UNDATED (AP) — Kyle Larson returned to racing for the first time since he was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing for using a racial slur in an iRacing event last month. Larson was one of 24 drivers to make the main event in Friday night’s World of Outlaws race at Knoxville Raceway. The $15,000-to-win Invitational was held without spectators on the dirt oval in Knoxville, Iowa. Larson drove a car fielded by Paul Silva with sponsorship from Tarlton &amp; Son Inc. and Finley Farms. He finished 10th.

UNDATED (AP) — The presidents of the 11 members of the Big East Conference are leaning toward not allowing sports to be played at schools this season unless their campuses are open. Commissioner Val Ackerman disclosed the information on Friday in a wide-ranging virtual interview with members of the media about the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic on the conference. While no deadlines have been set, Ackerman said the presidents have indicated a late June/early July deadline for fall sports and possibly a Sept. 1 deadline for winter sports, when basketball is played. The conference is considered a basketball power.

UNDATED (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert says the coronavirus is making it unlikely all schools will be ready to begin competing in college sports at the same time. Emmert says the goal is for every team to have an equal amount of preparation time before its season starts, but there could be some competitive inequities caused by schools having varied timelines for re-opening campuses. Emmert appeared with Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCAA’s chief medical officer, in an interview shown on the NCAA’s official Twitter account. Emmert also said there can be no college athletes competing at school if students are not on campus.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The end of this virus-disrupted school year has produced a predictably bleak financial outlook for major college sports. Budget projections are landing in the red. West Virginia has announced a $5 million projected shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30. Athletic director Shane Lyons will take a 10% salary reduction for the next budget cycle along with other high earners in the department. Minnesota has forecast a $4 million deficit for the current fiscal period. The month before the pandemic hit, a $1 million surplus was projected. AD Mark Coyle says all cost-savings measures are on the table.

UNDATED (AP) — A small number of NBA practice facilities reopened for workouts yesterday, and at least one team received permission from the league to test players and staff for the coronavirus. Cleveland and Portland were open for players who wanted to get back into game shape. The Orlando Magic revealed that they have been authorized by local health officials to test players and staff.

UNDATED (AP) — NASCAR’s revised 2020 Cup schedule eliminates three major races as the circuit attempts to restart its season. NASCAR has canceled races at Richmond Raceway, Chicagoland Speedway and Sonoma Speedway. Richmond was originally scheduled for April 19 and Chicagoland was slated for June 21. Speedway Motorsports traded its road course race in Sonoma scheduled for June 14 for a Cup race at Charlotte on May 27.

UNDATED (AP) — The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have announced the postponement of its 2020 international games, adding they look forward to taking teams overseas again next year. The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers were previously scheduled to open this season in Prague as part of the NHL’s Global Series. The Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning had been slated to play two games in Stockholm.

UNDATED (AP) — Kyle Larson returned to racing for the first time since he was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing for using a racial slur in an iRacing event last month. Larson was one of 24 drivers to make the main event in Friday night’s World of Outlaws race at Knoxville Raceway. The $15,000-to-win Invitational was held without spectators on the dirt oval in Knoxville, Iowa. Larson drove a car fielded by Paul Silva with sponsorship from Tarlton &amp; Son Inc. and Finley Farms. He finished 10th.UNDATED (AP) — The presidents of the 11 members of the Big East Conference are leaning toward not allowing sports to be played at schools this season unless their campuses are open. Commissioner Val Ackerman disclosed the information on Friday in a wide-ranging virtual interview with members of the media about the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic on the conference. While no deadlines have been set, Ackerman said the presidents have indicated a late June/early July deadline for fall sports and possibly a Sept. 1 deadline for winter sports, when basketball is played. The conference is considered a basketball power.UNDATED (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert says the coronavirus is making it unlikely all schools will be ready to begin competing in college sports at the same time. Emmert says the goal is for every team to have an equal amount of preparation time before its season starts, but there could be some competitive inequities caused by schools having varied timelines for re-opening campuses. Emmert appeared with Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCAA’s chief medical officer, in an interview shown on the NCAA’s official Twitter account. Emmert also said there can be no college athletes competing at school if students are not on campus.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The end of this virus-disrupted school year has produced a predictably bleak financial outlook for major college sports. Budget projections are landing in the red. West Virginia has announced a $5 million projected shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30. Athletic director Shane Lyons will take a 10% salary reduction for the next budget cycle along with other high earners in the department. Minnesota has forecast a $4 million deficit for the current fiscal period. The month before the pandemic hit, a $1 million surplus was projected. AD Mark Coyle says all cost-savings measures are on the table.UNDATED (AP) — A small number of NBA practice facilities reopened for workouts yesterday, and at least one team received permission from the league to test players and staff for the coronavirus. Cleveland and Portland were open for players who wanted to get back into game shape. The Orlando Magic revealed that they have been authorized by local health officials to test players and staff.UNDATED (AP) — NASCAR’s revised 2020 Cup schedule eliminates three major races as the circuit attempts to restart its season. NASCAR has canceled races at Richmond Raceway, Chicagoland Speedway and Sonoma Speedway. Richmond was originally scheduled for April 19 and Chicagoland was slated for June 21. Speedway Motorsports traded its road course race in Sonoma scheduled for June 14 for a Cup race at Charlotte on May 27.UNDATED (AP) — The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have announced the postponement of its 2020 international games, adding they look forward to taking teams overseas again next year. The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers were previously scheduled to open this season in Prague as part of the NHL’s Global Series. The Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning had been slated to play two games in Stockholm.

Saturday Sports Headlines

BUHLER, Kan. - Buhler's Cade Taylor has signed with Tabor College to play soccer next season.&nbsp; According to twitter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589193466708.png" alt="Cade Taylor.png" />
 <figcaption>Cade Taylor.png</figcaption>
 </figure>BUHLER, Kan. - Buhler's Cade Taylor has signed with Tabor College to play soccer next season.&nbsp; According to twitter.

Buhler's Taylor signs with Tabor

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (AP) — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers has already lined up the first job of his post-playing career.

Rivers was introduced Friday as the head coach-in-waiting at St. Michael Catholic High School in a news conference on campus.

The 16-year veteran of the Los Angeles Chargers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3ba64546bb00cc214c902b34411a0a31">signed a one-year deal worth $25 million&nbsp;</a>guaranteed in March. Rivers didn’t offer a timetable on when he’d actually be available for the Fairhope school.

“I think it’s a one-year-at-a-time deal at this point, when you get to 38 and you’ve played as long as I have,” Rivers said. “Ï think you take it one year at a time. We hope it’s more than one year, but I think it’s one year at a time and go from there.”

Athletic director Paul Knapstein will serve as St. Michael’s interim head coach in the meantime.

Rivers is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f432a3aadf0dba1defaff7eae3955e40">coming off one of his worst NFL seasons</a>, throwing for just 23 touchdowns with 20 interceptions for the Chargers.

But the Alabama native ranks sixth in league history in completions, yards passing and TD passes and seventh in attempts and is 123-101 as an NFL starter. He hasn’t missed a start since 2005.

St. Michael Principal Faustin Weber doesn’t know how long the school will have to wait until Rivers is done on the field.

“But when his career is over, that January or February after his last season, he’ll be here for spring practice that spring,” Weber said.

Rivers and his wife have nine children and a home in northwest Florida, a fairly short drive from the south Alabama town near the Gulf Coast. He had met school officials through friends and held clinics there the past two summers.

The son of a high school coach, he said two childhood dreams were to play in the NFL and follow in his father’s footsteps. He also wants to possibly coach his two sons, who will be in the sixth and third grade.

Rivers said he’s not looking at this as a short-term situation and also would likely be “going crazy” if he had a fall without being involved in football.

“My dream would be to be here for a long time, a long, long time,” Rivers said. “To see grandchildren come up through the school would be my dream.”

Taking this job also means he won’t have to be a free agent again any time soon.

“I told him we probably couldn’t match his contract,” Weber joked.

