Olympics greats Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte rip USA Swimming during 2025 World Championships: 'Call it a funeral'

Olympics greats Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte rip USA Swimming during 2025 World Championships: 'Call it a funeral'

Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte aren't happy with the way Team USA has performed at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships. Phelps and Lochte expressed their disappointment with the team, sharing an Instagram post proclaiming it was time to hold a funeral for USA Swimming. Lochte was the first to share the image, which features people in mourning at a funeral. The image contains a tombstone, which reads: "In loving memory of United States Swimming." Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte just took some public shots at USA Swimming on Instagram.Agree with them or not, this is a pretty big deal. They're fed up and not afraid to start letting people know.pic.twitter.com/R9nxNBzeuP — Kyle Sockwell (@kylesockwell)August 1, 2025 The tombstone then lists the dates 1980-2025, suggesting USA Swimming lived 45 years before dying in 2025. Under those dates lies an epitaph, which reads, "They set the bar high — until they stopped reaching for it." It's unclear whether Lochte found the image elsewhere or asked for it to be generated. The image appears to be made by A.I. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Phelps shared the image on Instagram, adding his own critique of USA Swimming. Phelps' comment read, "Is this the wake up call USA Swimming needed? Let's find out....." Lochte and Phelps opted to share the image during the 2025 World Aquatics Championships. Team USA got out to a slow start at the event, as multiple members of the teamdealt with acute gastroenteritis. Despite those early struggles, the teamsecured five gold medalsas of Friday morning. That tied Team USA with Australia for the most swimming medals at the event. Team USA does own the most overall swimming medals at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, with 20. That performance isn't good enough for Lochte and Phelps, who happen to know a thing or two about the sport. Phelps is widely celebrated as one of the best swimmers — and one of the best Olympic athletes — of all time. He won 23 gold medals, the most of any Olympian. He also holds the record for most gold medals in individual events, with 13. Long after his retirement, Phelps remains one of the most prominent names in the sport. Lochte is a six-time Olympic gold medalist, winning events between 2004 and 2016. Two of Lochte's gold medals came in individual events. The other four came in relays, where Phelps was one of his teammates. The pair played a major role in Team USA's swimming dominance during their careers. Between 2003 and 2022, Team USA secured the most gold medals in swimming at the World Championships every year they were held. Team USA finished second to Australia in 2023, ending that streak, but then bounced back to reclaim first at the 2024 Olympics. Despite Team USA tying for the lead in gold medals and leading the pack with 20 overall swimming medals in 2025, Lochte and Phelps clearly view the squad's performance as a major disappointment.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 01, 2025

Olympics greats Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte rip USA Swimming during 2025 World Championships: 'Call it a funeral'

Olympics greats Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte rip USA Swimming during 2025 World Championships: 'Call it a funeral' Michael Phelps and...

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Carlos Correa is back with the Astros -- this time at third base

Carlos Correa is back with the Astros -- this time at third base

BOSTON (AP) — Carlos Correa wasn't going to waive his no-trade clause for any other team. But when the Twins told him that they would be rebuilding for the rest of the season – and probably beyond – Correa OK'd a deal back to Houston, where he still owned the house from his first go-'round with the Astros. "My wife hates the cold," the 2017 World Series champion said before making his Astros return in Friday night's game against the Boston Red Sox. "We kept the house in Houston just to come back to, and our family and friends are there. So we live there, so it works perfectly. "You never want to burn bridges in this game. You never know how things are going to end up panning out," Correa said. "My relationship in Minnesota (is) fantastic, same here in Houston when I left. And now you see that I'm back." The top pick in the 2012 amateur draft and 2015 AL Rookie of the Year, Correa was beloved in Houston as part of the homegrown core that helped the franchise go from laughingstock to perennial contenders. A two-time All-Star in his seven years with the Astros, he helped the franchise to six playoff appearances, three AL pennants and its first World Series title. He signed with Minnesota as a free agent in 2022 and made another All-Star team but just one playoff appearance, in 2023. On Thursday, with the Twins languishing in fourth in the AL Central and ninth in the race for three wild-card berths,they sold off anything of valueto look toward the future. "After talking to the front office in Minnesota, I understood that the direction where the organization was going was not the one that I was there for," Correa said. "So that's when we agreed that it was best for both parties to just make this trade happen." Houston sent minor-league pitcher Matt Mikulskito Minnesota in return for Correaand agreed to pay $33 million of the more than $100 million remaining on his contract. "That was never a thought until I saw the rumors, and I texted him and he said it was real," said second baseman Jose Altuve, one of the holdovers from Correa's first stint in Houston. "That's when we started as a team getting excited about it." The Astros, who at the time of the trade deadline led the AL West by five games over the Seattle Mariners, also picked up outfielder Jesús Sánchez and minor leaguers Chase Jaworsky and Esmil Valencia. Sanchez was in left field batting third against the Red Sox on Friday night. Correa was at third and batting cleanup. He had played 1,186 games at shortstop in his major league career, and none at third base; he did play some third base for Puerto Rico during the World Baseball Classic. "I'm going to be putting a lot of work at third base and getting to know the position," Correa said before taking grounders during batting practice. "I grew accustomed to shortstop and it's going to a fun challenge." Astros manager Joe Espada said he was at the movies with his children on Thursday afternoon when the news came in about Correa. "A lot of stuff happened on my off day, but it was a really good off day," Espada said. "I didn't finish the movie. The phone kept ringing, but I didn't mind. It happened really quickly. We added all those players in a matter of minutes. And I was very excited. Very, very happy with the outcome." ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/MLB

