TL;DR

Lakers sign Julian Reese; Leagues Cup debuts no-tie format; Marchand breaks 200m IM world record.

Highlights

• Lakers sign undrafted Maryland forward Julian Reese (brother of Angel Reese) to NBA Summer League deal post-2025 Draft1.
• Marco Verratti moves from Al-Arabi to Al-Duhail in Qatar, becomes 50% co-president of Italy’s Pescara, signals interest in Serie A return2.
• 2025 Leagues Cup (MLS vs. Liga MX) opens with new no-tie format: group-stage draws go to penalties for extra points; Apple ’s MLS Season Pass streaming all matches3.
• Three 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup berths up for grabs in Leagues Cup, raising stakes for MLS/Liga MX clubs3.
• Léon Marchand breaks men’s 200m individual medley world record at Singapore Worlds, now holds both IM records; enters final as clear favorite4.
• Double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier dies in mountaineering accident at 315.
• Caesars Entertainment beats Q2 revenue estimates, narrows net loss; Avis Budget returns to profit on stronger international segment6.
• Adidas and BASF both top Q2 profit forecasts despite weaker sales; Adidas flags €200M hit from new U.S. tariffs but keeps 2025 profit guidance7.
• Electronic Arts beats Q1 estimates on EA Sports FC sales but issues softer Q2 guidance; Battlefield 6 reveal imminent8.
• Nintendo schedules 25-minute Partner Direct for July 31, focusing on third-party games for Switch and upcoming Switch 29.
• Activision decouples Modern Warfare II & III from Call of Duty HQ, prepping for Black Ops 7 launch10.

Commentary

Julian Reese’s Summer League signing gives the Lakers a developmental option with a strong collegiate pedigree, worth monitoring for dynasty fantasy and deep-league speculation1. Marco Verratti’s move within Qatar and his new executive stake at Pescara could foreshadow future Serie A involvement, which may affect transfer markets and betting lines if he returns to Italy2.

The 2025 Leagues Cup introduces a no-draw group stage, with penalty shootouts awarding extra points—this increases match volatility and creates more in-game betting and fantasy angles3. With three Concacaf Champions Cup spots on the line, expect clubs to field competitive lineups and push for results, especially as all matches are widely accessible via Apple ’s MLS Season Pass3.

Léon Marchand’s new 200m IM world record reinforces his dominance heading into the final; he’s a clear favorite for medal markets and fantasy swimming contests4. Laura Dahlmeier’s passing is a significant loss for biathlon but has no immediate fantasy or betting implications5.

On the business side, Adidas and BASF’s profit beats show resilience despite softer sales, but Adidas’ warning on U.S. tariffs is a watch item for sports retail exposure7. Caesars Entertainment ’s improved results and Avis Budget ’s profitability highlight continued strength in gaming and travel sectors6. In gaming, Electronic Arts ’s strong EA Sports FC sales were offset by soft Q2 guidance8, while Nintendo and Activision are both focused on upcoming releases that could drive engagement and esports activity910.

Key watch points: Summer League player usage (Julian Reese)1, Leagues Cup group-stage outcomes3, and upcoming gaming releases from Electronic Arts 8, Nintendo9, and Activision10.