Oct 8, 2026 · 5 min listen · Last updated October 8, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. Brock, October 8th. Five from the leagues — here's where I'd start. Let's get into it. First, from The Guardian Sport. New Australian Open boss Andrew Abdo throws shade at critics: ‘I’m not an outsider’.
Listen · storyflo · sports
Daily Sports Brief · October 8th
0:00-4:34
Pick your daily storyteller
Subscribe to match with Theo, Jessica, Chloe, Mason, Brock — your voice, every brief.
Audio pre-rendered by Storyflo · cached + delivered from the edge
New Australian Open boss Andrew Abdo throws shade at critics: ‘I’m not an outsider’
Launch event marred by former NRL CEO calling world No 1 ‘Jacob’ Sinner Grand slam to add 700 seats amid focus on comfort as well as growth New Tennis Australia chief executive Andrew Abdo pledged more shade and more seats for outer courts at the Australian Open in 2027, as the former rugby league administrator believes his background as a tennis outsider will fuel the tournament’s “relentless pursuit of growth”.
Angel Reese lifts Atlanta past Liberty and within one win of WNBA finals
Reese scores 23 as Atlanta win 101-98 in overtime Hillmon hits go-ahead layup with 20.8 seconds left Dream take 2-0 lead as Liberty face elimination Angel Reese scored 23 points, Naz Hillmon made the go-ahead layup with 20.8 seconds left in overtime and the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 101-98 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the WNBA semifinals. Reese scored six of her team’s 13 points in overtime. She made two free throws with 4.3 seconds left after Sabrina Ionescu overthrew a pass as Atlanta moved within one win of their first WNBA finals appearance since 2013.
MLB Division Series remains strong for Dodgers, less so elsewhere
The Los Angeles Dodgers are producing some of MLB’s strongest postseason audiences in years, but the league’s broader playoff viewership remains less impressive. Overall, the Division Series is averaging 3.27 million viewers through Monday, down 3% from the same point last year. Game 1 of the Dodgers-Atlanta Braves Division Series averaged 5.37 million viewers on Fox last Saturday. According to Sports Media Watch, the game was the most-watched Division Series Game 1 since the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox met in the Division Series in 2018 (5.57 million on TBS).
Candace Parker reacts to Caitlin Clark screaming at her during the playoffs
The Las Vegas Aces took down the Indiana Fever in a thrilling 2-1 series win during the WNBA playoffs. Game 2 was particularly intense, featuring reigning MVP A’ja Wilson in a heated moment with a fan, and Caitlin Clark expressing her emotions after hitting a clutch three-pointer. In a surprising exchange, Clark yelled at analyst Candace Parker, “F*ck you think this was!” Parker, reacting on air, acknowledged the energy of the moment, saying it was a big shot.
After the game, the two shared a laugh, with Clark admitting she “blacked out” during the play. On the Post Moves podcast, Parker reflected on the incident with humor, recalling similar moments from her career. She appreciated the competitive spirit, noting that she thrived on that kind of energy. Parker emphasized her love for the passion players bring to the game, recalling how she enjoyed being challenged and riled up during her own playing days. It’s clear that moments like these only add to the excitement of the playoffs.
Guess the footballer in as few attempts as possible. After each wrong guess you unlock a new clue. The fewer clues you need to get the right answer, the more points you score. Once you're done keep scrolling to beat all three of BBC Sport's daily quizzes. Enjoyed that quiz? Take on Five in Five Give us five correct answers inside five minutes. Will you beat our Brainteaser? Guess this fiendishly difficult question. You have five lives before the answer is revealed.
Has MVG lost the hunger? Does Wade take his Premier League spot for 2027?
Michael van Gerwen is facing some tough questions about his recent performance. He’s struggled to find his form lately, only making it past the first round in one of his last five tournaments. His early exits have raised concerns about whether he’s lost his competitive edge. Colin Lloyd, speaking on a podcast, noted that Van Gerwen seems to lack the “fire” he once had, suggesting that personal life changes might be affecting his drive.
On the flip side, James Wade is thriving. He’s had a strong run, reaching the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix and winning titles, including his first World Series title in years. His consistency has been impressive, winning 14 out of his last 16 matches. This has led some, like Matt Edgar, to believe Wade is a strong candidate for the Premier League in 2027, especially if the player count increases. The darts community is buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming Grand Slam of Darts, set to kick off in November.
Why Bears genius has become one of NFL's most important figures
Ben Johnson: Why Chicago Bears mastermind has become one of the most important figures in the NFL Head coach Ben Johnson has transformed the Chicago Bears into legitimate Super Bowl contenders while asserting himself among the great offensive minds in modern football; watch Johnson's Bears against the Green Bay Packers live on Sky Sports NFL from 6pm this Sunday The NFL needs the Ben Johnsons of the world. The genius and the belligerence. The brainiac and the maniac.