byLiam Oneel

in

August 01, 2025

Carlos Correa is back with the Astros -- this time at third base

Carlos Correa is back with the Astros -- this time at third base BOSTON (AP) — Carlos Correa wasn't going to waive his no-trade clause f...

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Netflix Cancels Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘Fubar’ After Two Seasons

Netflix Cancels Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Fubar' After Two Seasons

Netflix has canceled the Arnold Schwarzenegger series "Fubar" after two seasons,Varietyhas confirmed. The series was ahit for the streamerin Season 1, back in 2023, but failed to perform as well during its second season, which premiered on June 12 — more than two years after its initial run. The show managed to make Nielsen's streaming originals top 10 for the week of June 16, after its premiere, but then fell off the chart the following week. Here was the logline to the series: "Luke Brunner is a veteran CIA operative who, up until recently, was on the verge of retirement. After his last mission in saving another operative – who just so happened to be his daughter – he's back and face to face with new villains. This one is an old flame from Luke's past who threatens to destroy the world…if she doesn't destroy his life first." More from Variety Josh Hartnett's Newfoundland Netflix Series Adds Four to Cast as Production Begins 'My Oxford Year' Review: Sofia Carson Learns Lessons of the Heart in Netflix's Disheartening Weepie 'Long Story Short' Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix Ahead of Season 1 Release Date "Fubar" stars Schwarzenegger, Monica Barbaro, Milan Carter, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Fabiana Udenio, Aparna Brielle, Guy Burnet, Andy Buckley, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jay Baruchel, Barbara Eve Harris and Scott Thompson. "Fubar" is created, showrun and executive produced by Nick Santora, with Schwarzenegger, Adam Higgs, Scott Sullivan, Phil Abraham, Amy Pocha, Seth Cohen and Skydance's David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Matt Thunell serving as additional executive producers. "Fubar" Season 2 was produced by Skydance Television. Among the series Netflix has recently renewed are Some of our recent scripted series renewals include: "Wednesday," "Untamed," "Tires," "Ransom Canyon," "Virgin River," " "Bridgerton" (two seasons), "Forever," "Four Seasons, "The Diplomat," "My Life with the Walter Boys," "Survival of the Thickest," "Geek Girl," "Lincoln Lawyer," "Sweet Magnolias," "Devil May Cry," "Beauty in Black," "Nobody Wants This," "A Man on the Inside" and "The Vince Staples Show." Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025 Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 01, 2025

Netflix Cancels Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘Fubar’ After Two Seasons

Netflix Cancels Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Fubar' After Two Seasons Netflix has canceled the Arnold Schwarzenegger series "Fu...

