Sports Headlines
Ned Jarrett, NASCAR Hall of Famer, 2-time Cup Series champion and longtime broadcaster, dies at 93
NEWTON, N.C. (AP) — Ned Jarrett, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and longtime broadcaster, died Thursday of natural causes in his home, his family announced. He was 93. Jarrett was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011 after 50 career wins on the sport’s top circuit, including championships in 1961 and 1965. He was part of the second five-member NASCAR Hall of Fame class. Jarrett, known as “Gentleman Ned” for his demeanor, may have been better known by younger NASCAR fans for his broadcasting career. One of his signature moments in the booth came in the 1993 Daytona 500 when he didn’t try to restrain from rooting as his son, Dale Jarrett, held off Dale Earnhardt for ... Read MorePaul Westhead, champion coach in NBA and WNBA, receives NBCA’s Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Paul Westhead had a coaching career like none other. He won an NBA championship as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980. He won a WNBA championship as coach of the Phoenix Mercury in 2007. And at the college level, his 1989-90 Loyola Marymount team that was led by Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble remains the highest-scoring squad in NCAA Division I history. Add it up, and that’s achievement. And the National Basketball Coaches Association celebrated his work on Friday, when it announced the 87-year-old Westhead as this year’s recipient of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award. “He challenged conventional thinking, introduced ideas that were ahead of their time, and influenced generations of coaches across ... Read MoreCowboys finish draft pick signings as Caleb Downs is joined by fellow 1st-rounder Malachi Lawrence
FRISCO (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys signed first-round pick Malachi Lawrence on Friday, putting all seven of their draft choices under contract. Lawrence, the 23rd overall pick out of UCF in April, agreed to a $20.2 million, four-year contract at the end of the first week of voluntary offseason practices. Workouts resume Monday. Safety Caleb Downs out of Ohio State was the 11th pick of the first round and signed his $28.95 million, four-year deal on May 1, the day rookie minicamp started. The Cowboys have fifth-year options on both contracts, and must make those decisions during the 2029 offseason. The other Dallas draft picks signed at the same time as Downs. They included third-round linebacker Jaishawn Barham and three ... Read MoreCorey Seager and Wyatt Langford are back with the Texas Rangers from the injured list
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Corey Seager was activated from the injured list Friday after the slumping five-time All-Star shortstop missed 19 games for the Texas Rangers because of lower back inflammation. Seager went into the Rangers’ series opener against Cleveland mired in a career-worst 0-for-27 slump that included 11 strikeouts. The two-time World Series MVP was hitless in his previous seven games, also a career long, since an RBI single on May 6 at Yankee Stadium after he hit a home run earlier in that game. Texas also activated outfielder Wyatt Langford, who had missed 39 games since going on the injured list April 22 because of a right forearm strain. Utility man Cody Freeman and outfielder Alejandro Osuna were ... Read MoreBears say they are moving forward with Northwest Indiana location for new stadium
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears are looking to build a stadium in Northwest Indiana after a proposal to provide financial incentives for the NFL team to build its new home in Illinois stalled in the state legislature. The Bears’ board of directors voted Thursday to move forward with a stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana. The team had been doing its due diligence on a tract of land near Wolf Lake, but it said Friday that an exact site had not been selected. “We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city,” the Bears ... Read MoreSick and sleepless Arnaldi pulls out of French Open semifinal after night of vomiting
PARIS (AP) — Having spent a large part of the night vomiting and deprived of sleep, Matteo Arnaldi was in no shape to fight for a spot in the French Open final. The 104th-ranked Arnaldi withdrew before the first all-Italian men’s Grand Slam semifinal against Flavio Cobolli on Friday at Roland Garros. Arnaldi believed he caught a virus and said he could not play competitive tennis. “I think it’s a virus because I was feeling pretty cold,” he said. “I had a fever. I just know that I can’t move, and I can’t eat, and I can’t drink.” His withdrawal handed Cobolli a place in Sunday’s final against second-seeded Alexander Zverev. Arnaldi said he felt fine during practice on Thursday, ... Read MoreGame 2: Knicks looking to take command of NBA Finals, Spurs hoping to tie the title series
