by Fran Stuchbury
Published on September 15, 2026 under International League (IL)
This past week National Lacrosse League announced the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings will cease operations; in the International League, Nashville Sounds pitcher Thomas Pannon tossed the first perfect game in Minor League Baseball since 2017; and Athletic Club Boise revealed it will move up from USL League One to USL Championship next season.
Highlights from this week come from the National Lacrosse League, Premier Lacrosse League, International League, Southern League, United Soccer League One, Major League Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, Women’s National Basketball Association, UPSHOT League, NBA G League, Canadian Elite Basketball League, Canadian Football League, Professional Women’s Hockey League, Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Ultimate Frisbee Association.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) announced that the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings have discontinued operations and will not participate in the 2026-27 season. The NLL will move forward with 12 active member clubs as it prepares for its 40th anniversary season. The decision follows extensive efforts by the League to identify viable paths forward for both franchises. The NLL evaluates the long-term sustainability of its member clubs across several core areas, including committed ownership, venue and lease conditions, local market infrastructure, operational capabilities and sustained investment in the fan experience. “Today is a difficult day for the National Lacrosse League and, most importantly, for the fans, players, employees and partners who have supported the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings,” said NLL Commissioner Brett Frood. “These are proud lacrosse markets with passionate communities, and we are grateful to everyone who has invested their time, energy and belief in these clubs. As we enter our 40th anniversary season, our responsibility is to provide certainty for our constituents and move forward with 12 active member clubs aligned behind the League’s collective future.” Ottawa and Philadelphia remain important markets to the NLL. The League will consider future opportunities in either community if the long-term conditions and partners necessary to support a sustainable franchise are established.
Top 5 Plays 2025-26 – Ottawa Black Bears
Top 5 Plays 2025-26 – Philadelphia Wings
Premier Lacrosse League
Top Plays of the Semifinals
BASEBALL
International League
Left-hander Thomas Pannone etched his name into baseball history tossing the fifth individual 9-inning perfect game in International League history. He became the first player in the minors to toss an individual 9-inning perfect game since Dominic Mazza on April 25, 2017. Pannone struck out eight Durham batters and completed the feat on just 94 pitches (61 strikes). He didn’t toss more than 12 pitches in any inning. With the first 26 outs under his belt, Pannone worked a 3-0 count to Homer Bush Jr. in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was the first three-ball count since the second inning for Pannone. After landing a fastball on the outer half of the plate for strike one, Pannone got Bush Jr. to ground out to Eduardo Garcia at shortstop who fired the ball to Blake Burke at first base for the final out. It’s the third perfect game in Nashville Sounds history as Pannone joins LHP Manny Parra and RHP John Wasdin. Parra completed his perfect game on June 25, 2007, at Round Rock while Wasdin tossed the first in team history on April 7, 2003, vs. Albuquerque.
Brewers left-hander Thomas Pannone strikes out eight over nine perfect innings for Triple-A Nashville Sounds
Nationals center fielder Andrew Pinckney robs a home run for Triple-A Rochester Red Wings
Southern League
Brewers No. 5 prospect Andrew Fischer crushes his 47th homer of the year, the most in a single season for a Minor Leaguer this century
SOCCER
United Soccer League One
Athletic Club Boise announced it will move from USL League One to the USL Championship for the 2027 season, bringing Division II professional soccer to Boise following the club’s inaugural season and the strong support it has received from fans, partners and the broader community. The move will bring a higher level of professional competition to Idaho, matching Athletic Club Boise against some of the USL Championship’s most established clubs and expanding Boise’s presence on the national soccer stage. The club will compete alongside teams including Louisville City FC, Sacramento Republic FC and Phoenix Rising FC, with USL Championship matches reaching fans nationwide through the league’s broadcast partnerships with CBS Sports and ESPN. “From the beginning, Boise has shown us that our community is ready to support something ambitious,” said Brad Stith, Co-Founder and CEO of Athletic Club Boise. “Our community has shown up big time. They’ve wrapped their arms around our players and our club, and that support is the driving force behind USL’s invitation to join Championship. Boise made this happen.”
