TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — A noose was found in the garage stall of Black driver Bubba Wallace at the NASCAR race in Alabama on Sunday, less than two weeks after he successfully pushed the auto racing series to ban the Confederate flag at its tracks and facilities.

NASCAR announced the discovery late Sunday and said it had launched an immediate investigation. It said it will do everything possible to find who was responsible and “eliminate them from the sport.”

“We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act,” the series said in a statement. “As we have stated unequivocally, there is no place for racism in NASCAR, and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all.”

Wallace is the only fulltime Black driver in NASCAR’s elite Cup Series. On Twitter, he said the “the despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me incredibly saddened and serves as a painful reminder of how much further we have to go as a society and ow persistent we must be in the fight against racism.”

“As my mother told me today, ‘They are just trying to scare you,’” he wrote. ”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BubbaWallace/status/1274898390288121861?s=20" target="_blank">This will not break me</a>, I will not give in nor will I back down. I will continue to proudly stand for what I believe in.

The noose was discovered on the same day NASCAR’s fledgling flag ban faced its biggest challenge. The ban took effect before last week’s race near Miami, but there were only about 1,000 military members admitted into that race.

At Talladega, in the heart of the South, as many as 5,000 fans were allowed in, even though rain postponed the race until Monday. There weren’t any immediate reports of how many, if any, flags were confiscated or taken down at the track — but the flag was present nearby.

There were informal protests Saturday and Sunday alike, with cars and pickup trucks driving along nearby roads flying the flag and parading past the entrance to the superspeedway. A small plane flew overhead pulling a banner with the flag and the words “Defund NASCAR.”

NASCAR did not acknowledged the plane or its banner, though executive Steve O’Donnell&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/odsteve/status/1274751071039209472?s=20" target="_blank">tweeted a picture</a>&nbsp;of black and white hands shaking: “You won’t see a photo of a jackass flying a flag over the track here...but you will see this...Hope EVERYONE enjoys the race today.” Rapper Ice Cube even tweeted about the plane saying, “(Expletive) him NASCAR, you got new fans in this household.”

Wallace, a 26-year-old Alabama native who drives the No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports, said he has found support among fellow drivers for his stance on the flag and he noted that in his tweet late Sunday after the noose announcement.

“Over the last several weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry including other drivers and tea members in the garage,” he said. “Together, our sport has made a commitment to driving real chance and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone. Nothing is more important and we will not be deterred by the reprehensible actions of those who seek to spread hate.”

Talladega is one of the more raucous stops on the NASCAR schedule, but the coronavirus pandemic prompted the series, like all sports, to ban or sharply limit fans for months. The scene this weekend was a dramatic departure from the Talladega norm with plenty of room for social distancing and fans asked to wear masks.

“It’s weird. It’s eerie,” said David Radvansky, 32, from suburban Atlanta, who brought his wife and boys, 3 and 6.

Radvansky, who started coming to Talladega in the 1990s when his father parked cars at races, applauded NASCAR’s decision to ban the Confederate flag.

“I don’t think there’s a place for it in NASCAR, to be honest with you,” the 32-year-old said. “That doesn’t sit well with all the good ole boys but it is what it is.”

Directly across from the track, Ed Sugg’s merchandise tent was flying Confederate flags prominently in a display alongside Trump 2020 banners and an American flag.

“They’re doing very well,” said Sugg, a Helena, Alabama, resident who has been selling an array of wares at NASCAR races for 21 years. “People are disappointed that NASCAR has taken that stance. It’s been around for as long as all of us have been. I don’t think anybody really connects it to any kind of racism or anything. It’s just a Southern thing. It’s transparent. It’s just a heritage thing.”

TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — A noose was found in the garage stall of Black driver Bubba Wallace at the NASCAR race in Alabama on Sunday, less than two weeks after he successfully pushed the auto racing series to ban the Confederate flag at its tracks and facilities.NASCAR announced the discovery late Sunday and said it had launched an immediate investigation. It said it will do everything possible to find who was responsible and “eliminate them from the sport.”“We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act,” the series said in a statement. “As we have stated unequivocally, there is no place for racism in NASCAR, and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all.”Wallace is the only fulltime Black driver in NASCAR’s elite Cup Series. On Twitter, he said the “the despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me incredibly saddened and serves as a painful reminder of how much further we have to go as a society and ow persistent we must be in the fight against racism.”“As my mother told me today, ‘They are just trying to scare you,’” he wrote. ”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BubbaWallace/status/1274898390288121861?s=20" target="_blank">This will not break me</a>, I will not give in nor will I back down. I will continue to proudly stand for what I believe in.The noose was discovered on the same day NASCAR’s fledgling flag ban faced its biggest challenge. The ban took effect before last week’s race near Miami, but there were only about 1,000 military members admitted into that race.At Talladega, in the heart of the South, as many as 5,000 fans were allowed in, even though rain postponed the race until Monday. There weren’t any immediate reports of how many, if any, flags were confiscated or taken down at the track — but the flag was present nearby.There were informal protests Saturday and Sunday alike, with cars and pickup trucks driving along nearby roads flying the flag and parading past the entrance to the superspeedway. A small plane flew overhead pulling a banner with the flag and the words “Defund NASCAR.”NASCAR did not acknowledged the plane or its banner, though executive Steve O’Donnell&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/odsteve/status/1274751071039209472?s=20" target="_blank">tweeted a picture</a>&nbsp;of black and white hands shaking: “You won’t see a photo of a jackass flying a flag over the track here...but you will see this...Hope EVERYONE enjoys the race today.” Rapper Ice Cube even tweeted about the plane saying, “(Expletive) him NASCAR, you got new fans in this household.”Wallace, a 26-year-old Alabama native who drives the No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports, said he has found support among fellow drivers for his stance on the flag and he noted that in his tweet late Sunday after the noose announcement.“Over the last several weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry including other drivers and tea members in the garage,” he said. “Together, our sport has made a commitment to driving real chance and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone. Nothing is more important and we will not be deterred by the reprehensible actions of those who seek to spread hate.”Talladega is one of the more raucous stops on the NASCAR schedule, but the coronavirus pandemic prompted the series, like all sports, to ban or sharply limit fans for months. The scene this weekend was a dramatic departure from the Talladega norm with plenty of room for social distancing and fans asked to wear masks.“It’s weird. It’s eerie,” said David Radvansky, 32, from suburban Atlanta, who brought his wife and boys, 3 and 6.Radvansky, who started coming to Talladega in the 1990s when his father parked cars at races, applauded NASCAR’s decision to ban the Confederate flag.“I don’t think there’s a place for it in NASCAR, to be honest with you,” the 32-year-old said. “That doesn’t sit well with all the good ole boys but it is what it is.”Directly across from the track, Ed Sugg’s merchandise tent was flying Confederate flags prominently in a display alongside Trump 2020 banners and an American flag.“They’re doing very well,” said Sugg, a Helena, Alabama, resident who has been selling an array of wares at NASCAR races for 21 years. “People are disappointed that NASCAR has taken that stance. It’s been around for as long as all of us have been. I don’t think anybody really connects it to any kind of racism or anything. It’s just a Southern thing. It’s transparent. It’s just a heritage thing.”

Noose found in stall of Bubba Wallace at Alabama NASCAR race

NEW YORK (AP) — Tiz the Law has won an unprecedented Belmont Stakes, claiming victory Saturday at the first race of a rejiggered Triple Crown schedule and crossing the finish line in front of eerily empty grandstands.

The 3-year-old colt from upstate New York charged to the lead turning to the front stretch and now can set his sights on the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby and Oct. 3 Preakness. All three legs of this year's Triple Crown schedule were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Belmont, usually the series capper, was initially scheduled for June 6.

Tiz the Law gave New York a hometown champion in its first major sporting event since the coronavirus pandemic seized the area. He's the first New York-bred horse to win the Belmont since Forrester in 1882.

This Belmont States was unlike any of the 151 that preceded it. The Long Island track can pack in nearly 100,000, but this race only had about 100 on hand, including jockeys, media and park staff.

Masks were mandated for all but the horses — even the jockeys wore face coverings.

4-way tie leading into Sunday, Watney positive for virus

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Buckle up for another wild finish on the PGA Tour. Webb Simpson made one birdie on the back nine at Harbour Town. That was just enough for a 68 that allowed him to join a four-way tie for the lead in the RBC Heritage. He was at 15-under 198. Also sharing the lead were Tyrrell Hatton of England, Abraham Ancer of Mexico and Ryan Palmer. Hatton had one of the six rounds of 63 on Saturday. The change to June because of three-month shutdown appears to be making all the difference. This is a soft course for a strong field.

Meanwhile, packed restaurants and a lack of social distancing on Hilton Head Island are leading to concerns that the PGA Tour might have more players test positive for the coronavirus. Nick Watney became the first player to test positive on Friday and withdrew from the RBC Heritage.

The tournament is the second since the tour resumed play after a three-month break because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tour has tested 11 people who came into close contact with Watney and all initial tests came back negative.

Justin Thomas is one of several players to note how busy the island has been. He says, "It's an absolute zoo around here."

— Chris Kirk won the Korn Ferry Tour's King &amp; Bear Classic on Saturday at World Golf Village, a year after taking a leave of absence from the PGA Tour to fight alcohol abuse and depression. Kirk birdied the par-5 18th hole for a 5-under 67 and a one-stroke victory over Justin Lower in the PGA Tour's developmental circuit's second straight one-time event to make up for events lost to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Kirk says it gives him a deeper sense of appreciation and gratitude for everything, adding that he's a completely different person than he was two years ago."