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jalen Brunson was the star of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, willing the New York Knicks to a series-opening win. Victor Wembanyama, even while struggling from the field, put up big numbers for the San Antonio Spurs in his finals debut as well. The stars were stars. The finals, though, tends to get won by the sum of the other parts. Game 2 of the title series is Friday night in San Antonio, with the Spurs hoping to pull into a tie before the series heads to New York — and the Knicks aiming at becoming the first team since Houston in 1995 to start the NBA Finals with two road wins. Tipoff is at ... Read MoreZverev beats Mensik in French Open semifinals and will face Cobolli for elusive Grand Slam title
PARIS (AP) — Jannik Sinner lost early. Carlos Alcaraz withdrew due to injury. The pressure has been on Alexander Zverev to finally win an elusive Grand Slam title and now the second-seeded German is only one victory away from raising the French Open trophy. Zverev reached the fourth major final of his career after beating 20-year-old Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the Roland Garros semifinals on Friday. In Sunday’s final, Zverev will face 14th-ranked Flavio Cobolli. Cobolli advanced when 104th-ranked Matteo Arnaldi withdrew before their all-Italian semifinal due to a virus. Arnaldi spent 19 hours, 42 minutes on court to reach the semifinal — more than anyone at a Grand Slam since 1991. He said he was vomiting ... Read MoreVegas D-man Brayden McNabb’s Stanley Cup Final status is unclear after taking a puck to the face
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The status of Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb moving forward in the Stanley Cup Final is unclear after he took a puck to the face in Game 2. Coach John Tortorella had no update on McNabb on Friday other than to confirm the 35-year-old was traveling home with the team. Game 3 is Saturday in Las Vegas. McNabb left Thursday night’s game after taking an 87.3 mph slap shot from Nikolaj Ehlers square in the face just past the midway point of the first period. McNabb dropped his stick, went down to the ice and grabbed his nose as he skated immediately off and down the tunnel. “It’s a scary play,” forward Brett Howden said. ... Read MoreThe superfans known as the ‘Spurs Nuns’ aiming to bring divine intervention to the NBA Finals
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama stepped off the court for a moment before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, accepted greetings from a handful of well-wishers in San Antonio Spurs jerseys, then bowed his head to join them in a quick prayer. They’re the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco. On game nights, they’re called the Spurs Nuns. New York has Ben Stiller, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan among its superfans; San Antonio has a group of nuns who wear Spurs jerseys over their habits. It’s a relationship that goes back at least 20 years or so, and to the sisters it makes perfect sense. “We’re serving the poor and the young,” said Sr. Bernadette Mota, the director of the ... Read MoreSome of the most dedicated World Cup fans skipping this year’s tournament, citing costs and politics
LONDON (AP) - Soccer fans will soon crisscross continents to see their beloved national teams compete on the sport’s grandest stage, the World Cup. They’ll pack bars and fan zones, singing chants and debating who is going to win it all. This time, however, it’s different for some superfans, who say organizers have made this summer’s World Cup the least welcoming one they have experienced. Ticket prices, expensive cross-country travel and concerns about entering the U.S. have prompted some of them to stay home. London-based IT worker Mike Wilson has been to four World Cups over the past 20 years. This summer, he’ll be staying in Europe and watching part of the tournament from a Portuguese beach. Argentine doctor Emiliano ... Read MoreRyan O’Hearn powers Pirates past Astros 5-1 with a 3-RBI night
HOUSTON (AP) — Ryan O’Hearn homered and drove in three runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-1 win over the Houston Astros on Thursday night. O’Hearn hit an RBI single in the first inning and his two-run homer in the sixth made it 4-0. Pittsburgh’s Jared Jones (1-0) allowed four hits and walked two in five scoreless innings. Carmen Mlodzinski gave up four hits and a run the rest of the way to get his first save. It was his first work since being put on the restricted list for a day after general manager Ben Cherington told reporters he wasn’t ready to pitch Sunday following a move to the bullpen. Isaac Paredes hit a solo homer in ... Read MoreBlue Jays rookie Dallas says ‘a little God wink’ set stage for beating Braves in major league debut
