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Tour de France or Snore de France?

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 08:34:36 EDT

It was close, but another victory for Chris Froome and Sky prompts questions about parity in cycling, writes Jason Gay.

Buyer Beware: MLB Trade Deadline Deals Rarely Pay Off

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 12:26:22 EDT

The average return to playoff teams during the last two months of the pennant race has been less than one win.

The Right Kind of Reckless---and a French Open Title

Sun, 11 Jun 2017 00:37:50 EDT

One of the most entertaining things in tennis is watching a talented player totally go for it—as in, throw out every trace of fear or trepidation or caution, snuggle up to risk and recklessness, and let the racket and the aggression fly.

Even When Boston Loses, It Wins

Fri, 19 May 2017 16:23:15 EDT

A lopsided trade and a little luck give the Celtics a No. 1 pick—and another contender for a town gorged on championships

Why Caeleb Dressel Is Unlikely to Match Michael Phelps's Gold Haul

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 07:46:30 EDT

Caeleb Dressel just won seven golds at swimming’s world championships, but the lineup for the 2020 Tokyo Games isn’t as favorable.

The New Moneyball, With Lots and Lots of Money

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:07:56 EDT

The Los Angeles Dodgers have baseball’s highest payroll but they haven’t just used their financial muscle to load up on stars. They assembled a powerhouse by focusing on the fringes of the roster.

Roger Federer Is Just Ridiculous

Mon, 17 Jul 2017 08:20:06 EDT

With another Wimbledon in the books, Roger Federer is writing a late, legendary chapter in his great career.

Jay Cutler, Dolphins Could Be the Perfect Fit

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 12:41:25 EDT

Jay Cutler’s return to the NFL is good news for fans who enjoy watching quarterbacks fling passes deep downfield.

One Last Dash for Usain Bolt

Fri, 04 Aug 2017 08:07:20 EDT

Usain Bolt is set to contest one last 100-meter sprint on Saturday night at the world championships in London, his final individual event before a long-planned retirement.

Maria Sharapova Gets Wild Card Into U.S. Open

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 15:31:24 EDT

The U.S. Open announced that Maria Sharapova has been given a wild card into the women’s singles tournament.

Confessions of a Zwift Addict

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 13:13:34 EDT

A social-oriented video game makes obsessives out of basement cyclists. Can it also grow a new generation of pros?

Jay Cutler Is Making a Comeback

Sun, 06 Aug 2017 15:04:00 EDT

The Miami Dolphins agreed to sign quarterback Jay Cutler, who just three months ago called it quits, according to multiple reports.

Stop Saying Tom Brady Is Old!

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 17:12:04 EDT

Tom Brady is turning 40, and sports still doesn’t know how to handle it, writes Jason Gay.

LaVar Ball and the NBA's Daddy Issues

Tue, 09 May 2017 12:56:34 EDT

LaVar Ball, an over-the-top sports father, has basketball and the sports media on edge. What does his talented son Lonzo Ball really want?

In July, Pitchers Have Barely Been Able to Get Jose Altuve Out

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 15:30:38 EDT

Since 1913, there have only been seven instances of a player going through a calendar month with at least 100 plate appearances and a .500 batting average. Jose Altuve could join that exclusive club with a few more good games.

South Korea Prepares for the World's Most Dangerous Olympics

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 04:18:57 EDT

There is hope that the Pyeongchang Games will promote harmony between South and North Korea but recent events are causing concern.

Are We Doubting LeBron James and Cleveland Again?

Mon, 29 May 2017 20:33:40 EDT

LeBron James and the defending champion Cavaliers are in a third consecutive NBA final with the Golden State Warriors—and once more, the overwhelming opinion is that this championship is the Warriors’ to lose.

No Time for 18 Holes of Golf? Let's Play Five

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 09:22:14 EDT

More golf courses are experimenting with offerings that are shorter and cheaper than the traditional 18-hole round.

Dodgers, Yankees Make Big Moves for Pitching

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 18:40:44 EDT

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired pitcher Yu Darvish from the Texas Rangers, while the New York Yankees traded for Oakland A’s pitcher Sonny Gray.

