All 32 NFL teams have been told by Commissioner Roger Goodell to hold training camps at their home facilities this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most NFL teams stay at their training complexes year-round, but Dallas, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Carolina, Washington and the Los Angeles Rams are among those that stage portions of training camp elsewhere.

“The league’s decision was made based on the medical assessment of current risk factors and in consideration for the health and safety of players and football staffs,” the Colts said in a release.

Goodell also ordered no joint practices for teams, something that had become increasing popular in recent summers.

“We believe that each of these steps will enhance our ability to protect the health and safety of players and your football staffs and are consistent with a sound approach to risk management in the current environment,” Goodell said in the memo sent to teams.

The Cowboys and Steelers are scheduled for the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 6 and will be the first two teams to report in late July. Dallas usually trains in Oxnard, California, and Pittsburgh in nearby Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

The Cowboys have never held their entire preseason at home. The Steelers have trained at St. Vincent College in Latrobe for more than a half-century.

The league has canceled all in-person workouts at team facilities, which only in the past two weeks have begun opening on a limited basis. No coaches nor players other than those undergoing medical treatment and rehabilitation have been allowed in those facilities.

Soon, the NFL is hopeful of having club complexes fully open, but under strict medical guidelines including social distancing protocols.

One team in something of a limbo: the Raiders. Their move to Las Vegas has been complicated by the pandemic, of course. They had been working out of their Oakland-area complex in Alameda, and had been planning to hold training camp as usual in Napa, about one hour north of the Bay Area. But they could decide to move it to their new facility in Henderson, Nevada.

The Bills have gone to St. John Fisher College outside of Rochester, New York, since 2000, though they have decreased the time they’ve spent away for camp in recent years under coach Sean McDermott.

The Bills have expanded practice facilities at and around their headquarters, and last year unveiled a new training facility/weight room featuring state-of-the-art equipment and costing about $18 million as an addition to their headquarters.

Carolina has spent all 25 previous training camps at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, about 90 minutes from Charlotte. Wofford was former owner Jerry Richardson’s alma mater.

One team that usually traveled for training camp, the Bears, previously announced they would not be going to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, where they spent the past 18 years.

All 32 NFL teams have been told by Commissioner Roger Goodell to hold training camps at their home facilities this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Most NFL teams stay at their training complexes year-round, but Dallas, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Carolina, Washington and the Los Angeles Rams are among those that stage portions of training camp elsewhere.“The league’s decision was made based on the medical assessment of current risk factors and in consideration for the health and safety of players and football staffs,” the Colts said in a release.Goodell also ordered no joint practices for teams, something that had become increasing popular in recent summers.“We believe that each of these steps will enhance our ability to protect the health and safety of players and your football staffs and are consistent with a sound approach to risk management in the current environment,” Goodell said in the memo sent to teams.The Cowboys and Steelers are scheduled for the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 6 and will be the first two teams to report in late July. Dallas usually trains in Oxnard, California, and Pittsburgh in nearby Latrobe, Pennsylvania.The Cowboys have never held their entire preseason at home. The Steelers have trained at St. Vincent College in Latrobe for more than a half-century.The league has canceled all in-person workouts at team facilities, which only in the past two weeks have begun opening on a limited basis. No coaches nor players other than those undergoing medical treatment and rehabilitation have been allowed in those facilities.Soon, the NFL is hopeful of having club complexes fully open, but under strict medical guidelines including social distancing protocols.One team in something of a limbo: the Raiders. Their move to Las Vegas has been complicated by the pandemic, of course. They had been working out of their Oakland-area complex in Alameda, and had been planning to hold training camp as usual in Napa, about one hour north of the Bay Area. But they could decide to move it to their new facility in Henderson, Nevada.The Bills have gone to St. John Fisher College outside of Rochester, New York, since 2000, though they have decreased the time they’ve spent away for camp in recent years under coach Sean McDermott.The Bills have expanded practice facilities at and around their headquarters, and last year unveiled a new training facility/weight room featuring state-of-the-art equipment and costing about $18 million as an addition to their headquarters.Carolina has spent all 25 previous training camps at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, about 90 minutes from Charlotte. Wofford was former owner Jerry Richardson’s alma mater.One team that usually traveled for training camp, the Bears, previously announced they would not be going to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, where they spent the past 18 years.

NFL tells teams they must hold training camps at home

Boxer Floyd Mayweather to pay for George Floyd's funeral

UNDATED (AP) — Former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has offered to pay for George Floyd's funeral and memorial services, and the family has accepted the offer.

Mayweather personally has been in touch with the family, according to Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions. Mayweather will handle costs for the funeral on June 9 in Floyd's hometown of Houston, as well as other expenses.

Floyd, a black man, died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn't breathe. His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country, some of which became violent.

TMZ originally reported Mayweather's offer. Mayweather, who lives in Las Vegas, has not met the Floyd family.

Woods speaks out for 1st time since George Floyd's death

UNDATED (AP) — Tiger Woods is speaking out for the first time since George Floyd's death, saying his heart goes out to Floyd, his family and everyone who is hurting right now.

The 44-year-old golfer broke his silence with a statement on his Twitter account Monday night.

Woods said, "I have always had the utmost respect for our law enforcement." He said, "They train so diligently to understand how, when and where to use force. This shocking tragedy clearly crossed that line."

Woods' statement came one day after former NBA star and current Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan made his first public remarks on Floyd and the killings of black people at the hands of police.

FIFA signals support for in-game Floyd solidarity messages

UNDATED (AP) — FIFA urged soccer competition organizers on Monday to apply "common sense" and consider not sanctioning players for solidarity with George Floyd during matches.

The recognition of the "depth of sentiment" over Floyd's death came in a rare statement by FIFA telling the global game to show flexibility and not enforce laws of soccer it helps to set.

Players used weekend games in Germany to reveal messages demanding justice for Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died after he pleaded for air as a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck in Minneapolis.

Germany's soccer federation announced earlier Monday that it was assessing whether to sanction the players for breaking laws of the game that prohibit "any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images" on equipment.

Liverpool stars take a knee in gesture of support for Floyd

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool players took a knee around the center circle at Anfield Stadium on Monday in a gesture of support following the death of George Floyd.

Squad members posted a picture of the act on their social media accounts with the caption, "Unity is strength #BlackLivesMatter."

The picture of 29 players from the English league leaders was taken during a training session.

Star players Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and captain Jordan Henderson were among those to post the picture that was retweeted by the official account of Liverpool, which is owned by Fenway Sports Group — the U.S. company which also controls the Boston Red Sox. Liverpool also tweeted out the picture.

Floyd's death has sparked days of protests across the U.S. and it has resonated in the soccer world.

Cardinals sign TE Cantrell, release CB Shelton

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) —The Arizona Cardinals have signed tight end Dylan Cantrell to a one-year deal.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Cantrell is switching positions to tight end after being selected as a receiver by the Los Angeles Chargers in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. He played in college at Texas Tech under current Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, who is now in his second season in Arizona.

Cantrell spent most of the 2018 season on the Chargers' practice squad and was released prior to last season. He had 158 catches for 1,873 yards and 18 touchdowns during a four-year college career with the Red Raiders.

UNDATED (AP) — Former Auburn football coach Pat Dye has died at the age of 80.

Dye took over a downtrodden program in 1981 and turned it into a Southeastern Conference power.

The Lee County coroner says Dye died Monday at a hospice care facility in Auburn from complications of kidney and liver failure. His son, Pat Dye Jr., had told ESPN.com recently that the former coach had been hospitalized in Atlanta for kidney-related issues. He also said his father had tested positive for the coronavirus but had been asymptomatic.

In 12 years at Auburn, Dye posted a 99-39-4 record. He also coached at Wyoming and East Carolina.

MLB owners, players revert to salary squabbles of old

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball owners and players have reverted to form -- the type displayed over the past half-century during eight work stoppages filled with salary squabbles.

Players proposed to resume the sport in the coronavirus pandemic with a 114-game regular season and full prorated salaries, leaving each player with approximately 70% of what he had been slated to earn.

That proposal was made Sunday, five days after Major League Baseball's plan for an 82-game season with additional pay cuts that would leave each player taking in 23-47% of his original pay, with the highest earners accepting the biggest cuts.

MLB claims an additional $640,000 would be lost with each extra regular-season game played. The union has said it doesn't believe those calculations and asked MLB for more economic documents and data.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred discussed the next move with owners on Monday.

Nationals change course, pay minor leaguers full stipend

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have changed course and are telling their minor leaguers they will receive their full weekly stipends of $400 through June.

The team's decision comes after Washington reliever Sean Doolittle tweeted that the team's major league players would cover a planned cut in those payments from $400 to $300.

A text message sent by the Nationals to players in the minors and forwarded to The Associated Press reads: "Upon further internal discussion, you will receive your full stipend of $400 per week through the month of June." The text says further payments will be decided on a monthly basis.

