TL;DR

Red Bull fires Horner; Apple eyes U.S. F1 rights; Lakers add Ayton; UEFA revamps Champions League.

Highlights

• Red Bull Racing fires Christian Horner after poor F1 results; Laurent Mekies promoted to CEO 1.
• Apple in advanced talks to secure exclusive U.S. Formula 1 rights from ESPN starting 2026 6.
• Lakers sign Deandre Ayton after Blazers buyout; Ayton to join LeBron James and Luka Doncic 3.
• Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic delays contract extension for potential larger deal; remains under contract through 2027 4.
• Mavericks’ Anthony Davis undergoes retina surgery, expected ready for training camp with rookie Cooper Flagg 9.
• Cowboys QB Dak Prescott fully healthy for training camp; Dallas adds WR George Pickens 5.
• UEFA changes Champions League knockout format: higher-ranked teams get second-leg home advantage from 2025/26 16.
• Big 12 eliminates football preseason poll; commissioner Yormark pushes for 5+11 CFP playoff format 78.
• Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski strikes out 12, hands Dodgers fifth straight loss 18.
• Giants’ Patrick Bailey hits inside-the-park walk-off homer to beat Phillies, Giants win fourth straight 19.
• Boxer Francisco Rodriguez Jr. under investigation for positive VADA test after win over Galal Yafai 11.
• Max Holloway removed from UFC featherweight rankings, focusing on lightweight ahead of July 19 BMF title defense 10.

Commentary

Major organizational changes and media rights negotiations are set to impact both the competitive and commercial sides of Formula 1. Red Bull’s abrupt dismissal of Christian Horner, following a significant dip in performance, hands the reins to Laurent Mekies amid pressure to stabilize results and retain Max Verstappen 1. Simultaneously, Apple ’s pursuit of exclusive U.S. F1 rights signals a potential shift in how American fans and bettors will access live races from 2026, with ESPN ’s hold on the sport under threat 6.

NBA roster moves continue to reshape fantasy and betting landscapes. The Lakers’ addition of Deandre Ayton addresses a frontcourt gap left by Anthony Davis’ departure, while Davis himself is expected to be ready for Mavericks training camp after eye surgery, joining top pick Cooper Flagg 39. Nikola Jokic’s decision to delay extension talks keeps Denver’s roster stable in the short term, but leaves long-term planning open for speculation 4.

NFL preseason outlooks are shifting as Dak Prescott returns to full health for the Cowboys, now featuring George Pickens alongside CeeDee Lamb—a notable upgrade for fantasy and offensive projections 5. In college football, the Big 12’s removal of its preseason poll and push for a 5+11 playoff format could affect futures markets and playoff modeling 78.

UEFA’s Champions League format change will reward higher group-stage performers with home-field advantage in knockout rounds, likely strengthening favorites’ odds 16. In MLB, Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski’s 12-strikeout outing and Patrick Bailey’s rare walk-off inside-the-park homer for the Giants highlight emerging players and changing divisional dynamics 1819. In combat sports, Francisco Rodriguez Jr.’s positive VADA test and Max Holloway’s move to lightweight are immediate watch points for fight card implications 1110.