TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet is bracing for the suspended NBA season not to resume and if it does, he isn’t convinced health concerns can be adequately addressed as long as the coronavirus pandemic remains a threat.

“I think everybody is just preparing for the worst case scenario, the season being canceled,” Van Vleet said in a conference call Wednesday. “We have to do what we have to do to try to shoulder the hit as best we can for us as players and owners and the league, while also working to try to resume as best we can.”

Speaking from his home in Rockford, Illinois, VanVleet — a self-described skeptic — questioned whether a return to action could be carried out safely, and said he doesn’t relish the idea of playing in front of empty arenas.

“I could play anywhere,” he said. “Do I want to play in front of no people? No, but does it really matter? At this point, I don’t think anybody is going to have a quarrel with what happens, as long as people’s health is first and foremost, which we know it probably won’t be.

“If our league is going to be a leader in terms of public health and public safety and player safety, you’ve got to follow the guidelines of what the virus is speaking to you, so the odds are probably against us in terms of that,” VanVleet added. “But money, right? So, I think they’ll find a way somehow, some way and try to make it happen. I could definitely see it going either way. I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t come back and I wouldn’t be surprised if we do come back.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said player safety will be a top priority in whatever decision is made about this season while stressing that everything is on the table. After last week’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7dba96f7d38ce8c22e9c95665195753f">Board of Governors meeting</a>, Silver said “when you’re dealing with human life, that trumps anything else we could possibly talk about.”

Chris Paul, the Oklahoma City guard and president of the National Basketball Players Association, has spoken with Silver often since the shutdown. Paul said Wednesday that the union and the league are seeking answers, but they just don’t exist yet.

“This is a situation where no one knows,” Paul said. “The virus is actually in complete control.”

The coronavirus pandemic also will also have an impact on free agency.

VanVleet was set for free agency this summer and acknowledged that he’s thought about it, but said he tries to keep it in perspective during the pandemic. He was averaging career-highs of 17.6 points and 6.6 assists in 48 games before play was suspended in March.

“I think the league and the union will try to do a good job to make sure that the free agents this summer get a fair shake and there’s fair negotiating,” said VanVleet, who signed a two-year, $18-million deal to stay with Toronto before the 2018-19 season, when the Raptors won their first NBA title. “Obviously, we’ll probably all take a hit at some point, and hopefully the hit is just kind of minimized to this year.”

Still, VanVleet was philosophical about the impact of lost wages for star athletes in an environment where millions of people worldwide are suddenly facing far more serious financial hardships.

“I think people’s health and well being, and frame of mind, is a lot more important than a couple of million here or there, because we’re filthy rich compared to what we came from in the first place,” he said. “So I don’t think anybody’s crying over it.”

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet is bracing for the suspended NBA season not to resume and if it does, he isn’t convinced health concerns can be adequately addressed as long as the coronavirus pandemic remains a threat.“I think everybody is just preparing for the worst case scenario, the season being canceled,” Van Vleet said in a conference call Wednesday. “We have to do what we have to do to try to shoulder the hit as best we can for us as players and owners and the league, while also working to try to resume as best we can.”Speaking from his home in Rockford, Illinois, VanVleet — a self-described skeptic — questioned whether a return to action could be carried out safely, and said he doesn’t relish the idea of playing in front of empty arenas.“I could play anywhere,” he said. “Do I want to play in front of no people? No, but does it really matter? At this point, I don’t think anybody is going to have a quarrel with what happens, as long as people’s health is first and foremost, which we know it probably won’t be.“If our league is going to be a leader in terms of public health and public safety and player safety, you’ve got to follow the guidelines of what the virus is speaking to you, so the odds are probably against us in terms of that,” VanVleet added. “But money, right? So, I think they’ll find a way somehow, some way and try to make it happen. I could definitely see it going either way. I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t come back and I wouldn’t be surprised if we do come back.”NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said player safety will be a top priority in whatever decision is made about this season while stressing that everything is on the table. After last week’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7dba96f7d38ce8c22e9c95665195753f">Board of Governors meeting</a>, Silver said “when you’re dealing with human life, that trumps anything else we could possibly talk about.”Chris Paul, the Oklahoma City guard and president of the National Basketball Players Association, has spoken with Silver often since the shutdown. Paul said Wednesday that the union and the league are seeking answers, but they just don’t exist yet.“This is a situation where no one knows,” Paul said. “The virus is actually in complete control.”The coronavirus pandemic also will also have an impact on free agency.VanVleet was set for free agency this summer and acknowledged that he’s thought about it, but said he tries to keep it in perspective during the pandemic. He was averaging career-highs of 17.6 points and 6.6 assists in 48 games before play was suspended in March.“I think the league and the union will try to do a good job to make sure that the free agents this summer get a fair shake and there’s fair negotiating,” said VanVleet, who signed a two-year, $18-million deal to stay with Toronto before the 2018-19 season, when the Raptors won their first NBA title. “Obviously, we’ll probably all take a hit at some point, and hopefully the hit is just kind of minimized to this year.”Still, VanVleet was philosophical about the impact of lost wages for star athletes in an environment where millions of people worldwide are suddenly facing far more serious financial hardships.“I think people’s health and well being, and frame of mind, is a lot more important than a couple of million here or there, because we’re filthy rich compared to what we came from in the first place,” he said. “So I don’t think anybody’s crying over it.”

Raptors’ Fred VanVleet skeptical about NBA season resuming

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox escaped severe penalties in Major League Baseball’s cheating investigation on Wednesday, with Commissioner Rob Manfred concluding that the 2018 World Series champions’ sign-stealing efforts were less egregious than the Astros’ when they won it all the previous season.

Ex-manager Alex Cora was formally suspended for the coronavirus-delayed 2020 season — but only for his role as Houston’s bench coach; Manfred had held off a penalty for Cora despite fingering him as the ringleader of the Astros’ sign-stealing operation.

<a href="https://twitter.com/MDRSportsMgmt/status/1253136507440959488" target="_blank">In a statement</a>, Cora said he was “relieved″ the investigations were finished and that Manfred found he ”did not violate any MLB rules as a member of the Red Sox organization in 2018 or 2019.”

“I also take full responsibility for the role I played, along with others, in the Astros’ violations of MLB rules in 2017,” Cora said. “The collective conduct of the Astros organization in 2017 was unacceptable and I respect and accept the Commissioner’s discipline for my past actions.”

The Red Sox upgraded the status of Ron Roenicke, who had been their interim manager pending the outcome of the investigation.

“That interim tag is removed,” Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom said. “Ron is now our manager.”

The only member of the Red Sox organization who was penalized was replay system operator J.T. Watkins, who was suspended without pay for a year for violating the prohibition on in-game use of video to identify pitch signals. Watkins, who denied the allegations, was also prohibited from serving as the replay room operator through 2021.

Boston was also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6865621-MLBRedSoxVideoInvestigation.html" target="_blank">stripped of its second-round pick</a>&nbsp;in this year’s amateur draft, No 52 overall.

“To be clear, we’re not taking any victory laps. A violation was uncovered and that was wrong and we’re being punished for it,” Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said on a conference call with reporters, while acknowledging relief that the months-long investigation is over.

“We have to earn back trust, and we’re prepared to do that,” Kennedy said, adding that the team’s owners apologized to their counterparts on a conference call that afternoon. “We recognize that as an organization.”

Both Bloom and Kennedy dismissed suggestions that Cora could be welcomed back — especially if the coronavirus pandemic wipes out the entire 2020 season. Roenicke, who was hired on the eve of spring training after a shotgun job search, is signed only for one year.

“Since we parted ways with Alex, we were clear that that was the result of his role with the Astros. That’s still the case,” Bloom said. “All the reasons that we parted ways with him then are still the case.”

Manfred said in his report that Boston’s misdeeds were limited to the regular season and not as pervasive as the Astros’, who repeatedly used a video camera in the outfield to steal catchers’ signs during their run to the 2017 championship and again the following season.

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6865723-MLBAstrosVideoInvestigation.html" target="_blank">Manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended</a>&nbsp;through the 2020 postseason on Jan. 13 and fired that day by the Astros. Houston was fined $5 million, the maximum under the Major League Constitution, and lost its next two first- and second-round amateur draft selections.

“Unlike the Houston Astros’ 2017 conduct, in which players communicated to the batter from the dugout area in real time the precise type of pitch about to be thrown, Watkins’ conduct, by its very nature, was far more limited in scope and impact,” Manfred wrote.

A 30-year-old from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Watkins is a&nbsp;<a href="https://goarmywestpoint.com/sports/baseball/roster/j-t-watkins/6815" target="_blank">2012 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy</a>. The catcher was selected by Boston in the 10th round of that year’s amateur draft and played in the Red Sox system until 2015. He declined comment, the Red Sox said.

