Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for orchestrating a $248m wire fraud scheme involving his bankrupt green banking company, an entity currently under NBA investigation regarding its sponsorship of the LA Clippers.
The Los Angeles-based executive previously pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud after deceiving investors and systematically falsifying banking records.
Federal prosecutors had initially sought an 18-year term, while the defence unsuccessfully argued for a punishment involving no prison time.
‘Among the worst I’ve ever seen’
Presiding Judge Stephen V. Wilson comprehensively rejected the notion that the fraudster acted without malice or personal financial gain.
“This case has touched almost every badge of fraud.”
The veteran magistrate, who has served on the federal bench since 1985, described the financial crimes as existing at the absolute zenith of deception.
“[Sanberg] portrays himself as a do-gooder who was in business to help the world, but he did personally gain from his fraud.”
NBA investigation and lucrative sponsorships
The disgraced businessman co-founded the environmentally conscious digital bank in 2013, attracting celebrity backers and securing major corporate partnerships.
His company aggressively entered the sports market, announcing a massive $300m (£236m) 23-year endorsement agreement with the LA Clippers in September 2021.
That monumental franchise agreement was subsequently followed by an individual $28m (£22m) sponsorship deal with star forward Kawhi Leonard in April 2022.
These lucrative sporting arrangements have since triggered an ongoing NBA investigation into the bankrupt firm’s financial dealings with the Western Conference franchise.
Tearful courtroom apology
Before receiving his lengthy sentence in downtown Los Angeles, the former digital banking pioneer addressed his victims directly.
“I accept that I lost my moral compass and wrongly stepped over the line, and I’m very sorry.”
Defence attorney Marc Mukasey had attempted to paint his client as a well-meaning altruist whose zeal for company success led to terrible judgement.
However, the court ultimately concluded that the California native had become callous and greedy, leaving a trail of profound financial damage across the industry.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has signed a 10-year endorsement contract with Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning, concluding his highly publicised sneaker free agency.
The 36-year-old four-time NBA champion officially announced the landmark agreement on Monday.
This new partnership will globally expand his personal brand venture, covering basketball products, athleisure wear, and a complete golf line.
It also grants the legendary shooter the unprecedented ability to sign both male and female athletes to his own imprint.
Departing a long-time sponsor
The two-time Most Valuable Player departed his previous sponsor, Under Armour, in November following a 13-year relationship.
Industry sources indicated the split followed growing frustration over underinvestment from the American manufacturer.
Since ending that mutual partnership, the veteran playmaker has been the most sought-after figure in the global sportswear market.
He was notably spotted wearing rival footwear during pre-game warm-ups in San Antonio before testing various other brands over the subsequent months.
Choosing a new direction
The franchise icon ultimately selected the Chinese company over several competing pitches from both domestic and international rivals.
Comfort played a pivotal role in his final decision after he extensively tested footwear endorsed by other high-profile athletes.
He specifically trialled signature shoes worn by his new Golden State team-mate Jimmy Butler and basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade.
Agent Jeff Austin finalised the lucrative negotiations in recent days, although exact financial terms remain undisclosed.
The ambitious agreement includes immediate plans to build dedicated retail stores across the United States and China.
Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk will meet in the French Open quarter-finals on Tuesday, guaranteeing that a Ukrainian woman will reach the semi-finals for the first time in the professional era.
The highly anticipated clash at Roland Garros represents much more than a standard tennis match for the two compatriots.
With their home country deeply impacted by the ongoing war with Russia, a profound mutual respect transcends their individual sporting ambitions on the court.
“I do feel like they’re united and they’re playing for something more than just tennis.”
Former British player Anne Keothavong
Inspiring a war-torn nation
The historical significance of guaranteeing a Ukrainian representative in the final four is certainly not lost on either athlete.
Despite the practical disruptions and heavy emotional toll following the February 2022 invasion, the Eastern European nation proudly boasts seven women inside the world’s top 100 rankings.
“It couldn’t be a better tournament for us. It’s an amazing achievement for Ukrainian tennis, we have so many great players coming up as well in such a difficult situation right now.”
Elina Svitolina
The experienced seventh seed hopes their deep run in Paris will inspire the next generation of athletes back home to believe that success on the biggest stages remains possible.
