Sports

Gunman who killed 4 in New York was trying to get to NFL offices and claimed to have CTE: Officials

NEW YORK (AP) — Police say a gunman who killed four people in a Manhattan skyscraper before taking his own life claimed to have a brain disease linked to contact sports and was trying to target the National Football League’s headquarters in the building. New York City Mayor Eric Adams says investigators believe the gunman wanted to get up to the NFL’s offices on Monday but entered the wrong elevator. Police say Shane Tamura, a Las Vegas casino worker, had a note in his wallet that suggested he had a grievance against the NFL and asked that his brain be studied. He played high school football in California but never played in the NFL. Among those killed was an off-duty police officer working security.

NFL community reacts with sadness to the shooting at the league office that killed 4 people

NEW YORK (AP) — Players and coaches around the NFL reacted with sadness Tuesday after the shooting at the NFL’s New York City office killed four people. Brian Daboll of the New York Giants, Aaron Glenn of the Jets, Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears and Raheem Morris of the Atlanta Falcons offered their thoughts and prayers to the victims of Monday’s shooting. Mayor Eric Adams said the gunman was trying to target NFL headquarters but took the wrong elevator. Tennessee Titans NFLPA representative Jeffery Simmons cited the importance of mental health in conversations with fellow players.

Trump gave the USOPC cover on its transgender athlete policy change. It could end up in court anyway

The Trump administration has pushed to remove transgender athletes from Olympic sports. They provided a legal brief to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) explaining how this move aligns with the Ted Stevens Act. This guidance led the USOPC to change its policy, requiring national governing bodies to update their participation rules. Olympic legal expert Jill Pilgrim believes the policy could face legal challenges if a transgender athlete is excluded. The USOPC’s new policy replaces one based on data and science. The committee aims for compliance by the end of the year, amid criticism and legal uncertainties.

Katie Ledecky remains unbeatable in the 1,500 freestyle taking the title again at the worlds

SINGAPORE (AP) — Katie Ledecky has ceded a tiny bit of ground in other events, but she’s still unbeatable in the 1,500-meter freestyle. She won it again Tuesday in the swimming world championships in Singapore, finishing in 15 minutes, 26.44 seconds. Simona Quadarella of Italy took silver in 15:31.79 – a European record – with bronze for Lani Pallister of Australia in 15:41.18 in a very quick-paced race. Ledecky was ahead of her world-record pace through 1,250 meters, pushed early by Pallister. It was Ledecky’s second medal in these games after taking bronze in the 400 free behind Canadian Summer McIntosh.

Venus Williams receives a wild-card entry with Reilly Opelka to play mixed doubles at the US Open

Venus Williams’ comeback is headed to the U.S. Open next month. She will enter the redesigned mixed doubles tournament with Reilly Opelka via a wild-card entry. The 45-year-old Williams returned to the tennis tour last week after more than a year away. She and Opelka were among the 14 teams announced Tuesday by the U.S. Tennis Association for its mixed doubles event on Aug. 19-20. Eight of the pairings received direct entry into the field based on having the highest combined current singles rankings. Six were given wild cards by the USTA. The players with spots in the bracket include nine who have won at least one Grand Slam singles title.

Lottie Woad makes a big impression and already is the talk of women’s golf

Lottie Woad has gone from being the No. 1 amateur in women’s golf to the talk of women’s golf. She won the Women’s Scottish Open in her professional debut. That follows missing a playoff in an LPGA major by one shot and winning the Women’s Irish Open when was still an amateur. Next up is the Women’s British Open at Royal Porthcawl. It’s the final LPGA major of the year and Woad already is listed as a betting favorite over Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul. It’s a good time for women’s golf and Woad looks like she’s just getting started.

Los Angeles Sparks riding five-game winning streak as 2nd half of season is underway

NEW YORK (AP) — No team has been playing better since the All-Star break then the Los Angeles Sparks and they’ve been doing it with a stellar offense. The team has won five straight games, including three on the road, heading into Tuesday night’s matchup with the Las Vegas Aces. It’s only the third time in the past five years that the team has won five or more games in a row. The Sparks had a nine-game winning streak in 2020 and a six-game one in 2023. Sparks coach Lynne Roberts says “we don’t play a traditional style, there’s a lot of freedom.”

Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg has died after battling cancer

CHICAGO (AP) — Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman who became one of baseball’s best all-around players while starring for the Chicago Cubs, has died. He was 65. Sandberg announced in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. He had chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and then said in August 2024 that he was cancer-free. But he posted on Instagram on Dec. 10 that his cancer had returned and spread to other organs. He announced this month that he was still fighting, while “looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.”

Deion Sanders says he had bladder cancer but plans to coach the Colorado Buffaloes this season

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado coach Deion Sanders says he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer but after surgery his oncologist has considered him cured, so he plans to coach this season. Doctors at the CU Cancer Center/UCHealth University of Colorado hospital says Sanders had his bladder removed as part of the surgical plan. The 57-year-old Sanders spoke on the eve of fall camp as he enters his third season overseeing the Buffaloes. He brought his medical team with him to discuss his diagnosis. It was revealed that a section of his intestine was reconstructed to function as a bladder. His doctors say he won’t need radiation or chemotherapy.

Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase placed on paid leave as part of MLB sports betting investigation

Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of a Major League Baseball investigation into sports betting. Clase, a three-time All-Star, becomes the second Guardians pitcher to be placed on leave in connection with a sports gambling probe. Luis Ortiz also is on non-disciplinary leave through Aug. 31. It was unclear if the cases were related in any way. The Guardians said in a statement they “have been informed that no additional players or club personnel are expected to be impacted.”