Athletic Club Boise unveils new stadium upgrades in preparation for 2027 USL Championship promotion.
Greenville Triumph SC announced that Dave Dixon will depart his role as head coach, effective immediately. Assistant Coach Joel Tyson will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season. Dixon joined the Triumph ahead of the 2026 campaign as the third head coach in club history, taking over following the retirement of Rick Wright. His first season in Greenville marked an important period of transition for the club, including the move into its new home at GE Vernova Park. Greenville Triumph SC announced today that Dave Dixon will depart his role as head coach, effective immediately. Assistant Coach Joel Tyson will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Dixon joined the Triumph ahead of the 2026 campaign as the third head coach in club history, taking over following the retirement of Rick Wright. His first season in Greenville marked an important period of transition for the club, including the move into its new home at GE Vernova Park.
Major League Soccer
Nashville Sam Surridge STOPPAGE TIME EQUALIZER at Miami!
National Women’s Soccer League
Racing Louisville fans are reacting to reports the NWSL team could be sold and relocated, despite the club saying it plans to return next season.
The Houston Dash announced that Fabrice Gautrat and Twila Kilgore will not return for the 2027 regular season. The search for the next Dash head coach is underway and will be managed by club leadership. Jaime Frias will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. “Our conviction in this group has not wavered. We believe in the quality of this team and its ability to succeed both this season and beyond. We also have a responsibility to evaluate our trajectory and determine what is needed to achieve the ambitions we have for this team. Ultimately, this decision reflects our commitment to those ambitions and our determination to continue moving the club forward,” Angela Hucles Mangano, president of women’s soccer said. “We want to thank Fabrice and Twila for their commitment to the organization and the work they have done on behalf of this organization. They have invested significantly in our players and our club, and we are grateful for their contributions. We wish them both continued success in their careers.”
A major shakeup for the Houston Dash with just six games left. The club is changing leadership as it sits near the bottom of the league.
The Kansas City Current announced that it has mutually parted ways with Sporting Director Vlatko Andonovski. Both parties determined that Andonovski’s requested transition from coaching into the Sporting Director role at the end of last season was not the right fit. Andonovski joined the KC Current’s technical staff as head coach for the 2024 season and then sought the move to Sporting Director in November 2025.
Northern Super League
The Northern Super League is taking another major step forward in its growth and evolution, with Winnipeg’s Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex set to host a new stadium as the official home of the city’s Northern Super League (NSL) club. The stadium and other facility enhancements are being made possible through a significant joint investment from the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg. As part of the transformation, SixFive Stadiums will lead the development of a new, purpose-built modular stadium at Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex, creating a fan-first, high-energy environment designed specifically for professional soccer with benefits to the whole Winnipeg soccer and sporting community. The new venue will bring fans closer to the action while offering a vast array of seating options, including social areas, supporter and premium seating and suites. It features new FIFA-grade turf, upgraded lighting, and modern amenities designed for both professional players and the local Winnipeg soccer community.
Vancouver Rise FC announced that the club has parted ways with head coach Anja Heiner-Møller. Rise FC will be led on the field for the remainder of the 2026 season by the continuing coaching staff of Iain Darbyshire, Katie Collar, and Erin McNulty. Darbyshire will take on the role of interim head coach. Heiner-Møller, the first head coach in Rise FC history, departs the club with an 18W-18L-8D record in the Northern Super League (NSL) regular season, as well as a memorable playoff run in the inaugural season that ended with a first ever NSL championship. “We are grateful to Anja for her many contributions to the club, making history as an important part of Rise FC winning the inaugural Diana B. Matheson Cup,” said Robyn Gayle, Rise FC chief soccer officer. “This was a difficult decision and we wish Anja the very best. We have built high expectations, and it’s on all of us, staff and players, to continue raising the standards to meet them. We are focused on moving forward and making a strong push to finish the season successfully.”
