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USA Today
43 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Mel Reid surprises golfer with news that she qualified for 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
FRISCO, Texas – As LPGA players made the turn at the Fields Ranch East Course on Friday morning, retired player-turned-television-analyst Mel Reid was on a special assignment over by the 10th tee. Reid surprised 38-year-old Erika Johnson with the news that she'd qualified for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, representing Texas. 'Unbelievable achievement. You're going to have to get some Olympic rings on you or something,' said Reid, pulling up the sleeve of her shirt to reveal her own tattoo from the 2020 Games in Tokyo. Johnson, it turns out, already had two tattoos of her own and was game to add a third at Reid's invitation. 'It would be my honor to take you,' said a smiling Reid, an LPGA winner and Special Olympics ambassador. The golf portion of the USA Games will be held at Victory Links Golf Course in Blaine, Minnesota, June 20-26, the same week as the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska. Johnson came out to the KPMG Women's PGA in Frisco with her mom, Kim, and coach, Linda Walls. She first took up the game in high school and plays out of Woodbridge Golf Club in Wylie, Texas. While golf is her main sport, she began with the Special Olympics in 2002 and participates in basketball, bowling, flag football, floorball, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball. She also competed with the FC Dallas Special Olympics Unified Team. One of her tattoos is the FC Dallas shield and the other is a star. 'It means a lot,' said a grateful Johnson of heading to Minnesota. In March, Johnson flew to Italy to compete in floorball, which her mom said is like ice hockey but in tennis shoes and without the ice. Organized sports, she said, have given her daughter a strong community and boosted her confidence. 'She travels more than I do these days,' said Kim. 'She has really learned to know that she can stand on her own two feet.' After touring Golf Channel's set near the 10th tee, Johnson planned to take in more of the action at Fields Ranch East before heading to her job at the local movie theater, where she's worked for nearly 20 years. 'This is what it's about, isn't it?' said Reid. 'I've got a nephew with quite severe special needs, so it's very close to my heart. I just think they're more impressive than us, to be honest with you. … The way they just get on with stuff. Their fire, their grit, their strength. It's just something we can all learn from.'
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
USA Football's 'Summer Series' in Los Angeles showcases flag football ahead of the 2028 Olympics
Associated Press Being in Los Angeles this weekend, practicing and playing in flag football games, and mentoring younger players, makes it all seem that much more real for quarterback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette. Just three summers from now, his sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 LA Games. What the final roster will look like, how many NFL players may be on it, is still being sorted out. This weekend in LA is simply another chance to showcase flag football. Approximately 900 players from nine countries are taking part in USA Football's 'Summer Series.' No active-roster NFL players are slated to take the field. But that could change down the road after league owners unanimously gave permission in May for players to participate in flag football. 'It's gaining traction,' the 35-year-old Doucette said of his sport, which is currently already part of the NFL's Pro Bowl festivities. 'It's being talked about on ESPN, the NFL Network. The NFL is putting (resources) behind it. It's an exciting, fun, fast game.' The teams of tomorrow The fields at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles will host tournaments and showcases for players of all ages. The men's and women's national teams also play in a series of friendly international matches throughout the weekend. On top of that, federations will engage in an international high-performance summit. Basically, it's an exchange of ideas and methodologies to grow the game around the world. The U.S. men and women are both No. 1 in the world, according to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) rankings. 'There's sort of a sports diplomacy going on,' said Scott Hallenbeck, the CEO of USA Football. 'There's just lots of elements that I think speak really well to the growth of the sport within the Olympic movement and what's expected within the Olympic movement and the opportunity to all learn from each other as quickly as possible. 'It's only three years to the Olympics. ... We all have to go as fast as we can." Fine-tuning This is also a chance for the national teams to fine-tune before international competitions. The U.S. squads will compete in September at the IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship in Panama. The women's team also will play at the World Games in Chengdu, China, in August. 'The friendlies are more about just seeing where your team is currently at,' Doucette said. 'We are the top dogs, but we can't go out and treat it that way. We have to keep our foot on the pedal with every game we play.' Doucette still hopes to be the signal caller for Team USA when the LA Olympics roll around. Sure, he will be 38 at the time, but, hey, Tom Brady was winning Super Bowls beyond that age. Lately, Doucette has drawn some headlines for his stance on NFL players contending for roster spots. His take remains simple — beat them out and welcome to the team. 'We all are family together. We don't treat each other differently. We all compete and we want the gold medal,' Doucette said. 'So if those (NFL) guys come out and try out, they make the team, congrats to them — they're one of us." The rules The games this weekend will be played following the IFAF's 5-on-5 rules. It's the same version fans will see in LA in 2028. The field is smaller than an NFL field by about half: 50 yards long — along with 10 yards for each end zone — and 25 yards wide. A stop is made by ripping off one of the flags attached by a belt to a ball carrier's waist. An offensive touchdown is worth six points with the subsequent extra-point attempt varying in value. Soaring popularity There was a time not too long ago when receiver/center/defensive back Ashlea Klam had to explain the sport she plays. Not anymore. Not after flag football was added to the LA Olympics program, along with cricket, baseball-softball, lacrosse and squash, in October 2023. With the NFL on board, the visibility has only skyrocketed. Klam plays at Keiser University in Florida, which is one of numerous NAIA schools that now have programs. Being in LA this weekend, it's hard for Klam not to think about LA 2028. 