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Rumors That Mamas & Papas' Singer Cass Elliot Died by Ham Sandwich Still Plague Family 50+ Years After Her Death

Rumors That Mamas & Papas' Singer Cass Elliot Died by Ham Sandwich Still Plague Family 50+ Years After Her Death

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Cass Elliot was beloved by legions of fans as the lead singer of The Mamas & The Papas Elliot's death at 32 shocked the world on July 29, 1974 Those closest to the singer are reflecting on the reason behind the biggest misconception about her death The death of the legendaryMamas & Papassinger sent shockwaves across the world on July 29, 1974. No one was more shocked, however, than the people closest to Cass Elliot. Those who knew and loved her were in disbelief at the news thatElliot had diedat age 32. Elliot died of a heart attack that, in the aftermath of her death, many would suspect was related to substance abuse and dangerous dieting techniques. At the time, however, rumors went rampant that the singer died after choking on a ham sandwich. Friend Sue Cameronpreviously told PEOPLEabout the first time she'd heard that story, having called Elliot's apartment after hearing the news. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Donaldson Collection/Getty "Her manager, Allan Carr, picked up the phone, and he was hysterical. Allan said, 'You've got to tell them that she died choking on a ham sandwich. You must go to your typewriter and write that. There's a half of a ham sandwich on her nightstand.' " "I didn't ask any questions," Cameron, then a columnist atThe Hollywood Reporter, shared. She later elaborated on the experience andthe story behind the rumor in her 2018 bookHollywood Secrets and Scandals. "I knew she didn't choke on a ham sandwich. I didn't believe Allan, but I thought just do it because something was wrong." "The ham sandwich went worldwide," Cameron told PEOPLE. "Many people don't realize that it's not even true. Even though I have said — and written — it's not true, it still goes on. I never thought it would last as long as it has." Anautopsy revealed Elliot had died of a heart attack; No drugs were found in her system, but there was still talk of substance abuse in her inner circle. On the day Elliot died, Cameron wrote her obituary and then rushed to the singer's house. "The gates were open. The front door was unlocked. I just went there to protect anything because sometimes, on the day a famous person dies, people try to get into the house. Something in my head told me to go upstairs. Why lie about a ham sandwich? So I went up to her bedroom and looked in the cabinets, and it was completely cleaned out," Cameron says. "Many years later, I was a guest at a party, and there was a well-known model from that era [there]. Somehow, the topic of Cass came up, and she said, 'I was the one who was there and cleaned out the drugs.' It was odd because it was 30 years later. I must have arrived right after her." For Elliot's daughter,Owen Elliot-Kugell, the rumor has been an ugly and painful stain on the singer's legacy. In her 2024 memoirMy Mama, Cass, Elliot-Kugell shared her hatred for the rumor. "In my younger years, when people would talk to me about my mom, it was always about the stupid sandwich," she told PEOPLE. "I would go over to kids' houses after school and eventually one of their parents would ask me 'Did your mom really die choking on a ham sandwich?' First of all, the chutzpah to say that to a child is just crazy but it happened a lot. So I felt it was my duty to figure out what that story was all about." It was through this process that Elliot-Kugell learned Carr was hoping to offset any other rumors that might arise, especially about drugs, by sharing that detail with Cameron. After learning the story's origin, Elliot-Kugell began to see things in a different light. "So many of my mother's peers had died from drug overdoses — Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison. And I think Allan was afraid they'd make the same assumption," she says. "I really believe they were protecting her legacy. And they were trying to protect me. And in a weird way, I'm grateful for that crazy story. As much as it caused me grief, and people made jokes, I now realize it kept her relevant and ready to shine again." Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

August 01, 2025

Rumors That Mamas & Papas' Singer Cass Elliot Died by Ham Sandwich Still Plague Family 50+ Years After Her Death

Rumors That Mamas & Papas' Singer Cass Elliot Died by Ham Sandwich Still Plague Family 50+ Years After Her Death Michael Ochs Archiv...

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Micah Parsons requests trade from Cowboys after contract negotiations fall apart: 'I no longer want to be here'

Micah Parsons requests trade from Cowboys after contract negotiations fall apart: 'I no longer want to be here'