Here are other sports stories related to the coronavirus:

— The Big 12 Conference says its schools can begin bringing athletes back to campus, with the resumption of voluntary activities starting June 15 for football players. The conference says each school can use its own discretion in deciding when athletes return to campus. The Big 12 had suspended all team activities, voluntary or required, because of the coronavirus pandemic through May 31. As of June 1, new rules go into effect. In-person required and voluntary team activities are still banned for all athletes from June 1-14.

— Italian soccer authorities are considering the possibility of allowing fans into stadiums starting next month. The Italian league is set to resume on June 20 with no spectators allowed. There are also strict rules limiting the number of people in the stadium to 300. That includes both teams, staff and journalists. Italian media are reporting that the soccer federation could discuss the possibility of increasing that number and permitting a vastly reduced number of fans.

Judge dismisses Dykstra defamation suit against Darling

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge has dismissed Lenny Dykstra's defamation lawsuit against former New York Mets teammate Ron Darling, the pitcher's ghost writer and a pair of publishers.

Dykstra's suit followed the publication of Darling's book, "108 Stitches: Loose Threads, Ripping Yarns, and the Darndest Characters from My Time in the Game." Darling accused the outfielder of directing racist comments toward Boston starter Oil Can Boyd during the 1986 World Series.

Justice Robert D. Kalish wrote Dykstra's reputation "for unsportsmanlike conduct and bigotry is already so tarnished that it cannot be further injured by the reference."

Update on the latest in sports:GEORGE FLOYD-MAYWEATHER-FUNERALBoxer Floyd Mayweather to pay for George Floyd's funeralUNDATED (AP) — Former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has offered to pay for George Floyd's funeral and memorial services, and the family has accepted the offer.Mayweather personally has been in touch with the family, according to Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions. Mayweather will handle costs for the funeral on June 9 in Floyd's hometown of Houston, as well as other expenses.Floyd, a black man, died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn't breathe. His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country, some of which became violent.TMZ originally reported Mayweather's offer. Mayweather, who lives in Las Vegas, has not met the Floyd family.GEORGE FLOYD-TIGER WOODSWoods speaks out for 1st time since George Floyd's deathUNDATED (AP) — Tiger Woods is speaking out for the first time since George Floyd's death, saying his heart goes out to Floyd, his family and everyone who is hurting right now.The 44-year-old golfer broke his silence with a statement on his Twitter account Monday night.Woods said, "I have always had the utmost respect for our law enforcement." He said, "They train so diligently to understand how, when and where to use force. This shocking tragedy clearly crossed that line."Floyd, a black man, died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn't breathe. His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country, some of which became violent.Woods' statement came one day after former NBA star and current Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan made his first public remarks on Floyd and the killings of black people at the hands of police.FIFA-FLOYDFIFA signals support for in-game Floyd solidarity messagesUNDATED (AP) — FIFA urged soccer competition organizers on Monday to apply "common sense" and consider not sanctioning players for solidarity with George Floyd during matches.The recognition of the "depth of sentiment" over Floyd's death came in a rare statement by FIFA telling the global game to show flexibility and not enforce laws of soccer it helps to set.Players used weekend games in Germany to reveal messages demanding justice for Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died after he pleaded for air as a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck in Minneapolis.Germany's soccer federation announced earlier Monday that it was assessing whether to sanction the players for breaking laws of the game that prohibit "any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images" on equipment.LIVERPOOL-TAKING A KNEELiverpool stars take a knee in gesture of support for FloydLIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool players took a knee around the center circle at Anfield Stadium on Monday in a gesture of support following the death of George Floyd.Squad members posted a picture of the act on their social media accounts with the caption, "Unity is strength #BlackLivesMatter."The picture of 29 players from the English league leaders was taken during a training session.Star players Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and captain Jordan Henderson were among those to post the picture that was retweeted by the official account of Liverpool, which is owned by Fenway Sports Group — the U.S. company which also controls the Boston Red Sox. Liverpool also tweeted out the picture.Floyd's death has sparked days of protests across the U.S. and it has resonated in the soccer world.NFL-CARDINALS-CANTRELLCardinals sign TE Cantrell, release CB SheltonTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) —The Arizona Cardinals have signed tight end Dylan Cantrell to a one-year deal.The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Cantrell is switching positions to tight end after being selected as a receiver by the Los Angeles Chargers in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. He played in college at Texas Tech under current Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, who is now in his second season in Arizona.Cantrell spent most of the 2018 season on the Chargers' practice squad and was released prior to last season. He had 158 catches for 1,873 yards and 18 touchdowns during a four-year college career with the Red Raiders.OBIT-PAT DYEFormer Auburn coach dead at 80UNDATED (AP) — Former Auburn football coach Pat Dye has died at the age of 80.Dye took over a downtrodden program in 1981 and turned it into a Southeastern Conference power.The Lee County coroner says Dye died Monday at a hospice care facility in Auburn from complications of kidney and liver failure. His son, Pat Dye Jr., had told ESPN.com recently that the former coach had been hospitalized in Atlanta for kidney-related issues. He also said his father had tested positive for the coronavirus but had been asymptomatic.In 12 years at Auburn, Dye posted a 99-39-4 record. He also coached at Wyoming and East Carolina.VIRUS OUTBREAK-BASEBALLMLB owners, players revert to salary squabbles of oldNEW YORK (AP) — Baseball owners and players have reverted to form -- the type displayed over the past half-century during eight work stoppages filled with salary squabbles.Players proposed to resume the sport in the coronavirus pandemic with a 114-game regular season and full prorated salaries, leaving each player with approximately 70% of what he had been slated to earn.That proposal was made Sunday, five days after Major League Baseball's plan for an 82-game season with additional pay cuts that would leave each player taking in 23-47% of his original pay, with the highest earners accepting the biggest cuts.MLB claims an additional $640,000 would be lost with each extra regular-season game played. The union has said it doesn't believe those calculations and asked MLB for more economic documents and data.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred discussed the next move with owners on Monday.MLB-NATIONALS-MINOR LEAGUE STIPENDSNationals change course, pay minor leaguers full stipendWASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have changed course and are telling their minor leaguers they will receive their full weekly stipends of $400 through June.The team's decision comes after Washington reliever Sean Doolittle tweeted that the team's major league players would cover a planned cut in those payments from $400 to $300.A text message sent by the Nationals to players in the minors and forwarded to The Associated Press reads: "Upon further internal discussion, you will receive your full stipend of $400 per week through the month of June." The text says further payments will be decided on a monthly basis.Here are other sports stories related to the coronavirus:— The Big 12 Conference says its schools can begin bringing athletes back to campus, with the resumption of voluntary activities starting June 15 for football players. The conference says each school can use its own discretion in deciding when athletes return to campus. The Big 12 had suspended all team activities, voluntary or required, because of the coronavirus pandemic through May 31. As of June 1, new rules go into effect. In-person required and voluntary team activities are still banned for all athletes from June 1-14.— Italian soccer authorities are considering the possibility of allowing fans into stadiums starting next month. The Italian league is set to resume on June 20 with no spectators allowed. There are also strict rules limiting the number of people in the stadium to 300. That includes both teams, staff and journalists. Italian media are reporting that the soccer federation could discuss the possibility of increasing that number and permitting a vastly reduced number of fans.MLB-DYKSTRA-DARLING LAWSUITJudge dismisses Dykstra defamation suit against DarlingNEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge has dismissed Lenny Dykstra's defamation lawsuit against former New York Mets teammate Ron Darling, the pitcher's ghost writer and a pair of publishers.Dykstra's suit followed the publication of Darling's book, "108 Stitches: Loose Threads, Ripping Yarns, and the Darndest Characters from My Time in the Game." Darling accused the outfielder of directing racist comments toward Boston starter Oil Can Boyd during the 1986 World Series.Justice Robert D. Kalish wrote Dykstra's reputation "for unsportsmanlike conduct and bigotry is already so tarnished that it cannot be further injured by the reference."

Tuesday Sports Headlines

Former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has offered to pay for George Floyd’s funeral and memorial services, and the family has accepted the offer.

Mayweather personally has been in touch with the family, according to Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions. He will handle costs for the funeral on June 9 in Floyd’s hometown of Houston, as well as other expenses.

Floyd, a black man, died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn’t breathe. His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country, some of which became violent.

TMZ originally reported Mayweather’s offer, and said he will also pay for services in Minnesota and North Carolina.

“He’ll probably get mad at me for saying that, but yes, he is definitely paying for the funeral,” Ellerbe told ESPN.com on Monday.

Mayweather, who lives in Las Vegas, has not met the Floyd family.

Mayweather, who retired undefeated after 50 fights, winning five division titles, also paid for the funeral of an opponent. Mayweather won his first world championship when he stopped Genaro Hernandez for the WBC super featherweight title in 1998. Hernandez died 13 years later of cancer, and Mayweather handled funeral expenses.

Mayweather is considered one of the best boxers of his generation. Among the champion boxers he defeated before retiring in 2017, are Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Cotto.

