda in Darwin, despite the investigation being triggered last week.AFL chief executive Andrew Dillion said on Monday the league is looking at the link.“What I can say is the integrity unit’s aware of it and that we’re liaising with the Gold Coast Suns in relation to that, and there’ll be more to say on that later

Dubois rewrites quitter narrative in strangely uplifting night for boxing

New heavyweight champion climbed off the canvas twice before overwhelming Fabio Wardley in a battle that finally silenced his doubters“I was in there with a live dog and I loved it,” Daniel Dubois said in the early hours of Sunday morning as, looking suitably gladiatorial without a shirt, the new WBO world heavyweight champion reflected on the monumental battle he had just shared with the valiant Fabio Wardley in Manchester. “He came to win and it was a real crowd-pleaser. We had a great fight.”At ringside it had been a sobering privilege to see the courage and resolve of both men in a contest that captured the glory and the damage of boxing in equal measure. Dubois rose from the canvas twice, with the first knockdown coming a mere 10 seconds after the opening bell, but Wardley endured a sustained form of punishment which became increasingly worrying

Scotland’s Six Nations slump raises questions for new era under Sione Fukofuka | Sarah Rendell

The Scots could collect the wooden spoon a year after their historic World Cup run. Why has progress stalled so dramatically?Is it a World Cup hangover? Or a growing injury list? Or something else? These are the questions Scotland supporters are asking themselves in the midst of a disappointing Women’s Six Nations. This was a tournament where legends such as Donna Kennedy were hoping for a third-place finish; the fact the team could end up with the wooden spoon is staggering, especially considering their historic World Cup run last year.Scotland reached the last eight for the first time since 2002 and did so in convincing fashion. They defeated Fiji, their win over Wales was dominant and they challenged Canada, the eventual runners-up, in their final pool match

Hull KR set up clash of titans in Challenge Cup final against Wigan

As everyone expected, it will be the irresistible force against the immovable object at Wembley in three weeks’ time. Every great era-defining athlete or team needs an adversary. Ali v Frazier. Manchester United v Arsenal in the early Premier League years. Prost v Senna