For Some Quarterbacks, the Hits Just Keep on Coming

Fri, 11 Aug 2017 11:30:16 EDT

There is a simple formula to winning games in the NFL: Keep your quarterback upright.

For Baseball, Call Me Booger

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 16:44:29 EDT

A late summer stunt has baseball players digging deep for goofy nicknames

Sex, Drugs, and Cycling: Andy Samberg On the Bike

Sat, 08 Jul 2017 14:35:27 EDT

In “Tour de Pharmacy,” the comedian satirizes cycling’s most polluted era

Jim Harbaugh's Advice to Football Recruits: Play Soccer

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 12:50:55 EDT

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh is the counterintuitive outlier in a sport that breeds conservative thinkers. In that way his unlikely embrace of soccer is perfectly Harbaughian.

Wayne Newton Is Ready for Some Football

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 23:28:08 EDT

The Las Vegas legend believes the Raiders’ move to the desert will be a slam danke.

Jason Gay: Knicks Look as Tormented as Ever

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:52:37 EDT

Phil Jackson is on his way out of New York—and a tormented franchise looks as tormented as ever.

Michael Phelps vs. Shark: Who Ya Got?

Mon, 17 Jul 2017 21:17:47 EDT

There’s nothing wrong with a little shamelessness in sports. Jason Gay on the epic publicity stunt pitting Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps versus a Great White Shark.

PGA Championship Will Move to May in 2019

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 15:42:29 EDT

The PGA Championship will move to May starting in 2019, golf’s governing bodies announced.

Tennis Star Stan Wawrinka Is Still Hurting

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 15:13:45 EDT

Tennis star Stan Wawrinka said he will miss two U.S. Open warm-up events, putting his U.S. Open status in doubt.

Jason Gay: My Wisconsin-Michigan Revenge Fantasy

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 16:09:17 EDT

Jason Gay is excited that his alma mater Wisconsin is in the Sweet 16 after beating Villanova. But then Michigan had to go and spoil the fun, by also pulling off a tournament upset.

NFL's New Tanking Strategy: Save Till Next Year

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 10:08:37 EDT

The NFL’s salary cap for this season is a record $167 million per team—but many teams are hoarding the extra cash.

The Falcons Look to Shake the Super Bowl Hangover

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 16:54:41 EDT

After blowing a 28-3 lead to the Patriots in the Super Bowl, Atlanta is trying to use the memory as motivation this season

Why a Top College Football Prospect Chose Princeton

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 17:06:00 EDT

Brevin White could’ve chosen to play football at almost any college he wanted. He chose Princeton.

Finding Rory: McIlroy's Quest to Be Great Again

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 15:06:08 EDT

Rory McIlroy appeared poised to dominate golf, but after going three years without winning a major title, it feels like something is missing.

Justin Thomas Wins the PGA Championship

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 17:28:49 EDT

Justin Thomas won the PGA Championship on Sunday, cementing the 24-year-old’s place as one of golf’s brightest young stars.

'Phelps vs. Shark,' Reviewed by a Shark

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 22:10:08 EDT

Discovery’s much-ballyhooed race between human swimmer Michael Phelps and a great white shark prompts a cold-blooded assessment.

Los Angeles Reaches Deal to Host 2028 Olympics

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 23:16:44 EDT

Officials in Los Angeles and leaders of the International Olympic Committee have reached a deal to bring the Summer Games to Southern California in 2028.

How Much Will You Pay For That Body?

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 00:26:01 EDT

Boutique fitness companies promise much more than a traditional gym. But is it crazy to pay $30 for a single class?

15 Well-Kept Secrets of the Masters

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 12:40:07 EDT

Augusta National is a golf paradise with unspoken rules. It’s possible you don’t know them all. It’s also possible some of these aren’t real.

Jason Gay: Did You See That Florida Shot? It Was Crazy.

Sat, 25 Mar 2017 16:08:33 EDT

A leaping 3-pointer shocks Wisconsin and sends the Gators to a showdown with South Carolina in the Elite Eight.

That Crazy Golf Ruling: Fair or Too Much?

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 00:13:19 EDT

A viewer email provokes a costly penalty for LPGA player Lexi Thompson and sets the golf world aflame.

Winning? Not Much in Washington, D.C.

