The world of sports is big and busy. It is hard to cover everything as it happens. The AM Sports Rundown summarizes and analyzes the week’s biggest stories that the Sports Desk couldn’t cover. Written by a rotation of talented student sports journalists, a new AM Sports Rundown is published every Friday afternoon on the Annenberg Media website and the Annenberg Media Sports social media accounts.
Manchester City charges confirmed
On Sept. 29, the Premier League found Manchester City football club guilty on 114 charges of violating several of the league’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR). According to the independent regulatory commission, City manipulated both its revenue and costs between 2009 and 2018. The commission found that City inflated revenue by $1.08 billion and underreported costs by $87.34 million, when converting from pounds to dollars. The club said it was appealing the verdict in a statement. The Premier League’s commission has yet to adjudicate any punishments, which could range from fines to relegation or expulsion. The club is currently undefeated, in first place on the League table with 15 points.
During the 11-year window in question, City won the Premier League and the English League Cup three times each, the FA Cup once and the Community Shield twice.
The scale of the reported wrongdoing coupled with the on-field success makes American sports scandals like the Astros’ trash-can banging or the Patriots’ “deflate-gate” seem quaint by comparison. Depending on the commission’s decision, any punishment may fundamentally reshape the Premier League.
MLB Wild Card Round comes and goes
Two days into October and four of the twelve playoff teams are already gone. The Chicago White Sox’s offense lit up the Houston Astros’ thin pitching staff, while the San Diego Padres put the Chicago Cubs’ bats to bed. The New York Yankees pulled no punches, knocking the Boston Red Sox out for the second straight season by outscoring them 18-2 combined. The Atlanta Braves took care of the Philadelphia Phillies, securing two wins in three games.
Overall, the first round of the postseason was lopsided and predictable, as each favored team won its matchup. The two Division Series kick off on Oct. 3rd, with the White Sox playing the Cleveland Guardians at 10 a.m. PDT. The Los Angeles Dodgers officially kick off their pursuit of a three-peat later that day at 1 p.m. PDT against the Braves.
Big Ten names JuJu Watkins Preseason Player of the Year
On Thursday, the Big Ten named senior guard JuJu Watkins the Women’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year. Sophomore guard Jazzy Davidson was also selected for the Preseason All-Big Ten teams, alongside Watkins.
Ranked ninth in career scoring at USC, Watkins returns to the court after missing the 2025-26 season to focus on recovery following an ACL injury in her right knee. In her last active season, Watkins dominated, averaging 23.9 points per game.
Women’s basketball begins its season on Oct. 25 against the University of California. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. PDT at the Galen Center.
The WNBA’s postseason continues
The Atlanta Dream punched their first semifinal ticket since 2018 by sweeping the Washington Mystics, while the remaining two series each pushed to a winner-take-all Game 3. The Indiana Fever forced the Las Vegas Aces into Game 3 behind a 27-point, 15-assist performance from point guard Caitlin Clark, but couldn’t stick the landing in a 94-83 loss. The Dallas Wings kept their season alive against the Golden State Valkyries thanks to a record-breaking 45-point game from guard Arike Ogunbowale. The Wings and Valkyries will square off one more time on Oct. 2 before one advances to the semifinals. The semifinal series between the New York Liberty and the Dream begins on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Additional Reporting by Trevor Wong. Edited by Adriana Brady.