Sports

The NFL tush push ban proposal is back on the table at the spring owners meetings

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The fate of the tush push is up for discussion again. A vote is expected this week on the proposal by the Green Bay Packers to prohibit the play popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles. To pass the ban, 24 of the 32 teams must approve. Commissioner Roger Goodell said last month he believes owners will reach a consensus on the issue of competitive integrity and player safety. There will be a new topic as well when NFL owners gather in Minnesota. The league has proposed allowing players to participate in flag football when the sport debuts at the 2028 Olympics.

Inside the NBA playoff numbers: Some rare matchups await, and some milestones loom

If the NBA playoffs were like the NCAA tournament, chances are your brackets would be busted by now. And that’s because these conference final matchups — at least by seeding — weren’t very predictable. In the Western Conference finals, which start Tuesday, it’s No. 1 Oklahoma City and No. 6 Minnesota. In the Eastern Conference finals, which start Wednesday, it’s No. 3 New York and No. 4 Indiana. Under the current NBA playoff format, which goes back to 1984, such matchups — 1 vs. 6, and 3 vs. 4 — have been fairly rare. There’s been only eight other matchups pitting those seeds under this format.

Mets will talk to Juan Soto about hustle after line drive off Green Monster ends up a single

BOSTON (AP) — New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he will talk to Juan Soto about hustling out of the batter’s box after the slugger watched his would-be home run bounce off the Green Monster for a single Monday night against the Boston Red Sox. Leading off the sixth inning on a chilly night at Fenway Park with a 15 mph wind blowing in from left field, Soto hit a 102 mph line drive to left and stood watching as it sailed toward the Green Monster. The ball hit about two-thirds of the way up the 37-foot wall. Soto denied lollygagging on the basepaths.

White Sox unveil a graphic installation honoring Pope Leo XIV and his World Series appearance

CHICAGO (AP) — There is a new landmark at the home of the Chicago White Sox — Section 140, Row 19, Seat 2. That’s where Father Bob — the future Pope Leo XIV — sat for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. The White Sox have unveiled a graphic installation that pays tribute to the new pontiff and that moment during their last championship run. The pillar artwork features a waving Pope Leo XIV, along with a picture from the TV broadcast of the future pope sitting with good friend Ed Schmit and his grandson, Eddie. The team also is planning to do something to commemorate the Rate Field seat the pope occupied during the 2005 World Series opener.

Tour de France’s new Montmartre climb could be a game changer. It sparks controversy

PARIS (AP) — The Tour de France is set for a dramatic finale in July after organizers announced a climb up Montmartre in Paris on the final day. Traditionally, the Tour final stage is largely processional until a sprint decides the day’s winner on the Champs-Élysées. The inclusion of the steep Montmartre climb could dramatically change the dynamics of the stage. If the hill features just a few kilometers from the finish line, or is climbed several times, pure sprinters will likely be dropped before they can compete for the stage win. And if the general classification remains tight ahead of the final stage, the yellow jersey itself could be decided in Paris. Top riders like Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel have expressed concerns over safety, stress, and the loss of a key opportunity for sprinters.

Reimagined and reopened museum at Indianapolis Motor Speedway aims to be more than just a museum

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The rebuilt and recently reopened museum at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is more than just a bunch of old cars and artifacts hidden behind glass. It is an immersive experience designed to appeal to more fans — especially young ones — and better tell the story of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” It took nearly 18 months and cost more than $60 million to complete. But when it opened last month, it was met with rave reviews. The museum, tucked inside Turns 1 and 2 of the speedway, is preparing for its busiest week of the year. The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is Sunday.

Bruins give GM Don Sweeney a 2-year extension to lead rebuild after first playoff miss since 2016

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins have signed general manager Don Sweeney to a two-year contract extension, trusting him to rebuild the roster after the team missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 2016. The move comes a month after team president Cam Neely said he needed to think about whether to keep Sweeney around after a decade in which the Bruins have seen unprecedented regular-season success followed largely by playoff flops. Sweeney fired coach Jim Montgomery in November and then sold off the roster at the trade deadline when it failed to respond under interim Joe Sacco.

US rugby star Alev Kelter gets 3-match ban for stamping on opponent’s head

United States women’s rugby star Alev Kelter has been handed a three-match ban for stamping on the head of an opponent in a test match against Australia. Kelter is a three-time U.S. Olympic representative in rugby sevens. She was sent off in the 79th minute of the Pacific Four Series match on Saturday after the referee reviewed footage showing Kelter stamping forcefully on the head of Australia center Georgie Friedrichs. World Rugby says Kelter appeared at a disciplinary committee hearing and accepted she committed an act of foul play. The committee accepted evidence provided by Kelter that she did not intend to contact the head of Friedrichs.

Klopp to Roma could be a rumor created by amateur sleuths

ROME (AP) — Roma fans have been driven into a frenzy by Italian media reports that Jürgen Klopp has agreed to be the team coach from next season. But the rumor stems from a social media post that some may be reading far too much into. Roma owner the Friedkin Group posted a video on Friday celebrating the capital club and its legacy. The video included images of iconic Rome sites: Colosseum (Kolosseum in German), Lupa Capitolina, Olimpico, (St.) Peter’s and Pantheon in that order. Someone pointed out the starting letters of those words spell Klopp. And it spiralled from there.

Organizations and companies are partnering to introduce Black students in Detroit to golf

DETROIT (AP) — As a fan, Shaun Horne is all about Detroit’s professional sports teams. But when it comes to playing, the high school junior only has his eyes set on golf. Embracing the game makes the 16-year-old a rarity among his Detroit peers, particularly Black high schoolers. Coaches and community groups are taking ambitious steps that include seeking corporate help and offering college scholarships to spread the game’s popularity among students. They say hurdles include costs associated with golf equipment and course time.