Sports

Officials work to unravel how and why gunman carried out deadly attack on NYC office building

NEW YORK (AP) — Investigators are piecing together more details about how a former high school football player who blamed the game for his mental health problems carried out a deadly attack on an office building that is home to the NFL. Authorities say Shane Tamura killed four people on Monday before killing himself. Officials say he had a handwritten note claiming he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known at CTE, and accused the league of hiding the dangers of brain injuries linked to contact sports. Investigators plan to question a man who supplied gun parts for the AR-15-style rifle used in the attack, including the weapon’s lower receiver.

Here’s what to know about CTE, the brain disease the NYC shooter blamed for his mental health issues

BOSTON (AP) — The man who killed four people in the New York City skyscraper that is home to NFL headquarters carried a note blaming the league for his mental health problems. Shane Tamura played football in high school. He said in the three-page note found in his wallet that he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that can’t be diagnosed until death, and implored those who found him to study his brain. CTE has been linked to concussions in contact sports. The disease has been diagnosed in more than 100 former NFL players and arisen as an existential threat to the United States’ most powerful pro sports league.

Questions emerge about NYC gunman’s mental health and his security-sensitive job in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The gunman in the deadly shooting at a New York City office tower had a background in casino surveillance and once held a private security guard license. Authorities say 27-year-old Shane Tamura drove from Las Vegas to New York to carry out the attack on Monday. They say he was targeting the NFL headquarters but took the wrong elevator. Tamura killed four people then took his own life. He left a note blaming the NFL for brain injuries linked to contact sports. He claimed to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Police are investigating his mental health history and how he acquired firearms used in the attack.

Léon Marchand breaks world record in 200 individual medley in 1 minute, 52.69 seconds

SINGAPORE (AP) — Léon Marchand has broken the world record in the 200-meter individual medley at the world championships in Singapore, clocking 1 minute, 52.69 seconds to surpass the 1:54.00 set in 2011 by American Ryan Lochte. The Frenchman set the mark swimming in the semifinals and, in theory, could break it again in Thursday’s finals. Marchand won four Olympic gold medals a year ago in Paris, but he’s swimming only the 200 and 400 medley – and relays – in Singapore. Planning the lighter schedule in what he calls a “transition year” keeps him fresh to chase the world marks.

Coaches race to master art of retention amid NIL, revenue sharing and transfer portal challenges

College coaches are racing to master retention as revenue sharing and NIL opportunities steer athletes toward the transfer portal. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, who lost most of his 2023 recruits, says the transfer rate isn’t about treatment or development but possibly playing time or finances. At SEC Media Days, he emphasized loyalty, with players like Cam Ball staying committed. Florida coach Billy Napier highlights the importance of pitching the right message during recruiting. Coaches like SMU’s Rhett Lashlee and NC State’s Dave Doeren stress rewarding loyalty over enticing new players with higher offers.

Braves place 5-time All-Star Ronald Acuña Jr. on the injured list with Achilles tendon inflammation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have placed Ronald Acuña Jr. on the 10-day injured list because of right Achilles tendon inflammation. The severity of the injury is still unclear. Acuña first felt discomfort on Monday night after scoring from first base during a game against Kansas City. Despite wanting to play on Tuesday, the five-time All-Star came up limping while chasing a ball and was removed from the game. The Braves recalled Jarred Kelenic from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill his roster spot. Acuña has faced multiple injuries in his career but returned this season with a strong performance. Eli White is expected to be his primary replacement.

Yankees bolster outfield, acquire veteran Austin Slater from the White Sox

CHICAGO (AP) — Austin Slater is heading to the New York Yankees. The Yankees have acquired the veteran outfielder from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league pitching prospect Gage Ziehl. The Yankees have a pressing need to bolster their outfield depth with star Aaron Judge out indefinitely while dealing with a flexor strain in his right elbow. The 32-year-old Slater hit .236 with five home runs and 11 RBIs in 51 games with the White Sox this season. The Yankees will be Slater’s fifth team in just over a year.

A rare first for Ohtani: Dodgers superstar strikes out in his first 4 plate appearances

CINCINNATI (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani had another first in his MLB career. Ohtani struck out in his first four plate appearances Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds, the first time he has done that in his eight seasons in the majors. It is the sixth time the Japanese superstar and reigning NL MVP has struck out four times in a game. It is the second time this season, with the other coming against San Diego on June 17. Despite Ohtani’s tough night at the plate, the Dodgers rallied for a 5-4 victory on an RBI double by Will Smith in the ninth inning.

MLB trade deadline: Eugenio Suárez, Mitch Keller, Merrill Kelly among prized players who could move

PHOENIX (AP) — The market is heating up in the last week before the July 31 trade deadline. Arizona sent Josh Naylor to Seattle on Thursday. The Yankees acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Rockies on Friday while the Mets added left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Orioles. More Diamondbacks could be traded, including slugger Eugenio Suárez and starting pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. Mitch Keller and Sandy Alcantara could also be dealt.

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.