Micah Parsons wants a trade from the Dallas Cowboys. The star pass rusher released a lengthy statement Friday, detailing his frustrations with the team's approach to negotiating his next contract. Parsons posted hisstatement on Xwith the caption, "Thank you Dallas." In the note, Parsons detailed the timeline of his contact negotiations with the team. Early in the note, Parsons wrote, "I no longer want to be here." He then claimed he and his agent reached out to the Cowboys prior to the start of the 2024 NFL season and again after the 2024 season about a new contract, only to be ignored by the team. Parsons then confirmed earlier reports suggesting he met with team owner Jerry Jones in March "to talk about leadership." At that meeting, Parsons claimed Jones started to discuss Parsons' next contract. Parsons said he engaged in a back-and-forth with Jones over contract details, but did not feel it was "a formal negotiation." At the end of that meeting, Parsons said he told Jones his agent would reach out to further discuss the new deal. When Parsons' agent got in touch with the team, the Cowboys went silent, according to Parsons. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] At the end of the note, Parsons said the Cowboys have yet to speak with his agent regarding a new contract. He then confirmed he submitted a trade request to team COO and co-owner Stephen Jones. "Up to today the team has not had a single conversation with my agent about a contract. Not one demand has been made by my agent about money years or anything else. Still I stayed quiet but again after repeated shots at myself and all the narratives I have made a tough decision I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys. My trade request has been submitted to Stephen Jones personally." Despite that request, the Cowboys reportedlyhave no desire to trade Parsons, according to Diana Russini of The Athletic. Parsons, 26, has one year left on his current contract. He's set to make $24 million in 2025 before hitting the free-agent market. Since being drafted by the Cowboys with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Parsons has emerged as one of the best defenders in the league. He's made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons and is a two-time first-team All-Pro selection. Despite his contract situation,Parsons showed up at voluntary workoutsin April to lend his support to new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Parsons alsoshowed up for training camp, though he has not participated in practices due to his contract situation. [Get more Cowboys news: Cowboys team feed] Friday's trade request comes a day afterParsons tweeted out a GIFimplying it would be his final season with the Cowboys. Prior to Parsons releasing his statement Friday, at least two Cowboys defenders showed support for the star pass rusher by changingtheir social media avatarsto pictures that included Parsons. Star receiver CeeDee Lamb weighed in on the situation, telling the Cowboys to "just pay the man" in a post on X.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 01, 2025

Micah Parsons requests trade from Cowboys after contract negotiations fall apart: 'I no longer want to be here'

Micah Parsons requests trade from Cowboys after contract negotiations fall apart: 'I no longer want to be here' Micah Parsons wants ...

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Jake Retzlaff still loves BYU but expresses faith in his fresh start at Tulane

Jake Retzlaff still loves BYU but expresses faith in his fresh start at Tulane

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jake Retzlaff is embracing some new nicknames. "BYJew" is anendearment of the past. Now, "Kosher Cannon," "Shabbat Shotgun" and "Bayou Jew" are among the monikers mentioned bythe sizeable Jewish communityat Retzlaff's new school, Tulane. It's a fresh start for Retzlaff, but one the former BYU quarterback wasn't necessarily seeking until May, when he was named in a since-dismissed civil sexual assault lawsuit. Retzlaff maintains that he loved playing for the Cougars, despite being one of very few Jews on BYU's predominantly Mormon campus in Provo, Utah. "BYU was an amazing place. It made me into an amazing human being. I feel like it helped me grow in so many ways on and especially off the field," Retzlaff said, wearing a Star of David on a chain around his neck. "It helped me connect stronger with my faith than I did before, because I was in a place where it was so faith-oriented that it was just right in front of you." Retzlaff went 11-2 as a starter for a 2024 BYU team that finished the season at No. 13 in the finalAP Top 25 Poll. Hisdecision to withdrawcame while he reportedly faced a suspension for acknowledging what he described as a consensual sexual relationship while defending himself against the lawsuit. The university's honor code requires students to abstain from premarital sex. Speaking on Friday for the first time since arriving at Tulane about a week ago, Retzlaff declined to address the factors that led him to leave BYU, where he spent the past two years. "I'm just worried about where my feet are," Retzlaff said. "I'm just worried about this next chapter, being at Tulane, winning football games." Tulane coach Jon Sumrall said the university's administration vetted Retzlaff before clearing the way for Sumrall to bring him to the Green Wave, where he'll now have to outperform three other transfer QBs — Kadin Semonza from Ball State, Donovan Leary from Illinois and Brendan Sullivan from Iowa — to win the starting job. "I was very transparent with the guys in the (quarterback) room. I was also very up front with Jake," Sumrall said. "None of them were promised anything in regards to who's going to start." Retzlaff said he had other offers, but remembered fondly his recruitment by the then-coach of Troy in 2023 — Sumrall. Retzlaff recalled telling his father, Steve, that he could envision playing for Sumrall one day. "I knew he's a guy I want to be around," Retzlaff said. Tulane didn't have a scholarship available for Ratzlaff, but the 22-year-old graduate transfer said that being a walk-on suits him because he plays with a chip on his shoulder and doesn't want to be short-sighted about money at the expense of setting himself up for long-term success. "I know that I'm going to get what I deserve, hopefully, at the next level," Retzlaff said. "If that means sacrificing a little bit of money on my side (now) .. so what? Let's go win football games." First, he has to learn a new offense, which he said has meant a lot of late nights. He also is working to acclimatize himself to oppressively hot, heavy air of swampy south Louisiana in the summer, even wearing a sweat absorbent wrist band on his throwing arm for the first time. "I'm soaked right now," he said after practice, contrasting his new home to the cooler, mountainous, semi-arid Salt Lake area. "I haven't sweat this much in my life." One adjustment he won't mind is being on a campus where around 40% of students are Jewish. "It's a cool deal. It's so opposite" from BYU, Retzlaff said. "My faith is super important to me. So, that fact just made it that much sweeter to come here." He said he's felt welcome in the locker room as well. "The guys have been nothing but great to me — every guy on the team and especially the quarterback room," Retzlaff said, noting that he has tried to eat each meal of each day with different players in an effort to get to know them better. Whoever plays quarterback for Tulane will do so for a team that has appeared in three straight American Conference title games, but also had a lot of turnover after last season — including the loss of one-year starter Darian Mensah to Duke in the transfer portal. Sumrall not only isn't projecting Mensah's replacement, but said he might play two quarterbacks in the Green Wave's season opener against Northwestern in New Orleans on Aug. 30. "No matter what, this is a new chapter in my life," Retzlaff said. "I'm excited to attack it and make the most of it." ___ AP college football:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-football

