Sports
Colton Herta, Marcus Ericsson, and WNBA Star Caitlin Clark to Appear at The ANNIKA at Pelican
Published
2 years agoon
By
FNN SPORTSBELLEAIR, Fla., (FNN SPORTS) – Gainbridge® and tournament officials at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican announced today that Andretti INDYCAR drivers Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson will attend the LPGA Tour event and participate in various tournament week festivities at Pelican Golf Club, Nov. 11-17.
Herta, the 2021 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg winner, and Ericsson, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2023 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg winner, will walk inside the ropes as guest caddies during the Wednesday Pro-Am with WNBA star and Gainbridge® ambassador Caitlin Clark and tournament host Annika Sorenstam. Wednesday’s Pro-Am is open to the public, with tickets on sale Wednesday-Sunday at www.TheAnnika.com.
“It’s not every day that you get to be inside the ropes, and I can’t wait to witness the LPGA Tour players’ skills and strategies up close on the course,” said Herta. “Gainbridge® has played such a significant role in my INDYCAR career, and I’m proud to be a part of a brand that has a strong commitment to racing and women’s sports.”
“As a fellow Swede, I grew up watching Annika Sorenstam play, and she has been an inspiration to me all my life,” said Ericsson. “Colton and I get a lot of unique opportunities as INDYCAR drivers and representing the Group 1001 family in Tampa Bay next month is going to be an experience to remember.”
Herta and Ericsson will also participate in autograph sessions for fans during Thursday’s opening round (9-10 a.m. ET) and photo opportunities. Herta’s No. 26 Gainbridge Honda and Ericsson’s No. 28 Delaware Life Honda will both be showcased at the main entrance throughout tournament week.
“Having Colton and Marcus join Annika and Caitlin is an opportunity for Gainbridge® to showcase the variety in our sports sponsorship portfolio,” said Mike Nichols, Group 1001 Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation. “The Tampa/St. Pete market is the perfect spot to do this as it hosts the start of the INDYCAR season and our premier LPGA Tour event. I know racing fans will enjoy watching Colton and Marcus caddie, and we’re thankful to Andretti Global for bringing the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda and No. 28 Delaware Life Honda on site for golf fans.”
Herta and Ericsson will enter their seventh seasons of NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition in 2025. Herta, a second-generation driver, is a nine-time INDYCAR race winner, while Ericsson is a four-time INDYCAR race winner.
Aligning with some of the biggest names in sports, Gainbridge® is a sponsor of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, and the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge, known as the World Cup of Women’s Tennis. Both events coincide with Parity Week by Gainbridge. In November, the 21 Parity Week grant recipients will host events that support girls and women through sports and education. To learn more about Parity Week, visit https://paritynow.co/parityweek.
Hosted by World Golf and LPGA Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam, The ANNIKA will feature a field of 120 of the world’s best female professional golfers competing for a share of the $3.25 million purse, one of the largest purses on the LPGA Tour. World No. 1 and two-time champion Nelly Korda, defending champion and World No. 2 Lilia Vu, former World No. 1’s Lydia Ko and Ruoning Yin, and three-time winner in 2024 Hannah Green headline a stacked field of early commitments for The ANNIKA.
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Sports
Miami Heat Acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis Jr. in Blockbuster Trade with Bucks
Published
3 hours agoon
July 6, 2026By
FNN SPORTSMIAMI (FNN SPORTS) — The Miami Heat have acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. from the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster trade that reshapes the franchise’s championship aspirations.
In exchange, Miami sent Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakučionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware to Milwaukee, along with first-round draft picks in 2026, 2031 and 2033, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2033 second-round pick.
Pat Riley: ‘One of the Great Trades in HEAT History’
HEAT President Pat Riley called the acquisition one of the most significant moves in franchise history.
“The announcement of today’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. is one of the great trades in HEAT history,” Riley said. “In my opinion, Giannis is one of the top five players in the league, and Bobby is one of the best power forwards. The difficult part is trading Tyler, Kasparas, Jaime and Kel’el, who have given so much to this organization. We wish them nothing but the best. We also thank the Arison family for their continued commitment to pursuing another championship.”
Antetokounmpo Brings MVP Pedigree to Miami
Antetokounmpo arrives in Miami as one of the NBA’s most accomplished players.
His résumé includes:
- 2021 NBA Champion
- Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (2019, 2020)
- 2021 NBA Finals MVP
- 2020 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- 10-time NBA All-Star
- Seven All-NBA First Team selections
- Member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Last season, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting a career-best 62.4% from the field. He became the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points while shooting better than 60% from the field in three consecutive seasons.
He also enters Miami as the Milwaukee Bucks’ all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, field goals, free throws, triple-doubles, minutes played and games played.
Antetokounmpo will wear No. 34 with the Heat.
Portis Adds Championship Experience
Portis, an NBA champion with Milwaukee, averaged 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 67 games last season while shooting 48.8% from the field and 45.6% from three-point range.
The 11-year veteran has established himself as one of the league’s top reserve forwards, recording a Bucks franchise-record 61 double-doubles off the bench. He also received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for his work in mentorship and community outreach.
Portis will wear No. 95 in Miami.
Heat Part Ways with Core Players
The trade ends the Miami careers of several key contributors.
