The Atlanta Falcons have been fined $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been fined $100,000 as the result of Ulbrich’s son participating in a prank call to Shedeur Sanders during the NFL draft.

The NFL confirmed the fines on Wednesday for the roles by the Falcons and Ulbrich in failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club in advance of the NFL draft.

The Falcons, who disclosed the role of Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son Jax in the prank call as Sanders was waiting for his name to be called in the draft, said Wednesday they accept the discipline from the league.

“We appreciate the NFL’s swift and thorough review of last week’s data exposure and the event that transpired due to it,” the Falcons said in a statement.

“We were proactive in addressing the situation internally and cooperated fully with the league throughout the process, and accept the discipline levied to Coach Jeff Ulbrich and the organization. We are confident in our security policies and practices and will continue to emphasize adherence to them with our staff whether on or off premises.”

Falcons excercise fifth-year option for WR London >> The Atlanta Falcons have exercised the fifth-year option on wide receiver Drake London’s contract.

Through three seasons, London has 241 receptions for 3,042 yards and 15 touchdowns in 50 games, including 48 starts.

London started all 17 games in 2024 and set career highs with team-leading totals of 100 catches for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns.

Jets’ QB retires >> New York Jets quarterback Jordan Travis has informed the team he will retire from playing football, surprisingly ending his long comeback from a serious leg injury in college.

Travis said in a statement released by the Jets that he “gave everything I had to the rehab process,” but was medically advised to stop playing.

The 24-year-old Travis was a fifth-round draft pick last year out of Florida State, but spent last season on the Jets’ non-football injury list. The team will now place him on the reserve/retired list.

Travis hurt his left leg during a game against North Alabama in November 2023, the last time he played in a game at any level. His left leg rolled under a defender, twisting his ankle awkwardly and fracturing his leg/ankle.

Jets exercise fifth-year options >> The New York Jets exercised the fifth-year contract options for all three of their 2022 first-round draft picks: cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson.

Gardner, Wilson and Johnson have been bright spots during a rough stretch for a franchise that has the NFL’s longest active playoff drought at 14 seasons.

Gardner, the No. 4 overall pick in 2022, is a two-time All-Pro selection who was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and is regarded as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks.

Wilson, selected 10th overall, was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and has more than 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three seasons — the first player in franchise history to do so. He has 279 catches for 3,249 yards and 14 touchdowns.

NBA

Hawks’ Daniels wins Most Improved Player award >> Dyson Daniels, who led the NBA in steals while making dramatic improvements in scoring, rebounds and assists for Atlanta, was named the league’s most improved player.

Daniels beat out fellow finalists Ivica Zubac of the Los Angeles Clippers and Cade Cunningham of Detroit.

The 22-year-old Daniels emerged as a productive starter at shooting guard for the Hawks after arriving in Atlanta in the trade that sent high-scoring guard Dejounte Murray to New Orleans on July 6.

Before the trade, Daniels was best known for his defensive play. Injuries and other trades helped clear the way for the 6-foot-7 Daniels to flourish as a scoring complement to Trae Young while providing impressive all-around production.

Baseball

Rangers trade reliever to Guardians >> The Cleveland Guardians have acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Festa from the Texas Rangers for cash.

The 32-year-old Festa was assigned to Triple-A Columbus and is not on the Guardians’ 40-man roster.

Festa has appeared in 108 major league games over five seasons with Seattle, Texas and the New York Mets, posting a 4.60 ERA.

Marlins Conine has season ending shoulder surgery >> Miami Marlins rookie outfielder Griffin Canning will miss the rest of the season following surgery on his left shoulder.

Conine jammed his shoulder into the ground on a head-first slide into second in an 11-10 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies last Saturday. The 27-year left the game and was placed on the 60-day injured list the following day.

An MRI confirmed a dislocated shoulder, which was repaired Tuesday in Los Angeles by Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

WNBA

Mystics rookie injures ACL in practice >> Washington Mystics rookie Georgia Amoore injured the ACL in her right knee at practice.

The No. 6 pick in the WNBA draft was injured a day earlier. She averaged 19.6 points for Kentucky last season and was expected to help the franchise rebuild this year along with fellow rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, who were selected third and fourth earlier this month.

Amoore played four years at Virginia Tech before transferring to Kentucky last season, following head coach Kenny Brooks.

Tennis

Swiatek advances to Madrid Open semifinals >> Iga Swiatek survived “one of the weirdest matches” after losing the first six games and recovering to defeat Madison Keys 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 and stay on track to defend her title at the Madrid Open.

The second-ranked Swiatek will face Coco Gauff in the semifinals after the 21-year-old American beat teenager Mirra Andreeva in straight sets in the youngest WTA 1000 quarterfinal since 2009.

Swiatek was overpowered by Keys early in their quarterfinal but eventually found a way to rally past the fifth-ranked American on center court.

Women’s hockey

Seattle chosen as PWHL expansion city >> The PWHL will expand to eight teams next season by adding Seattle as its second new franchise alongside Vancouver.

Seattle’s addition gives the PWHL a strong foothold in the Pacific Northwest and comes a week after the unveiling of the new team in Vancouver for the 2025-26 season. The westward move broadens the league’s reach across the continent in two markets with a history supporting women’s sports and separated by just a three-hour drive.

Soccer

Barcelona, Inter Milan draw even in Champions League >> Barcelona and Inter Milan delivered a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal.

The game featured gorgeous goals from both sides and sets up a must-see sequel next week in Milan.

Marcus Thuram was a doubt for the starting 11 after missing Inter’s previous three matches — all losses without a goal.

But the striker used the back of his heel to turn in a cross by Denzel Dumfries.