Brady says time was right to change teams

UNDATED (AP) — Quarterback Tom Brady says it was time for a change.

Brady appeared on SiriusXM's "The Howard Stern Show" for about two hours Wednesday and discussed a myriad of topics, including his decision to leave the New England Patriots. The six-time Super Bowl winner said he was ready for a new challenge when he elected to become a free agent and signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month.

Brady reiterated he has no hard feelings about coach Bill Belichick (BEHL'-ih-chik) not making him a Patriot for life. He added that so many wrong assumptions were made about his relationship with Belichick, or about how Belichick felt about him.

— The Falcons are moving to black pants with black jerseys for their home uniforms in 2020. Those changes are part of a redesign the team says respects past fashion choices with updates "to match the modern progression of Atlanta." The team's first redesign in 17 years also include white jerseys and white pants for road uniforms. The Falcons will continue to use black helmets.

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL is turning the league's 2020 draft into a three-day fundraiser to help six charities dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

The "Draft-A-Thon" will be featured during the draft April 23-25 to raise money for non-profits selected by the NFL Foundation. Among the charities are the American Red Cross, CDC Foundation's All of Us, Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund, the Salvation Army, and United Way's COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that the Draft-A-Thon will deliver much-needed funding to many who are suffering as well as those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In other developments related to the coronavirus:

— Texas A&amp;M Chancellor John Sharp said Wednesday that officials believe a 13-game college football schedule would be possible even if the start of the season was delayed until October because of the new coronavirus. Sharp added that there are many unknowns about football season because of the pandemic that has killed thousands and shut down sports across the globe.

— The track world championships in Eugene, Oregon, have been rescheduled for July 15-24, 2022. The event was pushed back a year because the Tokyo Olympics were delayed until 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The track worlds were originally scheduled for Aug. 6-15, 2021.

— Formula One says it will furlough half of its staff until the end of May and senior executives will take pay cuts amid the coronavirus pandemic. F1 says senior leadership figures will take "voluntary pay cuts while still continuing to work and not in furlough," and CEO Chase Carey will take a "much deeper" pay cut. F1 has postponed eight races so far this season and the Monaco Grand Prix has been canceled. The season is currently scheduled to begin in France on June 28. More postponements are likely to turn into cancellations, but F1 has said it is still hoping to stage between 15 and 18 races out of the original 22.

— The president of the International Paralympic Committee says the body has "cash-flow" problems because of the Olympic and Paralympic postponement until 2021. Andrew Parsons says about 5% of spending is being cut from the IPC's budget. Parsons says the problem is due partly to broadcast rights holders who want to delay their payments until the product is delivered. Parsons says it's not a question of "losing money" but rather some temporary belt tightening.

— The players and coach on Switzerland's national soccer team have declined to take more than $1 million of payments that were due from their federation in 2020. The team was scheduled to play in the now-postponed European Championship in June and had two games in Qatar canceled last month because of the coronavirus pandemic. The shutdown of games has cost the Swiss soccer body millions of dollars. Federation chairman Dominique Blanc says it's a "magnificent gesture" from the players. Blanc tested positive for the virus three weeks ago. Team captain Stephan Lichtsteiner says, "we wanted to set an example and show solidarity."

— A two-time Olympic finalist in the 800 meters has died after getting infected with the coronavirus. The Italian Olympic Committee announced the death of Donato Sabia at 56. Sabia finished fifth in the 800 at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and seventh at the 1988 Seoul Games.

— A groom who worked at Belmont Park has died of coronavirus complications. The New York Racing Association says Martin Zapata died Tuesday. The 63-year-old native of Panama had spent the past two years working for trainer Tom Morley in New York, which has been hard-hit by the pandemic. NYRA says Zapata tested positive for COVID-19 on March 24 and was hospitalized two days later. He lived and worked at Belmont Park.

— The opening of the stable area and training track at Saratoga in upstate New York is being delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The training track was set to open April 15. The New York Racing Association says it has yet to decide an appropriate date to safely open. Saratoga's racing season is still scheduled to begin on July 16 and run through Sept. 7.

— The Tokyo Olympic flame has been taken off public display in Japan. And it's not clear when it will reappear again, or where — or under what conditions. After the Tokyo Olympics and the torch relay were postponed until next year, the flame was put on display in the northeastern prefecture of Fukushima. It was supposed to remain on display through the end of April, but it was removed to an undisclosed location after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (shin-zoh AH'-bay) declared a state of emergency yesterday that includes limiting large crowds.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Former Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton has been indicted on a felony charge of injury to a child after his teenage daughter accused him of beating her.

A Tarrant County grand jury indicted the 38-year-old Hamilton on Monday. He remains free on $30,000 bond after he turned himself in to authorities on Oct. 30. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of two to 10 years in prison.

Hamilton's attorneys say the Rangers Hall of Famer is innocent of the charge. His 14-year-old daughter told her mother, Hamilton's ex-wife, that her father struck her after he became enraged by a comment from her.

According to an affidavit by a Keller Police Department detective, Hamilton's daughter told police that he went on a rampage Sept. 30.

Lafrenière tops list of NHL draft-eligible prospects

UNDATED (AP) — Forward Alexis Lafrenière remained No. 1 when the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's released its final ranking of draft-eligible prospects Wednesday, while German forward Tim Stuetzle was ranked as the top European prospect.

Lafrenière was leading the Quebec Major Junior League with 112 points on 35 goals and 77 assists in 52 games when play was canceled by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sudbury Wolves center Quinton Byfield and Erie Otters defenseman Jamie Drysdale are ranked second and third among North American prospects.

The draft can't feasibly be held until the playoffs are completed or the entire season canceled. The draft had been scheduled for Montreal in late June.

Oilers' Cave out of emergency surgery, remains in coma

UNDATED (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers say forward Colby Cave has undergone emergency surgery after suffering a brain bleed.

The team posted on Twitter that doctors removed a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on Cave's brain Tuesday. He remains in a medically induced coma at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

Cave's wife, Emily, said earlier on Instagram that doctors were "fighting to keep him alive" in surgery.

The 25-year-old Cave scored one goal in 11 games with Edmonton this season.&nbsp;

NC State accepts NCAA case referral for independent process

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State has accepted a recommendation for its NCAA case involving recruiting violations tied to former one-and-done star Dennis Smith Jr.

The school agreed to go through the Independent Accountability Resolution Process, the new independent investigation process for complex cases. The NCAA created the IARP following reform proposals from the commission led by former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the wake of a federal corruption investigation into college basketball.

North Carolina State was charged last summer with four violations.

— DePaul guard Jalen Coleman-Lands has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Coleman-Lands was limited to nine games as a junior transfer in 2018-19 after breaking his left hand. He played in all 32 games this past season and led the Blue Demons with 63 3-pointers while averaging 11 points.

UNDATED (AP) — A Florida man has filed a lawsuit against Tiger Woods and his caddie, claiming he suffered injuries from the caddie pushing him out of the way during a tournament two years ago.

The civil complaint was filed Tuesday in Pinellas County and alleges Brian Borruso tried to take a selfie as Woods approached his tee shot left of the 13th green in the third round of the Valspar Championship. Borruso maintains caddie Joe LaCava "intentionally shoved" him and caused him to stumble and fall into the crowd before being treated for injuries at a hospital.

