National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE- Carolina Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) and Jaccob Slavin (74) skate off as New York Rangers celebrate in the background following Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 16, 2024. The Hurricanes have put Kuznetsov on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his NHL contract. General manager Eric Tulsky said the two sides ultimately agreed this was the best course of action for the player and the team. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)

Hurricanes put Evgeny Kuznetsov on unconditional waivers to terminate his NHL contract

The Carolina Hurricanes have put Evgeny Kuznetsov on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his NHL contract. Kuznetsov was owed $6 million of his $8 million salary in the final year of … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 7/17/24

ESPN sportscaster and former football coach Nick Saban speaks during the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media days Monday, July 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Nick Saban is back at SEC Media Days, six months after retiring and asking the questions now

Nick Saban is at SEC Media Days again, six months after retiring as Alabama coach. This time he’s asking the questions as part of ESPN’s SEC Network coverage of the four-day event. Saban retired … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 7/17/24

FILE - Bob Iger, left, and Willow Bay arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Angel City FC announced Wednesday, July 17, 2024, that Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger and Southern California dean for communication and journalism Willow Bay will be the new controlling owners of what the franchise calls the most valuable women’s sports team in the world. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger and journalist Willow Bay to become Angel City FC's new owners

Angel City FC says Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger and Southern California dean for communication and journalism Willow Bay will be the new controlling owners of the National Women’s Soccer League … more

7/17/24

Dustin Johnson of the United States hits off the 13th tee during a practice round ahead of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Wednesday, July 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Great golf and being on the good side of the draw go a long way at the British Open

Playing great golf helps at the British Open. It also helps to be on the good side of the draw. That's one of the curses and charms of links golf. The British Open is loaded with examples of players … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 7/17/24

NBA commissioner Adam Silver opens the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

NBA moves a big step closer to finalizing new 11-year media rights deals

The NBA’s Board of Governors approved the league’s next media rights deals with Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video at its meeting Tuesday, moving the league one giant step closer to finalizing … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 7/16/24

FILE - Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving pauses on the court in front of Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, left, during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals, June 17, 2024, in Boston. Irving has a broken left hand that required surgery after getting injured in an offseason workout. The Dallas Mavericks aren't providing a timeline for Irving's recovery. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Mavericks star Kyrie Irving breaks left hand in offseason workout, has surgery

Kyrie Irving has a broken left hand that required surgery after getting injured in an offseason workout. The Dallas Mavericks aren't providing a timeline for Irving's recovery. Irving and Luka Doncic … more

7/16/24

National League's Paul Skenes, of the Pittsburgh Pirates, warms up before the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Rookie Paul Skenes retires Kwan, Henderson and Judge in hitless first inning of All-Star Game

Paul Skenes became the fifth rookie to start an All-Star Game, retiring Steven Kwan, Gunnar Henderson and Aaron Judge for the National League in a hitless first inning. The 22-year-old right-hander, … more

By RONALD BLUM | 7/16/24

FILE - Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze catches a ball during practice at the NFL football team's minicamp in Lake Forest, Ill., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. The Chicago Bears and rookie receiver Rome Odunze agreed Tuesday, July 16, to a four-year contract that includes an option for the 2028 season.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Bears agree to deal with quarterback Caleb Williams, AP source says; receiver Rome Odunze signed

The Chicago Bears have locked in their top two rookies, agreeing to four-year contracts with No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams and No. 9 selection Rome Odunze and avoiding any training camp … more

By ANDREW SELIGMAN | 7/16/24

FILE - Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter looks on during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Jan. 18, 2024, in Toronto. The former NBA player is due in court Wednesday, July 10, to face a federal criminal case tied to the betting scandal that got him banned from the league earlier this year. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Jontay Porter, banned from NBA, asks court for permission to resume career in Greece

Jontay Porter, who has been banned from the NBA after admitting that he helped bettors by intentionally underperforming in games, asked a federal court Tuesday for permission to resume his playing … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 7/16/24