Former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has offered to pay for George Floyd’s funeral and memorial services, and the family has accepted the offer.Mayweather personally has been in touch with the family, according to Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions. He will handle costs for the funeral on June 9 in Floyd’s hometown of Houston, as well as other expenses.Floyd, a black man, died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn’t breathe. His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country, some of which became violent.ADVERTISEMENTTMZ originally reported Mayweather’s offer, and said he will also pay for services in Minnesota and North Carolina.“He’ll probably get mad at me for saying that, but yes, he is definitely paying for the funeral,” Ellerbe told ESPN.com on Monday.Mayweather, who lives in Las Vegas, has not met the Floyd family.Mayweather, who retired undefeated after 50 fights, winning five division titles, also paid for the funeral of an opponent. Mayweather won his first world championship when he stopped Genaro Hernandez for the WBC super featherweight title in 1998. Hernandez died 13 years later of cancer, and Mayweather handled funeral expenses.Mayweather is considered one of the best boxers of his generation. Among the champion boxers he defeated before retiring in 2017, are Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Cotto.

Boxer Floyd Mayweather to pay for George Floyd’s funeral

College Football Hall of Famer Pat Dye, who took over a downtrodden Auburn football program in 1981 and turned it into a Southeastern Conference power, died Monday. He was 80.

Lee County Coroner Bill Harris said Dye died at a hospice care facility in Auburn from complications of kidney and liver failure. Harris said Dye tested positive for COVID-19 after being admitted to the hospital for renal problems, but was asymptomatic.

When Dye came to Auburn, he inherited a program that was deeply divided after only three winning seasons in the previous six years. In 12 years, he had a 99-39-4 record, Auburn won or shared four conference titles and the Tigers were ranked in The Associated Press’ Top 10 five times.

Dye’s overall coaching record was 153-62-5 in 17 years at Auburn, Wyoming and East Carolina. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

“On behalf of our family, I want to thank all of the people from around the country who have offered their support and admiration for dad these past several days,” said Dye’s son, Pat Dye Jr. “Dad would be honored and humbled to know about this overwhelming outreach. The world has lost a pretty good football coach and a great man. He was beloved, he touched so many lives and he will be missed by many, especially our family.”

Dye’s coaching career ended in November 1992 when he was forced to resign after a pay-for-play scandal rocked the Auburn program, which was placed on two years’ probation.

Dye served as athletic director as well as coach for most of his career with Auburn. He remained associated with the university after his resignation and was a frequent commentator on football talk-radio shows.

Auburn was only 5-6 in Dye’s first season, but it quickly turned around. In 1982, the Tigers were 9-3, defeated arch-rival Alabama for the first time in 10 years and made their first bowl trip since 1974.

By the next season, Auburn was back on top in the Southeastern Conference — a league that had been dominated for more than two decades by Bear Bryant and the team on the other side of the state, Alabama.

Over the next seven years, there would be three more SEC titles in a row, from 1987-89, and a host of individual awards for his players. Running back Bo Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 1985, defensive lineman Tracy Rocker took home both the Outland and Lombardi trophies in 1988, and linebacker Aundray Bruce was the No. 1 pick in the 1988 NFL draft.

In 1989, Dye realized another dream when Alabama made its first trip ever to Auburn. The Tigers won the historic game 30-20, ending Alabama’s quest for a perfect record and national championship.

The “Iron Bowl” series, which had been played every year in Birmingham since 1948, began being played at Jordan-Hare Stadium every other year beginning in 1993.

“He’s one of the people that changed the direction of that rivalry,” said David Housel, Auburn’s sports information director under Dye who eventually became athletic director. “Alabama had won nine years in a row; he broke that streak. And he was instrumental in getting the game to Auburn.

“Getting that game here has made all the difference not only for Auburn but also for Alabama. As he often pointed out, Alabama wouldn’t have that fine facility they have over there (Bryant-Denny Stadium) — and it’s really great — if they were still playing Auburn in Birmingham.”

Auburn plays on Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The school put his name on it in 2005.

The only thing that eluded Dye was a national championship. His teams finished in the Top 10 five times but never held the top spot. In 1983, the 11-1 Tigers featuring Bo Jackson were No. 3 — and remained there despite winning their bowl game while Nos. 1 and 2 lost. Miami leapfrogged to the top of the AP poll with its thrilling 31-30 victory over then-top ranked Nebraska.

In 1990, the Tigers were the choice of some prognosticators to win it all, but they fell from the national championship picture with a tie and three losses — including the first setback to Alabama after four straight wins.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey recalled Dye as “a great man, coach and member of the Auburn family.”

“Not only was he a phenomenal football coach, but an even better person,” Ivey said. “For years, I have known Pat personally and have always valued his friendship and colorful commentary. He had great takes on both football and life.”

Dye, a tough field master with a folksy drawl, was determined to make it back to the top. But tape recordings secretly made by Auburn player Eric Ramsey with coaches and others were made public, exposing a pay-for-play scandal that drew wide media attention and landed Auburn on probation. It also cost Dye his job.

A native of Augusta, Georgia, Dye played football for Wally Butts at Georgia from 1958-60. After two seasons in the Canadian Football League, he left the playing field and went into coaching — ironically at Alabama, where he was in charge of linebackers and recruiting for Bryant.

Dye landed his first head coaching job in 1974, taking over at East Carolina. He posted a 48-18-1 record in six years and built the Pirates into a team that could compete — and win — against neighboring Atlantic Coast Conference schools.

Dye moved to Wyoming in 1980 and the Cowboys went 6-5, their first winning season in eight years. It also was to be Dye’s only season in Laramie.

Auburn was looking for a coach after Doug Barfield was forced out at the end of the 1980 season. According to some accounts, the Tigers’ first choice was longtime Georgia coach Vince Dooley, an Auburn alumnus who was in the process of leading the Bulldogs to their first national championship.

But Dooley decided to remain at Dye’s old school and Dye took the Auburn job. By the time Dooley retired in 1988, Dye was firmly entrenched at Auburn and didn’t even consider returning to his alma mater.

“We competed hard as coaches but remained good friends, and after football shared our love of plants, especially Japanese Maples,” Dooley said. “Pat was a solid, fundamental football coach who related well with his players.”

Fran Tarkenton, a Georgia teammate and Pro Football Hall of Famer, said he has “lost one of the best friends I have ever had.”

“I never played with a greater football player than Pat Dye,” Tarkenton said. “He was the ultimate teammate, and I loved the guy. He had so many assets as a player: quick, creative, as great of a competitor as I ever played with. He was instinctive, as all great players are. He just simply would not be denied.”

Dye is survived by his four children, Pat Jr., Missy, Brett and Wanda; nine grandchildren; and his partner of 18 years, Nancy McDonald.

