U.S./World Sports category, Page 317
Franklin Regional graduate Michael Kemerer granted another year of eligibility at Iowa
Positive news, in any form, is welcomed by college athletes in these uncertain times. Wrestler Michael Kemerer received an uplifting boost from the NCAA over the weekend as the Iowa senior and Franklin Regional graduate was granted a sixth year of eligibility. That means he will get another shot at...
Hopewell grad Shatori Walker-Kimbrough embarks on new WNBA odysseyVideo
Like so many others, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough is making the best of being stuck at home during the covid-19 pandemic. The former Hopewell three-sport standout and three-year WNBA veteran is riding her exercise bike, doing core workouts and honing her ball-handling — in between jigsaw puzzles and reading. Being at “home”...
William Byron wins 2nd NASCAR virtual race in a drama-free eventVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nobody did anything to get fired or lose a sponsor in this week’s edition of NASCAR virtual racing. William Byron won his second consecutive NASCAR virtual race Sunday by holding off Timmy Hill — the driver who moved him out of the way to win an earlier...
John Steigerwald: Kudos to Jalen Green for choosing G League over college
Good for Jalen Green. He decided not to go to college. Instead, he’ll make $500,000 playing basketball in the G League. That’s the official minor league of the NBA. It used to be known as the D League for NBA Developmental League. It was changed to G League in 2017....
Sports leagues seek return to play but with no guarantees
With no games being played, recent sports headlines have centered around hopes and dreams: namely, the uncharted path leagues and teams must navigate to return to competition in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic. Virtually all leagues talk publicly about their desire to return before summer. But behind closed doors,...
Scott Fowler: What sponsor would pay Kyle Larson?Video
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR driver Kyle Larson threw his job away by saying one word on Easter Sunday — the N-word. “What Kyle Larson did to himself in that one moment was like hitting the wall running at 300 mph,” Humpy Wheeler, the retired racing executive who ran Charlotte Motor...
Louisville adjusts to new date, season for Kentucky DerbyVideo
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Postponing the Kentucky Derby was jarring enough for a city that draws much of its identity from hosting horse racing’s marquee event. Canceling it, well, that’s unthinkable in the Bluegrass State. The move of the Triple Crown’s first leg to Labor Day weekend because of the coronavirus...
Pandemic costs youth sports millions across U.S.
DALLAS — Less than a month ago, AAU president Roger Goudy watched membership in the long-running youth sports organization drop from 20,000 ahead of last year’s pace to about 3,000 behind in a week. For now, he hopes a girls volleyball tournament he helped turn into one of the world’s...
Horse racing gets more TV time with other sports on hold
Socially distanced crews in New York and California are keeping horse racing on television in the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic. Horse racing is one of the few sports ongoing, albeit in a limited capacity at a handful of empty tracks, but its TV presence has expanded because of the...
Sabrina Ionescu goes No. 1 in WNBA Draft; Hopewell’s Walker-Kimbrough traded againVideo
NEW YORK — Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, as expected. When she will play for the New York Liberty is unclear. With sports on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, it was a draft Friday night like no other with players in...
Joe Buck turns down $1 million to provide play-by-play for porn websiteVideo
Several weeks ago, Joe Buck offered to do play-by-play on any video sent his way to help keep his broadcasting skills sharp during the sports shutdown. Since then, his Twitter followers have been able to hear his distinctive voice calling such events as toddlers kicking a beach ball, beer pong,...
NBA players to receive 25% less in paychecks starting May 15Video
NBA players will see 25% of their paychecks taken out starting May 15, the first direct hit to their salaries because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was finalized Friday in a board of governors meeting and was done in concert with the National Basketball Players Association. Players will be...
Column: When nightmare is over, a chance for sports to resetVideo
While sports is on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, there are surely lessons to be learned. When normality does return to our stadiums and arenas, maybe we can put them to use. Certainly, this unprecedented shutdown has changed life — and sports — in ways we never expected. But maybe,...
Oregon guard Sabrina Ionescu expected to be No. 1 pick in WNBA DraftVideo
NEW YORK — It will be no surprise if Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu is the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft on Friday night by the New York Liberty. It would be surprise, however, if she isn’t. The Ducks guard, who was the consensus player of the year, has...
U.S. Open tennis covid-19 decision by June; no fans ‘unlikely’Video
A decision on whether to postpone or cancel the U.S. Open because of the coronavirus pandemic is expected by June, the U.S. Tennis Association’s new CEO said Thursday, calling the prospect of holding the Grand Slam tournament without spectators “highly unlikely.” “Obviously our ambition is to run the tournament. It’s...
Top recruit Jalen Green skips college, signs with G LeagueVideo
Top recruit Jalen Green said Thursday that he is skipping college and has signed with the G League for next season, becoming the first player to take advantage of a new potential path to the NBA. Green, a guard from Napa, Calif., who was considered by some as the No....
PGA Tour hopes to resume in June at Colonial with no fansVideo
The PGA Tour laid out an ambitious plan Thursday to resume its season the second week of June and keep fans away for at least a month, conceding any return to golf depends on whether it can be played safely amid the coronavirus outbreak. The Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial...
Tour de France to start Aug. 29, end Sept. 20Video
PARIS — With the Tour de France pushed back to a late August start, race director Christian Prudhomme is hoping cycling’s showcase event can help bring back a sense of normality to a nation reeling from the coronavirus pandemic. Organizers on Wednesday announced new dates of Aug. 29-Sept. 20 for...
Commissioners tell Mike Pence no football before campuses openVideo
The commissioners of the nation’s major college football conferences held a 30-minute conference call Wednesday with Vice President Mike Pence and stressed that college sports cannot return from the coronavirus shutdown until campuses have re-opened. The 10 commissioners, along with the athletic director of Notre Dame, comprise the College Football...
Former Hopewell star Shatori Walker-Kimbrough acquired by WNBA’s Liberty
NEW YORK — For the first time in her WNBA career, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough will wear a different uniform. The New York Liberty traded seven-time All-Star Tina Charles in a three-team deal Wednesday that involved Walker-Kimbrough. Charles will go to the Washington Mystics in exchange for Walker-Kimbrough, the No. 12 pick...
WWE releases Kurt Angle, others in response to coronavirus impact
WWE is slashing costs during the coronavirus pandemic by cutting ties with an Olympic gold medalist and other performers. In a release issued Wednesday afternoon, the company announced measures it was taking “in response to the current impact of covid-19 on the organization,” which included “headcount reductions” and furloughing “a...
ESPN asks on-air personalities to take pay cutsVideo
BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN is asking some of its on-air personalities to take a 15% pay cut over the next three months because of the coronavirus pandemic. “We are asking about 100 of our commentators to join with our executives and take a temporary salary reduction,” ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz...
Tour de France postponed, could start in late AugustVideo
PARIS — After weeks of holding out hope the Tour de France would be able to go ahead as planned, the world’s most famous cycling race finally was added to the list of sporting events postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. The three-week race could still take place this year, however,...
Sabrina Ionescu prepared to take her stardom to next level in WNBAVideo
PORTLAND, Ore. — With the spotlight on her growing brighter, Sabrina Ionescu is aware she is becoming her own brand. One of the most decorated players in women’s college basketball, Ionescu is about to go pro with the WNBA Draft coming up Friday. She’s widely expected to be selected No....
On the Fringe: PGA Tour rookie Scheffler in no hurryVideo
Scottie Scheffler never has been in such a hurry that he fails to recognize what is right in front of him. At the moment, that would be nothing. “Our lives are put on hold at the moment,” Scheffler said. “It’s a weird feeling sitting at home, not having much to...
