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FinEx Metals

Investing 8 Mins Read

Investor Insight

With a disciplined exploration strategy and a high-grade discovery focus, FinEx Metals is poised to become one of the most compelling new gold exploration companies in Europe. The company is led by a technically experienced and locally embedded team, backed by a tight share structure and strategic investor alignment.

Overview

FinEx Metals (TSXV:FINX) is an exploration-stage company focused on discovering Finland’s next high-grade gold deposit. Backed by NewQuest Capital Group, FinEx is strategically positioned near Europe’s largest gold mine, the Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä Mine, and sits within one of the most prospective but underexplored terrains globally – the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt.

FinEx has defined a 2.7-kilometer-long anomalous gold zone through a combination of trenching, rock sampling, and top-of-bedrock (ToB) drilling. The ToB campaign yielded 29 samples with assays ranging from 0.1 to 4.2 grams per ton (g/t) gold and revealed broad pathfinder anomalies in tellurium, bismuth, silver and arsenic, highlighting a robust geochemical footprint consistent with orogenic gold systems.

Additionally, 263 grab samples were collected from trench exposures, 52 of which returned values above 1 g/t gold, including 19 samples exceeding 10 g/t gold. The highest grade recorded to date is 95.1 g/t gold from a quartz-carbonate vein system, located within a zone extending over 250 meters. Ruoppa is fully permitted and drill-ready, with the maiden core drilling campaign scheduled to begin in August 2025. With an experienced local team, high-grade mineralization and proximity to active operations, FinEx offers a unique opportunity to invest in an early-stage gold explorer positioned for rapid value creation.

Company Highlights

  • High-grade Gold Focus in a Tier-one Address: Flagship Ruoppa project lies within 17 km of Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä Mine, the largest gold-producing mine in Europe.
  • Large, 100 percent Owned Land Package: FinEx controls a 100 percent owned, royalty-free portfolio of projects across the Central and Eastern Lapland greenstone belts.
  • Drill-ready Flagship Asset: The Ruoppa project is fully permitted and will commence its maiden diamond drill program in Q3 2025.
  • Exceptional Gold Grades: Rock grab samples from Ruoppa returned up to 95.1 g/t gold, with 52 samples over 1 g/t gold and 19 samples exceeding 10 g/t gold.
  • Strong Local Technical Team: Deep exploration experience in Finland with former Agnico Eagle, FQM and Anglo-American personnel leading geological efforts.

Flagship Project

Ruoppa Gold Project

The Ruoppa project is FinEx Metals’ flagship exploration asset, situated approximately 17 kilometers from Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä Mine, the largest primary gold producer in Europe. Located within Finland’s Central Lapland Greenstone Belt (CLGB), Ruoppa lies on the same structural and geological trend that hosts other major gold systems like Rupert Resources’ Ikkari discovery. The project is fully permitted and drill-ready, with a maiden diamond drill program scheduled to commence in Q3 2025.

The anomalous gold zone identified at Ruoppa extends over 2.7 kilometers and remains open in all directions. Ten trenches totaling 641 meters have been excavated across the highest-priority geophysical and geochemical anomalies, confirming both the lateral continuity and high-grade potential of the gold-bearing structures. This robust dataset has defined a compelling sulphide-rich gold target at depth, which will be tested during the upcoming diamond drill program.

Notably, the project will see its first-ever diamond drilling in Q3 2025. Ruoppa benefits from excellent access to infrastructure, including all-season roads, grid power and 5G connectivity.

Over the past four years, FinEx has conducted extensive early-stage exploration, including ToB drilling, trenching and rock sampling. A total of 263 rock grab samples have been collected from trench exposures, with 52 samples returning assays greater than 1 g/t gold and 19 samples exceeding 10 g/t gold. The highest recorded sample yielded 95.1 g/t gold, hosted in quartz-carbonate vein systems. ToB drilling, an efficient shallow drilling method ideal for glacially covered terrains, revealed additional gold potential with assays up to 4.2 g/t gold and strong pathfinder element anomalies in tellurium, bismuth, silver and arsenic.

Additional Projects

Luova Gold Project

The Luova project is located within the thickest core portion of the CLGB, less than 10 kilometers from the Kittilä Mine and adjacent to key exploration prospects such as Hanhimaa and Hakokodanmaa. This underexplored project shows all the hallmarks of a classic orogenic gold system, including thick sequences of Fe-tholeiitic basalts, large-scale shear zones acting as fluid conduits, and favorable trap rocks such as graphitic tuffs and banded iron formations.