The Crooked Oaks Legacy Foundation has been established to honor Dye,

College Football Hall of Famer Pat Dye, who took over a downtrodden Auburn football program in 1981 and turned it into a Southeastern Conference power, died Monday. He was 80.Lee County Coroner Bill Harris said Dye died at a hospice care facility in Auburn from complications of kidney and liver failure. Harris said Dye tested positive for COVID-19 after being admitted to the hospital for renal problems, but was asymptomatic.When Dye came to Auburn, he inherited a program that was deeply divided after only three winning seasons in the previous six years. In 12 years, he had a 99-39-4 record, Auburn won or shared four conference titles and the Tigers were ranked in The Associated Press’ Top 10 five times.ADVERTISEMENTDye’s overall coaching record was 153-62-5 in 17 years at Auburn, Wyoming and East Carolina. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.“On behalf of our family, I want to thank all of the people from around the country who have offered their support and admiration for dad these past several days,” said Dye’s son, Pat Dye Jr. “Dad would be honored and humbled to know about this overwhelming outreach. The world has lost a pretty good football coach and a great man. He was beloved, he touched so many lives and he will be missed by many, especially our family.”Dye’s coaching career ended in November 1992 when he was forced to resign after a pay-for-play scandal rocked the Auburn program, which was placed on two years’ probation.Dye served as athletic director as well as coach for most of his career with Auburn. He remained associated with the university after his resignation and was a frequent commentator on football talk-radio shows.Auburn was only 5-6 in Dye’s first season, but it quickly turned around. In 1982, the Tigers were 9-3, defeated arch-rival Alabama for the first time in 10 years and made their first bowl trip since 1974.By the next season, Auburn was back on top in the Southeastern Conference — a league that had been dominated for more than two decades by Bear Bryant and the team on the other side of the state, Alabama.Over the next seven years, there would be three more SEC titles in a row, from 1987-89, and a host of individual awards for his players. Running back Bo Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 1985, defensive lineman Tracy Rocker took home both the Outland and Lombardi trophies in 1988, and linebacker Aundray Bruce was the No. 1 pick in the 1988 NFL draft.In 1989, Dye realized another dream when Alabama made its first trip ever to Auburn. The Tigers won the historic game 30-20, ending Alabama’s quest for a perfect record and national championship.The “Iron Bowl” series, which had been played every year in Birmingham since 1948, began being played at Jordan-Hare Stadium every other year beginning in 1993.“He’s one of the people that changed the direction of that rivalry,” said David Housel, Auburn’s sports information director under Dye who eventually became athletic director. “Alabama had won nine years in a row; he broke that streak. And he was instrumental in getting the game to Auburn.“Getting that game here has made all the difference not only for Auburn but also for Alabama. As he often pointed out, Alabama wouldn’t have that fine facility they have over there (Bryant-Denny Stadium) — and it’s really great — if they were still playing Auburn in Birmingham.”Auburn plays on Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The school put his name on it in 2005.The only thing that eluded Dye was a national championship. His teams finished in the Top 10 five times but never held the top spot. In 1983, the 11-1 Tigers featuring Bo Jackson were No. 3 — and remained there despite winning their bowl game while Nos. 1 and 2 lost. Miami leapfrogged to the top of the AP poll with its thrilling 31-30 victory over then-top ranked Nebraska.In 1990, the Tigers were the choice of some prognosticators to win it all, but they fell from the national championship picture with a tie and three losses — including the first setback to Alabama after four straight wins.Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey recalled Dye as “a great man, coach and member of the Auburn family.”“Not only was he a phenomenal football coach, but an even better person,” Ivey said. “For years, I have known Pat personally and have always valued his friendship and colorful commentary. He had great takes on both football and life.”Dye, a tough field master with a folksy drawl, was determined to make it back to the top. But tape recordings secretly made by Auburn player Eric Ramsey with coaches and others were made public, exposing a pay-for-play scandal that drew wide media attention and landed Auburn on probation. It also cost Dye his job.A native of Augusta, Georgia, Dye played football for Wally Butts at Georgia from 1958-60. After two seasons in the Canadian Football League, he left the playing field and went into coaching — ironically at Alabama, where he was in charge of linebackers and recruiting for Bryant.Dye landed his first head coaching job in 1974, taking over at East Carolina. He posted a 48-18-1 record in six years and built the Pirates into a team that could compete — and win — against neighboring Atlantic Coast Conference schools.Dye moved to Wyoming in 1980 and the Cowboys went 6-5, their first winning season in eight years. It also was to be Dye’s only season in Laramie.Auburn was looking for a coach after Doug Barfield was forced out at the end of the 1980 season. According to some accounts, the Tigers’ first choice was longtime Georgia coach Vince Dooley, an Auburn alumnus who was in the process of leading the Bulldogs to their first national championship.But Dooley decided to remain at Dye’s old school and Dye took the Auburn job. By the time Dooley retired in 1988, Dye was firmly entrenched at Auburn and didn’t even consider returning to his alma mater.“We competed hard as coaches but remained good friends, and after football shared our love of plants, especially Japanese Maples,” Dooley said. “Pat was a solid, fundamental football coach who related well with his players.”Fran Tarkenton, a Georgia teammate and Pro Football Hall of Famer, said he has “lost one of the best friends I have ever had.”“I never played with a greater football player than Pat Dye,” Tarkenton said. “He was the ultimate teammate, and I loved the guy. He had so many assets as a player: quick, creative, as great of a competitor as I ever played with. He was instinctive, as all great players are. He just simply would not be denied.”Dye is survived by his four children, Pat Jr., Missy, Brett and Wanda; nine grandchildren; and his partner of 18 years, Nancy McDonald.The Crooked Oaks Legacy Foundation has been established to honor Dye,

Former Auburn football coach Pat Dye dies at 80

Players proposed to resume the sport in the coronavirus pandemic with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/37af758bdd54bbfba85ed359dfd85df4">a 114-game regular season and full prorated salaries</a>, leaving each player with approximately 70% of what he had been slated to earn.

That proposal was made Sunday, five days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ea330800b6886f0396d3b000680584e">Major League Baseball’s plan for an 82-game season</a>&nbsp;with additional pay cuts that would leave each player taking in 23-47% of his original pay, with the highest earners accepting the biggest cuts.

<a href="https://apnews.com/75087708a030c20637c5ea25b5c99c40">MLB claims an additional $640,000 would be lost</a>&nbsp;with each extra regular-season game played. The union has said it doesn’t believe those calculations and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/49667dc5acf54b3033a45c629edb1762">sked MLB for more economic documents</a>&nbsp;and data.

If spring training is to resume in mid-June followed by opening day at around the start of July, a deal would have to be reached by next week.

Players and clubs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dd87bcc774d608e53624594fe56fab0c">agreed March 26</a>&nbsp;to “complete the fullest 2020 championship season and postseason that is economically feasible,” consistent with three provisions:

-- no government restrictions on playing in front of fans at regular-season ballparks

-- no relevant travel restrictions throughout the U.S. and Canada

-- Manfred determining, after consulting with the union and medical experts, that there is no risk to players, staff or fans to play games with fans at all 30 regular-season ballparks, provided that MLB and the union “will discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate substitute neutral sites.”

Players say the March 26 deal covered salaries and they are under no obligation to revisit the subject. MLB says they are if the plan is to use empty ballparks, which is the current intention.

Some players, notably former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9abebf505fcb69db4472869eb84b3ca">AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell</a>, have said it’s not worth it to them to play for less. Some management officials have said teams should offer a very short schedule, perhaps as short as 50 games.

Mistrust among many is at its highest level since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4f12f0d7b39e40e69fca074a625f29bd">1994-95 strike</a>, the last of eight stoppages that started in 1972. Reasons abound.

<a href="https://apnews.com/e4ec65ed068d9b636ac9c302453eac26">Salaries have been pretty much flat for five years</a>&nbsp;during a time revenue has been estimated to have risen at a 4% annual rate, a sign the collective bargaining agreement agreed to in November 2016 gained more for the clubs than it did for the union.

Payrolls totaled $4.08 billion in 2016, according to figures compiled by the commissioner’s office that included season salaries, prorated shares of signing bonuses, earned bonuses, option buyouts and termination pay. Payrolls have stayed in a historic narrow range since then: $4.24 billion in 2017, $4.23 billion in 2018, $4.22 billion in 2019 and $4.21 billion this year, based on totals as of the March 28 roster freeze.

<a href="https://apnews.com/ddf42d1e0e4143e0ab29b175d0f2ad7d">Slow free-agent markets</a>&nbsp;following the 2017 and 2018 seasons sparked player anger, and a more regular market this past offseason hasn’t calmed players or the union staff.

<a href="https://apnews.com/43c6bfe7a7cf4c799205019fa747c7a8">Players are livid over what they call tanking</a>&nbsp;and clubs call rebuilding. They view noncompetitive teams as bad for the entire industry, leading to an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c0d4a68ed9034231833e16975327d824">attendance drop in each of the last four seasons.</a>

Manfred says each club makes its own judgment on whether it can contend, and clubs are using the system to their advantage when they jettison veterans, rebuild with draft picks and international youth, then contend again. World Series titles by Kansas City in 2015 and Houston in 2017 are pointed to as examples.

The union filed a grievance in February 2018 alleging the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1afb15a4e7fe4c92bd920c6d7434a08e">did not use revenue sharing money&nbsp;</a>received properly. The labor contract specifies a team has to use the money “in an effort to improve its performance on the field.”

MLB has defended the teams, saying money can be used in areas other than major league payroll: amateur signings and minor league staff are just two examples. Manfred has pointed out that Oakland reached the playoffs in 2018 and Tampa Bay last year.

Players repeatedly accuse clubs of manipulating their service time to delay free agency and salary arbitration eligibility.

<a href="https://apnews.com/92d0b2b4011625882d4acb29b3bb758a">Arbitrator Mark Irvings denied a grievance by Kris Bryant</a>&nbsp;against the Cubs, accepting Chicago executive Theo Epstein’s rationale for delaying the third baseman’s debut at the start of the 2015 season. Irvings wrote there was no proof of “a nefarious motive” and the union could not prove “bad faith to mask service time manipulation.” He did not rule on whether service time manipulation was permissible in any circumstance.

