Update on the latest sports
APMLB-NEWS
Bauer’s administrative leave extended through Aug. 20
UNDATED (AP) — Trevor Bauer’s administrative leave has been extended through Aug. 20 by Major League Baseball and the players’ association while the sport’s investigators check into allegations of sexual misconduct against the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher.
Bauer was placed on seven days’ paid leave July 2 under the joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy adopted by MLB and the players’ union in 2015. MLB and the union have agreed to several extensions. Police in Pasadena, California, and MLB are investigating the allegations made against Bauer by a woman who says the pitcher choked her to the point where she lost consciousness and punched her during two sexual encounters this year. The pitcher’s agents have disputed the allegations.
In other major league news:
—Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly is back with the club two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. The 60-year-old Mattingly, who was vaccinated for the virus in April, returned for the opener of a three-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs. Mattingly says he felt “something” during Miami’s game against the New York Yankees on July 30. The following morning he took his temperature and noticed a mild fever.
NFL-NEWS
Vaccination or negative test required for Saints, Wave games
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Superdome remains on track to open at full capacity for New Orleans Saints games this season. But only masked fans who provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to games may enter the stadium.
The City of New Orleans enacted new rules on Thursday for entertainment venues and indoor facilities hosting large social gatherings on the heels of spiking COVID-19 related hospitalizations in the state in recent weeks. That came after the State of Louisiana enacted a mask mandate for such venues. The Saints first home exhibition game is Aug. 23.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
— The Kansas City Chiefs visit the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday for their preseason opener. For quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the results will not matter as much as how the players communicate and get used to each other. The Chiefs will start five new offensive linemen, an area of concern for the team trying to protect their star quarterback.
NBA-NEWS
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Giannis’ brother) staying with Bucks
UNDATED (AP) — Forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo has re-signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Antetokounmpo is an older brother of Bucks forward and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Thanasis Antetkounmpo has played for Milwaukee each of the last two seasons. The 6-foot-6 forward played 57 games with three starts this past season and averaged 2.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 9.7 minutes. He appeared in 13 playoff games during the Bucks’ run to the NBA title.
Elsewhere in the NBA:
—The Los Angeles Clippers have re-signed free agent Nicholas Batum, who revived his career during last season’s pandemic-shortened schedule. He signed his new contract in France during a livestream on the team’s Instagram account. With Batum locked up, the team has retained all of its free agents who helped lead the Clippers to their first Western Conference finals appearance in franchise history.
NHL-PANTHERS-THORNTON
Joe Thornton, 42 and eyeing Stanley Cup, signs with Panthers
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Joe Thornton’s pursuit of an elusive Stanley Cup is bringing him to the Florida Panthers.
The 42-year-old Thornton signed a one-year deal with the Panthers on Friday, making Florida his fourth franchise in a now 24-year NHL career. He has more points than any other active NHL player and is 14th all-time on that list. The 13 players ahead of him in points are in the Hall of Fame.
Thornton loves what he sees in his new team. Says Thornton: “Everything is about ultimately winning the Stanley Cup and the Panthers are right there in my opinion.”
COMPENSATING ATHLETES-BYU
Competitive advantage? BYU’s NIL deal could test limits
UNDATED (AP) — A deal BYU has made available to its football players could test how much allowing athletes to be compensated by outside companies for name, image and likeness can be used as a competitive advantage.
BYU has announced that a Utah-based company that makes protein snacks will give the opportunity for all 123 members of its football team to be paid to promote its products. Scholarship players can earn $1,000. For players who are not on academic scholarship, the payment will be equivalent to the cost of a year’s tuition at BYU, which ranges from about $3,000 to $6,000 per year.
PGA-TOUR CHAMPIONS
Mayfair shots 8-under 62, leads Weir by stroke in Calgary
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Billy Mayfair shot an 8-under 62 on Friday at Canyon Meadows to take a one-stroke lead over Canadian star Mike Weir after the first round of the PGA Tour Champions’ Shaw Charity Classic.
Winless on the 50-and-over tour after winning five times on the PGA Tour, the 55-year-old Mayfair had four straight birdies in the middle of the round and added late birdies on the par-5 fourth and par-4 seventh. Weir eagled the par-5 11th. The 2003 Masters champion won the Insperity Invitational in May in Texas for his lone senior title. In his last start, he tied for second in the U.S. Senior Open in Nebraska. Fellow Canadian Stephen Ames was at 64 with Doug Barron and Steve Flesch. Ken Duke followed at 65.
In other pro golf action:
—Ariya Jutanugarn had five birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine and shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to take the second-round lead in the LPGA Tour’s windy and rainy Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open. Playing in the morning in wind gusting to 40 mph at Dumbarnie Links, Jutanugarn birdied Nos. 12 and 13 and 15-17. The 25-year-old Thai star has two victories this year, the Honda LPGA Thailand and Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational team event alongside sister Moriya.
