Manfred says there might not be an MLB season

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says there may be no major league games this year after a breakdown in talks between teams and the players' union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The league also revealed several players have tested positive for COVID-19.

Two days after union head Tony Clark declared additional negotiations futile, Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem sent a seven-page letter to players' association chief negotiator Bruce Meyer asking the union whether it will waive the threat of legal action and tell MLB to announce a spring training report date and a regular-season schedule.

These were just the latest escalating volleys in a sport viewing disagreement over starting the season as a preliminary battle ahead of bargaining to replace the labor contract that expires on Dec. 1, 2021.

— Major League Baseball has delayed the start of the new international signings period from July 2 until Jan. 15, a move that will cause teams to push back deals of 16- and 17-year-old Latin American prospects. MLB says the current signings year, scheduled to end Monday, had been extended until Oct. 15. There has been a transaction freeze since March 28, and any agreements between the end of the freeze and Oct. 15 will count for the 2019-20 signings year. No international amateurs can be signed from Oct. 15 until the new period opens on Jan. 15.

NFL commissioner Goodell encourages team to sign Kaepernick

UNDATED (AP) — Roger Goodell would like to see Colin Kaepernick back in the NFL this season.

The NFL commissioner said during ESPN's "The Return of Sports" special on Monday that he is encouraging teams to sign the 32-year old quarterback, who hasn't played the past three seasons.

Kaepernick was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 when he kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said last week that he received a call from another team about Kaepernick. Carroll and the Seahawks brought in Kaepernick for a workout in 2017 and had another planned in 2018 before it was canceled.

Goodell set up a tryout for Kaepernick in Atlanta last year for scouts of all 32 teams to attend, but it unraveled at the last moment due to lack of media access and what Kaepernick's representatives saw as an unusual liability waiver.

— Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon criticized the timing of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's assertion that "black lives matter" to the league, saying the message should have been delivered long ago. Speaking in a video conference call with the Baltimore media, Judon said Goodell's comments on June 5 were long overdue. Judon said Goodell should have addressed the issue when he was named commissioner and when he was re-elected to the post. Judon said the Ravens are discussing the best way to protest racism when they start playing the 2020 season.

— The San Francisco 49ers have rewarded coach Kyle Shanahan with a new six-year contract after he took the team to the Super Bowl in his third season at the helm. The Niners are replacing the three years remaining on Shanahan's original six-year contract signed in 2017 to keep him under contract through 2025. ESPN first reported the new extension.

— New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins is joining CNN as a contributor focusing on racial and social justice. Jenkins says he believes he can "be a voice for other athlete activists and those who have dedicated their lives" to promoting equality through legislation and other reforms. Jenkins is an 11-year NFL veteran out of Ohio State who has won Super Bowls with both New Orleans and the Philadelphia Eagles. Jenkins says his motivation to join CNN stems from his experience addressing inequalities in criminal justice and educational systems affecting members of "marginalized communities."

UNDATED (AP) — The agent for Ezekiel Elliott says the star running back of the Dallas Cowboys has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Rocky Arceneaux tells the NFL Network Elliott is feeling OK and recovering.

A person with direct knowledge of the diagnosis tells The Associated Press that Elliott had the positive test about a week ago and could be described as symptomatic.

Only players who have been rehabilitating injuries have been allowed inside team facilities during the shutdown. That hasn't included Elliott.

PGA Championship staying at Harding Park, but without fans

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — There were no fans at Colonial for the return of the PGA Tour. Now get ready for no fans at a major championship.

The PGA of America has submitted plans to hold the PGA Championship at Harding Park in August with no fans. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that public health officials have approved the plan.

An announcement is expected as early as Tuesday.

It at least answers one question for the PGA Championship, which is scheduled for Aug. 6-9. The PGA of America had said moving it from Harding Park was a possibility depending on the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Tennis Association intends to hold the U.S. Open in New York starting in August without spectators if it gets governmental support. A formal announcement could come this week.

The operational plan to hold the event amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic includes no spectators, limited player entourages, centralized housing, increased cleaning at the tournament grounds in Flushing Meadows and testing for COVID-19.

Also part of the plan: There would be no qualifying for singles, and the Cincinnati tournament that is scheduled for earlier in August would move to New York ahead of the U.S. Open.

If played, the U.S. Open would be the second of three Grand Slam events this year.

NASCAR wants 30,000 fans at All-Star race in Tennessee

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR is set to allow up to 30,000 fans at the track in Bristol next month when it moves the All-Star race out of Charlotte Motor Speedway for just the second time in the history of the race.

If the expected attendance count holds, NASCAR would open to the largest gathering of sports fans in the United States in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic __ all while numbers in some states continue to spike.

NASCAR is set to brush off those concerns and open the gates in Tennessee. Bristol holds about 146,000 fans.

The recent spike of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina sparked the move to Bristol Motor Speedway. The race will remain on the July 15 date with a 7 p.m. start time.

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA has announced plans to play an abbreviated 22-game season in Florida beginning in late July.

The league is still finalizing a partnership with IMG Academy in Bradenton to play the games at the facility and possibly others nearby. Players would be housed at IMG and teams would hold training camps there as well. The games would be played with no fans in attendance.

The WNBA would use its regular playoff format, with the top eight teams making the postseason and the first two rounds being single-elimination. The top two seeds would have byes until the semifinals. The postseason would end in early October.

A 36-game season that was supposed to start May 15 was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Qatar launches 3rd World Cup venue, flags virus precautions

UNDATED (AP) — The chief organizer of the 2022 Qatar World Cup says he is consulting with the English Premier League and Bundesliga to learn about how they are dealing with the coronavirus.

Hassan Al-Thawadi's comments underscore how sports are taking into account the potential for ongoing health precautions at events, if there is no vaccine for COVID-19.

The Bundesliga resumed last month and the Premier League's 100-day shutdown ends on Wednesday, with fans prohibited from stadiums in Germany and England.

The Qatar World Cup does not start until November 2022. The 40,000-capacity Education City stadium is the third venue to be completed.

— The Champions League final is heading to Lisbon. UEFA plans an Aug. 23 final to cap seven broadcast nights in a 12-day span of elite European teams playing knockout soccer. UEFA's widely reported wish for an eight-team knockout bracket in two empty stadiums in Portugal's capital has been confirmed by broadcaster Sky Italia. UEFA's executive committee must agree on the plan on Wednesday. It's rescheduling international soccer for Europe's clubs and national teams after the coronavirus pandemic upended the calendar.

— Michigan's athletic department says football and basketball players are welcome back on campus starting this week if they choose to take part in voluntary strength and conditioning work. Michigan says its process for reopening the athletic campus includes a 14-day pre-report risk assessment and a six-day resocialization period to campus. The resocialization period includes COVID-19 and antibody testing. Players and staff will have daily screening before being admitted to facilities. People who test positive for COVID-19 will enter a defined quarantine protocol.

— Iowa's athletic department has reported two positive COVID-19 tests during the second week of its return-to-campus protocol. The school has not disclosed whether it was athletes, coaches or staff members who tested positive. In the two weeks since Iowa began testing, there have been three positives and 343 negatives. According to an Associated Press count, at least 45 athletes, coaches or staff members at a total of 17 schools have tested positive in June.

— A football player at West Virginia has tested positive for the coronavirus, the school said Monday on the first day of voluntary workouts. The school's athletic department said in a statement that contact tracing identified other football players who could have been exposed to the athlete. Both the player who tested positive and the others he may have been in contact with will isolate themselves for 14 days, the statement said.

FIFA urges 'tolerance' after Trump's anthem kneeling rebuke

FIFA has appealed for "tolerance, mutual respect and common sense" after President Donald Trump denounced the annulment of a policy that required soccer players to stand during the national anthem.

Trump tweeted Saturday that "I won't be watching much anymore!" Trump retweeted a tweet by Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz (gaytz) who wrote: "I'd rather the US not have a soccer team than have a soccer team that won't stand for the National Anthem."

It was United States captain Megan Rapinoe kneeling in support of Colin Kaepernick that led to the U.S. Soccer Federation adopting the rule in 2017.

Gundy's OAN support angers star Oklahoma St RB Chuba Hubbard

UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard said on Twitter that he won't do anything with the program until there is change after coach Mike Gundy was photographed wearing a t-shirt representing far-right online publication One America News Network.

