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Victor Conte, mastermind behind BALCO steroids scandal, dead at 75

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Victor Conte, mastermind behind BALCO steroids scandal, dead at 75


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Victor Conte, the central figure in one of the biggest performance-enhancing drug scandals in sports history, has died at age 75.

Conte’s company, Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning (SNAC), announced his death in a post on X, saying he had been battling pancreatic cancer. 

“We are Heartbroken by the Passing of our Fearless Leader,” the post stated. “We will Honor his Wishes. SNAC and his Legacy will Carry Forward, Strong and Forever. We LOVE you, Conte!”

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Victor Conte, BALCO founder, has passed away at 75 years old. His company, SNAC, announced his death on social media.  (IMAGN)

Conte’s prior venture, BALCO, made national headlines in 2003 when federal agents raided the business as well as his Northern California home as part of an investigation into the steroids scandal that rocked multiple sports leagues, most notably Major League Baseball.

He later pleaded guilty in 2005 to conspiracy to distribute steroids and money laundering, admitting to supplying performance-enhancing drugs to several high-profile athletes, including Barry Bonds, baseball’s home run king, and Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones.

MARLON BYRD NO QUALMS ABOUT WORKING WITH CONTE

While Conte expressed remorse for his role, he also reflected on his controversial legacy in a Netflix documentary:

“When Marion Jones hit the finish line and won the gold medal, when Barry Bonds hit all these home runs, you know, any of these great accomplishments, those are things that I’ll always be proud of.”

Victor Conte takes questions from reporters

Victor Conte, founder of BALCO speaks with the media at the Federal Courthouse after his sentencing in the BALCO steroid case on October 18, 2005, in San Francisco, California. The case, which brought international attention to the steroid use by athletes, came to a close today with Victor Conte receiving four months jail time and four months of house arrest.  (David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

Conte ended up serving four months in a low-security federal prison in California as part of his sentencing.

Conte’s SNAC developed and sold natural supplements, but he wasn’t completely blackballed from sports. He was an advisor in the boxing world, with clients including Terence “Bud” Crawford and Claressa Shields.

That doesn’t mean Conte didn’t still have detractors, as Crawford’s most recent fight against Canelo Alvarez brought about skeptics who believed he might be cheating with Conte on his team.

“Please don’t stress the negativity of my past too much,” Conte said, via USA TODAY before Crawford’s unanimous victory over Alvarez to make him a three-belt champion.

Victor Conte talks at event

Founder and president of BALCO, Victor Conte speaks at the “Tribeca Talks: Injecting The American Dream” panel discussion during the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival on May 3, 2008 in New York City. (Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)

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Conte was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May, but continued working with athletes from his hospital bed in his final months.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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Transfer rumors, news: Napoli ‘aggressively pushing’ for Man United’s Mainoo

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Transfer rumors, news:  Napoli ‘aggressively pushing’ for Man United’s Mainoo


Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo remains in Napoli‘s sights, while Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur eye Juventus forward Jonathan David. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Napoli are “aggressively” pushing to sign Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on loan in January, as per TEAMtalk. The 20-year-old is targeting regular first-team football in a bid to make Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for next summer’s FIFA World Cup. As such, a loan is the most likely option in January, with the Serie A champions leading the race. Napoli are willing to cover Mainoo’s £45,000-a-week wages in full and could even insert a future purchase option at United’s request.

– Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur are ready to pounce if Juventus sanction Jonathan David‘s exit this winter, according to Sky Sports. The Canada international has struggled to make an impact since swapping Lille for Juve back in the summertime, having scored just once in 11 matches to date. A response is now needed from David, otherwise a “quick exit” in January could be considered by the Serie A giants — with some of Europe’s biggest clubs already circling.

– A deal is “progressing” for Real Madrid forward Endrick to join Lyon on loan in January, Fabrizio Romano reports. Endrick wants to make the move, provided no permanent options are included in the deal. Sources told ESPN last week that Lyon were leading the race to sign the Brazil international, and the Ligue 1 side remain the only club in advanced talks to sign him despite the likes of Aston Villa being linked in recent weeks. Endrick, 19, has played just once in LaLiga so far this season.

