AP Sports Headlines for Friday, June 30th
NFL suspends 3 players indefinitely for violating the gambling policy, a fourth gets 6 games
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NFL has suspended three players indefinitely for violating the league's gambling policy and a fourth was sidelined for six games. Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry of the Indianapolis Colts along with free agent Demetrius Taylor received indefinite suspensions through at least this season for betting on NFL games in 2022. They won't be able to seek reinstatement until the 2023 season ends. Tennessee Titans right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended for the first six games of the 2023 season for betting on non-NFL sports at the team's facility. He is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason activities, including preseason games.
James Harden picks up $35.6 million option with the 76ers, AP source says
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden picked up his $35.6 million contract option for next season with the Philadelphia 76ers, with the franchise exploring trades to move the veteran scorer, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Harden informed the 76ers of his choice Thursday ahead of the midnight deadline to pick up the option, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision was not made public. The 33-year-old Harden could have declined the option and decided to try for free agency. The Sixers had the right to offer him a $210 million, four-year deal, $8 million more overall than any other team.
Mike Trout elected to 11th All-Star Game, 4 Texas players chosen to start
NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout has been elected to his 11th All-Star Game and four Texas Rangers were chosen by fans for the American League's lineup for the July 11 game at Seattle's T-Mobile Park. Trout was voted to start for the 10th time and will be joined in the AL lineup by teammate Shohei Ohtani, who last week was chosen at designated hitter as the league's top-vote getter in the first round. Nine first-time starters were picked by fans, including three Rangers: catcher Jonah Heim, shortstop Corey Seager and third baseman Josh Jung. Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien was chosen for his second start.
Deal with Dodgers co-owner unifies women's pro hockey in North America, AP sources say
Professional women's hockey in North America was unified Thursday when a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers struck a deal with the Premier Hockey Federation. That's according to two people with direct knowledge of the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press because the deal hadn't been announced. A third person also confirmed the partial purchase of the PHF by Mark Walter's firm. One of the people says the deal will result in a new women's hockey league that is projected to launch in January. The PHF will cease operations under the deal, according to one of the people.
As NFL cracks down on players gambling, what events are pro athletes allowed to bet on?
The Supreme Court's 2018 ruling in Murphy vs. NCAA ushered in a new era of legalized sports betting in the U.S., allowing states to establish their own sports wagering laws and operations. The high court overturned the federal Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act that had barred betting on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states. With it came a new approach to how the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL associate with the industry. Each league prohibits its employees and players from betting on their own games. But there are variations in how they operate in this new world.
The already hectic NBA offseason now poised for free agents to make moves
It's already been a busy offseason for player movement in the NBA. Now free agency begins Friday evening. There are big names that could be on the move, including Khris Middleton and Draymond Green. There are some players like Max Strus who are in line for big paydays for the first time. Trades are still a possibility, especially since James Harden has picked up his player option. And teams now have to navigate new rules that come with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that goes into effect on Saturday.
Jaguars LT Cam Robinson suspended 4 games for violating NFL policy on PEDs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The NFL has suspended Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson for the first four games of the regular season for violating league policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Robinson and the team had been awaiting his punishment for more than two months. Knowing it was coming, the Jaguars signed veteran and oft-injured backup Josh Wells to a one-year deal in early April and then used their first-round draft pick on Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison. They hope those moves will help offset being without Robinson for nearly a quarter of the season. Robinson's suspension is without pay, meaning he will lose roughly $900,000 a game. He's the highest-paid player on Jacksonville's roster.
NHL draft wraps up with 11 picks for Chicago, dearth of trades ahead of free agency
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks acquired their latest generational talent along with a big dose of speed in one of the NHL's largest draft hauls. They also made another big move for their future Thursday by adding veteran Corey Perry to help teach No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard how to be the leader the Blackhawks need to contend for a Stanley Cup. Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson says he couldn't be happier with how this draft worked out with 11 players taken. The Anaheim Ducks added a big Swedish center to their young, talented offense in Leo Carlsson at No. 2 overall.
All Hail the Rockies! Pea-sized hail makes Coors Field a winter wonderland ahead of Dodgers game
DENVER (AP) — Elias Diaz of the Colorado Rockies stretched and dove, head first, making quite a splash. The Rockies catcher wasn't stealing a base or avoiding a tag. Instead, Diaz was sliding on the hail-covered tarp of Coors Field hours before Colorado hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night. The Denver area was hit with heavy rain, high winds and pea-sized hail, transforming the green outfield grass into ice-covered turf and delaying the start of the series finale for an hour and 50 minutes.
Taylor Moore, Peter Kuest lead Rocket Mortgage Classic; Dylan Wu 1 back after albatross
DETROIT (AP) — Taylor Moore and Monday qualifier Peter Kuest shot 8-under 64s to share the first-round lead in the Rocket Mortgage Classic. A slew of players are chasing them in what's expected to be a shootout at Detroit Golf Club. Dylan Wu had the third albatross on the PGA Tour this season and shot 65, joining Sam Ryder, Aaron Rai, Ludvig Aberg, Sam Bennett, Justin Suh and Adam Schenk. Collin Morikawa was among those two shots back while Rickie Fowler was three off the lead at Detroit Golf Club. Some notable names were nowhere near the top of the leaderboard, including major champions Justin Thomas and Hideki Matsuyama.
AP-Scorecard
Here are the latest scores from today's sports events:
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INTERLEAGUE
Final Tampa Bay 6 Arizona 1
Final Miami 2 Boston 0
Final Toronto 2 San Francisco 1
Final Houston 14 St. Louis 0
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AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Kansas City 4 Cleveland 3
Final Detroit 8 Texas 5
Final N.Y. Yankees 10 Oakland 4
Final Chicago White Sox 9 L.A. Angels 7
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NATIONAL LEAGUE
L.A. Dodgers 2 Colorado 1 (Bot 3rd)
Final Pittsburgh 5 San Diego 4
Final Milwaukee 3 N.Y. Mets 2
Final Philadelphia 3 Chicago Cubs 1
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WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Phoenix 64 Indiana 48 (in progress)
Minnesota 64 Seattle 63 (in progress)
Las Vegas 70 New York 51 (in progress)
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