UNDATED (AP) — The Power Five conferences spent $350,000 lobbying Congress in the first three months of 2020. That's more than they had previously spent in any full year, according to lobbying disclosure forms reviewed by The Associated Press. The spending is part of a coordinated effort by the conferences to influence Congress on legislation affecting the ability of college athletes to earn endorsement money. The Power Five have joined the NCAA in pushing for a federal law to avoid multiple state laws on the topic. Records show the Southeastern Conference was the biggest spender.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Twenty-three teams in 10 different Division I sports will face penalties next season because of consistently poor Academic Progress Rate scores. Alabama A&M and Stephen F. Austin received the harshest punishments with three programs at each school facing postseason bans. Stephen F. Austin was sanctioned in football, men’s basketball and baseball. Alabama A&M was hit in men’s basketball, men’s track and field and women’s soccer. Fifteen teams were given postseason bans, nearly double last year's total of eight. It comes at a time in which the academic success has remained remarkably stable. The overall average score remained at 983 for the third consecutive year.
UNDATED (AP) — Some NFL training facilities are reopening, while many are prohibited by government restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner Roger Goodell gave the 32 clubs the go-ahead for limited re-openings as long as state and local municipalities allow them. Coaching staffs and all players, except those undergoing injury rehab, are barred from the facilities in the first phase of the league’s plan.
NEW YORK (AP) — Changes designed to enhance opportunities for minorities to get executive, head coaching and coordinator positions were passed by NFL owners. They include addendums to the Rooney Rule, which has fallen short in its goal of increasing diversity in the league. All clubs will now be required to interview at least two minority candidates from outside the organization for head coach vacancies.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Jazz say forward Bojan Bogdanović underwent surgery to repair a ruptured ligament in his right wrist. The procedure was performed Tuesday in New York City. The team says in a release that he’ll begin rehabilitation “at the appropriate time.” The NBA season remains on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bogdanović was averaging 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his first season with the Jazz. He signed a four-year, $73 million contract with Utah last summer.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals will unveil their World Series championship rings during a “virtual” ceremony shown on television and online Sunday -- an unprecedented approach brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Teams typically unveil their title rings at a home stadium packed with fans.
ELMONT, N.Y. (AP) — The Belmont Stakes will be run June 20 on Long Island in front of no fans as the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. This is the first year the Belmont will take place before the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The Derby was moved to Sept. 5 and the Preakness to Oct. 3. The rescheduled Belmont will be a shorter distance of one and an-eighth miles instead of the race’s trademark mile and a half that has been in place since 1926.