United Soccer League Championship
Soccer fans rejoice! The city’s new soccer team now has a name: Reno City FC. Team officials revealed the name, crest, and colors Wednesday night at the Reno Public Market. The club is expected to join the United Soccer League, or USL, for the 2028 season. Reno City FC is planning to build a 6,000-seat soccer-only stadium at the old Jones West Ford site on Kietzke Lane.
The United Soccer League (USL) announced that its men’s professional clubs have approved a new revenue-sharing model, creating greater alignment around the league’s future and supporting a broader strategy focused on growing soccer across the country. The model is the latest in a series of significant changes at the USL over the past year under President and CEO Paul McDonough and with the support of BellTower Partners, led by former Carlyle Group CEO Kewsong Lee. New leadership, increased investment and greater collaboration with the league’s owners and players have helped shape a clearer vision for the USL’s place in the future of American soccer. “We have a tremendous opportunity to grow soccer in this country, and we’re much clearer today about the role the USL can play in doing that,” McDonough said. “We can bring professional soccer to more communities, give more players and coaches meaningful environments to develop and create a competitive system where games matter and clubs have something to play for. Our owners have invested tremendously in this league, and today’s vote shows the alignment we have around where we’re going and what we’re building together. There’s a lot of work ahead, but I’m excited about what we can accomplish together.”
BASKETBALL
Women’s National Basketball Association
USA vs. France 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Gold Medal Game. Stars showed out on both sides, but USA came out on top. Breanna Stewart led the way with 22 PTS, 10 REB and 4 AST, while Jackie Young added 18 PTS, 6 REB and 5 AST. For France, Dominique Malonga finished with 21 PTS and 6 REB, and Gabby Williams added 20 PTS, 7 AST and 3 STL.
UPSHPOT League
UPSHOT Baltimore, the fifth franchise of the UPSHOT League, a professional women’s basketball league owned, managed, and operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, unveiled its official team name and logo: Baltimore Starlings. The announcement marks the next major milestone for the franchise ahead of its inaugural season, which begins May 2027 at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, managed by the Oak View Group. “The Baltimore Starlings represent everything this city stands for: determination, grit, and pride,” said Sonia Chase, President of the Baltimore Starlings and University of Maryland Terrapin alum. “Just like the flocks that fill our skies every fall, our fans, our players, and our city are strongest when we move together. This name and this logo were shaped by the people of Baltimore, and we couldn’t be prouder to bring this identity to life for our hometown.” The Starlings name was selected through the franchise’s “Name the Team” contest, which invited Baltimore fans to submit and vote on ideas earlier this year. The winning name references a bird that’s long been part of Baltimore’s skyline – one known for traveling in numbers and moving as a united front, a fitting symbol for the resilience, unity, and collective strength the franchise hopes to embody on and off the court.
UPSHOT Baltimore Name and Logo Reveal Video
NBA G League
The Motor City Cruise, NBA G League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, announced today the organization’s 2026-27 coaching staff. Additionally, Steve Scalzi has been named the franchise’s third head coach. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the Motor City Cruise and build on the success this program has established over its first five seasons,” said Scalzi. “The Cruise have already made a tremendous impact in the G League, including two playoff appearances and the first playoff victory in franchise history last season. I’m looking forward to continuing that momentum and helping our players and staff reach new levels of success. I also want to recognize the tremendous job Jamelle (McMillan) has done leading this program, with 10 players earning NBA call-ups or contract conversions during his tenure. That’s what the G League is all about – developing players, coaches and staff, while creating opportunities and competing to win, and I’m excited to continue that work here in Detroit.” Scalzi, 42, has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons, helping develop the organization’s young core, including Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson. In February 2026, he and the Pistons coaching staff, under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, represented the Eastern Conference at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Scalzi also served as head coach of the Pistons during the 2026 NBA Summer League.
The Austin Spurs announced Chris Kent as the team’s new head coach, making him the 12th head coach in franchise history. Kent joins Austin after serving as assistant coach and director of player development at Florida State University during the 2025-26 season, helping guide the Seminoles to an 18-15 record, including a 10-8 mark in ACC play. Prior to Florida State, Kent spent two seasons (2023-25) as an assistant coach with the Rip City Remix.