Haley wins at Talladega for first Xfinity Series victory

TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Justin Haley took the lead on the final lap — with help from Kaulig Racing teammate Ross Chastain — and held on Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway for his first Xfinity Series victory. Haley passed Jeb Burton, who held the lead on a restart with three laps to go, on the outside with a push from Chastain and finished 0.299 seconds ahead.

Haley also won the rain-shortened Cup race at Daytona last July and is a three-time Truck Series winner, giving him victories in each of NASCAR's three top national series. He celebrated with Chastain, who won the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash. Burton finished third. There were no fans allowed in the grandstands because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Haley dedicated the win to late crew chief Nick Harrison, who died last July the morning after the Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Yankees, Mets to train in New York if MLB resumes

UNDATED (AP) — The Yankees and Mets would train in New York if Major League Baseball and its players try to start the coronavirus-delayed season. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement Saturday, and the teams confirmed the decisions.

The Yankees originally had intended to base at their spring training complex in Tampa, Florida. The Mets had said they were undecided between Citi Field and their training camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida. But positive cases for COVID-19 in Florida have increased markedly in recent days, while the percentage of positive tests in New York City has dropped sharply.

All 30 MLB teams have closed their spring camps in Florida and Arizona this weekend over virus concerns.

MLB had hoped to start the season during the first week of July, but teams and the players' association are engaged in a bitter fight over how to apportion revenue losses caused by the pandemic. Both sides agree that players need three weeks of training before the increasingly slight season could start.

In other developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic:

— LSU has begun asking a number of football players to self-quarantine in the past week because of instances in which some players tested positive for COVID-19 after social interactions outside of the Tigers' training facility. The school says such quarantines were expected and planned for and that no players have exhibited "significant" symptoms. The school hasn't said how many players have tested positive for COVID-19 or how many have been quarantined. Players began reporting for workouts at LSU's Baton Rouge, Louisiana, campus during the first week in June.

— Three members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization have tested positive for COVID-19 at the team's training facility, and the team has closed affected areas of the building. Management says the affected areas will remain closed until extensive sanitizing is completed. All individuals who may have been exposed have been notified and are following the established protocols, the Bucs said in a statement. That includes a 14-day quarantine period. The team did not identify the people who tested positive. The NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning closed their facility earlier this week after three players and two staff members tested positive.

— The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't commenting on reports that star player Auston Matthews has tested positive for the coronavirus. The Leafs say a player's medical information is private. The Toronto Sun and The Toronto Star report that the center tested positive. According to the Sun, the 22-year-old Matthews has self-quarantined in his Arizona home and hopes to be ready to play if the NHL season resumes. The NHL hopes to open training camps next month and finish off the 2019-20 season later this summer.

— Canada's approval of the NHL's return-to-play proposal has led the league to consider designating one or more cities north of the border to serve as hubs for its 24-team playoff format. Officials say Canada's top public health officer as well as the top health officers of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Toronto worked closely with the NHL to approve the plan. It required an exemption because the U.S.-Canada border is currently closed to all non-essential travel until at least July 21 and those who enter Canada must self-isolate for 14 days.

— The NBA has firmed up the schedule for what will be a hectic time for teams this fall. The league has set Oct. 16 as the date for this year's draft and says clubs can begin talking to free agents two days later. The annual moratorium will begin at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Oct. 19 and continue through noon on Oct. 23. The league told teams of the plans Saturday in a memo obtained by The Associated Press.

— Kansas State has paused all voluntary workouts for football student-athletes for two weeks following the most recent COVID-19 test results. As of Friday, 14 student-athletes had tested positive for active COVID-19 following testing of more than 130 student-athletes. The school says those who tested positive are being medically managed according to current health guidelines. That includes self-isolation for 10 days and until a patient is without fever for 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer. Athletics director Gene Taylor says the university feels that temporarily pausing all football workouts and access to facilities is the best decision for everyone.&nbsp;

— As universities begin the process of playing sports through a pandemic, some are requiring student athletes to sign waivers acknowledging the risks for COVID-19. Ohio State and Missouri have pledges they are requiring athletes or their parents to sign before the players can take part in voluntary workouts. How much legal protection any of these forms provide schools is up for debate, along with the ethics of requiring unpaid students to sign them. Athletes have already tested positive at more than a dozen schools from Boise State to Clemson, though some schools are not releasing details.

— NASCAR heads to Talladega Superspeedway Sunday with new rules and more fans. The Alabama track will admit up to 5,000 fans, just 48 hours after Stewart-Haas Racing confirmed two of its employees tested positive for the new coronavirus. The new rules are in response to Ryan Newman's crash in the Daytona 500, but there is no practice or qualifying scheduled, so drivers won't have a feel for the adjustments until the race begins. NASCAR also will be on the lookout for the newly banned Confederate flag.

— The NASCAR Cup race at Texas will have thousands of spectators in the stands. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has approved a comprehensive action plan submitted by the track to allow fans for the July 19 race. While the state allows 50% capacity for outdoor sporting events, track president Eddie Gossage says it's too early to know how many fans will be able to attend. With social distancing protocols in place, the speedway first must reassign seating for people who had already purchased tickets for the race that was originally scheduled for March 29. The track capacity is about 135,000.

— The Chinese basketball league has restarted after an almost five-month shutdown for the coronavirus pandemic but is going ahead in empty stadiums and with fewer foreign players. The CBA was suspended on Jan. 24 after the virus outbreak in Wuhan. The semifinals stage has started with 20 teams divided into two divisions and limited venues to reduce travel. All stadiums are closed to fans. League chairman and former NBA star Yao Ming praised the work of the clubs and health authorities for helping get the season restarted. He says as the first national large-scale sports event to be restarted in China the CBA is of "strategic significance."

— French soccer authorities will allow fans back into stadiums starting July 10, with an initial limit of 5,000. The president of the French Football Federation says it is possible more spectators will be allowed into the French Cup final at the end of July and for the resumption of top-tier Ligue 1 play at the end of August. The French government called off the country's 2019-20 soccer season on April 28 as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Former All-Star shortstop Addison Russell joins KBO

SEOUL, Korea (AP) — Former Chicago Cubs All-Star shortstop Addison Russell will look to rebuild his career abroad after he signed a one-year, $530,000 contract with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization. Russell was cut from the Cubs roster in December after the Major League club declined to offer a new contract, making the 2016 All-Star a free agent one year after he was suspended for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy. Russell was banned for 40 games at the start of the 2019 season after a series of allegations made by ex-wife Melisa Reidy.

Redskins retire Mitchell's jersey, rename stadium level

UNDATED (AP) — The Washington Redskins will retire the jersey of Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell. They will also rename the lower level of FedEx Field for him, replacing the section named for former owner George Preston Marshall.

The team, which is under pressure to change its name during the ongoing national reckoning over racism, said Saturday that Mitchell's No. 49 will become only the second jersey in the franchise's 88-year history to be retired. The other is the No. 33 of Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh.

Mitchell, Washington's first African American player, died in April. The Redskins were the last NFL team to integrate the roster.

Significantly, dropping Marshall's name from the lower bowl of the stadium follows by one day the removal of his statue at RFK Stadium, the team's former home. Marshall moved the team from Boston to Washington and resisted integrating the roster with Black players until "forced to do so" in 1962.

The team's announcement of the change did not mention Marshall, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963 and died in 1969.

Jim Kiick, Dolphins' perfect season running back, dies at 73

MIAMI (AP) — Jim Kiick, the versatile running back who helped the Miami Dolphins achieve the NFL's only perfect season in 1972, died Saturday at age 73 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease, daughter Allie said. The former University of Wyoming star was part of a formidable backfield that included his best friend, Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback Larry Csonka.

They earned the nicknames Butch and Sundance, inspired by the popular 1969 movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Kiick ("Butch") made the American Football League All-Star team in his first two seasons and played on Miami's back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams in 1972-73.

Kiick had two touchdowns for the '72 Dolphins in the AFC championship game, and scored in the Super Bowl victory that capped their 17-0 season.

Michelle Wie West gives birth to a daughter

UNDATED (AP) — Michelle Wie West is a new mom.

The former U.S. Women's Open champion announced on Instagram that she and her husband, Golden State Warriors executive Jonnie West, are parents of a daughter born Friday.

Wie wrote on Instagram, "Kenna baby, I have waited my entire life to meet you,"

They named her Makenna Kamalei Yoona West. The 30-year-old Wie was born and raised in Honolulu. Kamalei is a Hawaiian for "beloved child."

Wie and West, the son of NBA great Jerry West, were married in August. They announced her pregnancy in January.

Wie shot the lowest score ever by a woman competing on the PGA Tour with a 68 at Sony Open when she was 14. She won five times on the LPGA Tour, the biggest at Pinehurst No. 2 in the 2014 U.S. Women's Open.