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (AP) — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers has already lined up the first job of his post-playing career.Rivers was introduced Friday as the head coach-in-waiting at St. Michael Catholic High School in a news conference on campus.The 16-year veteran of the Los Angeles Chargers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3ba64546bb00cc214c902b34411a0a31">signed a one-year deal worth $25 million&nbsp;</a>guaranteed in March. Rivers didn’t offer a timetable on when he’d actually be available for the Fairhope school.“I think it’s a one-year-at-a-time deal at this point, when you get to 38 and you’ve played as long as I have,” Rivers said. “Ï think you take it one year at a time. We hope it’s more than one year, but I think it’s one year at a time and go from there.”Athletic director Paul Knapstein will serve as St. Michael’s interim head coach in the meantime.Rivers is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f432a3aadf0dba1defaff7eae3955e40">coming off one of his worst NFL seasons</a>, throwing for just 23 touchdowns with 20 interceptions for the Chargers.But the Alabama native ranks sixth in league history in completions, yards passing and TD passes and seventh in attempts and is 123-101 as an NFL starter. He hasn’t missed a start since 2005.St. Michael Principal Faustin Weber doesn’t know how long the school will have to wait until Rivers is done on the field.“But when his career is over, that January or February after his last season, he’ll be here for spring practice that spring,” Weber said.Rivers and his wife have nine children and a home in northwest Florida, a fairly short drive from the south Alabama town near the Gulf Coast. He had met school officials through friends and held clinics there the past two summers.The son of a high school coach, he said two childhood dreams were to play in the NFL and follow in his father’s footsteps. He also wants to possibly coach his two sons, who will be in the sixth and third grade.Rivers said he’s not looking at this as a short-term situation and also would likely be “going crazy” if he had a fall without being involved in football.“My dream would be to be here for a long time, a long, long time,” Rivers said. “To see grandchildren come up through the school would be my dream.”Taking this job also means he won’t have to be a free agent again any time soon.“I told him we probably couldn’t match his contract,” Weber joked.

Colts’ Rivers named head coach-in-waiting at Alabama HS

We come not to praise the loogie, but to bury it.

Already banned on sidewalks, outlawed indoors and pooh-poohed by polite society, that gob of saliva and Lord-knows-what-else is done mucking up sports. In the wake of the new coronavirus, teams are revoking the germ-landing privileges that turned dugouts, benches,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/abe927819f9b486f42924f5be641c6b8">boxing rings and</a>&nbsp;even grass fields into potential biohazard sites.

No sharing towels, hats, bats, gloves or water bottles. Which could mean the golden era of spitting, slobbering, gleaking, glanding, hawking, hocking, venoming and expectorating is about to dry up. Or not.

“About time they did something,” said Bobby Valentine, who played and managed in the major leagues for more than 40 years, including two stints in the Japanese Pacific League.

“I was over there for seven years and I could probably count on one hand how many times I saw a ballplayer spit. Heck,” he added, “they don’t even chew gum.”

But a moment later, Valentine remembers a photo tucked in a drawer somewhere in his Stamford, Connecticut, home. It reminds him why the loogie will not disappear without a fight.

“It’s a picture of me after a game from 30 years ago, back when I was managing the Rangers and behind me&nbsp;<a href="https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/manager-bobby-valentine-of-the-texas-rangers-sits-on-the-dugout-steps-picture-id579483522?s=2048x2048" target="_blank">there’s this elongated view of the dugout</a>. There must have been 200 of those green Gatorade cups and all this other … let’s just say gunk, laying around.

“And I used to wonder even then,” Valentine mused, “why guys couldn’t clean up after themselves.”

The answer may be as old — and as American — as the sport itself. Baseball began as a working-man’s game on sandlots and dusty diamonds, and more than a few players struggling with “cotton mouth” turned to chewing tobacco (and later gum and sunflower seeds) to work up some moisture. It became an institution in no time flat.

Pitchers figured out that loading a glob onto one side of the ball made it dip like crazy. Fielders pounded spit into the pocket of stiff leather gloves to soften them up and hitters rubbed it on their hands or lacquered up bat handles to improve their grips, at least temporarily. But it had psychological value, too.

Spitting helped some soothe jangling nerves, show contempt or machismo, or just mark their territory like dogs do. It was only a problem when an opponent got in the way of its gravity.

It isn’t just baseball, of course. Rough-and-tumble sports like soccer and football embraced the practice at the beginnings of their games, too, and once grabbing a swig of water on the sidelines during a break became available, it practically elevated it into an art form. But don’t expect any new masterpieces to flow soon.

With Germany’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/afb96232e692dbcb8cf2d761d84c35a1">Bundesliga considering a return to play within week</a>&nbsp;s, Michel D’Hooghe, the chairman of FIFA’s medical committee, is strongly advising against any soccer league restarting until the fall. But if they do, he wants even the most casual dribble on the pitch punished with a yellow card.

“It is unhygienic … I think we should have to avoid that at maximum,” D’Hooghe said. “The question is whether that will be possible.”

More genteel pursuits like tennis and golf have proved that it is, although both Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia handed over hefty fines for leaving something besides sweat out on the course.

Basketball and hockey are stuck indoors, but only one of them said no to spitting. Puckheads defend hockey’s choice by arguing players who get a tooth knocked out during a game shouldn’t have to swallow a chiclet. Fair enough. But if you’ve ever watched a game and seen how much blood, sweat and tears they voluntarily share on the bench, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the National Hockey League has been hit twice in recent years by outbreaks of mumps.

But that’s about to change. The coronavirus has pulled the rug out from underneath just about everything in sports, and better sanitation shouldn’t require a seismic cultural shift. Just rise at some ungodly hour and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1ad669faef2babe09dbd7037f585bb8c">catch a Korean Baseball Organization game</a>&nbsp;on ESPN.

The KBO is at the vanguard in the return of live sports. It checks players’ temperatures twice daily, requires umpires and trainers to wear masks and gloves, and banned spitting, handshakes, fist-bumps, high-fives and perhaps most noticeably, a live audience.

That’s been replaced by banners picturing fans — also wearing masks — stretched across every row. In a spectacularly complicated nod to social distancing, the opening pitch was rolled to home plate by a youngster wearing a uniform inside a clear balloon made up to look like a baseball.

Dan Straily, an American-born pitcher with the Lotte Giants of the KBO, said the game lacked so much energy, it reminded him of “weekday games in Oakland.” Still, he had only one real complaint.

“I want someone to find me a game in history where baseball players did not spit on the field,” Straily told NPR.

We come not to praise the loogie, but to bury it.Already banned on sidewalks, outlawed indoors and pooh-poohed by polite society, that gob of saliva and Lord-knows-what-else is done mucking up sports. In the wake of the new coronavirus, teams are revoking the germ-landing privileges that turned dugouts, benches,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/abe927819f9b486f42924f5be641c6b8">boxing rings and</a>&nbsp;even grass fields into potential biohazard sites.No sharing towels, hats, bats, gloves or water bottles. Which could mean the golden era of spitting, slobbering, gleaking, glanding, hawking, hocking, venoming and expectorating is about to dry up. Or not.“About time they did something,” said Bobby Valentine, who played and managed in the major leagues for more than 40 years, including two stints in the Japanese Pacific League.“I was over there for seven years and I could probably count on one hand how many times I saw a ballplayer spit. Heck,” he added, “they don’t even chew gum.”But a moment later, Valentine remembers a photo tucked in a drawer somewhere in his Stamford, Connecticut, home. It reminds him why the loogie will not disappear without a fight.“It’s a picture of me after a game from 30 years ago, back when I was managing the Rangers and behind me&nbsp;<a href="https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/manager-bobby-valentine-of-the-texas-rangers-sits-on-the-dugout-steps-picture-id579483522?s=2048x2048" target="_blank">there’s this elongated view of the dugout</a>. There must have been 200 of those green Gatorade cups and all this other … let’s just say gunk, laying around.“And I used to wonder even then,” Valentine mused, “why guys couldn’t clean up after themselves.”The answer may be as old — and as American — as the sport itself. Baseball began as a working-man’s game on sandlots and dusty diamonds, and more than a few players struggling with “cotton mouth” turned to chewing tobacco (and later gum and sunflower seeds) to work up some moisture. It became an institution in no time flat.Pitchers figured out that loading a glob onto one side of the ball made it dip like crazy. Fielders pounded spit into the pocket of stiff leather gloves to soften them up and hitters rubbed it on their hands or lacquered up bat handles to improve their grips, at least temporarily. But it had psychological value, too.Spitting helped some soothe jangling nerves, show contempt or machismo, or just mark their territory like dogs do. It was only a problem when an opponent got in the way of its gravity.It isn’t just baseball, of course. Rough-and-tumble sports like soccer and football embraced the practice at the beginnings of their games, too, and once grabbing a swig of water on the sidelines during a break became available, it practically elevated it into an art form. But don’t expect any new masterpieces to flow soon.With Germany’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/afb96232e692dbcb8cf2d761d84c35a1">Bundesliga considering a return to play within week</a>&nbsp;s, Michel D’Hooghe, the chairman of FIFA’s medical committee, is strongly advising against any soccer league restarting until the fall. But if they do, he wants even the most casual dribble on the pitch punished with a yellow card.“It is unhygienic … I think we should have to avoid that at maximum,” D’Hooghe said. “The question is whether that will be possible.”More genteel pursuits like tennis and golf have proved that it is, although both Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia handed over hefty fines for leaving something besides sweat out on the course.Basketball and hockey are stuck indoors, but only one of them said no to spitting. Puckheads defend hockey’s choice by arguing players who get a tooth knocked out during a game shouldn’t have to swallow a chiclet. Fair enough. But if you’ve ever watched a game and seen how much blood, sweat and tears they voluntarily share on the bench, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the National Hockey League has been hit twice in recent years by outbreaks of mumps.But that’s about to change. The coronavirus has pulled the rug out from underneath just about everything in sports, and better sanitation shouldn’t require a seismic cultural shift. Just rise at some ungodly hour and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1ad669faef2babe09dbd7037f585bb8c">catch a Korean Baseball Organization game</a>&nbsp;on ESPN.The KBO is at the vanguard in the return of live sports. It checks players’ temperatures twice daily, requires umpires and trainers to wear masks and gloves, and banned spitting, handshakes, fist-bumps, high-fives and perhaps most noticeably, a live audience.That’s been replaced by banners picturing fans — also wearing masks — stretched across every row. In a spectacularly complicated nod to social distancing, the opening pitch was rolled to home plate by a youngster wearing a uniform inside a clear balloon made up to look like a baseball.Dan Straily, an American-born pitcher with the Lotte Giants of the KBO, said the game lacked so much energy, it reminded him of “weekday games in Oakland.” Still, he had only one real complaint.“I want someone to find me a game in history where baseball players did not spit on the field,” Straily told NPR.Get used to it.