ATLANTA (AP) — Chad Dallas was told on Tuesday he would be promoted for his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays. The call came on Lou Gehrig Day, and it happened to be about a year since Dallas's father, Tony, died from ALS, the neurodegenerative disease now commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease in honor of the New York Yankees Hall of Famer. “It was extremely special, like a little God wink,” Dallas said after allowing only two hits and one run in 3 2/3 innings to earn the win in the Blue Jays' 7-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night. Dallas was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo to serve as the Blue Jays' bulk reliever behind ... Read MoreGeorge Pickens isn’t with Cowboys for voluntary work as Schottenheimer says communication is good
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — George Pickens isn't with the Dallas Cowboys during the opening week of voluntary offseason practices, while coach Brian Schottenheimer says the receiver is “taking care of his business” and their communication has been good. Pickens signed his $27.3 million franchise tag a little more than a month ago but has stayed away from the team. The Pro Bowler isn't required to show up until mandatory minicamp June 16-18. “Communicated with (Pickens) yesterday,” Schottenheimer said Thursday. “He's got a football camp this weekend that he's doing. So communication is good, and as you guys know it's voluntary and he's taking care of his business.” Pickens waited two months before signing the one-year contract that's worth three times ... Read MoreNBA bans two fans for life after one runs onto court during Game 1, attempts selfie with Wemby
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The NBA banned two people for life from its arenas on Thursday, after one of them was arrested shortly after running onto the court during Game 1 of the NBA Finals and appearing to take a selfie next to San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama. The incident occurred midway through the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game between the Spurs and New York Knicks. The NBA did not disclose what role the second banned person, who did not run onto the court, played in the incident. “The individual who entered the court area during Game 1 of The Finals was arrested and will be banned for life from all NBA arenas," an NBA spokesman said in a message ... Read MoreFleetwood part of 4-way tie for the lead at Memorial in a tough opening round for Scheffler
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — Scottie Scheffler never thought two straight victories in the Memorial would be of any value when he began his bid for three in a row. It sure felt that way Thursday in a tough start that left him exasperated by the wind and six shots behind a four-way share of the lead. Wyndham Clark, coming off a victory in the Byron Nelson, U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun, Tommy Fleetwood and the Ryan Gerard were each at 5-under 67, among only 22 players who broke par at Muirfield Village. Scheffler was poised to be among them until a bad wedge led to a careless bogey on the 14th, and what he thought was a great shot on ... Read MoreGeorge Pickens isn’t with Cowboys for voluntary work as Schottenheimer says communication is good
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — George Pickens isn’t with the Dallas Cowboys during the opening week of voluntary offseason practices, while coach Brian Schottenheimer says the receiver is “taking care of his business” and their communication has been good. Pickens signed his $27.3 million franchise tag a little more than a month ago but has stayed away from the team. The Pro Bowler isn’t required to show up until mandatory minicamp June 16-18. “Communicated with (Pickens) yesterday,” Schottenheimer said Thursday. “He’s got a football camp this weekend that he’s doing. So communication is good, and as you guys know it’s voluntary and he’s taking care of his business.” Pickens waited two months before signing the one-year contract that’s worth three times ... Read MorePackers’ Christian Watson agrees to four-year, $110.5 million extension, AP source says
GREENY BAY, Wi (AP) - Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson agreed to terms on a four-year, $110.5 million contract extension through 2030 with a $31 million signing bonus, according to a person with knowledge of the contract. The person spoke Thursday to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been finalized. ESPN first reported the extension. Watson, 27, tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in Green Bay’s 2024 regular-season finale, but came back last season to catch 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games. He tied for the team lead in touchdown catches and ranked second in yards receiving despite missing much of the season. He had been asked ... Read MoreScheffler and McIlroy see Muirfield Village the same way. Their results are different