Update on the latest sportsNFL-NEWSBrady says time was right to change teamsUNDATED (AP) — Quarterback Tom Brady says it was time for a change.Brady appeared on SiriusXM's "The Howard Stern Show" for about two hours Wednesday and discussed a myriad of topics, including his decision to leave the New England Patriots. The six-time Super Bowl winner said he was ready for a new challenge when he elected to become a free agent and signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month.Brady reiterated he has no hard feelings about coach Bill Belichick (BEHL'-ih-chik) not making him a Patriot for life. He added that so many wrong assumptions were made about his relationship with Belichick, or about how Belichick felt about him.In other NFL news:— The Falcons are moving to black pants with black jerseys for their home uniforms in 2020. Those changes are part of a redesign the team says respects past fashion choices with updates "to match the modern progression of Atlanta." The team's first redesign in 17 years also include white jerseys and white pants for road uniforms. The Falcons will continue to use black helmets.VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTSNFL draft to become charity endeavorUNDATED (AP) — The NFL is turning the league's 2020 draft into a three-day fundraiser to help six charities dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.The "Draft-A-Thon" will be featured during the draft April 23-25 to raise money for non-profits selected by the NFL Foundation. Among the charities are the American Red Cross, CDC Foundation's All of Us, Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund, the Salvation Army, and United Way's COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that the Draft-A-Thon will deliver much-needed funding to many who are suffering as well as those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.In other developments related to the coronavirus:— Texas A&amp;M Chancellor John Sharp said Wednesday that officials believe a 13-game college football schedule would be possible even if the start of the season was delayed until October because of the new coronavirus. Sharp added that there are many unknowns about football season because of the pandemic that has killed thousands and shut down sports across the globe.— The track world championships in Eugene, Oregon, have been rescheduled for July 15-24, 2022. The event was pushed back a year because the Tokyo Olympics were delayed until 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The track worlds were originally scheduled for Aug. 6-15, 2021.— Formula One says it will furlough half of its staff until the end of May and senior executives will take pay cuts amid the coronavirus pandemic. F1 says senior leadership figures will take "voluntary pay cuts while still continuing to work and not in furlough," and CEO Chase Carey will take a "much deeper" pay cut. F1 has postponed eight races so far this season and the Monaco Grand Prix has been canceled. The season is currently scheduled to begin in France on June 28. More postponements are likely to turn into cancellations, but F1 has said it is still hoping to stage between 15 and 18 races out of the original 22.— The president of the International Paralympic Committee says the body has "cash-flow" problems because of the Olympic and Paralympic postponement until 2021. Andrew Parsons says about 5% of spending is being cut from the IPC's budget. Parsons says the problem is due partly to broadcast rights holders who want to delay their payments until the product is delivered. Parsons says it's not a question of "losing money" but rather some temporary belt tightening.— The players and coach on Switzerland's national soccer team have declined to take more than $1 million of payments that were due from their federation in 2020. The team was scheduled to play in the now-postponed European Championship in June and had two games in Qatar canceled last month because of the coronavirus pandemic. The shutdown of games has cost the Swiss soccer body millions of dollars. Federation chairman Dominique Blanc says it's a "magnificent gesture" from the players. Blanc tested positive for the virus three weeks ago. Team captain Stephan Lichtsteiner says, "we wanted to set an example and show solidarity."— A two-time Olympic finalist in the 800 meters has died after getting infected with the coronavirus. The Italian Olympic Committee announced the death of Donato Sabia at 56. Sabia finished fifth in the 800 at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and seventh at the 1988 Seoul Games.— A groom who worked at Belmont Park has died of coronavirus complications. The New York Racing Association says Martin Zapata died Tuesday. The 63-year-old native of Panama had spent the past two years working for trainer Tom Morley in New York, which has been hard-hit by the pandemic. NYRA says Zapata tested positive for COVID-19 on March 24 and was hospitalized two days later. He lived and worked at Belmont Park.— The opening of the stable area and training track at Saratoga in upstate New York is being delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The training track was set to open April 15. The New York Racing Association says it has yet to decide an appropriate date to safely open. Saratoga's racing season is still scheduled to begin on July 16 and run through Sept. 7.— The Tokyo Olympic flame has been taken off public display in Japan. And it's not clear when it will reappear again, or where — or under what conditions. After the Tokyo Olympics and the torch relay were postponed until next year, the flame was put on display in the northeastern prefecture of Fukushima. It was supposed to remain on display through the end of April, but it was removed to an undisclosed location after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (shin-zoh AH'-bay) declared a state of emergency yesterday that includes limiting large crowds.MLB-HAMILTON-INDICTMENTEx-Rangers star indictedFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Former Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton has been indicted on a felony charge of injury to a child after his teenage daughter accused him of beating her.A Tarrant County grand jury indicted the 38-year-old Hamilton on Monday. He remains free on $30,000 bond after he turned himself in to authorities on Oct. 30. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of two to 10 years in prison.Hamilton's attorneys say the Rangers Hall of Famer is innocent of the charge. His 14-year-old daughter told her mother, Hamilton's ex-wife, that her father struck her after he became enraged by a comment from her.According to an affidavit by a Keller Police Department detective, Hamilton's daughter told police that he went on a rampage Sept. 30.NHL-DRAFTLafrenière tops list of NHL draft-eligible prospectsUNDATED (AP) — Forward Alexis Lafrenière remained No. 1 when the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's released its final ranking of draft-eligible prospects Wednesday, while German forward Tim Stuetzle was ranked as the top European prospect.Lafrenière was leading the Quebec Major Junior League with 112 points on 35 goals and 77 assists in 52 games when play was canceled by the coronavirus pandemic.Sudbury Wolves center Quinton Byfield and Erie Otters defenseman Jamie Drysdale are ranked second and third among North American prospects.The draft can't feasibly be held until the playoffs are completed or the entire season canceled. The draft had been scheduled for Montreal in late June.NHL-OILERS-CAVEOilers' Cave out of emergency surgery, remains in comaUNDATED (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers say forward Colby Cave has undergone emergency surgery after suffering a brain bleed.The team posted on Twitter that doctors removed a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on Cave's brain Tuesday. He remains in a medically induced coma at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.Cave's wife, Emily, said earlier on Instagram that doctors were "fighting to keep him alive" in surgery.The 25-year-old Cave scored one goal in 11 games with Edmonton this season.&nbsp;COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NEWSNC State accepts NCAA case referral for independent processRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State has accepted a recommendation for its NCAA case involving recruiting violations tied to former one-and-done star Dennis Smith Jr.The school agreed to go through the Independent Accountability Resolution Process, the new independent investigation process for complex cases. The NCAA created the IARP following reform proposals from the commission led by former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the wake of a federal corruption investigation into college basketball.North Carolina State was charged last summer with four violations.In other college basketball news:— DePaul guard Jalen Coleman-Lands has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Coleman-Lands was limited to nine games as a junior transfer in 2018-19 after breaking his left hand. He played in all 32 games this past season and led the Blue Demons with 63 3-pointers while averaging 11 points.GOLF-WOODS-LAWSUITWoods, caddie suedUNDATED (AP) — A Florida man has filed a lawsuit against Tiger Woods and his caddie, claiming he suffered injuries from the caddie pushing him out of the way during a tournament two years ago.The civil complaint was filed Tuesday in Pinellas County and alleges Brian Borruso tried to take a selfie as Woods approached his tee shot left of the 13th green in the third round of the Valspar Championship. Borruso maintains caddie Joe LaCava "intentionally shoved" him and caused him to stumble and fall into the crowd before being treated for injuries at a hospital.

Thursday Sports Headlines

For the last three decades, Jim Nantz has been the voice in living rooms and restaurant bars and anywhere else fans were watching the two biggest sporting events on the Spring calendar. He went from the Final Four to the Masters. And now the CBS Sports broadcaster is home at Pebble Beach. Just like everyone else, he's staying home because of the COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down sports. He says he can't even articulate how much he misses his routine. But he says he's not consumed by it because of the crisis and the suffering.&nbsp;

For the last three decades, Jim Nantz has been the voice in living rooms and restaurant bars and anywhere else fans were watching the two biggest sporting events on the Spring calendar. He went from the Final Four to the Masters. And now the CBS Sports broadcaster is home at Pebble Beach. Just like everyone else, he's staying home because of the COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down sports. He says he can't even articulate how much he misses his routine. But he says he's not consumed by it because of the crisis and the suffering.&nbsp;

Jim Nantz adjusting to not calling Final Four, Masters

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State coach Mike Leach is expected to participate in “listening sessions” with student and community groups and tour the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum after he tweeted an image of a noose last week.

Mississippi State athletic director John Cohen released a statement Tuesday that said, “No matter the context, for many Americans the image of a noose is never appropriate and that’s particularly true in the South and in Mississippi. Mississippi State University was disappointed in the use of such an image in a tweet by Coach Mike Leach.”

Leach, who was hired away from Washington State in January, apologized on social media last week for posting a tweet that drew criticism from Bulldogs players and an assistant professor at the school before it was deleted. The image Leach tweeted depicted an elderly woman knitting, with the caption: “After 2 weeks of quarantine with her husband, Gertrude decided to knit him a scarf...”, but the picture showed her knitting a noose with the hangman’s knot already tied.

Cohen’s statement added, “The university is confident that Coach Leach is moving quickly and sincerely past this unintended misstep and will provide the leadership for our student athletes and excitement for our football program that our fans deserve and that our students and alumni will be proud to support.”