Column: Will the new coronavirus kill spitting in sports?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Kicks, punches and grunts echoed through the empty arena. Coaches, commentators and camera clicks resonated like never before. Blood, sweat, swollen eyelids and face masks signaled the return of UFC.

It was the first major sport to resume since the coronavirus shuttered much of the country for nearly two months.

UFC 249 ushered in a new look for sports, too. One without fans and amid countless safety precautions.

It was definitely different and a welcome reprieve for a sports-craved country that went nearly eight weeks without any live events. Justin Gaethje and Henry Cejudo won the main events.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Kicks, punches and grunts echoed through the empty arena. Coaches, commentators and camera clicks resonated like never before. Blood, sweat, swollen eyelids and face masks signaled the return of UFC.It was the first major sport to resume since the coronavirus shuttered much of the country for nearly two months.UFC 249 ushered in a new look for sports, too. One without fans and amid countless safety precautions.It was definitely different and a welcome reprieve for a sports-craved country that went nearly eight weeks without any live events. Justin Gaethje and Henry Cejudo won the main events.

UFC 249 ushers in fan-free, mask-filled era of sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball will cut its amateur draft from 40 rounds to five this year, a move that figures to save teams about $30 million.

Clubs gained the ability to reduce the draft as part of their March 26 agreement with the players’ association and MLB plans to finalize a decision next week to go with the minimum, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because no decision was announced.

There will be just 160 players drafted, by far the fewest since the annual selection started in 1965, and the combined value of their signing bonus pools is $235,906,800. The amount of signing bonus pool money eliminated is $29,578,100.

Teams made the move with the season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and the sport trying to cut expenses to cope with revenue loss.

“Particularly given the negligible economic impact to what’s already a cheap acquisition cost, this approach is is grossly shortsighted,” said agent Jeff Berry, co-head of CAA Baseball. “To drastically reduce opportunity and talent and talent pools, it stunts growth and diversity at all levels and is really a self-inflicted sabotage of the long-term health and popularity of the game.”

The start date of the draft will remain June 10 and the deadline to sign likely will be pushed back from July 10 to Aug. 1, the person said. The draft will be cut from three days to two.

As part of the agreement with the union, slot values to determine signing bonus pools will remain at 2019 levels and players passed over in the draft are limited to signing bonuses of $20,000 or less. That might cause more high school players elect to go to college. And because of the NCAA’s limit of 11.7 baseball scholarships, the change may lead to more prospects attending junior college.

“You can’t afford to live when you sign for $20,000 in the minor leagues,” agent Scott Boras said. “They also may develop in college to be first rounders, which is the category we’re looking for. So so it gives you more opportunity to have more first rounders.”

Berry said the decision was part of “furtherance down that slippery slope of diminishing the value and the importance of players” and linked it to other moves players decry and to the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal.

“For any ownership group that supports this course of action as advisable or, frankly, is so cash-strapped that this mid-six-figure savings is a financial necessity, they should do everyone a favor, including their fellow owners, and sell their franchises,” he said. “Does anyone think it’s that big of an ethical jump from hijacking the draft, tanking and service manipulation to hidden cameras and banging on trash cans? All those behaviors and attitudes, they’re not analytic or intelligent or efficient, they’re just unethical, and they reveal a lack of respect for players and fans.”

All but six of last year’s sixth-round picks signed for $200,000 or more. Chicago Cubs catcher/first baseman Ethan Hearn had the highest bonus of the round at $950,000, deciding to sign rather than attend Mississippi State.

San Francisco signed right-hander John McDonald, selected 326th on the 11th round, for $797,500, and Arizona gave left-hander Avery Short, picked 362nd on the 12th round, $922,500.

Among 1,082 players who were in a big league game last year after coming through the draft, 180 were first-round picks and 589 were selected during the first five rounds, according to the commissioner’s office. There were 204 from rounds six to 10, 102 from rounds 11-15 and 63 from rounds 16-20. Just 74 were from rounds 21-30 and only 50 from rounds 31-50.

Once unlimited, the draft was cut to 50 rounds in 1998 and to 40 rounds in 2012.

“On every major league team, development and scouting departments are extremely upset about this,” Boras said. “This is strictly about minimal short-term economic benefit that could cost millions of dollars, with the loss of a No. 1 pick being injured or a No. 1 pick not developing to the full stature of his potential.”

Signing bonus pools started in 2012 and limit the amount of money teams can spend. Each slot in the first 10 rounds is a signed a value — the range last year was $8,415,300 down to $142,200 -- and each team’s values are added to a form a pool. Signing bonuses in the first 10 rounds count against the pool along with the amounts above $125,000 of players selected after the 10th round or who were bypassed in the draft and then signed.

A team that exceeds its pool is taxed, and a club more than 5% above loses a first-round draft pick the next year -- a threshold never reached.

Players turned down a proposal last week that would have kept rounds 6-10 in exchange for cutting their slot values in half.

Teams drafted 1,217 players over 40 rounds last June and have signed 960 at a total bonus cost of $316,560,984. In addition, 159 players passed over in the draft signed for $1,514,700.

As part of the deal with the union, teams have the right to cut the 2021 draft to as few as 20 rounds. That fits in MLB’s proposal to cut their minimum minor league affiliations from 160 to 120 in 2021, allowing each organization to drop one farm team.

For both 2020 and ’21, only up to $100,000 of each signing bonus is due within 30 days of approval and 50% of the remainder on July 1 in both 2020 and ’21.

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball will cut its amateur draft from 40 rounds to five this year, a move that figures to save teams about $30 million.Clubs gained the ability to reduce the draft as part of their March 26 agreement with the players’ association and MLB plans to finalize a decision next week to go with the minimum, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because no decision was announced.There will be just 160 players drafted, by far the fewest since the annual selection started in 1965, and the combined value of their signing bonus pools is $235,906,800. The amount of signing bonus pool money eliminated is $29,578,100.Teams made the move with the season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and the sport trying to cut expenses to cope with revenue loss.“Particularly given the negligible economic impact to what’s already a cheap acquisition cost, this approach is is grossly shortsighted,” said agent Jeff Berry, co-head of CAA Baseball. “To drastically reduce opportunity and talent and talent pools, it stunts growth and diversity at all levels and is really a self-inflicted sabotage of the long-term health and popularity of the game.”The start date of the draft will remain June 10 and the deadline to sign likely will be pushed back from July 10 to Aug. 1, the person said. The draft will be cut from three days to two.As part of the agreement with the union, slot values to determine signing bonus pools will remain at 2019 levels and players passed over in the draft are limited to signing bonuses of $20,000 or less. That might cause more high school players elect to go to college. And because of the NCAA’s limit of 11.7 baseball scholarships, the change may lead to more prospects attending junior college.“You can’t afford to live when you sign for $20,000 in the minor leagues,” agent Scott Boras said. “They also may develop in college to be first rounders, which is the category we’re looking for. So so it gives you more opportunity to have more first rounders.”Berry said the decision was part of “furtherance down that slippery slope of diminishing the value and the importance of players” and linked it to other moves players decry and to the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal.“For any ownership group that supports this course of action as advisable or, frankly, is so cash-strapped that this mid-six-figure savings is a financial necessity, they should do everyone a favor, including their fellow owners, and sell their franchises,” he said. “Does anyone think it’s that big of an ethical jump from hijacking the draft, tanking and service manipulation to hidden cameras and banging on trash cans? All those behaviors and attitudes, they’re not analytic or intelligent or efficient, they’re just unethical, and they reveal a lack of respect for players and fans.”All but six of last year’s sixth-round picks signed for $200,000 or more. Chicago Cubs catcher/first baseman Ethan Hearn had the highest bonus of the round at $950,000, deciding to sign rather than attend Mississippi State.San Francisco signed right-hander John McDonald, selected 326th on the 11th round, for $797,500, and Arizona gave left-hander Avery Short, picked 362nd on the 12th round, $922,500.Among 1,082 players who were in a big league game last year after coming through the draft, 180 were first-round picks and 589 were selected during the first five rounds, according to the commissioner’s office. There were 204 from rounds six to 10, 102 from rounds 11-15 and 63 from rounds 16-20. Just 74 were from rounds 21-30 and only 50 from rounds 31-50.Once unlimited, the draft was cut to 50 rounds in 1998 and to 40 rounds in 2012.“On every major league team, development and scouting departments are extremely upset about this,” Boras said. “This is strictly about minimal short-term economic benefit that could cost millions of dollars, with the loss of a No. 1 pick being injured or a No. 1 pick not developing to the full stature of his potential.”Signing bonus pools started in 2012 and limit the amount of money teams can spend. Each slot in the first 10 rounds is a signed a value — the range last year was $8,415,300 down to $142,200 -- and each team’s values are added to a form a pool. Signing bonuses in the first 10 rounds count against the pool along with the amounts above $125,000 of players selected after the 10th round or who were bypassed in the draft and then signed.A team that exceeds its pool is taxed, and a club more than 5% above loses a first-round draft pick the next year -- a threshold never reached.Players turned down a proposal last week that would have kept rounds 6-10 in exchange for cutting their slot values in half.Teams drafted 1,217 players over 40 rounds last June and have signed 960 at a total bonus cost of $316,560,984. In addition, 159 players passed over in the draft signed for $1,514,700.As part of the deal with the union, teams have the right to cut the 2021 draft to as few as 20 rounds. That fits in MLB’s proposal to cut their minimum minor league affiliations from 160 to 120 in 2021, allowing each organization to drop one farm team.For both 2020 and ’21, only up to $100,000 of each signing bonus is due within 30 days of approval and 50% of the remainder on July 1 in both 2020 and ’21.