Watkins compiled advance scouting information, and part of his job was to decode opposing pitchers’ sequences ahead of series. Manfred called him a “key participant” in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/adf11fd57b244e47a86005ff4a3631d1/Red-Sox-fined-for-stealing-signs,-Yanks-docked-lesser-amount">2017 Apple Watch incident</a>, saying&nbsp;<a href="from: Major League Baseball [mailto:publicrelations@mlb.com] Sent: Friday, September 15, 2017 4:33 PM Subject: Major League Baseball Statement regarding Red Sox-Yankees Violations FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE %E2%80%93 September 15, 2017 COMMISSIONER%E2%80%99S STATEMENT REGARDING RED SOX-YANKEES VIOLATIONS Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement today: %E2%80%9CSeveral weeks ago, the New York Yankees filed a complaint with the Commissioner%E2%80%99s Office alleging that the Boston Red Sox violated certain Major League Baseball Regulations by using electronic equipment to aid in the deciphering of signs being given by the Yankees%E2%80%99 catcher. The Commissioner%E2%80%99s Office has conducted a thorough investigation of the allegation. Today, I am prepared to disclose the results of that investigation. %E2%80%9CAt the outset, it is important to understand that the attempt to decode signs being used by an opposing catcher is not a violation of any Major League Baseball Rule or Regulation. Major League Baseball Regulations do, however, prohibit the use of electronic equipment during games and state that no such equipment %E2%80%98may be used for the purpose of stealing signs or conveying information designed to give a Club an advantage.%E2%80%99 Despite this clear Regulation, the prevalence of technology, especially the technology used in the replay process, has made it increasingly difficult to monitor appropriate and inappropriate uses of electronic equipment. Based on the investigation by my office, I have nonetheless concluded that during the 2017 season the Boston Red Sox violated the Regulation quoted above by sending electronic communications from their video replay room to an athletic trainer in the dugout. %E2%80%9CIn assessing the significance of this violation, the investigation established three relevant points. First, the violation in question occurred without the knowledge of ownership or front office personnel. Second, when the Red Sox learned of the Yankees%E2%80%99 complaint, they immediately halted the conduct in question and then cooperated completely in my investigation. I have received absolute assurances from the Red Sox that there will be no future violations of this type. Third, our investigation revealed that Clubs have employed various strategies to decode signs that do not violate our rules. The Red Sox%E2%80%99 strategy violated our rules because of the use of an electronic device. %E2%80%9CTaking all of these factors as well as past precedent into account, I have decided to fine the Red Sox an undisclosed amount which in turn will be donated by my office to hurricane relief efforts in Florida. Moreover, all 30 Clubs have been notified that future violations of this type will be subject to more serious sanctions, including the possible loss of draft picks. %E2%80%9CIn the wake of the Yankees%E2%80%99 complaint to the Commissioner%E2%80%99s Office, the Red Sox brought forward allegations that the Yankees had made improper use of the YES Network in an effort to decipher the Red Sox signs. The Commissioner%E2%80%99s Office also investigated this allegation and the Yankees fully cooperated with the investigation. During that investigation, we found insufficient evidence to support the allegation that the Yankees had made inappropriate use of the YES Network to gain a competitive advantage. %E2%80%9CIn the course of our investigation, however, we learned that during an earlier championship season (prior to 2017) the Yankees had violated a rule governing the use of the dugout phone. No Club complained about the conduct in question at the time and, without prompting from another Club or my Office, the Yankees halted the conduct in question. Moreover, the substance of the communications that took place on the dugout phone was not a violation of any Rule or Regulation in and of itself. Rather, the violation occurred because the dugout phone technically cannot be used for such a communication. %E2%80%9CBased on the foregoing, I have decided to fine the Yankees a lesser undisclosed amount which in turn will be donated by my office to hurricane relief efforts in Florida.%E2%80%9D # # # Contact: Patrick Courtney or Michael Teevan, Major League Baseball, (212) 931-7878, mlbpressbox.com, twitter.com/mlb_pr. ________________________________________" target="_blank">he relayed decoded signs</a>&nbsp;from Boston’s replay room to the dugout, at first with a runner and then with the watch to an athletic trainer.

MLB said it interviewed 65 people, including 34 past and present Boston players. Manfred concluded Cora did not know of Watkins’ conduct but “did not effectively communicate to Red Sox players the sign-stealing rules.”

In his statement, Cora said: “I am grateful for the Commissioner’s thoughtful and thorough investigation relating to my conduct as Red Sox manager.”

An infielder on Boston’s 2007 champions, Cora was mentioned 11 times in Manfred’s decision on the Astros, which said he developed the cheating system. Cora left Houston to become Boston’s manager after the 2017 season and led the Red Sox to a franchise-record 108 regular-season wins and the World Series title.

But fallout from the Astros investigation caused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/71f21c06cfc4affd972e6c29d8c2f3e9">Cora</a>&nbsp;and newly hired&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1313021d901cb1a96c0ea9be68809ebc">New York Mets manager Carlos Beltrán&nbsp;</a>to lose their jobs. Beltrán, the senior player on the 2017 Astros, was the only player identified by MLB as participating in the scheme to place a monitor near Houston’s dugout to receive video from the outfield and have players bang on a trash can to signal breaking pitches.

Red Sox players were promised immunity in MLB’s investigation, but Manfred said even if players had been subject to discipline, none would have been punished.

Watkins denied any wrongdoing, telling MLB that any information he provided during games was obtained from advance scouting.

“Watkins did not provide a persuasive explanation for why the information he provided to players during the game differed from information provided prior to the game,” the commissioner wrote. “I am significantly troubled by Watkins’ admissions that he knowingly attempted to conceal his communications with players from the video room monitor.”

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox escaped severe penalties in Major League Baseball’s cheating investigation on Wednesday, with Commissioner Rob Manfred concluding that the 2018 World Series champions’ sign-stealing efforts were less egregious than the Astros’ when they won it all the previous season.Ex-manager Alex Cora was formally suspended for the coronavirus-delayed 2020 season — but only for his role as Houston’s bench coach; Manfred had held off a penalty for Cora despite fingering him as the ringleader of the Astros’ sign-stealing operation.<a href="https://twitter.com/MDRSportsMgmt/status/1253136507440959488" target="_blank">In a statement</a>, Cora said he was “relieved″ the investigations were finished and that Manfred found he ”did not violate any MLB rules as a member of the Red Sox organization in 2018 or 2019.”“I also take full responsibility for the role I played, along with others, in the Astros’ violations of MLB rules in 2017,” Cora said. “The collective conduct of the Astros organization in 2017 was unacceptable and I respect and accept the Commissioner’s discipline for my past actions.”The Red Sox upgraded the status of Ron Roenicke, who had been their interim manager pending the outcome of the investigation.“That interim tag is removed,” Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom said. “Ron is now our manager.”The only member of the Red Sox organization who was penalized was replay system operator J.T. Watkins, who was suspended without pay for a year for violating the prohibition on in-game use of video to identify pitch signals. Watkins, who denied the allegations, was also prohibited from serving as the replay room operator through 2021.Boston was also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6865621-MLBRedSoxVideoInvestigation.html" target="_blank">stripped of its second-round pick</a>&nbsp;in this year’s amateur draft, No 52 overall.“To be clear, we’re not taking any victory laps. A violation was uncovered and that was wrong and we’re being punished for it,” Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said on a conference call with reporters, while acknowledging relief that the months-long investigation is over.“We have to earn back trust, and we’re prepared to do that,” Kennedy said, adding that the team’s owners apologized to their counterparts on a conference call that afternoon. “We recognize that as an organization.”Both Bloom and Kennedy dismissed suggestions that Cora could be welcomed back — especially if the coronavirus pandemic wipes out the entire 2020 season. Roenicke, who was hired on the eve of spring training after a shotgun job search, is signed only for one year.“Since we parted ways with Alex, we were clear that that was the result of his role with the Astros. That’s still the case,” Bloom said. “All the reasons that we parted ways with him then are still the case.”Manfred said in his report that Boston’s misdeeds were limited to the regular season and not as pervasive as the Astros’, who repeatedly used a video camera in the outfield to steal catchers’ signs during their run to the 2017 championship and again the following season.<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6865723-MLBAstrosVideoInvestigation.html" target="_blank">Manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended</a>&nbsp;through the 2020 postseason on Jan. 13 and fired that day by the Astros. Houston was fined $5 million, the maximum under the Major League Constitution, and lost its next two first- and second-round amateur draft selections.“Unlike the Houston Astros’ 2017 conduct, in which players communicated to the batter from the dugout area in real time the precise type of pitch about to be thrown, Watkins’ conduct, by its very nature, was far more limited in scope and impact,” Manfred wrote.A 30-year-old from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Watkins is a&nbsp;<a href="https://goarmywestpoint.com/sports/baseball/roster/j-t-watkins/6815" target="_blank">2012 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy</a>. The catcher was selected by Boston in the 10th round of that year’s amateur draft and played in the Red Sox system until 2015. He declined comment, the Red Sox said.Watkins compiled advance scouting information, and part of his job was to decode opposing pitchers’ sequences ahead of series. Manfred called him a “key participant” in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/adf11fd57b244e47a86005ff4a3631d1/Red-Sox-fined-for-stealing-signs,-Yanks-docked-lesser-amount">2017 Apple Watch incident</a>, saying&nbsp;<a href="from: Major League Baseball [mailto:publicrelations@mlb.com] Sent: Friday, September 15, 2017 4:33 PM Subject: Major League Baseball Statement regarding Red Sox-Yankees Violations FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE %E2%80%93 September 15, 2017 COMMISSIONER%E2%80%99S STATEMENT REGARDING RED SOX-YANKEES VIOLATIONS Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement today: %E2%80%9CSeveral weeks ago, the New York Yankees filed a complaint with the Commissioner%E2%80%99s Office alleging that the Boston Red Sox violated certain Major League Baseball Regulations by using electronic equipment to aid in the deciphering of signs being given by the Yankees%E2%80%99 catcher. The Commissioner%E2%80%99s Office has conducted a thorough investigation of the allegation. Today, I am prepared to disclose the results of that investigation. %E2%80%9CAt the outset, it is important to understand that the attempt to decode signs being used by an opposing catcher is not a violation of any Major League Baseball Rule or Regulation. Major League Baseball Regulations do, however, prohibit the use of electronic equipment during games and state that no such equipment %E2%80%98may be used for the purpose of stealing signs or conveying information designed to give a Club an advantage.%E2%80%99 Despite this clear Regulation, the prevalence of technology, especially the technology used in the replay process, has made it increasingly difficult to monitor appropriate and inappropriate uses of electronic equipment. Based on the investigation by my office, I have nonetheless concluded that during the 2017 season the Boston Red Sox violated the Regulation quoted above by sending electronic communications from their video replay room to an athletic trainer in the dugout. %E2%80%9CIn assessing the significance of this violation, the investigation established three relevant points. First, the violation in question occurred without the knowledge of ownership or front office personnel. Second, when the Red Sox learned of the Yankees%E2%80%99 complaint, they immediately halted the conduct in question and then cooperated completely in my investigation. I have received absolute assurances from the Red Sox that there will be no future violations of this type. Third, our investigation revealed that Clubs have employed various strategies to decode signs that do not violate our rules. The Red Sox%E2%80%99 strategy violated our rules because of the use of an electronic device. %E2%80%9CTaking all of these factors as well as past precedent into account, I have decided to fine the Red Sox an undisclosed amount which in turn will be donated by my office to hurricane relief efforts in Florida. Moreover, all 30 Clubs have been notified that future violations of this type will be subject to more serious sanctions, including the possible loss of draft picks. %E2%80%9CIn the wake of the Yankees%E2%80%99 complaint to the Commissioner%E2%80%99s Office, the Red Sox brought forward allegations that the Yankees had made improper use of the YES Network in an effort to decipher the Red Sox signs. The Commissioner%E2%80%99s Office also investigated this allegation and the Yankees fully cooperated with the investigation. During that investigation, we found insufficient evidence to support the allegation that the Yankees had made inappropriate use of the YES Network to gain a competitive advantage. %E2%80%9CIn the course of our investigation, however, we learned that during an earlier championship season (prior to 2017) the Yankees had violated a rule governing the use of the dugout phone. No Club complained about the conduct in question at the time and, without prompting from another Club or my Office, the Yankees halted the conduct in question. Moreover, the substance of the communications that took place on the dugout phone was not a violation of any Rule or Regulation in and of itself. Rather, the violation occurred because the dugout phone technically cannot be used for such a communication. %E2%80%9CBased on the foregoing, I have decided to fine the Yankees a lesser undisclosed amount which in turn will be donated by my office to hurricane relief efforts in Florida.%E2%80%9D # # # Contact: Patrick Courtney or Michael Teevan, Major League Baseball, (212) 931-7878, mlbpressbox.com, twitter.com/mlb_pr. ________________________________________" target="_blank">he relayed decoded signs</a>&nbsp;from Boston’s replay room to the dugout, at first with a runner and then with the watch to an athletic trainer.MLB said it interviewed 65 people, including 34 past and present Boston players. Manfred concluded Cora did not know of Watkins’ conduct but “did not effectively communicate to Red Sox players the sign-stealing rules.”In his statement, Cora said: “I am grateful for the Commissioner’s thoughtful and thorough investigation relating to my conduct as Red Sox manager.”An infielder on Boston’s 2007 champions, Cora was mentioned 11 times in Manfred’s decision on the Astros, which said he developed the cheating system. Cora left Houston to become Boston’s manager after the 2017 season and led the Red Sox to a franchise-record 108 regular-season wins and the World Series title.But fallout from the Astros investigation caused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/71f21c06cfc4affd972e6c29d8c2f3e9">Cora</a>&nbsp;and newly hired&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1313021d901cb1a96c0ea9be68809ebc">New York Mets manager Carlos Beltrán&nbsp;</a>to lose their jobs. Beltrán, the senior player on the 2017 Astros, was the only player identified by MLB as participating in the scheme to place a monitor near Houston’s dugout to receive video from the outfield and have players bang on a trash can to signal breaking pitches.Red Sox players were promised immunity in MLB’s investigation, but Manfred said even if players had been subject to discipline, none would have been punished.Watkins denied any wrongdoing, telling MLB that any information he provided during games was obtained from advance scouting.Manfred was unconvinced.“Watkins did not provide a persuasive explanation for why the information he provided to players during the game differed from information provided prior to the game,” the commissioner wrote. “I am significantly troubled by Watkins’ admissions that he knowingly attempted to conceal his communications with players from the video room monitor.”