Sun, 14 May 2017 19:30:07 EDT

A Wizards Game 7 offers a chance to diminish Washington, D.C.’s growing image as a pro sports punch line.

NFL Explores Tie-Up With Firm Owned by Jerry Jones and N.Y. Yankees

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 10:24:10 EDT

A combination of Legends Hospitality and NFL On Location would potentially provide travel and ticket services for the world’s biggest sporting events

Jeter Group to Buy Miami Marlins in $1.2 Billion Deal

Sat, 12 Aug 2017 20:31:23 EDT

Former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter plans be a limited partner in the group led by venture capitalist Bruce Sherman, who will be the controlling owner.

Roger Goodell Says Culture on Head Injuries Has Changed

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 22:39:48 EDT

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the culture around head injuries in football has changed. His comments came in response to a recent study that showed the effects of head trauma on former football players.

My Flimsy Farewell to Football

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:37:10 EDT

Another round of anthem protests has Jason Gay ready to walk away from the game. Or...maybe not.

Three Big Questions on the NFL and Las Vegas

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 18:09:12 EDT

The Raiders stiff Oakland for Nevada’s money and a new home. Is it a gamble—or a clever entryway for sports gaming?

Could Football Ever End?

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:04:02 EDT

A new concussion study provokes more existential worry in the NFL—and, reportedly, an early retirement.

Booting Peter Sagan From the Tour de France: Fair or Foul?

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 08:34:49 EDT

A legendary sprinter crashes and a star cyclist is expelled from the Tour de France, and the arguments rage on. Jason Gay on the crazy crash involving Peter Sagan and Mark Cavendish.

American Idiot's Guide to the French Open

Sun, 11 Jun 2017 11:47:56 EDT

Columnist Jason Gay arrives in Paris for the finale at Roland Garros—and is impressed, but a little underdressed.

Colin Kaepernick Is NFL's Biggest Offseason Puzzle

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 13:45:30 EDT

The polarizing quarterback, who created a firestorm with his national-anthem protests last year, still hasn’t been signed despite playing decent as a starter last year

Rickie Fowler Stalks Major Breakthrough

Fri, 11 Aug 2017 20:40:03 EDT

Rickie Fowler has won more than $26 million on the PGA Tour and is one of golf’s most recognizable faces, but a major title still eludes him.

Mariners Acquire Yonder Alonso for the Stretch Run

Sun, 06 Aug 2017 14:40:53 EDT

The Seattle Mariners acquired All-Star first baseman Yonder Alonso from the Oakland Athletics for rookie outfielder Boog Powell on Sunday.

Baseball's Biggest Teardown Could Provide New Blueprint

Wed, 26 Jul 2017 21:23:02 EDT

The Chicago White Sox have embarked on a scorched-earth rebuild that could set a new standard for how to repair a struggling franchise.

Phil Mickelson's Easy Choice

Sun, 04 Jun 2017 23:00:30 EDT

Phil Mickelson will skip the U.S. Open for a family moment. Who would argue it isn’t the right move?

Have You Seen Enough? The Warriors Look Like a Team for the Ages

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 15:07:08 EDT

It’s just one game, but Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and co. look like too much even for LeBron James.

White House Gronked by Super Patriots

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:23:21 EDT

Wednesday’s White House meeting between the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and President Donald Trump felt an exception to the usual congratulatory grip n’ grin.

A 36-Year-Old Building Super Dreams of Skiing in the Olympics---He Just Might

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 15:01:10 EDT

Six months after discovering a natural talent for racing, Besnik Sokoli trains in a boiler room hoping to compete for his native Kosovo.

Dallas Bids Farewell to Tony Romo

Wed, 08 Mar 2017 20:52:00 EST

A quarterback’s expected release signals a bittersweet end—but that’s how everything ends in the NFL.

Soccer's Game of Thrones

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 16:53:13 EDT

As the Premier League kicks off its season, it’s worth remembering one truth of English soccer: the average Premier League manager lasts less than 18 months.

Jay Cutler: The Delightful, Indifferent Face of Football

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 16:54:01 EDT

Jay Cutler is excited to come play in Miami. Or not. Who knows?

