Sports Napkin securing Lionel Messi's first contract fetches nearly $1 million at auction The handwritten restaurant napkin from the year 2000 was the starting point for an agreement between the then 13-year-old Messi and FC Barcelona. Chloe Veltman
Bellevue's light rail is rolling. Will a Seattle connection arrive in time for the World Cup? As Bellevue celebrates its first light rail line this weekend, regional leaders are celebrating, too, but perhaps for different reasons. Sure, opening up new transportation options on the Eastside is a big deal, but also, the new light rail line comes along ahead of a major deadline for the Seattle area — the World Cup in 2026. Kim Malcolm John O'Brien Play AudioListen 6 mins
Sports Seattle Reign reportedly sold for $58 million to group that includes the Sounders The French company that owns the Seattle Reign announced today it will sell its stake in the women’s soccer team to a group that includes the Seattle Sounders. Vaughan Jones
Sports Seattle Reign fans gear up for a new era, minus Rapinoe and plus a new look When the Seattle Reign kick off their 2024 season, the team and its fans will enter territory they haven't seen in many years — a season without Megan Rapinoe. Clare McGrane Kim Malcolm
Sports Soccer star Dani Alves is found guilty of rape and sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison Dani Alves, one of the most successful soccer players of his generation, was found guilty of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022. The Associated Press
Environment Does playing soccer on artificial turf increase cancer risk, especially in kids? Stephen Howie Play AudioListen 27 mins
Sports Seattle's World Cup schedule is here The schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been released, and it includes six games on Seattle soil. Lumen Field will host four group play games between June 15 and 26, including a United States Men’s National Team match on June 19. Vaughan Jones
Sports Criminal trial for Spain's former soccer head is proposed for his unwanted kiss A high court judge also says three men who pressured Jenni Hermoso to absolve Luis Rubiales — by acting together in an attempt "to break the will" of the star forward — could also face charges. Bill Chappell
Sports OL Reign loses NWSL championship, Rapinoe injured in final game The stage was set this Saturday, the OL Reign were vying for their first National Women’s Soccer League Championship against New York's Gotham FC. It was also the final professional game for the Reign's transcendent talent, retiring winger Megan Rapinoe, and then, less than five minutes into the match, Rapinoe left with an injury. Diana Opong Hans Anderson Play AudioListen 14 mins
National Lewiston High School's state soccer title is a salve after last month's mass shooting "We just wanted to give back to the city with all they have gone through," Tegra Mbele, who scored the winning goal for the Lewiston Blue Devils, told a local newspaper. Bill Chappell
