Sports Express | August 14, 2026 Lakers sold for a record $12.5 billion

1. Lakers sold for a record $12.5 billion

The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold for a record $12.5 billion to businessman Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger, multiple sources report. The deal tops the previous record for a North American sports franchise.

Remarkably, current owner Mark Walter bought the team from the Buss family just over a year ago for $10 billion. The rapid revaluation highlights the unmatched power of the Lakers brand in global sports.

2. NBA releases 2026-27 schedule; Raptors open at home

The NBA has released its full 2026-27 regular-season schedule, with the Toronto Raptors opening at home on Oct. 21 against the Chicago Bulls, who feature former Raptor Norman Powell.

Toronto faces an early stretch against the Clippers and a November back-to-back against the defending champion New York Knicks, adding intrigue to the new season.

3. WNBA blasts 'bad-faith' moves in trans eligibility debate

The debate over transgender athletes in women's sports intensified after former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White said they would declare for the 2027 WNBA draft, a move widely seen as a bad-faith pressure tactic.

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued a memo responding to the eligibility question, and the league publicly blasted the "bad-faith" efforts. The controversy traces back to Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham's recent ESPN interview.

4. McIntosh takes 200m freestyle silver at Pan Pacs

Canadian swimming star and three-time Olympic champion Summer McIntosh won silver in the women's 200m freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships, touching in 1:53.86.

Australia's Lani Pallister took gold in a championship-record 1:53.67. Canada also earned gold on the day as Tierney won the 100m backstroke.

5. Blue Jays explode in 8th, beat Red Sox for third straight win

The Toronto Blue Jays scored five runs in the eighth inning to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-4 on Wednesday, their third straight victory.

Kazuma Okamoto singled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the go-ahead run, and Myles Straw added a two-run double to break the game open as Toronto kept pace in the AL wild-card race.

6. Field of Dreams welcomes 26 Hall of Famers

MLB's Field of Dreams game returned to Dyersville, Iowa, with the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins playing beside the famous movie site.

In a surreal pregame ceremony, 26 Hall of Fame members emerged from the outfield corn, recreating the film's iconic scene. Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber homered early in front of roughly 8,000 fans.

7. Honda Indy debuts in Markham this weekend

IndyCar racing arrives in Markham this weekend, with the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy running Aug. 14-16.

The 3.52-kilometre, 12-turn street circuit marks the event's first move away from Toronto's lakeshore in nearly 40 years. More than 160,000 spectators are expected.

8. Swiatek sweeps Rybakina to win Canadian Open

Poland's Iga Swiatek swept second seed Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto to win the National Bank Open women's title.

It was her first WTA title of 2026 and the 12th WTA 1000 crown of her career, capping a strong North American hard-court swing.

9. CEBL Finals cut to single-game championship

The CEBL Finals were thrown into disarray when Game 1 was cancelled due to condensation on the court in Brampton.

The league confirmed the three-game championship series will be reduced to a single-game final, raising the stakes for both teams.

10. Flames broadcaster Peter Maher dies at 79

Legendary Calgary Flames radio broadcaster and Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Maher has died at age 79.

Maher was the voice of Flames broadcasts for more than 30 years, and his passing drew widespread tributes across the hockey world.