Herro, selected 13th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, spent seven seasons with the Heat, earning 2022 NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors and a 2024 NBA All-Star selection. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 394 regular-season games.
Jaquez Jr., a 2023 first-round pick, averaged 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists over three seasons with Miami.
Jakučionis, selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, averaged 6.2 points during his rookie season.
Ware, the 15th overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, averaged 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over two seasons.
Championship Expectations Rise
The acquisition of Antetokounmpo gives the Heat one of the NBA’s premier superstars and significantly strengthens Miami’s pursuit of another NBA championship. The addition of Portis further bolsters the team’s frontcourt with championship experience, scoring and rebounding.
Sports
Argentina Survives Cape Verde Scare, Wins 3-2 in Extra Time to Advance at FIFA World Cup 2026
Published
4 hours agoon
July 6, 2026By
Willie DavidMIAMI (FNN SPORTS) — Argentina avoided what could have been one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, surviving a major scare from Cabo Verde with a 3-2 extra-time victory Friday in the Round of 32.
Argentina Survives Despite Lackluster Performance
The defending World Cup champions delivered an uneven and uninspiring performance, appearing too comfortable after taking a 1-0 first-half lead on a goal by Lionel Messi.
But Argentina’s complacency proved costly as Cabo Verde, one of the tournament’s Cinderella stories, continued to press and eventually found an equalizer through Deroy Duarte.
Messi Goal Not Enough to Settle Match
Messi gave Argentina the early advantage, but the team failed to build on the lead or control the match with authority. Argentina’s attack lacked urgency for long stretches, allowing Cabo Verde to grow in confidence and push the match into extra time.
Extra-Time Drama
Argentina regained the lead in the 93rd minute when center back Lisandro Martínez scored to make it 2-1. Cabo Verde answered 11 minutes later with a stunning equalizer from Sidny Cabral, who curled a spectacular shot past Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez from the corner of the box.
The dramatic strike may stand as one of the best goals of the tournament.
Argentina Advances to Face Egypt
Argentina finally escaped when Cristian Romero headed a corner kick that glanced off a Cabo Verde player and into the net, giving Argentina the narrow win.
With the victory, Argentina advances to face Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta.
Sports
U.S. Men’s National Team Meets Belgium in FIFA World Cup Knockout Match in Seattle
Published
5 hours agoon
July 6, 2026By
FNN SPORTSSEATTLE (FNN SPORTS) — The U.S. Men’s National Team will continue its FIFA World Cup 2026 journey Monday night when it faces Belgium in the Round of 16 at Seattle Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET), with live coverage on FOX, Peacock and Telemundo.
USMNT Riding Momentum into Knockout Stage
The United States advanced after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32, marking the nation’s second-ever FIFA World Cup knockout-stage victory. The Americans previously earned a knockout win in 2002 with a 2-0 victory over Mexico.
After winning Group D with two victories in three matches, the U.S. has scored 10 goals in four World Cup matches and has produced at least two goals in every tournament match.
The Americans enter Monday’s match with victories over Paraguay (4-1), Australia (2-0) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-0). Their lone defeat came against Türkiye (3-2) during group play.
Balogun, Tillman Lead U.S. Attack
Forward Folarin Balogun has emerged as one of the tournament’s top scorers with three goals, becoming only the third American to score at least three goals in a single FIFA World Cup, joining Bert Patenaude (1930) and Landon Donovan (2010).
Midfielder Malik Tillman delivered one of the tournament’s signature moments with a spectacular free-kick goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina after the United States was reduced to 10 players. The goal secured a 2-0 victory and earned Tillman Man of the Match honors.
Roster Notes
Twenty-three of the 26 players on the U.S. roster have appeared during the tournament.
Seven players have featured in all four World Cup matches:
- Sebastian Berhalter
- Sergiño Dest
- Alex Freeman
- Weston McKennie
- Ricardo Pepi
- Gio Reyna
- Malik Tillman
Goalkeeper Matt Freese enters the Round of 16 with three World Cup victories, the most by any U.S. goalkeeper in tournament history, while also recording two clean sheets.
Veteran captain Christian Pulisic, with 89 international appearances, is the most-capped player on the U.S. roster.
History Against Belgium
Monday’s match marks the eighth all-time meeting between the United States and Belgium.
The Americans hold a 1-6-0 all-time record against the Red Devils. Their lone victory came in the opening match of the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, a 3-0 win.
Belgium has since won six consecutive meetings, including a 5-2 victory over the United States in an international friendly on March 28, 2026, and a memorable 2-1 extra-time victory in the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Belgium Brings Experience
Belgium enters the match with one of the tournament’s most experienced squads.
The roster features several internationally recognized stars, including:
- Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
- Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne
- Midfielder Youri Tielemans
- Forward Romelu Lukaku
- Forward Jeremy Doku
- Forward Leandro Trossard
The Red Devils advanced after overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 in extra time during the Round of 32.
Belgium has not lost a match since March 2025, compiling an 11-1-6 record under head coach Rudi Garcia.
Seattle Has Been Friendly to the U.S.
Seattle Stadium has become a stronghold for the Americans.
The USMNT owns a perfect 7-0-0 record at the venue, including a 2-0 victory over Australia during group play earlier in the tournament.
With a trip to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on the line, the United States will look to capitalize on its home-field success while attempting to end Belgium’s six-match winning streak in the all-time series.
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