MLB to cut amateur draft from 40 rounds to 5

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas football announced the renewal of one of college football’s oldest rivalries on May 2, 2020 with a four-game series against the Missouri Tigers beginning in 2025. The Border Showdown rivalry is currently the fourth-longest series in the FBS, dating back to 1891, with 120 games played on the gridiron.

Find out more about the history and rivalry between the Jayhawks and Tigers.

Les Miles is 1-1 against Missouri as a head coach, including a 20-17 victory over the Tigers on Oct. 23, 2004.

Kansas and Missouri have played 120 games which started in 1891 and lasted until 2011.

Tony Sands holds the Kansas record for most yards in consecutive games in 1991, rushing for 104 yards vs. Colorado and 396 vs. Missouri. Sands’ 396 yards on 58 attempts against MU are both single game records at Kansas, while his 396 rushing yards were the second-most in a game in college football history at the time, and currently rank eighth. Sands is also tied for the Kansas single game record for total points with 24 vs. the Tigers in 1991.

Sands holds the NCAA record for most rushing attempts in a half (34) and rushing attempts in a game (58) against Missouri in 1991.

Laverne Smith holds the Kansas single game record for game yards per attempt (Min. 15 attempts, averaging 15.7 yards per attempt vs. Missouri in 1976 (236-15).

Wade Stinson became the first Kansas running back to tally 1,000-yard rushing season in 1950, finishing the season against Missouri, Stinson tallied 102 yards on 22 attempts with one touchdown.

Of the 16 seasons Kansas has had a 1,000-yard rushing season, only four times have the Jayhawks not played the Tigers.

Kansas has 23 games where a Jayhawk running back finished with 100 yards against Missouri.

Daniel Miller became the first Jayhawk to rush for 100-yards against the Tigers on Nov. 20, 1965. (No records available prior to the 1961 season).

Todd Reesing tallied a 74-yard pass against Missouri in 2009, his longest pass of the season.

Mike Norseth tallied an 87-yard pass against Missouri in 1984, the longest of the season.

Todd Reesing holds the Kansas record for most career passing yards vs. one opponent, and has 1,285 passing yards in four games against Missouri from 2006-09. Reesing also holds the game record for most passing yards (498) against Missouri, Nov. 28, 2009, and finished with a Kansas single-game record 37 completions against MU in 2008 and 2009.

Dezmon Briscoe’s 242 yards vs. Missouri Nov. 28, 2009 is the second most receiving yards in a game.

LeRoy Irvin finished with 21 tackles, the most by a Kansas defensive back in a game, against Missouri Nov. 22, 1979.

During the 1991 battle against Missouri, Kansas tied a program record 96 plays (82 rush, 14 pass) and set a record for total yards vs. a conference opponent, finishing with 648 against the Tigers.

In 1975, Kansas finished with 26 rushing first downs against Missouri, setting a program record.

In 1912, KU defeated Missouri in the Jayhawk’s first Homecoming game at McCook Field, beating the Tigers, 12-3.

In 1921, Kansas opened play in Memorial Stadium, beating Missouri, 15-9, in front of 15,480 fans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589192172291.jpeg" alt="KU vs MU.jpeg" />
 <figcaption>KU vs MU.jpeg</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas football announced the renewal of one of college football’s oldest rivalries on May 2, 2020 with a four-game series against the Missouri Tigers beginning in 2025. The Border Showdown rivalry is currently the fourth-longest series in the FBS, dating back to 1891, with 120 games played on the gridiron.Find out more about the history and rivalry between the Jayhawks and Tigers.Future Series Dates and Location:Sept 6, 2025 at Missouri – ColumbiaSept 12, 2026 vs. Missouri – LawrenceSept 6, 2031 at Missouri – ColumbiaSept 11, 2032 vs. Missouri – LawrenceLes Miles is 1-1 against Missouri as a head coach, including a 20-17 victory over the Tigers on Oct. 23, 2004.Kansas and Missouri have played 120 games which started in 1891 and lasted until 2011.Tony Sands holds the Kansas record for most yards in consecutive games in 1991, rushing for 104 yards vs. Colorado and 396 vs. Missouri. Sands’ 396 yards on 58 attempts against MU are both single game records at Kansas, while his 396 rushing yards were the second-most in a game in college football history at the time, and currently rank eighth. Sands is also tied for the Kansas single game record for total points with 24 vs. the Tigers in 1991.Sands holds the NCAA record for most rushing attempts in a half (34) and rushing attempts in a game (58) against Missouri in 1991.Laverne Smith holds the Kansas single game record for game yards per attempt (Min. 15 attempts, averaging 15.7 yards per attempt vs. Missouri in 1976 (236-15).Wade Stinson became the first Kansas running back to tally 1,000-yard rushing season in 1950, finishing the season against Missouri, Stinson tallied 102 yards on 22 attempts with one touchdown.Of the 16 seasons Kansas has had a 1,000-yard rushing season, only four times have the Jayhawks not played the Tigers.Kansas has 23 games where a Jayhawk running back finished with 100 yards against Missouri.Daniel Miller became the first Jayhawk to rush for 100-yards against the Tigers on Nov. 20, 1965. (No records available prior to the 1961 season).Todd Reesing tallied a 74-yard pass against Missouri in 2009, his longest pass of the season.Mike Norseth tallied an 87-yard pass against Missouri in 1984, the longest of the season.Todd Reesing holds the Kansas record for most career passing yards vs. one opponent, and has 1,285 passing yards in four games against Missouri from 2006-09. Reesing also holds the game record for most passing yards (498) against Missouri, Nov. 28, 2009, and finished with a Kansas single-game record 37 completions against MU in 2008 and 2009.Dezmon Briscoe’s 242 yards vs. Missouri Nov. 28, 2009 is the second most receiving yards in a game.LeRoy Irvin finished with 21 tackles, the most by a Kansas defensive back in a game, against Missouri Nov. 22, 1979.During the 1991 battle against Missouri, Kansas tied a program record 96 plays (82 rush, 14 pass) and set a record for total yards vs. a conference opponent, finishing with 648 against the Tigers.In 1975, Kansas finished with 26 rushing first downs against Missouri, setting a program record.In 1912, KU defeated Missouri in the Jayhawk’s first Homecoming game at McCook Field, beating the Tigers, 12-3.In 1921, Kansas opened play in Memorial Stadium, beating Missouri, 15-9, in front of 15,480 fans.

Kansas vs. Missouri | Fun Facts

NCAA President Mark Emmert says the coronavirus is making it unlikely all schools will be ready to begin competing in college sports at the same time.

The goal, he said Friday night, is for every team to have an equal amount of preparation time before its season starts, and there could be some competitive inequities caused by schools having varied timelines for re-opening campuses.

Emmert appeared with Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCAA’s chief medical officer, in an interview shown on the NCAA’s official Twitter account Friday night.