Finding perspective on the clay
For her younger opponent, the journey to the last eight has been particularly harrowing.
The 23-year-old began her campaign just hours after Russian missiles narrowly missed her family’s home in Kyiv.
Despite describing that opening round as one of the most difficult matches of her life, the 15th-ranked contender has remarkably managed to extend her clay-court winning streak to 15 tour matches.
She attributes her stunning recent form to a shift in mindset, actively choosing to enjoy the sport rather than fixating solely on high-pressure results.
“It gave me more space and understanding that there are much bigger things in life than tennis.”
Marta Kostyuk
As these two resilient athletes prepare to face off on Court Philippe Chatrier, the winner will permanently write a heroic new chapter for their nation.
Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz has defended his decision to select Thomas Partey for Tuesday’s World Cup warm-up match against Wales in Cardiff, despite the midfielder facing ongoing allegations of rape and sexual assault.
The former Arsenal player, who now represents Villarreal in Spain, has been charged with seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault relating to incidents in London between 2020 and 2022.
He vehemently denies all accusations levelled against him.
A trial date is currently set for November this year, though legal proceedings could potentially face delays until 2027.
Despite the severe backdrop to his career, the 32-year-old was named in a provisional 28-man squad for the upcoming global tournament.
Tuesday’s fixture means he could feature on United Kingdom soil for the first time since a court appearance last September.
Presumption of innocence
The 73-year-old head coach justified the controversial call-up by insisting on fundamental legal rights.
“As far as I know, in England, in Portugal, whatever, we are living in this world, until the court makes a decision, that the presumption of innocence is on the side of all court cases,” Queiroz stated.
The former Manchester United assistant manager also criticised the modern landscape of rapid public judgment.
“Very unfortunately the way the social media and the media sometimes act with full and total impunity, we are condemned even before we have the opportunity to defend.”
He urged patience, insisting that the natural judicial process must be allowed to conclude before definitive conclusions are drawn.
Historic test against Wales
The match in the Welsh capital carries significant historical weight, marking the 150th anniversary of the Football Association of Wales.
It will also be the first occasion the Dragons have hosted an African nation on home turf.
For the Black Stars, the test provides crucial preparation before they face Thomas Tuchel’s England in their World Cup group stage clash in Boston on 23 June.
The travelling squad boasts several familiar faces from English football, including Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo, Coventry’s Brandon Thomas-Asante and Leicester’s Jordan Ayew.
“Everything has gone according to our goals and we are ready for take-off and to go to the World Cup,” added the veteran manager.
The experienced tactician, who was appointed in April and previously led Iran on the global stage, expressed total confidence in his team’s readiness ahead of the tournament.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has been summoned to testify before US Congress on 10 June regarding the league’s broadcast contracts and their financial impact on American fans.
Representative Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, formally invited the league chief to appear at a scheduled legislative hearing.
The committee intends to scrutinise whether current antitrust laws require updating to regulate how professional sports organisations negotiate their television rights.
Outdated legislation and antitrust scrutiny
The US Department of Justice recently launched an independent investigation into the league’s ongoing use of the Sports Broadcasting Act.
Passed in 1961, this limited antitrust exemption allows leagues to negotiate collective television deals, but the legislation predates modern cable and digital streaming services.
“Back when the Sports Broadcast Act was passed, the promise was you’ll get to watch every one of your team’s games for free,” Jordan told ESPN.
“Things have changed dramatically since 1961.”
Growing fragmentation of media rights
Lawmakers have expressed mounting concern over the 65-year-old executive’s strategy of distributing live matches across a wide array of subscription platforms.
American football supporters now require separate subscriptions for services such as Prime Video, Netflix and Peacock to follow the entire regular season.
This fragmentation has significantly increased the financial burden on fans attempting to watch their local franchises compete.
“The idea they can collude when negotiating a deal with a cable company or Amazon Prime is a very fair question to ask and explore,” Jordan added.
League defends distribution model
Despite the looming congressional scrutiny, the long-serving commissioner has robustly defended the organisation’s overarching approach to media rights.
“We’ve been surviving and thriving on the basis of being available to the broadest audience,” Goodell stated ahead of the recent draft.
The sporting body maintains that its distribution model remains the most fan-friendly in the global entertainment industry.