Red Sox lose draft pick, Cora banned in sign-stealing scams

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — After leading the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl championship in five decades, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is finally eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason. And while there is no hurry given the fact that Mahomes is entering just his fourth season in the league — and the Chiefs could simply pick up his fifth-year option — the reality is both sides are eager to come to terms on what could be a record-setting deal.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have struck gold in recent years with picks such as quarterback Patrick Mahomes. But much of their draft history, especially when it comes to quarterbacks, has been spotty. Todd Blackledge was possibly their biggest first-round bust when they picked him seventh overall in 1983, and second-round choices Mike Elkins and Matt Blundin never gave Kansas City the solution behind center. That didn't happen until the Chiefs traded up to pick Mahomes with the 10th overall choice in the 2017 draft, laying the cornerstone for last year's Super Bowl run.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Four-time All Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski has agreed to come out of retirement and play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a reunion with former New England teammate Tom Brady. A proposed trade that needs to be finalized before this week’s NFL draft reportedly would have the Patriots sending Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay in exchange for a fourth-round selection. The deal is pending completion of a physical.

NEW YORK (AP)— Alex Rodriguez and fiancee Jennifer Lopez have retained J.P. Morgan to represent them in raising capital for a possible bid for the New York Mets. The move was first reported by Variety and confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the decision. The three-time AL MVP retired in August 2016 with 698 home runs, a .295 average and 2,086 RBIs in 22 years. He was suspended for the 2014 season for violations of Major League Baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract.

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — Ball State guard K.J. Walton will return for his sixth college season after receiving a waiver from the NCAA and the approval of the Mid-American Conference. The former Missouri player sat out the 2017-18 because of college basketball's transfer rule and played just 10 games last season because of an ankle injury that required surgery. He has started 35 games of the 42 he's appeared in with the Cardinals and averages 11.7 points and 4.5 rebounds.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA has announced a pace-of-play guideline for instant replay officials to complete video reviews in less than two minutes of a college football game. The Playing Rules Oversight Panel also approved the rules change no longer requiring players to head to the locker room after being penalized for targeting. All other aspects of the rule discouraging above-the-shoulders contact remain the same.

UNDATED (AP) — The English Premier League has been asked by human rights activists and one of its major broadcast partners to consider blocking Saudi Arabia's attempt to buy Newcastle. Amnesty International wrote to league chief executive Richard Masters to say the takeover could be exploited by Saudi Arabia to cover up “deeply immoral” breaches of international law. Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports said the kingdom should be held to account for a Saudi-backed pirate network stealing live broadcasts of games.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — After leading the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl championship in five decades, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is finally eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason. And while there is no hurry given the fact that Mahomes is entering just his fourth season in the league — and the Chiefs could simply pick up his fifth-year option — the reality is both sides are eager to come to terms on what could be a record-setting deal.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have struck gold in recent years with picks such as quarterback Patrick Mahomes. But much of their draft history, especially when it comes to quarterbacks, has been spotty. Todd Blackledge was possibly their biggest first-round bust when they picked him seventh overall in 1983, and second-round choices Mike Elkins and Matt Blundin never gave Kansas City the solution behind center. That didn't happen until the Chiefs traded up to pick Mahomes with the 10th overall choice in the 2017 draft, laying the cornerstone for last year's Super Bowl run.TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Four-time All Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski has agreed to come out of retirement and play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a reunion with former New England teammate Tom Brady. A proposed trade that needs to be finalized before this week’s NFL draft reportedly would have the Patriots sending Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay in exchange for a fourth-round selection. The deal is pending completion of a physical.NEW YORK (AP)— Alex Rodriguez and fiancee Jennifer Lopez have retained J.P. Morgan to represent them in raising capital for a possible bid for the New York Mets. The move was first reported by Variety and confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the decision. The three-time AL MVP retired in August 2016 with 698 home runs, a .295 average and 2,086 RBIs in 22 years. He was suspended for the 2014 season for violations of Major League Baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract.MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — Ball State guard K.J. Walton will return for his sixth college season after receiving a waiver from the NCAA and the approval of the Mid-American Conference. The former Missouri player sat out the 2017-18 because of college basketball's transfer rule and played just 10 games last season because of an ankle injury that required surgery. He has started 35 games of the 42 he's appeared in with the Cardinals and averages 11.7 points and 4.5 rebounds.INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA has announced a pace-of-play guideline for instant replay officials to complete video reviews in less than two minutes of a college football game. The Playing Rules Oversight Panel also approved the rules change no longer requiring players to head to the locker room after being penalized for targeting. All other aspects of the rule discouraging above-the-shoulders contact remain the same.UNDATED (AP) — The English Premier League has been asked by human rights activists and one of its major broadcast partners to consider blocking Saudi Arabia's attempt to buy Newcastle. Amnesty International wrote to league chief executive Richard Masters to say the takeover could be exploited by Saudi Arabia to cover up “deeply immoral” breaches of international law. Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports said the kingdom should be held to account for a Saudi-backed pirate network stealing live broadcasts of games.

Wednesday Sports Headlines

STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College men's golf team earned some impressive accolades as two Hutchinson golfers earned PING All-America honors.

Blue Dragon sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2019-20/bios/crockett_charlie_ovd8">Charlie Crockett</a>earned first-team honors for the second-straight year. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2019-20/bios/mcculloch_nathan_hvmd">Nathan McCulloch</a>was an honorable mention selection. The Golf Coaches Association of America announced their NJCAA Division I and Division II All-Americans on Tuesday.

The Blue Dragons finished No. 4 in the final Bushnell/GolfWeek rankings in a season cut short by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Both Crockett and McCulloch were routinely the Nos. 1 and 2 golfers for a loaded Blue Dragon team this season.