Major football conference commissioners have stated their goal is for all 130 teams in 10 conferences across 41 states to begin the season at the same time. As states impacted differently by the COVID-19 pandemic re-open on different schedules, the possibility rises that the season will lack a uniform start date and number of games.

“I think we should assume that’s going to be the case,” Emmert said.

For football, the working plan is six weeks of conditioning and practice before playing games, though that’s not “set in stone,” Hainline said.

“All the various (NCAA) member committees and the conferences are all talking about: What does it mean if we have that sort of scenario where we’ve got different opening times or different opening models,” Emmert said.

“What does it mean if you look at a conference, for example, if a conference has some schools open and some not?” he added. “You can’t run a regular schedule if you’ve got that scenario. How do you adjust all the rules to provide as much flexibility as you possibly can to let student-athletes have a good experience in that season?”

FBS schools are required by NCAA rules to play at least nine games, including five at home.

The FBS season is scheduled to begin around Labor Day weekend, with a handful of teams starting the Aug. 29, the Saturday before Labor Day.

Most teams are scheduled to play 12 regular-season games through Thanksgiving weekend. The first weekend of December each FBS conference plays a league championship game.

“We aren’t going to have one national time when everyone can start preseason so there’s going to be a little bit of inequity there,” Hainline said. “The most important thing is what’s going to be the minimum amount of time necessary that you have to be in preseason, for example, before you can start football.”

Emmert said member schools and conferences are working toward moving forward together.

“I think it’s unlikely everybody is going to be in the same place at the same time and that will create some of those difficulties,” he said.

Emmert also reiterated a common refrain from college sports leaders in recent weeks: There can be no college sports on campuses that are not open to students.

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby told the online sports network Stadium earlier this week there could be room for athletes to compete in a situation where a school is only offering online classes.

Emmert seemed to draw a more distinct line.

“If you don’t have students on campus, you don’t have student-athletes on campus,” he said. “That doesn’t mean it has to be up and running in the full normal model, but you’ve got to treat the health and well-being of the athletes at least as much as the regular students. So if a school doesn’t reopen, then they’re not going to be playing sports. It’s really that simple.”

NCAA President Mark Emmert says the coronavirus is making it unlikely all schools will be ready to begin competing in college sports at the same time.The goal, he said Friday night, is for every team to have an equal amount of preparation time before its season starts, and there could be some competitive inequities caused by schools having varied timelines for re-opening campuses.Emmert appeared with Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCAA’s chief medical officer, in an interview shown on the NCAA’s official Twitter account Friday night.Major football conference commissioners have stated their goal is for all 130 teams in 10 conferences across 41 states to begin the season at the same time. As states impacted differently by the COVID-19 pandemic re-open on different schedules, the possibility rises that the season will lack a uniform start date and number of games.“I think we should assume that’s going to be the case,” Emmert said.For football, the working plan is six weeks of conditioning and practice before playing games, though that’s not “set in stone,” Hainline said.“All the various (NCAA) member committees and the conferences are all talking about: What does it mean if we have that sort of scenario where we’ve got different opening times or different opening models,” Emmert said.“What does it mean if you look at a conference, for example, if a conference has some schools open and some not?” he added. “You can’t run a regular schedule if you’ve got that scenario. How do you adjust all the rules to provide as much flexibility as you possibly can to let student-athletes have a good experience in that season?”FBS schools are required by NCAA rules to play at least nine games, including five at home.The FBS season is scheduled to begin around Labor Day weekend, with a handful of teams starting the Aug. 29, the Saturday before Labor Day.Most teams are scheduled to play 12 regular-season games through Thanksgiving weekend. The first weekend of December each FBS conference plays a league championship game.“We aren’t going to have one national time when everyone can start preseason so there’s going to be a little bit of inequity there,” Hainline said. “The most important thing is what’s going to be the minimum amount of time necessary that you have to be in preseason, for example, before you can start football.”Emmert said member schools and conferences are working toward moving forward together.“I think it’s unlikely everybody is going to be in the same place at the same time and that will create some of those difficulties,” he said.Emmert also reiterated a common refrain from college sports leaders in recent weeks: There can be no college sports on campuses that are not open to students.Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby told the online sports network Stadium earlier this week there could be room for athletes to compete in a situation where a school is only offering online classes.Emmert seemed to draw a more distinct line.“If you don’t have students on campus, you don’t have student-athletes on campus,” he said. “That doesn’t mean it has to be up and running in the full normal model, but you’ve got to treat the health and well-being of the athletes at least as much as the regular students. So if a school doesn’t reopen, then they’re not going to be playing sports. It’s really that simple.”

Emmert: Unlikely all schools will start seasons at same time

Steve Webster of Eagle Radio of Great Bend talked with Kansas State High School Activities Association Executive Director Bill Faflick on Thursday on Sports Day on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.

Faflick discussed KSHSAA's moves during the COVID-19 pandemic, recent actions and the future of high school activities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141477893.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Steve Webster of Eagle Radio of Great Bend talked with Kansas State High School Activities Association Executive Director Bill Faflick on Thursday on Sports Day on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.Faflick discussed KSHSAA's moves during the COVID-19 pandemic, recent actions and the future of high school activities.Listen to the interview below...<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/815714557&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/faflick" title="Interview: KSHSAA Director Bill Faflick" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Interview: KSHSAA Director Bill Faflick</a></div></div>

🎤 KSHSAA director discusses future of high school activities

AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Friday

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The NCAA struck back at the University of Kansas and its men’s basketball program Thursday, calling five Level I violations that are alleged to have occurred “egregious” and arguing that they undermine and threaten” college athletics. It was the latest in a series of back-and-forth filings that set up a likely infraction hearings. The case came out of an FBI investigation into college basketball corruption. It centers on whether two Adidas representatives were acting as boosters for the Jayhawks when they paid prospective recruits to lure them to the program.

UNDATED (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs will open defense of their Super Bowl championship by hosting Houston on Sept. 10 in the NFL’s annual kickoff game — pending developments in the coronavirus pandemic, of course. The Texans won a regular-season game at Arrowhead Stadium in 2019, then blew a 24-0 lead in the divisional round of the playoffs. Another highlight of the opening weekend will have Tom Brady’s regular-season debut with Tampa Bay against Drew Brees at New Orleans on Sept. 13 — the first matchup of 40-plus quarterbacks in NFL history. The opening of SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area that Sunday night has the Rams hosting the Cowboys.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals had an entire offseason and most of spring training to get to know Mike Matheny. But one unintended consequence of the coronavirus pandemic is they’ve gotten to know their new manager better than they could ever have imagined. Their virtual meetings, often several times a week, touch on baseball but also on the bigger picture of life in general. And when the Royals do gather again, Matheny hopes that they will be a closer-knit group because of it.

UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma State and Oral Roberts have agreed to a home-and-home basketball series for the next two seasons. The first game will be played at Oklahoma State on Nov. 28, 2020. The date for the game at Oral Roberts in Tulsa has not been set. Oral Roberts coach Paul Mills says COVID-19 has forced institutions to pursue more regional games. The schools are less than 80 miles apart.

UNDATED (AP) — The chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee has sent a letter to NCAA leaders, conferences and schools requesting details about how college athletes can be compensated for their names, images and likenesses. Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi sent 20 questions to each Power Five conference, dozens of colleges and universities and committees at each of the NCAA's three divisions. Wicker's letter comes a day after Democratic Senators Chris Murphy and Cory Booker released a letter to NCAA President Mark Emmert urging the association take further action on name, image and likeness compensation for college athletes.

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Canadian Football League Commissioner Randy Ambrosie says the most likely scenario is to cancel the CFL season because of the coronavirus pandemic. Ambrosie made the admission Thursday to lawmakers in Ottawa. Last week the CFL requested up to $150 million Canadian in assistance from the federal government. Ambrosie said the league’s future is “very much in jeopardy” and that the teams collectively lost about $20 million last year.