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy think the same way about Muirfield Village, and what it takes to succeed at the Memorial Tournament. This is a big golf course, but it’s not all about power. “Here it’s more about placing the ball in the right spots and taking your opportunities when you can get them,” said Scheffler, who speaks from the experience of winning the last two years. “For being such a long golf course, I feel like it takes driver out of my hand a lot,” said McIlroy, who played for the 14th time without ever getting that winner’s handshake from tournament host Jack Nicklaus off the 18th green. The Memorial is one tournament McIlroy can’t ... Read MoreNelly Korda charges into U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera with hunger stoked by last year’s setbacks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nelly Korda fell just short of her first U.S. Women’s Open title a year ago, coming up second to Maja Stark in a finish that was painfully appropriate for her inexplicably winless calendar year. But that disappointment at Erin Hills is a primary reason Korda arrived at venerable Riviera this week as the world’s No. 1 player and a favorite to raise the trophy at the 81st Open. “I was just hungry for more,” Korda said of last year’s Open experience. “Last year was just a weird year of kind of not necessarily playing my best, but also when I did, not getting the bounces or just missing by a centimeter here and there. But I ... Read MoreAaron Judge misses 3rd straight game with bone bruise in rib as Yankees await clarity
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge was out of the lineup Thursday for a third straight game and the New York Yankees were awaiting clarity about a bone bruise in one of the slugger’s right ribs that is causing right shoulder pain. “I absolutely expect something in the next couple of hours,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees concluded a three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians. “He went for more testing today just because he’s got edema there. So, they want to get (the most) specific images they can to try and see exactly what we have.” Judge underwent a CT scan on Thursday morning and had an MRI earlier in the week when he met with a specialist. ... Read MoreFIFA prohibits fans from bringing refillable water bottles into World Cup stadiums
CORAL GABLES, Fla (AP) — FIFA has made a late change of policy to bar World Cup fans from bringing refillable water bottles into the tournament’s 16 stadiums across North America including some with limited or no shade from the sun. The “Stadium Code of Conduct” update was criticized Thursday by an English fan group, which argued FIFA had given assurances on carrying empty plastic bottles to fill with freely available water at a tournament where heat and extreme weather are expected to be a factor. “Naturally, the immediate thought from supporters is this is just the latest money grab,” the Free Lions fan group said in a statement. Water, sodas and juices sold at World Cup stadiums are supplied ... Read MoreOriginal Vegas Golden Knights make an early impact in the Stanley Cup Final
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Only three players have been around for all nine seasons of the Vegas Golden Knights. This is the third trip to the Stanley Cup Final for William Karlsson, Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb, and the thrill is still there. “It’s the same feeling as Year 1,” Karlsson said. That one ended in defeat, but it set the perennial expectations at championship or bust, and Vegas hoisted the Cup in Year 6 in 2023. Eager for another parade on the Las Vegas Strip, the original Golden Knights wasted no time making an early impact in Game 1 at Carolina. Karlsson and Theodore each scored, and McNabb had the first three-assist performance of his NHL career in the ... Read MoreSerena Williams’ tennis comeback to begin with 19-year-old doubles partner Victoria Mboko
LONDON (AP) — Serena Williams will make her eagerly anticipated return to professional tennis playing doubles alongside a partner who is 25 years younger. Victoria Mboko, the 19-year-old Canadian ranked No. 9, revealed Thursday she would have the “honor” of playing with the 44-year-old Williams as wild-card entries at the Queen’s Club next week. They practiced on the grass courts in west London on Thursday, with Williams seen hitting balls in a purple top and white pants. “The Queen is back,” Mboko wrote in a post on Instagram alongside a picture of her standing next to Williams. “An honor to share the court with one of the greatest athletes of all time this week,” Mboko added. “Even more excited to ... Read MoreNo handshake and no photo as Andreeva of Russia beats Kostyuk of Ukraine to reach French Open final
