Saturday, August 29th 2026   |

Sports

NBA star Kyrie Irving defends decision to promote antisemitic movie

By PHILISSA CRAMER

(JTA) — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving is defending his decision to promote a movie that argues that Jews were responsible for the transatlantic slave trade, despite criticism from his team’s owner.

“I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears...

Astros manager Dusty Baker hopes matzah ball soup will give his team a playoffs boost

By MATT SAMUELS

(Jewish Herald-Voice, Houston via JTA) — If the Astros make it to the World Series later this month, fans can thank team manager Dusty Baker — along with a fresh baked challah and several quarts of matzah...

At relaunched Tel Aviv tennis tournament, Israeli doubles star Jonathan Erlich retires, Schwartzman loses early but vows return

By JUAN MELAMED

(JTA) — The Tel Aviv Open, a tournament in the high tiers of the pro tennis circuit, returned for the first time since 1996, and it brought emotional moments for multiple Jewish players.

Jonathan Erlich, a 45-year-old...

Israel’s Deni Avdija is back for a third year with the Wizards

By HOWARD BLAS

– Listening to Deni Avdija answer questions at Washington Wizards Media Day last week provided a reminder of just how much the likable 21-year-old Israeli forward has accomplished—and endured—in his two seasons in the NBA....

Jewish NBA, WNBA owner cites ‘faith’ and ‘atonement’ in announcing decision to sell teams

By JACOB GURVIS

(JTA) — Robert Sarver, the Jewish owner of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, announced Wednesday that he will seek buyers for the two franchises as he serves his one-year suspension for misconduct.

Sarver, a...

ESPN documentary focuses on Holocaust and Munich Olympics survivor Shaul Ladany

By JACOB GURVIS

(JTA) — Frank Saraceno has worked for ESPN since 1994 and has produced hour-long documentaries on some of the biggest stars in sports for the cable channel’s Emmy Award-winning “E:60” series.

But he thinks working on the...

A timeline of Jewish basketball star Sue Bird’s legendary career

By JACOB GURVIS

(JTA) — Sports fans are obsessed with legacy. The term GOAT — greatest of all time — is thrown around more than a baseball during little league practice. Whether it’s LeBron vs. Jordan or Serena vs. Court,...

Listen to legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully’s classic call of Sandy Koufax’s perfect game

By JACOB GURVIS

(JTA) — In the pantheon of beloved sports broadcasters, Vin Scully stands alone. 

The legendary voice of the Dodgers, who died Tuesday at 94, helped generations of fans fall in love with baseball, from his first season...

Max Fried and Joc Pederson make the MLB All-Star Game

By JACOB GURVIS

LOS ANGELES (JTA) — Two Jewish players made the Major League Baseball All-Star game rosters this week: pitcher Max Fried of the Atlanta Braves and outfielder Joc Pederson of the San Francisco Giants.

Both will play for...

Sandy Koufax honored with a statue at Dodger Stadium

By JACOB GURVIS

LOS ANGELES (JTA) — For Jewish sports fans around the world, Sandy Koufax has for decades occupied an unmatched legendary status. 

Now, 57 years after the Hall of Fame pitcher sat out a World Series game to...