Angola native Chris Kent named head coach of Austin Spurs in NBA G League
The Atlanta Hawks and College Park Skyhawks announced that Ryan Silverstein has been named the franchise’s fifth general manager, while Sanjay Lumpkin will serve as the team’s fifth head coach and Reggis Onwukamuche will serve as the team’s first associate head coach. Both Lumpkin and Onwukamuche played for the Skyhawks during the 2019-20 season, College Park’s first season in the Southside. Silverstein, entering his 10th season with Atlanta, will continue his role within the Hawks front office as vice president, cap strategy & player personnel, while Lumpkin and Onwukamuche will remain assistant coaches for Atlanta under Head Coach Quin Snyder.
Canadian Elite Basketball League
CEBL Top 10 Three Pointers of the Season
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
CFL Plays of the Week
Indoor Football League
Two of the most accomplished coaches in arena football and indoor football history are teaming up once again. The Athens Crush have hired veteran coach Les Moss as the team’s Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the franchise’s inaugural 2027 season. The move reunites Moss with Athens Head Coach Rob Keefe for the sixth time. The two have worked together throughout their careers in both the Arena Football League (AFL) and Indoor Football League (IFL), including stops in Albany, Iowa, Northern Arizona, Bay Area, and Orlando. And wherever Keefe and Moss have coached together, success has followed. The duo has reached the playoffs in every season they have shared a sideline, including two league championships: the 2019 ArenaBowl championship in Albany and the 2022 IFL National Championship in Northern Arizona. “Coach Moss is an outstanding offensive mind, a tremendous teacher and, most importantly, a winner,” said Keefe. “Having someone with his experience and championship pedigree alongside me as we build the Crush from the ground up is a tremendous advantage.”
HOCKEY
ECHL
The Adirondack Thunder organization is saddened to learn about the passing of Barry Melrose. Melrose’s name is hard to miss throughout Adirondack hockey history. After five seasons in the NHL with Winnipeg and Toronto, Melrose began the 1983-84 season in Detroit before making his Adirondack debut on January 7, 1984 against the Sherbrooke Jets. He spent parts of four seasons on the blue line with Adirondack, playing over 200 games for the Wings. He was on the Calder Cup-winning roster in 1986, though he missed the playoffs due to a late season injury. The Adirondack Thunder organization is saddened to learn about the passing of Barry Melrose.
Melrose’s name is hard to miss throughout Adirondack hockey history. After five seasons in the NHL with Winnipeg and Toronto, Melrose began the 1983-84 season in Detroit before making his Adirondack debut on January 7, 1984 against the Sherbrooke Jets. He spent parts of four seasons on the blue line with Adirondack, playing over 200 games for the Wings. He was on the Calder Cup-winning roster in 1986, though he missed the playoffs due to a late season injury.
American Hockey League
The Tucson Roadrunners announced that Bob Hoffman, who has served as Team President for the past decade, is stepping down from his role ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 American Hockey League season. In addition, Rob Mattina has been named the Roadrunners’ Interim President, effective October 1, 2026. To ensure a seamless operational transition, Hoffman will remain with the franchise as a Special Advisor to the organization. During Hoffman’s 10-year tenure, the Roadrunners established themselves as the premier professional organization in Southern Arizona, achieving significant growth and historic milestones throughout each season. The Roadrunners were honored this past season with an American Hockey League Group Sales Award and recognized for Corporate Partnership Growth during the 2025-26 season. Under Hoffman’s leadership, the Roadrunners have solidified their position as a pillar of the Tucson community and a true community asset.
