Sports News Roundup: Soccer-Benzema fever hits Jeddah ahead of Al-Ittihad presentation; Golf-PGA Tour-LIV deal leaves golf world facing plenty of unknowns and more

The France striker and Ballon d'Or winner signed a three-season contract with the Saudi Pro League club on Tuesday for a total of $165 million, according to local media. Golf-PGA Tour-LIV deal leaves golf world facing plenty of unknowns The announcement that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf will merge under common ownership will go down as one of the most consequential moments in the sport's history but there is plenty of uncertainty about how it will impact the game.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Benzema fever hits Jeddah ahead of Al-Ittihad presentation

Saudi champions Al-Ittihad sold more than 56,000 tickets for Karim Benzema's presentation at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in only a few hours after sales were announced on Wednesday. The France striker and Ballon d'Or winner signed a three-season contract with the Saudi Pro League club on Tuesday for a total of $165 million, according to local media.

Golf-PGA Tour-LIV deal leaves golf world facing plenty of unknowns

The announcement that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf will merge under common ownership will go down as one of the most consequential moments in the sport's history but there is plenty of uncertainty about how it will impact the game. After over a year of discord, the rival circuits announced a shock truce on Tuesday that will see the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund - the primary financial backer of LIV Golf - be the exclusive investor of the new entity.

Tennis-Zverev, Swiatek reach French Open semis, heartbreak for Jabeur

Alexander Zverev returned to the semi-finals of the French Open on Wednesday a year after leaving Roland Garros in a wheelchair, while defending champion Iga Swiatek also maintained her quest for a third title in four years. Zverev had suffered a season-ending ankle injury in his last-four match against eventual champion Rafa Nadal on Court Philippe Chatrier in 2022 and had surgery, but complications later meant a return to pain-free action was delayed.

Surfing-Peru wins World Surfing Games team gold, Tahitians lift France Olympic hopes

Mexico's Alan Cleland and Brazil's Tatiana Weston-Webb won gold at the World Surfing Games in El Salvador on Wednesday, but Team France was also big a winner as it qualified two Tahitians for the 2024 Paris Olympics at their home break of Teahupo'o. Cleland and Weston-Webb were worthy champions after surfing through a gruelling schedule in hot temperatures and pumping surf all week at Surf City in El Salvador, with Cleland racking up the highest score of the event in the final.

MLB roundup: Reds down Dodgers in thrilling fashion once again

Will Benson crushed his first career home run in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Cincinnati Reds another stunning win over the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-6 on Wednesday night. After TJ Hopkins drew a leadoff walk in a tie game, Benson sent a 2-2 cutter from Evan Phillips 420 feet deep into the right field bleachers. The long ball capped Benson's 48th major league game over two seasons. Cincinnati topped Los Angeles 9-8 in the series opener on Tuesday by scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth.

MLB, WNBA and NWSL games postponed due to poor air quality in U.S

Poor air quality conditions forced the cancellation of Major League Baseball (MLB), National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) games on Wednesday, as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted south. Millions of Americans were urged to stay indoors up and down the U.S. East Coast and as far west as Ohio and Kansas, as the smoke blanketed cities in a yellowish haze.

Factbox-PGA Tour-LIV deal riles Washington: Here are options to tackle it

The PGA Tour's agreement to merge with Saudi-backed LIV has raised concerns in Washington from lawmakers who are mistrustful of the kingdom and critical of its human rights record. They are vowing a deep look into the deal. Here are some levers of power lawmakers could use to stop or alter the agreement.

Soccer-Players at Women's World Cup guaranteed at least $30,000 each in FIFA first

Each player at the Women's World Cup will be guaranteed at least $30,000 after a ground-breaking move by FIFA to disburse some of the prize money to individuals rather than national federations. All 23 members of the winning team will take home $270,000, part of a $110 million total prize pool that is roughly 300% higher than what FIFA offered for the 2019 tournament.

Nikola Jokic's historic effort sends Nuggets past Heat in Game 3

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone has viewed a lot of top-notch performances from the club's star tandem of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. So he didn't have any trouble assessing their efforts in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Soccer-'I'm going to Miami' - Messi confirms move to MLS

Lionel Messi on Wednesday announced that he intends to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as a free agent after parting ways with French champions Paris St Germain and snubbing a lucrative contract offer in Saudi Arabia. Messi, who played his final game for PSG over the weekend, was also linked with a return to Barcelona, but the Spanish club have had their hands tied due to LaLiga's financial fair play rules.

(With inputs from agencies.)