Historical base-of-till sampling conducted by Outokumpu and Agnico Eagle revealed anomalous gold and copper values, including results up to 0.38 g/t gold and 0.49 percent copper. Despite these encouraging results, the Luova project remains undrilled, representing a significant near-surface gold discovery opportunity. Ionic leach soil samples and detailed magnetic surveys are planned to refine drill targets, with a focus on zones where interpreted thrust faults intersect favorable host rocks.

Kero Gold Project

The Kero project, explored in the early 2000s by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), is another advanced gold target in FinEx’s portfolio. GTK completed an extensive dataset that includes 7.7 kilometers of diamond drilling, trenching, bedrock mapping and multiple geophysical surveys (including IP, VLF-R and ground magnetics). Historic drill intercepts at Kero include 1.05 meters at 12.6 g/t gold and 3.3 meters at 2.3 g/t gold, while surface grab samples returned up to 25.6 g/t gold from carbonate-sulphide veins.

The gold mineralization is associated with hydrothermal alteration and complex structural settings, including fold hinges and lithological contacts. A 1.2-kilometer-long gold anomaly has been defined, and the structural complexity – characterized by multiple deformation orientations – indicates strong potential for structurally controlled high-grade zones. Kero is accessible year-round via gravel roads and is a strong candidate for follow-up trenching and re-logging of the historical core.

Tulppio Ni-PGE Project

Located in the Eastern Lapland Granite-Greenstone Belt, the Tulppio project represents FinEx’s entry into critical mineral exploration, specifically targeting nickel sulphides and platinum group elements (PGE). The project is positioned adjacent to the Sokli project, a world-class phosphate, iron and REE deposit operated by Finnish Minerals Group. Tulppio contains a large (5 km x 2 km) ultramafic intrusive complex, with a gravity signature suggesting the body extends to 2 kilometers in depth.

Historic shallow drilling (less than 100 meters depth) has already intercepted 3 meters at 1.12 g/t platinum+palladium and 0.49 percent nickel (including 1.5 meters at 1.54 g/t platinum+palladium), and 24 meters at 0.33 percent nickel with sulfur content up to 4,600 ppm. Ionic leach soil sampling across the project has identified multiple significant nickel-cobalt-copper-palladium-gold anomalies, underscoring the project’s polymetallic potential. According to the Geological Survey of Finland (2010), Tulppio’s PGE and nickel potential should be factored into future development of the Sokli region.

Ukko Gold-Copper Project

The Ukko project targets orogenic and potentially metamorphosed epithermal gold systems in an Archean greenstone setting. The geology comprises komatiites, mafic volcanics, massive sulphide lenses and mica schists – favorable hosts for both gold and base metal mineralization. Historical drilling by Outokumpu in 1985 intersected 2.05 meters at 2.25 g/t gold. Recent soil sampling has revealed a new gold-copper anomaly in the southeastern portion of the property, coinciding with high magnetic and conductive geophysical zones. Further geochemical and IP surveys are planned to constrain the structure and assess the potential for deeper epithermal or orogenic systems.

Management Team

Tero Kosonen – Chairman and CEO

A seasoned venture capitalist and natural resources investor, Tero Kosonen brings more than 30 years of experience in private equity and management. As co-founder of NewQuest Capital, he has led numerous early-stage ventures across energy and mining. He provides strategic leadership and capital markets expertise to FinEx.

Dr. Petri Peltonen – Chief Geologist

A globally respected exploration geologist with over 30 years of experience in gold, nickel and iron ore exploration, Dr. Petri Peltonen is the former exploration manager – Europe for FQM. He is an Associated Professor at the University of Helsinki. Peltonen ensures technical rigour and exploration success at FinEx.

Sandra Wong – CFO

With over 20 years in financial leadership roles across publicly listed companies, Sandra Wong brings deep experience in accounting, compliance and governance – critical for a newly listed entity with aggressive exploration goals.

Eetu Jokela – Project Manager

A local geologist with direct exploration experience with Agnico Eagle, Eetu Jokela is responsible for day-to-day field operations and geological planning, combining practical know-how with deep regional knowledge.

Olli Silvonen – Exploration Geologist

Experienced in regional greenfields exploration, Olli Silvonen supports mapping, sampling and trenching programs with a strong focus on gold and nickel-copper-PGE systems within the CLGB.

Jukka Jokela – Senior Advisor

The former CEO of Anglo American Sakatti Mining, Jukka Jokela offers more than 35 years of exploration and ESG leadership in the Nordic region, adding valuable permitting and stakeholder engagement capacity.