Crockett and McCulloch become the first Blue Dragon duo to be named to a PING All-America team in the same season. They are the seventh and eighth Blue Dragon golfers to be named a PING All-American. Last week, both Blue Dragon golfers were named to the All-District team with freshman Trey McCrae.

Crockett is also the first Blue Dragon to earn two PING All-America awards in program history. He was a first-team selection as well as being named the Phil Mickelson Freshman of the Year and a Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year finalist.

This past season, Crockett won 3 of 6 tournaments, which 10 rounds of at or below par. His low round of the season was 67 and he had four rounds of under 70 this season.

Over 14 rounds played, Crockett averaged 72.28 strokes per round. He ranked No. 12 in the nation in scoring average according to Golfstat.com.

With spring 2020 NJCAA athletes being awarded their year of eligibility back because of the season being canceled, Crockett will return to Hutchinson Community College for the 2020-21 season.

McCulloch averaged 74.21 strokes per round (39th in the NJCAA). He had two Top 10 finishes this season, including a tie for fourth at the Lubbock Christian Chap Classic in March. Two of McCulloch's four rounds of par or better happened at the LCU Chap Classic.

McCulloch has decided to transfer to a four-year program, choosing Texas A&amp;M Commerce.

The GCCA will announce National Awards on May 14.

STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationThe Hutchinson Community College men's golf team earned some impressive accolades as two Hutchinson golfers earned PING All-America honors.Blue Dragon sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2019-20/bios/crockett_charlie_ovd8">Charlie Crockett</a>earned first-team honors for the second-straight year. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2019-20/bios/mcculloch_nathan_hvmd">Nathan McCulloch</a>was an honorable mention selection. The Golf Coaches Association of America announced their NJCAA Division I and Division II All-Americans on Tuesday.The Blue Dragons finished No. 4 in the final Bushnell/GolfWeek rankings in a season cut short by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Both Crockett and McCulloch were routinely the Nos. 1 and 2 golfers for a loaded Blue Dragon team this season.Crockett and McCulloch become the first Blue Dragon duo to be named to a PING All-America team in the same season. They are the seventh and eighth Blue Dragon golfers to be named a PING All-American. Last week, both Blue Dragon golfers were named to the All-District team with freshman Trey McCrae.Crockett is also the first Blue Dragon to earn two PING All-America awards in program history. He was a first-team selection as well as being named the Phil Mickelson Freshman of the Year and a Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year finalist.This past season, Crockett won 3 of 6 tournaments, which 10 rounds of at or below par. His low round of the season was 67 and he had four rounds of under 70 this season.Over 14 rounds played, Crockett averaged 72.28 strokes per round. He ranked No. 12 in the nation in scoring average according to Golfstat.com.With spring 2020 NJCAA athletes being awarded their year of eligibility back because of the season being canceled, Crockett will return to Hutchinson Community College for the 2020-21 season.McCulloch averaged 74.21 strokes per round (39th in the NJCAA). He had two Top 10 finishes this season, including a tie for fourth at the Lubbock Christian Chap Classic in March. Two of McCulloch's four rounds of par or better happened at the LCU Chap Classic.McCulloch has decided to transfer to a four-year program, choosing Texas A&amp;M Commerce.The GCCA will announce National Awards on May 14.

Crockett, McCulloch earn Ping All-America honors at HutchCC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Leigh Steinberg’s focus this week is rightfully on the three-day NFL draft, where new clients such as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and teammate Jerry Jeudy will learn where they will begin their professional careers.

It won’t be long before Steinberg’s attention is back on his most high-profile client.

After leading the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl championship in five decades, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is finally eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason.

And while there is no hurry given the fact that Mahomes is entering just his fourth season in the league — and the Chiefs could simply pick up his fifth-year option — the reality is both sides are eager to come to terms on what could be a record-setting deal.

“We’re not even worried about it at this point,” Steinberg recently told The Associated Press in a wide-ranging interview. “He is preparing for next season and it’ll work out how it works out.”

That sounds reasonable. But for both sides, the benefits of getting a deal done this offseason far outweigh any benefits of kicking the negotiations down the road.

For the Chiefs, who have been bumping up against the salary cap, they would gain some cost certainty going forward. Mahomes is due to make just $2.7 million this season as part of his rookie contract, but that number will rise dramatically once a deal gets signed. Just how much would help the organization plan for what it hopes is a Patriots-like dynasty.

For the record-setting quarterback and his representatives, the extension would give them a big guaranteed payday before Mahomes takes the field again.

Remember when he dislocated his knee on a seemingly innocent quarterback sneak during a game against Denver?

It sent shivers down the spines of Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid, but also Steinberg and his team, who no doubt would prefer a deal gets done before Mahomes risks injury again.

“Pat and his agent, Chris (Cabot) and Leigh, they know Pat is a priority. Pat isn’t going anywhere,” Veach said. “Pat is going to be here a long time. I can never sit here and speak in definitives, so I can’t say that the fifth-year won’t be an option or anything like that. It would be hard for me to see that we’d have to use that. We feel that it’s a priority and when you have a great player, and that great player is a priority, things get done.”

Just what the deal might look like is up for debate.

Several former agents and GMs who spoke to the AP believe the starting point is Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who signed a four-year extension worth $35 million per year in new money that brought his total compensation to $157 million over five years.

But the end point should be much higher: a five-year extension that eclipses $200 million in new money, making Mahomes the highest-paid player in the league by reaching the $40 million-per-year benchmark.

It wouldn’t be the first time Steinberg, the inspiration for the film “Jerry Maguire,” set the market. The agent negotiated Warren Moon’s league-high contract in 1989, then handled Troy Aikman’s record-setting deal in 1993, before helping Drew Beldsoe shatter the mark again with a $103 million, 10-year blockbuster prior to the 2001 season.

“Again, Pat is a priority. The way we look at it now with all that is going on, we’re going to have a lot of time to work with,” Veach explained ahead of this week’s draft. “It’s just hard to put a timetable on exactly when and how that will all work out. But we know and I’m sure he knows that it will get done and it will be taken care of.”

In the meantime, the Chiefs are doing everything they can to keep Mahomes happy.

That means keeping plenty of help around him.

Despite their tight financial situation, the Chiefs brought back wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and fullback Anthony Sherman in free agency. They added swing tackle Mike Remmers to the offensive line, then snagged tight end Ricky Jones-Seals and former Raiders running back DeAndre Washington to provide even more pop.

“Pat does some things that you can’t coach,” said Washington, who was teammates with Mahomes at Texas Tech, and who should enter training camp as the primary backup to Damien Williams. “Being able to play with and experience that during college was definitely a fun experience.”

Mahomes is a big reason why Remmers and Jones-Seals signed with the Chiefs, too.

“You watch his highlights every week,” Remmers said, “and you’re just like, ‘What the heck? He did that this week? And he did that this next week?’ Every week he’s always doing something more creative. He’s a heck of a player, he moves really well, he slings the ball like crazy. He’s a heck of an athlete. I’m just extremely excited to meet him in person, see what he’s like in the locker room and in the huddle, just see how he operates out there.”

Good thing for Remmers: The Chiefs intend to have him operating out there for years to come.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Leigh Steinberg’s focus this week is rightfully on the three-day NFL draft, where new clients such as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and teammate Jerry Jeudy will learn where they will begin their professional careers.It won’t be long before Steinberg’s attention is back on his most high-profile client.After leading the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl championship in five decades, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is finally eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason.And while there is no hurry given the fact that Mahomes is entering just his fourth season in the league — and the Chiefs could simply pick up his fifth-year option — the reality is both sides are eager to come to terms on what could be a record-setting deal.“We’re not even worried about it at this point,” Steinberg recently told The Associated Press in a wide-ranging interview. “He is preparing for next season and it’ll work out how it works out.”That sounds reasonable. But for both sides, the benefits of getting a deal done this offseason far outweigh any benefits of kicking the negotiations down the road.For the Chiefs, who have been bumping up against the salary cap, they would gain some cost certainty going forward. Mahomes is due to make just $2.7 million this season as part of his rookie contract, but that number will rise dramatically once a deal gets signed. Just how much would help the organization plan for what it hopes is a Patriots-like dynasty.For the record-setting quarterback and his representatives, the extension would give them a big guaranteed payday before Mahomes takes the field again.Remember when he dislocated his knee on a seemingly innocent quarterback sneak during a game against Denver?It sent shivers down the spines of Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid, but also Steinberg and his team, who no doubt would prefer a deal gets done before Mahomes risks injury again.“Pat and his agent, Chris (Cabot) and Leigh, they know Pat is a priority. Pat isn’t going anywhere,” Veach said. “Pat is going to be here a long time. I can never sit here and speak in definitives, so I can’t say that the fifth-year won’t be an option or anything like that. It would be hard for me to see that we’d have to use that. We feel that it’s a priority and when you have a great player, and that great player is a priority, things get done.”Just what the deal might look like is up for debate.Several former agents and GMs who spoke to the AP believe the starting point is Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who signed a four-year extension worth $35 million per year in new money that brought his total compensation to $157 million over five years.But the end point should be much higher: a five-year extension that eclipses $200 million in new money, making Mahomes the highest-paid player in the league by reaching the $40 million-per-year benchmark.It wouldn’t be the first time Steinberg, the inspiration for the film “Jerry Maguire,” set the market. The agent negotiated Warren Moon’s league-high contract in 1989, then handled Troy Aikman’s record-setting deal in 1993, before helping Drew Beldsoe shatter the mark again with a $103 million, 10-year blockbuster prior to the 2001 season.“Again, Pat is a priority. The way we look at it now with all that is going on, we’re going to have a lot of time to work with,” Veach explained ahead of this week’s draft. “It’s just hard to put a timetable on exactly when and how that will all work out. But we know and I’m sure he knows that it will get done and it will be taken care of.”In the meantime, the Chiefs are doing everything they can to keep Mahomes happy.That means keeping plenty of help around him.Despite their tight financial situation, the Chiefs brought back wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and fullback Anthony Sherman in free agency. They added swing tackle Mike Remmers to the offensive line, then snagged tight end Ricky Jones-Seals and former Raiders running back DeAndre Washington to provide even more pop.“Pat does some things that you can’t coach,” said Washington, who was teammates with Mahomes at Texas Tech, and who should enter training camp as the primary backup to Damien Williams. “Being able to play with and experience that during college was definitely a fun experience.”Mahomes is a big reason why Remmers and Jones-Seals signed with the Chiefs, too.“You watch his highlights every week,” Remmers said, “and you’re just like, ‘What the heck? He did that this week? And he did that this next week?’ Every week he’s always doing something more creative. He’s a heck of a player, he moves really well, he slings the ball like crazy. He’s a heck of an athlete. I’m just extremely excited to meet him in person, see what he’s like in the locker room and in the huddle, just see how he operates out there.”Good thing for Remmers: The Chiefs intend to have him operating out there for years to come.