BALTIMORE (AP) — The lawyer for the wife of Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas says she is being subjected to an “unfounded ongoing investigation” by Texas police after she allegedly pointed a loaded gun at her husband’s head upon finding him in bed with another woman. According to a police affidavit, Nina Thomas admitted to pointing the pistol at Earl’s head “with the intent to scare him” but thought it was unloaded. She was arrested on a felony charge and denies the allegations.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Officials with IndyCar and Texas Motor Speedway say there will be a race on June 6 that will be run without spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic. TMS President Eddie Gossage says there will be a collaboration with health authorities on a plan to ensure the safety of event participants.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The NCAA struck back at the University of Kansas and its men’s basketball program Thursday, calling five Level I violations that are alleged to have occurred “egregious” and arguing that they undermine and threaten” college athletics. It was the latest in a series of back-and-forth filings that set up a likely infraction hearings. The case came out of an FBI investigation into college basketball corruption. It centers on whether two Adidas representatives were acting as boosters for the Jayhawks when they paid prospective recruits to lure them to the program.UNDATED (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs will open defense of their Super Bowl championship by hosting Houston on Sept. 10 in the NFL’s annual kickoff game — pending developments in the coronavirus pandemic, of course. The Texans won a regular-season game at Arrowhead Stadium in 2019, then blew a 24-0 lead in the divisional round of the playoffs. Another highlight of the opening weekend will have Tom Brady’s regular-season debut with Tampa Bay against Drew Brees at New Orleans on Sept. 13 — the first matchup of 40-plus quarterbacks in NFL history. The opening of SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area that Sunday night has the Rams hosting the Cowboys.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals had an entire offseason and most of spring training to get to know Mike Matheny. But one unintended consequence of the coronavirus pandemic is they’ve gotten to know their new manager better than they could ever have imagined. Their virtual meetings, often several times a week, touch on baseball but also on the bigger picture of life in general. And when the Royals do gather again, Matheny hopes that they will be a closer-knit group because of it.UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma State and Oral Roberts have agreed to a home-and-home basketball series for the next two seasons. The first game will be played at Oklahoma State on Nov. 28, 2020. The date for the game at Oral Roberts in Tulsa has not been set. Oral Roberts coach Paul Mills says COVID-19 has forced institutions to pursue more regional games. The schools are less than 80 miles apart.UNDATED (AP) — The chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee has sent a letter to NCAA leaders, conferences and schools requesting details about how college athletes can be compensated for their names, images and likenesses. Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi sent 20 questions to each Power Five conference, dozens of colleges and universities and committees at each of the NCAA's three divisions. Wicker's letter comes a day after Democratic Senators Chris Murphy and Cory Booker released a letter to NCAA President Mark Emmert urging the association take further action on name, image and likeness compensation for college athletes.OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Canadian Football League Commissioner Randy Ambrosie says the most likely scenario is to cancel the CFL season because of the coronavirus pandemic. Ambrosie made the admission Thursday to lawmakers in Ottawa. Last week the CFL requested up to $150 million Canadian in assistance from the federal government. Ambrosie said the league’s future is “very much in jeopardy” and that the teams collectively lost about $20 million last year.BALTIMORE (AP) — The lawyer for the wife of Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas says she is being subjected to an “unfounded ongoing investigation” by Texas police after she allegedly pointed a loaded gun at her husband’s head upon finding him in bed with another woman. According to a police affidavit, Nina Thomas admitted to pointing the pistol at Earl’s head “with the intent to scare him” but thought it was unloaded. She was arrested on a felony charge and denies the allegations.FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Officials with IndyCar and Texas Motor Speedway say there will be a race on June 6 that will be run without spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic. TMS President Eddie Gossage says there will be a collaboration with health authorities on a plan to ensure the safety of event participants.

Friday Sports Headlines

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The NCAA struck back at the University of Kansas and its men’s basketball program Thursday, calling five Level I violations that are alleged to have occurred “egregious” and arguing that they undermine and threaten” college athletics.

In the latest in a series of back-and-forth filings, the NCAA reiterated in a 92-page response its claim that Adidas representatives were acting as boosters when two of them — T.J. Gassnolo and Jim Gatto — helped to arrange payments to prospective recruits. Those transactions became a central point in a wide-ranging FBI probe into college basketball that has ensnared Kansas, Louisville and several other high-profile programs.

“The institution secured significant recruiting and competitive advantages by committing alleged Level I men’s basketball violations,” the NCAA said. “The institution, in taking its defiant posture in this case, is indifferent to how alleged violations may have adversely impacted other NCAA institutions who acted in compliance with NCAA legislation.”

Officials from Kansas have said they agree with the NCAA that Gassnola made payments to family members and handlers of two players, Billy Preston and Silvio De Sousa. But coach Bill Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend said they were unaware of the transactions, backing up a statement Gassnola made during sworn testimony.

But the NCAA countered with video and text documents that tie Self, Townsend and another assistant coach, Jerrance Howard, to Gassnola within the past five years. The governing body also pointed out that Adidas paid about $250,000 for an induction party for Self when he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

This evidence, the NCAA argues, is “overwhelming factual information that demonstrates Adidas, Gassnola and Gatto promoted the institutions interests and, therefore, are boosters.”

“The NCAA enforcement staff’s reply does not in any way change the University of Kansas’ position that the allegations brought against our men’s basketball program are simply baseless and littered with false representations,” the school said. in a statement Thursday. “As the federal trial proved, Adidas employees intentionally concealed impermissible payments from the university and its coaching staff. The university has never denied these impermissible payments were made.

“For the NCAA enforcement staff to allege that the university should be held responsible for these payments is a distortion of the facts and a gross misapplication of NCAA bylaws and case precedent.”

The initial notice of allegations was filed in September, and Kansas officials had 90 days to respond, a deadline that was extended to February. The NCAA enforcement staff then had 60 days to file the reply that came out this week.

In the response, the NCAA laid out its belief that a hearing before the NCAA Committee on Infractions — which has yet to be scheduled — could ultimately decide some of the sticking points in the case. The university would have the opportunity to argue its case before the committee. If the committee ruled on behalf of the NCAA, officials from Kansas would have an opportunity to appeal potentially crippling penalties.

“The university absolutely would accept responsibility if it believe that violations had occurred,” the school said, “as we have demonstrated with other self-reported infractions. Chancellor (Douglas) Girod, (athletic director) Jeff Long and KU stand firmly behind Coach Self, his staff and our men’s basketball program, as well as our robust compliance program.”

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The NCAA struck back at the University of Kansas and its men’s basketball program Thursday, calling five Level I violations that are alleged to have occurred “egregious” and arguing that they undermine and threaten” college athletics.In the latest in a series of back-and-forth filings, the NCAA reiterated in a 92-page response its claim that Adidas representatives were acting as boosters when two of them — T.J. Gassnolo and Jim Gatto — helped to arrange payments to prospective recruits. Those transactions became a central point in a wide-ranging FBI probe into college basketball that has ensnared Kansas, Louisville and several other high-profile programs.“The institution secured significant recruiting and competitive advantages by committing alleged Level I men’s basketball violations,” the NCAA said. “The institution, in taking its defiant posture in this case, is indifferent to how alleged violations may have adversely impacted other NCAA institutions who acted in compliance with NCAA legislation.”Officials from Kansas have said they agree with the NCAA that Gassnola made payments to family members and handlers of two players, Billy Preston and Silvio De Sousa. But coach Bill Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend said they were unaware of the transactions, backing up a statement Gassnola made during sworn testimony.But the NCAA countered with video and text documents that tie Self, Townsend and another assistant coach, Jerrance Howard, to Gassnola within the past five years. The governing body also pointed out that Adidas paid about $250,000 for an induction party for Self when he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.This evidence, the NCAA argues, is “overwhelming factual information that demonstrates Adidas, Gassnola and Gatto promoted the institutions interests and, therefore, are boosters.”“The NCAA enforcement staff’s reply does not in any way change the University of Kansas’ position that the allegations brought against our men’s basketball program are simply baseless and littered with false representations,” the school said. in a statement Thursday. “As the federal trial proved, Adidas employees intentionally concealed impermissible payments from the university and its coaching staff. The university has never denied these impermissible payments were made.“For the NCAA enforcement staff to allege that the university should be held responsible for these payments is a distortion of the facts and a gross misapplication of NCAA bylaws and case precedent.”The initial notice of allegations was filed in September, and Kansas officials had 90 days to respond, a deadline that was extended to February. The NCAA enforcement staff then had 60 days to file the reply that came out this week.In the response, the NCAA laid out its belief that a hearing before the NCAA Committee on Infractions — which has yet to be scheduled — could ultimately decide some of the sticking points in the case. The university would have the opportunity to argue its case before the committee. If the committee ruled on behalf of the NCAA, officials from Kansas would have an opportunity to appeal potentially crippling penalties.“The university absolutely would accept responsibility if it believe that violations had occurred,” the school said, “as we have demonstrated with other self-reported infractions. Chancellor (Douglas) Girod, (athletic director) Jeff Long and KU stand firmly behind Coach Self, his staff and our men’s basketball program, as well as our robust compliance program.”

NCAA calls alleged Kansas basketball violations “egregious”

The NCAA approved a waiver that will allow schools to spend below the minimum level on athletic scholarships required to compete in Division I.

The Division I Council Coordination Committee approved two other blanket waivers Wednesday that had been requested by several conferences in recent weeks in response to coronavirus pandemic.

Basketball and football players will be allowed to participate in summer athletic activities without being enrolled in school. Also, schools that are in the process of moving to D-I can be counted toward the minimum required Division I opponents.