Dr. Pasi Eilu – Senior Advisor

With 40 years in academic and field exploration, Dr. Pasi Eilu is a recognized expert on greenstone-hosted gold and critical minerals in Finland. His work has shaped much of the geological understanding in Lapland.

Phil Smerchanski – Senior Technical Advisor

Phil Smerchanski brings more than two decades of experience in nickel and gold systems. A former senior technical lead at Oxygen Capital and Anglo American, he provides technical guidance across project pipeline development.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Investing

Lithium Universe LtdPV SOLAR CELL Recycling Acquisition Legal Due Diligence Complete

Investing 2 Mins Read

Melbourne, Australia (ABN Newswire) – Lithium Universe Limited (ASX:LU7) (FRA:KU00) (OTCMKTS:LUVSF) is pleased to announce that further to its announcement dated 18 June 2025 (Announcement), it has now completed legal due diligence to its absolute satisfaction. As such, the Company is now progressing towards completion of the Acquisition (defined below).

ACQUISITION DETAILS

As detailed in the Announcement, the Company has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the global rights to commercially exploit a patented photovoltaic (PV) solar panel recycling technology known as Microwave Joule Heating Technology. The rights will be secured via an exclusive licensing agreement with Macquarie University (MQU), held through an Australian-incorporated holding company, New Age Minerals Pty Ltd (NAM). The transaction will be effected by the Company acquiring 100% of the issued share capital of NAM (Acquisition).

As disclosed in the Announcement, completion of the Acquisition was conditional on the Company completing legal due diligence. This has now been completed to the satisfaction of the Company.

Completion was also conditional on the Company, NAM and MQU entering into a variation to the licensing agreement to reflect the change in ownership of NAM. The parties have since agreed in writing to waive this condition to allow completion of the Acquisition to proceed, with the variation to be entered into with MQU as soon as practicable following completion.

The Company will now proceed to the acquisition of NAM.

About Lithium Universe Ltd:  

Lithium Universe Ltd (ASX:LU7) (FRA:KU00) (OTCMKTS:LUVSF), headed by industry trail blazer, Iggy Tan, and the Lithium Universe team has a proven track record of fast-tracking lithium projects, demonstrated by the successful development of the Mt Cattlin spodumene project for Galaxy Resources Limited.

Instead of exploring for the sake of exploration, Lithium Universe’s mission is to quickly obtain a resource and construct a spodumene-producing mine in Quebec, Canada. Unlike many other Lithium exploration companies, Lithium Universe possesses the essential expertise and skills to develop and construct profitable projects.

Source:
Lithium Universe Ltd

Contact:
Iggy Tan
Executive Chairman
Lithium Universe Limited
Email: info@lithiumuniverse.com

News Provided by ABN Newswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Questcorp Mining Engages Marketing Consulting Firm Spark Newswire

Investing 4 Mins Read

Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the ‘Company’ or ‘Questcorp’) is pleased to announce it has entered into a marketing consulting services agreement (the ‘Spark Agreement’ or the ‘MSA’) with Spark Newswire Inc. (‘Spark’) pursuant to which, among other things, Spark is to provide certain promotional services to the Company.

Spark are very selective in the clients they work with, only partnering with organizations that have a well-deserved reputation for quality and credibility and only working with one organization within a particular market sector at a time. Spark’s goal is to integrate with their client’s values and core brand narratives, becoming an extension of the overall corporate and capital markets team, assisting in building shareholder equity, brand equity and overall market awareness.

Spark, which operates out of Vancouver, British Columbia, provides consulting and capital market advisory services to public companies. Through Spark’s engagement, the Corporation hopes to increase investor engagement and create more awareness for the Corporation.

‘Questcorp Mining has demonstrated a clear commitment to responsible exploration and strategic growth, which aligns perfectly with Spark’s mandate to support high-integrity issuers with strong fundamentals. With Questcorp entering a pivotal phase, we’re excited to help share their story across the capital markets and unlock broader investor engagement,’ said Steve Hnatko, CMO at Spark Newswire.

Questcorp President & CEO, Saf Dhillon stated ‘I have had a number of conversations and have met with both the Founders of Spark Newswire, Chris and Steve Hnatko. While we have met approximately only about a year ago, I have seen them demonstrate that they are true to their values and the types of companies they work with really are a solid reflection of their work ethic and the values they hold.