National League's Shohei Ohtani, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, walks on to the field before the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

MLB will consider whether to return to club uniforms in All-Star Game

Major League Baseball will consider going back to having players wear their team uniforms for the All-Star Game. Club uniforms were used by the American League from 1933-2019 and by the National … more

By RONALD BLUM | 7/16/24

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred walks up to the podium during the MLB baseball draft in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Sons of former big-league stars Ortiz, Ramirez and Grudzielanek among MLB draft picks in late rounds

Major League Baseball’s three-day amateur draft concluded on Tuesday, with the 30 teams blazing through 300 picks in less than 3 1/2 hours. There were some familiar last names selected on the final … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 7/16/24

Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold speaks during Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media days Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

5-star potential: Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold and Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava are SEC wild cards

Oklahoma's Jackson Arnold and Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava are the Southeastern Conference's wild-card quarterbacks. The two first-year starters and former five-star recruits have the potential to turn … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 7/16/24

FILE - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, top, catches a pass against Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. Brandon Aiyuk has requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers because the two sides haven’t made progress on a new contract, a person familiar with the star wide receiver’s decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday, July 16.(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez, File)

Brandon Aiyuk requests trade from 49ers, AP source says

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers because the two sides haven’t made … more

By ROB MAADDI | 7/16/24

Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) puts pressure on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, July 14, 2024, in Minneapolis. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP)

WNBA heads to Olympic break with big All-Star weekend, showdown between US team and league standouts

The WNBA heads into its monthlong Olympic break following this weekend’s highly anticipated list of All-Star festivities. The Olympic team’s matchup with a squad of league standouts featuring … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 7/16/24

Scottie Scheffler of the United States looks at his club on the practice range ahead of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Scottie Scheffler is adjusting to links golf and his role as best player in the world

Scottie Scheffler might not be the biggest draw in golf but he's the center of attention at every major. The world's No. 1 player is a heavy favorite again going into the British Open at Royal Troon. … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 7/16/24

FILE - Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, talks to his father, Joe, as they watch a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, June 21, 2009. Joe “Jellybean” Bryant has died, his alma mater announced Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Joe Bryant, who spent eight seasons in the NBA with three different franchises, was 69. The Philadelphia Inquirer, citing La Salle coach Fran Dunphy, reported that Joe Bryant recently had a massive stroke. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant, dies at 69

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died, according to his alma mater, La Salle University. Bryant, who spent eight seasons in the NBA with … more

7/16/24

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts with his caddy Harry Diamond during a practice round ahead of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Tiger Woods says even champions miss putts. Rory McIlroy gets the message at British Open

Rory McIlroy got plenty of text messages after his late collapse at the U.S. Open last month. Tiger Woods sent one too but he had waited a week. Turns out McIlroy never got the message because he had … more

By KEN MAGUIRE | 7/16/24

Tiger Woods of the United States chips onto the 6th green during a practice round for the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Monday, July 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Analysis: Tiger Woods is playing all the majors. But for how much longer?

Tiger Woods is playing all four majors for the first time in five years. That's not all positive because his performance hasn't been very good. It has been two years since he broke par in any round … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 7/16/24

Jon Rahm of Spain watches his tee shot on the third hole during a practice round ahead of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jon Rahm hoping to ride Spanish momentum to end drought

Spain in on a roll and Jon Rahm hopes to be part of it. He says he was inspired by Carlos Alcaraz winning Wimbledon and Spain beating England in the European Championships. Rahm has only the British … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 7/16/24

Kylian Mbappe, of France, gestures as he is presented to fans as a new Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)

On 'incredible day,' Kylian Mbappé welcomed by Real Madrid fans at packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Kylian Mbappé has finally put on a Real Madrid jersey to fulfill his childhood dream in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Nearly 80,000 fans were in hand at the Bernabeu to welcome the … more

7/16/24