Update on the latest sportsHORSE RACING-BELMONTTiz the Law wins BelmontNEW YORK (AP) — Tiz the Law has won an unprecedented Belmont Stakes, claiming victory Saturday at the first race of a rejiggered Triple Crown schedule and crossing the finish line in front of eerily empty grandstands.The 3-year-old colt from upstate New York charged to the lead turning to the front stretch and now can set his sights on the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby and Oct. 3 Preakness. All three legs of this year's Triple Crown schedule were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Belmont, usually the series capper, was initially scheduled for June 6.Tiz the Law gave New York a hometown champion in its first major sporting event since the coronavirus pandemic seized the area. He's the first New York-bred horse to win the Belmont since Forrester in 1882.This Belmont States was unlike any of the 151 that preceded it. The Long Island track can pack in nearly 100,000, but this race only had about 100 on hand, including jockeys, media and park staff.Masks were mandated for all but the horses — even the jockeys wore face coverings.PGA TOUR-NEWS4-way tie leading into Sunday, Watney positive for virusHILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Buckle up for another wild finish on the PGA Tour. Webb Simpson made one birdie on the back nine at Harbour Town. That was just enough for a 68 that allowed him to join a four-way tie for the lead in the RBC Heritage. He was at 15-under 198. Also sharing the lead were Tyrrell Hatton of England, Abraham Ancer of Mexico and Ryan Palmer. Hatton had one of the six rounds of 63 on Saturday. The change to June because of three-month shutdown appears to be making all the difference. This is a soft course for a strong field.Meanwhile, packed restaurants and a lack of social distancing on Hilton Head Island are leading to concerns that the PGA Tour might have more players test positive for the coronavirus. Nick Watney became the first player to test positive on Friday and withdrew from the RBC Heritage.The tournament is the second since the tour resumed play after a three-month break because of the COVID-19 pandemic.The tour has tested 11 people who came into close contact with Watney and all initial tests came back negative.Justin Thomas is one of several players to note how busy the island has been. He says, "It's an absolute zoo around here."In other PGA news:— Chris Kirk won the Korn Ferry Tour's King &amp; Bear Classic on Saturday at World Golf Village, a year after taking a leave of absence from the PGA Tour to fight alcohol abuse and depression. Kirk birdied the par-5 18th hole for a 5-under 67 and a one-stroke victory over Justin Lower in the PGA Tour's developmental circuit's second straight one-time event to make up for events lost to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Kirk says it gives him a deeper sense of appreciation and gratitude for everything, adding that he's a completely different person than he was two years ago."NASCAR-TALLADEGA-XFINITYHaley wins at Talladega for first Xfinity Series victoryTALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Justin Haley took the lead on the final lap — with help from Kaulig Racing teammate Ross Chastain — and held on Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway for his first Xfinity Series victory. Haley passed Jeb Burton, who held the lead on a restart with three laps to go, on the outside with a push from Chastain and finished 0.299 seconds ahead.Haley also won the rain-shortened Cup race at Daytona last July and is a three-time Truck Series winner, giving him victories in each of NASCAR's three top national series. He celebrated with Chastain, who won the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash. Burton finished third. There were no fans allowed in the grandstands because of the coronavirus pandemic.Haley dedicated the win to late crew chief Nick Harrison, who died last July the morning after the Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTSYankees, Mets to train in New York if MLB resumesUNDATED (AP) — The Yankees and Mets would train in New York if Major League Baseball and its players try to start the coronavirus-delayed season. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement Saturday, and the teams confirmed the decisions.The Yankees originally had intended to base at their spring training complex in Tampa, Florida. The Mets had said they were undecided between Citi Field and their training camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida. But positive cases for COVID-19 in Florida have increased markedly in recent days, while the percentage of positive tests in New York City has dropped sharply.All 30 MLB teams have closed their spring camps in Florida and Arizona this weekend over virus concerns.MLB had hoped to start the season during the first week of July, but teams and the players' association are engaged in a bitter fight over how to apportion revenue losses caused by the pandemic. Both sides agree that players need three weeks of training before the increasingly slight season could start.In other developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic:— LSU has begun asking a number of football players to self-quarantine in the past week because of instances in which some players tested positive for COVID-19 after social interactions outside of the Tigers' training facility. The school says such quarantines were expected and planned for and that no players have exhibited "significant" symptoms. The school hasn't said how many players have tested positive for COVID-19 or how many have been quarantined. Players began reporting for workouts at LSU's Baton Rouge, Louisiana, campus during the first week in June.— Three members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization have tested positive for COVID-19 at the team's training facility, and the team has closed affected areas of the building. Management says the affected areas will remain closed until extensive sanitizing is completed. All individuals who may have been exposed have been notified and are following the established protocols, the Bucs said in a statement. That includes a 14-day quarantine period. The team did not identify the people who tested positive. The NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning closed their facility earlier this week after three players and two staff members tested positive.— The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't commenting on reports that star player Auston Matthews has tested positive for the coronavirus. The Leafs say a player's medical information is private. The Toronto Sun and The Toronto Star report that the center tested positive. According to the Sun, the 22-year-old Matthews has self-quarantined in his Arizona home and hopes to be ready to play if the NHL season resumes. The NHL hopes to open training camps next month and finish off the 2019-20 season later this summer.— Canada's approval of the NHL's return-to-play proposal has led the league to consider designating one or more cities north of the border to serve as hubs for its 24-team playoff format. Officials say Canada's top public health officer as well as the top health officers of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Toronto worked closely with the NHL to approve the plan. It required an exemption because the U.S.-Canada border is currently closed to all non-essential travel until at least July 21 and those who enter Canada must self-isolate for 14 days.— The NBA has firmed up the schedule for what will be a hectic time for teams this fall. The league has set Oct. 16 as the date for this year's draft and says clubs can begin talking to free agents two days later. The annual moratorium will begin at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Oct. 19 and continue through noon on Oct. 23. The league told teams of the plans Saturday in a memo obtained by The Associated Press.— Kansas State has paused all voluntary workouts for football student-athletes for two weeks following the most recent COVID-19 test results. As of Friday, 14 student-athletes had tested positive for active COVID-19 following testing of more than 130 student-athletes. The school says those who tested positive are being medically managed according to current health guidelines. That includes self-isolation for 10 days and until a patient is without fever for 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer. Athletics director Gene Taylor says the university feels that temporarily pausing all football workouts and access to facilities is the best decision for everyone.&nbsp;— As universities begin the process of playing sports through a pandemic, some are requiring student athletes to sign waivers acknowledging the risks for COVID-19. Ohio State and Missouri have pledges they are requiring athletes or their parents to sign before the players can take part in voluntary workouts. How much legal protection any of these forms provide schools is up for debate, along with the ethics of requiring unpaid students to sign them. Athletes have already tested positive at more than a dozen schools from Boise State to Clemson, though some schools are not releasing details.— NASCAR heads to Talladega Superspeedway Sunday with new rules and more fans. The Alabama track will admit up to 5,000 fans, just 48 hours after Stewart-Haas Racing confirmed two of its employees tested positive for the new coronavirus. The new rules are in response to Ryan Newman's crash in the Daytona 500, but there is no practice or qualifying scheduled, so drivers won't have a feel for the adjustments until the race begins. NASCAR also will be on the lookout for the newly banned Confederate flag.— The NASCAR Cup race at Texas will have thousands of spectators in the stands. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has approved a comprehensive action plan submitted by the track to allow fans for the July 19 race. While the state allows 50% capacity for outdoor sporting events, track president Eddie Gossage says it's too early to know how many fans will be able to attend. With social distancing protocols in place, the speedway first must reassign seating for people who had already purchased tickets for the race that was originally scheduled for March 29. The track capacity is about 135,000.— The Chinese basketball league has restarted after an almost five-month shutdown for the coronavirus pandemic but is going ahead in empty stadiums and with fewer foreign players. The CBA was suspended on Jan. 24 after the virus outbreak in Wuhan. The semifinals stage has started with 20 teams divided into two divisions and limited venues to reduce travel. All stadiums are closed to fans. League chairman and former NBA star Yao Ming praised the work of the clubs and health authorities for helping get the season restarted. He says as the first national large-scale sports event to be restarted in China the CBA is of "strategic significance."— French soccer authorities will allow fans back into stadiums starting July 10, with an initial limit of 5,000. The president of the French Football Federation says it is possible more spectators will be allowed into the French Cup final at the end of July and for the resumption of top-tier Ligue 1 play at the end of August. The French government called off the country's 2019-20 soccer season on April 28 as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.BASEBALL-SOUTH KOREA-RUSSELL SIGNSFormer All-Star shortstop Addison Russell joins KBOSEOUL, Korea (AP) — Former Chicago Cubs All-Star shortstop Addison Russell will look to rebuild his career abroad after he signed a one-year, $530,000 contract with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization. Russell was cut from the Cubs roster in December after the Major League club declined to offer a new contract, making the 2016 All-Star a free agent one year after he was suspended for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy. Russell was banned for 40 games at the start of the 2019 season after a series of allegations made by ex-wife Melisa Reidy.NFL-REDSKINS-HONORING MITCHELLRedskins retire Mitchell's jersey, rename stadium levelUNDATED (AP) — The Washington Redskins will retire the jersey of Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell. They will also rename the lower level of FedEx Field for him, replacing the section named for former owner George Preston Marshall.The team, which is under pressure to change its name during the ongoing national reckoning over racism, said Saturday that Mitchell's No. 49 will become only the second jersey in the franchise's 88-year history to be retired. The other is the No. 33 of Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh.Mitchell, Washington's first African American player, died in April. The Redskins were the last NFL team to integrate the roster.Significantly, dropping Marshall's name from the lower bowl of the stadium follows by one day the removal of his statue at RFK Stadium, the team's former home. Marshall moved the team from Boston to Washington and resisted integrating the roster with Black players until "forced to do so" in 1962.The team's announcement of the change did not mention Marshall, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963 and died in 1969.OBIT-KIICKJim Kiick, Dolphins' perfect season running back, dies at 73MIAMI (AP) — Jim Kiick, the versatile running back who helped the Miami Dolphins achieve the NFL's only perfect season in 1972, died Saturday at age 73 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease, daughter Allie said. The former University of Wyoming star was part of a formidable backfield that included his best friend, Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback Larry Csonka.They earned the nicknames Butch and Sundance, inspired by the popular 1969 movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Kiick ("Butch") made the American Football League All-Star team in his first two seasons and played on Miami's back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams in 1972-73.Kiick had two touchdowns for the '72 Dolphins in the AFC championship game, and scored in the Super Bowl victory that capped their 17-0 season.WIE BABYMichelle Wie West gives birth to a daughterUNDATED (AP) — Michelle Wie West is a new mom.The former U.S. Women's Open champion announced on Instagram that she and her husband, Golden State Warriors executive Jonnie West, are parents of a daughter born Friday.Wie wrote on Instagram, "Kenna baby, I have waited my entire life to meet you,"They named her Makenna Kamalei Yoona West. The 30-year-old Wie was born and raised in Honolulu. Kamalei is a Hawaiian for "beloved child."Wie and West, the son of NBA great Jerry West, were married in August. They announced her pregnancy in January.Wie shot the lowest score ever by a woman competing on the PGA Tour with a 68 at Sony Open when she was 14. She won five times on the LPGA Tour, the biggest at Pinehurst No. 2 in the 2014 U.S. Women's Open.