Spark is an arms-length firm, operating out of Vancouver, British Columbia, which provides consulting and capital market advisory services to public companies. Through Spark’s engagement, the Company hopes to increase investor engagement and create more awareness. The engagement is expected to commence on July 1, 2025, for an initial twelve-month term at a rate of US$25,000 per month. The Company does not propose to issue any securities to Spark in consideration for the services to be provided to the Company. Spark can be contacted at 604-761-0543 or Suite 800, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3H1, Canada.

About Questcorp Mining Inc.

Questcorp Mining Inc. is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in North America, with the objective of locating and developing economic precious and base metals properties of merit. The Company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island Copper Property, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, subject to a royalty obligation. The Company also holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 2,520.2 hectares comprising the La Union Project located in Sonora, Mexico, subject to a royalty obligation.

Contact Information

Questcorp Mining Corp.
Saf Dhillon, Founding Director, President & CEO
Email: saf@questcorpmining.ca
Telephone: (604) 484-3031

This news release includes certain ‘forward-looking statements’ under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Riverside’s arrangements with geophysical contractors to undertake orientation surveys and follow up detailed survey to confirm and enhance the drill targets. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the geophysical surveys will be completed as contemplated or at all and that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/257505

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

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Sale Completion of Non-Core Irish Assets for CAD$ 2.5 million

Investing 8 Mins Read

Asset Portfolio Overview

International Lithium Corp. (TSXV: ILC) (OTCQB: ILHMF) (FSE: IAH) (the ‘Company’ or ‘ILC’) is pleased to announce that it has completed the sale of all its interest in the Avalonia Project in Ireland and in Blackstairs Lithium Ltd, the company that owns that project.

As announced on September 17, 2024, the Company’s interest in the Avalonia Project was sold then to GFL International Co., Limited (‘GFL’), a subsidiary of Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd. (‘Ganfeng’), for a consideration of CAD$ 2.2 million plus a 2% Net Smelter Royalty. The Company reports that it has now sold its shareholding in Blackstairs Lithium to GFL for an additional CAD$ 0.3 million. The final CAD$ 1.0 million of the consideration for the CAD$ 2.2 million Avalonia Project is payable by GFL in October 2025.

John Wisbey, Chairman and CEO of ILC, commented:

‘We are pleased to have completed the sale of our interest in the Avalonia Project to GFL who was our partner in Ireland. This divestment allows us to focus on our wholly owned or majority-owned projects in Canada and on progressing identified opportunities in Southern Africa. We have a strong 11-year relationship with Ganfeng, and we will welcome working with Ganfeng again on future projects when there is a mutual interest in doing so.’

About International Lithium Corp.

International Lithium Corp. has exploration activities in Ontario, Canada, with intentions to expand into Southern Africa. It has projects at various stages, ranging from Preliminary Economic Assessment at Raleigh Lake to Pre-Drilling at Wolf Ridge. The primary target metals in Canada are lithium, rubidium and copper. There are three projects (two in Ontario and now one in Ireland) in which ILC has sold its share but where we stand to receive future payments from either a resource milestone being achieved or from a Net Smelter Royalty.

While the world’s politicians are currently divided on the future of the energy market’s historic dependence on oil and gas and on ‘Net Zero’, there seems to be a clear and unstoppable momentum towards electric vehicles, solar power and electric battery storage, all of which contribute to rising demand for lithium. Rubidium is increasingly seen as a valuable critical metal that is strategic for high-precision clocks and for space technology. Copper has many historical uses, but demand is projected to be sharply higher as more data centres are required for AI. We have seen the clear and increasingly urgent wish by the USA, Canada, and other major economies to safeguard their supplies of critical metals and to become more self-sufficient. Our Canadian projects, which contain lithium, rubidium and copper, are strategic in that respect.

Our key mission for the next decade is to generate revenue for our shareholders from lithium and other battery metals, as well as rare metals, while also contributing to the creation of a greener, cleaner planet and less polluted cities.

This includes optimizing the value of our existing projects in Canada as well as finding, exploring and developing projects that have the potential to become world-class deposits. We have separately announced that we regard Southern Africa as a key strategic target market for ILC and that we have applied for and hope to receive EPOs in Zimbabwe. We hope to make further announcements on the portfolio developments over the next few weeks and months.