The AD said the plan is for Leach to participate in listening sessions to provide opportunities to expand his cultural awareness of Mississippi. Leach will receive a guided visit to the “Two Museums” – the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum – in Jackson when restrictions currently in place to fight the coronavirus are lifted.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State coach Mike Leach is expected to participate in “listening sessions” with student and community groups and tour the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum after he tweeted an image of a noose last week.Mississippi State athletic director John Cohen released a statement Tuesday that said, “No matter the context, for many Americans the image of a noose is never appropriate and that’s particularly true in the South and in Mississippi. Mississippi State University was disappointed in the use of such an image in a tweet by Coach Mike Leach.”Leach, who was hired away from Washington State in January, apologized on social media last week for posting a tweet that drew criticism from Bulldogs players and an assistant professor at the school before it was deleted. The image Leach tweeted depicted an elderly woman knitting, with the caption: “After 2 weeks of quarantine with her husband, Gertrude decided to knit him a scarf...”, but the picture showed her knitting a noose with the hangman’s knot already tied.Cohen’s statement added, “The university is confident that Coach Leach is moving quickly and sincerely past this unintended misstep and will provide the leadership for our student athletes and excitement for our football program that our fans deserve and that our students and alumni will be proud to support.”The AD said the plan is for Leach to participate in listening sessions to provide opportunities to expand his cultural awareness of Mississippi. Leach will receive a guided visit to the “Two Museums” – the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum – in Jackson when restrictions currently in place to fight the coronavirus are lifted.

Mississippi State AD ‘disappointed’ in Leach’s noose tweet

Texas A&amp;M Chancellor John Sharp said Wednesday that officials believe a 13-game college football schedule would be possible even if the start of the season was delayed until October because of the new coronavirus.

The season is scheduled to begin with seven FBS games Aug. 29 before the majority of teams open the following week.

Speaking in a live video discussion with the Texas Tribune, Sharp addressed the football season in answering a question about the university system’s lost revenue because of college sporting events which have been canceled because of the COVID-19 virus.

Sharp said he’s gotten many questions about football and whether it will return on time this season, if at all.

“In some conversations with SEC officials and NCAA, I think they’ve come to the conclusion that you can probably start football as late as October and still have a 13-game schedule,” Sharp said.

Sharp then added that there are many unknowns about football season because of the pandemic that has killed thousands and shut down sports across the globe.

“We don’t know when this thing is going to end,” he said. “We don’t know when this is going to happen. For all we know, we may have football where we have coaches and players and referees on a field with a TV camera and nobody in the stadium. We don’t know.”

SEC spokesman Herb Vincent said he was not familiar with the conversations Sharp referred to, but addressed the league’s hopes for the upcoming season.

“Our focus is on preparing to play the season as scheduled,” Vincent said in an email to The Associated Press. “As we have done in recent weeks, using the best available information from public health officials, at an appropriate time we will make decisions about the future.”

The NCAA didn’t immediately respond to a request seeking comment about Sharp’s remarks.

Texas A&amp;M Chancellor John Sharp said Wednesday that officials believe a 13-game college football schedule would be possible even if the start of the season was delayed until October because of the new coronavirus.The season is scheduled to begin with seven FBS games Aug. 29 before the majority of teams open the following week.Speaking in a live video discussion with the Texas Tribune, Sharp addressed the football season in answering a question about the university system’s lost revenue because of college sporting events which have been canceled because of the COVID-19 virus.Sharp said he’s gotten many questions about football and whether it will return on time this season, if at all.“In some conversations with SEC officials and NCAA, I think they’ve come to the conclusion that you can probably start football as late as October and still have a 13-game schedule,” Sharp said.Sharp then added that there are many unknowns about football season because of the pandemic that has killed thousands and shut down sports across the globe.“We don’t know when this thing is going to end,” he said. “We don’t know when this is going to happen. For all we know, we may have football where we have coaches and players and referees on a field with a TV camera and nobody in the stadium. We don’t know.”SEC spokesman Herb Vincent said he was not familiar with the conversations Sharp referred to, but addressed the league’s hopes for the upcoming season.“Our focus is on preparing to play the season as scheduled,” Vincent said in an email to The Associated Press. “As we have done in recent weeks, using the best available information from public health officials, at an appropriate time we will make decisions about the future.”The NCAA didn’t immediately respond to a request seeking comment about Sharp’s remarks.

A&M boss says full football sked could occur with Oct. start

AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Wednesday

UNDATED (AP) — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has raised the possibility of not being able to complete the regular season. He tells NBCSN all options remain on the table and the league needs a clearer picture on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Bettman says the ideal scenario would be to complete the season to determine playoff seedings. But he says “that may not be possible.” He also raised the possibility of having games played at neutral sites.

UNDATED (AP) — The Canadian Football League is the latest sports league to postpone play because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CFL, which was scheduled to kick off the regular season on June 11, announced Tuesday that the season won’t start before the beginning of July. Commissioner Randy Ambrosie says the CFL is will meet the challenge with “pragmatism and hope.”

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke freshman Cassius Stanley is entering the NBA draft. The 6-foot-6 guard announced his decision Tuesday after averaging 12.6 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Blue Devils. In a statement, Stanley says he believed the Blue Devils could have attained his goal of reaching the Final Four and contending for a national championship. But he noted that “the NBA values youth” in his decision to enter the draft. Stanley joins sophomore point guard Tre Jones as early entrees to the NBA draft from Duke.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards are among the new nominees for NASCAR’s next Hall of Fame class. Janet Guthrie returns as a nominee in the Landmark category after a one-year absence. The voting structure was changed for this year. There are three ballots: one for Modern candidates, one for Pioneer candidates and one for Landmark candidates. Two entries from the 10 Modern candidates will be elected, along with one entry apiece from the five-candidate Pioneer and Landmark categories.

UNDATED (AP) — They are cities defined by iconic sporting events. When Augusta comes up, one instantly thinks of the Masters. If Omaha is mentioned, it’s often in the same breath with the College World Series. Same for Louisville and the Kentucky Derby. For those cities and others such as Williamsport, Oklahoma City and Cheyenne, the shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic is an especially wrenching blow. Augusta was supposed to host golf's first major championship this week. But the Masters has been put off until at least November, dealing the Georgia city a huge financial blow. Others are facing the same predicament.&nbsp;

NEW YORK (AP) — Mark Hamilton got a World Series ring after playing nearly half a season with the St. Louis Cardinals when they won the 2011 championship. The 35-year-old Hamilton is now about to enter a different lineup. He's set to graduate medical school in New York this week. The next stop for the rookie doctor will be joining the front-line fight against the coronavirus pandemic in one of the world’s hardest-hit areas. Hamilton says he's prepared and ready for whatever the job will be. Hamilton played 47 games in the majors, mostly as a pinch hitter and fill-in first baseman.

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Obi Toppin of Dayton won the John R. Wooden Award as the nation’s outstanding college basketball player. Toppin, along with Saddiq Bey of Villanova, Luka Garza of Iowa, Myles Powell of Seton Hall and Peyton Pritchard of Oregon, also earned positional awards from the Basketball Hall of Fame. The winners were announced on ESPN's “SportsCenter” broadcast. They are usually honored at the College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles, but the ceremony was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The awards named for some of college basketball's greatest players were decided by their namesakes and fan voting.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Ohio State assistant Carrie Banks is the new women's basketball coach at Omaha. Athletic director Trev Alberts announced her hiring Tuesday. Banks was an assistant and recruiting coordinator four seasons with the Buckeyes. She replaces Brittany Lange, who was fired last month after seven seasons. Banks worked primarily with the post players at Ohio State and landed a top-five recruiting class in 2019. The Buckeyes won Big Ten regular-season championships twice and the conference tournament once during her time in Columbus. Banks previously was an assistant at Northwestern, South Florida and Detroit Mercy. She graduated from Detroit Mercy in 2000.