Chiefs, Mahomes eye record-setting deal following NFL draft

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez, once again, wants to be like Derek Jeter.

A-Rod and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/882b8cfb768640418eea7f65061ae301">Jennifer Lopez</a>, who are engaged, have retained J.P. Morgan to represent them in raising capital for a possible bid for the New York Mets. The move was first reported by Variety and confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the decision who spoke on condition of anonymity because it was not announced.

A three-time AL MVP,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9ad90bc239d44621bda9416f19bc9e2a">Rodriguez retired in August 2016</a>&nbsp;with 698 home runs, a .295 average and 2,086 RBIs in 22 years. He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f455e2d2c6cd477f8f7bc0159b4679d7">suspended for the 2014 season</a>&nbsp;for violations of Major League Baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract.

A-Rod, now 44 years old,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6ace2085a947490c88e9496850b85200">earned about $448 million</a>&nbsp;as a player. The 14-time All-Star started his career with Seattle, signed a record contract with Texas in December 2000, and then moved from shortstop to third base when he was traded from the Rangers to the New York Yankees ahead of the 2004 season.

Jeter, the Yankees captain and shortstop, retired after the 2014 season and was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame in January. He became CEO of the Miami Marlins as part of the team’s sale from Jeffrey Loria to a group headed by Bruce Sherman in October 2017.

The Mets’ ownership is headed by Fred Wilpon, brother-in-law Saul Katz and Jeff Wilpon’s son Jeff, the team’s chief operating officer. The team said Dec. 4 it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/57b35fb524d0d0fa00287fe1444a8c04">negotiating an agreement</a>with Steve Cohen. The hedge fund manager bought an 8% limited partnership stake in 2012 for $40 million. The deal under discussion would have seen him acquire an 80% controlling share in a transaction that values the team at $2.6 billion, and the Wilpons would have remained in place for five years.

The sides announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c31a710dde090ac31ec8389016d9375b">the deal’s collapse</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 6, and the Mets owners said they intended to find a new buyer. Allen &amp; Co. represents the Mets owners.

Given the drop in equities prices caused by the new coronavirus pandemic, the next few months figure to be a difficult time to raise money for a bid.

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez, once again, wants to be like Derek Jeter.A-Rod and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/882b8cfb768640418eea7f65061ae301">Jennifer Lopez</a>, who are engaged, have retained J.P. Morgan to represent them in raising capital for a possible bid for the New York Mets. The move was first reported by Variety and confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the decision who spoke on condition of anonymity because it was not announced.A three-time AL MVP,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9ad90bc239d44621bda9416f19bc9e2a">Rodriguez retired in August 2016</a>&nbsp;with 698 home runs, a .295 average and 2,086 RBIs in 22 years. He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f455e2d2c6cd477f8f7bc0159b4679d7">suspended for the 2014 season</a>&nbsp;for violations of Major League Baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract.ADVERTISEMENTA-Rod, now 44 years old,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6ace2085a947490c88e9496850b85200">earned about $448 million</a>&nbsp;as a player. The 14-time All-Star started his career with Seattle, signed a record contract with Texas in December 2000, and then moved from shortstop to third base when he was traded from the Rangers to the New York Yankees ahead of the 2004 season.Jeter, the Yankees captain and shortstop, retired after the 2014 season and was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame in January. He became CEO of the Miami Marlins as part of the team’s sale from Jeffrey Loria to a group headed by Bruce Sherman in October 2017.The Mets’ ownership is headed by Fred Wilpon, brother-in-law Saul Katz and Jeff Wilpon’s son Jeff, the team’s chief operating officer. The team said Dec. 4 it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/57b35fb524d0d0fa00287fe1444a8c04">negotiating an agreement</a>with Steve Cohen. The hedge fund manager bought an 8% limited partnership stake in 2012 for $40 million. The deal under discussion would have seen him acquire an 80% controlling share in a transaction that values the team at $2.6 billion, and the Wilpons would have remained in place for five years.The sides announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c31a710dde090ac31ec8389016d9375b">the deal’s collapse</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 6, and the Mets owners said they intended to find a new buyer. Allen &amp; Co. represents the Mets owners.Given the drop in equities prices caused by the new coronavirus pandemic, the next few months figure to be a difficult time to raise money for a bid.

AP source: A-Rod, J-Lo retain JP Morgan in bid for Mets

MADRID (AP) — Formula One organizers are open to renegotiating hosting fees for races that may take place without fans this season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the general manager of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya said.

Joan Fontseré told The Associated Press that Liberty Media is “conscious” that if races need to go on without fans the contracts with event promoters will have to be somehow renegotiated.

“They are conscious that this is an exceptional situation,” Fontseré said Tuesday. “We are obviously on the same page. If they want to keep some races on because of the TV rights, because of the teams ... they know that our income (will be reduced, they realize that this year it will be like that, so for sure we are on the same page.”

He said Spanish Grand Prix organizers at this moment are not even considering a race with fans in Barcelona. He said it’s not only ticket sales that would be affected if the event goes on with empty stands and no hospitality suites.

“When the Catalan government invests in F1, it’s not only for the tickets that we sell, it’s also for the financial impact that the event has in the country, in Catalonia,” Fontseré said. “The economic impact for the country will be very reduced. It means no income for taxis, for hotels ... so that changes completely the agreement between the two parties.”

Liberty Media did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Spanish GP brings in more than 160,000 million euros ($173 million) to the region, with the total of its financial impact during the year nearing 300 million euros ($325 million, according to data from the track. The attendance for last year’s race-weekend surpassed 160,000 people.

Fontseré said he received a couple of phone calls from F1 CEO Chase Carey to discuss possible solutions for the Spanish GP. He said Carey said the series is trying to run as many races as possible, but it was still too early to know when the season would actually resume, whether it would be in the summer or only in the fall.

Nine of the 22 races have already been postponed or canceled, and F1 recently put half of its staff on furlough until the end of May. Some teams also took similar actions to reduce costs.

F1 organizers have said they hope to hold between 15 and 18 races this year. The Australian GP and the Monaco GP have already been canceled.

Fontseré said the Spanish GP is “completely at the disposal” or organizers and is open to all proposals, be it doubleheaders, shortened weekends or almost anything else other than running on a reverse layout, as that would require too many complex changes to the track and could pose safety concerns.

Among the ideas reportedly being discussed in F1 is to have two or three consecutive races at the same circuit and to use fewer days of on-track activities. There were also talks about changing the format of qualifying and even races.

“We need to reduce two things: costs and risks,” Fontseré said. “So the fewer people we move, the smaller the risk, and the fewer days we use and the fewer activities we do, the lower the costs. It’s an exceptional season and exceptional decisions need to be taken.”

He said it is key to have as many races as possible this year in order to have a strong 2021 season, but he would understand if the Spanish GP was eventually left off the calendar. He was optimistic with its chances, though, considering its tradition, infrastructure and location.

Fontseré said he can get the Barcelona-Catalunya track ready for a race in “two to three weeks” and expects the Spanish GP to be among the first to resume.

“As soon as we can restart the season, I’m sure that it will be with European races,” he said, “and we will be around there.”

MADRID (AP) — Formula One organizers are open to renegotiating hosting fees for races that may take place without fans this season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the general manager of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya said.Joan Fontseré told The Associated Press that Liberty Media is “conscious” that if races need to go on without fans the contracts with event promoters will have to be somehow renegotiated.“They are conscious that this is an exceptional situation,” Fontseré said Tuesday. “We are obviously on the same page. If they want to keep some races on because of the TV rights, because of the teams ... they know that our income (will be reduced, they realize that this year it will be like that, so for sure we are on the same page.”He said Spanish Grand Prix organizers at this moment are not even considering a race with fans in Barcelona. He said it’s not only ticket sales that would be affected if the event goes on with empty stands and no hospitality suites.“When the Catalan government invests in F1, it’s not only for the tickets that we sell, it’s also for the financial impact that the event has in the country, in Catalonia,” Fontseré said. “The economic impact for the country will be very reduced. It means no income for taxis, for hotels ... so that changes completely the agreement between the two parties.”Liberty Media did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The Spanish GP brings in more than 160,000 million euros ($173 million) to the region, with the total of its financial impact during the year nearing 300 million euros ($325 million, according to data from the track. The attendance for last year’s race-weekend surpassed 160,000 people.Fontseré said he received a couple of phone calls from F1 CEO Chase Carey to discuss possible solutions for the Spanish GP. He said Carey said the series is trying to run as many races as possible, but it was still too early to know when the season would actually resume, whether it would be in the summer or only in the fall.Nine of the 22 races have already been postponed or canceled, and F1 recently put half of its staff on furlough until the end of May. Some teams also took similar actions to reduce costs.F1 organizers have said they hope to hold between 15 and 18 races this year. The Australian GP and the Monaco GP have already been canceled.Fontseré said the Spanish GP is “completely at the disposal” or organizers and is open to all proposals, be it doubleheaders, shortened weekends or almost anything else other than running on a reverse layout, as that would require too many complex changes to the track and could pose safety concerns.Among the ideas reportedly being discussed in F1 is to have two or three consecutive races at the same circuit and to use fewer days of on-track activities. There were also talks about changing the format of qualifying and even races.“We need to reduce two things: costs and risks,” Fontseré said. “So the fewer people we move, the smaller the risk, and the fewer days we use and the fewer activities we do, the lower the costs. It’s an exceptional season and exceptional decisions need to be taken.”He said it is key to have as many races as possible this year in order to have a strong 2021 season, but he would understand if the Spanish GP was eventually left off the calendar. He was optimistic with its chances, though, considering its tradition, infrastructure and location.Fontseré said he can get the Barcelona-Catalunya track ready for a race in “two to three weeks” and expects the Spanish GP to be among the first to resume.“As soon as we can restart the season, I’m sure that it will be with European races,” he said, “and we will be around there.”