Atalanta midfielder Éderson has been mentioned in Newcastle United recruitment meetings as a potential replacement for Joelinton, The i Paper has reported. Persistent injury issues have led Newcastle to explore future transfer options, although it remains to be seen just how serious their interest in Éderson really is. The 26-year-old is a compatriot of Joelinton, having been capped three times by Brazil’s national team since September 2024.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk “fought until the last minute” to join Real Madrid last summer, Diario AS reports on the day that the two clubs meet at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League. According to the Madrid-based outlet, Van Dijk’s agents made contact with Spanish representatives to try to connect with Madrid, who weren’t interested in a deal. Van Dijk ended up renewing his Liverpool contract in April, with Madrid preferring to pursue other targets — signing Dean Huijsen.

EXPERT TAKE

play

2:02

How ‘one-paced’ Kobbie Mainoo can improve

Mark Ogden explains the limits to Kobbie Mainoo’s game compared to some of the midfielders higher on ESPN’s 39 best U21 players.

OTHER RUMORS

– Barcelona are keen to sign Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal provided he accepts the Spanish club’s proposed salary. A pay cut may be required for his season-long loan to be extended, as Barça have an option to sign him next summer for up to 35 million. (talkSPORT)

– Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read is high on Bayern Munich’s shortlist for the summer of 2026. The 19-year-old is viewed as a potential long-term option behind Konrad Laimer, and could be available for around €25 million. (Sky Germany)

– Augsburg striker Phillip Tietz could leave the Bundesliga club in January with a host of MLS sides keen on signing him. (Sky Germany)

– Southampton have agreed a deal to bring Oriol Romeu back to the club. Medical tests are expected to take place, with a contract until the summer of 2026 on the table. (Fabrizio Romano)

– West Ham United are stepping up their efforts to sign a striker after Niclas Füllkrug‘s agent suggested his client could leave the Premier League club in January. (TEAMtalk)

– Manchester United see “no future” for Jadon Sancho at the club after his early season struggles at Aston Villa. (Football Insider)

– AC Milan, Atalanta, Roma and Internazionale are monitoring Hellas Verona striker Giovane. (Nicolò Schira)

– Chicago Fire are finalizing a deal to sign AIK midfielder Anton Salétros in January. (Tom Bogert)

– Paris Saint-Germain have added Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Aleksey Batrakov to their summer shortlist. (Ekrem Konur)

– Internazionale are considering a swoop for Udinese defender Oumar Solet. (Ekrem Konur)



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Max Scherzer gave the Blue Jays all he had. They helped keep him going.

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The future Hall of Famer wasn’t sure he could continue pitching at his lowest points this spring. He ended up starting Game 7 of the World Series.



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Alexander-Arnold writes tribute note to Jota

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Alexander-Arnold writes tribute note to Jota


Trent Alexander-Arnold made a tribute to Diogo Jota outside Anfield on Monday night.

Alexander-Arnold and his Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso laid flowers in memory of Jota at the Liverpool stadium before their Champions League clash.

Jota, aged 28, and his brother André, 26, died in July in a tragic car crash in Portugal.

A Real Madrid contingent — including Jota’s former teammate Alexander-Arnold, and ex-Liverpool midfielder Alonso — paid their respects 24 hours before Tuesday night’s match.

Alexander-Arnold wrote a heartbreaking message which read: “My mate Diogo, you are so missed but still so loved.

“Yours and Andre’s memory will always live on.

“I smile every time I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared.

“Miss you mate, every day. Love Trent and family. Forever 20. YNWA.”

Real defender Dean Huijsen and club legend Emilio Butragueno also joined the tribute on Monday.

Liverpool retired the No. 20 in honour of Jota after his death.

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Alexander-Arnold and Jota helped Liverpool win the Premier League, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Community Shield.

Alexander-Arnold makes his return to Anfield play against Liverpool on Tuesday in the Champions League.

Rival right-back Dani Carvahal is injured, but Real also have the option of using Fede Valverde in Alexander-Arnold’s position.



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