UNDATED (AP) — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has raised the possibility of not being able to complete the regular season. He tells NBCSN all options remain on the table and the league needs a clearer picture on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Bettman says the ideal scenario would be to complete the season to determine playoff seedings. But he says “that may not be possible.” He also raised the possibility of having games played at neutral sites.UNDATED (AP) — The Canadian Football League is the latest sports league to postpone play because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CFL, which was scheduled to kick off the regular season on June 11, announced Tuesday that the season won’t start before the beginning of July. Commissioner Randy Ambrosie says the CFL is will meet the challenge with “pragmatism and hope.”DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke freshman Cassius Stanley is entering the NBA draft. The 6-foot-6 guard announced his decision Tuesday after averaging 12.6 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Blue Devils. In a statement, Stanley says he believed the Blue Devils could have attained his goal of reaching the Final Four and contending for a national championship. But he noted that “the NBA values youth” in his decision to enter the draft. Stanley joins sophomore point guard Tre Jones as early entrees to the NBA draft from Duke.CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards are among the new nominees for NASCAR’s next Hall of Fame class. Janet Guthrie returns as a nominee in the Landmark category after a one-year absence. The voting structure was changed for this year. There are three ballots: one for Modern candidates, one for Pioneer candidates and one for Landmark candidates. Two entries from the 10 Modern candidates will be elected, along with one entry apiece from the five-candidate Pioneer and Landmark categories.UNDATED (AP) — They are cities defined by iconic sporting events. When Augusta comes up, one instantly thinks of the Masters. If Omaha is mentioned, it’s often in the same breath with the College World Series. Same for Louisville and the Kentucky Derby. For those cities and others such as Williamsport, Oklahoma City and Cheyenne, the shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic is an especially wrenching blow. Augusta was supposed to host golf's first major championship this week. But the Masters has been put off until at least November, dealing the Georgia city a huge financial blow. Others are facing the same predicament.&nbsp;NEW YORK (AP) — Mark Hamilton got a World Series ring after playing nearly half a season with the St. Louis Cardinals when they won the 2011 championship. The 35-year-old Hamilton is now about to enter a different lineup. He's set to graduate medical school in New York this week. The next stop for the rookie doctor will be joining the front-line fight against the coronavirus pandemic in one of the world’s hardest-hit areas. Hamilton says he's prepared and ready for whatever the job will be. Hamilton played 47 games in the majors, mostly as a pinch hitter and fill-in first baseman.BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Obi Toppin of Dayton won the John R. Wooden Award as the nation’s outstanding college basketball player. Toppin, along with Saddiq Bey of Villanova, Luka Garza of Iowa, Myles Powell of Seton Hall and Peyton Pritchard of Oregon, also earned positional awards from the Basketball Hall of Fame. The winners were announced on ESPN's “SportsCenter” broadcast. They are usually honored at the College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles, but the ceremony was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The awards named for some of college basketball's greatest players were decided by their namesakes and fan voting.OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Ohio State assistant Carrie Banks is the new women's basketball coach at Omaha. Athletic director Trev Alberts announced her hiring Tuesday. Banks was an assistant and recruiting coordinator four seasons with the Buckeyes. She replaces Brittany Lange, who was fired last month after seven seasons. Banks worked primarily with the post players at Ohio State and landed a top-five recruiting class in 2019. The Buckeyes won Big Ten regular-season championships twice and the conference tournament once during her time in Columbus. Banks previously was an assistant at Northwestern, South Florida and Detroit Mercy. She graduated from Detroit Mercy in 2000.

Wednesday Sports Headlines

STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/ogle_abby_pu1h">Abby Ogle</a>'s impressive sophomore season at Hutchinson Community College was officially capped on Tuesday as the Blue Dragon women's basketball player was named a third-team NJCAA All-American.

Ogle, a 5-foot-8 guard from Baldwin City, is Hutchinson women's basketball's 16th NJCAA All-American in team history. Ogle adds this All-America honor to her Jayhawk West and Region VI first-team selections and 2020 Jayhawk West Player of the Year award. Ogle was also a three-time Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week and earned one NJCAA National Player of the Week award this season.

<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/sports/wbkb/2019-20/div1/all-americans/index" target="_blank">CLICK FOR 2020 NJCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM</a>

Ogle was the 2020 Jayhawk West champion Blue Dragons' leading scorer at 15.5 points per game. The 28-4 Blue Dragons, ranked in the NJCAA Top 10 for most of the season, advanced to the Region VI Tournament semifinals and earned the No. 12 overall seed as an at-large selection of the 2020 NJCAA Tournament, which was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now a commit to the University of West Virginia, Ogle was the seventh leading scorer in the KJCCC this season. She shot 59.3 percent from the field. That mark was the third best in the KJCCC this season and fourth-best in Blue Dragon single-season history.

Ogle, who at one time or another this season, had to play all five positions because of injury and/or foul trouble, shot 37.5 percent from 3-point range and 71.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Ogle ranked first in the KJCCC with 3.7 steals per game. She became only the second Blue Dragon ever to reach 200 steals for a career and just the sixth to reach 100 steals for a season with 114 this season.

She also averages 6.4 rebounds per game (15th in KJCCC) and 3.7 assists (fifth in KJCCC).

Ogle had four double-doubles this season and led the team in scoring 14 times.

Ogle's 114 steals this season were fourth-most in single-season history. Her 213 career steals ranked No. 2 in Hutchinson career history and are 10th most in Jayhawk Conference history.

Ogle also finished eighth on the Blue Dragon career assist list with 243. Her 56.4 percent career field-goal percentage is fourth-best in Hutchinson history.

Ogle is one of three Jayhawk Conference players to earn All-America honors this season. Independence center Brittany Reeves was named to the second team and Butler's Tamara Nard was an honorable mention selection.

STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/ogle_abby_pu1h">Abby Ogle</a>'s impressive sophomore season at Hutchinson Community College was officially capped on Tuesday as the Blue Dragon women's basketball player was named a third-team NJCAA All-American.Ogle, a 5-foot-8 guard from Baldwin City, is Hutchinson women's basketball's 16th NJCAA All-American in team history. Ogle adds this All-America honor to her Jayhawk West and Region VI first-team selections and 2020 Jayhawk West Player of the Year award. Ogle was also a three-time Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week and earned one NJCAA National Player of the Week award this season.<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/sports/wbkb/2019-20/div1/all-americans/index" target="_blank">CLICK FOR 2020 NJCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM</a>Ogle was the 2020 Jayhawk West champion Blue Dragons' leading scorer at 15.5 points per game. The 28-4 Blue Dragons, ranked in the NJCAA Top 10 for most of the season, advanced to the Region VI Tournament semifinals and earned the No. 12 overall seed as an at-large selection of the 2020 NJCAA Tournament, which was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic.Now a commit to the University of West Virginia, Ogle was the seventh leading scorer in the KJCCC this season. She shot 59.3 percent from the field. That mark was the third best in the KJCCC this season and fourth-best in Blue Dragon single-season history.Ogle, who at one time or another this season, had to play all five positions because of injury and/or foul trouble, shot 37.5 percent from 3-point range and 71.8 percent from the free-throw line.Ogle ranked first in the KJCCC with 3.7 steals per game. She became only the second Blue Dragon ever to reach 200 steals for a career and just the sixth to reach 100 steals for a season with 114 this season.She also averages 6.4 rebounds per game (15th in KJCCC) and 3.7 assists (fifth in KJCCC).Ogle had four double-doubles this season and led the team in scoring 14 times.Ogle's 114 steals this season were fourth-most in single-season history. Her 213 career steals ranked No. 2 in Hutchinson career history and are 10th most in Jayhawk Conference history.Ogle also finished eighth on the Blue Dragon career assist list with 243. Her 56.4 percent career field-goal percentage is fourth-best in Hutchinson history.Ogle is one of three Jayhawk Conference players to earn All-America honors this season. Independence center Brittany Reeves was named to the second team and Butler's Tamara Nard was an honorable mention selection.

HutchCC's Abby Ogle named 3rd-Team NJCAA All-American

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA has told teams that they may not conduct or attend any workouts with draft-eligible players during the league's coronavirus hiatus, a major change from typical procedures.

Teams also are being prohibited "from watching, requesting, or sharing any video (live or recorded) of a draft-eligible player or prospective early entry player taking part in a workout" during the league's shutdown.

Teams will be allowed to conduct interviews by phone or video, though they will be capped at a total of four hours with any draft prospect. They can also send questionnaires to players in advance of any interviews.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Adam Silver does not expect any decisions to be made until at least May about the possible resumption of the 2019-20 season, saying the coronavirus pandemic simply makes it too difficult to project what will happen next.

— The NFL draft will be conducted in a virtual format, with team personnel working from their homes. The draft originally was scheduled to be held in Las Vegas, but the NFL canceled all public events last month as a safeguard against the coronavirus. In a memo sent to the 32 teams and obtained by The Associated Press, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell outlined procedures for the April 23-25 draft. The guidelines include no group gatherings.

— Putting all 30 teams in the Phoenix area and playing in empty ballparks was among the ideas discussed Monday by Major League Baseball and the players' association. The sides held a telephone call to talk about paths forward for a season delayed by the new coronavirus pandemic, people familiar with the discussion told The Associated Press.

— Golf's oldest championship won't be played this year for 1st time since 1945.The R&amp;A announced it is canceling the British Open in July because of the spread of COVID-19. It is pushing the British Open back one year and staying at Royal St. George's. That assures the 150th Open will be at St. Andrews in 2022.

— The NFL is delaying the start of its offseason workout program while formulating a plan with the NFL Players Association on how to proceed during the coronavirus pandemic. At least for the time being, NFL coaches won't be allowed to communicate with players via videoconferencing.