Spanish GP: F1 will renegotiate fees for races without fans

While professional sports leagues can ponder plans to isolate their athletes from the coronavirus and have them play in unusual, even secluded places, college sports have no such option.

Pro sports leagues can get creative with solutions to save their multibillion-dollar businesses. College sports will take a slower road back.

“The most at risk sport of starting up again, in my opinion, is collegiate athletics,” said A.J. Maestas, the CEO of Navigate Research, which consults with professional sports leagues and college conferences. “There is less of an incentive and less alignment with the ultimate mission of the entity they work at, live at. That fund them.”&nbsp;

The commissioners of the 10 Bowl Subdivision conferences made it clear to Vice President Mike Pence last week:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f321efa05a62bb55cc8c1ade9944a20b">There cannot be college sports played if campuses are not open</a>. If university leaders do not deem it safe for students to return to classrooms and dorms, locker rooms and practice fields will also remain closed.

As big as the business of college sports is it is dwarfed by the business of higher education. For example:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20180920/ua-trustees-to-vote-on-budgets-for-upcoming-fiscal-year" target="_blank">The University of Alabama’s budget in fiscal 2018 was $1.03 billion.&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2020/01/the-things-you-learn-reading-alabamas-164-million-athletics-budget-closely.html" target="_blank">Its athletic budget in 2018-19 was $164 million.</a>

“You think of all the stakeholders and constituents in the collegiate space and all the missions they’re meant to serve in. This sports thing is like 3% of their budget,” Maestas said.

Colleges and universities, for the most part, have been quicker than governments in enacting measures to slow the spread of the virus. They sent students home, extended spring breaks and shifted to online classes weeks before widespread bans of large gatherings and stay-at-home orders by governors and mayors.

Even before the NCAA canceled its basketball tournaments and spring sports March 12, schools were shuttering campuses.&nbsp;

Fast forward to the fall, when the hope is many businesses and routine parts of daily life will be operating again, even if not back to business as usual. That doesn’t mean colleges will be rushing to get students on campus. If they were first to shut down, they could also be among the last to reopen and it will be university presidents, not the NCAA, making those decisions.

Schools would take a significant financial hit by continuing to operate online only, but balance that against the legal and ethical liability they could face by being the catalyst for reigniting an outbreak.

“I think they do have to be conservative in how they approach this,” said attorney Tim Nevius, a former college baseball player and NCAA investigator who now represents and advocates for college athletes.

If, come September, the students are physically going back to school, even then there will be hurdles to clear for football to start.

“Large gatherings of people are going to be the last thing we check off the box,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said last week when asked about Ohio State football games.

“It isn’t appropriate for us to play college football without fans. If that were the case, it would mean there would be major reservations about group gatherings,” Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips said&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/finebaum/status/1251234678226522113?s=20" target="_blank">on the Paul Finebaum Show</a>, echoing a sentiment that is also becoming popular among administrators.

In professional sports, players are well-paid and unionized. Essentially, they are business partners with the leagues. Players have to sign off on any return-to-play plan, and they might be motivated to take some risk to get paid.

In college sports, the relationship between the players and the schools, administrators and coaches is almost paternal.&nbsp;

“In framing it that way it restricts athletes’ rights,” Nevius said. “So it prevents them from being considered employees. It reduces their economic rights. It frames things so that the athletes also think that they are in this caretaker environment so they have to rely upon the coaches and the schools to advance their rights.”&nbsp;

“But that is not always the case with the big business of college sports,” Nevius added.

Later this week, the NCAA is scheduled to reveal some details of a plan to begin allowing college athletes to be compensated for use of their names, images and likenesses. The earliest it would go into effect is 2021-22.&nbsp;

Yes, college football players with professional aspirations have much to gain by playing. But not paychecks. And their scholarships are good whether they play or not.

“College sports are theoretically intended to exist to enhance that academic experience of its athletes,” Nevius said. “And the NCAA repeatedly says that publicly and in defense of lawsuits as well. We’ve seen over time decisions made that completely contradict that. This is another test with respect to that philosophy.”

While professional sports leagues can ponder plans to isolate their athletes from the coronavirus and have them play in unusual, even secluded places, college sports have no such option.Pro sports leagues can get creative with solutions to save their multibillion-dollar businesses. College sports will take a slower road back.“The most at risk sport of starting up again, in my opinion, is collegiate athletics,” said A.J. Maestas, the CEO of Navigate Research, which consults with professional sports leagues and college conferences. “There is less of an incentive and less alignment with the ultimate mission of the entity they work at, live at. That fund them.”&nbsp;The commissioners of the 10 Bowl Subdivision conferences made it clear to Vice President Mike Pence last week:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f321efa05a62bb55cc8c1ade9944a20b">There cannot be college sports played if campuses are not open</a>. If university leaders do not deem it safe for students to return to classrooms and dorms, locker rooms and practice fields will also remain closed.As big as the business of college sports is it is dwarfed by the business of higher education. For example:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20180920/ua-trustees-to-vote-on-budgets-for-upcoming-fiscal-year" target="_blank">The University of Alabama’s budget in fiscal 2018 was $1.03 billion.&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2020/01/the-things-you-learn-reading-alabamas-164-million-athletics-budget-closely.html" target="_blank">Its athletic budget in 2018-19 was $164 million.</a>“You think of all the stakeholders and constituents in the collegiate space and all the missions they’re meant to serve in. This sports thing is like 3% of their budget,” Maestas said.Colleges and universities, for the most part, have been quicker than governments in enacting measures to slow the spread of the virus. They sent students home, extended spring breaks and shifted to online classes weeks before widespread bans of large gatherings and stay-at-home orders by governors and mayors.Even before the NCAA canceled its basketball tournaments and spring sports March 12, schools were shuttering campuses.&nbsp;Fast forward to the fall, when the hope is many businesses and routine parts of daily life will be operating again, even if not back to business as usual. That doesn’t mean colleges will be rushing to get students on campus. If they were first to shut down, they could also be among the last to reopen and it will be university presidents, not the NCAA, making those decisions.Schools would take a significant financial hit by continuing to operate online only, but balance that against the legal and ethical liability they could face by being the catalyst for reigniting an outbreak.“I think they do have to be conservative in how they approach this,” said attorney Tim Nevius, a former college baseball player and NCAA investigator who now represents and advocates for college athletes.If, come September, the students are physically going back to school, even then there will be hurdles to clear for football to start.“Large gatherings of people are going to be the last thing we check off the box,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said last week when asked about Ohio State football games.So play without fans?&nbsp;“It isn’t appropriate for us to play college football without fans. If that were the case, it would mean there would be major reservations about group gatherings,” Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips said&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/finebaum/status/1251234678226522113?s=20" target="_blank">on the Paul Finebaum Show</a>, echoing a sentiment that is also becoming popular among administrators.In professional sports, players are well-paid and unionized. Essentially, they are business partners with the leagues. Players have to sign off on any return-to-play plan, and they might be motivated to take some risk to get paid.In college sports, the relationship between the players and the schools, administrators and coaches is almost paternal.&nbsp;“In framing it that way it restricts athletes’ rights,” Nevius said. “So it prevents them from being considered employees. It reduces their economic rights. It frames things so that the athletes also think that they are in this caretaker environment so they have to rely upon the coaches and the schools to advance their rights.”&nbsp;“But that is not always the case with the big business of college sports,” Nevius added.Later this week, the NCAA is scheduled to reveal some details of a plan to begin allowing college athletes to be compensated for use of their names, images and likenesses. The earliest it would go into effect is 2021-22.&nbsp;Yes, college football players with professional aspirations have much to gain by playing. But not paychecks. And their scholarships are good whether they play or not.“College sports are theoretically intended to exist to enhance that academic experience of its athletes,” Nevius said. “And the NCAA repeatedly says that publicly and in defense of lawsuits as well. We’ve seen over time decisions made that completely contradict that. This is another test with respect to that philosophy.”

Analysis: Expect college football to take slow road back

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Four-time All Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski has agreed to a reunion with Tom Brady.

The agent for the retired New England star confirmed Tuesday that pending completion of a physical Gronkowski has agreed to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are acquiring his rights from the Patriots.

A proposed trade that needs to be finalized before this week’s NFL draft would bring Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay in exchange for a fourth-round selection.

“Pending the physical, Rob has agreed to play for Tampa this season,” agent Drew Rosenhaus said.

The deal would reunite the 30-year-old Gronkowski with Brady, who signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Bucs last month.

Gronkowski, who’ll turn 31 on May 14, retired in March 2019 after nine seasons with the Patriots, who drafted him in the second round in 2010. He has one year left on his contract at $10 million.