byLiam Oneel

in

August 01, 2025

Jake Retzlaff still loves BYU but expresses faith in his fresh start at Tulane

Jake Retzlaff still loves BYU but expresses faith in his fresh start at Tulane NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jake Retzlaff is embracing some new nickna...

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Gary Busey Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes Charge, Admits 'It Was Not an Accidental Touching'

Gary Busey Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes Charge, Admits 'It Was Not an Accidental Touching'

Gary Busey pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact on Thursday, July 31 Busey admitted he inappropriately touched a woman during the semi-annual Monster-Mania Convention at a Doubletree Hotel in New Jersey on Aug. 13, 2022 "He's glad to put this behind him," Busey's criminal defense attorney tells PEOPLE ​​Gary Buseypleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact on Thursday, July 31. Busey entered his plea during a virtual court appearance where he admitted he inappropriately touched a woman at the semi-annual Monster-Mania Convention at a Doubletree Hotel in New Jersey in August of 2022. "It was not an accidental touching," Busey told the judge, according toThe Guardian. Matt Baron/Shutterstock Busey's criminal defense attorney Blair Zwillman tells PEOPLE that in order for the judge to accept the guilty plea, "there has to be a factual basis where he admits the offense. He had to admit that it was non-consensual." "This was the best disposition for him," says Zwillman. "He's glad to put this behind him. He is basically a family guy. He is not a criminal." Busey, who was initially charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of attempted criminal sexual contact, has yet to be sentenced. He faces fines and one to five years of probation. Walter McBride/Getty "We're going to ask that he'd just be fined and end it," says Zwillman. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE's free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Three women reported that the actor touched them inappropriately during an autograph signing meet-and-greet at Monster-Mania in 2022. The actor initially denied any wrongdoing. "None of that happened," he toldTMZ. "It was a partner, a camera lady and me, and two girls ... it took less than 10 seconds, and they left. Then they made up a story that I assaulted them sexually and I did not. Nothing happened, it's all false." Busey was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Buddy Holly inThe Buddy Holly Story. He also has appeared in dozens of other films includingPredator 2andPoint Break. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

August 01, 2025

Gary Busey Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes Charge, Admits 'It Was Not an Accidental Touching'

Gary Busey Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes Charge, Admits 'It Was Not an Accidental Touching' Gary Busey pleaded guilty to one count of ...