A recent official statement highlighted that over 87% of all matches remain available on free, over-the-air television within the United States.
Chelsea have firmly rejected multiple transfer approaches for Josh Acheampong after deciding to grant the defender untouchable status at Stamford Bridge.
The 20-year-old academy graduate is highly regarded by the Blues hierarchy and is considered a foundational piece for their long-term project.
This firm stance places the promising talent alongside established first-team stars such as forwards Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, as well as midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Valued prospect despite limited minutes
The club’s resolute position comes despite the England Under-21 international making just 17 Premier League appearances during the previous campaign.
Nine of those top-flight outings came from the substitutes’ bench, highlighting his current role as a developing squad member rather than a guaranteed starter.
Secured on a lengthy contract that runs until the summer of 2029, the west London side find themselves in a commanding negotiating position regarding his future.
Premier League rivals monitor situation
It currently remains unclear whether the young prospect is actively seeking a move away from the capital in search of regular starting opportunities.
However, Premier League rivals Arsenal, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are all known to be closely monitoring the player’s situation ahead of potential future bids.
Bournemouth also retain a strong interest in the versatile full-back after initially pursuing him during the previous summer transfer window.
Oleksandr Usyk will be stripped of his WBC heavyweight title if he does not face mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel in his next bout, according to president Mauricio Sulaimán.
Mandatory obligations enforced
The World Boxing Council previously sanctioned a voluntary defence for the unified champion against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in Egypt.
However, the governing body has now officially ordered the Ukrainian to fulfil his mandatory obligations following his 11th-round stoppage victory in May.
Many fans called for an immediate rematch due to the dramatic finish in front of the pyramids, but that option has been firmly ruled out.
The WBC ruling was very clear. We accepted Usyk’s petition for a voluntary defence, which has now taken place.
Now the mandatory fight is Usyk against the interim champion Kabayel.
Risk of losing unified status
Kabayel has patiently held the position of WBC interim champion and primary contender since February 2025.
The undefeated German challenger now awaits his long-overdue opportunity at the top prize.
Should the mandatory bout fail to materialise, the reigning WBA, WBC and IBF champion risks losing one of his three prestigious belts.
Usyk previously vacated his WBO crown in late 2025, which ultimately led to Daniel Dubois claiming the heavyweight title.
Sulaimán refused to confirm whether the interim titleholder would automatically be elevated to full champion if the belt is vacated.
Only when something happens, when something is presented, do we go through the Board of Governors to make the proper ruling.
Referee defended over controversial stoppage
Usyk’s recent title defence was heavily debated after referee Mark Lyson stopped the bout with just one second remaining in the 11th round.
Verhoeven, competing in only his second professional boxing match, had pushed the veteran champion to his limits before being dropped by a vicious uppercut.
Despite criticism that Lyson waved off the contest prematurely, the WBC president offered strong backing for the British official.
I’m very proud of Mark Lyson, the referee. Because the referee’s only concern is the safety of the fighter.
He’s not a timekeeper. He’s a lifekeeper. We will always support a referee.
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe on a free transfer when her Arsenal contract expires on 1 July.
The 30-year-old has committed to a three-year contract with the Blues, which includes an option to extend her stay at Stamford Bridge for a further 12 months.
Her imminent arrival in West London marks the end of an illustrious 11-year spell with her former club.
End of an era in north London
During her time with the Gunners, the versatile left-sided player amassed an impressive 305 appearances across all competitions.
She played a pivotal role in helping the team secure the Women’s Super League title in 2019.
It is understood that the Irish international attracted significant interest from Manchester City and clubs in the National Women’s Soccer League before opting to remain in the capital.
Family ties and future ambitions
A move to the Blues carries personal significance for the experienced international, as her family are passionate Chelsea supporters.
“It’s a new chapter in my career. This is something that I feel I’m ready for right now.”
“I’m really excited to get going and show the Chelsea fans how ready I am to perform for the badge.”
The incoming defender expressed her desire to compete for major honours and restore dominance at her new club.
“I’m so looking forward to walking out at Stamford Bridge as a home player, being around the fan base and competing for trophies on all fronts.”
“This club has been successful for so many years. I want to keep pushing and driving that, and for me, it’s about bringing that success back to Chelsea.”