Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
MLB signs three-year media deals with Netflix, NBCUniversal, ESPN
Major League Baseball on Wednesday announced three-year media rights deals with Netflix, NBCUniversal and ESPN. As part of the agreements covering the 2026-28 MLB seasons, Netflix will expand to live baseball event coverage for the first time by carrying MLB documentaries. The streaming giant will also stream an additional MLB special event game each year.
Braves acquire Mauricio Dubon from Astros, sign Raisel Iglesias to 1-year deal
The Atlanta Braves acquired utility player Mauricio Dubon in a trade with the Houston Astros on Wednesday, sending infielder Nick Allen to Houston in the deal. Dubon, 31, won his second Gold Glove award with the Astros this past season, splitting time between second base, shortstop and the outfield. He appeared in 485 games over the last 3 1/2 seasons for Houston after he was traded from San Francisco in May 2022.
NBA roundup: Alperen Sengun, Rockets hold off Cavs
Alperen Sengun scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Kevin Durant added 20 points and the visiting Houston Rockets emerged with a 114-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Sengun also had seven assists in Houston’s fifth straight win.
Ice Hockey-Neck guards mandatory for players at 2026 Winter Olympics, BBC reports
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will make neck guards mandatory for players at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the BBC reported on Wednesday. The decision follows the death of Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson in October 2023 after his neck was cut by a skate blade of another player during a league game.
NHL roundup: Canes rally late, but Wild prevail in shootout
Jesper Wallstedt made 42 saves through regulation and overtime, then stopped all three shots he faced in a shootout to lift the Minnesota Wild to a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night in Saint Paul, Minn. Matt Boldy scored during regulation and tallied the lone goal during the shootout for Minnesota, which won its third straight game. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist, and Brock Faber also scored. Wallstedt shined during overtime and the shootout. He denied Jackson Blake on a breakaway opportunity late in overtime with a kick save, and delighted the home crowd with a kick save and a glove save during the shootout.
Temwa Chawinga earns second straight NWSL MVP award
Temwa Chawinga made history on Wednesday, when the Kansas City Current forward became the first player ever to win consecutive NWSL Most Valuable Player awards. Chawinga scored a league-high 15 goals in 23 games this year after producing a league-record 20 goals in 25 games during 2024.
Report: USMNT to play four friendlies to prepare for World Cup
The U.S. men’s national team plans to play four friendlies in 2026 to gear up for a World Cup on home turf, The Athletic reported Wednesday. The first two matches, to be held in Atlanta in March, reportedly will pit the USMNT against Belgium and Portugal. Those countries just qualified for the World Cup, meaning they don’t have to compete in next year’s European playoff and are available for the exhibition tune-ups at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Top 25 roundup: No. 4 Arizona squeezes past No. 3 UConn
Jaden Bradley’s game-high 21 points included a clutch layup with 16 seconds left in regulation to lift No. 4 Arizona to a 71-67 win over No. 3 UConn in an early-season showdown on Wednesday night in Storrs, Conn. The Wildcats (5-0) used a late 7-0 run to turn a two-point deficit into a lead that they would not relinquish en route to their third win over a ranked team this season. Star freshman Koa Peat added 16 points and 12 rebounds for Arizona, which shot 51.9% in the second half and had a 43-23 advantage on the glass in the game.
Bruins D Charlie McAvoy has facial surgery, out indefinitely
Boston Bruins coach Marco Sturm announced Wednesday that defenseman Charlie McAvoy underwent facial surgery and will be out of the lineup indefinitely. McAvoy was struck in the face by a Noah Dobson slap shot in the second period of the Bruins’ 3-2 victory in Montreal on Saturday. The 2022 Second Team All-Star fell to the ice, bloodied and left the ice surface with assistance from Bruins medical personnel.
Women’s Top 25 roundup: St. John’s stuns No. 18 Oklahoma State
Brooke Moore scored six of her 13 points in the fourth quarter and St. John’s pulled away for a 74-67 upset of No. 18 Oklahoma State on Wednesday night in New York. St. John’s (4-1) had a 10-point halftime lead erased in the third quarter and entered the final frame tied with the ranked visitors 47-47. The Red Storm went on a 10-1 run, capped by Moore’s layup, to open the game back up.
LPGA’s 2026 schedule: 33 events, 13 countries, $132M prize pool
The LPGA Tour’s 2026 schedule features 33 events played in 13 countries with a record prize pool of $132 million. The slate announced Wednesday includes tournaments in 13 states plus the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