“He will honor his current contract at this time,” Rosenhaus said.&nbsp;

In addition to 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns in 115 regular-season games, the five-time Pro Bowl selection has another 81 catches for 1,163 yards and 12 TDs in 16 playoff games.

Even without the prospect of adding Gronkowski, the tight end position was considered one of Tampa Bay’s biggest strengths, with O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate teaming with Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to form the best collection of targets Brady has had to work with in more than a decade.

The Bucs are coming off a 7-9 finish and missed the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season in 2019. They haven’t won a postseason game since the franchise’s only Super Bowl championship run 18 years ago.

Brady played in nine Super Bowls — winning six — in 20 seasons with the Patriots, who also appeared in 13 AFC championship games and won 17 division titles while the three-time league MVP was their primary starting quarterback.

A few days after signing with the Bucs in free agency, Brady said not only was he impressed with a talented young roster Tampa Bay has assembled in recent years, but what he sensed is a commitment to do whatever necessary to be successful.

“I don’t want to get into every process to the decision I was making at the time, but there were a lot of things that really were intriguing to me about the organization – the players, and the coaches and the willingness of everyone to try to accomplish what the goal of playing football is, which is to win,” the four-time Super Bowl MVP said.

“I’m going to try to do everything I can in my position, and in what I am responsible for to make it happen,” Brady added. “I’ve got to trust that everyone else is doing the exact same thing. That part is no different from what I’ve experienced in 20 years of my own role.”

Gronkowski was an All-Pro in 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2017. He had 43 receptions for 682 yards and three TDs in 2018, his final season with the Patriots.

Without his favorite target, Brady had one of his worst non-injury seasons last year, throwing for 4,057 yards with 24 TDs vs. eight interceptions.

The Patriots, nevertheless, won 12 games and extended their string of consecutive playoff appearances to 11 before a sputtering offense contributed to a first-round loss to the Tennessee Titans.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Four-time All Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski has agreed to a reunion with Tom Brady.The agent for the retired New England star confirmed Tuesday that pending completion of a physical Gronkowski has agreed to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are acquiring his rights from the Patriots.A proposed trade that needs to be finalized before this week’s NFL draft would bring Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay in exchange for a fourth-round selection.“Pending the physical, Rob has agreed to play for Tampa this season,” agent Drew Rosenhaus said.The deal would reunite the 30-year-old Gronkowski with Brady, who signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Bucs last month.Gronkowski, who’ll turn 31 on May 14, retired in March 2019 after nine seasons with the Patriots, who drafted him in the second round in 2010. He has one year left on his contract at $10 million.“He will honor his current contract at this time,” Rosenhaus said.&nbsp;In addition to 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns in 115 regular-season games, the five-time Pro Bowl selection has another 81 catches for 1,163 yards and 12 TDs in 16 playoff games.Even without the prospect of adding Gronkowski, the tight end position was considered one of Tampa Bay’s biggest strengths, with O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate teaming with Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to form the best collection of targets Brady has had to work with in more than a decade.The Bucs are coming off a 7-9 finish and missed the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season in 2019. They haven’t won a postseason game since the franchise’s only Super Bowl championship run 18 years ago.Brady played in nine Super Bowls — winning six — in 20 seasons with the Patriots, who also appeared in 13 AFC championship games and won 17 division titles while the three-time league MVP was their primary starting quarterback.A few days after signing with the Bucs in free agency, Brady said not only was he impressed with a talented young roster Tampa Bay has assembled in recent years, but what he sensed is a commitment to do whatever necessary to be successful.“I don’t want to get into every process to the decision I was making at the time, but there were a lot of things that really were intriguing to me about the organization – the players, and the coaches and the willingness of everyone to try to accomplish what the goal of playing football is, which is to win,” the four-time Super Bowl MVP said.“I’m going to try to do everything I can in my position, and in what I am responsible for to make it happen,” Brady added. “I’ve got to trust that everyone else is doing the exact same thing. That part is no different from what I’ve experienced in 20 years of my own role.”Gronkowski was an All-Pro in 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2017. He had 43 receptions for 682 yards and three TDs in 2018, his final season with the Patriots.Without his favorite target, Brady had one of his worst non-injury seasons last year, throwing for 4,057 yards with 24 TDs vs. eight interceptions.The Patriots, nevertheless, won 12 games and extended their string of consecutive playoff appearances to 11 before a sputtering offense contributed to a first-round loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Agent: Gronkowski to have reunion with Brady in Tampa Bay

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have brought back the majority of their free agents that helped deliver them their first Super Bowl title in 50 years. That means they have few holes to fill heading into the three-day NFL draft, giving them the luxury of doing just about anything they want. They could trade away the No. 32 overall selection and accumulate more picks, or they could use it on a position such as defensive back or running back where they are comparatively thin. Regardless, the Chiefs need to find cost-controlled depth from their rookie class with a big contract coming soon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.&nbsp;

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a petition from the Los Angeles Rams to send a lawsuit regarding their relocation from St. Louis into arbitration. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in St. Louis late next year, or it could be settled out of court. The city and county of St. Louis and the regional sports complex authority sued the Rams 15 months after owner Stan Kroenke returned his franchise to Los Angeles in early 2016. The Rams had spent 21 years in St. Louis before returning to their hometown for the previous 49 years. The St. Louis parties allege the Rams and the NFL committed fraud and breach of contract while moving the franchise.

UNDATED (AP) — College sports programs are already being cut and more are likely on the chopping block. The coronavirus pandemic has triggered fears of an economic meltdown on campuses around the country. In tough times, athletic administrators often drop sports programs to save money. Some observers see the coming crisis as a chance for schools to consider radical changes to how athletic departments are run. There also could be new development paths that emerge for young athletes.

WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor's top two scorers are entering their names in the NBA draft while keeping open their options to return to the Bears. All-Big 12 sophomore guard Jared Butler announced his intentions Monday on Twitter. Junior guard MaCio Teague said last month that he was exploring the NBA draft. Butler was third in the Big 12 with 16 points a game, while Teague scored 13.9 points a game. The Bears finished No. 5 in the final AP Top 25 poll. They were 26-4 and set a Big 12 record with a 23-game winning streak.&nbsp;

UNDATED (AP) — The Baylor Lady Bears have added a transfer point guard who can play multiple seasons for them. Jaden Owens is transferring from UCLA and has signed a letter of intent with the Big 12 champion Lady Bears. The Texas native just completed her freshman season at UCLA and will have three seasons of eligibility at Baylor. The Lady Bears have had graduate transfers at point guard each of the past two seasons, Chloe Jackson for the 2019 national championship and T'ea Cooper this season. Owens was a McDonald's All-American at Plano West High School before going to UCLA.

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has made a move that allows teams to lay off or cut the pay of major and minor league managers, coaches, trainers and full-time scouts starting May 1. Manfred has suspended uniform employee contracts that cover about 9,000 people, including general managers on some teams. Manfred cited the inability to play games due to the national emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Novak Djokovic says he won’t take any anti-coronavirus vaccination if it becomes compulsory for tennis players to return to the world tours. The world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player says in a live Facebook chat he wouldn’t “be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.” Djokovic and his wife have two children and have spoken previously against vaccinations. Djokovic won the Australian Open in January for his 17th grand slam singles title.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived oft-injured receiver Marqise Lee to create nearly $5 million in salary cap space, parting with a player who had just three receptions the last two years combined. The Jaguars were waiting for Lee to get fully healthy before letting him go, giving him the best chance to pass a physical with another team. He missed the entire 2018 season following a major knee injury and injured his shoulder last October, causing him to miss the final eight games.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis says it has added guard-forward Landers Nolley II as a transfer from Virginia Tech. Nolley was on the Atlantic Coast Conference all-freshman team this past season after averaging a team-high 15.5 points and 5.8 rebounds with the Hokies. He started 29 of 32 games with Virginia Tech and ranked 12th nationally among freshmen in scoring.