Sunday Sports Headlines

&nbsp; MANHATTAN, Kansas&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State Athletics, in conjunction with university and county medical officials, has announced it has paused all voluntary workouts for football student-athletes for 14 days following the most recent COVID-19 test results. As of June 19, a total of 14 student-athletes have tested positive for active COVID-19 following PCR (polymerase chain reaction)&nbsp;testing of more than 130 student-athletes. The 14 individuals who have tested positive are being medically managed according to current local, state, national, and CDC guidelines, which begins with self-isolation for 10 days and until the patient is without fever for 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer.&nbsp; "The health and well-being of our student-athletes will always be our top priority," Athletics Director&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/staff.aspx?staff=1">Gene Taylor</a>&nbsp;said. "Following the most recent test results, we felt like temporarily pausing all football workouts and access to our facilities was the best decision for everyone. We continue to take this situation very seriously and want to do everything we can to get back to workouts soon." The department will continue to work closely and communicate with county and university health officials to evaluate the situation and continue best practices.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp; MANHATTAN, Kansas&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State Athletics, in conjunction with university and county medical officials, has announced it has paused all voluntary workouts for football student-athletes for 14 days following the most recent COVID-19 test results. As of June 19, a total of 14 student-athletes have tested positive for active COVID-19 following PCR (polymerase chain reaction)&nbsp;testing of more than 130 student-athletes. The 14 individuals who have tested positive are being medically managed according to current local, state, national, and CDC guidelines, which begins with self-isolation for 10 days and until the patient is without fever for 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer.&nbsp; "The health and well-being of our student-athletes will always be our top priority," Athletics Director&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/staff.aspx?staff=1">Gene Taylor</a>&nbsp;said. "Following the most recent test results, we felt like temporarily pausing all football workouts and access to our facilities was the best decision for everyone. We continue to take this situation very seriously and want to do everything we can to get back to workouts soon." The department will continue to work closely and communicate with county and university health officials to evaluate the situation and continue best practices.&nbsp;&nbsp;

K-State Athletics Pauses All Voluntary Workouts for Football Student-Athletes

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Luke Sartori has committed via twitter, to play baseball and further his academics at the University of Nebraska.

Sartori currently is the lead off hitter for the Hutchinson Monarchs and just completed his freshman season where he hit&nbsp;.455 in 19 games this past year with Hutchinson Community College.

Sartori added four homers, four stolen bases and 18 RBI in his freshman campaign.

"Excited to announce my commitment to further my baseball and academic career at The University of Nebraska this fall! Thank you to all my friends, family, coaches, and teammates for where I’m at today. All glory to God"&nbsp;

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Luke Sartori has committed via twitter, to play baseball and further his academics at the University of Nebraska.Sartori currently is the lead off hitter for the Hutchinson Monarchs and just completed his freshman season where he hit&nbsp;.455 in 19 games this past year with Hutchinson Community College.Sartori added four homers, four stolen bases and 18 RBI in his freshman campaign. "Excited to announce my commitment to further my baseball and academic career at The University of Nebraska this fall! Thank you to all my friends, family, coaches, and teammates for where I’m at today. All glory to God"&nbsp;

Sartori commits to Nebraska

Charlotte, NC&nbsp;- As the 2020-21 academic and athletic year approaches, the NJCAA has released a plan of action for the fall and winter sports season in response to COVID-19.&nbsp; The NJCAA National Office, along with the NJCAA Health and Safety Council, has also issued a list of safety protocol recommendations for member colleges during regular season competition and championship events.

At this time, the NJCAA will proceed with fall championship sports beginning practice and competition as planned.&nbsp; For the following sports, the start date for practice will be August 1, 2020, and the first competition date will be August 20, 2020:

The NJCAA National Office and the Championship Events Committee have evaluated the championship locations awarded for the 2020-21 academic year in regards to student-athlete health and safety.&nbsp; Due to growing travel concerns and local re-opening regulations, the NJCAA National Office and Championship Events Committee are seeking new locations for the following championships:

Originally scheduled for November 16-21, the 2020 NJCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship in Evans, GA will now be held from November 18-23.&nbsp; The change comes due to conflicts with the rescheduled 2020 Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The NJCAA has provided safety protocol recommendations for fall championship hosts.&nbsp; For a full list of safety protocol recommendations for regular season competition, facilities and equipment, and fall championship hosts, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/general/2019-20/releases/20200618nx2y02" target="_blank">Safety Protocol Recommendations</a>.&nbsp;

To allow member colleges adequate time for proper health and safety precautions as student-athletes return to campus, the NJCAA will condense the fall non-championship season for the following sports:

All fall non-championship sports will be permitted to begin fall practice starting August 31, 2020. Fall competition will be permitted to begin starting September 5, 2020 concluding October 31, 2020.Winter 2020-21 Sports Season

The NJCAA National Office and Board of Regents have carefully considered the winter 2020-21 sports season.&nbsp; With growing uncertainty and the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 later this year, the following changes have been made:

At this time, the NJCAA will proceed with spring championship sports beginning practice and competition as planned.&nbsp; As the spring season approaches, the NJCAA National Office will provide additional guidance on any possible changes as necessary.

For the 2020-21 academic year, NJCAA member schools will be permitted to open dorms to all student-athletes (fall, winter, spring sports) beginning July 18, 2020. The accelerated move-in date will allow member colleges to institute a 14-day quarantine period for student-athletes and implement extra safety precautions as necessary prior to the August 1 start date for fall practice.

For the year 2020-21 an exception will be allowed to Article V, Section 7 of the NJCAA Bylaws.&nbsp; This exception will allow member colleges to provide or pay for student-athlete COVID-19 testing, if they so choose.&nbsp; At this time, this exception will only apply for the 2020-21 academic year but will be reviewed as needed.

To implement social distancing, an extension will be allowed for tryout and audition durations and maximums for fall 2020 sports only.&nbsp; Fall 2020 tryouts and auditions may be held over a two-day period with no more than 10 prospective student-athletes participating at a time.&nbsp; Auditions may not exceed two hours per individual.&nbsp;

As the 2020-21 academic and athletic year begins, the NJCAA National Office and Board of Regents will continue to monitor COVID-19 and consider how changing circumstances could impact NJCAA member colleges and student-athletes.&nbsp; It is the goal of the NJCAA to provide a pathway to allow opportunities for student-athletes across the country while keeping health and safety a priority.&nbsp; The NJCAA will provide additional updates and information as needed.

For all NJCAA COVID-19 updates, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/COVID19" target="_blank">NJCAA COVID-19 Homepage</a>