The coordinator committee also signed off on waiving some recruiting rules to provide more flexibility for coaches and athletes through the extended dead period. The dead period for all sports currently runs through May 31. The committee will decided at its May 13 meeting to extend the dead period through June 30.

The scheduling and scholarship waivers were part of a broad request made by the commissioners of the five non-Power Five FBS conferences two weeks ago on behalf of all Division I. The conferences had also requested a blanket waiver on the minimum number of sports required (16) to compete in Division I, but that was denied. Schools will still be able apply for a waiver to the sport minimum on a case-by-case basis.

Division I schools are required to offer a minimum of 200 athletic grants-in-aid per year or spend at least $4 million in grants-in-aid on athletes, and provide 90% of the permissible maximum grants-in-aid in football over a rolling two-year period.

Those minimums will be waived for one year.

“This waiver does not provide relief from other financial aid rules, including financial aid commitments to prospective and current student-athletes or regulations related to the cancellation or reduction of financial aid,” the NCAA release said.

The NCAA approved a waiver that will allow schools to spend below the minimum level on athletic scholarships required to compete in Division I.The Division I Council Coordination Committee approved two other blanket waivers Wednesday that had been requested by several conferences in recent weeks in response to coronavirus pandemic.Basketball and football players will be allowed to participate in summer athletic activities without being enrolled in school. Also, schools that are in the process of moving to D-I can be counted toward the minimum required Division I opponents.The coordinator committee also signed off on waiving some recruiting rules to provide more flexibility for coaches and athletes through the extended dead period. The dead period for all sports currently runs through May 31. The committee will decided at its May 13 meeting to extend the dead period through June 30.The scheduling and scholarship waivers were part of a broad request made by the commissioners of the five non-Power Five FBS conferences two weeks ago on behalf of all Division I. The conferences had also requested a blanket waiver on the minimum number of sports required (16) to compete in Division I, but that was denied. Schools will still be able apply for a waiver to the sport minimum on a case-by-case basis.Division I schools are required to offer a minimum of 200 athletic grants-in-aid per year or spend at least $4 million in grants-in-aid on athletes, and provide 90% of the permissible maximum grants-in-aid in football over a rolling two-year period.Those minimums will be waived for one year.“This waiver does not provide relief from other financial aid rules, including financial aid commitments to prospective and current student-athletes or regulations related to the cancellation or reduction of financial aid,” the NCAA release said.

NCAA waives Division I minimum on scholarship spending

KANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;–&nbsp;The National Football League announced on Thursday the regular season schedule for the 2020 season. The Chiefs will be featured in five primetime contests, including two nationally televised games at Arrowhead Stadium.

“The releasing of the 2020 NFL schedule reinforces each year that we have the opportunity to compete against some of the great teams in this league,” Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid said. “I know our organization and fans get excited for these challenges. We look forward to raising last year’s Super Bowl championship banner and all that comes with defending our title in the 2020 season.”

Kansas City will kick off its quest to defend its Super Bowl title on the NFL’s opening night against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 10. The contest will be a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional playoff game where the Chiefs overcame a 24-0 deficit to defeat the Texans 51-31. Additionally, in celebration of the club’s victory in Super Bowl LIV, the team will raise its championship banner in front of Chiefs Kingdom.

In Week 2, the Chiefs will kick off divisional play in search of a fifth-straight AFC West title, traveling to Los Angeles to face the Chargers in their new stadium on Sept. 20. Kansas City is 22-2 against the AFC West over the last four seasons and is currently on a seven-game win streak against the division. In Reid’s seven seasons with the Chiefs, the club is 32-10 against the AFC West (12-2 vs. LVR, 11-3 vs. LAC, 9-5 vs. DEN).

KC’s second primetime contest is in Week 3 when the club travels to Baltimore to face the Ravens on ESPN’s Monday Night Football on Sept. 28. The Chiefs return home for back-to-back games at Arrowhead vs. the Patriots on Oct. 4 followed by the Raiders on Oct. 11. On Oct. 15, KC travels to Buffalo to face the Bills on Thursday Night Football followed by another road contest against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 25. The Chiefs will take on the New York Jets on Nov. 1 and the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 8, both contests at Arrowhead Stadium. This will be Carolina’s first visit to Kansas City since the 2012 season. Following the Bye Week, Kansas City resumes play with two road contests. On Nov. 22, for the first time in franchise history, the club will play in Las Vegas as it takes on the Raiders. Then, the team travels to Tampa Bay to take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers on Nov. 29. Kansas City’s final scheduled primetime contest will be at Arrowhead Stadium against the Broncos on Sunday Night Football Dec. 6. On Dec. 13, the Chiefs return to the site where they won their first Lombardi Trophy in 50 years as the club takes on the Miami Dolphins inside Hard Rock Stadium. Kansas City has back-to-back contests against the NFC South, the first in New Orleans against the Saints on Dec. 20 followed by a home kickoff vs. the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 27. Finally, the Chiefs will close out regular season play on Jan. 3 at Arrowhead Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers.

This year’s regular season schedule features games vs. five playoff teams from 2019. The combined record of Kansas City’s 2020 opponents from last year is 128-128 (.500).&nbsp;In addition to the announcement of the club’s regular season schedule, the NFL also released the Chiefs preseason opponents. In Week 1, KC will host the Cincinnati Bengals followed by back-to-back road games against Arizona and Dallas. The Chiefs will close out preseason play at Arrowhead against the Green Bay Packers. All four contests will be broadcast on KSHB, the new home for Chiefs preseason football games. Specific dates and times of all preseason games will be announced at a later date.

Chiefs single-game tickets will go on sale beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow for Jackson County taxpayers, 11 a.m. for Chiefs Season Ticket Members and noon for the public. Single-game tickets are subject to availability, dynamic pricing, and will be mobile entry only. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/" target="_blank">www.Chiefs.com</a>&nbsp;for details.

2020 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS PRESEASON SCHEDULE

Aug. 13-17&nbsp; &nbsp;Cincinnati Bengals&nbsp; &nbsp;TBD

Aug. 20-24&nbsp; &nbsp;at Arizona Cardinals&nbsp; &nbsp;TBD

Aug. 27-30&nbsp; &nbsp;at Dallas Cowboys&nbsp; &nbsp;TBD

Sept. 3-4&nbsp; &nbsp;Green Bay Packers&nbsp; &nbsp;TBD

2020 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

Thursday, Sept. 10&nbsp; &nbsp;Houston Texans&nbsp; &nbsp;7:20 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;NBC

Sunday, Sept. 20&nbsp; &nbsp;at Los Angeles Chargers&nbsp; &nbsp;3:25 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBS

Monday, Sept. 28&nbsp; &nbsp;at Baltimore Ravens&nbsp; &nbsp;7:15 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;ESPN

Sunday, Oct. 4&nbsp; &nbsp;New England Patriots&nbsp; &nbsp;3:25 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBS

Sunday, Oct. 11&nbsp; &nbsp;Las Vegas Raiders*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBS

Thursday, Oct. 15&nbsp; &nbsp;at Buffalo Bills&nbsp; &nbsp;7:20 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;FOX/NFLN/Amazon

Sunday, Oct. 25&nbsp; &nbsp;at Denver Broncos*&nbsp; &nbsp;3:25 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBS

Sunday, Nov. 1&nbsp; &nbsp;New York Jets*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBS

Sunday, Nov. 8&nbsp; &nbsp;Carolina Panthers*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;FOX

Sunday, Nov. 15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BYE WEEK&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Sunday, Nov. 22&nbsp; &nbsp;at Las Vegas Raiders*&nbsp; &nbsp;7:20 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;NBC

Sunday, Nov. 29&nbsp; &nbsp;at Tampa Bay Buccaneers*&nbsp; &nbsp;3:25 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;CBS

Sunday, Dec. 6&nbsp; &nbsp;Denver Broncos*&nbsp; &nbsp;7:20 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; NBC

Sunday, Dec. 13&nbsp; &nbsp;at Miami Dolphins*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBS

Sunday, Dec. 20&nbsp; &nbsp;at New Orleans Saints*&nbsp; &nbsp;3:25 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBS

Sunday, Dec. 27&nbsp; &nbsp;Atlanta Falcons*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;FOX

Sunday, Jan. 3&nbsp; &nbsp;Los Angeles Chargers*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBS

Home games in bold;&nbsp;all kickoffs are Central Time.

“Flexible scheduling” will be used in Weeks 11-17. Additionally, in Weeks 5-10, flexible scheduling may be used in no more than two weeks. In Weeks 5-16, the schedule lists the games tentatively set for&nbsp;Sunday Night&nbsp;Football on NBC. Only&nbsp;Sunday afternoon&nbsp;games are eligible to be moved to&nbsp;Sunday night, in which case the tentatively scheduled&nbsp;Sunday night&nbsp;game would be moved to an afternoon start time.&nbsp;A flexible scheduling move would be announced at least 12 days before the game. Flexibility for Saturday games is also a part of the 2020 schedule. For Week 17, the Sunday night game will be announced no later than six days prior to the final Sunday of regular season play. The schedule does not list a Sunday night game in Week 17, but an afternoon game with playoff implications will be moved to that time slot.&nbsp; Flexible scheduling will not be applied to games airing on Thursday or Monday nights.

