Update on the latest sports
NFL places restrictions on Brady’s broadcasting access because of pending Raiders ownership stake
An NFL spokesperson says Tom Brady’s pending bid to become a part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders has triggered restrictions on his access to teams as part of his role as a Fox Sports broadcaster. Brady is not permitted to attend in-person or online broadcast production meetings and may not have access to team facilities, players or coaches. Fox staff is not subject to these limitations. He also must abide by the league constitution and bylaws that prohibit public criticism of officials and other clubs. Brady is allowed to broadcast Raiders games.
The Chiefs’ pursuit of a 3-peat is the hot topic among many storylines entering 2024 NFL season
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs chasing history will be the hottest topic throughout the NFL season. Kansas City’s three-peat quest is only one of many interesting storylines. Aaron Rodgers is back in New York after his first season with the Jets lasted only four plays. The 40-year-old four-time NFL MVP is returning from a torn Achilles tendon and aiming to help the Jets end the league’s longest active playoff drought. No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams takes over for the Bears, looking to end Chicago’s lengthy search for a franchise quarterback. Eighteen weeks and 272 games to determine the teams that’ll play in January to figure out which two face off in February for the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Zzzzzzz: US Open tennis players take naps before matches, especially late ones
NEW YORK (AP) — Plenty of tennis players at the U.S. Open agree that there are benefits to taking a nap before a match, especially if they are due on court at night. Some catch extra Zs at their hotels. Others opt for the beds in the “Player Quiet Room” down the hall from the locker rooms at Flushing Meadows, where the year’s last Grand Slam tournament is being played this week and next. Some are fine with finding any spot they can stretch out because they appreciate the net gains they believe come from dozing off. Matches can begin anywhere from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. — and, on occasion, even later.
College athlete advocacy group opposes NCAA lawsuit settlement, says it limits potential earnings
A prominent advocacy group for college athletes says it opposes a settlement agreement of federal antitrust lawsuits facing the NCAA and major college conferences. The National College Players Association says a plan for schools to share athletic revenue with athletes would actually limit their earning potential by eliminating booster-funded collectives, currently responsible for billions of dollars in payments to college athletes. NCPA executive director Ramogi Huma, a former UCLA football player, called the settlement unjust and says his group will work to have it rejected by the court. A preliminary approval hearing in the case is scheduled for next week.
Track cyclist Caroline Groot of the Netherlands wins Paralympic Games’ first gold medal
PARIS (AP) — Track cyclist Caroline Groot of the Netherlands has won the first gold medal of the Paralympic Games. Groot won the final of the C4 and C5 classifications in the 500-meter time trial in women’s track cycling on Thursday. It is the first medal event of the Games that opened with a spectacular ceremony on Wednesday. Groot went last after watching C4 world record holder Kadeena Cox crash on her attempt. The British cyclist was denied the opportunity of restarting because a mechanical error was not to blame for her fall. Groot won in 35.390 seconds, a world record in C5. French cyclist Marie Patouillet took the silver, and Canada’s Kate O’Brien took bronze.
No. 1 Jannick Sinner moves into the third round at the US Open, Hurkacz and Korda ousted
NEW YORK (AP) — Jannik Sinner has surged into the third round of the U.S. Open, beating Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2. The No. 1-ranked Sinner dropped the first set in his opening match in New York but didn’t encounter much trouble Thursday facing his second straight American on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Italian earned his 50th victory of the season, including his ATP Tour-leading 30th on hard courts. Sinner beat Michelsen for the second time this month, having also won a second-round match in Cincinnati shortly before it was revealed that he tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March. No. 7 seed Hurbert Hurkacz and No. 16 Sebastian Korda lost.
Jurgen Klopp joins the crowd at the Paralympics, cheering on long-time friend playing badminton
PARIS (AP) — Fomer Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp is in Paris cheering for his long-time friend Wojtek Czyz in the badminton competition at the Paralympics. Their friendship began about 20 years ago when Czyz, a promising soccer player, suffered a devastating injury in a collision with a goalkeeper that led to the amputation of his lower left leg. During his rehabilitation Czyz met Klopp, who was managing FSV Mainz 05, a second-division German club at the time. Klopp said he had tears in his eyes after watching Czyz lose to Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the men’s singles. Klopp said: “I know sports are all about results, but just seeing him on the court was so touching.”
Teenage Paralympians aiming for Team USA’s first badminton medal
PARIS (AP) — Miles Krajweski and Jayci Simon are trying to win Team USA’s first para badminton medal in the SH6 mixed doubles event for players of short stature. The two met back in 2016, have played together since 2022 and share the common goal of growing para badminton in the United States with a Paralympic medal. They beat India in their first group play match and can secure a semifinal spot with a win over Thailand.
Jacoby Brissett is selected Patriots starting quarterback for Week 1 against Cincinnati
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots coach Jerod Mayo has selected Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback for New England’s season opener at Cincinnati. Brissett gets the nod over rookie first-round draft pick Drake Maye, who he shared snaps with throughout training camp and the preseason. Brissett, who heading into his ninth NFL season, signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Patriots in March. It reunited him with the team that drafted him in in the third round in 2016. While Mayo acknowledged earlier this week that he felt Maye had outplayed Brissett this preseason, he said other factors shifted the pendulum toward Brissett, most notably his overall experience.
Darlington honors the late Cale Yarborough at his hometown track where he won five Southern 500s
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Darlington Raceway will honor late NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough at his hometown track where he won five Southern 500s and left a legacy of success. Yarborough died at age 84 last New Year’s Eve. There will be the Oldsmobile Cutlass he drove to his third straight NASCAR Cup Series title in 1978 on display for fans. Then Hall of Fame racer Dale Jarrett will drive the machine on the opening pace laps. Yarborough was the first to win three straight Cup Series championships. He finished his career with 83 victories, tied for sixth most with Jimmie Johnson.