Gundy is seen in a photograph on Twitter wearing the t-shirt with the letters OAN. The conservative publication is a strong advocate for President Donald Trump.

Hubbard, who usually doesn't Tweet much, has been more active lately since Minneapolis police killed George Floyd. He has been supportive of protests around the world, especially of those in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, near his hometown.

— The Big Ten has created a voter registration initiative to go along with its Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition. The conference hopes its 14 schools and thousands of student-athletes can leverage their platform to spur social change. Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren says he hopes the nonpartisan program will encourage student-athletes to become part of the electoral process. It will include participants from each Big Ten school with monthly programming, beginning in July and ending with the general election in November.

Lawsuit seeks to prevent NCAA from limiting athletes' income

UNDATED (AP) — Attorneys have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in federal court. It seeks to prevent the association from limiting the amount of money athletes can make off their names, images and likenesses.

Arizona State swimmer Grant House and Oregon women's basketball player Sedona Prince are the plaintiffs. The suit seeks class-action status.

The legal challenge comes as the NCAA is the process of changing its rules to allow college athletes to earn money from third parties for things such as social media endorsements, sponsorship deals and personal appearances.&nbsp;

Vegas Golden Knights sign Reaves to $3.5M, 2-year extension

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Vegas Golden Knights have signed tough guy Ryan Reaves to a two-year contract extension worth $3.5 million.

He'll count $1.75 million against the salary cap in each of the next two seasons. Reaves announced the new deal in a video on the Golden Knights' Twitter page.

"There's two things I haven't accomplished: No. 1 haven't won a Stanley Cup, No. 2 haven't won a scoring title," Reaves said. "Now, I can win a Stanley Cup this year. I can do it. Can't win the scoring title. Can't do it. Just missed it by a couple points."

The 33-year-old from Winnipeg had eight goals and seven assists for 15 points — 95 short of Leon Draisaitl's league-leading 110. Reaves did lead the NHL with 316 hits in 71 games this season.

Tokyo Olympic board member would support another delay

TOKYO (AP) — An executive board member of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee says another delay should be sought if the games can't be held next year.

The Tokyo Olympics were to be held this year but were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The suggestion comes from Haruyuki Takahashi in an interview with the Japanese sports newspaper Nikkan Sports.

Takahashi says the main priority should be to make a "united effort to hold them (Olympics) in the summer of 2021." He says if that is not possible "we should start action once again to get another delay."

IOC President Thomas Bach and organizing committee President Yoshiro Mori have said the games will be canceled if they can't happen next year.

Strength coach departs Iowa after accusations of mistreating African Americans

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Chris Doyle is out as Iowa's football strength and conditioning coach. He and the university have agreed to a separation agreement paying him more than $1.1 million.

Doyle was accused by former players of mistreating African American players. Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, son of head coach Kirk Ferentz, and assistant defensive coordinator Seth Wallace also have been alleged to have made inappropriate comments to players.

The university says a law firm has been hired to conduct an independent review of the football program.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant has joined the ownership group of Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union.

The 10-time NBA All-Star has a 5% ownership stake, with an option for 5% more in the near future.