<a href="https://apnews.com/f07e31c8bb269deb7f311f47312f3c5e">Manfred maintains roster decisions are a club right.</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball owners and players have reverted to form -- the type displayed over the past half-century during eight work stoppages filled with salary squabbles.Players proposed to resume the sport in the coronavirus pandemic with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/37af758bdd54bbfba85ed359dfd85df4">a 114-game regular season and full prorated salaries</a>, leaving each player with approximately 70% of what he had been slated to earn.That proposal was made Sunday, five days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ea330800b6886f0396d3b000680584e">Major League Baseball’s plan for an 82-game season</a>&nbsp;with additional pay cuts that would leave each player taking in 23-47% of his original pay, with the highest earners accepting the biggest cuts.ADVERTISEMENT<a href="https://apnews.com/75087708a030c20637c5ea25b5c99c40">MLB claims an additional $640,000 would be lost</a>&nbsp;with each extra regular-season game played. The union has said it doesn’t believe those calculations and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/49667dc5acf54b3033a45c629edb1762">sked MLB for more economic documents</a>&nbsp;and data.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred discussed the next move with owners on Monday.If spring training is to resume in mid-June followed by opening day at around the start of July, a deal would have to be reached by next week.Players and clubs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dd87bcc774d608e53624594fe56fab0c">agreed March 26</a>&nbsp;to “complete the fullest 2020 championship season and postseason that is economically feasible,” consistent with three provisions:-- no government restrictions on playing in front of fans at regular-season ballparks-- no relevant travel restrictions throughout the U.S. and Canada-- Manfred determining, after consulting with the union and medical experts, that there is no risk to players, staff or fans to play games with fans at all 30 regular-season ballparks, provided that MLB and the union “will discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate substitute neutral sites.”Players say the March 26 deal covered salaries and they are under no obligation to revisit the subject. MLB says they are if the plan is to use empty ballparks, which is the current intention.Some players, notably former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9abebf505fcb69db4472869eb84b3ca">AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell</a>, have said it’s not worth it to them to play for less. Some management officials have said teams should offer a very short schedule, perhaps as short as 50 games.ADVERTISEMENTMistrust among many is at its highest level since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4f12f0d7b39e40e69fca074a625f29bd">1994-95 strike</a>, the last of eight stoppages that started in 1972. Reasons abound.SALARIES<a href="https://apnews.com/e4ec65ed068d9b636ac9c302453eac26">Salaries have been pretty much flat for five years</a>&nbsp;during a time revenue has been estimated to have risen at a 4% annual rate, a sign the collective bargaining agreement agreed to in November 2016 gained more for the clubs than it did for the union.Payrolls totaled $4.08 billion in 2016, according to figures compiled by the commissioner’s office that included season salaries, prorated shares of signing bonuses, earned bonuses, option buyouts and termination pay. Payrolls have stayed in a historic narrow range since then: $4.24 billion in 2017, $4.23 billion in 2018, $4.22 billion in 2019 and $4.21 billion this year, based on totals as of the March 28 roster freeze.<a href="https://apnews.com/ddf42d1e0e4143e0ab29b175d0f2ad7d">Slow free-agent markets</a>&nbsp;following the 2017 and 2018 seasons sparked player anger, and a more regular market this past offseason hasn’t calmed players or the union staff.TANKING/REBUILDING<a href="https://apnews.com/43c6bfe7a7cf4c799205019fa747c7a8">Players are livid over what they call tanking</a>&nbsp;and clubs call rebuilding. They view noncompetitive teams as bad for the entire industry, leading to an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c0d4a68ed9034231833e16975327d824">attendance drop in each of the last four seasons.</a>Manfred says each club makes its own judgment on whether it can contend, and clubs are using the system to their advantage when they jettison veterans, rebuild with draft picks and international youth, then contend again. World Series titles by Kansas City in 2015 and Houston in 2017 are pointed to as examples.The union filed a grievance in February 2018 alleging the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1afb15a4e7fe4c92bd920c6d7434a08e">did not use revenue sharing money&nbsp;</a>received properly. The labor contract specifies a team has to use the money “in an effort to improve its performance on the field.”MLB has defended the teams, saying money can be used in areas other than major league payroll: amateur signings and minor league staff are just two examples. Manfred has pointed out that Oakland reached the playoffs in 2018 and Tampa Bay last year.SERVICE TIME MANIPULATIONPlayers repeatedly accuse clubs of manipulating their service time to delay free agency and salary arbitration eligibility.<a href="https://apnews.com/92d0b2b4011625882d4acb29b3bb758a">Arbitrator Mark Irvings denied a grievance by Kris Bryant</a>&nbsp;against the Cubs, accepting Chicago executive Theo Epstein’s rationale for delaying the third baseman’s debut at the start of the 2015 season. Irvings wrote there was no proof of “a nefarious motive” and the union could not prove “bad faith to mask service time manipulation.” He did not rule on whether service time manipulation was permissible in any circumstance.<a href="https://apnews.com/f07e31c8bb269deb7f311f47312f3c5e">Manfred maintains roster decisions are a club right.</a>

HARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Three people have tested positive for the coronavirus at Marshall University as the college is allowing athletes to return to campus for training, officials said Monday.

A news release from the school said two student athletes and one staffer tested positive over the weekend. They have been quarantined and a contact tracing investigation is underway.

The college is making all student athletes self-isolate for a week when they return to campus. They must test negative before being allowed to leave.

Marshall canceled in-person classes in March but plans to resume them on Aug. 24,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.edu/wellness/influenza-information-and-coronavirus-update/" target="_blank">the college said</a>. The school has reported five total cases since the outbreak began.

The new cases come as Gov. Jim Justice moves forward with a plan to lift virus restrictions on sports in the state.

The Republican governor is allowing youth sports teams to begin practicing again on June 8 and games can resume with spectators on June 22. Middle and high school teams can also begin training on June 8, Justice said, adding that sporting facilities such as tennis and basketball courts can reopen the same day. He is also allowing outdoor equestrian events to resume on June 22.

At least 76 people in West Virginia have died from the virus and more than 2,000 have tested positive,&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">state health officials</a>&nbsp;said.

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 be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.

HARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Three people have tested positive for the coronavirus at Marshall University as the college is allowing athletes to return to campus for training, officials said Monday.A news release from the school said two student athletes and one staffer tested positive over the weekend. They have been quarantined and a contact tracing investigation is underway.The college is making all student athletes self-isolate for a week when they return to campus. They must test negative before being allowed to leave.Marshall canceled in-person classes in March but plans to resume them on Aug. 24,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.edu/wellness/influenza-information-and-coronavirus-update/" target="_blank">the college said</a>. The school has reported five total cases since the outbreak began.ADVERTISEMENTThe new cases come as Gov. Jim Justice moves forward with a plan to lift virus restrictions on sports in the state.The Republican governor is allowing youth sports teams to begin practicing again on June 8 and games can resume with spectators on June 22. Middle and high school teams can also begin training on June 8, Justice said, adding that sporting facilities such as tennis and basketball courts can reopen the same day. He is also allowing outdoor equestrian events to resume on June 22.At least 76 people in West Virginia have died from the virus and more than 2,000 have tested positive,&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">state health officials</a>&nbsp;said.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 be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.

Marshall announces virus cases as athletes return

College coaches in non-revenue sports are worried about the impact legislation allowing compensation for athletes could have on their programs.

More than a dozen national associations in various sports – hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, swimming and gymnastics, among them – have signed a memo outlining “significant concerns” about effects of allowing athletes to profit for use of their names, images and likenesses (NIL). The concerns include reduced resources for lower-profile programs, the risk of “crowdfunded recruiting” for boosters to “buy talent” for a competitive advantage, increased influence by agents and whether schools can effectively monitor for compliance.

The memo, prepared by North Carolina athletics director Bubba Cunningham and associate athletics director Paul Pogge, was sent last week to a law committee examining whether to craft a standardized athlete-compensation law for states to adopt. The memo focuses on non-revenue sports, many of which are included in Olympic competition.

“Legislation like this, if it goes wrong, could be incredibly catastrophic to Olympic sports,” said Mike Moyer, executive director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association that supports the memo. “Our position is: let’s pump the brakes and just be really, really careful what is agreed to and what’s not agreed to.”

The committee, part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uniformlaws.org/home" target="_blank">Uniform Law Commission,</a>&nbsp;holds a virtual meeting Tuesday. That comes after the NCAA&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e1d5efbe231c1b70134ace013a008036">moved ahead</a>&nbsp;with a plan for athletes to profit through NIL deals with third parties, though regulations – dubbed “guardrails” by the NCAA – are being developed.

“We’re listening to everybody’s views,” said Dale G. Higer, an Idaho attorney and chairman of the study committee. “We’ll make a decision. But my own view is it looks like the horse is out of the barn and you can’t get it back in. A lot of people think the sky is falling, and in many ways it is in terms of the way things used to be. But we’re trying to come up with something that’s addressing what is.”

The NCAA and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e621a1642f8233fb0cef7afef829f1cf">Power Five conference commissioners</a>&nbsp;also want Congress to create a federal NIL law ahead of varied state versions being proposed so schools operate under the same rules. That’s where the law commission could assist; it includes lawyers, judges, legislative staff and law professors who research and draft standardized legislation for states to consider instead of enacting widely varying laws.

<a href="https://apnews.com/d0715f359cb14e80bc4fafb23567c9a4">California</a>&nbsp;and Colorado already have approved laws that go into effect in January 2023. Florida’s legislature has passed a bill awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature to take effect in July 2021. Additionally, 34 more states have introduced at least one piece of NIL legislation, according to a committee report from Tulane sports law program director Gabe Feldman.

Many associations that support UNC’s memo are part of the coalition that fought an unsuccessful proposal to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d027100d06715e95e6555a40e10c8320">temporarily lower</a>&nbsp;the NCAA’s 16-sport minimum in Division I amid the coronavirus pandemic, which created financial challenges for schools and led some to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1c7202d94f1e4e64353b75920dda9dd3">cut sports</a>. Some are associations for more than solely college coaches.