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Sarah Michelle Gellar Trains for ‘Buffy’ Reboot With New Vampire Slayer Ryan Kiera Armstrong: ‘We Don’t Sweat. We Sparkle’

Sarah Michelle Gellar Trains for 'Buffy' Reboot With New Vampire Slayer Ryan Kiera Armstrong: 'We Don't Sweat. We Sparkle'

Sarah Michelle Gellar is getting ready to slay, and so is the new slayer — Ryan Kiera Armstrong. The "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actress, who is set to star in the series reboot, posted a video to her social media of the two training at a gym in preparation to take on the vampire-slaying roles. Gellar wrote, "Warrior 1 and 2 We don't sweat … we sparkle." More from Variety This 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Children's Book Is an Amazon Bestseller Amid Reboot News 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Reboot Pilot Adds Five to Cast, Including 'Severance' Star Sarah Bock and 'Frasier' Alum Jack Cutmore-Scott Sarah Michelle Gellar on That Major 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Surprise: 'It Was So Surreal' In the video, Gellar can be seen doing squats on a half exercise ball, doing TRX pulls and much more. And Armstrong is right by her side. As previously announced, Armstrong was cast in a lead role in the pilot opposite returning star Gellar. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar) Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman are attached to write, showrun, and executive produce. Chloé Zhao is attached to direct and executive produce under her Book of Shadows production banner. Gellar executive produces along with Gail Berman. Fran Kuzui and Kaz Kuzui will executive produce via Suite B, while Dolly Parton will executive produce via Sandollar. 20th Television and Searchlight Television will produce. Berman, the Kuzuis, and Parton were all executive producers on the original "Buffy" series. Armstrong most recently appeared in the Disney+ "Star Wars" series "Skeleton Crew." Her other TV credits include "Anne with an E" at Netflix, "American Horror Story," and the upcoming FX series "The Lowdown." Joining Armstrong and Gellar are, Faly Rakotohavana ("Unprisoned," "Secret Society of Second Born Royals") as Hugo, Ava Jean ("A Week Away," "Law & Order: SVU") as Larkin, Sarah Bock ("Severance") as Gracie, Daniel di Tomasso ("Witches of East End," "Major Crimes") as Abe, and Jack Cutmore-Scott ("Oppenheimer," "Frasier") as Mr. Burke. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" originated as a film starring Kristy Swanson in the title role. Joss Whedon wrote the 1992 film with Fran Kuzui directing. Five years later, the series version starring Gellar debuted on The WB, where it aired for its first five seasons before airing its final two seasons on UPN. The cast also included Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, and James Marsters. Boreanaz would then head up the spinoff series "Angel" at The WB for five seasons. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025 Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 01, 2025

Sarah Michelle Gellar Trains for ‘Buffy’ Reboot With New Vampire Slayer Ryan Kiera Armstrong: ‘We Don’t Sweat. We Sparkle’

Sarah Michelle Gellar Trains for 'Buffy' Reboot With New Vampire Slayer Ryan Kiera Armstrong: 'We Don't Sweat. We Sparkle...

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ESPN obtains RedZone, other media assets from NFL in blockbuster deal, per report

ESPN obtains RedZone, other media assets from NFL in blockbuster deal, per report

In one of the biggest media deals this century, ESPN and the National Football League agreed to a deal that will send popular entities such as RedZone over to the network,according to The Athletic. The deal, according to the report, could be worth billions and is expected to be formally announced next week. ESPN is gearing to start its direct-to-consumer service within weeks, which consumers are expected to pay nearly $30 a month, allowing buyers to cut cable subscriptions even further as people have more choices than ever in how they consume content featuring the nation's most popular and attended spectator sport. The network is expected to absorb the aforementioned RedZone, NFL Network, headquartered in Inglewood, California, and to take on its slate of games this season as well as the league's popular fantasy football franchises. It is not expected that NFL Films is part of the deal, but the league is likely to take a 10% stake in the majority Disney-owned ESPN. The league is currently in an 11-year, $111 billion media rights deal with Amazon, CBS, ESPN, Fox, and NBC, which is set to expire in 2033. The deal still needs to be approved by government regulators, but is expected to be done in plenty of time for the network to gear up for its Super Bowl 61 coverage. The game is set for February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The game is to be aired by ABC, another Disney-owned property. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL deals RedZone, NFL Media assets to ESPN in blockbuster deal

byLiam Oneel

in

August 01, 2025

ESPN obtains RedZone, other media assets from NFL in blockbuster deal, per report

ESPN obtains RedZone, other media assets from NFL in blockbuster deal, per report In one of the biggest media deals this century, ESPN and t...

