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The Cal State Northridge player has attracted millions of views for his hair flicks and dismissive waves. He says navigating the fallout has been a career of its own“I think people are really enamored with me because you don’t often see someone like me – animated, flamboyant – but still able to back it up on the volleyball court,” says Jordan Lucas, the outside hitter for Cal State Northridge’s men’s team.Although college volleyball has a devoted following and can attract big crowds – 92,000 fans went to see Nebraska take on Omaha in 2023 – it doesn’t usually attract the same attention as basketball or football. That changed last month though when clips of Lucas’s “flamboyant” play – he’s fond of celebrating with a flick of his hair or a dismissive wave at his opponents – went viral, amassing millions of views on social media. College athletes enjoying social media fame is hardly new: stars such as Paige Bueckers, Harper Murray, Olivia Dunne and Shedeur Sanders all had their viral moments. But Lucas’s case is different. It isn’t just about the highlights, it’s about the conversation surrounding them. Lucas is gay, and that fact has become inseparable from how audiences engage with his game. Continue reading...

Plus: youngest players to score a trophy-clinching goal, an apology to Albert Kidd and keepers seeing redMail us with your all of your questions and answers“Sheffield Wednesday finished their Championship season on zero points, accumulating 18 points throughout their 46-game season after being handed an 18-point deduction for severe financial mismanagement,” notes Michael Butler. “But has any team finished on zero points simply because they lost every league game?”There are many instances of teams finishing on zero points (with deductions), but one really has to delve deep to find those teams unfortunate enough to lose every single match in a full season. Even Fort William, famously branded as the “worst football team in Britain” after going 840 days and 73 matches without a win in 2019, managed to dig out a couple of draws in those seasons. Continue reading...

If supporters want transparency, they won’t find it in the rubber-stamping of Steve Borthwick’s coaching teamThere has been a lot of fuss in recent days about French TV directors not giving rugby fans the full picture. In that particular department, sadly, there remains a runaway market leader. To say the Rugby Football Union’s public response to England’s disappointing Six Nations campaign has failed to supply all the relevant angles is an understatement.In an ideal world, there would have been a media conference with Bill Sweeney, the RFU’s chief executive, alongside Steve Borthwick, his head coach, presenting a united, purposeful front and outlining precisely why the status quo needs preserving despite England having racked up four championship defeats for the first time since 1976. Instead, there was only a “Don’t tell ‘em, Pike” statement on email best summarised in four words: “Nothing to see here.” Continue reading...

Federations have concerns over men’s World Cup modelFA works with Uefa to freeze ticket prices for Euro 2028The Football Association and US Soccer Federation have joined forces to lobby Fifa to alter its proposed organisational model for the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups.Both federations are understood to be seeking more local control after concerns that have arisen over the organisation of this summer’s men’s World Cup, particularly regarding the cost of tickets and financial disputes with some US state and city authorities. Continue reading...

The newly found belief Mikel Arteta’s side have shown has now carried them into the Champions League finalThere is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Arsenal, having failed to capitalise on so many opportunities over the past few years, have suddenly and not entirely expectedly seized their chance. A week ago, their course seemed uncertain, the waters choppy; quite abruptly, the skies have cleared and, the wind in their sails, Arsenal are sailing on towards potential glory.Atlético tested them and they came through it to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years. Whether it’s Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern they will meet in Budapest, that challenge will be very different to this one but the important thing is they are there. It was perhaps inevitable that if they were going to go through it would be 1-0, not just for old times’ sake but because this was an old-fashioned kind of semi‑final, won not through the sort of attacking pyrotechnics of the first leg of PSG v Bayern, but through discipline and resolve. Continue reading...

Frenchman had 12 blocks during Spurs’ Monday lossMinnesota say referees missed several infractionsThe Minnesota Timberwolves have questioned whether Victor Wembanyama’s NBA playoff record 12 blocks were legitimate.The San Antonio Spurs star set the record during his team’s conference semi-final loss to the Timberwolves on Monday night. But Minnesota coach Chris Finch believes the refereeing during the game was questionable. Continue reading...

British No 1 pulls out at short notice with post-viral illnessRaducanu has been absent from circuit since MarchEmma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Italian Open because of her continued difficulties with post-viral illness, with the announcement coming less than 30 minutes after she conducted upbeat media interviews.Raducanu has spent the last few days competing at the Foro Italico, playing practice sets with other competitors and, having received a bye as a seeded player, she was scheduled to contest her second-round match against Solana Sierra or a qualifier. Continue reading...

Manchester City did not choke at Everton to hand Arsenal the advantage but it was another reminder the Premier League’s random qualities are still keyFor me Clive, it’s all about the Socratic paradox. The wisest man is the man who knows enough to know he knows nothing. I’ve always said that. Or never said it. Or only said it sometimes. One of those. Either way the Premier League title race could have been designed to prove that, in an age of thundering takes and mega-certainties, nobody actually has any idea what’s going on here.Manchester City’s draw at Everton on Monday night has already been described as The Moment. Advantage Arsenal. This is the consensus. On Tuesday morning, Rob Earnshaw was asked on Sky Sports if this is “the week the season will be decided” and replied: “ABSOLUTELY,” almost before the question had ended. And while you have to admire Rob Earnshaw’s sense of showmanship, there is still a large chance this might not actually be the case. Continue reading...

Bruno Fernandes will earn around £250,000 a weekMajority of squad will benefit from return to Champions League Manchester United’s qualification for the Champions League means a 25% rise in salary for most of the squad. While not all players who will be paid more will receive the 25% increase, the majority will.Bruno Fernandes, the club’s highest paid player, will earn around £250,000 a week with the increase. Kobbie Mainoo signed a new five-year contract worth around £120,000-a-week last week, while Harry Maguire also recently agreed a new one-year contract. Both players’ deals are thought to be incentivised in regards to their involvement in next season’s Champions League. It is unclear which United players are to miss out completely, though it is understood to relate to individual clauses in contracts. Continue reading...

Everton recognise ‘swift response’ by supportersMarc Guéhi was also subjected to racist abuse onlineA 71-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City during their 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday, when his teammate Marc Guéhi was subjected to racist abuse online.Merseyside police arrested the man after supporters and stewards reported the incident at Hill Dickinson Stadium. He has been bailed with conditions, including restrictions preventing him from going within one mile of any designated sports stadium for a period of up to four hours before kick-off, during matches and up to four hours after the final whistle. Continue reading...