The Company’s interests in various projects now consist of the following, and in addition, the Company continues to seek other opportunities:

Name Metal Location Stage Area in 
Hectares		 Current
Ownership
Percentage		 Future Ownership % if options exercised and/or residual interest Operator or 
JV Partner
Raleigh
Lake		 Lithium
Rubidium		 Ontario Dec 2023: PEA
for Li completed
Apr 2023 Maiden
Resource Estimates for Li and Rb 		32,900 100% 100% ILC
Firesteel Copper
Cobalt		 Ontario Aeromagnetics
and Drilling 
started mid 2024		 6,600 90% 90% ILC
Wolf 
Ridge		 Lithium Ontario Pre-Drilling 5,700 0% 100% ILC
Mavis 
Lake		 Lithium Ontario May 2023
Maiden Resource Estimate		 2,600 0% 0%
(carries an extra earn-in payment of AUD$ 0.75 million if resource targets met)		 Critical 
Resources 
Ltd 
(ASX: CRR)
Avalonia Lithium Ireland Drilling 29,200 0% 0%
2.0% Net Smelter Royalty		 GFL Intl Co Ltd (owned by Ganfeng Lithium Group Co.Ltd)
Forgan/
Lucky Lakes		 Lithium Ontario Drilling 0% 0%
1.5% Net Smelter Royalty		 Power 
Minerals Ltd 
(ASX: PNN)

 

The Company’s primary strategic focus at this point is on the Raleigh Lake Project, comprising lithium and rubidium, and the Firesteel copper project in Canada, as well as obtaining EPOs and mineral claims in Zimbabwe.

The Raleigh Lake Project now encompasses 32,900 hectares (329 square kilometres) of mineral claims in Ontario and represents ILC’s most significant project in Canada. To date, drilling has occurred on less than 1,000 hectares of our claims. A Preliminary Economic Assessment was published for ILC’s lithium at Raleigh Lake in December 2023, with a detailed economic analysis of ILC’s separate rubidium resource still pending. Raleigh Lake is 100% owned by ILC, free from any encumbrances and royalties. The Raleigh Lake Project boasts excellent access to roads, rail, and utilities.

A continuing goal has been to remain a well-funded company to turn our aspirations into reality. Following the disposal of the Mariana project in Argentina in 2021, the Mavis Lake project in Canada in 2022, and now the Avalonia project, ILC continues to achieve sufficient inward cash flow to be able to make progress with its exploration projects.

With the increasing demand for high-tech rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, electrical storage, and portable electronics, lithium has been designated ‘the new oil’ and is a key part of a green energy, sustainable economy. By positioning itself with projects that have significant resource potential and solid strategic partners, ILC aims to be one of the preferred lithium and rare metals resource developers for investors and to continue building value for its shareholders for the rest of the 2020s, the decade of battery metals.

On behalf of the Company,

John Wisbey
Chairman and CEO
www.internationallithium.ca

For further information concerning this news release, please contact +1 604-449-6520 or info@internationallithium.ca or ILC@yellowjerseypr.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release or other releases contain certain ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this or other news releases may include: the timing of completion of any offering and the amount to be raised, the time when the Company will receive the remaining consideration payable by Ganfeng for the Avalonia Project, the effect of results of anticipated production rates, the timing and/or anticipated results of drilling on the Raleigh Lake or Firesteel or Wolf Ridge projects, the expectation of resource estimates, preliminary economic assessments, feasibility studies, lithium or rubidium or copper recoveries, modeling of capital and operating costs, results of studies utilizing various technologies at the company’s projects, the Company’s budgeted expenditures, future plans for expansion in Southern Africa and planned exploration work on its projects, increased value of shareholder investments in the Company, the potential from the company’s third party earn-out or royalty arrangements, the future demand for lithium, rubidium and copper, and assumptions about ethical behaviour by our joint venture partners or third party operators of projects or royalty partners. Such forward-looking information is based on assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled ‘Risks’ and ‘Forward-Looking Statements’ in the interim and annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis which are available at www.sedar.com. While management believes that the assumptions made are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Forward-looking information herein, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on expectations, estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are subject to significant business, economic, legislative, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/257488

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

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Sport

Milwaukee Bucks’ grade for Myles Turner signing, Damian Lillard waiver

Sport 3 Mins Read

Things are going to be very different next season for a pair of bitter rivals that met up in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

The Bucks have waived Damian Lillard and stretched the remaining $113 million left on his salary over five seasons, and Milwaukee is using that salary space to pluck former Indiana Pacer Myles Turner on a four-year, $107 million contract, a person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

ESPN was first to report the news.

Here are grades for Milwaukee’s decision to sign Myles Turner and waive Damian Lillard.