How Junior Golf Fueled the Rise of Jordan Spieth

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 08:45:21 EDT

Pro golf’s youth movement, led by Jordan Spieth, stems from a sophisticated junior program that has grown even as overall participation in the game has declined.

Hey, Final Four: Let's Get Small!

Sun, 26 Mar 2017 21:41:10 EDT

It’s time for college basketball to end its obsession with gigantic football stadiums.

Exercise on Vacation: Essential or Pure Evil?

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 14:49:36 EDT

A family holiday often means bad food and slothful habits. Jason Gay says it doesn’t have to be this way.

Steve Bartman, Infamous Cubs Fan, Gets World Series Ring

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 15:25:42 EDT

The team granted Bartman a ring, leading him to say he hoped the gesture leads to “healing and reconciliation”

Jason Gay: I Don't Know Hockey, I'm Ashamed, and Need Help

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 10:26:52 EDT

Jason Gay has a sports confession: “I don’t know hockey, I’m ashamed, and need help.”

My NBA MVP Vote: No More Awards Shows!

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:22:02 EDT

Not every human action has to be packaged into middling television, including the NBA’s MVP announcement, writes Jason Gay.

Can Chewing Gum Boost Your Golf Game?

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:33:10 EDT

Jordan Spieth’s impromptu decision to chew gum during the British Open has sparked an unlikely debate.

The Baseball Team That Computer Models Can't Figure Out

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 23:45:29 EDT

The Kansas City Royals have exceeded the expectation of every prominent computer projection over the past five years.

We Need to Relax Like Roger Federer

Fri, 21 Jul 2017 06:11:15 EDT

The secret to workplace success—and career longevity—appears to be smartly executed time off.

Is the NFL Draft Must-See?

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:05:09 EDT

The NFL Draft is a brilliant example of off-season sports programming. But in an instant-update universe, is football’s selection show destination television?

U.S. Swimmer Sails to a Triple Crown

Sat, 29 Jul 2017 20:54:40 EDT

Caeleb Dressel became the first swimmer ever to win three gold medals on a single night at either the world championships or the Olympics.

The Secret of Soccer's Best Super-Sub

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 04:39:10 EDT

Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is the rare soccer player whose most dangerous position is starting every game on the bench.

Isaiah Thomas's Greatness in Grief

Mon, 01 May 2017 16:33:48 EDT

Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas plays through a tragedy—elevating his franchise and a city.

Let's Put Bad Sports Parents in a Box

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 08:28:32 EDT

Referees are fleeing youth sports because of anger on the sidelines—but Jason Gay has a proposal to quiet the bad apples.

Bob Dylan Must Play Minnesota's Super Bowl

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 10:54:44 EDT

Britney Spears is a rumored to be under consideration for the Super Bowl halftime show, but the Nobel-winning legend should be the pick, writes Jason Gay.

Alvarez, Golovkin Promise a Better Fight Than Whats-Their-Faces

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 23:19:45 EDT

A bona fide mega-fight between two genuine boxing stars faces a strange competitor in Floyd Mayweather’s tangle with Conor McGregor.

One Year After a Horrific Crash, Annemiek van Vleuten Is Back on Top

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 16:51:55 EDT

One year after suffering a severe concussion and three broken vertebrae in a crash at the Rio Olympics, Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten is back on the bike—and winning.

You Want to Argue Football With Gisele?

Mon, 22 May 2017 09:51:30 EDT

Comments from Tom Brady’s supermodel spouse spark an uproar in the NFL—because they point to an uncomfortable truth.

The Olympics: the Harshest Hangover in Sports

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:23:42 EDT

Jason Gay: A depressing report from Rio underlines the economic and moral hazard of the Olympics.

How a One-Time Washout Explains the Modern NBA

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 16:00:18 EDT

The Rockets signing P.J. Tucker—yes, P.J. Tucker—was the most revealing move of the league’s crazy summer

Mayweather & McGregor's F-Bomb Circus

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 08:19:12 EDT

It’s a profane week of hype for the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor. They need to amp up the hype, of course, because from every reasonable standard, what they’re offering is a mismatch.

Meaningful Innings in Washington, D.C.

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 15:03:25 EDT

The day after a shooting that shook the town, Republicans and Democrats met on the diamond for baseball and unity, writes Jason Gay.