Update on the latest in sports:VIRUS OUTBREAK-MLBManfred says there might not be an MLB seasonNEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says there may be no major league games this year after a breakdown in talks between teams and the players' union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.The league also revealed several players have tested positive for COVID-19.Two days after union head Tony Clark declared additional negotiations futile, Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem sent a seven-page letter to players' association chief negotiator Bruce Meyer asking the union whether it will waive the threat of legal action and tell MLB to announce a spring training report date and a regular-season schedule.These were just the latest escalating volleys in a sport viewing disagreement over starting the season as a preliminary battle ahead of bargaining to replace the labor contract that expires on Dec. 1, 2021.In other baseball news:— Major League Baseball has delayed the start of the new international signings period from July 2 until Jan. 15, a move that will cause teams to push back deals of 16- and 17-year-old Latin American prospects. MLB says the current signings year, scheduled to end Monday, had been extended until Oct. 15. There has been a transaction freeze since March 28, and any agreements between the end of the freeze and Oct. 15 will count for the 2019-20 signings year. No international amateurs can be signed from Oct. 15 until the new period opens on Jan. 15.NFL NEWSNFL commissioner Goodell encourages team to sign KaepernickUNDATED (AP) — Roger Goodell would like to see Colin Kaepernick back in the NFL this season.The NFL commissioner said during ESPN's "The Return of Sports" special on Monday that he is encouraging teams to sign the 32-year old quarterback, who hasn't played the past three seasons.Kaepernick was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 when he kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said last week that he received a call from another team about Kaepernick. Carroll and the Seahawks brought in Kaepernick for a workout in 2017 and had another planned in 2018 before it was canceled.Goodell set up a tryout for Kaepernick in Atlanta last year for scouts of all 32 teams to attend, but it unraveled at the last moment due to lack of media access and what Kaepernick's representatives saw as an unusual liability waiver.In other NFL news:— Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon criticized the timing of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's assertion that "black lives matter" to the league, saying the message should have been delivered long ago. Speaking in a video conference call with the Baltimore media, Judon said Goodell's comments on June 5 were long overdue. Judon said Goodell should have addressed the issue when he was named commissioner and when he was re-elected to the post. Judon said the Ravens are discussing the best way to protest racism when they start playing the 2020 season.— The San Francisco 49ers have rewarded coach Kyle Shanahan with a new six-year contract after he took the team to the Super Bowl in his third season at the helm. The Niners are replacing the three years remaining on Shanahan's original six-year contract signed in 2017 to keep him under contract through 2025. ESPN first reported the new extension.— New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins is joining CNN as a contributor focusing on racial and social justice. Jenkins says he believes he can "be a voice for other athlete activists and those who have dedicated their lives" to promoting equality through legislation and other reforms. Jenkins is an 11-year NFL veteran out of Ohio State who has won Super Bowls with both New Orleans and the Philadelphia Eagles. Jenkins says his motivation to join CNN stems from his experience addressing inequalities in criminal justice and educational systems affecting members of "marginalized communities."VIRUS OUTBREAK-NFLCowboys star Elliott tests positiveUNDATED (AP) — The agent for Ezekiel Elliott says the star running back of the Dallas Cowboys has tested positive for the coronavirus.Rocky Arceneaux tells the NFL Network Elliott is feeling OK and recovering.A person with direct knowledge of the diagnosis tells The Associated Press that Elliott had the positive test about a week ago and could be described as symptomatic.Only players who have been rehabilitating injuries have been allowed inside team facilities during the shutdown. That hasn't included Elliott.VIRUS OUTBREAK-GOLFPGA Championship staying at Harding Park, but without fansFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — There were no fans at Colonial for the return of the PGA Tour. Now get ready for no fans at a major championship.The PGA of America has submitted plans to hold the PGA Championship at Harding Park in August with no fans. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that public health officials have approved the plan.An announcement is expected as early as Tuesday.It at least answers one question for the PGA Championship, which is scheduled for Aug. 6-9. The PGA of America had said moving it from Harding Park was a possibility depending on the COVID-19 pandemic.VIRUS OUTBREAK-US OPENUSTA plans US Open without fansNEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Tennis Association intends to hold the U.S. Open in New York starting in August without spectators if it gets governmental support. A formal announcement could come this week.The operational plan to hold the event amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic includes no spectators, limited player entourages, centralized housing, increased cleaning at the tournament grounds in Flushing Meadows and testing for COVID-19.Also part of the plan: There would be no qualifying for singles, and the Cincinnati tournament that is scheduled for earlier in August would move to New York ahead of the U.S. Open.If played, the U.S. Open would be the second of three Grand Slam events this year.NASCAR-ALL-STAR RACE-FANSNASCAR wants 30,000 fans at All-Star race in TennesseeCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR is set to allow up to 30,000 fans at the track in Bristol next month when it moves the All-Star race out of Charlotte Motor Speedway for just the second time in the history of the race.If the expected attendance count holds, NASCAR would open to the largest gathering of sports fans in the United States in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic __ all while numbers in some states continue to spike.NASCAR is set to brush off those concerns and open the gates in Tennessee. Bristol holds about 146,000 fans.The recent spike of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina sparked the move to Bristol Motor Speedway. The race will remain on the July 15 date with a 7 p.m. start time.WNBA SEASON STARTWNBA plans 22-game seasonNEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA has announced plans to play an abbreviated 22-game season in Florida beginning in late July.The league is still finalizing a partnership with IMG Academy in Bradenton to play the games at the facility and possibly others nearby. Players would be housed at IMG and teams would hold training camps there as well. The games would be played with no fans in attendance.The WNBA would use its regular playoff format, with the top eight teams making the postseason and the first two rounds being single-elimination. The top two seeds would have byes until the semifinals. The postseason would end in early October.A 36-game season that was supposed to start May 15 was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTSQatar launches 3rd World Cup venue, flags virus precautionsUNDATED (AP) — The chief organizer of the 2022 Qatar World Cup says he is consulting with the English Premier League and Bundesliga to learn about how they are dealing with the coronavirus.Hassan Al-Thawadi's comments underscore how sports are taking into account the potential for ongoing health precautions at events, if there is no vaccine for COVID-19.The Bundesliga resumed last month and the Premier League's 100-day shutdown ends on Wednesday, with fans prohibited from stadiums in Germany and England.The Qatar World Cup does not start until November 2022. The 40,000-capacity Education City stadium is the third venue to be completed.In other virus-related sports news:— The Champions League final is heading to Lisbon. UEFA plans an Aug. 23 final to cap seven broadcast nights in a 12-day span of elite European teams playing knockout soccer. UEFA's widely reported wish for an eight-team knockout bracket in two empty stadiums in Portugal's capital has been confirmed by broadcaster Sky Italia. UEFA's executive committee must agree on the plan on Wednesday. It's rescheduling international soccer for Europe's clubs and national teams after the coronavirus pandemic upended the calendar.— Michigan's athletic department says football and basketball players are welcome back on campus starting this week if they choose to take part in voluntary strength and conditioning work. Michigan says its process for reopening the athletic campus includes a 14-day pre-report risk assessment and a six-day resocialization period to campus. The resocialization period includes COVID-19 and antibody testing. Players and staff will have daily screening before being admitted to facilities. People who test positive for COVID-19 will enter a defined quarantine protocol.— Iowa's athletic department has reported two positive COVID-19 tests during the second week of its return-to-campus protocol. The school has not disclosed whether it was athletes, coaches or staff members who tested positive. In the two weeks since Iowa began testing, there have been three positives and 343 negatives. According to an Associated Press count, at least 45 athletes, coaches or staff members at a total of 17 schools have tested positive in June.— A football player at West Virginia has tested positive for the coronavirus, the school said Monday on the first day of voluntary workouts. The school's athletic department said in a statement that contact tracing identified other football players who could have been exposed to the athlete. Both the player who tested positive and the others he may have been in contact with will isolate themselves for 14 days, the statement said.FIFA-TAKING A KNEEFIFA urges 'tolerance' after Trump's anthem kneeling rebukeFIFA has appealed for "tolerance, mutual respect and common sense" after President Donald Trump denounced the annulment of a policy that required soccer players to stand during the national anthem.Trump tweeted Saturday that "I won't be watching much anymore!" Trump retweeted a tweet by Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz (gaytz) who wrote: "I'd rather the US not have a soccer team than have a soccer team that won't stand for the National Anthem."It was United States captain Megan Rapinoe kneeling in support of Colin Kaepernick that led to the U.S. Soccer Federation adopting the rule in 2017.AMERICA PROTESTS-COLLEGE SPORTSGundy's OAN support angers star Oklahoma St RB Chuba HubbardUNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard said on Twitter that he won't do anything with the program until there is change after coach Mike Gundy was photographed wearing a t-shirt representing far-right online publication One America News Network.Gundy is seen in a photograph on Twitter wearing the t-shirt with the letters OAN. The conservative publication is a strong advocate for President Donald Trump.Hubbard, who usually doesn't Tweet much, has been more active lately since Minneapolis police killed George Floyd. He has been supportive of protests around the world, especially of those in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, near his hometown.Elsewhere:— The Big Ten has created a voter registration initiative to go along with its Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition. The conference hopes its 14 schools and thousands of student-athletes can leverage their platform to spur social change. Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren says he hopes the nonpartisan program will encourage student-athletes to become part of the electoral process. It will include participants from each Big Ten school with monthly programming, beginning in July and ending with the general election in November.NCAA-COMPENSATING ATHLETESLawsuit seeks to prevent NCAA from limiting athletes' incomeUNDATED (AP) — Attorneys have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in federal court. It seeks to prevent the association from limiting the amount of money athletes can make off their names, images and likenesses.Arizona State swimmer Grant House and Oregon women's basketball player Sedona Prince are the plaintiffs. The suit seeks class-action status.The legal challenge comes as the NCAA is the process of changing its rules to allow college athletes to earn money from third parties for things such as social media endorsements, sponsorship deals and personal appearances.&nbsp;NHL NEWSVegas Golden Knights sign Reaves to $3.5M, 2-year extensionLAS VEGAS (AP) — The Vegas Golden Knights have signed tough guy Ryan Reaves to a two-year contract extension worth $3.5 million.He'll count $1.75 million against the salary cap in each of the next two seasons. Reaves announced the new deal in a video on the Golden Knights' Twitter page."There's two things I haven't accomplished: No. 1 haven't won a Stanley Cup, No. 2 haven't won a scoring title," Reaves said. "Now, I can win a Stanley Cup this year. I can do it. Can't win the scoring title. Can't do it. Just missed it by a couple points."The 33-year-old from Winnipeg had eight goals and seven assists for 15 points — 95 short of Leon Draisaitl's league-leading 110. Reaves did lead the NHL with 316 hits in 71 games this season.TOKYO DELAYTokyo Olympic board member would support another delayTOKYO (AP) — An executive board member of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee says another delay should be sought if the games can't be held next year.The Tokyo Olympics were to be held this year but were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.The suggestion comes from Haruyuki Takahashi in an interview with the Japanese sports newspaper Nikkan Sports.Takahashi says the main priority should be to make a "united effort to hold them (Olympics) in the summer of 2021." He says if that is not possible "we should start action once again to get another delay."IOC President Thomas Bach and organizing committee President Yoshiro Mori have said the games will be canceled if they can't happen next year.IOWA-STRENGTH COACHStrength coach departs Iowa after accusations of mistreating African AmericansIOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Chris Doyle is out as Iowa's football strength and conditioning coach. He and the university have agreed to a separation agreement paying him more than $1.1 million.Doyle was accused by former players of mistreating African American players. Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, son of head coach Kirk Ferentz, and assistant defensive coordinator Seth Wallace also have been alleged to have made inappropriate comments to players.The university says a law firm has been hired to conduct an independent review of the football program.DURANT-PHILADELPHIA UNIONNBA's Durant now part-owner of MLS teamPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant has joined the ownership group of Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union.The 10-time NBA All-Star has a 5% ownership stake, with an option for 5% more in the near future.The Union will partner with Durant's Thirty Five Ventures, a firm he runs with sports executive&nbsp;Rich Kleiman, to grow the team's profile and community outreach through the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation.OBIT-PURDUE-BURKEBoilermakers' longest-tenured AD, Morgan Burke, dies at 68WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Morgan Burke, the longest serving athletic director in Purdue history, died at his home Monday after battling a rare disease for the last year. He was 68.University officials said in a statement Burke had been diagnosed with amyloidosis, an ailment caused by the build-up of abnormal protein which prevents the body's organs from functioning properly.Burke served as athletic director from 1993-2016. He spent the last four years working closely with university president Mitch Daniels. Burke presided over one of the school's most successful eras — national championships in women's basketball and women's golf, three straight Big Ten men's basketball titles in the mid-1990s and the 2000 Rose Bowl trip. &nbsp;

Tuesday Sports Headlines

Roger Goodell would like to see Colin Kaepernick back in the NFL this season.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/saquon/status/1268709246683799553?s=20" target="_blank">NFL commissioner said</a>&nbsp;during ESPN’s “The Return of Sports” special on Monday that he is encouraging teams to sign the 32-year old quarterback, who hasn’t played the past three seasons. Kaepernick was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 when he kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.