— IndyCar has adjusted its schedule again because of the coronavirus pandemic. The doubleheader at Detroit scheduled for the end of May has now been canceled. IndyCar will make up the two dates by hosting doubleheaders at both Iowa Speedway and Laguna Seca in California.

— A doctor at French soccer club Reims (ranss) has killed himself after getting infected with the coronavirus. The city's mayor tells Le Parisien newspaper Bernard Gonzalez "is a collateral victim of COVID-19 because he had tested positive and was in isolation for 14 days.

—The nonprofit group that raises funds for the bulk of the world's anti-doping research is shifting $120,000 to conduct 15,000 COVID-19 tests. The goal is to help scientists get a better sense of how many people have the new coronavirus but show no symptoms. The Partnership for Clean Competition was founded in 2008 by the NFL, Major League Baseball, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

— Two people familiar with the league's plans say the NFL is planning a telethon during the draft to aid coronavirus relief efforts. The people tell The Associated Press that the league hopes its massive reach will raise awareness and funds in battling the pandemic. The draft is the NFL's biggest offseason event. It's being held from April 23-25. It had been scheduled for Las Vegas but now will be done remotely.

— Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal are each pledging $250,000 to help provide meals for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Boston and St. Louis. The pledges will benefit Feeding America, the St. Louis Food Bank and Greater Boston Food Bank. Both Tatum and Beal are natives of St. Louis.

— The Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers have issued a challenge to area residents to raise $200,000 for the city's 12 community centers by noon Thursday. If that happens, the two professional teams say they will kick in an extra $420,000.

— Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has launched a fundraising campaign to support local charitable groups addressing critical needs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Beane is donating $20,000 to the community's United Way chapter and providing incentives for Bills fans to get involved.

— Chicago's eight pro teams and mayor Lori Lightfoot are teaming up to encourage residents to stay home to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox as well as the WNBA's Sky, MLS' Fire and National Women's Soccer League's Red Stars are joining with the mayor in the "We Are Not Playing" campaign.

8 unanimous picks for All-Decade Team include Brady, Watt

UNDATED (AP) — Tom Brady, J.J. Watt and Adrian Peterson are among eight unanimous selections to the 2010s NFL All-Decade Team announced by the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Also chosen on every ballot of the 48-member Hall of Fame selection committee are Von Miller, Aaron Donald, Joe Thomas, Marshal Yanda and Justin Tucker. All but tackle Thomas and guard Yanda are active.

The 55-member team is comprised only of players who made an AP All-Pro team, a Pro Bowl or a Pro Football Writers of America all-conference squad from 2010-19. Four of the unanimous players — Brady, Miller, Yanda and Tucker — won Super Bowls during the decade.

Receiver Kendrick Bourne signs tender with 49ers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne signed his one-year restricted free agent tender Monday.

The 49ers placed a second-round tender worth $3.259 million last month on Bourne. That gave the Niners the right to match any contract offer Bourne received or get a second-round pick in return.

Bourne had 30 catches for 358 yards and five TD last season for San Francisco.

—The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed defensive tackle Carl Davis. Davis is suspended without pay for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Davis played in three games in 2019 — two for Jacksonville and one for Indianapolis.

— The Atlanta Falcons have announced their one-year agreement with running back Todd Gurley. The framework of the $6 million deal was completed on March 20, less than 24 hours after Gurley was released by the Los Angeles Rams. &nbsp;

Beloved Detroit Tigers star Al Kaline dies at 85

DETROIT (AP) — Al Kaline, who spent his entire 22-season Hall of Fame career with the Detroit Tigers and was known affectionately as "Mr. Tiger," has died. He was 85.

John Morad, a friend of Kaline's, confirmed to The Associated Press that he died Monday at his home in Michigan. Morad, who spoke first to the Detroit Free Press, said he'd been in contact with Kaline's son.

Kaline was the youngest player to win the American League batting title in 1955 at age 20 with a .340 batting average. The right fielder was a 15-time All-Star, won 10 Gold Gloves and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1980 in his first year of eligibility.

The beloved No. 6 later sat behind a microphone as a Tigers broadcaster from 1976 to 2001 and was also a special assistant to the general manager.

NHL playoff scenarios run the gamut of where, when and how

UNDATED (AP) — Neutral site NHL playoff games? Awarding the Stanley Cup in September? Nothing is off the table as the league considers options to complete the season.

Play is on hold for now because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Players have different opinions on what a playoff format might look like. Ideas range from completing all or part of the regular season to expanding the number of teams competing from 16.

Kentucky's Maxey becomes second Wildcat to enter NBA draft

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky guard Tyrese Maxey will enter the NBA draft, becoming the second Wildcats starter in as many days to turn pro and forego his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Maxey scored 26 points against then-No. 1 Michigan State in his collegiate debut and finished the season tied for second in scoring on the team at 14 points per game. The 6-foot-3 freshman shot nearly 43% with 33 3-pointers and also averaged 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists while starting 28 of 31 games for the Southeastern Conference champions. SEC coaches voted him to the all-freshman team and all-SEC second team.

— Louisville forward Jordan Nwora has announced on social media that he will enter the NBA draft. The 6-foot-7 Nwora was selected to The Associated Press All-America third team as a junior and his decision to turn pro was expected after limited participation in last year's NBA combine because of a knee injury.

— Florida guard Scottie Lewis is returning for his sophomore season. In an announcement on social media, Lewis says "playing in the NBA is still a top priority" but his "heart is in Gainesville."

— Purdue coach Matt Painter says center Matt Haarms intends to play his final college season at another school after entering the transfer portal. The 7-foot-3 Haarms averaged 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game last season with the Boilermakers. But Haarms lost his starting job last season after suffering a hip injury in December.

FIFA INVESTIGATION-FORMER FOX EXECUTIVES CHARGED

Former Fox executives charged with bribes in World Cup bid

NEW YORK (AP) — A pair of former sports marketing executives of 21st Century Fox have been indicted on charges they paid bribes to soccer officials to obtain confidential bidding information during FIFA's sale of U.S. television rights to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Charges were unsealed Monday in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn against former 21st Century Fox Inc. executives Hernan Lopez and Carlos Martinez. They are accused of making payments to officials of the CONMEBOL, South American soccer's governing body.

ESPN had U.S. English-language television rights to the World Cup from 1994-2014, but Fox in 2011 gained the rights for 2018 and 2022 tournaments. After the 2022 tournament in Qatar was shifted from summer to late autumn, a time when it is likely to get less attention in the U.S., FIFA awarded Fox rights for 2026 without competitive bidding.

