Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report

BASEBALL Carolina League: The Salem (VA) Red Sox of the Single-A Carolina League have selected the team's new name that will be revealed in the fall after the 2025 season. There has been a local effort to rename the team the Salem Hellbenders after a giant Appalachian salamander found in Southwest Virginia. Despite the new name, the team will remain an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Midwest League: The Lansing Lugnuts of the High-A Midwest League played a doubleheader this week as th... Full Story

Arena Football Returns to Greater Cincy with Kentucky Barrels Joining Arena Football One

The Kentucky Barrels are set to bring the high-octane action of Arena Football back to Greater Cincinnati with their inaugural season kicking off in 2026. As a proud expansion team in Arena Football One (AF1), the Barrels will make their home at Truist Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University. "We are excited to welcome arena football to Truist Arena through this exciting partnership," said Cady Short-Thompson, President of NKU. "This collaboration brings a new level of energy and entertainment to our campus and community, while showcasing Truist Arena as a premier venue in the r... Full Story

Supernovas Add Former National Player of the Year Sarah Wilhite Parsons

OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Supernovas, the world's leading professional volleyball franchise, are excited to announce the signing of outside hitter Sarah Wilhite Parsons, the 2016 National Player of the Year and member of the U.S. Women's National Team. An alternate for the U.S. Olympic team at the 2020 Tokyo Games, Parsons brings a decorated professional and international career to Omaha, having competed in top leagues across Italy, Turkey, Brazil, Japan and Germany. "I am beyond excited to join the Omaha Supernovas and continue growing the game that has been such a big part of my life," s... Full Story

Birmingham Squadron Head Coach T.J. Saint Joins New York Knicks as Assistant Coach

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - After three seasons as head coach of the Birmingham Squadron, NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, T.J. Saint is finalizing a move to the New York Knicks to become an assistant coach. Saint, who became the team's second-ever head coach in September 2022, concludes his tenure with the Squadron with an overall record of 60-90. During his time at the helm in Birmingham, he helped 12 players earn Gatorade Call-Ups to the NBA, including six in the 2024-25 season. Before being named head coach, Saint worked as the Squadron's associate head coach under Ryan Pan... Full Story

• Baseball's Top Prospect, Konnor Griffin, Joins Altoona - Altoona Curve (EL)
• Arena Football Returns to Greater Cincy with Kentucky Barrels Joining Arena Football One - (AF1)
• Ron Brown Jr. Named 2025 IFL Offensive Rookie of the Year - (IFL)
• Connor Fedorek Signs with Norfolk for Third Season - Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)
• Supernovas Add Former National Player of the Year Sarah Wilhite Parsons - Omaha Supernovas (MLV)
• Hawks Last Homestand of the 2025 Regular Season Starts August 26 - Boise Hawks (PL)
• Stormers Sign Two - Lancaster Stormers (AtL)
• Marauders Announce 2026 Season Schedule - Bradenton Marauders (FSL)
• Birmingham Squadron Head Coach T.J. Saint Joins New York Knicks as Assistant Coach - Birmingham Squadron (G League)
• Playoff Hunt Heats Up, Smokies Explode in Series Finale - Knoxville Smokies (SL)
• All Today's Minor League News
  

• Kernels and River Bandits players reunite for first time since U.S. Air Force Academy - MWL KWQC
• SJ Earthquakes Buck never stops, brings bigtime energy as super-sub - MLS San Jose Mercury News
• New arena football team, Kentucky Barrels, to start play at Truist Arena in 2026 - AF1 WLWT
• Lack of big name signings part of why Revolution languish at back of MLS pack - MLS Boston Globe
• Pittsburgh Pirates 2024 No. 1 pick Konnor Griffin getting promoted to Altoona Curve - EL Altoona Mirror
• Rain forces a 6-6 tie between Frederick and Williamsport in MLB Draft League action - MLBDL Williamsport Sun-Gazette
• Despite another injury, how Fever dug deep to get comeback win vs. Sun - WNBA Indianapolis Star
• Its a big deal as Orioles call up Samuel Basallo, MLBs top catching prospect - IL Newport News Daily Press
• Faile homers as Dayton Dragons beat Lansing 4-1, snap 6-game losing streak - MWL Dayton Daily News
• Big second half lifts Dream to 79-63 win over Valkyries - WNBA Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• All Today's Minor League Headlines

• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger
• Last Week around the Leagues by Fran Stuchbury
• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger
• Last Week around the Leagues by Fran Stuchbury
• Courage Return from Break, Survive San Diego Assault in Scoreless Draw by Fran Stuchbury
• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger

Outside hitter Sarah Wilhite Parsons with the U.S. Women's National Team (USA Volleyball)

See All Today's Images The following minor league and alternative professional sports teams on OurSports Central have been viewed the most over the last seven days:

1. Columbia Fireflies - Carolina League (CarL)
2. B.C. Lions - Canadian Football League (CFL)
3. Tampa Bay Rowdies - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
4. York United FC - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
5. Seattle - Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL)
6. Topeka Scarecrows - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
7. Richmond - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
8. Vancouver - Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL)
9. Denver Summit FC - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
10. Cleveland - Women's Premier Soccer League Pro (WPSL Pro)

1. Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report
2. Last Week around the Leagues
3. Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report
4. Red Wings Release 2026 Schedule
5. Minnesota United FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC Preview
6. 2025 NLL Draft Scheduled for Saturday, September 6
7. Sojka Purchased by the Cardinals
8. Game Preview: Valkyries at Sky - 8/15/25
9. Brampton Steelheads to Host Exhibition Game in Orangeville
10. 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Updates - August 11

The most recent minor league and alternative professional sports teams added to OurSports Central:

• Kentucky Barrels - Arena Football One (AF1)
• Dallas Bulls - National Arena League (NAL)
• Grand Forks - Northwoods League Softball (NWLS)
• D.C. - Major League Volleyball (MLV)
• Pueblo Punishers - National Arena League (NAL)
• Columbus - United Football League (UFL)
• Amarillo Warbirds - National Arena League (NAL)
• Colorado Springs Sky Sox - Pioneer League (PL)
• Philadelphia - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
• Detroit - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)

OurSports Central provides coverage of select alternative and minor league professional sports leagues in addition to the top junior hockey leagues and college wood bat baseball leagues:

BASEBALL
Affiliated Minor League Baseball
AzCL, AzFL, CalL, CarL, EL, FLCL, FSL, IL, ML, MLBDL, MWL, NWL, PCL, SAL, SL, TL
College Wood Bat Baseball
ApL, Northwoods
Independent Minor League Baseball
AA, AtL, FL, Pecos, PL

BASKETBALL
Men's Minor League Basketball
BIG3, CEBL, G League
Women's Basketball
WNBA

FOOTBALL
Indoor/Arena Football
AF1, IFL, NAL, TAL
Outdoor Football
CFL, UFL

HOCKEY
Junior Hockey
NAHL, OHL, QMJHL, USHL, WHL
Minor League Hockey
AHL, ECHL, FPHL, SPHL
Women's Hockey
PWHL

LACROSSE
Indoor Lacrosse
NLL
Outdoor Lacrosse
PLL, WLL

OTHER
Other Sports
MLR
Other Women's
LOVB, MLV, NWLS

SOCCER
Indoor Soccer
MASL
Outdoor Soccer
CPL, MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, USL, USL1
Women's Soccer
NSL, NWSL, USLSL, WPSL Pro