“If he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it’s gonna take a team to make that decision. I welcome that, support a club making that decision and encourage them to do that,” Goodell said during his interview with ESPN’s Mike Greenberg.

Goodell set up a tryout for Kaepernick in Atlanta last year for scouts of all 32 teams to attend, but it unraveled at the last moment due to lack of media access and what Kaepernick’s representatives saw as an unusual liability waiver. Instead of the workout taking place at the Falcons’ training complex, Kaepernick conducted an impromptu session at a high school in front of media and scouts from eight teams.

The NFL released a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1269034074552721408?s=20" target="_blank">video on June 5 in which Goodell apologized</a>&nbsp;for the league for not doing a good job of listening to concerns by players on racial inequality. Goodell though was roundly criticized for the apology not mentioning Kaepernick.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/saquon/status/1268709246683799553?s=20" target="_blank">video came out a day after many players</a>&nbsp;released a video criticizing the league for not condemning racism following the May 25 death of George Floyd.

“We had spent time prior to that understanding all the frustration, fear and sadness. When the video came out on Thursday it was very powerful. It was appropriate for me to respond,” Goodell said. “We should have listened to our players earlier including Colin Kaepernick, Eric Reid, Kenny Stills, Malcolm Jenkins and so many people really brought these issues to light.”

Atanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said Goodell’s video was a great step in the right direction.

“We all need to be on the same page and address some of the uncomfortable things that need addressed,” he said.

Goodell did not answer how the league would respond if President Donald Trump continued to criticize them if players kneeled for the National Anthem. Goodell also said that he wants to include Kaepernick’s voice on how the league should approach social issues.

“I hope we’re at a point now where everybody’s committed to making long-term, sustainable change,” Goodell said. “If his efforts are not on the field but continuing to work in this space, we welcome him to that table and to help us, guide us, help us make better decisions about the kinds of things that need to be done in the communities.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said when the league gathers at the Disney campus it would provide an opportunity for the league to do more to promote social and societal change -- especially since players, who will be confined to the campus, will have plenty of free time on their hands and with what’s expected to be a sizable media contingent present.

“How can we use our larger platform, the NBA together with our players, really to affect change?” Silver asked. “There’s an appropriate role, of course, for protests. There’s an appropriate role for those who choose not to engage in the game of basketball down in Florida. But ... for those who decide to come, together with the league, what are those things we can be doing?”

Another interesting point in what Silver said was the acknowledgement that some players may choose not to go to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex for the restart of the season. A group of players, led by Kyrie Irving, has made it clear in recent days that they want their colleagues to think about the ramifications of playing at a time of racial and social unrest.

Portland guard Damian Lillard has been part of a protest and said he hopes that people realize “that the black community has had enough” when it comes to injustice. But he also said he plans to play, even though he expressed some reservations about how safe it will be from a health perspective.

“This is what we do. This is our job,” Lillard said. “And this is how we take care of our families. And this is my way of providing for communities and impacting my community. So to play the game I love, to resume the season, I guess it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

Goodell, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and MLS commissioner Don Garber acknowledged there will be positive tests once their sports return, but that they are hoping to isolate those as quickly as possible along with aggressive use of contact tracing.

Monday’s show began with&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/saquon/status/1268709246683799553?s=20" target="_blank">baseball commissioner Rob Manfred</a>&nbsp;casting some doubt on whether there will be games this season after a breakdown in talks with the players’ union on salaries. Manfred said last week he was 100% certain games would be played.

“I’m not confident. I think there’s real risk; and as long as there’s no dialogue, that real risk is going to continue,” Manfred said. “The owners are 100% committed to getting baseball back on the field. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you that I’m 100% certain that’s going to happen.”

Roger Goodell would like to see Colin Kaepernick back in the NFL this season.The&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/saquon/status/1268709246683799553?s=20" target="_blank">NFL commissioner said</a>&nbsp;during ESPN’s “The Return of Sports” special on Monday that he is encouraging teams to sign the 32-year old quarterback, who hasn’t played the past three seasons. Kaepernick was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 when he kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.“If he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it’s gonna take a team to make that decision. I welcome that, support a club making that decision and encourage them to do that,” Goodell said during his interview with ESPN’s Mike Greenberg.Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said last week that he received a call from another team about Kaepernick. Carroll and the Seahawks brought in Kaepernick for a workout in 2017 and had another planned in 2018 before it was canceled.Goodell set up a tryout for Kaepernick in Atlanta last year for scouts of all 32 teams to attend, but it unraveled at the last moment due to lack of media access and what Kaepernick’s representatives saw as an unusual liability waiver. Instead of the workout taking place at the Falcons’ training complex, Kaepernick conducted an impromptu session at a high school in front of media and scouts from eight teams.The NFL released a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1269034074552721408?s=20" target="_blank">video on June 5 in which Goodell apologized</a>&nbsp;for the league for not doing a good job of listening to concerns by players on racial inequality. Goodell though was roundly criticized for the apology not mentioning Kaepernick.The&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/saquon/status/1268709246683799553?s=20" target="_blank">video came out a day after many players</a>&nbsp;released a video criticizing the league for not condemning racism following the May 25 death of George Floyd.“We had spent time prior to that understanding all the frustration, fear and sadness. When the video came out on Thursday it was very powerful. It was appropriate for me to respond,” Goodell said. “We should have listened to our players earlier including Colin Kaepernick, Eric Reid, Kenny Stills, Malcolm Jenkins and so many people really brought these issues to light.”Atanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said Goodell’s video was a great step in the right direction.“We all need to be on the same page and address some of the uncomfortable things that need addressed,” he said.Goodell did not answer how the league would respond if President Donald Trump continued to criticize them if players kneeled for the National Anthem. Goodell also said that he wants to include Kaepernick’s voice on how the league should approach social issues.“I hope we’re at a point now where everybody’s committed to making long-term, sustainable change,” Goodell said. “If his efforts are not on the field but continuing to work in this space, we welcome him to that table and to help us, guide us, help us make better decisions about the kinds of things that need to be done in the communities.”NBA commissioner Adam Silver said when the league gathers at the Disney campus it would provide an opportunity for the league to do more to promote social and societal change -- especially since players, who will be confined to the campus, will have plenty of free time on their hands and with what’s expected to be a sizable media contingent present.“How can we use our larger platform, the NBA together with our players, really to affect change?” Silver asked. “There’s an appropriate role, of course, for protests. There’s an appropriate role for those who choose not to engage in the game of basketball down in Florida. But ... for those who decide to come, together with the league, what are those things we can be doing?”Another interesting point in what Silver said was the acknowledgement that some players may choose not to go to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex for the restart of the season. A group of players, led by Kyrie Irving, has made it clear in recent days that they want their colleagues to think about the ramifications of playing at a time of racial and social unrest.Portland guard Damian Lillard has been part of a protest and said he hopes that people realize “that the black community has had enough” when it comes to injustice. But he also said he plans to play, even though he expressed some reservations about how safe it will be from a health perspective.“This is what we do. This is our job,” Lillard said. “And this is how we take care of our families. And this is my way of providing for communities and impacting my community. So to play the game I love, to resume the season, I guess it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”Goodell, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and MLS commissioner Don Garber acknowledged there will be positive tests once their sports return, but that they are hoping to isolate those as quickly as possible along with aggressive use of contact tracing.Monday’s show began with&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/saquon/status/1268709246683799553?s=20" target="_blank">baseball commissioner Rob Manfred</a>&nbsp;casting some doubt on whether there will be games this season after a breakdown in talks with the players’ union on salaries. Manfred said last week he was 100% certain games would be played.“I’m not confident. I think there’s real risk; and as long as there’s no dialogue, that real risk is going to continue,” Manfred said. “The owners are 100% committed to getting baseball back on the field. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you that I’m 100% certain that’s going to happen.”

NEWTON, Kan. - The Hutchinson Monarchs spotted the Newton Rebels an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning then the Newton pitchers lost sight of the plate and walked in 4 runs in the top of the 3rd inning.&nbsp;

Seven straight walks with one out in the top of the third inning led to four Hutchinson runs. Drew Reetz added an RBI single in the fourth inning.&nbsp; “When you walk seven in a row and walk four runs in like that, you can’t expect to win games like that,” Newton manager Bret Clark said.

