On May 25, 2026, a three-judge panel in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, found former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor but granted him a judicial pardon that spares him prison time. Judge José Ramón Núñez said the court considered Franco both a defendant and a material victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor’s mother, who was convicted of trafficking, money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation and sentenced to 10 years. The retrial followed an appeals court decision that overturned a June 2025 conviction and ordered a new trial. Prosecutors alleged Franco, then 21, had a months-long relationship in 2022 with a 14‑year‑old and made payments exceeding $100,000 to the mother. The court will issue the full written ruling and formal sentencing on June 16. Franco remains on Major League Baseball’s restricted list while MLB completes its separate review under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy; the ruling can still be appealed and may affect his immigration and contract status.

Houston Astros pitchers Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert and rookie Alimber Santa combined to no‑hit the Texas Rangers in a 9-0 victory on May 26 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Imai worked six hitless innings, issuing four walks and striking out two, before Okert closed the seventh and Santa — making his major‑league debut — fired two perfect innings to complete the bid. Christian Walker homered for a three‑run blow and Yordan Alvarez added a solo shot as Houston provided ample run support. The performance marked the majors’ first no‑hitter since Sept. 4, 2024, and the Astros’ 18th overall no‑hitter and fifth combined effort in franchise history. The final out — a called third strike on Brandon Nimmo — was upheld after a video review. The Astros have won four straight and showed improved pitching after a rocky start to the season; Texas was held hitless for the sixth time in franchise history.

May 26, 2026 — The New York Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, completing a 4-0 sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 130-93 rout in Game 4 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The sweep extended New York’s playoff winning streak to 11 games; the club outscored opponents by 262 points during that run, one of the most dominant postseason stretches in NBA history. Jalen Brunson, Karl‑Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby paced the attack, with Towns posting 19 points and 14 rebounds in the clincher and reserve Landry Shamet going 4‑for‑4 from three. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 31 points, while James Harden struggled in the series. The Knicks will await the Western Conference champion — either the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs (tied 2-2) — with Game 1 of the Finals scheduled for June 3.

Essendon Football Club has sacked senior coach Brad Scott after a slide that left the Bombers bottom of the AFL ladder and with just one win this season. The decision, announced by president Andrew Welsh and CEO Tim Roberts on 25-26 May 2026, came with more than a year remaining on Scott’s contract; he coached 80 games for Essendon, recording 29 wins, 50 losses and one draw. Assistant coach and former club great Dean Solomon has been named interim coach. The board cited “a lack of progress” and worrying defensive trends after the club equalled a 17-game losing streak spanning the end of 2025 and into 2026. Reports say the termination will cost the club seven figures — estimates range from about A$800,000 to A$2 million — and will affect the football department’s soft cap. Names including former Bombers coach James Hird have already emerged as possible successors; the club says it will not rule anyone in or out as it conducts a formal search. Essendon faces West Coast in Perth this weekend as the coaching transition begins.

May 25, 2026 — Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev produced the lone headline moment at the inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, posting a 50m freestyle time of 20.81 seconds that was faster than the official world record of 20.88. Organisers rewarded him with a $250,000 event prize and a $1 million ‘world record’ bonus; Enhanced’s pay-outs and use of polyurethane ‘supersuits’ and performance-enhancing substances mean results will not be ratified by World Aquatics, the IOC or WADA. The one-day, invite-only spectacle staged in a purpose-built arena featured 42 athletes across swimming, athletics and weightlifting, with reporting suggesting around three dozen competitors took part in an organised clinical programme of banned substances under medical supervision. Clean athletes also triumphed: US sprinter Fred Kerley won the 100m (9.97) and Hunter Armstrong won the 50m backstroke. Investors linked to the project include high-profile US backers, and organisers contend FDA-approved drugs and medical oversight reduce harm. Sporting authorities have denounced the event and warned participants they risk bans and health consequences; medical experts raised long-term safety concerns.

West Ham United were relegated from the Premier League on May 24, 2026, despite a 3-0 victory over Leeds United at the London Stadium. Taty Castellanos, Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson scored as the Hammers won, but Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 victory over Everton — João Palhinha’s first-half goal — meant West Ham’s result was not enough. The club finished on 39 points, the highest total for a relegated side since 2010-11. Fans voiced anger at ownership and management after a season marked by a poor start and inconsistent recruitment. West Ham reported a £104 million loss for the year to May 31, 2025, raising expectations that key players could be sold in the close season. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo apologised to supporters; the club issued a statement pledging transparency and a rebuild. West Ham will play in the Championship next season, joining Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and face sizable financial and sporting challenges to return at the first attempt.