Update on the latest in sports:VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTSNBA bans draft workoutsUNDATED (AP) — The NBA has told teams that they may not conduct or attend any workouts with draft-eligible players during the league's coronavirus hiatus, a major change from typical procedures.Teams also are being prohibited "from watching, requesting, or sharing any video (live or recorded) of a draft-eligible player or prospective early entry player taking part in a workout" during the league's shutdown.Teams will be allowed to conduct interviews by phone or video, though they will be capped at a total of four hours with any draft prospect. They can also send questionnaires to players in advance of any interviews.Meanwhile, Commissioner Adam Silver does not expect any decisions to be made until at least May about the possible resumption of the 2019-20 season, saying the coronavirus pandemic simply makes it too difficult to project what will happen next.In other sports outbreaks news:— The NFL draft will be conducted in a virtual format, with team personnel working from their homes. The draft originally was scheduled to be held in Las Vegas, but the NFL canceled all public events last month as a safeguard against the coronavirus. In a memo sent to the 32 teams and obtained by The Associated Press, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell outlined procedures for the April 23-25 draft. The guidelines include no group gatherings.— Putting all 30 teams in the Phoenix area and playing in empty ballparks was among the ideas discussed Monday by Major League Baseball and the players' association. The sides held a telephone call to talk about paths forward for a season delayed by the new coronavirus pandemic, people familiar with the discussion told The Associated Press.— Golf's oldest championship won't be played this year for 1st time since 1945.The R&amp;A announced it is canceling the British Open in July because of the spread of COVID-19. It is pushing the British Open back one year and staying at Royal St. George's. That assures the 150th Open will be at St. Andrews in 2022.— The NFL is delaying the start of its offseason workout program while formulating a plan with the NFL Players Association on how to proceed during the coronavirus pandemic. At least for the time being, NFL coaches won't be allowed to communicate with players via videoconferencing.— IndyCar has adjusted its schedule again because of the coronavirus pandemic. The doubleheader at Detroit scheduled for the end of May has now been canceled. IndyCar will make up the two dates by hosting doubleheaders at both Iowa Speedway and Laguna Seca in California.— A doctor at French soccer club Reims (ranss) has killed himself after getting infected with the coronavirus. The city's mayor tells Le Parisien newspaper Bernard Gonzalez "is a collateral victim of COVID-19 because he had tested positive and was in isolation for 14 days.—The nonprofit group that raises funds for the bulk of the world's anti-doping research is shifting $120,000 to conduct 15,000 COVID-19 tests. The goal is to help scientists get a better sense of how many people have the new coronavirus but show no symptoms. The Partnership for Clean Competition was founded in 2008 by the NFL, Major League Baseball, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the U.S. Olympic Committee.— Two people familiar with the league's plans say the NFL is planning a telethon during the draft to aid coronavirus relief efforts. The people tell The Associated Press that the league hopes its massive reach will raise awareness and funds in battling the pandemic. The draft is the NFL's biggest offseason event. It's being held from April 23-25. It had been scheduled for Las Vegas but now will be done remotely.— Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal are each pledging $250,000 to help provide meals for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Boston and St. Louis. The pledges will benefit Feeding America, the St. Louis Food Bank and Greater Boston Food Bank. Both Tatum and Beal are natives of St. Louis.— The Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers have issued a challenge to area residents to raise $200,000 for the city's 12 community centers by noon Thursday. If that happens, the two professional teams say they will kick in an extra $420,000.— Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has launched a fundraising campaign to support local charitable groups addressing critical needs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Beane is donating $20,000 to the community's United Way chapter and providing incentives for Bills fans to get involved.— Chicago's eight pro teams and mayor Lori Lightfoot are teaming up to encourage residents to stay home to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox as well as the WNBA's Sky, MLS' Fire and National Women's Soccer League's Red Stars are joining with the mayor in the "We Are Not Playing" campaign.NFL ALL-DECADE TEAM8 unanimous picks for All-Decade Team include Brady, WattUNDATED (AP) — Tom Brady, J.J. Watt and Adrian Peterson are among eight unanimous selections to the 2010s NFL All-Decade Team announced by the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Also chosen on every ballot of the 48-member Hall of Fame selection committee are Von Miller, Aaron Donald, Joe Thomas, Marshal Yanda and Justin Tucker. All but tackle Thomas and guard Yanda are active.The 55-member team is comprised only of players who made an AP All-Pro team, a Pro Bowl or a Pro Football Writers of America all-conference squad from 2010-19. Four of the unanimous players — Brady, Miller, Yanda and Tucker — won Super Bowls during the decade.NFL-49ers-BOURNEReceiver Kendrick Bourne signs tender with 49ersSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne signed his one-year restricted free agent tender Monday.The 49ers placed a second-round tender worth $3.259 million last month on Bourne. That gave the Niners the right to match any contract offer Bourne received or get a second-round pick in return.Bourne had 30 catches for 358 yards and five TD last season for San Francisco.In other NFL moves:—The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed defensive tackle Carl Davis. Davis is suspended without pay for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Davis played in three games in 2019 — two for Jacksonville and one for Indianapolis.— The Atlanta Falcons have announced their one-year agreement with running back Todd Gurley. The framework of the $6 million deal was completed on March 20, less than 24 hours after Gurley was released by the Los Angeles Rams. &nbsp;MLB-AL KALINEBeloved Detroit Tigers star Al Kaline dies at 85DETROIT (AP) — Al Kaline, who spent his entire 22-season Hall of Fame career with the Detroit Tigers and was known affectionately as "Mr. Tiger," has died. He was 85.John Morad, a friend of Kaline's, confirmed to The Associated Press that he died Monday at his home in Michigan. Morad, who spoke first to the Detroit Free Press, said he'd been in contact with Kaline's son.Kaline was the youngest player to win the American League batting title in 1955 at age 20 with a .340 batting average. The right fielder was a 15-time All-Star, won 10 Gold Gloves and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1980 in his first year of eligibility.The beloved No. 6 later sat behind a microphone as a Tigers broadcaster from 1976 to 2001 and was also a special assistant to the general manager.NHL PLAYOFF POSSIBILITIESNHL playoff scenarios run the gamut of where, when and howUNDATED (AP) — Neutral site NHL playoff games? Awarding the Stanley Cup in September? Nothing is off the table as the league considers options to complete the season.Play is on hold for now because of the coronavirus pandemic.Players have different opinions on what a playoff format might look like. Ideas range from completing all or part of the regular season to expanding the number of teams competing from 16.COLLEGE BASKETBALLKentucky's Maxey becomes second Wildcat to enter NBA draftLEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky guard Tyrese Maxey will enter the NBA draft, becoming the second Wildcats starter in as many days to turn pro and forego his remaining collegiate eligibility.Maxey scored 26 points against then-No. 1 Michigan State in his collegiate debut and finished the season tied for second in scoring on the team at 14 points per game. The 6-foot-3 freshman shot nearly 43% with 33 3-pointers and also averaged 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists while starting 28 of 31 games for the Southeastern Conference champions. SEC coaches voted him to the all-freshman team and all-SEC second team.In other college basketball news:— Louisville forward Jordan Nwora has announced on social media that he will enter the NBA draft. The 6-foot-7 Nwora was selected to The Associated Press All-America third team as a junior and his decision to turn pro was expected after limited participation in last year's NBA combine because of a knee injury.— Florida guard Scottie Lewis is returning for his sophomore season. In an announcement on social media, Lewis says "playing in the NBA is still a top priority" but his "heart is in Gainesville."— Purdue coach Matt Painter says center Matt Haarms intends to play his final college season at another school after entering the transfer portal. The 7-foot-3 Haarms averaged 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game last season with the Boilermakers. But Haarms lost his starting job last season after suffering a hip injury in December.FIFA INVESTIGATION-FORMER FOX EXECUTIVES CHARGEDFormer Fox executives charged with bribes in World Cup bidNEW YORK (AP) — A pair of former sports marketing executives of 21st Century Fox have been indicted on charges they paid bribes to soccer officials to obtain confidential bidding information during FIFA's sale of U.S. television rights to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.Charges were unsealed Monday in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn against former 21st Century Fox Inc. executives Hernan Lopez and Carlos Martinez. They are accused of making payments to officials of the CONMEBOL, South American soccer's governing body.ESPN had U.S. English-language television rights to the World Cup from 1994-2014, but Fox in 2011 gained the rights for 2018 and 2022 tournaments. After the 2022 tournament in Qatar was shifted from summer to late autumn, a time when it is likely to get less attention in the U.S., FIFA awarded Fox rights for 2026 without competitive bidding.

Tuesday Sports Headlines

AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Tuesday

MANHATTAN, Kan – Kansas State guard David Sloan is entering the transfer portal. Sloan announced the decision via Twitter on Monday.

Sloan joined the Wildcats as a junior college transfer and averaged 5.3 points per game and 2.3 assists in one season in Manhattan.

Sloan’s transfer comes one day after the Cats landed junior college point guard Rudi Williams.

MANHATTAN, Kan – Kansas State guard David Sloan is entering the transfer portal. Sloan announced the decision via Twitter on Monday.<figure>
 <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EU8pjcEWAAA_Tdc?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900" alt="David Sloan announces transfer on Twitter" />
 <figcaption>David Sloan announces transfer on Twitter</figcaption>
 </figure>Sloan joined the Wildcats as a junior college transfer and averaged 5.3 points per game and 2.3 assists in one season in Manhattan.Sloan’s transfer comes one day after the Cats landed junior college point guard Rudi Williams.

K-State's Sloan to enter transfer portal

DETROIT (AP) — Fresh off the train and only 18 years old, Al Kaline ran into an immediate roadblock trying to join the Detroit Tigers. Called up to the majors, he couldn’t get past the security guards at Briggs Stadium.

“I finally convinced them I was the guy who just signed a bonus contract for the enormous sum of $15,000. That was a lot back then,” Kaline recalled in a 1999 documentary.

Kaline, the Hall of Fame outfielder who played his entire 22-season career for Detroit, died Monday at his home in Michigan. “Mr. Tiger” — as he was affectionately known — was 85.

John Morad, a friend of Kaline’s, confirmed his death, and the Tigers did so as well in a statement. No cause of death was given.

Kaline was the youngest player to win the American League batting title, in 1955 at age 20 with a .340 average. He was an All-Star in 15 seasons and won 10 Gold Gloves. The beloved No. 6 later sat behind a microphone as a Tigers broadcaster and was a special assistant to the general manager.

Kaline was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1980 in his first year of eligibility.

“There’s a reason why he was Mr. Tiger,” said Dave Dombrowski, Detroit’s team president from 2001-2015. “First-class person, he was humble, he always played hard. He’s the type of guy that everybody could latch onto.”