That was all the Monarchs strong pitching staff needed as the Monarchs won their season opener over the Rebels 7-2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Zach Bravo took the loss for Newton, allowing three runs on a hit with four walks and five strikeouts.&nbsp; Hunter Waugh was the winning pitcher for the Monarchs.

The Monarchs are now 7-5 in home openers.

The two teams meet again at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Eck Stadium in Wichita, then return to Newton at 7 p.m. Thursday.&nbsp; They finish the series at 7 p.m. Friday at Hobart-Detter Field.&nbsp; 

The Tuesday game at Eck Stadium will be streamed on the Sunflower League web site.&nbsp; Hutchpost.com will provide the link to that site later on Tuesday.

NEWTON, Kan. - The Hutchinson Monarchs spotted the Newton Rebels an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning then the Newton pitchers lost sight of the plate and walked in 4 runs in the top of the 3rd inning.&nbsp;Seven straight walks with one out in the top of the third inning led to four Hutchinson runs. Drew Reetz added an RBI single in the fourth inning.&nbsp; “When you walk seven in a row and walk four runs in like that, you can’t expect to win games like that,” Newton manager Bret Clark said.That was all the Monarchs strong pitching staff needed as the Monarchs won their season opener over the Rebels 7-2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Zach Bravo took the loss for Newton, allowing three runs on a hit with four walks and five strikeouts.&nbsp; Hunter Waugh was the winning pitcher for the Monarchs.The Monarchs are now 7-5 in home openers.The two teams meet again at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Eck Stadium in Wichita, then return to Newton at 7 p.m. Thursday.&nbsp; They finish the series at 7 p.m. Friday at Hobart-Detter Field.&nbsp; The Tuesday game at Eck Stadium will be streamed on the Sunflower League web site.&nbsp; Hutchpost.com will provide the link to that site later on Tuesday.

Monarchs open the abbreviated 2020 season with a win over Newton 7-2

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says there might be no major league games this year after a breakdown in talks between teams and the players’ union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The league also revealed several players on big league rosters have tested positive for COVID-19.

Two days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/48e0f62a2ed8a382dbc683e094ff78da">union head Tony Clark declared additional negotiations futile</a>, Manfred reversed his position of last week when he said he was “100%” certain the 2020 season would start.

Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem sent a seven-page letter to players’ association chief negotiator Bruce Meyer asking the union whether it will waive the threat of legal action and tell MLB to announce a spring training report date and a regular-season schedule.

These were just the latest escalating volleys in a sport viewing disagreements over starting the season as a preliminary battle ahead of bargaining to replace the labor contract that expires on Dec. 1, 2021.

“It’s just a disaster for our game, absolutely no question about it,” Manfred said during an appearance on ESPN. “It shouldn’t be happening, and it’s important that we find a way to get past it and get the game back on the field for the benefit of our fans.”

Spring training was stopped because of the pandemic on March 12, two weeks before opening day, and the sides reached an agreement March 26 on how to revise their labor deal to account for the virus.

Since then, the hostility has escalated to 1990s levels as the sides exchanged offers. MLB claims teams can’t afford to play without fans and pay the prorated salaries called for in the March deal, which included a provision for “good-faith” negotiations over the possibility of games in empty ballparks or neutral sites.

“The proliferation of COVID-19 outbreaks around the country over the last week, and the fact that we already know of several 40-man roster players and staff who have tested positive, has increased the risks associated with commencing spring training in the next few weeks,” Halem wrote in his letter to Meyer, which was obtained by the AP.

Halem sent Meyer a letter with a sarcastic tone Friday accompanying MLB’s latest offer, and Meyer responded with a hostile timbre Saturday as the sides memorialized positions ahead of a possible grievance before the panel chaired by independent arbitrator Mark Irvings. Halem’s letter Monday asked the union for many clarifications of its positions.

“I note that both the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dde03d4960f5ef9a8d1549f59b27b99c">NBA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8ee6f259ffe2e5205de0ba649c4f74ae#:~:text=NHL%20camps%20to%20open%20July%2010%20if%20league%2C%20players%20agree%20to%20resume,-By%20STEPHEN%20WHYNO&amp;text=The%20NHL%20and%20NHL%20Players,completing%20the%20pandemic%2Ddelayed%20season.">NHL</a>, two leagues which you repeatedly reference in your letter, do not intend to resume play until about Aug. 1, and both intend to resume play at a limited number of sites with a quarantine approach,” Halem wrote. “Please let us know the association’s views on quarantining players in league-approved hotels (like the NBA’s Disney World model) when they are not at the ballpark if conditions worsen over the next few weeks.”

Clark had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlbplayers.com/post/statement-of-mlbpa-executive-director-tony-clark-2" target="_blank">issued a statement Saturday&nbsp;</a>that told MLB: “It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.” The union then said it might file a grievance seeking additional economic documents and money damages that could total $1 billion or more.

“Players are disgusted that after Rob Manfred unequivocally told players and fans that there would ‘100%’ be a 2020 season, he has decided to go back on his word and is now threatening to cancel the entire season,” Clark said in a statement Monday.

“This latest threat is just one more indication that Major League Baseball has been negotiating in bad faith since the beginning,” Clark added. “This has always been about extracting additional pay cuts from players and this is just another day and another bad faith tactic in their ongoing campaign.”

Manfred said ahead of last week’s amateur draft that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0f9ecf4c40e64c956ca4d98e5874f398">the chance of a season was “100%.”</a>

“I’m not confident. I think there’s real risk; and as long as there’s no dialogue, that real risk is going to continue,” Manfred said on ESPN. “The owners are 100% committed to getting baseball back on the field. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you that I’m 100% certain that’s going to happen.”

Players think Manfred is delaying to shorten the schedule — and their pay.

“So, Rob, explain to us how you can be 100% sure that there’s going to be baseball but not confident there will be baseball at the same time?”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BauerOutage/status/1272641345941721088" target="_blank">Cincinnati pitcher Trevor Bauer tweeted</a>. “The tactic is to bluff with `no season’ again and delay another 2-3 weeks.”

Halem asked the union for written permission to go ahead with the season.

“Rob Manfred and the owners are walking back on their word...AGAIN,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Max_Scherzer/status/1272690233281327105" target="_blank">tweeted Washington pitcher Max Scherzer</a>, a member of the union’s eight-man executive subcommittee. “The fans do not deserve this. So I’ll say it one more time, tell us when and where.”

MLB has made three economic offers, the last&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/eb2baf808ec62d946026ec2d6ada26ed">offering to guarantee players 70% of their salaries</a>&nbsp;as part a 72-game schedule beginning July 14 and increasing the total to 80% if the postseason is completed.

Players previously offered two proposals, holding their position that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f22d56f841625c78e230161a0adbb6b7">no additional pay cuts were acceptable</a>&nbsp;beyond the prorated salaries for 2020 that they had agreed to in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dd87bcc774d608e53624594fe56fab0c">March.&nbsp;</a>That deal called for $170 million in salary advances and a guarantee of service time credit if no games are played this year.

Manfred had threatened a shorter schedule, perhaps of about 50 games. The union could respond by filing a grievance, arguing players should be paid for the season of 119 games they initially proposed. The union’s first plan would result in salaries of nearly $3 billion.

Players are angry following five years of flat salaries, a lost grievance claiming the Chicago Cubs manipulated the service time of star third baseman Kris Bryant in violation of the labor contract and allegations several teams did not properly use revenue sharing proceeds, which the union called “tanking.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/49667dc5acf54b3033a45c629edb176">Players hope to see documents</a>&nbsp;detailing regional sports networks’ agreements with teams, financial interests of MLB owners in RSNs and real estate ventures adjacent to ballparks, plus MLB affiliated companies such as the MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media and BAM Tech. During a grievance, they would ask Irvings to order document production.

In their March agreement, the sides vowed to “work in good faith to as soon as is practicable commence, play, and complete the fullest 2020 championship season and post-season that is economically feasible, consistent with” a series of provisions.

Absent Manfred’s consent, the agreement said, the season would not begin unless there were no travel restrictions in the U.S. and Canada impacting play, no restrictions on mass gatherings at all 30 regular-season ballparks and no health or safety risks in playing in front of fans at the regular stadiums. But it also provided that the sides “will discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate substitute neutral sites.”

