NFL New England Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT, who also owns Major League Soccer side New England Revolution, was named honorary chair of the board for the joint 2026 World Cup bid from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. The United Bid Committee "kicked off its efforts last week with a formal launch and the commencement of an outreach program" to more than 40 cities (REUTERS, 7/19). ... British boxer NICOLA ADAMS "has been offered the chance to make her Las Vegas debut in September alongside her girlfriend" on one of "the biggest fight cards in years." The two-time Olympic champion has been offered a spot on the undercard of the world middleweight title clash between GENNADY GOLOVKIN and CANELO ÁLVAREZ on Sept. 16 at the T-Mobile Arena. FRANK WARREN, Adams’ promoter, "has been offered the chance to put one of his fighters on the bill" as part of the deal that saw Boxnation, the TV channel of which Warren is chair, buy the exclusive rights for the fight (LONDON TIMES, 7/20). ... GARY LINEKER's agent defended the presenter's "large BBC salary," saying, "The market has set the rate." The broadcaster revealed it paid the Match of the Day commentator between £1.75M and £1.8M in the 12 months up to April, "making him the second-highest paid member of BBC talent" behind CHRIS EVANS. Lineker's representative, JON HOLMES, said that "the huge pay gap between men and women is the fault of the agents who represent the female talent and the broadcaster." Holmes: "I can only speak for sport, but it is a gross failure for an agent if their clients are doing the same job (as men) on less money" (London INDEPENDENT, 7/20). ... Former Premier League side Southampton youth coach BOB HIGGINS "appeared in court facing historical child abuse charges." Higgins appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court "charged with 65 counts of indecent assault against 23 boys all aged under 17." The court heard the alleged offenses date from between '70 and '96 (BBC, 7/20).