Charlotte, NC&nbsp;- As the 2020-21 academic and athletic year approaches, the NJCAA has released a plan of action for the fall and winter sports season in response to COVID-19.&nbsp; The NJCAA National Office, along with the NJCAA Health and Safety Council, has also issued a list of safety protocol recommendations for member colleges during regular season competition and championship events.Fall 2020 Sports SeasonAt this time, the NJCAA will proceed with fall championship sports beginning practice and competition as planned.&nbsp; For the following sports, the start date for practice will be August 1, 2020, and the first competition date will be August 20, 2020:<ul>
 <li>Men's and Women's Cross Country</li><li>Football</li><li>Men's and Women's Half Marathon</li><li>Men's and Women's Soccer</li><li>Women's Tennis (Division III)</li><li>Court Volleyball</li>
 </ul>Fall 2020 ChampionshipsThe NJCAA National Office and the Championship Events Committee have evaluated the championship locations awarded for the 2020-21 academic year in regards to student-athlete health and safety.&nbsp; Due to growing travel concerns and local re-opening regulations, the NJCAA National Office and Championship Events Committee are seeking new locations for the following championships:<ul>
 <li>2020 NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship</li><li>2020 NJCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship</li><li>2020 NJCAA Division III Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships</li><li>2020 NJCAA Men's and Women's Half Marathon Championships</li>
 </ul>Originally scheduled for November 16-21, the 2020 NJCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship in Evans, GA will now be held from November 18-23.&nbsp; The change comes due to conflicts with the rescheduled 2020 Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA.&nbsp;&nbsp;The NJCAA has provided safety protocol recommendations for fall championship hosts.&nbsp; For a full list of safety protocol recommendations for regular season competition, facilities and equipment, and fall championship hosts, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/general/2019-20/releases/20200618nx2y02" target="_blank">Safety Protocol Recommendations</a>.&nbsp;Fall 2020 Non-Championship SportsTo allow member colleges adequate time for proper health and safety precautions as student-athletes return to campus, the NJCAA will condense the fall non-championship season for the following sports:<ul>
 <li>Baseball</li><li>Beach Volleyball</li><li>Men's and Women's Golf</li><li>Men's and Women's Lacrosse</li><li>Softball</li><li>Tennis (Division I Women's, Division I Men's, Division III Men's)</li>
 </ul>All fall non-championship sports will be permitted to begin fall practice starting August 31, 2020. Fall competition will be permitted to begin starting September 5, 2020 concluding October 31, 2020.Winter 2020-21 Sports SeasonThe NJCAA National Office and Board of Regents have carefully considered the winter 2020-21 sports season.&nbsp; With growing uncertainty and the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 later this year, the following changes have been made:<ul>
 <li>The 2020-21 NJCAA Men's and Women's Basketball seasons will be permitted to begin practice starting September 14, 2020.&nbsp; Competition will be permitted to begin starting October 16, 2020.&nbsp; All member colleges are encouraged to adjust schedules as needed to limit competition between the Thanksgiving holiday and January 1, 2021.</li><li>The 2020-21 NJCAA Wrestling season has been altered to protect the best interest for student-athlete health and safety.&nbsp; NJCAA Wrestling programs will be permitted to hold fall practice starting October 1, 2020, concluding October 31, 2020.&nbsp; Regular season practice will be permitted to begin starting January 1, 2021.&nbsp; Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 20, 2021.&nbsp; The 2021 NJCAA Wrestling Championship will be held April 23-24 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, IA.</li><li>The 2020-21 NJCAA Men's and Women's Bowling, Men's and Women's Swimming &amp; Diving, and Men's and Women's Indoor Track &amp; Field seasons will be permitted to begin practice starting October 1, 2020.&nbsp; Competition will be permitted to begin starting October 30, 2020.&nbsp; All member colleges are encouraged to adjust schedules as needed to limit competition between the Thanksgiving holiday and January 1, 2021.</li>
 </ul>Spring 2021 Sports SeasonAt this time, the NJCAA will proceed with spring championship sports beginning practice and competition as planned.&nbsp; As the spring season approaches, the NJCAA National Office will provide additional guidance on any possible changes as necessary.Student-Athlete Return to CampusFor the 2020-21 academic year, NJCAA member schools will be permitted to open dorms to all student-athletes (fall, winter, spring sports) beginning July 18, 2020. The accelerated move-in date will allow member colleges to institute a 14-day quarantine period for student-athletes and implement extra safety precautions as necessary prior to the August 1 start date for fall practice.For the year 2020-21 an exception will be allowed to Article V, Section 7 of the NJCAA Bylaws.&nbsp; This exception will allow member colleges to provide or pay for student-athlete COVID-19 testing, if they so choose.&nbsp; At this time, this exception will only apply for the 2020-21 academic year but will be reviewed as needed.Tryouts and AuditionsTo implement social distancing, an extension will be allowed for tryout and audition durations and maximums for fall 2020 sports only.&nbsp; Fall 2020 tryouts and auditions may be held over a two-day period with no more than 10 prospective student-athletes participating at a time.&nbsp; Auditions may not exceed two hours per individual.&nbsp;As the 2020-21 academic and athletic year begins, the NJCAA National Office and Board of Regents will continue to monitor COVID-19 and consider how changing circumstances could impact NJCAA member colleges and student-athletes.&nbsp; It is the goal of the NJCAA to provide a pathway to allow opportunities for student-athletes across the country while keeping health and safety a priority.&nbsp; The NJCAA will provide additional updates and information as needed.For all NJCAA COVID-19 updates, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/COVID19" target="_blank">NJCAA COVID-19 Homepage</a>

NJCAA announces fall plan regarding Covid-19

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AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Friday

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska football coach Scott Frost and men's basketball coach Fred Hoiberg will donate part of their salaries to the athletic department's general operating fund to help offset revenue shortfalls because of the coronavirus pandemic. The amount will be determined when the 2021 budget is closer to being finalized. Frost's salary is $5 million. Hoiberg earns $3 million. Frost says his deep ties to the school helped inspire him to give back some of his pay. Hoiberg said he wants to give back to make sure athletes have everything they need.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — There will be some spectators in the stands for the two IndyCar races at Iowa Speedway. About 5,000-6,000 tickets will be available each night for the July 17 and 18 races on the short oval at Iowa, where there are more than 25,000 permanent seats. Groups will be separated by at least six feet. There were no spectators for the season-opening June 6 race at Texas, and won't be any July 4 at the road course in Indianapolis. Spectators will first be allowed the weekend before Iowa, for two races at Road America, a four-mile, 14-turn road course in Wisconsin.&nbsp;

Players counter MLB plan by proposing 70-game season

UNDATED (AP) — Baseball players have proposed a 70-game regular-season schedule, leaving them and the teams 10 games and about $275 million apart on plans to start the coronavirus-delayed season.

As part of the union's proposal Thursday, players would wear advertisement patches on their uniforms during all games for the first time in major league history. People with knowledge of the proposal said it included $1.73 billion in salaries, plus a $50 million postseason pool.

On Wednesday, Major League Baseball said a framework for the season had emerged from discussions between Commissioner Rob Manfred and players' association head Tony Clark. People familiar with the proposed framework said it called for a 60-game regular-season schedule that would have $1.48 billion in salaries plus a $25 million players' postseason pool.

Both MLB and the union proposed starting the season on July 19, and players said it should end Sept. 30, three days later than management.

In other news related to the COVID-19 pandemic:

— The University of Texas says 13 football players have tested positive for COVID-19 or are presumed positive, and contact tracing has 10 more in isolation. Texas started bringing football players back to campus for workouts on June 8. The school has also identified four other players who tested positive for the COVID-19 antibody. Elsewhere, Kansas State officials reported Wednesday night that eight Wildcats athletes have tested positive for COVID-19 out of 130 tested.

— Michigan State's athletic department says it conducted COVID-19 testing on 124 athletes, and one tested positive and will be isolated for 10 to 14 days. Michigan also disclosed results from its testing. A physician with the athletic department says the school has had two positive tests on athletes, out of 221 tests. Both schools said no athletic department staff members tested positive.

— The Atlantic Coast Conference is moving its football media days online. That makes it the last of the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision leagues to announce it is going virtual because of concerns about COVID-19. The ACC Football Kickoff was originally scheduled to be held at The Westin in Charlotte, North Carolina. It has been rescheduled for July 21-23 with coverage on the ACC Network.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx are cutting pay and staff due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both teams are owned by Glen Taylor. The organization said it has temporarily reduced salaries for employees earning $70,000 or more annually and laid off an unspecified amount of its full-time workforce. The virus outbreak prompted the NBA to halt play on March 11. The WNBA has yet to begin the 2020 season.

NFL Network, RedZone goes dark on DISH Network, Sling TV

LOS ANGELES (AP) - NFL Network and NFL RedZone went dark on DISH Network and Sling TV Thursday night as both sides try to reach a new distribution agreement.

The league says in a release that "while NFL Media remains committed to negotiating an agreement and has offered terms consistent with those in place with other distributors, DISH has not agreed."

DISH says on its website that "the NFL has chosen to remove their channels during these unprecedented times" and that they hope to reach an agreement before the season starts.

The lack of an agreement impacts 11.32 million subscribers. DISH has 9.01 million and Sling TV accounts for another 2.31 million.&nbsp;

Southeastern Conference pushing Mississippi to change flag

The Southeastern Conference is considering barring league championship events in Mississippi until the state changes its Confederate-based flag.

Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement that "It is past time for change to be made to the flag of the State of Mississippi," Sankey said "In the event there is no change, there will be consideration of precluding Southeastern Conference championship events from being conducted in the State of Mississippi until the flag is changed."

The NCAA already said it would not schedule postseason events in Mississippi because of the flag that features the Confederate Battle Flag in the upper left corner.

Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum released a statement after Sankey's comments.

AP source: Jets star safety Jamal Adams requests trade

NEW YORK (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of the situation says All-Pro safety Jamal Adams has requested a trade from the New York Jets amid a contract dispute.

The 24-year-old Adams has been seeking a contract extension, and the Jets have said they want the safety to remain a member of the team his entire career. But the conflict apparently is about the timing: Adams wants the extension now, while the team prefers to wait until next year, at the earliest.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because neither Adams nor the team announced the player's trade request. ESPN and the New York Daily News first reported Adams seeking a trade.

—Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward is confident the club will present a united front if it opts to make a public stand against social injustice. The Steelers inadvertently caused a firestorm in 2017 when a miscommunication left tackle and Army veteran Al Villanueva on the field for the national anthem while his teammates waited in darkness in a tunnel. Heyward said the fallout from the mix-up still stings. He said the team will make any public stand together, pointing out players will have plenty of opportunities off the field to express their own personal impact in the change Heyward says is necessary.

Mets sign Joe Suozzi, son of Queens congressman, for $20,000

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (AP) — Boston College outfielder Joe Suozzi, whose father is a congressman representing parts of Queens and Long Island, has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets that includes a $20,000 signing bonus.

The Eagles made the announcement. The Mets said they plan to announce all their amateur signings simultaneously at a later date.

Souzzi hit .414 with 14 runs and 16 RBIs and had a 14-game hitting streak in a season shortened to 15 games due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Thomas Suozzi was elected to congress in November 2016. He is a former Nassau County executive and mayor of Glen Cove.

— Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel Sanó has told a Dominican Republic newspaper he's being blackmailed, having been accused of kidnapping and assault.

The Twins said Thursday they're aware of the report in El Nuevo Diario and still trying to gather more information about the situation surrounding Sanó, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract in January.

Poulter sets pace and Spieth turns it around at Hilton Head

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — The RBC Heritage began two month later than usual with a little rain, a little sunshine, a lot of birdies and the only fans were residents whose homes line the course.

Ian Poulter holed a 30-foot birdie putt and followed with a 5-iron to 4 feet for a birdie that closed out his round of 7-under 64, giving him a share of the lead Thursday with Mark Hubbard at Hilton Head.