MLB told the union it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/75087708a030c20637c5ea25b5c99c40">lose an additional $640,000</a>&nbsp;for each regular-season game played with no gate revenue and does not want to extend the regular season past Sept. 27 because it fears a second wave of the coronavirus could endanger the postseason, when $787 million of broadcast revenue is earned.

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says there might be no major league games this year after a breakdown in talks between teams and the players’ union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.The league also revealed several players on big league rosters have tested positive for COVID-19.Two days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/48e0f62a2ed8a382dbc683e094ff78da">union head Tony Clark declared additional negotiations futile</a>, Manfred reversed his position of last week when he said he was “100%” certain the 2020 season would start.Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem sent a seven-page letter to players’ association chief negotiator Bruce Meyer asking the union whether it will waive the threat of legal action and tell MLB to announce a spring training report date and a regular-season schedule.These were just the latest escalating volleys in a sport viewing disagreements over starting the season as a preliminary battle ahead of bargaining to replace the labor contract that expires on Dec. 1, 2021.“It’s just a disaster for our game, absolutely no question about it,” Manfred said during an appearance on ESPN. “It shouldn’t be happening, and it’s important that we find a way to get past it and get the game back on the field for the benefit of our fans.”Spring training was stopped because of the pandemic on March 12, two weeks before opening day, and the sides reached an agreement March 26 on how to revise their labor deal to account for the virus.Since then, the hostility has escalated to 1990s levels as the sides exchanged offers. MLB claims teams can’t afford to play without fans and pay the prorated salaries called for in the March deal, which included a provision for “good-faith” negotiations over the possibility of games in empty ballparks or neutral sites.“The proliferation of COVID-19 outbreaks around the country over the last week, and the fact that we already know of several 40-man roster players and staff who have tested positive, has increased the risks associated with commencing spring training in the next few weeks,” Halem wrote in his letter to Meyer, which was obtained by the AP.Halem sent Meyer a letter with a sarcastic tone Friday accompanying MLB’s latest offer, and Meyer responded with a hostile timbre Saturday as the sides memorialized positions ahead of a possible grievance before the panel chaired by independent arbitrator Mark Irvings. Halem’s letter Monday asked the union for many clarifications of its positions.“I note that both the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dde03d4960f5ef9a8d1549f59b27b99c">NBA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8ee6f259ffe2e5205de0ba649c4f74ae#:~:text=NHL%20camps%20to%20open%20July%2010%20if%20league%2C%20players%20agree%20to%20resume,-By%20STEPHEN%20WHYNO&amp;text=The%20NHL%20and%20NHL%20Players,completing%20the%20pandemic%2Ddelayed%20season.">NHL</a>, two leagues which you repeatedly reference in your letter, do not intend to resume play until about Aug. 1, and both intend to resume play at a limited number of sites with a quarantine approach,” Halem wrote. “Please let us know the association’s views on quarantining players in league-approved hotels (like the NBA’s Disney World model) when they are not at the ballpark if conditions worsen over the next few weeks.”Clark had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlbplayers.com/post/statement-of-mlbpa-executive-director-tony-clark-2" target="_blank">issued a statement Saturday&nbsp;</a>that told MLB: “It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.” The union then said it might file a grievance seeking additional economic documents and money damages that could total $1 billion or more.“Players are disgusted that after Rob Manfred unequivocally told players and fans that there would ‘100%’ be a 2020 season, he has decided to go back on his word and is now threatening to cancel the entire season,” Clark said in a statement Monday.“This latest threat is just one more indication that Major League Baseball has been negotiating in bad faith since the beginning,” Clark added. “This has always been about extracting additional pay cuts from players and this is just another day and another bad faith tactic in their ongoing campaign.”Manfred said ahead of last week’s amateur draft that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0f9ecf4c40e64c956ca4d98e5874f398">the chance of a season was “100%.”</a>He reversed his position Monday.“I’m not confident. I think there’s real risk; and as long as there’s no dialogue, that real risk is going to continue,” Manfred said on ESPN. “The owners are 100% committed to getting baseball back on the field. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you that I’m 100% certain that’s going to happen.”Players think Manfred is delaying to shorten the schedule — and their pay.“So, Rob, explain to us how you can be 100% sure that there’s going to be baseball but not confident there will be baseball at the same time?”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BauerOutage/status/1272641345941721088" target="_blank">Cincinnati pitcher Trevor Bauer tweeted</a>. “The tactic is to bluff with `no season’ again and delay another 2-3 weeks.”Halem asked the union for written permission to go ahead with the season.“Rob Manfred and the owners are walking back on their word...AGAIN,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Max_Scherzer/status/1272690233281327105" target="_blank">tweeted Washington pitcher Max Scherzer</a>, a member of the union’s eight-man executive subcommittee. “The fans do not deserve this. So I’ll say it one more time, tell us when and where.”MLB has made three economic offers, the last&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/eb2baf808ec62d946026ec2d6ada26ed">offering to guarantee players 70% of their salaries</a>&nbsp;as part a 72-game schedule beginning July 14 and increasing the total to 80% if the postseason is completed.Players previously offered two proposals, holding their position that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f22d56f841625c78e230161a0adbb6b7">no additional pay cuts were acceptable</a>&nbsp;beyond the prorated salaries for 2020 that they had agreed to in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dd87bcc774d608e53624594fe56fab0c">March.&nbsp;</a>That deal called for $170 million in salary advances and a guarantee of service time credit if no games are played this year.Manfred had threatened a shorter schedule, perhaps of about 50 games. The union could respond by filing a grievance, arguing players should be paid for the season of 119 games they initially proposed. The union’s first plan would result in salaries of nearly $3 billion.Players are angry following five years of flat salaries, a lost grievance claiming the Chicago Cubs manipulated the service time of star third baseman Kris Bryant in violation of the labor contract and allegations several teams did not properly use revenue sharing proceeds, which the union called “tanking.”<a href="https://apnews.com/49667dc5acf54b3033a45c629edb176">Players hope to see documents</a>&nbsp;detailing regional sports networks’ agreements with teams, financial interests of MLB owners in RSNs and real estate ventures adjacent to ballparks, plus MLB affiliated companies such as the MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media and BAM Tech. During a grievance, they would ask Irvings to order document production.In their March agreement, the sides vowed to “work in good faith to as soon as is practicable commence, play, and complete the fullest 2020 championship season and post-season that is economically feasible, consistent with” a series of provisions.Absent Manfred’s consent, the agreement said, the season would not begin unless there were no travel restrictions in the U.S. and Canada impacting play, no restrictions on mass gatherings at all 30 regular-season ballparks and no health or safety risks in playing in front of fans at the regular stadiums. But it also provided that the sides “will discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate substitute neutral sites.”MLB told the union it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/75087708a030c20637c5ea25b5c99c40">lose an additional $640,000</a>&nbsp;for each regular-season game played with no gate revenue and does not want to extend the regular season past Sept. 27 because it fears a second wave of the coronavirus could endanger the postseason, when $787 million of broadcast revenue is earned.

General Commissioner Rob Manfred says baseball season in jeopardy

HAYS, Kan. – Players and coaches for the Hays Larks summer-collegiate baseball team are scheduled to be tested Tuesday for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus which has created a global pandemic, after a player tested positive over the weekend.

Monday’s season opener and Tuesday’s game were canceled after results confirmed a Larks player tested positive for the virus. He had been feeling ill and took the test Saturday, with results coming back Sunday.

Frank Leo, who would have been starting his 38th season as Larks manager with Monday’s non-league game against the Colorado Springs Outlaws, said the decision on whether to play this summer rests with the results of Tuesday’s tests. Hays’ next scheduled game is 7 p.m. Friday at Larks Park against the Colorado Pirates in their Rocky Mountain Baseball League opener.

“If everyone comes up negative we’ll be able to proceed with the season Friday night,” Leo said, adding that if anybody tests positive “the season is basically done; everybody’s got to be negative.”

Ellis County Health Services Director Jason Kennedy sought guidance from the state on how to proceed, Leo said. If the season is not canceled, players will be checked regularly for signs of illness.

“The team will be closely monitoring temperatures, how the players are feeling, encouraging if you’re not feeling well don’t come to the ballpark,” Leo said. “We will be diligently monitoring players on a daily basis.”