Milwaukee Bucks

Lillard, who turns 36 on Tuesday, July 15, is expected to miss next season with a torn Achilles. Given the assets Milwaukee gave up to land Lillard in a September 2023 trade, waiving him renders the decision to acquire him a failure.

Adding Turner does mitigate the loss of Brook Lopez, who reportedly signed with the Clippers, but Milwaukee’s offseason is all about Giannis Antetokounmpo and keeping him happy with the team’s direction. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Antetokounmpo was not pleased with the way the Bucks handled Lillard’s departure.

The Bucks may have an uphill battle to keep Antetokounmpo happy.

Grade: C+

Indiana Pacers

While Turner struggled with his shot in the NBA Finals, he was the longest-tenured Pacer, serving 10 seasons with the team. Indiana loses a stretch center with range who shot 39.6% this season from 3-point range. He’s a plus defender and was a leader for Indy.  

While the Pacers clearly appreciated Turner, they also avoided onerous luxury tax payments by re-signing him. And with Tyrese Haliburton likely to miss most, if not all of the 2025-26 season, the Pacers seemingly will take next season to regroup. In any case, Isaiah Jackson and Tony Bradley — the most likely Turner replacements — are significant downgrades.

All the worse that it’s the rival Bucks.

Grade: C

Myles Turner

Once he gets past the challenges of leaving Indy, Turner, 29, is get his well-deserved payday and gets to play alongside Antetokounmpo — for now.

Grade: A-

Damian Lillard

Lillard must now get healthy and convince a team to take a flyer on him, but he gets to choose his destination and collect his guaranteed salary.

Grade: B+

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Groups express ‘deep concern’ over 2026 World Cup in US, send letter to FIFA

Sport 3 Mins Read

More than 80 civil rights and labor groups sent a letter to FIFA on July 1 expressing ‘deep concern’ over the U.S. government’s immigration policies ahead of the 2026 World Cup in men’s soccer.

In the letter, which was first reported by The Athletic, the groups cited President Donald Trump’s executive order banning visitors from 12 countries as well as the ongoing raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in communities across the country, some of which are slated to host World Cup matches next summer. They called on FIFA to ‘use its influence to encourage the U.S. government to guarantee the fundamental rights of the millions of foreign visitors and fans.’

‘If FIFA continues to stay silent, not only will millions be placed at risk, but the FIFA brand will also be used as a public relations tool to whitewash the reputation of an increasingly authoritarian government,’ the civil rights and labor groups wrote.

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP were among the most prominent national organizations to sign the letter, which was also endorsed by eight fan clubs of soccer teams.

The United States is currently hosting the FIFA Club World Cup for men’s soccer.

FIFA did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment on the letter. The organization and its president, Gianni Infantino, have repeatedly said foreign spectators and teams will have no issues entering the country next summer.

‘The world is welcome in America,’ Infantino told reporters on May 15. ‘Of course, the players, of course, everyone involved, all of us, but definitely also all the fans.’

The Trump administration has echoed that sentiment, albeit with the caveat that fans will not be allowed to overstay their visas or otherwise remain in the country following the tournament.

‘I know we’ll have visitors probably from close to 100 countries,’ Vice President J.D. Vance said in May. ‘We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the game(s). But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home, otherwise they will have to talk to (U.S. Homeland Security) Secretary (Kristi) Noem.’

FIFA also faced questions and criticism from human rights advocacy organizations ahead of the last men’s World Cup, in Qatar. The 2026 edition of the event, which will be co-hosted by Canada and Mexico, begins June 11.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on social media @tomschad.bsky.social.

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Fever beat Lynx to win WNBA Commissioner’s Cup: Highlights

Sport 6 Mins Read

No Caitlin Clark, no problem. 

The Indiana Fever defeated the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 in the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final to claim the Fever’s first in-season tournament championship. The Fever, who were without Clark (groin) for the third consecutive game, held the Lynx to season-lows in points (55) and field-goal percentage (35.7%). 

Natasha Howard was named the unanimous Commissioner’s Cup MVP after recording 16 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block.

“It feels great. We knew we had to come out here with energy,” said Fever center Aliyah Boston, who finished with a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double despite starting 0-of-6 from the field. 

The Lynx jumped out to a 13-point lead over the Fever in the second quarter, but the Fever responded with an 18-0 run of their own to take the lead and hold it until the end. With the victory, the Fever will split a prize of $500,000 and continue the Commissioner’s Cup streak of home teams going down in the final. The visiting team has won each time, aside from the inaugural Commissioner’s Cup final that was played at a neutral site in 2021.