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Lionel Messi needs to find his groove again to lead Inter Miami in Leagues Cup

Lionel Messi needs to find his groove again to lead Inter Miami in Leagues Cup

USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL –Lionel MessiandInter Miamiwon their first match in the2025 Leagues Cupbut find themselves looking up at five other clubs in the tournament standings before their second match of the group stage. Inter Miami needs Messi to find his groove again if they're going to advance in the tournament. The 2025 Leagues Cup features a new format: While the matches are between Major League Soccer teams and LIGA MX clubs from Mexico, the top four clubs from each league will advance to the knockout stage. Earning three points for a win isn't enough in this year's edition. Goal differential is the next tiebreaker in the table, placing a greater emphasis on scoring to advance to the quarterfinals. "You look at the table, and you've won and you're in sixth place because of the goal difference. There are still two games to play, a lot can happen," Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said a day before the club's match against Necaxa at Chase Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 2. Messi delivered assists on goals scored by Telasco Segovia and Marcelo Weigandt inInter Miami's 2-1 win against Atlas on July 30, but complained about feeling fatigued in his first match after having last week off. Messi was suspended forskipping the MLS All-Star Gameon July 23, causing him to serve a one-game suspension on July 26. Before the layoff, Messi scored two goals in four of five matches following the FIFA Club World Cup. "Even if [the rest] seems better, for me it's worse because I need to compete. I feel good physically the more matches I play and get into rhythm,"Messi told Apple TV."The other day they didn't let me compete, and I felt it in the first half, but the important thing is that we won." 🎙️ Las palabras de nuestro capitán tras la victoria 🐐pic.twitter.com/i05ewhu51H — Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF)July 31, 2025 Mascherano expects Messi to find his form again, especially with Inter Miami having three of its next four matches at home. The only away match is against in-state rivalOrlando Cityon Aug. 10. "Unless Leo feels tired and doesn't say anything, the idea is that if he feels good, he'll always play," Mascherano said of Messi. Inter Miami needs its biggest star to keep pace with the MLS clubs in Leagues Cup. TheSeattle Soundersthrashed reigning Concacaf Champions Cup winners Cruz Azul 7-0, whileL.A. Galaxybeat Tijuana 5-2 on July 31. ThePortland Timberstoppled Atlético de San Luis 4-0, andMinnesota Unitedbeat Querétaro 4-1 on July 30. Seattle, Portland, the Galaxy and Minnesota are the top four clubs in the MLS side of the Leagues Cup table, followed byFC Cincinnati(which beat Monterrey 3-2 on July 31), Inter Miami, theColorado RapidsandNew York Red Bulls. Those eight MLS clubs won their first Leagues Cup match. The top four on the LIGA MX side are Tigres UANL, FC Juarez, Puebla and Necaxa after the first round of matches. After facing Necaxa, Inter Miami will host Tigres UANL on Wednesday, Aug. 6 in their last match of the group stage. "What keeps you going is trying to play well, get a good result, and then we'll see what happens," Mascherano said. "But I don't think there's much point in feeling sorry for yourself or focusing too much on other results." Necaxa is led by new coach Fernando Gago, barely two months into the job. They beatAtlanta United3-1 in their Leagues Cup opener on July 30. Gago was a starter alongside Messi and Mascherano in Argentina's 1-0 win in the Olympic men's soccer final in 2008, and came off the bench in their loss to Germany in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup final. "Fernando is a friend from soccer – someone I had the privilege of sharing many years with on the national team, but he's also someone I care about, someone I've shared moments with outside of soccer as well," Mascherano said of Gago. "It's always special to face people you know, people you've shared so many good times with. And in the end, when the ball starts rolling, I'll try to do everything I can to compete in the best way possible and win so we can still hope to qualify." The match begins at 7 p.m. on Aug. 2, with live stream available onMLS Season Pass via Apple TV. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Inter Miami vs. Necaxa: Is Messi playing, Leagues Cup table standings

byLiam Oneel

in

August 01, 2025

Lionel Messi needs to find his groove again to lead Inter Miami in Leagues Cup

Lionel Messi needs to find his groove again to lead Inter Miami in Leagues Cup USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this ar...

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