Red Bull winning over diehard fans as energy drink giant injects life in Omiya Ardija

As Red Bull expands its soccer empire, the energy drink giant has faced some resistance from diehard fans. But not in Japan.

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Texans reach playoffs as Ravens win to stay in hunt

The Texans (11-5) stretched their win streak to eight games, while the Chargers (11-5) lost for only the second time in nine contests.

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Odegaard back on target as Arsenal reclaims top spot

For the second week running, Arsenal kicked off having been displaced by Manchester City earlier in the day and the Gunners responded once again to the challenge.

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'Tired' Inoue beats Picasso by unanimous decision to end grueling year

The "Monster" successfully defended his undisputed world super bantamweight titles for the sixth time, but admitted that his performance was not up to his standards.

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Ohtani, Kikuchi and six others named to initial Samurai Japan roster for WBC

The eight members also include Yuki Matsui of the San Diego Padres and Hiromi Ito of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

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Spurs extend domination of NBA-best Thunder with third December win

Victor Wembanyama wouldn't call it a statement win for the season but he says the Spurs have learned from beating the Thunder.

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Villa faces Chelsea test as Premier League title race heats up

Unai Emery's third-placed Villa is still considered a rank outsider for the Premier League title even though it is just three points behind leader Arsenal.

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Girls inspired by Shohei Ohtani leading Japan’s next wave of two-way players

Against the odds, players such as Ayuri Shimano and Aika Morimoto are forging a new path for women’s baseball.

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Ruben Amorim calls on Manchester United to step up without Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes suffered a soft tissue injury in Sunday's loss against Aston Villa

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Bears and 49ers prepare for crucial NFC showdown

Both teams have 11-4 records, but the NFC North-leading Bears are currently in the No. 2 position while the 49ers are at No. 5.

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NBA considers setting lottery order in March to discourage tanking

League plans could block teams from drafting in the top four ‌overall in consecutive years and limit protections on traded picks.

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NWSL teams can exceed cap by $1 million for 'high-impact players'

One of the first players who could potentially benefit from the new rule is Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, who reportedly has received lucrative offers from Europe.

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City players face Christmas weigh-in as Guardiola issues 'fatty' warning

The City boss revealed his men had been weighed before a short break.

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Salah focused on Egypt ambition with Liverpool crisis behind him

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah has put aside his travails at Liverpool and is focused on having success at the Africa Cup of Nations with his national team, coach Hossam Hassan said on Sunday.

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Slugger Munetaka Murakami joins White Sox on two-year deal

​Murakami was hindered by injuries in 2025, though he still managed to finish third in the Central League with 22 home runs in 56 games.

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Mbappe equals Ronaldo record in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Sevilla

Mbappe missed several earlier chances before getting his opportunity from the spot four minutes from ​time and he made no mistake to net his 59th goal of the year.

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Naomi Osaka cuts ties with agency she co-founded

The former world No. 1 announced her move on Friday while leaving her next destination unclear.

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Seahawks edge Rams in overtime thriller to seize NFC lead

Darnold found Eric Saubert on a game-deciding two-point conversion attempt after the Seahawks had rallied from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

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Whitecaps re-sign goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka through 2027

The MLS All-Star and Goalkeeper of the Year finalist in 2025 has recorded 35 shutouts in 129 starts across all competitions since arriving from the Yokohama F. Marinos in 2023.

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Fame and followers to the forefront as Jake Paul faces Anthony Joshua

The mismatch illustrates how much the sport of boxing has changed, with online fame now almost as important as punching power.

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2026 World Cup winner to receive record $50 million in prize money

The total World Cup prize fund of $655 million represents an increase of almost 50% from the $440 million distributed to teams taking part in the last tournament in Qatar in 2022.

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Boxing world voices concern ahead of fight between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua

Combat sports commentator Michael Bisping warned that if Joshua's pledge to approach the fight seriously carries weight, Paul could be in peril.

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Knicks will not hang banner for NBA Cup title in Madison Square Garden

While the team is planning to celebrate the accomplishment with fans at an upcoming home game, it will not remember it in perpetuity inside of its home arena.

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Undefeated boxing great Terence Crawford announces retirement

The 38-year-old, who dominated Mexican legend Alvarez in Las Vegas in September to claim the undisputed super middleweight crown, retires with a 42-0 record with 31 knockouts.