USA TODAY Sports had coverage of the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final. Scroll below for a recap and highlights:

Fever vs. Lynx highlights

Caitlin Clark crashes interview, reacts to win

Clark may have not been on the court, but she was cheering on her teammates from the sidelines. Following the Fever’s Commissioner’s Cup win, Clark tweeted, ‘My girls did their thing !!!!!! So proud!!’

While Boston was giving a postgame interview, Clark burst onto the screen with a triumphant scream and chest bump in celebration.

Fever drink from Commissioner’s Cup, celebrate

End of Q3: Fever 52, Lynx 42

The Fever have a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Natasha Howard leads the way with a game-high 16 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kelsey Mitchell and Aari Mcdonald both reached double digits with 10 points each. Aliyah Boston’s struggles have continued as she’s been held to four points, shooting 2-of-10 from the field.

Alanna Smith leads the Lynx with 15 points, while Napheesa Collier has eight points and four rebounds.

Halftime: Fever 32, Lynx 27

Now it’s the Fever’s turn to go on a run. Indiana trailed the Lynx by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, but the Fever went on an 18-0 run to take their first lead since earlier in the first quarter. The Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell has a game-high eight points. Aliyah Boston is on the board with two points after starting the night 0-for-6 from the field.

The Lynx were outscored 20-7 in the second quarter and were held scoreless for over eight minutes in the period. The Lynx are up to nine total turnovers that the Fever has cashed in for 11 points.

Alanna Smith has a game-high seven points, while Napheesa Collier is up to six points (3-of-9 FG, 0-of-1 3PT). Smith and Collier failed to score in the second quarter.

End of Q1: Lynx 20, Fever 12

The Lynx jumped out to an eight-point lead over the Fever in the first quarter of the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup final. The Fever’s turnovers spurred the Lynx’s offense. Minnesota went on a 12-0 run that was fueled by three consecutive Fever turnovers. Indiana gave up seven points off five total first-quarter turnovers. 

The Fever leads the league in points in the paint with 40.4 per game, but Minnesota has done a good job taking away the Fever’s inside looks so far and has forced Indiana into some tough shots. The Fever collectively shot 27.8% from the field, while the Lynx shot 60% in the first quarter. 

Aari Mcdonald leads the Fever with five points. Aliyah Boston was held scoreless, shooting 0-for-4 from the field.

Alanna Smith has a game-high seven points, while Napheesa Collier is up to six points. 

How to watch 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final

The fifth-annual WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final will be decided on Tuesday. A $500,000 prize pool is up for grabs.

  • Date: Tuesday, July 1
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
  • Location: Target Center (Minneapolis)
  • TV: None
  • Steaming: Prime Video

The game will be available to view on demand on WNBA League Pass after it concludes.

Will Caitlin Clark play in Commissioner’s Cup final?

No, Clark will not play against the Minnesota Lynx in the Commissioner’s Cup final, the Fever announced hours before the game. Clark had been considered day-to-day after alerting the Fever coaching staff of a groin injury on June 25th following the Fever’s 94-86 win over the Seattle Storm on June 24. She missed the Fever’s loss vs. Los Angeles on June 26 and Indiana’s win at Dallas on June 27 with the injury.

Indiana Fever starting lineup

The Fever is sticking with the same starting lineup that took the court in Indiana’s 94-86 win over the Dallas Wings on Friday. Aari McDonald will make her second start of the season after resigning with the Fever in June.

Minnesota Lynx starting lineup

The Lynx’s starting five includes Napheesa Collier, Bridget Carleton, Alana Smith, Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams. This unit has started nine previous games together and have gone 8-1.

WNBA Commissioner’s Cup champions, by year

Here’s every team that has won the WNBA’s in-season tournament since it began in 2021:

  • 2024: Minnesota Lynx def. New York Liberty
  • 2023: New York Liberty def. Las Vegas Aces
  • 2022: Las Vegas Aces def. Chicago Sky
  • 2021: Seattle Storm def. Connecticut Sun

Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier named WNBA All-Star captains

Clark and Collier will go head to head in the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final on Tuesday and the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will mark Round 2.

On Sunday, June 29, the WNBA announced that Clark and Collier will serve as captains of this year’s All-Star Game after picking up their second and fifth career All-Star nods, respectively. Clark, the reigning Rookie of the Year, and Collier, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, earned the honor by receiving the most fan votes.

The All-Star Game starters were revealed on June 30.

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No. 2 seed Coco Gauff upset in Wimbledon first round: What happened?