UNDATED (AP) — Former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame through the contributor category. Finchem expanded the PGA Tour’s footprint around the world and negotiated TV contracts that more than tripled prize money during his two decades as commissioner. He joins the induction class of 2021 with Tiger Woods.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have brought back the majority of their free agents that helped deliver them their first Super Bowl title in 50 years. That means they have few holes to fill heading into the three-day NFL draft, giving them the luxury of doing just about anything they want. They could trade away the No. 32 overall selection and accumulate more picks, or they could use it on a position such as defensive back or running back where they are comparatively thin. Regardless, the Chiefs need to find cost-controlled depth from their rookie class with a big contract coming soon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.&nbsp;LOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a petition from the Los Angeles Rams to send a lawsuit regarding their relocation from St. Louis into arbitration. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in St. Louis late next year, or it could be settled out of court. The city and county of St. Louis and the regional sports complex authority sued the Rams 15 months after owner Stan Kroenke returned his franchise to Los Angeles in early 2016. The Rams had spent 21 years in St. Louis before returning to their hometown for the previous 49 years. The St. Louis parties allege the Rams and the NFL committed fraud and breach of contract while moving the franchise.UNDATED (AP) — College sports programs are already being cut and more are likely on the chopping block. The coronavirus pandemic has triggered fears of an economic meltdown on campuses around the country. In tough times, athletic administrators often drop sports programs to save money. Some observers see the coming crisis as a chance for schools to consider radical changes to how athletic departments are run. There also could be new development paths that emerge for young athletes.WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor's top two scorers are entering their names in the NBA draft while keeping open their options to return to the Bears. All-Big 12 sophomore guard Jared Butler announced his intentions Monday on Twitter. Junior guard MaCio Teague said last month that he was exploring the NBA draft. Butler was third in the Big 12 with 16 points a game, while Teague scored 13.9 points a game. The Bears finished No. 5 in the final AP Top 25 poll. They were 26-4 and set a Big 12 record with a 23-game winning streak.&nbsp;UNDATED (AP) — The Baylor Lady Bears have added a transfer point guard who can play multiple seasons for them. Jaden Owens is transferring from UCLA and has signed a letter of intent with the Big 12 champion Lady Bears. The Texas native just completed her freshman season at UCLA and will have three seasons of eligibility at Baylor. The Lady Bears have had graduate transfers at point guard each of the past two seasons, Chloe Jackson for the 2019 national championship and T'ea Cooper this season. Owens was a McDonald's All-American at Plano West High School before going to UCLA.NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has made a move that allows teams to lay off or cut the pay of major and minor league managers, coaches, trainers and full-time scouts starting May 1. Manfred has suspended uniform employee contracts that cover about 9,000 people, including general managers on some teams. Manfred cited the inability to play games due to the national emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic.BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Novak Djokovic says he won’t take any anti-coronavirus vaccination if it becomes compulsory for tennis players to return to the world tours. The world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player says in a live Facebook chat he wouldn’t “be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.” Djokovic and his wife have two children and have spoken previously against vaccinations. Djokovic won the Australian Open in January for his 17th grand slam singles title.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived oft-injured receiver Marqise Lee to create nearly $5 million in salary cap space, parting with a player who had just three receptions the last two years combined. The Jaguars were waiting for Lee to get fully healthy before letting him go, giving him the best chance to pass a physical with another team. He missed the entire 2018 season following a major knee injury and injured his shoulder last October, causing him to miss the final eight games.MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis says it has added guard-forward Landers Nolley II as a transfer from Virginia Tech. Nolley was on the Atlantic Coast Conference all-freshman team this past season after averaging a team-high 15.5 points and 5.8 rebounds with the Hokies. He started 29 of 32 games with Virginia Tech and ranked 12th nationally among freshmen in scoring.UNDATED (AP) — Former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame through the contributor category. Finchem expanded the PGA Tour’s footprint around the world and negotiated TV contracts that more than tripled prize money during his two decades as commissioner. He joins the induction class of 2021 with Tiger Woods.

Tuesday Sports Headlines

WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita State Shocker Men's Basketball team received some good news Monday as Morris Udeze announced via his twitter account that he will be returning to the shockers.

WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita State Shocker Men's Basketball team received some good news Monday as Morris Udeze announced via his twitter account that he will be returning to the shockers.<figure>
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 Morris Udeze returning to Shockers

TOPEKA, Kan. - While KSHSAA Offices are closed and its staff is working from home, many High School Athletic Directors and Coaches are hoping KSHSAA is coming up with a plan to resume activities as soon as possible.

Are we looking at a fall lost season with a cancellation of fall sports or will summer workouts go on as planned?

The Kansas State High School Activities Association is preparing for both possibilities, as well as every possibility in between, as it strategizes the resumption of athletics in the state.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has forced sports at all levels nationwide to come to a halt. The KSHSAA canceled the state basketball tournaments after the quarterfinal rounds on March 12, the same day Gov. Laura Kelly declared a state of emergency.&nbsp;

High school sports in Kansas never resumed. Six days after the state basketball tournaments were called off and one day after Kelly closed all schools for the rest of the academic year, the KSHSAA canceled all spring sports.&nbsp;

Since then, the coronavirus crisis has only swelled. Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order that was extended to May 3.&nbsp;

KSHSAA is also hoping to enact temporary plans to adjust moratorium periods in the summer that restrict when athletes can work out. &nbsp;

While the KSHSAA is hopeful that it can get athletics rolling again in the summer, the threat of fall sports being affected looms in the background.

KSHSAA administration will present its contingency plans during its online Board of Directors meeting scheduled for May 1.

Kansas was the first state in the nation to close schools for the rest of the academic year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, so expect a similarly cautious approach when it comes to resuming athletics.

Ultimately, like the rest of the nation, the KSHSAA is at the mercy of the coronavirus. The association will wait for the state to open schools, which could happen on a county-by-county basis, before enacting any plans for resuming activities.

TOPEKA, Kan. - While KSHSAA Offices are closed and its staff is working from home, many High School Athletic Directors and Coaches are hoping KSHSAA is coming up with a plan to resume activities as soon as possible.Are we looking at a fall lost season with a cancellation of fall sports or will summer workouts go on as planned?The Kansas State High School Activities Association is preparing for both possibilities, as well as every possibility in between, as it strategizes the resumption of athletics in the state.The COVID-19 global pandemic has forced sports at all levels nationwide to come to a halt. The KSHSAA canceled the state basketball tournaments after the quarterfinal rounds on March 12, the same day Gov. Laura Kelly declared a state of emergency.&nbsp;High school sports in Kansas never resumed. Six days after the state basketball tournaments were called off and one day after Kelly closed all schools for the rest of the academic year, the KSHSAA canceled all spring sports.&nbsp;Since then, the coronavirus crisis has only swelled. Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order that was extended to May 3.&nbsp;KSHSAA is also hoping to enact temporary plans to adjust moratorium periods in the summer that restrict when athletes can work out. &nbsp;While the KSHSAA is hopeful that it can get athletics rolling again in the summer, the threat of fall sports being affected looms in the background.KSHSAA administration will present its contingency plans during its online Board of Directors meeting scheduled for May 1.Kansas was the first state in the nation to close schools for the rest of the academic year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, so expect a similarly cautious approach when it comes to resuming athletics.Ultimately, like the rest of the nation, the KSHSAA is at the mercy of the coronavirus. The association will wait for the state to open schools, which could happen on a county-by-county basis, before enacting any plans for resuming activities.

KSHSAA is looking at options to resume sports

The following Buhler High Athletes &nbsp;have been nominated for the Best of Kansas Preps for 2020.

Basketball: Max Alexander,&nbsp;Alyvia Owens

Soccer:&nbsp;Drake Dick,&nbsp;Cade Taylor,&nbsp;Tyler Westfall

The following Buhler High Athletes &nbsp;have been nominated for the Best of Kansas Preps for 2020.Basketball: Max Alexander,&nbsp;Alyvia OwensSoccer:&nbsp;Drake Dick,&nbsp;Cade Taylor,&nbsp;Tyler WestfallWrestling:&nbsp;Sam Elliott,Football:&nbsp;Jacob FredericksonXC:&nbsp;Tanner LindahlGirls Golf:&nbsp;Haley Miller

Numerous Buhler High Athletes nominated for Best of Kansas Preps

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has made a move that allows teams to lay off or cut the pay of major and minor league managers, coaches, trainers and full-time scouts starting May 1.

Manfred has suspended uniform employee contracts that cover about 9,000 people, including general managers on some teams. Manfred cited the inability to play games due to the national emergency caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.

“Our clubs rely heavily on revenue from tickets/concessions, broadcasting/media, licensing and sponsorships to pay salaries,” Manfred wrote in an email Monday, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. “In the absence of games, these revenue streams will be lost or substantially reduced, and clubs will not have sufficient funds to meet their financial obligations.”

“The impact of the suspension of the UEC on your personal employment situation will be determined by your club,” Manfred said.

Manfred’s intention to suspend the contracts was first reported by The Athletic.

Arizona, Atlanta, Boston, the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati, Minnesota, the New York Yankees, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Toronto are among the teams that have committed to paying full-time employees through May, and Miami will pay full-time baseball operations staff through the month. The Cubs will pay those on UECs and front-office staff through their May 29 paychecks.

Major League Rule 3(i) requires that UECs must be signed by all managers, coaches, trainers and salaried scouts, and some teams include additional baseball operations staff.

“Pursuant to the terms of the UEC, the club’s exclusive right to your services will remain in effect during the period of the suspension such that you will not be permitted to perform services for any other club,” Manfred wrote. “I fully recognize the hardship that this health crisis creates for all members of the baseball community. Central baseball and the clubs are doing everything possible to try to minimize this impact for as many employees as possible.”

Manfred said the Baseball Assistance Team charitable organization “is available to consider grant applications on an expedited basis for those facing significant and immediate financial hardship.”

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has made a move that allows teams to lay off or cut the pay of major and minor league managers, coaches, trainers and full-time scouts starting May 1.Manfred has suspended uniform employee contracts that cover about 9,000 people, including general managers on some teams. Manfred cited the inability to play games due to the national emergency caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.“Our clubs rely heavily on revenue from tickets/concessions, broadcasting/media, licensing and sponsorships to pay salaries,” Manfred wrote in an email Monday, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. “In the absence of games, these revenue streams will be lost or substantially reduced, and clubs will not have sufficient funds to meet their financial obligations.”“The impact of the suspension of the UEC on your personal employment situation will be determined by your club,” Manfred said.Manfred’s intention to suspend the contracts was first reported by The Athletic.Arizona, Atlanta, Boston, the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati, Minnesota, the New York Yankees, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Toronto are among the teams that have committed to paying full-time employees through May, and Miami will pay full-time baseball operations staff through the month. The Cubs will pay those on UECs and front-office staff through their May 29 paychecks.Major League Rule 3(i) requires that UECs must be signed by all managers, coaches, trainers and salaried scouts, and some teams include additional baseball operations staff.“Pursuant to the terms of the UEC, the club’s exclusive right to your services will remain in effect during the period of the suspension such that you will not be permitted to perform services for any other club,” Manfred wrote. “I fully recognize the hardship that this health crisis creates for all members of the baseball community. Central baseball and the clubs are doing everything possible to try to minimize this impact for as many employees as possible.”Manfred said the Baseball Assistance Team charitable organization “is available to consider grant applications on an expedited basis for those facing significant and immediate financial hardship.”