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YSU WOMEN TO PLAY AT USC
YOUNGSTOWN - The Youngstown State women’s basketball team will play at Big Ten member Southern California on Dec. 13.
It will be the first meeting between the two schools. YSU will take on an opponent from the Big Ten for the third consecutive campaign after playing at Michigan State in 2025-26 and at Ohio State in 2024-25. Youngstown State’s contest at USC will mark the program’s second game against a team located in California in the last 15 years. Most recently, the Penguins faced Sacramento State in a neutral-site game in Hawaii on Nov. 20, 2016. YSU’s last game in the Golden State was a visit to Loyola Marymount on Nov. 25, 2011.
“When constructing our non-conference schedule, it was important for me to challenge this group but also provide them with experiences that will last a lifetime,” YSU coach Melissa Jackson said. “Obviously, there is a lot of excitement for JuJu’s return as well as the nationally ranked recruiting classes USC has brought in. What an incredible experience for our program to travel to LA and compete against one of the best in the country.”
USC returns guard JuJu Watkins who sat out her junior season due to an ACL injury. Many expect a healthy Watkins to be the top pick in the 2027 WNBA draft.
CLIPPER SERIES
COLUMBIANA -- The fourth and final race in the 2026 Clipper Cross County Series will be held at 7 p.m. today behind Columbiana High School.
The race will be on the 3-mile high school course at the Ward Athletic Complex.
Entry fee is $10. Runners can preregister online or sign up before the race beginning at 6 p.m.
YANKEES STRIKE FINANCING AGREEMENT
NEW YORK -- Yankee Global Enterprises, the holding company of the New York Yankees, announced Tuesday a $2.6 billion financing agreement with affiliates of Apollo Sports Capital that will provide capital for the franchise’s continued growth and refinance existing debt.
The agreement combines credit and equity financing and is expected to close soon.
Despite the deal, the Steinbrenner family will retain full control of the Yankees. Hal Steinbrenner will remain the team’s managing general partner and Major League Baseball’s control person for the franchise.
Al Tylis, CEO of Apollo Sports Capital, will join the Yankee Global Enterprises board, which will expand by one seat.
“We welcome Apollo to the Yankees family,” Steinbrenner said. “We are continually seeking ways to strengthen our positioning, and this partnership allows us to explore pursuing strategic opportunities.”
Tylis called the Yankees “one of the most iconic franchises in sports” and said Apollo looks forward to supporting the organization’s pursuit of championships.
Apollo Sports Capital, launched in 2025, is a permanent capital platform focused on investments across the global sports and live-events industry. The Yankees deal represents one of its largest partnerships since its launch.
Yankee Global Enterprises also owns stakes in Legends Hospitality, the YES Network, New York City FC and AC Milan.
Apollo, a global alternative asset manager, reported approximately $1.05 trillion in assets under management as of June 30.
PLAYER PRACTICED WITH SNAKE IN HELMET
MAUMELLE, Ark. (AP) -- A high school football player in Arkansas had every right to be rattled after finding a venomous snake inside his helmet during practice.
The Maumelle High student felt unusual movement inside his headgear following warmups last week and brought his helmet to an assistant coach for inspection. A slithering 2-foot cottonmouth was discovered behind some padding.
The pit viper was so reluctant to exit the helmet that police officers had to pour water into it to force the snake out and into a bag. Animal services technicians arrived a few minutes later, identified the snake as a deadly cottonmouth and took it to a wooded area far from the school.
Cottonmouths are the second-most venomous snakes found in Arkansas.
Animal services director Chris Davis said the player wore the helmet for nearly an hour and was fortunate he wasn’t bitten.
“It was unreal,” Davis said. “You had to kind of be there and take pictures to say this was real.”
The player grabbed a different helmet and continued practice. But the situation caused the head coach to reiterate to his team that players should examine their equipment carefully before using it, checking for insects -- or maybe something larger and more dangerous.
THOMPSON ANNOUNCES PREGNANCY
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Lexi Thompson’s semi-retirement is about to get a lot more busy. She announced Tuesday she’s going to be a mother.
Thompson, who has 11 LPGA victories including a major when she was 19, got married earlier this year and posted on Instagram a photo with husband Max Provost and photos of the sonogram of a girl due in February.
“The best chapter of our lives is just beginning and we are so blessed and grateful. Baby girl, we already love you more than you’ll ever know,” she wrote.
Thompson is playing this week in the Standard Portland Classic, her first tournament since the Dow Championship team event in June. She announced at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2024 that year would be her last full season. She played 13 times last year and reached the Tour Championship.
Thompson’s last LPGA title was in 2019.