The Athletic

LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons to play his 24th season with another team. Mike Vorkunov, an NBA and basketball business reporter for The Athletic, discusses the move.

Tyler Vrabel, son of former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, was cited for speeding and having an expired registration in Brentwood. He was charged with speeding after being clocked at 71 mph in a 45 mph zone on May 9 and is due in court on July 17.

Lewis Hamilton revealed he suffered a serious neck injury during a 2025 private testing crash at Barcelona, which affected him for nine weeks. He underwent treatment including chiropractic sessions, painkillers, and injections but continued participating in testing and races during recovery. Hamilton is currently competing at the Austrian Grand Prix, finishing P5 in Friday's practice sessions.

Bode Miller, a six-time Olympic medalist, was arrested on two misdemeanor drug charges in Idaho for possessing psilocybin mushrooms. He pleaded not guilty, posted a $5,000 bond, and claims he was unaware of cannabis and a pipe found during a traffic stop. If convicted, he could face up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Dianna Russini was one of the highest-paid journalists at The Athletic, which was acquired by the New York Times in 2022 for $550 million. She lost her job following a scandal involving a photo of Mike Vrabel.

Cubs catcher Carson Kelly discusses the physical toll of being a catcher, including frequent injuries from pitches. He wears a T-shirt reading 'Everything Hurts' to reflect the job's hazards. The article highlights how modern catching techniques, like squatting on one knee, may increase injury risks to sensitive areas.

Major League Baseball owners propose ending high school players' draft eligibility, introducing an international draft, and cutting amateur signing bonuses by nearly half. The changes aim to save owners $400 million initially and $200 million annually, with the draft shortened to 12 rounds and draft eligibility ages raised for domestic and international players.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez suffered a left eye injury when a plyometric band snapped during a training session. The Tigers have experienced multiple injuries this season, including a similar accident involving catcher Jake Rogers and the placement of second baseman Gleyber Torres on the injured list.

New York Times Guild members rallied outside the company's headquarters demanding a fair contract, AI protections, and better wages. The union, representing over 1,500 staff members, has been without a contract since February 28 and filed an unfair labor practice charge after the company removed union signs from desks. Key demands include AI job protections in writing, guaranteed hybrid work, affordable healthcare, and inclusion of The Athletic staff in the union.

Jennifer Welch, co-host of 'I’ve Had It,' labeled ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke a 'MAGA-style propagandist' for criticizing Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) as a 'free throw merchant.' The article defends Burke's comment, citing SGA's high free-throw attempt statistics, and criticizes Welch's history of controversial remarks. The Athletic's 'Sports Gossip Show' hosts, Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder, did not challenge Welch's claim.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has announced it will withdraw funding from LIV Golf at the end of the season, prompting the golf league to seek new financial backers. Gabby Herzig of The Athletic discusses the implications of this decision.

The Boston Red Sox replaced most of their coaching staff, including manager Alex Cora, due to underperformance in hitting development, partly attributed to top prospect Kristian Campbell's struggles. The team has declined since their 2018 World Series win, with key players like Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts leaving, and new GM Craig Breslow faces criticism for the changes.

LIV Golf's New Orleans event, scheduled for late June, has been canceled, raising concerns about the league's financial stability. CEO Scott O’Neil previously vowed the 2026 season would continue 'full throttle,' but the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund will end its financial support after 2026, forcing LIV to seek new funding. The cancellation disrupts the summer schedule and highlights uncertainty about the league's future.

A violent brawl erupted during a La Liga 2 match between Zaragoza and Huesca when Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada shoved Huesca defender Jorge Pulido, leading to a red card and a physical confrontation. Andrada later struck Pulido with a right hand, resulting in additional red cards for both teams. Andrada apologized for the incident, and Huesca accepted his apology while condemning the fight.

The ACLU and NAACP are accused of attempting to sabotage U.S. tourism through a 'fearmongering' campaign warning about human rights risks under the Trump administration. Over 120 groups, including Amnesty International, issued a travel advisory citing arbitrary detention, racial profiling, and risks for marginalized groups. The U.S. Travel Association criticized the campaign as politically motivated and harmful to businesses.

The ACLU, NAACP, and other civil rights groups issued a travel advisory warning about potential human rights violations in the U.S. due to the Trump administration's policies ahead of the World Cup. Critics, including the U.S. Travel Association's Geoff Freeman, accuse the groups of 'fearmongering' and harming the tourism industry by discouraging international visitors.

Adrian Wojnarowski, former ESPN analyst and current St. Bonaventure basketball GM, faces community friction in Olean, New York, due to his outspoken anti-Trump political views. Locals, predominantly Trump supporters, perceive him as dismissive, while Wojnarowski believes a successful basketball team can unite the community. The Athletic reports political tensions amid his controversial past actions, including a 2020 suspension for sending a derogatory email to a Republican senator.

The NBA playoffs begin Saturday with four games, raising questions about whether any team can challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder's bid for a second consecutive title. Chris Branch of The Athletic discusses the possibilities with CBS News.