The RBC Heritage, typically a week after the Masters in April, is the second tournament since the PGA Tour returned after 90 days from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The top three players in the world are at Hilton Head — Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas — and none broke par on a day in which 66 players in the 151-man field shot in the 60s

Jordan Spieth made a triple-bogey 7 and then had a career-best six straight birdies on his back nine and finished with seven birdies over his last eight holes for a 66.

Colonial winner Daniel Berger, Brooks Koepka, Ernie Els and that incredible bulk, Bryson DeChambeau, were in the large group at 67.

Univ. of Florida ends 'gator bait' cheer, cites racism

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The University of Florida is ending its "gator bait" cheer at football games and other sports events because of its racial connotations.

President Kent Fuchs said in a letter to the university's faculty, students and staff Thursday that the cheer has a "horrific historic racist imagery" involving African American people, especially children, being used as bait for alligators.

The university's sports teams in the Southeastern Conference are nicknamed the Gators. In the past, the school's band would strike up a "gator bait" tune and fans would respond with their arms doing a chomping motion while shouting the slogan.

The letter outlined other steps the university in Gainesville, Florida, is taking on racial issues following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Floyd's death has sparked nationwide protests focused on police brutality against African Americans.

Tennessee coach says RB Tim Jordan no longer with Vols

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt says running back Tim Jordan is no longer on the team after he was arrested May 30 in Florida on gun and marijuana charges.

Jordan would have been a senior for the Volunteers, and the native of Bartow, Florida, played in 12 games last season. He finished third with 428 yards rushing on 104 carries with one touchdown, and he also caught six passes for 46 yards.

Asked about Jordan's status on the Volunteers during a video conference call Thursday, Pruitt said only: "He is no longer on our team."

Jordan was released on $2,000 bail May 30 after being arrested during a traffic stop that morning in Lakeland near his hometown. He was charged with carrying a concealed firearm, possessing narcotic paraphernalia and having 20 grams or less of cannabis.

Rubio introduces NIL bill to push NCAA changes

UNDATED (AP) — Sen. Marco Rubio is introducing a bill that would protect the NCAA from being challenged in court if the association changes its rules to allow athletes to earn money for endorsement deals and personal appearances.

The Florida Republican's bill comes six days after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into a law a bill that allows college athletes to be compensated for their names, images and likenesses. That law goes into effect July 2021. The NCAA is seeking help from Congress as more states push forward their own bills.

Earlier this week, the NCAA was hit with an antitrust lawsuit seeking damages for current and former athletes that could cost the association millions.

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska football coach Scott Frost and men's basketball coach Fred Hoiberg will donate part of their salaries to the athletic department's general operating fund to help offset revenue shortfalls because of the coronavirus pandemic. The amount will be determined when the 2021 budget is closer to being finalized. Frost's salary is $5 million. Hoiberg earns $3 million. Frost says his deep ties to the school helped inspire him to give back some of his pay. Hoiberg said he wants to give back to make sure athletes have everything they need.NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — There will be some spectators in the stands for the two IndyCar races at Iowa Speedway. About 5,000-6,000 tickets will be available each night for the July 17 and 18 races on the short oval at Iowa, where there are more than 25,000 permanent seats. Groups will be separated by at least six feet. There were no spectators for the season-opening June 6 race at Texas, and won't be any July 4 at the road course in Indianapolis. Spectators will first be allowed the weekend before Iowa, for two races at Road America, a four-mile, 14-turn road course in Wisconsin.&nbsp;Update on the latest in sports:VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTSPlayers counter MLB plan by proposing 70-game seasonUNDATED (AP) — Baseball players have proposed a 70-game regular-season schedule, leaving them and the teams 10 games and about $275 million apart on plans to start the coronavirus-delayed season.As part of the union's proposal Thursday, players would wear advertisement patches on their uniforms during all games for the first time in major league history. People with knowledge of the proposal said it included $1.73 billion in salaries, plus a $50 million postseason pool.On Wednesday, Major League Baseball said a framework for the season had emerged from discussions between Commissioner Rob Manfred and players' association head Tony Clark. People familiar with the proposed framework said it called for a 60-game regular-season schedule that would have $1.48 billion in salaries plus a $25 million players' postseason pool.Both MLB and the union proposed starting the season on July 19, and players said it should end Sept. 30, three days later than management.In other news related to the COVID-19 pandemic:— The University of Texas says 13 football players have tested positive for COVID-19 or are presumed positive, and contact tracing has 10 more in isolation. Texas started bringing football players back to campus for workouts on June 8. The school has also identified four other players who tested positive for the COVID-19 antibody. Elsewhere, Kansas State officials reported Wednesday night that eight Wildcats athletes have tested positive for COVID-19 out of 130 tested.— Michigan State's athletic department says it conducted COVID-19 testing on 124 athletes, and one tested positive and will be isolated for 10 to 14 days. Michigan also disclosed results from its testing. A physician with the athletic department says the school has had two positive tests on athletes, out of 221 tests. Both schools said no athletic department staff members tested positive.— The Atlantic Coast Conference is moving its football media days online. That makes it the last of the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision leagues to announce it is going virtual because of concerns about COVID-19. The ACC Football Kickoff was originally scheduled to be held at The Westin in Charlotte, North Carolina. It has been rescheduled for July 21-23 with coverage on the ACC Network.The Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx are cutting pay and staff due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both teams are owned by Glen Taylor. The organization said it has temporarily reduced salaries for employees earning $70,000 or more annually and laid off an unspecified amount of its full-time workforce. The virus outbreak prompted the NBA to halt play on March 11. The WNBA has yet to begin the 2020 season.NFL NETWORK-DISHNFL Network, RedZone goes dark on DISH Network, Sling TVLOS ANGELES (AP) - NFL Network and NFL RedZone went dark on DISH Network and Sling TV Thursday night as both sides try to reach a new distribution agreement.The league says in a release that "while NFL Media remains committed to negotiating an agreement and has offered terms consistent with those in place with other distributors, DISH has not agreed."DISH says on its website that "the NFL has chosen to remove their channels during these unprecedented times" and that they hope to reach an agreement before the season starts.The lack of an agreement impacts 11.32 million subscribers. DISH has 9.01 million and Sling TV accounts for another 2.31 million.&nbsp;SEC-MISSISSIPPI FLAGSoutheastern Conference pushing Mississippi to change flagThe Southeastern Conference is considering barring league championship events in Mississippi until the state changes its Confederate-based flag.Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement that "It is past time for change to be made to the flag of the State of Mississippi," Sankey said "In the event there is no change, there will be consideration of precluding Southeastern Conference championship events from being conducted in the State of Mississippi until the flag is changed."The NCAA already said it would not schedule postseason events in Mississippi because of the flag that features the Confederate Battle Flag in the upper left corner.Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum released a statement after Sankey's comments.NFL-JETS ADAM TRADEAP source: Jets star safety Jamal Adams requests tradeNEW YORK (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of the situation says All-Pro safety Jamal Adams has requested a trade from the New York Jets amid a contract dispute.The 24-year-old Adams has been seeking a contract extension, and the Jets have said they want the safety to remain a member of the team his entire career. But the conflict apparently is about the timing: Adams wants the extension now, while the team prefers to wait until next year, at the earliest.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because neither Adams nor the team announced the player's trade request. ESPN and the New York Daily News first reported Adams seeking a trade.In other NFL news:—Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward is confident the club will present a united front if it opts to make a public stand against social injustice. The Steelers inadvertently caused a firestorm in 2017 when a miscommunication left tackle and Army veteran Al Villanueva on the field for the national anthem while his teammates waited in darkness in a tunnel. Heyward said the fallout from the mix-up still stings. He said the team will make any public stand together, pointing out players will have plenty of opportunities off the field to express their own personal impact in the change Heyward says is necessary.MLB-SUOZZIMets sign Joe Suozzi, son of Queens congressman, for $20,000CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (AP) — Boston College outfielder Joe Suozzi, whose father is a congressman representing parts of Queens and Long Island, has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets that includes a $20,000 signing bonus.The Eagles made the announcement. The Mets said they plan to announce all their amateur signings simultaneously at a later date.Souzzi hit .414 with 14 runs and 16 RBIs and had a 14-game hitting streak in a season shortened to 15 games due to the coronavirus pandemic.Thomas Suozzi was elected to congress in November 2016. He is a former Nassau County executive and mayor of Glen Cove.In other MLB news:— Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel Sanó has told a Dominican Republic newspaper he's being blackmailed, having been accused of kidnapping and assault.The Twins said Thursday they're aware of the report in El Nuevo Diario and still trying to gather more information about the situation surrounding Sanó, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract in January.PGA-RBC HERITAGEPoulter sets pace and Spieth turns it around at Hilton HeadHILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — The RBC Heritage began two month later than usual with a little rain, a little sunshine, a lot of birdies and the only fans were residents whose homes line the course.Ian Poulter holed a 30-foot birdie putt and followed with a 5-iron to 4 feet for a birdie that closed out his round of 7-under 64, giving him a share of the lead Thursday with Mark Hubbard at Hilton Head.The RBC Heritage, typically a week after the Masters in April, is the second tournament since the PGA Tour returned after 90 days from the COVID-19 pandemic.The top three players in the world are at Hilton Head — Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas — and none broke par on a day in which 66 players in the 151-man field shot in the 60sJordan Spieth made a triple-bogey 7 and then had a career-best six straight birdies on his back nine and finished with seven birdies over his last eight holes for a 66.Colonial winner Daniel Berger, Brooks Koepka, Ernie Els and that incredible bulk, Bryson DeChambeau, were in the large group at 67.GATOR BAIT CHANT-FLORIDAUniv. of Florida ends 'gator bait' cheer, cites racismST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The University of Florida is ending its "gator bait" cheer at football games and other sports events because of its racial connotations.President Kent Fuchs said in a letter to the university's faculty, students and staff Thursday that the cheer has a "horrific historic racist imagery" involving African American people, especially children, being used as bait for alligators.The university's sports teams in the Southeastern Conference are nicknamed the Gators. In the past, the school's band would strike up a "gator bait" tune and fans would respond with their arms doing a chomping motion while shouting the slogan.The letter outlined other steps the university in Gainesville, Florida, is taking on racial issues following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Floyd's death has sparked nationwide protests focused on police brutality against African Americans.COLLEGE FOOTBALL-TENNESSEE-JORDANTennessee coach says RB Tim Jordan no longer with VolsKNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt says running back Tim Jordan is no longer on the team after he was arrested May 30 in Florida on gun and marijuana charges.Jordan would have been a senior for the Volunteers, and the native of Bartow, Florida, played in 12 games last season. He finished third with 428 yards rushing on 104 carries with one touchdown, and he also caught six passes for 46 yards.Asked about Jordan's status on the Volunteers during a video conference call Thursday, Pruitt said only: "He is no longer on our team."Jordan was released on $2,000 bail May 30 after being arrested during a traffic stop that morning in Lakeland near his hometown. He was charged with carrying a concealed firearm, possessing narcotic paraphernalia and having 20 grams or less of cannabis.NCAA-COMPENSATING ATHLETESRubio introduces NIL bill to push NCAA changesUNDATED (AP) — Sen. Marco Rubio is introducing a bill that would protect the NCAA from being challenged in court if the association changes its rules to allow athletes to earn money for endorsement deals and personal appearances.The Florida Republican's bill comes six days after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into a law a bill that allows college athletes to be compensated for their names, images and likenesses. That law goes into effect July 2021. The NCAA is seeking help from Congress as more states push forward their own bills.Earlier this week, the NCAA was hit with an antitrust lawsuit seeking damages for current and former athletes that could cost the association millions.