'I always think about LA 2028,' said Klam, who bypassed scholarship offers in track and field to concentrate on flag football. 'I still feel like I'm celebrating, just knowing that it's in the Olympics for real.' The action Among the events this weekend: — The Select Bowl. This is a chance for U.S. national team coaches to scout and identify rising stars in the sport. — The Junior International Cup. The 15- and 17-under boys' and girls' teams will take part in a tournament featuring squads from around the globe. — International Bowl. This will be a chance to see some of the top players in a series of international friendlies. Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan are also on hand. 'It's incredibly exciting to see the passion and enthusiasm around the sport," Hallenbeck said. 'The more traditional tackle fan or football fan is now starting to really understand what 5-on-5 flag football is and what a great addition to overall football fandom it can be." ___ AP sports: in this topic
France 24
an hour ago
- Business
- France 24
NBA star Durant takes minority PSG stake
The club said in a statement that owners Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) had "signed an investment and strategic partnership agreement with Kevin Durant, one of the most decorated US basketball players of all time and a leading investor in sports and entertainment properties." It said Durant would acquire the stake "via his media and investment arm Boardroom". The club said QSI would cooperate with Boardroom "on a wide-series of commercial, investment, and content initiatives" including merchandise, media content US and international strategy and "potential Basketball/Multi-Sport expansion." "With Kevin, we look forward to developing ambitious initiatives that will drive the continued global growth of Paris Saint-Germain and QSI," said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of QSI. Durant, 36, is a power forward with the Phoenix Suns. He won two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors and has four Olympic gold medals, the last from the 2024 Paris Games. He said in the PSG statement that PSG and Paris were "a Club and a city that is so close to my heart. This club has big plans ahead, and I can't wait to be a part of the next phase of growth." © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NBA star Durant takes minority PSG stake
Kevin Durant, who won gold in the Paris 2024 basketball, has taken a stake in the city's best-known football club Paris Saint-Germain (Aris MESSINIS) Basketball star Kevin Durant has taken a minority stake in Paris Saint-Germain, the European champions announced Friday, without saying how many shares the power forward had acquired. The club said in a statement that owners Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) had "signed an investment and strategic partnership agreement with Kevin Durant, one of the most decorated US basketball players of all time and a leading investor in sports and entertainment properties." Advertisement It said Durant would acquire the stake "via his media and investment arm Boardroom". The club said QSI would cooperate with Boardroom "on a wide-series of commercial, investment, and content initiatives" including merchandise, media content US and international strategy and "potential Basketball/Multi-Sport expansion." "With Kevin, we look forward to developing ambitious initiatives that will drive the continued global growth of Paris Saint-Germain and QSI," said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of QSI. Durant, 36, is a power forward with the Phoenix Suns. He won two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors and has four Olympic gold medals, the last from the 2024 Paris Games. Advertisement He said in the PSG statement that PSG and Paris were "a Club and a city that is so close to my heart. This club has big plans ahead, and I can't wait to be a part of the next phase of growth." eba/pb/pi
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Business
- Fox Sports
Kevin Durant buys minority stake in Paris Saint-Germain, will advise club on basketball expansion
Associated Press PARIS (AP) — NBA star Kevin Durant has purchased a minority stake in Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain, the French soccer club said Friday. Qatar Sports Investments, PSG's majority shareholder, signed an investment and strategic partnership agreement with Durant, the club said in a statement. Financial terms were not disclosed. The announcement comes amid talks between the NBA, FIBA and other entities about the potential of adding a new league in Europe. Durant will provide expertise on the PSG's multi-port strategy, including potential expansion into basketball, the club said. 'Under the terms of the partnership, Durant — via his media and investment company Boardroom, co-founded with long-time business partner Rich Kleiman — will acquire a direct minority stake in the club,' PSG's statement said. The Phoenix Suns forward is a two-time NBA champion and became the first four-time men's gold medalist in Olympic basketball history when the U.S. took gold at last summer's Paris Games. 'It is an honor to partner with QSI and be a shareholder in Paris Saint-Germain — a club and city that is deeply close to my heart," the 36-year-old Durant said in comments provided by PSG. 'This club has big plans and I look forward to being part of the next phase of growth and exploring new investment opportunities with QSI.' As part of the deal, Boardroom Sports Holdings — Durant's personal investment vehicle, which holds stakes in a number of major sports teams and leagues — and QSI will join forces on a wide range of commercial, investment and content production initiatives. PSG added that Durant will support the club's diversification and growth strategy, as well as the club's development in the U.S. and other international markets. 'Together with Kevin, we look forward to developing ambitious initiatives that will drive the continued global growth of Paris Saint-Germain and QSI,' PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi said. ___ AP soccer: recommended in this topic