Shorter Swing Leads to Home Run Boost for Giancarlo Stanton

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 17:05:37 EDT

It appears that Giancarlo Stanton has figured out that he doesn’t have to swing wildly from his heels to send baseballs soaring into the stratosphere.

Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott Suspended for Six Games

Fri, 11 Aug 2017 18:17:57 EDT

The NFL suspended Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy—after a long investigation into multiple alleged domestic violence incidents from last year.

My $170 NCAA Championship Nosebleed

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 22:32:27 EDT

Is a football stadium all wrong for college basketball’s biggest game? A night spent watching North Carolina-Gonzaga from the rafters.

Stop Needling the 'Knitting Lady' at Pittsburgh Penguins Games

Wed, 10 May 2017 08:46:37 EDT

Who’s that woman madly stitching behind the glass during the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Michelle Miller, an NHL superfan, prefers to follow the puck while making socks, a shawl, or a baby blanket.

After No. 2, Can Tom Dumoulin Stay No. 1?

Fri, 26 May 2017 11:30:43 EDT

A pit stop during the Giro d’Italia has Dutch cyclist Tom Dumoulin hanging on to a slim lead—and a sport empathizing over his urgent choice.

Mayweather and McGregor's Mindless Summer Fight

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 21:56:19 EDT

Boxer Floyd Mayweather and UFC star Conor McGregor will tangle in August in Las Vegas. Are you intrigued enough to watch?

Why the Yankees Will Win the World Series---Unless They Miss the Playoffs

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 16:18:32 EDT

The New York Yankees are quite possibly better equipped than any other team in baseball for the pressure-cooker format of the playoffs. But first, they actually have to make the playoffs.

Usain Bolt Takes Bronze in 100-Meter World Championship

Sun, 06 Aug 2017 08:23:05 EDT

Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt finished third in the men’s 100-meter world championship final in London, behind Americans Justin Gatlin and Christian Coleman.

Farewell to Running's Great Gandalf

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 19:25:35 EDT

Beloved master’s marathoner Ed Whitlock dies at 86—first 70-something to run a sub three-hour marathon; ran 3:54 in October at age 85.

Rafael Nadal and the French Open's Perfect Romance

Sun, 11 Jun 2017 23:13:59 EDT

Jason Gay: Rafael Nadal wins his 10th singles title at Roland Garros in a rout that felt like a Parisian lovefest.

Hockeymoon in Vegas: Crazy Enough to Work?

Thu, 04 May 2017 18:00:59 EDT

It’s true that Last Vegas loves a big, juicy risk—it’s in the DNA of the town. But is a pro hockey expansion team a leap too far? Jason Gay talks to the marketing man trying to sell the NHL’s big bet on Sin City.

The Dodgers Are on a Roll but Fans Remain in the Dark Amid Cable-TV Dispute

Sun, 30 Jul 2017 16:24:31 EDT

A majority of fans in the Los Angeles area can’t watch Dodgers games on television due to a cable-TV contract feud that has lasted for nearly four seasons.

Don't Apologize for Middle Finger, Mr. Met

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 22:01:31 EDT

Mr. Met’s rude gesture stirs controversy and a ballclub’s apology. As a New Yorker, he deserved better, writes Jason Gay.

Rafa and Stan: Who'll Be The Man?

Sat, 10 Jun 2017 02:23:02 EDT

Rafael Nadal plays for an astonishing 10th French Open singles title on Sunday. He’ll have his hands full with another heavy hitter, Stanislas Wawrinka, writes WSJ’s Jason Gay.

Why Paris Saint-Germain Is Set to Break the Bank for Neymar

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 06:18:27 EDT

Paris Saint-Germain will have to pay a record transfer fee of $262 million to pry Neymar from Barcelona. It’s all part of the plan to reorganize the European game by brute force.

Oh Say Can You See…Taylor Swift?

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 19:09:59 EDT

Nashville has a Stanley Cup finalist—and a starry but secret national anthem ritual that’s the best guessing game in sports.

Irish Boxing's New Star---and Swagger

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 18:40:13 EDT

After a controversial loss at the Rio Games, Irish boxer Michael Conlan makes his pro debut at Madison Square Garden on St. Patrick’s Day.