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In stunner on Day 2 of Wimbledon, No. 2 seed Coco Gauff was eliminated in the first round of Wimbledon by Dayana Yastremska. Gauff had won the French Open last month.

Gauff became the fourth woman in the top 10 rankings to lose in the first round, joining No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula and No. 5 seed Qinwen Zheng, who were also upset on Day 2, and No. 9 seed Paula Badosa, who was eliminated on on Day 1.

‘Playing against Coco it is something special. I played with her already three times, of course now four. It’s 3-1 for her. And a great person and we’re in very good relationship,’ Yastremska said after her Wimbledon victory.

Gauff was clearly short of grasscourt practice while her opponent had reached the final of the Nottingham tournament as well as the quarterfinals at Eastbourne in the run-up to Wimbledon. Gauff served a total of nine double faults and made 29 unforced errors, shaking her head in disbelief as she lost her serve three times in the second set.

Yastremska, on the other hand, looked composed and confident, her searing backhand often fizzing past the stranded Gauff.

‘It was pretty unexpected but it has been a great season for me,’ Yastremska said. ‘I love playing on grass, I feel like this season we are friends.’

This year’s Wimbledon marks the first time since the Open era began in 1968 that two of the top three women’s seeds were eliminated in the first round. Pegula, the other top American, was soundly beaten by No. 116 Elisabetta Cocciaretta, 6-2, 6-3.

Gauff won her second career Grand Slam singles title on June 7, beating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 to take home the French Open title.

Who is Dayana Yastremska?

Dayana Yastremska, currently ranked No. 42 in the world, is from Odesa, Ukraine. She has won three WTA singles titles: the 2018 Hong Kong Open, the 2019 Hua Hin Championships, and the 2019 Internationaux de Strasbourg. Yastremska achieved her best Grand Slam performance at the 2024 Australian Open, where she reached the semifinals.

How to watch the 2025 Wimbledon tournament?

The 2025 Wimbledon tournament will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and the Tennis Channel. Fans wanting to stream the action can watch all matches on ESPN+.

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NHL free agency winners, losers: Defending champs run it back

Sport 3 Mins Read

Something doesn’t seem quite right when the day before free agency is more exciting than the actual opening of free agency.

That’s because NHL general managers did their best to remove some of the bigger names in the market on June 30. Mitch Marner, Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad, Patrick Kane and Ivan Provorov were all gone on Monday.

There still was some action on Tuesday. Brock Boeser, who had seemed all but gone, re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks. Mikael Granlund joined the Anaheim Ducks. Vladislav Gavrikov went to the New York Rangers, and the Rangers traded K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Here are the winners and losers from the last two days of NHL free agency:

WINNERS

Florida Panthers

It seemed unlikely that Panthers general manager Bill Zito would be able to bring back his big three free agents of Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand but he got it done.

‘This is 100 percent those guys wanting to be part of something they created,’ Zito said.

He then got Tomas Nosek re-signed, meaning all 12 forwards who skated in the Panthers’ Stanley Cup-clinching win are under contract. The only main player who left is defenseman Nate Schmidt, but Zito signed Jeff Petry as a replacement.

Vegas Golden Knights

They’re adding prolific scorer Mitch Marner to a roster that already has lots of offense in Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev. The question is whether Marner can produce in the postseason, but that’s pretty far away.

New York Rangers

The Rangers have been sloppy defensively, so it was good to add Gavrikov, the top defensive defenseman in the free agent class. They had to part with Miller to make the money work, but they received a prospect and two draft picks in the deal. General manager Chris Drury also got restricted free agent forward Will Cuylle re-signed for two years. He had been considered a potential target for an offer sheet.

LOSERS

Los Angeles Kings

Losing Gavrikov was tough. They also traded young defenseman Jordan Spence. Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin don’t seem like adequate replacements.

Teams seeking goaltending help

Jake Allen was the top free agent goalie and he signed a five-year, $9 million contract to return to the New Jersey Devils. Goaltenders Vitek Vanecek (Utah), Dan Vladar (Philadelphia), David Rittich (Islanders), Anton Forsberg (Los Angeles), Matt Murray (Seattle) and Alex Nedeljkovic (San Jose) did move. Ilya Samsonov, James Reimer and Alexandar Georgiev are among the goalies still available.

Dallas Stars

Mikael Granlund was a good fit for the Stars after he arrived before the 2025 trade deadline, but they didn’t have the cap space to re-sign him. They did sign Radek Faksa, a former Star, but he’s more of a depth player.

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