Leo said he would be anxiously awaiting Wednesday’s test results.

“There is no contingency,” he said. “We’ve got to be negative or we’re done.”

HAYS, Kan. – Players and coaches for the Hays Larks summer-collegiate baseball team are scheduled to be tested Tuesday for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus which has created a global pandemic, after a player tested positive over the weekend.Monday’s season opener and Tuesday’s game were canceled after results confirmed a Larks player tested positive for the virus. He had been feeling ill and took the test Saturday, with results coming back Sunday.Frank Leo, who would have been starting his 38th season as Larks manager with Monday’s non-league game against the Colorado Springs Outlaws, said the decision on whether to play this summer rests with the results of Tuesday’s tests. Hays’ next scheduled game is 7 p.m. Friday at Larks Park against the Colorado Pirates in their Rocky Mountain Baseball League opener.“If everyone comes up negative we’ll be able to proceed with the season Friday night,” Leo said, adding that if anybody tests positive “the season is basically done; everybody’s got to be negative.”Ellis County Health Services Director Jason Kennedy sought guidance from the state on how to proceed, Leo said. If the season is not canceled, players will be checked regularly for signs of illness.“The team will be closely monitoring temperatures, how the players are feeling, encouraging if you’re not feeling well don’t come to the ballpark,” Leo said. “We will be diligently monitoring players on a daily basis.”Leo said he would be anxiously awaiting Wednesday’s test results.“There is no contingency,” he said. “We’ve got to be negative or we’re done.”Larks Release

Hays Larks to be tested after player contracts COVID-19

HAYS, Kan. - The Hays Larks were roughly 36 hours away from the start of their season when they found out Opening Night was going to be delayed, or possibly canceled altogether.

On his way home from their Sunday workout at Larks Park, manager Frank Leo was notified one of his players had tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the postponement of Monday’s season opener against the Colorado Springs Outlaws.

Under current guidelines the player, as well as all who have had close contact with him, will go into a 14-day quarantine.

Leo says the player has had limited contact with the rest of the team but was at the team meeting and at picture day late last week.

Leo has contacted Ellis County Health Administrator Jason Kennedy who plans to contact state health officials Monday morning for further guidance as to whether or not the season can continue.

This was going to be the Larks first season in the Rocky Mountain Baseball League, which already had a couple of members decide to not field teams this summer due to the coronavirus outbreak.

HAYS, Kan. - The Hays Larks were roughly 36 hours away from the start of their season when they found out Opening Night was going to be delayed, or possibly canceled altogether.On his way home from their Sunday workout at Larks Park, manager Frank Leo was notified one of his players had tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the postponement of Monday’s season opener against the Colorado Springs Outlaws.Under current guidelines the player, as well as all who have had close contact with him, will go into a 14-day quarantine.Leo says the player has had limited contact with the rest of the team but was at the team meeting and at picture day late last week.Leo has contacted Ellis County Health Administrator Jason Kennedy who plans to contact state health officials Monday morning for further guidance as to whether or not the season can continue.This was going to be the Larks first season in the Rocky Mountain Baseball League, which already had a couple of members decide to not field teams this summer due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Larks season opener postponed after player tests positive for COVID

The 2020 edition of Hutchinson Monarch baseball will debut tonight at Newton.&nbsp; Catch all the action right hear on Hutchpost.com sports at 6:50pm as Eagle Sports Director Glen Grunwald and KWBW Program Director Rob Dreher will be on the call.&nbsp; Video Live Stream provided by Sarah Peterson.

In case you prefer AUDIO ONLY, <a href="https://mixlr.com/hutchpost-sports/events">CLICK HERE</a>

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC254gj0YbEZHIXOrS5jjdYA/videos?view=2&amp;flow=grid">Monarchs vs Newton June 15-2020</a>

YouTube.com stream at:&nbsp; youtube.com/hutchpost

The 2020 edition of Hutchinson Monarch baseball will debut tonight at Newton.&nbsp; Catch all the action right hear on Hutchpost.com sports at 6:50pm as Eagle Sports Director Glen Grunwald and KWBW Program Director Rob Dreher will be on the call.&nbsp; Video Live Stream provided by Sarah Peterson.In case you prefer AUDIO ONLY, <a href="https://mixlr.com/hutchpost-sports/events">CLICK HERE</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC254gj0YbEZHIXOrS5jjdYA/videos?view=2&amp;flow=grid">Monarchs vs Newton June 15-2020</a>YouTube.com stream at:&nbsp; youtube.com/hutchpost<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JvkslR6qIss" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Monarchs open 2020 at Newton tonight! Live stream at 6:50pm

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to his agent.

Rocky Arceneaux told the NFL Network on Monday that Elliott was feeling OK and recovering. Arceneaux did not immediately return messages seeking comment, but a person with direct knowledge of the diagnosis told The Associated Press that Elliott had the positive test about a week ago and could be described as symptomatic. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the person wasn’t authorized to discuss Elliott’s diagnosis publicly.

The Cowboys declined to comment, citing privacy laws.

Only players who have been rehabilitating injuries have been allowed inside team facilities during the pandemic shutdown. That hasn’t included Elliott.

The NFL is in the process of establishing protocols for the return of players, including what would happen in the case of positive tests, but there is no timetable for their return. Training camps are supposed to start in a little more than a month.

Several players have gone public with their diagnosis, including star Denver pass rusher Von Miller. Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen was the first to publicly acknowledge a positive test, on April 15.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and even death.

The 24-year-old Elliott has led the NFL in rushing twice in his first four seasons. He missed all of training camp last year in a contract holdout, eventually signing a $90 million, six-year extension a few days before the start of the season.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to his agent.Rocky Arceneaux told the NFL Network on Monday that Elliott was feeling OK and recovering. Arceneaux did not immediately return messages seeking comment, but a person with direct knowledge of the diagnosis told The Associated Press that Elliott had the positive test about a week ago and could be described as symptomatic. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the person wasn’t authorized to discuss Elliott’s diagnosis publicly.The Cowboys declined to comment, citing privacy laws.Only players who have been rehabilitating injuries have been allowed inside team facilities during the pandemic shutdown. That hasn’t included Elliott.The NFL is in the process of establishing protocols for the return of players, including what would happen in the case of positive tests, but there is no timetable for their return. Training camps are supposed to start in a little more than a month.Several players have gone public with their diagnosis, including star Denver pass rusher Von Miller. Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen was the first to publicly acknowledge a positive test, on April 15.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and even death.The 24-year-old Elliott has led the NFL in rushing twice in his first four seasons. He missed all of training camp last year in a contract holdout, eventually signing a $90 million, six-year extension a few days before the start of the season.

Agent: Cowboys star Elliott tested positive for coronavirus

Moving closer to holding the first Grand Slam tournament of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Tennis Association is awaiting the go-ahead from the New York state government to play the U.S. Open in New York starting in August — without fans and with strict health protocols.

“We’re ready to move forward,” USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said in a telephone interview Monday, “as long as we get all the approvals we need.”

A formal announcement could come this week.

“We’ve received a proposal and we’re reviewing it,” Richard Azzopardi, a spokesman for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, wrote in an email.

Like many sports, the professional tennis tours have been suspended since March because of the pandemic. The French Open was postponed from May and currently is slated to start a week after the Sept. 13 end of the U.S. Open; Wimbledon was canceled altogether for the first time since World War II in 1945.

Even if the state OKs the U.S. Open, one significant question would remain:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/320663edf9256eca8e3b1d5593a1039a">Which players actually would participate?</a>

Such top names as both No. 1-ranked players, Novak Djokovic and Ash Barty, and defending men’s champion Rafael Nadal, have expressed reservations about heading to Flushing Meadows, where an indoor tennis facility was used as a temporary home for hundreds of hospital beds at the height of the city’s coronavirus crisis.

Already ruled out, regardless: Roger Federer, who has won five of his men’s-record 20 Grand Slam singles titles at the U.S. Open but announced recently that he is out for the rest of the year after needing a second arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

With international TV contracts — including an annual average of $70 million from ESPN alone —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a0627eef5af379844d0c0abcedc6b4d4">helping offset the loss of money from ticket sales</a>&nbsp;and other onsite revenue, and facing a recession that already led to the recent elimination of more than 100 jobs at the USTA, the association’s board decided to go forward with its marquee event despite concerns about COVID-19 and international travel.