Friday Sports Headlines

The RBC Heritage began two month later than usual with a little rain, a little sunshine and a lot of birdies, most of them from Jordan Spieth to turn a rough start into a furious finish.

“I’ve always loved coming here to play golf,” said Poulter, and he has plenty of company this year.&nbsp;

The top three players in the world are at Hilton Head — Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas — and none broke par on a day in which 66 players in the 151-man field shot in the 60s. A year ago, only 38 players in the 132-man field opened with rounds in the 60s.

Spieth wouldn’t have guessed he would be one of them after a tee shot what was 5 yards right of the 12th fairway hit a tree and didn’t stop rolling until it was out-of-bounds. He made triple bogey and was 3 over through three holes.

“All of a sudden, I’m 3 over through three, and you start to see guys going 2 under through two, 2 under through three early,” Spieth said. “It’s not a great feeling.”

Determined to at least try to get under par for his round, Spieth had a career-best six straight birdies on his back nine and finished with seven birdies over his last eight holes for a 66.

Poulter and Hubbard, who started birdie-eagle, were a shot ahead of a group that included Webb Simpson, Ryan Palmer and Viktor Hovland, Colonial winner Daniel Berger, Brooks Koepka, Ernie Els and that incredible bulk, Bryson DeChambeau, were in the large group at 67.

DeChambeau, who added some 40 pounds of mass to increase his swing speed, was hammering shots over the range during practice earlier in the week. He had to tone it down on the tight, tree-lined Harbour Town Golf Links.

“I couldn’t unleash the Kraken today,” DeChambeau said, a student of physics and Scandinavian folklore. “It was just too tight out there. The wind was swirling all day, and I couldn’t feel comfortable to give it a good whack, but I was still able to manage keeping it mostly in the fairway.”

Dustin Johnson was poised to make a move until hit into the water on the par-3 14th and compounding the error with a three-putt triple bogey. He still managed a 68.

It was the first PGA Tour with spectators on the property, just not on the golf course with tickets.&nbsp;

Harbour Town is lined with vacation homes, villas and townhouses, and plenty of people spilled onto their decks and into their yards to watch. The tour has ropes to line the fairway. This year, they put up ropes to line the yards to keep people from coming all the way onto the course.

One family had a sign up for Spieth as he walked along the eighth fairway, one of only two holes on the front nine where he failed to make birdie.

That shot out-of-bounds had all markings of bad breaks he has seen too often during three winless years. With a provisional tee shot in the fairway, Spieth went over to look at the trees, and then some 20 yards to the right at his original tee shot nestled in the pine straw. And then he three-putted.

Instead of getting down, he told caddie Michael Greller on the next tee, “That’s over. Le’ts get four (birdies) today and shoot under par.”

“I ended up getting a few more than that,” he said.

Just like last week’s opening round at Colonial, he got hot on his back nine. The streak began with an 8-foot putt on the par-5 second hole, and included a 7-iron to 4 feet to a left pin near the water on the par-3 fourth. He was on such a roll that Spieth began to contemplate eight straight birdies to end his round. But he saw enough mud on his ball from the fairway on No. 8 that he played conservatively to 30 feet, and then finished with another short birdie.

McIlroy and Thomas, who both had chances to win going into the final round at Colonial last year, had 72. Rahm had a 71. For McIlroy, it was the first time since the ZoZo Championship in Japan in late October that he was over par after the first round.&nbsp;

Rory McIlroy was among those who struggled, and only a pair of birdies on the back nine kept it from being worse. He opened with a 72. That ended a streak of seven straight tournaments in which he broke par in the opening round dating to the ZoZo Championship in Japan last October.

“I’m sort of missing my 3-wood left and missing my driver right,” McIlroy said. “If you’re in any way like in two minds what to do off the tees around here and get a little bit sort of guidey, it can bite you.”

The RBC Heritage began two month later than usual with a little rain, a little sunshine and a lot of birdies, most of them from Jordan Spieth to turn a rough start into a furious finish.Ian Poulter holed a 30-foot birdie putt and followed with a 5-iron to 4 feet for a birdie that closed out his round of 7-under 64, giving him a share of the lead Thursday with Mark Hubbard at Hilton Head.“I’ve always loved coming here to play golf,” said Poulter, and he has plenty of company this year.&nbsp;The RBC Heritage, typically a week after the Masters in April, is the second tournament since the PGA Tour returned after 90 days from the COVID-19 pandemic.The top three players in the world are at Hilton Head — Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas — and none broke par on a day in which 66 players in the 151-man field shot in the 60s. A year ago, only 38 players in the 132-man field opened with rounds in the 60s.Spieth wouldn’t have guessed he would be one of them after a tee shot what was 5 yards right of the 12th fairway hit a tree and didn’t stop rolling until it was out-of-bounds. He made triple bogey and was 3 over through three holes.“All of a sudden, I’m 3 over through three, and you start to see guys going 2 under through two, 2 under through three early,” Spieth said. “It’s not a great feeling.”Determined to at least try to get under par for his round, Spieth had a career-best six straight birdies on his back nine and finished with seven birdies over his last eight holes for a 66.Poulter and Hubbard, who started birdie-eagle, were a shot ahead of a group that included Webb Simpson, Ryan Palmer and Viktor Hovland, Colonial winner Daniel Berger, Brooks Koepka, Ernie Els and that incredible bulk, Bryson DeChambeau, were in the large group at 67.DeChambeau, who added some 40 pounds of mass to increase his swing speed, was hammering shots over the range during practice earlier in the week. He had to tone it down on the tight, tree-lined Harbour Town Golf Links.“I couldn’t unleash the Kraken today,” DeChambeau said, a student of physics and Scandinavian folklore. “It was just too tight out there. The wind was swirling all day, and I couldn’t feel comfortable to give it a good whack, but I was still able to manage keeping it mostly in the fairway.”Dustin Johnson was poised to make a move until hit into the water on the par-3 14th and compounding the error with a three-putt triple bogey. He still managed a 68.It was the first PGA Tour with spectators on the property, just not on the golf course with tickets.&nbsp;Harbour Town is lined with vacation homes, villas and townhouses, and plenty of people spilled onto their decks and into their yards to watch. The tour has ropes to line the fairway. This year, they put up ropes to line the yards to keep people from coming all the way onto the course.One family had a sign up for Spieth as he walked along the eighth fairway, one of only two holes on the front nine where he failed to make birdie.That shot out-of-bounds had all markings of bad breaks he has seen too often during three winless years. With a provisional tee shot in the fairway, Spieth went over to look at the trees, and then some 20 yards to the right at his original tee shot nestled in the pine straw. And then he three-putted.Instead of getting down, he told caddie Michael Greller on the next tee, “That’s over. Le’ts get four (birdies) today and shoot under par.”“I ended up getting a few more than that,” he said.Just like last week’s opening round at Colonial, he got hot on his back nine. The streak began with an 8-foot putt on the par-5 second hole, and included a 7-iron to 4 feet to a left pin near the water on the par-3 fourth. He was on such a roll that Spieth began to contemplate eight straight birdies to end his round. But he saw enough mud on his ball from the fairway on No. 8 that he played conservatively to 30 feet, and then finished with another short birdie.McIlroy and Thomas, who both had chances to win going into the final round at Colonial last year, had 72. Rahm had a 71. For McIlroy, it was the first time since the ZoZo Championship in Japan in late October that he was over par after the first round.&nbsp;Rory McIlroy was among those who struggled, and only a pair of birdies on the back nine kept it from being worse. He opened with a 72. That ended a streak of seven straight tournaments in which he broke par in the opening round dating to the ZoZo Championship in Japan last October.“I’m sort of missing my 3-wood left and missing my driver right,” McIlroy said. “If you’re in any way like in two minds what to do off the tees around here and get a little bit sort of guidey, it can bite you.”

