Sports News Today — September 16, 2026

The world of sports is abuzz with exciting news and developments across various leagues and disciplines. In professional sports, the NFL's New York Jets are bolstering their receiving corps with the signing of Sterling Shepard, a move made necessary by the injury to star wideout Amari Cooper, who's now listed as week-to-week. Meanwhile, in the NHL, the Washington Capitals made headlines when they revealed that star forward Alex Ovechkin was asked to appear in a political ad for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a request that undoubtedly put the team in a tricky spot.

On the international stage, soccer fans are getting a chance to say goodbye to one of the all-time greats, as Lionel Messi - now retired - has been named to Argentina's squad for an October 6 farewell game. In other news, the Chicago Blackhawks are investing in their youth, naming 21-year-old Connor Bedard as the second-youngest captain in franchise history. Off the field, there's been growing concern about the threats faced by athletes and officials from bettors, prompting leagues and unions to urge action to address the issue. Finally, in a development that could have far-reaching implications for college athletics, the Protect College Sports Act has cleared its first major hurdle in the Senate, setting the stage for a potentially significant debate about the future of amateur sports.

Today's signal:
• Protect College Sports Act clears first major hurdle in Senate (espn.com)
• Retired Messi named to Argentina squad for Oct. 6 farewell game (espn.com)
• Sources: With WR Cooper week-to-week, Jets signing Shepard (espn.com)
• Capitals say Ovechkin was asked to appear in Putin political ad (espn.com)
• Leagues, unions urge action against escalating threats from bettors (espn.com)
• Blackhawks name Bedard, 21, 2nd-youngest captain in franchise history (espn.com)