“At the end of the day, there are three factors involved in the decision-making. No. 1 is creating a plan that has health and safety at the forefront. No. 2 is whether conducting the U.S. Open is the right thing for the sport of tennis. And No. 3 is whether it can be done in a financially viable manner. We believe we can hit all three of the objectives,” Widmaier said. “But we do need to approach this in a step-by-step manner, and when all of the steps are completed, that is when we can make an official announcement.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/e8316868325fbff057d6293978af2bb0">The plan shared with the state government</a>&nbsp;includes: zero spectators; limited player entourages; assigned hotels; increased cleaning at the tournament grounds; extra locker room space; daily temperature checks and occasional testing for COVID-19.

Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/apf-Tennis">Tennis</a>

There would be no qualifying for singles and likely reduced fields for doubles. Players whose rankings would have put them in qualifying rounds that allow some men and women access to the 128-player singles draws will be compensated with funds the USTA will pass along to the ATP and WTA tours to distribute.

Also part of the proposal shared with players: The Cincinnati hard-court tournament scheduled for Aug. 16-23 — the USTA is its majority owner — would be moved to New York and held in place of U.S. Open qualifying.

Last week, Djokovic said the restrictions that would be in place for the U.S. Open in New York because of the virus would be “extreme.”

“Most of the players I have talked to were quite negative on whether they would go there,” Djokovic said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/50534c602c4cb24d029bb6aed8293d73">He hosted exhibition matches with packed stands</a>&nbsp;last week in his home country of Serbia, where the government lifted most lockdowns and restrictions last month.

“I have concerns, too,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/64ca3a21f09d3df0bf713d91d45e0cfb">Barty wrote in an email</a>. “I understand the tournaments are eager to run, but keeping everyone safe has to be the priority.”

Widmaier said the USTA has been consulting with the ATP and WTA about its setup.

“Our stated goal has been that, if we could build a plan in conjunction with medical and security experts that mitigated the risks of COVID-19 and assured the health and well-being of all U.S. Open participants, we very much want to move ahead with the tournament,” he said. “We believe, by working in the collaborative manner with these experts and the two tours, we have such a plan.”

Moving closer to holding the first Grand Slam tournament of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Tennis Association is awaiting the go-ahead from the New York state government to play the U.S. Open in New York starting in August — without fans and with strict health protocols.“We’re ready to move forward,” USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said in a telephone interview Monday, “as long as we get all the approvals we need.”A formal announcement could come this week.“We’ve received a proposal and we’re reviewing it,” Richard Azzopardi, a spokesman for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, wrote in an email.Like many sports, the professional tennis tours have been suspended since March because of the pandemic. The French Open was postponed from May and currently is slated to start a week after the Sept. 13 end of the U.S. Open; Wimbledon was canceled altogether for the first time since World War II in 1945.MORE TENNIS STORIES:<ol>
 <li><a href="https://apnews.com/64ca3a21f09d3df0bf713d91d45e0cfb">–&nbsp;Barty joins players expressing concern over US Open timing</a></li><li><a href="https://apnews.com/50534c602c4cb24d029bb6aed8293d73">–&nbsp;Djokovic defends packed stands at tennis charity tour event</a></li><li><a href="https://apnews.com/a0627eef5af379844d0c0abcedc6b4d4">–&nbsp;For tennis and golf, tournaments without fans come at a cost</a></li>
 </ol>Even if the state OKs the U.S. Open, one significant question would remain:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/320663edf9256eca8e3b1d5593a1039a">Which players actually would participate?</a>Such top names as both No. 1-ranked players, Novak Djokovic and Ash Barty, and defending men’s champion Rafael Nadal, have expressed reservations about heading to Flushing Meadows, where an indoor tennis facility was used as a temporary home for hundreds of hospital beds at the height of the city’s coronavirus crisis.Already ruled out, regardless: Roger Federer, who has won five of his men’s-record 20 Grand Slam singles titles at the U.S. Open but announced recently that he is out for the rest of the year after needing a second arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.With international TV contracts — including an annual average of $70 million from ESPN alone —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a0627eef5af379844d0c0abcedc6b4d4">helping offset the loss of money from ticket sales</a>&nbsp;and other onsite revenue, and facing a recession that already led to the recent elimination of more than 100 jobs at the USTA, the association’s board decided to go forward with its marquee event despite concerns about COVID-19 and international travel.“At the end of the day, there are three factors involved in the decision-making. No. 1 is creating a plan that has health and safety at the forefront. No. 2 is whether conducting the U.S. Open is the right thing for the sport of tennis. And No. 3 is whether it can be done in a financially viable manner. We believe we can hit all three of the objectives,” Widmaier said. “But we do need to approach this in a step-by-step manner, and when all of the steps are completed, that is when we can make an official announcement.”<a href="https://apnews.com/e8316868325fbff057d6293978af2bb0">The plan shared with the state government</a>&nbsp;includes: zero spectators; limited player entourages; assigned hotels; increased cleaning at the tournament grounds; extra locker room space; daily temperature checks and occasional testing for COVID-19.Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/apf-Tennis">Tennis</a>There would be no qualifying for singles and likely reduced fields for doubles. Players whose rankings would have put them in qualifying rounds that allow some men and women access to the 128-player singles draws will be compensated with funds the USTA will pass along to the ATP and WTA tours to distribute.Also part of the proposal shared with players: The Cincinnati hard-court tournament scheduled for Aug. 16-23 — the USTA is its majority owner — would be moved to New York and held in place of U.S. Open qualifying.Last week, Djokovic said the restrictions that would be in place for the U.S. Open in New York because of the virus would be “extreme.”“Most of the players I have talked to were quite negative on whether they would go there,” Djokovic said.<a href="https://apnews.com/50534c602c4cb24d029bb6aed8293d73">He hosted exhibition matches with packed stands</a>&nbsp;last week in his home country of Serbia, where the government lifted most lockdowns and restrictions last month.“I have concerns, too,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/64ca3a21f09d3df0bf713d91d45e0cfb">Barty wrote in an email</a>. “I understand the tournaments are eager to run, but keeping everyone safe has to be the priority.”Widmaier said the USTA has been consulting with the ATP and WTA about its setup.“Our stated goal has been that, if we could build a plan in conjunction with medical and security experts that mitigated the risks of COVID-19 and assured the health and well-being of all U.S. Open participants, we very much want to move ahead with the tournament,” he said. “We believe, by working in the collaborative manner with these experts and the two tours, we have such a plan.”

Plan to hold 2020 US Open without fans awaits government OK

<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/840521422&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/hutchpost" title="HutchPost.com" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HutchPost.com</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/hutchpost/eagle-sports-june-15-2020" title="Eagle Sports June 15 - 2020" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Sports June 15 - 2020</a></div></div>

AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Monday

<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/840524071&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/hutchpost" title="HutchPost.com" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HutchPost.com</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/hutchpost/buhler-senior-nationals-june-15th" title="Buhler Senior Nationals - June 15th" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Buhler Senior Nationals - June 15th</a></div></div>

Buhler Senior Nationals fall in finals


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The high school tennis coach at Hutchinson Trinity will not be renewed after a racist post on Facebook. 

According to the school on Saturday, after an investigation, Thomas Harris will not be renewed. 

"We stand by our mission statement at Trinity Catholic, which is to unite parish, home, and school into a Catholic learning community, dedicated to academic excellence and spiritual growth, while forming stewards and leaders who value diversity and service to God and society."

Harris posted a meme using a racial slur on his personal Facebook page. 2020 was his first season coaching boys and girls tennis at Trinity. He is a 2006 Trinity graduate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592218991690.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The high school tennis coach at Hutchinson Trinity will not be renewed after a racist post on Facebook. According to the school on Saturday, after an investigation, Thomas Harris will not be renewed. "We stand by our mission statement at Trinity Catholic, which is to unite parish, home, and school into a Catholic learning community, dedicated to academic excellence and spiritual growth, while forming stewards and leaders who value diversity and service to God and society."Harris posted a meme using a racial slur on his personal Facebook page. 2020 was his first season coaching boys and girls tennis at Trinity. He is a 2006 Trinity graduate.