Birdies galore at Hilton Head, and Spieth needed them badly

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball players proposed a 70-game regular-season schedule Thursday, a plan immediately rejected by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred with the sides 10 games and about $275 million apart on plans to start the coronavirus-delayed season.

As part of the union proposal, players would wear advertisement patches on their uniforms during all games for the first time in major league history.

“This needs to be over,” Manfred said. “Until I speak with owners, I can’t give you a firm deadline.”

Both sides envision spring training resuming June 26. Counting back, that means pitchers and catchers would have to travel Monday for the start of medical intake testing the following day.

While the gap has narrowed, both sides remain opposed to additional concessions, The path toward an agreement remains uncertain and difficult.

“We believe this offer represents the basis for an agreement on resumption of play,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlbplayers.com/post/statement-of-mlbpa-executive-director-tony-clark-3" target="_blank">union head Tony Clark said</a>&nbsp;in a statement.

Manfred met with Clark in Arizona for about five hours Tuesday, and MLB said Wednesday that they had reached a framework for the season. The union disputed that, saying it was merely another proposal.

“We had a list of issues. We stated positions on each of those issues. We then made trades and compromises across and within those issues,” Manfred said. “At several points in time, I went back to the list of issues with Tony and reviewed where we were, and I did that again at the end of the meeting. We shook hands and we both agreed we were going to -- push was the word -- push our sides to reach an agreement consistent with that framework.”

That plan included a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/760ccc6a32da17ef6afe2a87463b9910">60-game regular-season schedule</a>&nbsp;that would have $1.48 billion in salaries plus a $25 million players’ postseason pool, people familiar with the framework told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because details were not announced. MLB for the first time agreed to pay full pro-rated salaries with games in empty ballparks.

“He was clear that it wasn’t going to be easy and we were both clear that we needed approval from our respective constituencies,” Manfred said. “Tony in fact informed me last night on the phone that he could not sell the framework even to his subcommittee, and that it was going no further and it was not going up for a vote of the players or anything like that because the subcommittee had rejected it. He then encouraged me to offer improvements in the framework. I told him I was not going to do that, but if he could make whatever counter-proposal he wanted to make any topic.”

The union proposal would have $1.73 billion in salaries, plus a $50 million postseason pool, people familiar with that plan said.

“In my discussions with Rob in Arizona we explored a potential pro-rata framework, but I made clear repeatedly in that meeting and after it that there were a number of significant issues with what he proposed, in particular the number of games,” Clark said. “It is unequivocally false to suggest that any tentative agreement or other agreement was reached in that meeting.”

MLB’s plan would have players receive about 37% of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e4de6351d5546a7b0251f85c7015d700">salaries that originally totaled $4 billion</a>, and the union’s proposal would have them get roughly 43%.

“I told him 70 games was simply impossible given the calendar and the public health situation, and he went ahead and made that proposal anyway,” Manfred said.&nbsp;

Both MLB and the union proposed starting the season on July 19, and players said it should end Sept. 30, three days later than management. Citing Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, MLB does not want to extend playing deeper into the autumn.

“Dr. Fauci’s out there telling us that football should playing in a quarantine. The other two sports are playing in a quarantine,” Manfred said, referring to plans for the NBA and NHL. “Our guys want nothing to do with that. Number two, Fauci says we shouldn’t be playing in October and their proposal contemplates lengthening the season.”

MLB also does not want to bunch more games into the same time period.&nbsp;

“We told them we’re not playing doubleheaders,” Manfred said. “Our public health guys tell us you should not put people together for that number of hours in the day. It’s not safe. But they just keep ignoring those things.”

Baseball’s postseason would expand from 10 teams to 16 this year, and the two wild-card games would transform into eight best-of-three series. That would create a minimum of 14 new playoff games whose broadcast rights could be sold, and MLB would have the option of 14 or 16 postseason teams in 2021.&nbsp;

Manfred said MLB would give the additional playoffs games to broadcast partners for free this year to make up for the shortened regular season and MLB would sell the games for 2021. Players proposed they split broadcast revenue 50-50 from the additional 2021 games. That was a change in stance for a union that has steadfastly resisted sharing revenue because of fears it would become a step toward a salary cap system.

Players also would allow MLB to move postseason games this year to neutral sites if needed because of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball players proposed a 70-game regular-season schedule Thursday, a plan immediately rejected by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred with the sides 10 games and about $275 million apart on plans to start the coronavirus-delayed season.As part of the union proposal, players would wear advertisement patches on their uniforms during all games for the first time in major league history.“This needs to be over,” Manfred said. “Until I speak with owners, I can’t give you a firm deadline.”Both sides envision spring training resuming June 26. Counting back, that means pitchers and catchers would have to travel Monday for the start of medical intake testing the following day.<figure>
 <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/afs-prod/media/afs:Medium:9031350312/1000.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>While the gap has narrowed, both sides remain opposed to additional concessions, The path toward an agreement remains uncertain and difficult.“We believe this offer represents the basis for an agreement on resumption of play,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlbplayers.com/post/statement-of-mlbpa-executive-director-tony-clark-3" target="_blank">union head Tony Clark said</a>&nbsp;in a statement.Manfred met with Clark in Arizona for about five hours Tuesday, and MLB said Wednesday that they had reached a framework for the season. The union disputed that, saying it was merely another proposal.“We had a list of issues. We stated positions on each of those issues. We then made trades and compromises across and within those issues,” Manfred said. “At several points in time, I went back to the list of issues with Tony and reviewed where we were, and I did that again at the end of the meeting. We shook hands and we both agreed we were going to -- push was the word -- push our sides to reach an agreement consistent with that framework.”That plan included a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/760ccc6a32da17ef6afe2a87463b9910">60-game regular-season schedule</a>&nbsp;that would have $1.48 billion in salaries plus a $25 million players’ postseason pool, people familiar with the framework told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because details were not announced. MLB for the first time agreed to pay full pro-rated salaries with games in empty ballparks.“He was clear that it wasn’t going to be easy and we were both clear that we needed approval from our respective constituencies,” Manfred said. “Tony in fact informed me last night on the phone that he could not sell the framework even to his subcommittee, and that it was going no further and it was not going up for a vote of the players or anything like that because the subcommittee had rejected it. He then encouraged me to offer improvements in the framework. I told him I was not going to do that, but if he could make whatever counter-proposal he wanted to make any topic.”The union proposal would have $1.73 billion in salaries, plus a $50 million postseason pool, people familiar with that plan said.“In my discussions with Rob in Arizona we explored a potential pro-rata framework, but I made clear repeatedly in that meeting and after it that there were a number of significant issues with what he proposed, in particular the number of games,” Clark said. “It is unequivocally false to suggest that any tentative agreement or other agreement was reached in that meeting.”MLB’s plan would have players receive about 37% of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e4de6351d5546a7b0251f85c7015d700">salaries that originally totaled $4 billion</a>, and the union’s proposal would have them get roughly 43%.“I told him 70 games was simply impossible given the calendar and the public health situation, and he went ahead and made that proposal anyway,” Manfred said.&nbsp;Both MLB and the union proposed starting the season on July 19, and players said it should end Sept. 30, three days later than management. Citing Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, MLB does not want to extend playing deeper into the autumn.“Dr. Fauci’s out there telling us that football should playing in a quarantine. The other two sports are playing in a quarantine,” Manfred said, referring to plans for the NBA and NHL. “Our guys want nothing to do with that. Number two, Fauci says we shouldn’t be playing in October and their proposal contemplates lengthening the season.”MLB also does not want to bunch more games into the same time period.&nbsp;“We told them we’re not playing doubleheaders,” Manfred said. “Our public health guys tell us you should not put people together for that number of hours in the day. It’s not safe. But they just keep ignoring those things.”Baseball’s postseason would expand from 10 teams to 16 this year, and the two wild-card games would transform into eight best-of-three series. That would create a minimum of 14 new playoff games whose broadcast rights could be sold, and MLB would have the option of 14 or 16 postseason teams in 2021.&nbsp;Manfred said MLB would give the additional playoffs games to broadcast partners for free this year to make up for the shortened regular season and MLB would sell the games for 2021. Players proposed they split broadcast revenue 50-50 from the additional 2021 games. That was a change in stance for a union that has steadfastly resisted sharing revenue because of fears it would become a step toward a salary cap system.Players also would allow MLB to move postseason games this year to neutral sites if needed because of the coronavirus.&nbsp;Both sides would expand use of the designated hitter to games involving National League teams.The luxury tax would be suspended for 2020, which with a 70-game schedule projects to save the Yankees $9.95 million, Houston $1.52 million, the Dodgers $506,000 and the Cubs $135,000. At 60 games, New York is projected to save $8.5 million, the Astros $1.3 million, the Dodgers $434,000 and the Cubs $116,000.Players with so-called split contracts, who get paid at a lower salary rate when sent to the minor leagues, would not have to repay the advance they already received:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e3d88c5118e378cebed94bbb08d772d8">$16,500, $30,000 or $60,000, depending on their contract,</a>&nbsp;for a total of about $33 million.MLB would contribute $10 million to social justice initiatives from funds not needed this year for the welfare plan used for health benefits.Players would allow $50 million to be transferred to the commissioner’s discretionary fund from the international tax fund collected from teams that exceeded their signing bonus pools.As part of a deal, both sides would waive claims against each other. MLB has the right to unilaterally set the schedule, but without a deal would have the risk of grievance hearings and possibly damages.“We want to play. We want to reach an agreement,” Manfred said. “We’re committed to doing whatever is necessary to find a way to play, hopefully by agreement.”