A group of Pac-12 football players have threatened to opt out of the coming season unless their concerns about competing during the COVID-19 pandemic and other racial and economic issues in college sports are addressed. Read more
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says he’s confident his sport can get through the regular season and postseason without being stopped by the coronavirus, though not every club might play all 60 games and winning percentage could be used to determine playoff teams. Read more
The Pac-12 set Sept. 26 as the start date for its 10-game, conference-only football schedule, joining the Southeastern Conference in pushing back its season by three weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
It was supposed to be a breakout season for Dior Walker-Scott. As a returning sophomore for the Laney College football team in Oakland, which had won the California state championship the year before, Walker-Scott was the centerpiece of the young Eagles offense — a tough, compact, 5-foot-8 wide receiver whose quickness and strength allowed him to get separation from much taller cornerbacks and safeties. Read more
Black players were next to white players. Coaches from one team were next to their compatriots from the opposing side. Many locked arms with the man next to them, some shut their eyes tightly, a few including LeBron James briefly raising a fist into the air or pointing skyward. Read more
Athletes and others with ties to the program told The Associated Press that the head volleyball coach at Oregon State University runs an abusive program that has seen 11 players quit or transfer since 2016 and two team members contemplate suicide, with one attempting an overdose. Read more
Notre Dame is giving up its storied football independence in a year rocked by the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
The conference’s Board of Directors cited, “the continued serious challenges to health and safety on Big West campuses and communities impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic.” Read more
The MLS Is Back tournament wasn’t a day old when it appeared as if the league would have to make a quick U-turn and leave Orlando, Florida. Two teams had been withdrawn from the tournament because 20 players tested positive for COVID-19 and several others had initial unconfirmed positive tests. Read more
Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins players lined up shoulder to shoulder during the U.S. and Canadian anthems before the first exhibition game of the NHL’s restarted season, while members of the Boston Bruins plan to lock arms for the songs to promote racial equality. Read more
Don’t expect any footballs — or players — on fields at NFL training camps anytime too soon. Read more
The Houston Astros have picked up the option for the 2021 season on manager Dusty Baker’s contract. Read more
In the wake of an outbreak that infected half the Marlins’ team, Braun said MLB players are constantly assessing whether they should keep playing. Infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said the season could be in jeopardy. Read more
The WNBA season started with 26 seconds of silence and an empty court. Read more
Already a new mom, Michelle Wie West now has another new job. She was appointed today to be one of Pat Hurst’s assistant captains for the Solheim Cup next year in Ohio. Read more
Before the Cleveland Indians make a definitive decision on changing their name, they’ll listen to those they may have most offended over the past 105 years. Read more
Washington Nationals slugger Juan Soto tested positive for COVID-19 and was put on the injured list just hours before the 2019 World Series champions were scheduled to face the New York Yankees on opening day. Read more
Major League Baseball and the players’ union agreed today to expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 16 for the pandemic-delayed season, a person familiar with the deal said, a decision that makes it likely teams with losing records will reach the postseason. Read more
Manning is the only Rainbow Warrior on the 28-player team. Read more
The NBA comes back Wednesday with a very different look. Read more
Over the next two weeks, the University of Hawaii is seeking to expand COVID-19 testing to include all of its football players, a school spokesman said today. Read more
77