Sports

NFL fining more than 100 players for selling Super Bowl tickets above face value, AP source says

The NFL is fining about 100 players and two dozen club employees for violating league policy by selling Super Bowl tickets for above face value, a person with knowledge of the details tells The Associated Press. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, said the players who resold their tickets will have to pay a fine of 1 1/2 times the face value they paid. They also won’t be permitted to buy tickets for the next two Super Bowls unless they are playing in the game. Club employees who violated the policy will be fined two times face value.

MLS suspension of Messi and Alba is ‘draconian,’ Inter Miami owner says

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The owner of Inter Miami called Major League Soccer’s suspension of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the All-Star Game a “draconian” punishment. Owner Jorge Mas said Friday that Messi and Alba don’t understand the one-game suspensions. Messi and Alba did not suit up for the match between the MLS and Liga MX of Mexico despite being voted to the game. Messi did not play to rest amid a packed schedule and Alba was dealing with a previous injury. Mas said the club made the decision for Messi and Alba to sit out of the All-Star Game.

Beer and food workers on strike at Fenway for homestand between Dodgers and Red Sox

BOSTON (AP) — Hundreds of Aramark workers at Fenway Park are on strike and planning to stay out for all of a homestand between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers starting Friday night. Concession workers had set a deadline of noon Friday for an agreement with the Local 26 chapter of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island hotel, casino, airport and food services workers union. They want better pay and protection against technology changes. Union officials ask fans attending the homestand to support the food and beer workers by not buying anything inside Fenway.

Yankees acquire third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Rockies for prospects, AP source says

DENVER (AP) — The New York Yankees acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday for prospects, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade is pending physicals. McMahon leaves the last-place Rockies for a Yankees team that’s in the thick of a playoff chase. The 30-year-old infielder is hitting .217 with 16 homers this season. New York is searching for some stability at third after All-Star infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. was moved back to second base. He took the place of DJ LeMahieu, who was cut by the team. Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas have recently been spending time at the hot corner.

Kayla Thornton out for the season with knee injury

Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton will be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. The team announced the injury on Friday. She sustained it in practice earlier this week and underwent surgery Friday. The team said the procedure was successful. It’s a tough loss for Golden State. Thornton is the Valkyries’ leading scorer, averaging 14 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 assists this season. The veteran is in her 10th season in the WNBA and played in her first All-Star Game last weekend.

Vikings sideline Justin Jefferson with ‘very mild’ hamstring strain

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings are keeping wide receiver Justin Jefferson off the field for awhile because of a mild strain in his left hamstring. Coach Kevin O’Connell said Jefferson will be re-evaluated next week. The two-time All-Pro felt tightness in his leg during practice on Thursday and cut short his participation as a precaution. The Vikings then sent him for an MRI. O’Connell described the injury as “very mild” and expressed no concern about Jefferson being ready for the season opener. Jefferson will likely miss more than just a few days of training camp given his value to the team.

Following Venus Williams’ comment on health insurance, here’s what to know about athlete coverage

Venus Williams’ recent singles win at the D.C. Open showcased her longevity and brought attention to health coverage for aging athletes following a joking comment she made in an on-court interview. When athletes are playing, they’re usually covered. But Williams, coming back to the sport after a 16-month hiatus, brought to light how long that insurance lasts — or doesn’t last — for athletes when they’re not playing. Williams says “obviously (the interview was) a fun and funny moment, but it’s an issue that people are dealing with, so it is serious.”

Pete Carroll says Raiders didn’t rush into decision to release Christian Wilkins

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll said the team didn’t rush its decision to release defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. The decision came after a dispute over Wilkins’ recovery from a broken foot. Carroll said Friday there was no clear path for Wilkins’ return. The Raiders released a strong statement Thursday, saying Wilkins failed to provide a plan for his return. Wilkins was injured in Week 5 last season and landed on the physically unable to perform list. He has filed a grievance with the NFL Players Association.

Lottie Woad takes 2-shot lead over Nelly Korda in pro debut at Women’s Scottish Open

IRVINE, Scotland (AP) — Lottie Woad of England is the 36-hole lead over Nelly Korda in her professional debut. Woad played bogey-free in the Women’s Scottish Open for a 66. She leads by two over Nelly Korda and Nanna Koerstz Madsen at Dundonald Links. Korda is trying to win for the first time this year after a seven-win season in 2024. Woad is a former top-ranked amateur. This doesn’t feel any different because of her recent success. She won the Women’s Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour just three weeks ago. And then she missed a playoff in the Evian Championship in France.

Trump administration investigates Oregon’s transgender athlete policies

The Trump administration is investigating the Oregon Department of Education after receiving a complaint from a conservative non-profit group alleging the state was violating civil rights law by allowing transgender girls to compete on girls sports teams. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights opened the investigation based on a complaint saying high-school aged female athletes in the state had lost medals and other competitive opportunities to transgender athletes. The probe is the latest escalation in the Republican administration’s effort to bar transgender athletes from women’s sports teams nationwide.