Houston Astros star Justin Verlander, who pitched for the Tigers from 2005-2017, tweeted his appreciation Monday.

“Such a kind and generous man who meant so much to so many,” Verlander said. “I hope you knew how much I enjoyed our conversations about baseball, life, or just giving each other a hard time. I am honored to have been able to call you my friend for all these years.”

Kaline came straight out of Baltimore’s Southern High School to the majors, making his debut on June 25, 1953. He took over as Detroit’s everyday right fielder in 1954, and quickly became a fan favorite at Briggs Stadium, later renamed Tiger Stadium.

Kaline never hit 30 home runs in a season and topped the 100-RBI mark only three times, but his overall consistency at the plate and his exceptional fielding and throwing put him among the top AL outfielders.

“There have been a lot of great defensive players. The fella who could do everything is Al Kaline,” Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson once said. “He was just the epitome of what a great outfielder is all about — great speed, catches the ball and throws the ball well.”

Kaline finished his career with 3,007 hits and 399 home runs. He scored 1,622 runs and had 1,582 RBIs. He got his 3,000th hit back in Baltimore, slicing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X91njDARL4" target="_blank">a double</a>&nbsp;down the right field line in September 1974, his final season.

In his only World Series, Kaline hit .379 with two home runs and eight RBIs as the Tigers overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat St. Louis for the 1968 championship.

“If there is one accomplishment for which I am particularly proud it is that I’ve always served baseball to the best of my ability,” Kaline said during his Hall of Fame induction speech. “Never have I deliberately done anything to discredit the game, the Tigers or my family.

“By far, being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the proudest moment of my life. You can be sure that I will make every effort to live up to the obligation associated with this honor,” he said.

That same year, his No. 6 became the first uniform number retired by the Tigers.

“Many of us who are fortunate enough to work in baseball have our short lists of the players who mean the most to us. Al Kaline was one of those players for me and countless others, making this a very sad day for our sport,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said.

Kaline and Willie Horton — another beloved ex-Tiger — were named in 2001 as members of the new Tigers Baseball Committee, joining team owner and president Mike Ilitch, general manager Randy Smith and manager Phil Garner. Ilitch disbanded the committee at the end of that season, but both Kaline and Horton remained as special assistants to Dombrowski after his arrival.

Jim Leyland managed the Tigers for much of Dombrowski’s tenure, but Leyland also spent time in the Detroit organization as a minor leaguer in the 1960s and had known Kaline since then.

Leyland had his own name for Kaline: “I always called him Mr. Gentleman.”

Major League Baseball presented Kaline in 1973 with the Roberto Clemente Award honoring the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, community involvement and contribution to his team.

Hall of Famers Alan Trammell and Jack Morris, teammates on Detroit’s 1984 championship team, praised Kaline’s influence.

“Today we lost one of our treasures. Al Kaline was an icon, not only to the Tigers organization, but to all of baseball. Mr. Tiger was not just a great player, but was also a classy person who I held in high esteem,” Trammell said in a statement released by the Hall.

Said Morris: “If you were a Tiger, you followed his lead. Whether he was a player or broadcaster, he was around the field, around the clubhouse, and available to have a conversation if you needed some advice. That’s what the Tigers players cherished.”

The Tigers’ spring training complex in Lakeland, Florida, is on Al Kaline Drive.

Larry Herndon was a Tigers outfielder from 1982-88, when Kaline would work with the big leaguers as a spring training instructor.

“He was a golden person, along with being a great ballplayer. Gentle, kind, giving,” Herndon said. “Every good thing you ever heard about Al Kaline, it’s all true.”

DETROIT (AP) — Fresh off the train and only 18 years old, Al Kaline ran into an immediate roadblock trying to join the Detroit Tigers. Called up to the majors, he couldn’t get past the security guards at Briggs Stadium.“I finally convinced them I was the guy who just signed a bonus contract for the enormous sum of $15,000. That was a lot back then,” Kaline recalled in a 1999 documentary.His anonymity was short-lived.Kaline, the Hall of Fame outfielder who played his entire 22-season career for Detroit, died Monday at his home in Michigan. “Mr. Tiger” — as he was affectionately known — was 85.John Morad, a friend of Kaline’s, confirmed his death, and the Tigers did so as well in a statement. No cause of death was given.Kaline was the youngest player to win the American League batting title, in 1955 at age 20 with a .340 average. He was an All-Star in 15 seasons and won 10 Gold Gloves. The beloved No. 6 later sat behind a microphone as a Tigers broadcaster and was a special assistant to the general manager.Kaline was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1980 in his first year of eligibility.“There’s a reason why he was Mr. Tiger,” said Dave Dombrowski, Detroit’s team president from 2001-2015. “First-class person, he was humble, he always played hard. He’s the type of guy that everybody could latch onto.”Houston Astros star Justin Verlander, who pitched for the Tigers from 2005-2017, tweeted his appreciation Monday.“Such a kind and generous man who meant so much to so many,” Verlander said. “I hope you knew how much I enjoyed our conversations about baseball, life, or just giving each other a hard time. I am honored to have been able to call you my friend for all these years.”Kaline came straight out of Baltimore’s Southern High School to the majors, making his debut on June 25, 1953. He took over as Detroit’s everyday right fielder in 1954, and quickly became a fan favorite at Briggs Stadium, later renamed Tiger Stadium.Kaline never hit 30 home runs in a season and topped the 100-RBI mark only three times, but his overall consistency at the plate and his exceptional fielding and throwing put him among the top AL outfielders.“There have been a lot of great defensive players. The fella who could do everything is Al Kaline,” Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson once said. “He was just the epitome of what a great outfielder is all about — great speed, catches the ball and throws the ball well.”Kaline finished his career with 3,007 hits and 399 home runs. He scored 1,622 runs and had 1,582 RBIs. He got his 3,000th hit back in Baltimore, slicing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X91njDARL4" target="_blank">a double</a>&nbsp;down the right field line in September 1974, his final season.In his only World Series, Kaline hit .379 with two home runs and eight RBIs as the Tigers overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat St. Louis for the 1968 championship.“If there is one accomplishment for which I am particularly proud it is that I’ve always served baseball to the best of my ability,” Kaline said during his Hall of Fame induction speech. “Never have I deliberately done anything to discredit the game, the Tigers or my family.“By far, being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the proudest moment of my life. You can be sure that I will make every effort to live up to the obligation associated with this honor,” he said.That same year, his No. 6 became the first uniform number retired by the Tigers.“Many of us who are fortunate enough to work in baseball have our short lists of the players who mean the most to us. Al Kaline was one of those players for me and countless others, making this a very sad day for our sport,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said.Kaline and Willie Horton — another beloved ex-Tiger — were named in 2001 as members of the new Tigers Baseball Committee, joining team owner and president Mike Ilitch, general manager Randy Smith and manager Phil Garner. Ilitch disbanded the committee at the end of that season, but both Kaline and Horton remained as special assistants to Dombrowski after his arrival.Jim Leyland managed the Tigers for much of Dombrowski’s tenure, but Leyland also spent time in the Detroit organization as a minor leaguer in the 1960s and had known Kaline since then.Leyland had his own name for Kaline: “I always called him Mr. Gentleman.”Major League Baseball presented Kaline in 1973 with the Roberto Clemente Award honoring the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, community involvement and contribution to his team.Hall of Famers Alan Trammell and Jack Morris, teammates on Detroit’s 1984 championship team, praised Kaline’s influence.“Today we lost one of our treasures. Al Kaline was an icon, not only to the Tigers organization, but to all of baseball. Mr. Tiger was not just a great player, but was also a classy person who I held in high esteem,” Trammell said in a statement released by the Hall.Said Morris: “If you were a Tiger, you followed his lead. Whether he was a player or broadcaster, he was around the field, around the clubhouse, and available to have a conversation if you needed some advice. That’s what the Tigers players cherished.”The Tigers’ spring training complex in Lakeland, Florida, is on Al Kaline Drive.Larry Herndon was a Tigers outfielder from 1982-88, when Kaline would work with the big leaguers as a spring training instructor.“He was a golden person, along with being a great ballplayer. Gentle, kind, giving,” Herndon said. “Every good thing you ever heard about Al Kaline, it’s all true.”

Beloved Tigers star, Hall of Famer Al Kaline dies at 85

NEW YORK (AP) — Putting all 30 teams in the Phoenix area this season and playing in empty ballparks was among the ideas discussed Monday by Major League Baseball and the players’ association.

