Sports
NFL 2025 Training Camps Begin: Key Dates, Joint Practices, and Team Reporting
Published
12 months agoon
By
Willie DavidNEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – NFL teams are officially reporting for training camp this week, marking the first on-field preparations for the 2025 season. The Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions are the first teams with full rosters on site as they prepare to face off in the NFL/Hall of Fame Game on July 31 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, live from Canton, Ohio.
The Dallas Cowboys and reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles will square off in the NFL’s annual Kickoff Game on Thursday, September 4 at 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC). Teams across the league will be fully present on-site by July 22, with Atlanta and Pittsburgh reporting a day later on July 23.
1. Training Camp Highlights & Fan Events
For the fifth consecutive year, all 32 NFL teams will participate in Training Camp: Back Together Weekend, presented by YouTube TV, featuring club-led fan events across the country. Set for Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, the fan-focused celebration gives supporters a first look at both new additions and returning stars.
NFL Network will offer 17 hours of live coverage, beginning at 9 a.m. ET on July 26 and noon ET on July 27.
ESPN and ABC will provide five total hours, with ESPN airing a three-hour special at 9 a.m. ET and ABC airing a two-hour block starting at 1 p.m. ET.
2. Joint Practices: A Growing Preseason Trend
A record 29 NFL teams have scheduled joint practices, starting August 5. Early matchups include:
Colts vs. Ravens in Owings Mills, MD
Rams vs. Cowboys in Oxnard, CA
The Miami Dolphins lead the league with three joint practice sessions, with others scheduled between top contenders like Baltimore, San Francisco, and Green Bay.
View the full joint practice schedule below for complete dates and locations.
3. Training Camp Locations: Teams on the Move and Staying Home
Six teams will conduct training camp away from their home facilities:
Buffalo Bills (St. John Fisher University – Rochester, NY)
Dallas Cowboys (Oxnard, CA)
Indianapolis Colts (Grand Park – Westfield, IN)
Kansas City Chiefs (Missouri Western State University – St. Joseph, MO)
L.A. Rams (Loyola Marymount University – Los Angeles, CA)
Pittsburgh Steelers (Saint Vincent College – Latrobe, PA)
The other 26 clubs (81%) are staying within 10 miles of their team headquarters—the highest percentage since 2021, tied for the most since 2000 (excluding 2020’s COVID year).
4. Preseason Schedule: Matchups by Week
The 2025 NFL preseason kicks off with the Hall of Fame Game on July 31, followed by a full three-week schedule:
Week 1 (Aug 7–10): Includes marquee matchups like Giants vs. Bills, Jets vs. Packers, and Raiders vs. Seahawks.
Week 2 (Aug 15–18): Features Chiefs vs. Seahawks, 49ers vs. Raiders, and ESPN’s Monday night game: Bengals vs. Commanders.
Week 3 (Aug 21–23): Concludes with high-profile games like Patriots vs. Giants (Prime Video) and Bills vs. Buccaneers (FOX).
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J Willie David, III contributed to this report. He can be reached at News@FloridaNationalNews.com
Sports
Miami Heat Acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis Jr. in Blockbuster Trade with Bucks
Published
3 days 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
3 days 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
3 days 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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