Similarly, lost participation opportunities is a key issue in this case for those non-revenue sports. Yet the memo states change could come more gradually as corporate sponsors re-evaluate broader financial support to schools compared to pursuing deals with select athletes in high-profile sports like football and men’s basketball.

“It doesn’t take a Rhodes Scholar to say those businesses might be able to make a deal with one of those recognizable faces for a lot less money than they can make a deal with the athletics department,” said Kathy DeBoer, executive director of the American Volleyball Coaches Association that supports the memo.

“The athletics department can say, ‘It gets you the sponsorship of all these sports.’ They’re like, ‘We don’t care, we don’t want all the sports, we just want the recognizable face.’ So does money now go from the athletics department to these student-athletes, and therefore there’s even less resources?”

Higer’s committee will submit a final report to the law commission by June 15. If the commission moves forward, it would form a drafting committee to craft athlete-compensation legislation. That committee would likely first meet this fall in a process lasting one to two years, Higer said.

“If somebody can show that we have a model that’s going to (address concerns) and enhance the opportunities for student-athletes in broad-based sports sponsorship, then I think everybody would be all for that,” said Rob Kehoe, college programs director for the memo-supporting United Soccer Coaches. “But let’s see that model.”

College coaches in non-revenue sports are worried about the impact legislation allowing compensation for athletes could have on their programs.More than a dozen national associations in various sports – hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, swimming and gymnastics, among them – have signed a memo outlining “significant concerns” about effects of allowing athletes to profit for use of their names, images and likenesses (NIL). The concerns include reduced resources for lower-profile programs, the risk of “crowdfunded recruiting” for boosters to “buy talent” for a competitive advantage, increased influence by agents and whether schools can effectively monitor for compliance.ADVERTISEMENTThe memo, prepared by North Carolina athletics director Bubba Cunningham and associate athletics director Paul Pogge, was sent last week to a law committee examining whether to craft a standardized athlete-compensation law for states to adopt. The memo focuses on non-revenue sports, many of which are included in Olympic competition.“Legislation like this, if it goes wrong, could be incredibly catastrophic to Olympic sports,” said Mike Moyer, executive director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association that supports the memo. “Our position is: let’s pump the brakes and just be really, really careful what is agreed to and what’s not agreed to.”The committee, part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uniformlaws.org/home" target="_blank">Uniform Law Commission,</a>&nbsp;holds a virtual meeting Tuesday. That comes after the NCAA&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e1d5efbe231c1b70134ace013a008036">moved ahead</a>&nbsp;with a plan for athletes to profit through NIL deals with third parties, though regulations – dubbed “guardrails” by the NCAA – are being developed.“We’re listening to everybody’s views,” said Dale G. Higer, an Idaho attorney and chairman of the study committee. “We’ll make a decision. But my own view is it looks like the horse is out of the barn and you can’t get it back in. A lot of people think the sky is falling, and in many ways it is in terms of the way things used to be. But we’re trying to come up with something that’s addressing what is.”The NCAA and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e621a1642f8233fb0cef7afef829f1cf">Power Five conference commissioners</a>&nbsp;also want Congress to create a federal NIL law ahead of varied state versions being proposed so schools operate under the same rules. That’s where the law commission could assist; it includes lawyers, judges, legislative staff and law professors who research and draft standardized legislation for states to consider instead of enacting widely varying laws.ADVERTISEMENT<a href="https://apnews.com/d0715f359cb14e80bc4fafb23567c9a4">California</a>&nbsp;and Colorado already have approved laws that go into effect in January 2023. Florida’s legislature has passed a bill awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature to take effect in July 2021. Additionally, 34 more states have introduced at least one piece of NIL legislation, according to a committee report from Tulane sports law program director Gabe Feldman.Many associations that support UNC’s memo are part of the coalition that fought an unsuccessful proposal to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d027100d06715e95e6555a40e10c8320">temporarily lower</a>&nbsp;the NCAA’s 16-sport minimum in Division I amid the coronavirus pandemic, which created financial challenges for schools and led some to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1c7202d94f1e4e64353b75920dda9dd3">cut sports</a>. Some are associations for more than solely college coaches.Similarly, lost participation opportunities is a key issue in this case for those non-revenue sports. Yet the memo states change could come more gradually as corporate sponsors re-evaluate broader financial support to schools compared to pursuing deals with select athletes in high-profile sports like football and men’s basketball.“It doesn’t take a Rhodes Scholar to say those businesses might be able to make a deal with one of those recognizable faces for a lot less money than they can make a deal with the athletics department,” said Kathy DeBoer, executive director of the American Volleyball Coaches Association that supports the memo.“The athletics department can say, ‘It gets you the sponsorship of all these sports.’ They’re like, ‘We don’t care, we don’t want all the sports, we just want the recognizable face.’ So does money now go from the athletics department to these student-athletes, and therefore there’s even less resources?”Higer’s committee will submit a final report to the law commission by June 15. If the commission moves forward, it would form a drafting committee to craft athlete-compensation legislation. That committee would likely first meet this fall in a process lasting one to two years, Higer said.“If somebody can show that we have a model that’s going to (address concerns) and enhance the opportunities for student-athletes in broad-based sports sponsorship, then I think everybody would be all for that,” said Rob Kehoe, college programs director for the memo-supporting United Soccer Coaches. “But let’s see that model.”

Non-revenue sports fret over college athlete compensation

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AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Monday

BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) — Brad Keselowski came up with an accidental triumph on Sunday.

Keselowski inherited his second NASCAR Cup win of the season when Chase Elliott and Joey Logano collided as they raced for the victory at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Keselowski was in third with a lap and a turn remaining when he lucked into his second victory in three Cup races. Logano had cleared Elliott for the lead with three laps remaining but Elliott was stalking him while seeking his second win in three days. They made contact in the fourth turn and drifted into the wall. Keselowski slid past for the win.

Clint Bowyer gave Ford a 1-2 finish with his best performance in a year. Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson was third in a Chevrolet and once again showed he's close to snapping his 104-race losing streak. Kyle Busch and Erik Jones rounded out the top-five.

Jordan saddened, pained and angry following Floyd death

UNDATED (AP) — Michael Jordan says he's "deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry" following the death of George Floyd and the killings of black people at the hands of police.

The former NBA star and current Charlotte Hornets owner issued a statement posted on the Jordan brand's social media accounts and the team's Twitter account. Jordan said he sees and feels everyone's pain, outrage and frustration.

"I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.

"We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality."

— The College Football Hall of Fame is boarded up and assessing damage from a destructive night of protests in downtown Atlanta. The facility's most valuable trophies and artifacts were moved to a secure facility in case additional trouble breaks out amid nationwide unrest over the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd. Hall chief executive director Kimberly Beaudin said that the extensive glass facade of the nearly 95,000-square-foot building was shattered Friday night.

— New York Mets star Pete Alonso has chimed in on the death of Floyd, posting on Instagram that his 'heart has been broken' and says he won't remain silent on the subject. Alonso says he will stand with those who have discriminated against based on the color of their skin. The NL Rookie of the Year says there needs to be change made for the better of humanity.

— NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says an urgent need for action remains following Floyd's death and the ensuing the protests around the country. In a statement Saturday, Goodell said, "As current events dramatically underscore, there remains much more to do as a country and as a league." Goodell added that the protesters' reactions "reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel."

— Thabo Sefolosha (TAH'-boh sehf-ah-LOH'-shuh) says watching video of Floyd's death awakened painful memories of what happened to him five years ago in New York City. The NBA veteran suffered a broken leg and other injuries while being arrested outside a Manhattan nightclub. He later settled a case alleging his civil rights were violated. Sefolosha tells The Associated Press that his leg has healed, but the emotional wounds have not. He says his treatment by police left lasting feelings of anger, frustration and a distrust of law enforcement.

— Several German soccer players have joined in protests over Floyd's death. A Borussia Dortmund player lifted his jersey to reveal a T-shirt with the handwritten message "Justice for George Floyd" on the front. In another game Sunday, a player took a knee. On Saturday a player wore an armband with the handwritten message "Justice for George."

NHL plans to test players for COVID-19 daily if games resume

UNDATED (AP) — Major League Baseball's players have proposed a 114-game regular season, up from 82 in management's offer.

That's according to a person familiar with the plan who told The Associated Press that the proposal includes no additional pay cuts beyond the one they agreed to in March.

Opening day in the coronavirus-delayed season would be June 30 and the regular season would end Oct. 31, nearly five weeks after the Sept. 27 conclusion that MLB's proposal stuck to from the season's original schedule. The union offered scheduling flexibility to include more doubleheaders.

A player would receive about 70% of his salary under the union plan. MLB's offer Tuesday included a sliding scale in which those at the $563,500 minimum would get about 47%. Top-salaried players like Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole at $36 million would receive less than 23%.

Players are OK with MLB's plan to increase the number of postseason teams from 10 to 14. Management would expand the postseason for just this year, but the union would like it to run through 2021.