PARIS (AP) — Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam final by beating Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 6-1, 6-3 at the French Open on Thursday. The 19-year-old Andreeva converted her first match point when serving for the match. There was no post-match handshake between them and Kostyuk walked off quickly, turning only to wave and blow kisses to the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, which saw some fans draped in Ukrainian flags. “I am happy that I am in my first ever Grand Slam final. All of these feelings combined, it is amazing,” Andreeva said. “I just told myself no matter what happens, I am going to fight and give my best. With this kind of mindset, I ended ... Read MoreNBA bans two people from arenas after one runs onto court during Game 1, attempts selfie with Wemby
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The NBA banned two people for life from its arenas on Thursday, after one of them was arrested shortly after running onto the court during Game 1 of the NBA Finals and appearing to take a selfie next to San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama. A second fan was banned for his involvement in Wednesday night’s incident, which occurred midway through the fourth quarter of the game between the Spurs and New York Knicks. The NBA did not disclose specifics of that person’s involvement. “The individual who entered the court area during Game 1 of The Finals was arrested and will be banned for life from all NBA arenas,” an NBA spokesman said in a news release. ... Read MoreAlec Burleson has 3 RBIs, Andre Pallante works 5 2/3 innings as Cardinals defeat Rangers 5-3
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Alec Burleson drove in three runs, Andre Pallante threw 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, and the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers 5-3 on Wednesday night. The Cardinals improved to 26-3 when leading after seven innings and got back to .500 at home, while the Rangers saw their five-game win streak end. Pallante (6-4) allowed three hits and struck out five. After reliever JoJo Romero gave up a two-run triple to Joc Pederson in the seventh, Ryne Stanek followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings and Riley O'Brien worked the ninth for his 15th save. Burleson hit a two-out RBI single in the first inning. Josh Jung answered for Texas with a run-scoring single in ... Read MoreSmith has tiebreaking 2-run triple in 8th to help the Astros beat the Pirates 11-9
HOUSTON (AP) — Cam Smith hit a tiebreaking two-run triple to cap Houston’s six-run eighth inning, Isaac Paredes homered and the Astros overcame a five-run deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-9 on Wednesday night. Yordan Alvarez had four hits and two RBIs for the Astros. Smith and Paredes had two hits and three RBIs apiece, and Jeremy Peña went 2 for 3 with a double. AJ Blubaugh (3-2) pitched the eighth inning to get the victory. Josh Hader made his season debut and worked a scoreless ninth for the save, ending the Pirates' winning streak at four. Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti, who went 4-1 in five starts with a 0.93 ERA in May, allowed four runs in four innings. ... Read MoreArrest warrant issued for 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk for misdemeanor speeding charge
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office has issued an arrest warrant for San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk on a misdemeanor charge of exhibition of speeding. District attorney's spokesman Sean Webby confirmed Wednesday that the warrant has been issued in response to a video Aiyuk posted to social media last December that appeared to show him speeding on the road in front of Levi's Stadium. The California Post first reported the arrest warrant. Aiyuk posted an apology a few days after the video that appeared to show him driving well over the posted speed limit of 40 mph. "Sorry ya’ll, my car content won’t come with speeding anymore,” Aiyuk wrote in a social media ... Read MoreCommissioner Adam Silver, at finals, says NBA continues to move toward league in Europe
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The NBA's hopes of starting a new independent league in Europe by the end of 2027 are on schedule, Commissioner Adam Silver said before the start of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night. That plan — a joint effort involving the NBA and FIBA, the sport's global governing body — has been in the works for years, but is nearing a launch at a particularly exciting time for the game in Europe with the burgeoning superstardom of San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama. The unanimous Defensive Player of the Year this season has led the Spurs to the finals, and even 2:30 a.m. start times for games in his native France aren't totally deterring plans for watch ... Read MoreTop of page