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Sabalenka named WTA Player of the Year for second straight season

The Belarusian won four trophies overall and recorded 63 victories over the season.

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Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk hopes 'leader' Mohamed Salah stays with club

Van Dijk is adamant that he wants Salah to stay and said he had told him so.

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Patrick Mahomes tears ACL as Chiefs' playoff hopes end with loss to Chargers

The Chiefs, who last failed to reach the playoffs in 2014, fell to 6-8 with the defeat at home, their third loss in a row and fifth in six games.

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Salah records landmark assist in win over Brighton after a turbulent week

Salah was one of the Reds' best players on Saturday at Anfield, much to the delight of fans who welcomed him with a standing ovation.

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NBA Cup goes from 'outside the box' idea to smash hit

NBA Cup games have averaged 2.2 billion views across NBA-owned social and digital platforms, a 41% jump over last year.

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Canucks trade former Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes to Wild

In return for the coveted defenseman, Vancouver will receive center Marco Rossi, defenseman Zeev Buium, forward prospect Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

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Michael Jordan and NASCAR reach settlement in antitrust lawsuit

Jordan's 23XI Racing and the Front Row Motorsports teams had both sued NASCAR after refusing to sign the circuit's new charters.

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IOC expects to reach decision on gender eligibility for Olympics in early 2026

The issue has been a source of controversy with no universal rule in place for the participation of transgender athletes at the Olympic Games.

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Returning great Lindsey Vonn feeling stronger and faster as Olympics approach

The four-time overall World Cup champion, who has 82 wins, returned last season after nearly six years out and following successful knee surgery.

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New trial ordered for Rays SS Wander Franco in sexual abuse case

Franco, 24, and the mother of the victim were sentenced in June, nearly two years after investigators opened the case into his illegal relationship with a then-14-year-old girl.

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Ohtani named AP's Male Athlete of Year for the fourth time

Ohtani matched LeBron James, Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong for the most selections since the award was first presented in 1931.

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Japanese girl, 15, becomes youngest Muay Thai pro

Airi Kadowaki was registered as a professional Muay Thai fighter with the Sports Authority of Thailand following her 15th birthday in early November.

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Olympic organizers defend under fire ice hockey rinks

Players from the NHL in North America, widely regarded as the best in the world, will compete at next year's Olympics for the first time since 2014.

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Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens fall short of Hall of Fame; Jeff Kent elected

Bonds and Clemens each received less than five votes and, by rule, are not eligible for consideration for the next Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot in 2028.

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Hideki Matsuyama wins playoff to claim Hero World Challenge crown

Matsuyama, who also won in 2016, claimed his second victory in the unofficial 20-man event hosted by Tiger Woods.

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Olympic favorite Malinin pulls off stunning GP Final win

World champion Alysa Liu made it an American double in Nagoya, coming from behind to win the women's competition. 

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Messi's double assist inspires Inter Miami to maiden MLS Cup title

Despite Thomas Mueller driving a Vancouver side that controlled long stretches and created the better chances, the final ultimately swung on the Argentine's influence.

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Antlers win Japan title again in nerve-shredding finale

Kashima Antlers won a record-extending ninth Japanese title, holding their nerve to beat Yokohama F-Marinos 2-1.

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McLaren will use team order if championship is on line, CEO Zak Brown says

McLaren said while Piastri will be given every chance to win the title, the Australian will be asked to let Norris through if it means the difference between winning or losing.

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Tuchel might keep substitutes inside if World Cup heat gets too fierce

Scorching heat was a major concern at the Club World Cup in the U.S. last June.

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NFL introduces mandatory field standards and sets deadline for replacements

The initiative represents the league's most significant step toward standardizing playing conditions across its stadiums, addressing concerns about quality and player safety.

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Maresca blasts 'very poor' Chelsea after damaging Leeds defeat

Maresca's side paid the price for a woeful first-half performance at Elland Road featuring Leeds goals from Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka.

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Springboks and All Blacks on quarterfinal collision course after 2027 World Cup draw

Japan, meanwhile, was drawn into a group with France, the United States and Samoa.

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Yuki Tsunoda loses Red Bull seat to Isack Hadjar for next season

Tsunoda's departure leaves Formula One without a Japanese driver on the starting grid.

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Murray 'disappointed' with results coaching former rival Djokovic

Murray joined Djokovic's coaching team in November 2024 just three months after the 38-year-old Scot had ended his own playing career.

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