In other news related to the coronavirus pandemic:

— The NHL has health screening protocols in place for voluntary workouts and training camp in the hands of individual teams. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly says if play resumes, players would be tested for COVID-19 daily while games are going on. That could require 25,000 to 30,000 tests at a cost of millions of dollars. The league doesn't expect that amount of testing to interfere with the needs of the general public.

— The Major League Soccer Players Association has voted to approve economic concessions for this season, including across-the-board salary cuts. Players also agreed to play in a proposed summer tournament in Orlando, Florida. The proposal was made public by the union Sunday night and will now be sent to back to the league for approval by team owners.

— Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp (YUR'-gehn klahp) says having the squad back together is a "massive, massive lift" as his team prepares to wrap up a first league title in 30 years. English soccer has been on hold since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Premier League is set resume June 17. Liverpool has a massive 25-point lead and stepped up preparations by resuming contact training in recent days.

— The coach of Italian soccer club Atalanta says he had COVID-19 and was concerned for his life mid-March. Gian Piero Gasperini told the Gazzetta dello Sport that he started feeling sick on March 9, a day before Atalanta played at Valencia in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. He says that when he returned to Bergamo, which was quickly becoming the epicenter of the pandemic, he didn't have a fever but "felt destroyed." The 62-year-old coach quickly recovered and only recently confirmed that he had the virus when the entire team was tested 10 days ago.

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Fresno State says its former coach and College Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Bennett has died at 86.

Bennett won 1,302 games with 21 NCAA Tournament appearances with the Bulldogs, including two College World Series appearances. He spent 34 years at the school before retiring after the 2002 season. He was the seventh coach in NCAA history to win at least 1,300 games and ended his career with 26 straight winning seasons.

The Fresno Bee reported Bennett had been in the hospital since May 18 following a heart procedure.

Curtis Cokes, Hall of Fame welterweight champion, dies at 82

DALLAS (AP) — Hall of Fame welterweight Curtis Cokes has died at 82.

Cokes took the World Boxing Association welterweight title in a 1966 belt with a unanimous decision over Manny Gonzalez. He added the World Boxing Council crown three months later with a unanimous decision over Jean Josselin in Dallas.

Cokes lost the titles to Jose Napoles in 1969. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003, the 5-foot-8 Cokes fought 80 times from 1958 to 1972, finishing 62-14-4 with 30 knockouts.

Erwin "Sparky" Sparks, Cokes' partner at the Home of Champions gym, told The Dallas Morning News that Cokes died Friday after a week in hospice.

Update on the latest sportsNASCAR-SUPERMARKET HEROES 500Keselowski wins at BristolBRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) — Brad Keselowski came up with an accidental triumph on Sunday.Keselowski inherited his second NASCAR Cup win of the season when Chase Elliott and Joey Logano collided as they raced for the victory at Bristol Motor Speedway.Keselowski was in third with a lap and a turn remaining when he lucked into his second victory in three Cup races. Logano had cleared Elliott for the lead with three laps remaining but Elliott was stalking him while seeking his second win in three days. They made contact in the fourth turn and drifted into the wall. Keselowski slid past for the win.Clint Bowyer gave Ford a 1-2 finish with his best performance in a year. Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson was third in a Chevrolet and once again showed he's close to snapping his 104-race losing streak. Kyle Busch and Erik Jones rounded out the top-five.MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEATH-SPORTSJordan saddened, pained and angry following Floyd deathUNDATED (AP) — Michael Jordan says he's "deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry" following the death of George Floyd and the killings of black people at the hands of police.The former NBA star and current Charlotte Hornets owner issued a statement posted on the Jordan brand's social media accounts and the team's Twitter account. Jordan said he sees and feels everyone's pain, outrage and frustration."I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough."We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality."In other related developments:— The College Football Hall of Fame is boarded up and assessing damage from a destructive night of protests in downtown Atlanta. The facility's most valuable trophies and artifacts were moved to a secure facility in case additional trouble breaks out amid nationwide unrest over the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd. Hall chief executive director Kimberly Beaudin said that the extensive glass facade of the nearly 95,000-square-foot building was shattered Friday night.— New York Mets star Pete Alonso has chimed in on the death of Floyd, posting on Instagram that his 'heart has been broken' and says he won't remain silent on the subject. Alonso says he will stand with those who have discriminated against based on the color of their skin. The NL Rookie of the Year says there needs to be change made for the better of humanity.— NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says an urgent need for action remains following Floyd's death and the ensuing the protests around the country. In a statement Saturday, Goodell said, "As current events dramatically underscore, there remains much more to do as a country and as a league." Goodell added that the protesters' reactions "reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel."— Thabo Sefolosha (TAH'-boh sehf-ah-LOH'-shuh) says watching video of Floyd's death awakened painful memories of what happened to him five years ago in New York City. The NBA veteran suffered a broken leg and other injuries while being arrested outside a Manhattan nightclub. He later settled a case alleging his civil rights were violated. Sefolosha tells The Associated Press that his leg has healed, but the emotional wounds have not. He says his treatment by police left lasting feelings of anger, frustration and a distrust of law enforcement.— Several German soccer players have joined in protests over Floyd's death. A Borussia Dortmund player lifted his jersey to reveal a T-shirt with the handwritten message "Justice for George Floyd" on the front. In another game Sunday, a player took a knee. On Saturday a player wore an armband with the handwritten message "Justice for George."VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTSNHL plans to test players for COVID-19 daily if games resumeUNDATED (AP) — Major League Baseball's players have proposed a 114-game regular season, up from 82 in management's offer.That's according to a person familiar with the plan who told The Associated Press that the proposal includes no additional pay cuts beyond the one they agreed to in March.Opening day in the coronavirus-delayed season would be June 30 and the regular season would end Oct. 31, nearly five weeks after the Sept. 27 conclusion that MLB's proposal stuck to from the season's original schedule. The union offered scheduling flexibility to include more doubleheaders.A player would receive about 70% of his salary under the union plan. MLB's offer Tuesday included a sliding scale in which those at the $563,500 minimum would get about 47%. Top-salaried players like Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole at $36 million would receive less than 23%.Players are OK with MLB's plan to increase the number of postseason teams from 10 to 14. Management would expand the postseason for just this year, but the union would like it to run through 2021.In other news related to the coronavirus pandemic:— The NHL has health screening protocols in place for voluntary workouts and training camp in the hands of individual teams. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly says if play resumes, players would be tested for COVID-19 daily while games are going on. That could require 25,000 to 30,000 tests at a cost of millions of dollars. The league doesn't expect that amount of testing to interfere with the needs of the general public.— The Major League Soccer Players Association has voted to approve economic concessions for this season, including across-the-board salary cuts. Players also agreed to play in a proposed summer tournament in Orlando, Florida. The proposal was made public by the union Sunday night and will now be sent to back to the league for approval by team owners.— Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp (YUR'-gehn klahp) says having the squad back together is a "massive, massive lift" as his team prepares to wrap up a first league title in 30 years. English soccer has been on hold since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Premier League is set resume June 17. Liverpool has a massive 25-point lead and stepped up preparations by resuming contact training in recent days.— The coach of Italian soccer club Atalanta says he had COVID-19 and was concerned for his life mid-March. Gian Piero Gasperini told the Gazzetta dello Sport that he started feeling sick on March 9, a day before Atalanta played at Valencia in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. He says that when he returned to Bergamo, which was quickly becoming the epicenter of the pandemic, he didn't have a fever but "felt destroyed." The 62-year-old coach quickly recovered and only recently confirmed that he had the virus when the entire team was tested 10 days ago.COLLEGE BASEBALL-OBIT-BENNETTFresno coach Bob Bennett diesFRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Fresno State says its former coach and College Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Bennett has died at 86.Bennett won 1,302 games with 21 NCAA Tournament appearances with the Bulldogs, including two College World Series appearances. He spent 34 years at the school before retiring after the 2002 season. He was the seventh coach in NCAA history to win at least 1,300 games and ended his career with 26 straight winning seasons.The Fresno Bee reported Bennett had been in the hospital since May 18 following a heart procedure.BOXING-OBIT-CURTIS COKESCurtis Cokes, Hall of Fame welterweight champion, dies at 82DALLAS (AP) — Hall of Fame welterweight Curtis Cokes has died at 82.Cokes took the World Boxing Association welterweight title in a 1966 belt with a unanimous decision over Manny Gonzalez. He added the World Boxing Council crown three months later with a unanimous decision over Jean Josselin in Dallas.Cokes lost the titles to Jose Napoles in 1969. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003, the 5-foot-8 Cokes fought 80 times from 1958 to 1972, finishing 62-14-4 with 30 knockouts.Erwin "Sparky" Sparks, Cokes' partner at the Home of Champions gym, told The Dallas Morning News that Cokes died Friday after a week in hospice.

Monday Sports Headlines

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The smell of barbecue wafts through the parking lots hours before kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium, and when the first salvo of fireworks explode overhead, thousands of Chiefs fans begin to march en masse toward the entrance gates.

That’s how things normally are on an NFL game day in Kansas City.