Professional Women’s Hockey League
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and Scripps Sports announced a national broadcast rights agreement for the 2026-27 season, a landmark partnership that represents the league’s first season-long national television package in the United States bringing PWHL competition to fans throughout the season. With the league expanding to 12 teams for the upcoming campaign, the agreement marks another significant milestone in the PWHL’s continued evolution. Scripps Sports will produce and televise a featured Saturday “Game of the Week” that will air exclusively in the U.S. on ION, Scripps’ national sports and entertainment network. ION is available over-the-air, across pay television, connected TV platforms and on streaming services, reaching more than 128 million households nationally. ION also will return as the exclusive U.S. home for the league’s Walter Cup Finals, in addition to airing a Walter Cup Playoff series, continuing to elevate the league’s biggest moments on the national stage. Scripps Sports Network, the free, 24/7 ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel available on The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Prime Video, Fire TV, Google TV Freeplay, Tubi and other major streaming platforms, will also broadcast two national PWHL games per week.
Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports, joins BNN Bloomberg to discuss why the company is betting on the PWHL.
The Vancouver Goldeneyes announced that Madison Samoskevich has been re-signed to a one-year Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Standard Player Agreement through the 2026-27 season. The Goldeneyes previously extended a qualifying offer to retain the contract rights to Samoskevich in Phase 5 of the PWHL’s Expansion Player Distribution Process. Selected in the fifth round (39th overall) at the 2025 PWHL Draft, Samoskevich displayed versatility during her rookie campaign by contributing to the lineup as both a defender and a forward. The 23-year-old from Sandy Hook, CT, played 23 games on Vancouver’s blue line last season before moving to centre for the team’s final four games. She scored her first career PWHL goal on April 14, her first game of the season as a forward, and was the third Vancouver rookie to hit the first goal milestone during the 2025-26 season.
Federal Prospects Hockey League
The Motor City Rockers have named Todd Watson as their fourth coach in franchise history. Watson, 59, brings a strong hockey resume to Motor City. “If you look at Todd’s coaching resume and profile, he shows a pattern of growth and success.” Field said. “He’s been part of championship winning teams while in head coaching and general manager roles. Spending almost a decade in those positions in the OHL while working and developing NHL talent is ideal for what we are looking for here.”
OHL
The Brampton Steelheads have completed a trade with the Sudbury Wolves, sending the rights to forward Tanner Adams to Sudbury in exchange for 15 draft picks and two league compensatory picks. The Steelheads will receive the following selections from Sudbury: 2027 OHL Priority Selection: Second-round pick (Ottawa), third-round pick (Bradford), fifth-round pick (Peterborough) and 10th-round pick (Sudbury) 2028 OHL Priority Selection: Second-round pick (Windsor), third-round pick (Oshawa), fourth-round pick (Flint) and fifth-round pick (Peterborough) 2029 OHL Priority Selection: Second-round pick (Peterborough), third-round pick (Oshawa), fourth-round pick (Windsor) and sixth-round pick (Sudbury) 2030 OHL Priority Selection: Second-round pick (Bradford), fifth-round pick (Sudbury) and sixth-round pick (Kitchener). – 2027 OHL Priority Selection: Fifth-overall pick. – 2027 OHL Priority Selection: second-round selection at conclusion of second round.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League
Best QMJHL Penalty Shots – Goals & Saves – 2025-26 Season
North American Hockey League
NAHL Stars of the Week
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Volleyball
The Omaha Supernovas have named former Nebraska Volleyball All-American and member of the franchise’s MLV championship team Gina (Mancuso) Prososki as Director of Volleyball Operations, adding a familiar and accomplished voice who understands the organization through the perspectives of both a player and front office member. In this role, Prososki will oversee operational, logistical, and player support functions. Her responsibilities will include coordinating training camp, team travel, housing, player services, match-day and practice coordination, and stakeholder relationships. She will play a vital role in ensuring a world-class experience for everyone involved with the team. “I’m incredibly excited. This feels like such a natural and meaningful next chapter for me. I’ve spent so many years as a player, and getting the opportunity to now pour that experience into building the Supernovas from the other side is really special,” shared Prososki. “I love this organization, I love Omaha, and I’m excited to help create an environment where our players and staff can thrive and ultimately compete for more championships. I’m ready to get to work!”
Ultimate Frisbee Association
The Oakland Spiders won their third franchise title in 2026, and nobody was a bigger scoring contributor at Championship Weekend than Walker Frankenberg.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.