Category: Sport News

The world’s largest prediction market platform is returning to the U.S. On Wednesday, Polymarket posted on X that users can get on the waitlist for its app, saying the company will start by offering sports betting, with “markets on everything” to follow. 
Polymarket’s impending return to the U.S. comes at a time when prediction market services, including Kalshi and Robinhood, are challenging the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel for a share of the lucrative sports betting market, while also offering bets on a wide variety of other fields.
Polymarket had been banned from operating in the U.S. following backlash from regulators in early 2022, when the Commodity Futures Trading Commission found it was offering betting contracts without the agency’s approval. The FBI later raided the company founder Shayne Coplan’s home. But earlier this year, U.S. prosecutors and the CTFC dropped their investigations and the company received regulatory approval. 
Prediction markets—platforms where people can bet on future events ranging from the size of a Federal Reserve cut to the number of Elon Musk tweets in a given week—have broken into the mainstream. This began in part when Polymarket and its main competitor Kalshi correctly predicted President Trump’s election victory, contrary to many national polls. 
Polymarket uses a blockchain network to run its platform, and users can wager either in dollars or cryptocurrency. The startup is reportedly also in plans to launch a token of its own.
Polymarket and Kalshi are valued at $15 billion and $11 billion, respectively. Legacy financial institutions have also embraced the sector. In October, a parent company of the New York Stock Exchange invested $2 billion in Polymarket. 
Prior to this week, U.S. users who wanted to access Polymarket would have to do so by using a VPN. Meanwhile, Kalshi has had CFTC approval and has been live in the U.S. since 2021. 
Sports betting has been mired in controversy as of late, as scandals rocked major American leagues like the NBA and MLB. The cases allege that players, like Terry Rozier and Emmanuel Clase, manipulated their performance in order to win bettors money. Critics say that the proliferation of prediction markets could similarly corrupt politics and other institutions. 
For now, though, prediction markets are charging full steam ahead. Bettors can even place a bet on whether Polymarket will go live in the U.S. in 2025, where odds are currently at 99%.
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High street giant Frasers said international growth and an improving luxury market has helped it shrug off “tough” conditions for retailers.
The retail group, which owns brands including Sports Direct and Game, reported an increase in sales for the first half of its financial year.
Revenues totalled £2.6 billion for the six months to October 26, up by 5% compared with the year prior.
This was driven by rising sales for Sports Direct, which recently opened its biggest flagship store in Liverpool, and luxury fashion brand Flannels returning to sales growth.
Frasers pointed to “green shoots” in the luxury market, which has weakened in recent years against a tougher climate for consumers.
Sales for its premium luxury division grew by 3.7% year-on-year.
Furthermore, international sales soared by nearly 43% year-on-year following the acquisition of brands Holdsport in South Africa and XXL in the Nordics.
The retailer said conditions had improved since last year’s autumn budget, which it blamed for driving up costs by around £50 million.
However, the consumer environment remains challenging and the wider sector is grappling with excess stock, leading to increased sales and promotions, it said.
Other brands owned by the group including Jack Wills and House of Fraser saw declining sales amid store closures during the year.
Frasers reported an adjusted pre-tax profit of £291 million for the half-year, down about 3% on the year before.
Michael Murray, Frasers Group’s chief executive, said: “We’ve made a solid start to FY26 (the 2026 financial year) even though market conditions are tough, consumer confidence is very subdued and excess inventory continues to weigh on the industry, leading to increased promotional activity.
“While we remain cautious into the second half, our focus is unwavering as we confront these challenges head on,” he added.
Frasers said it managed to make about £10 million worth of cost savings over the latest period, despite a bigger bill for taxes and staff wages.
It is still expecting to make an adjusted pre-tax profit of between £550 million and £600 million for the full year.
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Owner of Sports Direct chain says consumer confidence ‘very subdued’ with sales at sports division down 5.8%
The owner of Sports Direct and Flannels has said sales have fallen at its UK retail businesses amid heavy discounting by rivals and “very subdued” consumer confidence.
Frasers, which is controlled by the former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, said sales at its UK sports division were down 5.8% in the six months to 26 October to £1.3bn despite growth at the main Sports Direct chain because of “planned decline” at its Game outlets and the Studio Retail online arm.
Michael Murray, the chief executive of Frasers Group, which also owns House of Fraser department stores, Jack Wills and dozens of other brands and a number of shopping centres, said “market conditions are tough” and “consumer confidence is very subdued”.
Frasers Group said it remained cautious about the second half of its financial year but still expected to meet full-year profit expectations of up to £600m, after its bottom line was boosted by a big increase in the value of its investment in the Hugo Boss brand.
Sales fell by 3.7% at its premium division as it said it had closed more House of Fraser, Jack Wills stores and outlets relating to a string of brands it bought from JD Sports in 2022 including Liam Gallagher’s Pretty Green and 1980s brand Tessuti.
Total sales for the group rose 5% to £2.6bn in the half year, after strong growth internationally where the group has snapped up a number of new businesses, and pre-tax profits almost doubled to £412m largely as a result of the increased value of the Hugo Boss stake. Operating profits increased 18% to £219.8m.
Frasers said: “Trading has improved compared to last year’s budget-affected period; it is still weaker than [the year to April 2024], with excess inventory in the sector continuing to weigh on the wider market.” .
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Murray said: “We’ve made a solid start to [the year to April 2026] even though market conditions are tough, consumer confidence is very subdued and excess inventory continues to weigh on the industry, leading to increased promotional activity. While we remain cautious into the second half, our focus is unwavering as we confront these challenges head-on.”

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How to watch the Arkansas state championship games: Live stream, dates, kickoff times for AAA title contests  Yahoo Sports
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Leganes vs. Albacete – Copa del Rey Round 2 – Football  Sports Mole
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Johnson ended with nine points (3-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, four assists and one steal in 34 minutes during Wednesday’s 135-120 win over the Pacers.
Johnson failed to hit any great heights, scoring single digits for the first time in his past six games. After a slow start to the season, Johnson has been playing better of late, thanks largely to the fact that both Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) are sidelined. Although his ceiling is somewhat limited, he remains a must-roster player, at least until the Nuggets are fully healthy.
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Hervis Stores Rebrand Under Sports Direct From 2026  Hungary Today
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Frasers Blames ‘Pathetic’ UK Budget for Shoppers’ Muted Spending  Bloomberg.com
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Tyson logged zero points (0-1 FG) across two minutes during Wednesday’s 135-120 win over the Pacers.
Tyson played for just the third time in the past 10 games, and for just the eighth time this season. All but one of his appearances have come during garbage time, averaging 0.3 points in 3.5 minutes per contest. There is no reason to consider him a viable fantasy asset.
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CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc.
The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only and CBS Sports makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event. Odds subject to change. There is no gambling offered on this site. This site contains commercial content and CBS Sports may be compensated for the links provided on this site.
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Dec 4, 2025
Webster City eighth grade girls basketball players Nora Harrenstein (first photo) and Lillie Watts (second photo) concentrate during a recent game against Iowa Falls-Alden in the Jefferson Gym.
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