AP Sports Summary for Wednesday, June 7th, 2023
PGA Tour and European tour agree to merge with Saudis and end LIV Golf feud
The PGA Tour abruptly dropped its expensive fight with Saudi Arabia's LIV Golf venture on Tuesday and instead announced a stunning merger that creates a global operation featuring the world's top players backed by the Saudis' massive wealth. As part of the deal merging the PGA Tour and European tour with Saudi Arabia's golf interests, the sides immediately are dropping all lawsuits involving LIV Golf. From the golf side, still to be determined is how players like Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson can rejoin the PGA Tour after defecting last year for signing bonuses reported to be in the $150 million range.
LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger reignites not-so-clean debate over sportswashing
The PGA Tour's merger with rival LIV Golf has reignited a debate over sportswashing and drawn critics ranging from current professional golfers to the families of Sept. 11 victims. Sportswashing has been going on for decades in the Olympics and other sports across the globe. The sportswashing angle with LIV Golf gained steam last year when its first big-name signing, Phil Mickelson, was quoted as calling the Saudis "scary (expletives)" as he discussed what the CIA concluded was the Saudi-backed killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Family members of Sept. 11 victims who blame Saudi Arabia for the 2001 terror attacks have also been vocal critics of Mickelson and others who have accepted multiple millions from LIV Golf.
PGA Tour commissioner has 'heated' meeting with players after LIV Golf merger
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan spent more than an hour explaining to players Tuesday afternoon why he changed his mind about taking Saudi funds in a surprise collaboration, saying it ultimately was for their benefit. And to think it was nearly a year ago to the day that Saudi-funded LIV Golf teed off in its inaugural event as a rival and a threat, flush with defectors from golf's top circuit. Morals were questioned. Lawsuits were filed. Golfers doubled down on their affiliations. A merger, it seemed, wasn't in the cards. But on Tuesday, professionals from both tours were caught off guard by news that their worlds would collide — that the PGA Tour, European tour and LIV Golf were merging.
Game 3 awaits in the NBA Finals, with Heat loose and Nuggets facing adversity
MIAMI (AP) — Erik Spoelstra has preached about the value of adversity for months, not shying away from saying that it helped the Miami Heat get to these NBA Finals. And now Denver is dealing with a little taste of it as well. Game 3 of the NBA Finals is Wednesday night in Miami, the series between the eighth-seeded Heat and top-seeded Nuggets knotted at a game apiece. It got that way after Miami rallied to win Game 2 in Denver 111-108 on Sunday night, an outcome that prompted Nuggets coach Michael Malone to openly share frustrations primarily over a lack of discipline on a lot of possessions.
From swords to fishing lures to "sprinklers," MLB celebrations have become full-scale productions
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Major League Baseball celebrations have turned into a full-on production for some teams. About half the clubs in MLB are using some kind of prop or ritual to celebrate a big hit or a big play in ways that often go viral. The Pittsburgh Pirates use a sword and a "home run jacket." The Minnesota Twins act like they're going fishing. The Baltimore Orioles operate a "human sprinkler." The players say the celebrations are a way to connect with fans and break up the monotony of a season. Pirates star Andrew McCutchen says players are "showmen" and it's their job to put on a show when they take the field.
Iga Swiatek beats Coco Gauff to reach French Open semifinals
PARIS (AP) — Top-ranked Iga Swiatek kept her French Open title defense on track with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Coco Gauff to reach the semifinals at Roland Garros. Swiatek recorded another straight-set victory over the American in a rematch of last year's final and will next face Beatriz Haddad Maia on Thursday. Swiatek is a 22-year-old Pole who is chasing her third trophy at the clay-court major. The 19-year-old Gauff fell to 0-7 against Swiatek. The Floridian has yet to take a set against her. Swiatek won 6-1, 6-3 in last year's final. The match was much closer than last year's final but Swiatek was in control throughout.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will meet in a youth-vs.-experience clash at the French Open
PARIS (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will face each other in the French Open semifinals. It is their first head-to-head meeting in more than a year. Alcaraz won their only previous encounter. Alcaraz is a 20-year-old from Spain who is seeded No. 1 and will be appearing in his second Grand Slam semifinal. Djokovic is a 36-year-old from Serbia who is seeded No. 3 and entering the 45th major semifinal of his career. He has 22 Grand Slam titles and can break a tie with rival Rafael Nadal for the most in the history of men's tennis by getting past Alcaraz and then winning Sunday's final.
Jacob deGrom, oft-injured Rangers ace, to have season-ending right elbow surgery
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas ace Jacob deGrom will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, cutting short his first season with the AL West-leading Rangers after the oft-injured pitcher signed a $185 million, five-year contract. General manager Chris Young says the decision came after the latest MRI on deGrom's ailing right elbow. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner hasn't pitched since April 28 against the New York Yankees, when he exited early because of injury concerns for the second time in a span of three starts. DeGrom spent his first nine seasons with the Mets. Injuries limited him to 156 1/3 innings over 26 starts during his last two years in New York.
Yankees star Aaron Judge headed to injured list for 2nd time this season
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge is headed to the injured list for the second time this season after the New York Yankees star hurt his right toe making a spectacular catch at Dodger Stadium. The reigning AL MVP missed his second consecutive game Tuesday night. He met with team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and underwent testing that showed a bruise and a sprained ligament, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said following his team's 3-2 loss to the White Sox. Boone said Judge will be placed on the IL but did not give a timeline for his return. The slugger received a platelet-rich plasma injection. Boone said Judge's toe is not fractured.
Gun tragedies hit close to home for Stanley Cup Final opponents, who helped their communities heal
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers were connected by tragedy five years before meeting in the Stanley Cup Final. Both teams helped their communities recover after the 2017 Las Vegas Strip shooting that left 60 dead and the 2018 massacre of 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Both teams have honored the victims, worked with their families and donated to foundations. In each arena, there is a memorial to their community's respective tragedy. Duke University professor Orin Starn says sports teams can help communities heal after tragedy. He points to the New York Yankees' first home game after 9/11 and New Orleans Saints players assisting relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
AP-Scorecard
Here are the latest scores from today's sports events:
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INTERLEAGUE
Oakland at Pittsburgh 12:35 p.m.
Seattle at San Diego 4:10 p.m.
Detroit at Philadelphia 6:05 p.m.
Kansas City at Miami 6:10 p.m.
Baltimore at Milwaukee 7:40 p.m.
St. Louis at Texas 8:05 p.m.
Chi Cubs at L-A Angels 9:38 p.m.
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AMERICAN LEAGUE
Minnesota at Tampa Bay 6:40 p.m.
Chi White Sox at N-Y Yankees 7:05 p.m.
Houston at Toronto 7:07 p.m.
Boston at Cleveland 7:10 p.m.
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NATIONAL LEAGUE
Arizona at Washington 7:05 p.m.
L-A Dodgers at Cincinnati 7:10 p.m.
N-Y Mets at Atlanta 7:20 p.m.
San Francisco at Colorado 8:40 p.m.
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Denver at Miami 8:30 p.m.
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WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Minnesota at New York 7 p.m.
Phoenix at Dallas 8 p.m.
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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Atlanta at Los Angeles FC 10:30 p.m.
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