Sports

July 26, 2025

Published 23 days ago

TL;DR

Hulk Hogan dies at 71; Verstappen wins Spa sprint; Joe Root now No.2 in Test runs.


Highlights

  • Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan died at 71 after cardiac arrest; WWE remains financially strong under TKO Group 1.
  • Max Verstappen won the Spa sprint, marking Red Bull 's first win since Christian Horner’s exit2.
  • Oscar Piastri extended his F1 championship lead to 9 points; Mercedes failed to score at Spa2.
  • Thymen Arensman won a shortened Tour de France Stage 19; Tadej Pogacar is set to secure both overall and mountains titles3.
  • Joe Root scored his 38th Test century, moving to No.2 all-time in Test runs; England declared at a record 669 at Old Trafford45.
  • Ben Stokes became the first English captain to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test4.
  • KL Rahul reached 1,000 Test runs in England, joining an elite group of Indian batters4.
  • Boston Bruins drafted Boston College center James Hagens at No. 7 to address center depth6.
  • SharpLink Gaming appointed BlackRock ’s Joseph Chalom as co-CEO, accelerating its Ethereum-focused digital-asset strategy7.

Commentary

The passing of Hulk Hogan is significant for wrestling fans, but WWE ’s financials remain robust, buoyed by strong earnings and its $5 billion Netflix deal for ‘Raw’1. The company’s economic health and continued mainstream appeal suggest stable engagement for fantasy and betting markets tied to wrestling.

In F1, Verstappen’s Spa sprint win under new Red Bull management signals continued competitiveness despite recent leadership changes2. Oscar Piastri’s extended lead and Mercedes ’ lack of points highlight shifting momentum in the championship. Bettors and fantasy players should monitor Red Bull ’s form and weather impacts for the main race2.

Tour de France GC is effectively settled, with Pogacar holding a 4:24 lead and set to clinch both the overall and polka-dot jerseys3. Stage 19’s shortening limited major moves, so expect minimal changes in fantasy and betting outcomes barring a major upset in the final stages3.

Cricket saw major milestones: Joe Root’s 38th Test century moved him to No.2 all-time in Test runs45, while Ben Stokes delivered a rare all-round performance4. England’s record 669 at Old Trafford puts them in a commanding position4. KL Rahul’s 1,000-run milestone is notable for Indian fans, but India’s bowling struggles may influence fantasy and betting picks for the remainder of the series4.

Elsewhere, the Bruins ’ selection of James Hagens addresses a key roster need6, and SharpLink ’s leadership move signals growing digital-asset competition in sports betting infrastructure7. Both developments are worth tracking for those interested in team building and evolving betting platforms.

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