The sides held a telephone call to talk about paths forward for a season delayed by the new coronavirus pandemic, people familiar with the discussion told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were announced.

Ideas are still in the early stage, and the Arizona option would have many obstacles to overcome, the people said.

Half of the MLB clubs hold spring training in Arizona, the other half in Florida.

Arizona’s advantage is 10 spring training ballparks plus the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field all within about 50 miles. Florida’s spring training ballparks are spread by as much as 220 miles.

“It allows for immediacy of a schedule, where you might be able to begin it and televise it, provide Major League Baseball to America,” said Scott Boras, baseball’s most prominent agent. “I think players are willing to do what’s necessary because I think they understand the importance of baseball for their own livelihoods and for the interest of our country and providing a necessary product that gives all the people that are isolated enjoyment.”

“It gives them a sense of a return to some normalcy,” Boras added. “You talk to a psychologist about it and they say it’s really good for a culture to have sport and to have a focus like that, where for a few hours a day they can take their minds off the difficult reality of the virus.”

Baseball’s season had been set to start March 26 but spring training was halted on March 12. After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended restricting events of more than 50 people for eight weeks, MLB said it would not open until mid-May at the earliest.

Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels said MLB is examining different options and he didn’t want to speculate.

“But, obviously, we’d all love to find a way to play, provided we could do safely, and that would be the priority,” he said.

The players’ association would want to survey its members to determine whether they would support such a plan, one of the people said.

“You’re going to be largely separated from your families and you’re going to have to function in a very contained way. It’s not a normal life, this idea,” Boras said. “You’re going to have an identified group of people. You’re going to have a constantly tested group of people. And you’re going to have a very limited access of those people to the outside world so that you can assure a very uncontaminated league, if you will, to produce a product that is inspirational to our country.”

Chase Field, with artificial turf and a retractable roof, could be the site of daily tripleheaders, Boras said.

MLB and the union reached a deal March 26 to advance $170 million in salary to players for the first 60 days of the season. As part of the deal, players would get only prorated portions of their salaries if the regular season is cut from its usual 162 games and would receive no additional salary if the season is scrapped.

Both sides have agreed to attempt to play as full a season as is possible, and this plan would enable the season to start while waiting for health and government officials to determine whether it is safe to resume play in regular-season ballparks, with the travel that would entail.

NEW YORK (AP) — Putting all 30 teams in the Phoenix area this season and playing in empty ballparks was among the ideas discussed Monday by Major League Baseball and the players’ association.The sides held a telephone call to talk about paths forward for a season delayed by the new coronavirus pandemic, people familiar with the discussion told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were announced.Ideas are still in the early stage, and the Arizona option would have many obstacles to overcome, the people said.Half of the MLB clubs hold spring training in Arizona, the other half in Florida.Arizona’s advantage is 10 spring training ballparks plus the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field all within about 50 miles. Florida’s spring training ballparks are spread by as much as 220 miles.“It allows for immediacy of a schedule, where you might be able to begin it and televise it, provide Major League Baseball to America,” said Scott Boras, baseball’s most prominent agent. “I think players are willing to do what’s necessary because I think they understand the importance of baseball for their own livelihoods and for the interest of our country and providing a necessary product that gives all the people that are isolated enjoyment.”“It gives them a sense of a return to some normalcy,” Boras added. “You talk to a psychologist about it and they say it’s really good for a culture to have sport and to have a focus like that, where for a few hours a day they can take their minds off the difficult reality of the virus.”Baseball’s season had been set to start March 26 but spring training was halted on March 12. After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended restricting events of more than 50 people for eight weeks, MLB said it would not open until mid-May at the earliest.Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels said MLB is examining different options and he didn’t want to speculate.“But, obviously, we’d all love to find a way to play, provided we could do safely, and that would be the priority,” he said.The players’ association would want to survey its members to determine whether they would support such a plan, one of the people said.“You’re going to be largely separated from your families and you’re going to have to function in a very contained way. It’s not a normal life, this idea,” Boras said. “You’re going to have an identified group of people. You’re going to have a constantly tested group of people. And you’re going to have a very limited access of those people to the outside world so that you can assure a very uncontaminated league, if you will, to produce a product that is inspirational to our country.”Chase Field, with artificial turf and a retractable roof, could be the site of daily tripleheaders, Boras said.MLB and the union reached a deal March 26 to advance $170 million in salary to players for the first 60 days of the season. As part of the deal, players would get only prorated portions of their salaries if the regular season is cut from its usual 162 games and would receive no additional salary if the season is scrapped.Both sides have agreed to attempt to play as full a season as is possible, and this plan would enable the season to start while waiting for health and government officials to determine whether it is safe to resume play in regular-season ballparks, with the travel that would entail.

AP sources: MLB, union discuss playing all games in Arizona

 	Kavion Hancock	Jackson State (TN)	G	So.

Meikkel Murray	Coffeyville (KS)	F	So.

 	Rudi Williams	Northeastern Oklahoma A&amp;M	G	So.

 	Imhotep George	Alleghany Maryland	G	Fr.

 	Demaree King	Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa	G	So.

 	Sardaar Calhoun	Missouri State-West Plains	G/F	So.

 	Miles Coleman	Indian River State (FL)	G	So.

 	Tyon Grant-Foster	Indian Hills (IA)	G	So.

 	Bryce McBride	Dyersburg State (TN)	G	So.

<h2>FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS</h2> 	Vince Cole	USC Salkehatchie (SC)	G	So. 	Kavion Hancock	Jackson State (TN)	G	So. 	Tae Hardy	Pearl River (MS)	G	So. 	Russell Harrison	Clarendon (TX)	F	So. 	Justice Hill	Salt Lake (UT)	G	Fr. 	Wayln Napper	Central Florida	G	Fr. 	Jay Scrubb	John A. Logan (IL)	G/F	So. 	Demarcus Sharp	Colby (KS)	G	So. 	Naje Smith	Cochise (AZ)	F	So. 	Shahada Wells	Tyler (TX)	G	So.<h2>SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS</h2> 	PLAYER	COLLEGE	POS.	CLASS 	Brayan Au	Ranger (TX)	G	So. 	Manel Ayol 	Western Wyoming	F	So. 	Chris Childs	Indian Hills (IA)	G	So. 	El Ellis	Tallahassee (FL)	G	Fr. 	Keon Ellis	Florida SouthWestern	G	So. 	Juan Felix Rodriguez	Monroe (NY)	G	So. 	Meikkel Murray	Coffeyville (KS)	F	So. 	Angelo Stuart 	Mineral Area (MO)	G	Fr. 	Trevin Wade	Georgia Highlands 	G	So. 	Rudi Williams	Northeastern Oklahoma A&amp;M	G	So.<h2>THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICANS</h2> 	PLAYER	COLLEGE	POS.	CLASS 	Imhotep George	Alleghany Maryland	G	Fr. 	Kedrian Johnson	Temple (TX)	G	So. 	Dakari Johnson	Cape Fear (NC)	G	Fr. 	Demaree King	Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa	G	So. 	Dom London	Harcum (PA)	G	So. 	Isaih Moore	Pearl River (MS)	F	So. 	Jalen Moore	Olney Central (IL)	G	So. 	Kevin Osawe	Vincennes (IL)	F	So. 	Austin Richie	Triton (IL)	F	So. 	Dalen Ridgnal	Cowley (KS)	F	Fr.<h2>HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICANS</h2> 	PLAYER	COLLEGE	POS.	CLASS 	Cahiem Brown	Georgia Highlands	G	Fr. 	Cam Burrell	Highland (KS)	F	So. 	Sardaar Calhoun	Missouri State-West Plains	G/F	So. 	Miles Coleman	Indian River State (FL)	G	So. 	Trey Farrer	Snow (UT)	C	Fr. 	Duoth Gach	North Dakota SCS	G	So. 	Tyon Grant-Foster	Indian Hills (IA)	G	So. 	Travis Henson	Angelina (TX)	F	So. 	Mike Hood	Southern Idaho	G	So. 	Terence Lewis	New Mexico	F	So. 	Bryce McBride	Dyersburg State (TN)	G	So. 	Anquaevious Pollard	Shelton State (AL)	F	So. 	Nathaniel Pollard Jr.	Eastern Arizona 	F	So. 	Josiah Strong	Iowa Western	G	So. 	Markelo Sullivan	Moberly Area (MO)	G	So. 	Latrell Tate	Bevill State (AL)	G	So. 	DeAnthony Tipler	Northeast Mississippi	G	So. 	Vinicius Viana	Albany Tech (GA)	G	So. 	David Walker	Casper (WY)	G	So. 	Cash Williams	Arizona Western	G	So.