Chiefs single-game tickets will go on sale beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow for Jackson County taxpayers, 11 a.m. for Chiefs Season Ticket Members and noon for the public. Single-game tickets are subject to availability, dynamic pricing, and will be mobile entry only. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/" target="_blank">www.Chiefs.com</a>&nbsp;for details.

--<a href="http://chiefs.com/">CHIEFS</a>--

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573494299198.jpeg" alt="Arrowhead Stadium" />
 <figcaption>Arrowhead Stadium</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;–&nbsp;The National Football League announced on Thursday the regular season schedule for the 2020 season. The Chiefs will be featured in five primetime contests, including two nationally televised games at Arrowhead Stadium.“The releasing of the 2020 NFL schedule reinforces each year that we have the opportunity to compete against some of the great teams in this league,” Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid said. “I know our organization and fans get excited for these challenges. We look forward to raising last year’s Super Bowl championship banner and all that comes with defending our title in the 2020 season.”Kansas City will kick off its quest to defend its Super Bowl title on the NFL’s opening night against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 10. The contest will be a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional playoff game where the Chiefs overcame a 24-0 deficit to defeat the Texans 51-31. Additionally, in celebration of the club’s victory in Super Bowl LIV, the team will raise its championship banner in front of Chiefs Kingdom.In Week 2, the Chiefs will kick off divisional play in search of a fifth-straight AFC West title, traveling to Los Angeles to face the Chargers in their new stadium on Sept. 20. Kansas City is 22-2 against the AFC West over the last four seasons and is currently on a seven-game win streak against the division. In Reid’s seven seasons with the Chiefs, the club is 32-10 against the AFC West (12-2 vs. LVR, 11-3 vs. LAC, 9-5 vs. DEN).KC’s second primetime contest is in Week 3 when the club travels to Baltimore to face the Ravens on ESPN’s Monday Night Football on Sept. 28. The Chiefs return home for back-to-back games at Arrowhead vs. the Patriots on Oct. 4 followed by the Raiders on Oct. 11. On Oct. 15, KC travels to Buffalo to face the Bills on Thursday Night Football followed by another road contest against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 25. The Chiefs will take on the New York Jets on Nov. 1 and the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 8, both contests at Arrowhead Stadium. This will be Carolina’s first visit to Kansas City since the 2012 season. Following the Bye Week, Kansas City resumes play with two road contests. On Nov. 22, for the first time in franchise history, the club will play in Las Vegas as it takes on the Raiders. Then, the team travels to Tampa Bay to take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers on Nov. 29. Kansas City’s final scheduled primetime contest will be at Arrowhead Stadium against the Broncos on Sunday Night Football Dec. 6. On Dec. 13, the Chiefs return to the site where they won their first Lombardi Trophy in 50 years as the club takes on the Miami Dolphins inside Hard Rock Stadium. Kansas City has back-to-back contests against the NFC South, the first in New Orleans against the Saints on Dec. 20 followed by a home kickoff vs. the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 27. Finally, the Chiefs will close out regular season play on Jan. 3 at Arrowhead Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers.This year’s regular season schedule features games vs. five playoff teams from 2019. The combined record of Kansas City’s 2020 opponents from last year is 128-128 (.500).&nbsp;In addition to the announcement of the club’s regular season schedule, the NFL also released the Chiefs preseason opponents. In Week 1, KC will host the Cincinnati Bengals followed by back-to-back road games against Arizona and Dallas. The Chiefs will close out preseason play at Arrowhead against the Green Bay Packers. All four contests will be broadcast on KSHB, the new home for Chiefs preseason football games. Specific dates and times of all preseason games will be announced at a later date.Chiefs single-game tickets will go on sale beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow for Jackson County taxpayers, 11 a.m. for Chiefs Season Ticket Members and noon for the public. Single-game tickets are subject to availability, dynamic pricing, and will be mobile entry only. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/" target="_blank">www.Chiefs.com</a>&nbsp;for details.2020 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS PRESEASON SCHEDULEDate/Opponent/TimeAug. 13-17&nbsp; &nbsp;Cincinnati Bengals&nbsp; &nbsp;TBDAug. 20-24&nbsp; &nbsp;at Arizona Cardinals&nbsp; &nbsp;TBDAug. 27-30&nbsp; &nbsp;at Dallas Cowboys&nbsp; &nbsp;TBDSept. 3-4&nbsp; &nbsp;Green Bay Packers&nbsp; &nbsp;TBD2020 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULEDate/Opponent/Time/NetworkThursday, Sept. 10&nbsp; &nbsp;Houston Texans&nbsp; &nbsp;7:20 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;NBCSunday, Sept. 20&nbsp; &nbsp;at Los Angeles Chargers&nbsp; &nbsp;3:25 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBSMonday, Sept. 28&nbsp; &nbsp;at Baltimore Ravens&nbsp; &nbsp;7:15 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;ESPNSunday, Oct. 4&nbsp; &nbsp;New England Patriots&nbsp; &nbsp;3:25 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBSSunday, Oct. 11&nbsp; &nbsp;Las Vegas Raiders*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBSThursday, Oct. 15&nbsp; &nbsp;at Buffalo Bills&nbsp; &nbsp;7:20 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;FOX/NFLN/AmazonSunday, Oct. 25&nbsp; &nbsp;at Denver Broncos*&nbsp; &nbsp;3:25 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBSSunday, Nov. 1&nbsp; &nbsp;New York Jets*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBSSunday, Nov. 8&nbsp; &nbsp;Carolina Panthers*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;FOXSunday, Nov. 15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BYE WEEK&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Sunday, Nov. 22&nbsp; &nbsp;at Las Vegas Raiders*&nbsp; &nbsp;7:20 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;NBCSunday, Nov. 29&nbsp; &nbsp;at Tampa Bay Buccaneers*&nbsp; &nbsp;3:25 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;CBSSunday, Dec. 6&nbsp; &nbsp;Denver Broncos*&nbsp; &nbsp;7:20 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; NBCSunday, Dec. 13&nbsp; &nbsp;at Miami Dolphins*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBSSunday, Dec. 20&nbsp; &nbsp;at New Orleans Saints*&nbsp; &nbsp;3:25 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBSSunday, Dec. 27&nbsp; &nbsp;Atlanta Falcons*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;FOXSunday, Jan. 3&nbsp; &nbsp;Los Angeles Chargers*&nbsp; &nbsp;12:00 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;CBSHome games in bold;&nbsp;all kickoffs are Central Time.* Subject to Flexible Scheduling“Flexible scheduling” will be used in Weeks 11-17. Additionally, in Weeks 5-10, flexible scheduling may be used in no more than two weeks. In Weeks 5-16, the schedule lists the games tentatively set for&nbsp;Sunday Night&nbsp;Football on NBC. Only&nbsp;Sunday afternoon&nbsp;games are eligible to be moved to&nbsp;Sunday night, in which case the tentatively scheduled&nbsp;Sunday night&nbsp;game would be moved to an afternoon start time.&nbsp;A flexible scheduling move would be announced at least 12 days before the game. Flexibility for Saturday games is also a part of the 2020 schedule. For Week 17, the Sunday night game will be announced no later than six days prior to the final Sunday of regular season play. The schedule does not list a Sunday night game in Week 17, but an afternoon game with playoff implications will be moved to that time slot.&nbsp; Flexible scheduling will not be applied to games airing on Thursday or Monday nights.Chiefs single-game tickets will go on sale beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow for Jackson County taxpayers, 11 a.m. for Chiefs Season Ticket Members and noon for the public. Single-game tickets are subject to availability, dynamic pricing, and will be mobile entry only. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/" target="_blank">www.Chiefs.com</a>&nbsp;for details.--<a href="http://chiefs.com/">CHIEFS</a>--

Chiefs to kick off season against Texans on NFL's opening night

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals had an entire offseason and most of spring training to get to know Mike Matheny.

But one unintended consequence of the coronavirus pandemic is they've gotten to know their new manager better than they could ever have imagined.

Their virtual meetings, often several times a week, touch on baseball but also on the bigger picture of life in general. And when the Royals do gather again, Matheny hopes that they will be a closer-knit group because of it.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals had an entire offseason and most of spring training to get to know Mike Matheny.But one unintended consequence of the coronavirus pandemic is they've gotten to know their new manager better than they could ever have imagined.Their virtual meetings, often several times a week, touch on baseball but also on the bigger picture of life in general. And when the Royals do gather again, Matheny hopes that they will be a closer-knit group because of it.