But these days, very little is normal, and like so many things in life the football season ahead is rife with uncertainty. The coronavirus pandemic that brought sports to a standstill for months has everyone wondering what games will be like when spectators are finally allowed back in — and whether they will even want to show up.

The changes will be big and small, temporary and long-lasting.

Fans could have their every move scrutinized by cameras and lasers. There might be nobody in the next seat to high-five after a touchdown. The idea of passing cash to a beer vendor between innings will be a memory. Temperature screenings and medical checks could be mandatory to get in. By having virtual tickets scanned on their smart phones, fans could be acknowledging the health risk of attending a game while surrendering some of their personal privacy.

It all begs the question: Will fans be able to have any fun?

“There’s a wealth of unanticipated casualties, I guess, that are going to be part of this, things we all took for granted as part of the live game-day experience,” explained Nate Appleman, director of the sports, recreation and entertainment practice for Kansas City-based architectural firm HOK. “Some things we have yet to fathom but will become painfully clear once we are allowed back into venues and get back to truly human nature, which is to gather and celebrate community.”

Some leagues are returning with few or no fans, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/185e24c3aa636de347cd22bc2bc29d0f">soccer in Germany</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b0b5f4d0a268041fce95a1e92637089c">stock car racing in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4ab840a43120cbe7c50e03175e0a4eb3">baseball in Japan</a>. But as sports ramp up, The Associated Press found during interviews with more than two dozen experts in stadium design and infrastructure that the only thing that might look the same is what happens on the field of play.

The biggest short-term change will be social distancing, something that already has become a fact of everyday life. Ticket sales will be capped. Entire rows and sections will be blocked off. Seats on the aisle will be left open to maintain a buffer from those walking up the stairs. Fans will be given an entrance time to prevent crowding at the gates. Lines at restrooms and concessions will be limited. Congregating in the corridors will no longer be allowed.

The college football season is still some three months away, yet Iowa State anticipates capacity at Jack Trice Stadium will be cut in half based on “current guidelines established by state and local officials” — roughly the number of fans that have purchased season tickets. At Kansas, athletic director Jeff Long said the Jayhawks have planned for some 16,000 fans in Memorial Stadium this fall — about a third of official capacity.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The smell of barbecue wafts through the parking lots hours before kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium, and when the first salvo of fireworks explode overhead, thousands of Chiefs fans begin to march en masse toward the entrance gates.That’s how things normally are on an NFL game day in Kansas City.But these days, very little is normal, and like so many things in life the football season ahead is rife with uncertainty. The coronavirus pandemic that brought sports to a standstill for months has everyone wondering what games will be like when spectators are finally allowed back in — and whether they will even want to show up.ADVERTISEMENTThe changes will be big and small, temporary and long-lasting.Fans could have their every move scrutinized by cameras and lasers. There might be nobody in the next seat to high-five after a touchdown. The idea of passing cash to a beer vendor between innings will be a memory. Temperature screenings and medical checks could be mandatory to get in. By having virtual tickets scanned on their smart phones, fans could be acknowledging the health risk of attending a game while surrendering some of their personal privacy.It all begs the question: Will fans be able to have any fun?“There’s a wealth of unanticipated casualties, I guess, that are going to be part of this, things we all took for granted as part of the live game-day experience,” explained Nate Appleman, director of the sports, recreation and entertainment practice for Kansas City-based architectural firm HOK. “Some things we have yet to fathom but will become painfully clear once we are allowed back into venues and get back to truly human nature, which is to gather and celebrate community.”Some leagues are returning with few or no fans, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/185e24c3aa636de347cd22bc2bc29d0f">soccer in Germany</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b0b5f4d0a268041fce95a1e92637089c">stock car racing in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4ab840a43120cbe7c50e03175e0a4eb3">baseball in Japan</a>. But as sports ramp up, The Associated Press found during interviews with more than two dozen experts in stadium design and infrastructure that the only thing that might look the same is what happens on the field of play.The biggest short-term change will be social distancing, something that already has become a fact of everyday life. Ticket sales will be capped. Entire rows and sections will be blocked off. Seats on the aisle will be left open to maintain a buffer from those walking up the stairs. Fans will be given an entrance time to prevent crowding at the gates. Lines at restrooms and concessions will be limited. Congregating in the corridors will no longer be allowed.The college football season is still some three months away, yet Iowa State anticipates capacity at Jack Trice Stadium will be cut in half based on “current guidelines established by state and local officials” — roughly the number of fans that have purchased season tickets. At Kansas, athletic director Jeff Long said the Jayhawks have planned for some 16,000 fans in Memorial Stadium this fall — about a third of official capacity.Several NFL teams, including Miami and New Orleans, are modeling for reduced capacities this season. It will no doubt look different for fans in the stadium, not to mention the millions that will tune in on TV.“There’s the old saying, ‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’ I would say we’re in a heightened situation of necessity right now,” Appleman said. “There are a lot of really smart people coming up with really cool initiatives that could just be a new way of doing things, and new isn’t always bad. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes we have to adapt.”Indeed, such plans bring both hope and fear: hope that some fans will be able to see their favorite teams live and fear that colleges and leagues such as Major League Soccer that rely heavily on ticket sales will be able to make ends meet.To help fill some of those gaps — both optically and financially — many facility operators have been exploring options with firms such as Arizona-based Bluemedia, which designs and produces screens that can cover large swaths of seats. Such screens already are used when arenas want to cap capacity or create more intimate settings, but Bluemedia vice president R.J. Orr said those same products can present sponsorship and marketing opportunities.“Of course they can sell advertising,” Orr said, “but there are many ways to get creative. What if a ticket-sales guy went out to season-ticket holders and you can upload a photo and we can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/185e24c3aa636de347cd22bc2bc29d0f">put your image in the stands</a>? We’re trying to come up with a bunch of cool ideas that may work.”Other companies also are tailoring products to help with social distancing and crowd control.Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the new home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, already has cashless systems in place for merchandise and concessions. Several professional teams are in talks with motion analytics company iinside, whose SafeDistance system uses lasers to map spaces and measure crowd density. At KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, a company called WaitTime utilizes an app to tell Sabres fans how long lines are at restrooms and concessions.“We have a great opportunity to rewrite the new normal for the return of sports,” WaitTime founder Zack Klima said.It all&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/88f837f24461c6e40480c96b55a4b6db">sounds a bit Orwellian</a>&nbsp;— like Big Brother is very much watching. And such systems do dance a fine line between informative and intrusive. But they also could help mitigate the spread of a virus, and that could make the difference between having Michigan Stadium empty on a fall Saturday or having 100,000 fans rooting on the Wolverines again.Not everything will be as overt as barren concourses and empty seats, either. Most of the changes that colleges and teams are implementing will go unnoticed by those who settle in for the kickoff or first pitch.Premier League club Tottenham recently opened its new London stadium after spending millions to create more than 1,600 WiFi access points and 700 Bluetooth beacons, ensuring fans are able to utilize crowd-density apps and other technology. Many facilities are upgrading heating, cooling and ventilation systems to scrub air as it circulates through their buildings, while others are toying with the use of QR codes to monitor the health of their patrons.“We’re extrapolating off these trends that have already existed, and I think we’re going to kick-start into 2025 even though it’s only 2020,” said Jason Jennings, director of strategy and digital integration for the sports and entertainment group at Mortenson, which is wrapping construction on the Raiders’ new $2.4 billion stadium in Las Vegas. “The technology is going to be deployed much faster because of the value it has for the fan experience and public health.”Even the way facilities are cleaned will change. No longer will hosing down seats and sweeping up trash left by fans be enough. Venue giant ASM Global recently announced a new hygiene protocol for its 325 facilities worldwide, noting the importance of hewing to international health recommendations from the likes of the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.Few professional teams have been willing to divulge their reopening strategies, whether that be potential seating layouts or infrastructure upgrades. The rapidly changing social and political environment coupled with the unpredictable nature of the virus have made planning difficult. But the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium recently committed to being the first public facility to receive a STAR rating from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, which involves completing a rigorous program to help provide what Dolphins chief executive Tom Garfinkel “the safest environment possible.”Of course, even that might not be enough. While much remains unknown about the novel coronavirus, one fact that is painfully clear is how easily it spreads. No league or team wants their games to become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ae59cfc0641fc63afd09182bb832ebe2">a “super spreader” event,</a>&nbsp;and everyone acknowledges all the preparations in the world cannot guarantee safety.“In large masses, there is no system that can effectively prevent another person from giving germs to a second individual,” said Philip Tierno, clinical professor of pathology at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. “If they sneeze or cough or talk directly, or even breathe directly on a person, there is no system that can prevent that.”That hasn’t stopped sports facilities from spending millions of dollars during the months-long shutdown to minimize the risk. Giving fans some measure of confidence is an investment in the bottom line.“We will get back to stadiums and watching football, basketball, baseball, etcetera, there is no question,” said Ryan Demmer, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. “But it’s going to take a little bit of time to do it safely. And that’s going to take a little bit of innovation to do it safely in the short-term.”