From the Sports category

by Albert Inestein in Sports

Ole Miss freshman football player Corey Adams was killed in a shooting in Tennessee, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office announced Sunday. Law enforcement officials found Adams with a gunshot wound inside a vehicle at an intersection in Cordova on the outskirts of Memphis late Saturday, the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “They provided life-saving measures until Shelby County Fire arrived,” the sheriff’s office said. “Shelby County Fire personnel later pronounced the victim deceased on the scene.” Four other men who suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds in the incident arrived at nearby hospitals in personal vehicles, authorities said. Law enforcement officials have not named any suspects but said they are investigating the shooting as a homicide. Adams, an 18-year-old New Orleans native, had been one of the top defensive linemen recruits in the country. The football program at the University of Mississippi said in a social media post it was “devastated” to learn of Adams’ death. “While our program is trying to cope with this tragic loss, our thoughts are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the team said. “We ask the Ole Miss community to keep Corey in their thoughts and respect the privacy of everyone involved.” Adams’ former New Orleans high school football team, the Edna Karr Cougars, said in a Facebook post that “words can’t describe this type of pain.” “Corey Adams was more than a football player! He was a friend, brother, son, student, and all around great young man,” the team stated. “We never question God but this is one we just don’t understand.”


by Alan Iverson in Sports

NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Executive Director Lloyd Howell Jr. has stepped down from his role amid various controversies. Reports revealed that he expensed the union for trips to strip clubs. Howell stated his leadership had become a distraction and hoped his resignation would allow the NFLPA to focus on its player members. The NFLPA declined to comment. Receipts from a November 2023 trip showed charges from Tootsie's Cabaret in Miami, including car service and other costs. A second strip club bill from February, totaling $2,426, including ATM cash withdrawals, was also reviewed by NFLPA lawyers. Howell's reported earnings were between $3.5 million and $4 million. Additionally, Howell held a part-time consultancy role with The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm, which many viewed as a conflict of interest, as the NFL reportedly approved the firm to pursue minority ownership in NFL franchises. He also kept NFL players in the dark about an arbitration ruling on suspected collusion between team owners. Arbitrator Christopher Droney ruled there wasn't enough evidence to support collusion claims but noted that the NFL's general counsel and Commissioner Roger Goodell encouraged owners to restrict guaranteed money in player contracts. Howell and the NFLPA had a confidentiality agreement with the NFL to prevent the full report from leaking. While Howell briefed players, he didn't provide them with copies of the report.


by Amy Ivanov in Sports

Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe has settled a lawsuit filed by an anonymous woman who accused him of multiple instances of assault, sexual assault, battery, and sexual battery. The accuser's attorney, Tony Buzbee, stated that both sides acknowledge a "long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship" and that a mutually agreed-upon resolution has been reached. The lawsuit, which sought over $50 million in damages, has been dismissed with prejudice. While the terms of the settlement remain confidential, Sharpe's representatives previously dismissed the suit as an attempted "shakedown." The lawsuit detailed allegations of violent sexual assault and rape, with the accuser claiming Sharpe manipulated and controlled her over nearly two years. Sharpe denied all allegations of coercion or misconduct. Following the lawsuit, Sharpe temporarily stepped away from his role at ESPN. While ESPN declined to comment on the settlement, Sharpe's potential return to the network remains uncertain.


by Amir Izad in Sports

Bryan Braman, a key special teams player for the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship team, has died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 38. Braman was diagnosed earlier this year and had multiple surgeries in recent months in an attempt to treat the illness. He died Thursday morning, according to a statement issued by the team. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bryan Braman,” the team said. “During his four seasons in Philadelphia, Bryan was a loyal teammate, a supporter of the community, and a valuable member of our Super Bowl LII-winning team. More importantly, he was a devoted father who passionately loved his family and everyone around him. We extend our deepest condolences to Bryan’s family and all who are grieving his loss during this difficult time.” Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Texans in 2011, Braman played seven seasons in the NFL. He spent his first three in Houston and last four in Philadelphia. The Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33 to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl in Braman’s final game on Feb. 4, 2018. He gave a fiery speech in the locker room before that game. Braman had 56 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 97 career games.


by Adam Israel in Sports

Bryan Braman, a key special teams player for the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship team, has died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 38. Braman was diagnosed earlier this year and had multiple surgeries in recent months in an attempt to treat the illness. He died Thursday morning, according to a statement issued by the team. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bryan Braman,” the team said. “During his four seasons in Philadelphia, Bryan was a loyal teammate, a supporter of the community, and a valuable member of our Super Bowl LII-winning team. More importantly, he was a devoted father who passionately loved his family and everyone around him. We extend our deepest condolences to Bryan’s family and all who are grieving his loss during this difficult time.” Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Texans in 2011, Braman played seven seasons in the NFL. He spent his first three in Houston and last four in Philadelphia. The Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33 to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl in Braman’s final game on Feb. 4, 2018. He gave a fiery speech in the locker room before that game. Braman had 56 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 97 career games.


by Abigail Isaacson in Sports

Red Panda, the popular unicycle performer, suffered a fall during the halftime show of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup final between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night. She fell forward off her unicycle onto the court, appearing to grab at her left wrist. A wheelchair was used to help her leave the court. The extent of her injuries is unknown. Red Panda, whose real name is Rong Niu, comes from a family of acrobats and is known for her impressive unicycle act involving custom-built unicycles and bowls. She has performed at numerous basketball games, including Game 5 of the NBA Finals.


by Alex Ingram in Sports

The University of Pennsylvania will bar transgender athletes from competing in women's sports and erase swimmer Lia Thomas's records, complying with a federal government agreement. This settlement stems from the Trump administration's broader restrictions on transgender individuals, including a nationwide effort to ban transgender athletes from women's sports. Thomas, a transgender woman and UPenn graduate, won the 2022 NCAA championship in the women's 500-yard freestyle. Penn's President, J. Larry Jameson, stated that the university has always followed Title IX and NCAA guidelines, but will now adhere to new, more restrictive rules. Thomas's records have been removed from UPenn's all-time records, with a note acknowledging her achievements under previous eligibility rules. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights cited a Title IX violation for allowing males to compete in women's sports and use women-only facilities. Penn agreed to adopt biology-based definitions of 'male' and 'female' and apologize to female athletes who competed against Thomas. The agreement follows Trump's executive order, "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," aiming to ban transgender women from women's sports. While research on the athletic advantage of transgender women is limited and inconclusive, the Trump administration's position emphasizes preserving women's sports for women. Thomas's case highlights the ongoing debate on transgender participation in sports, balancing inclusion and fair play. She previously stated that she is a woman and belongs on the women's team. Three former UPenn swimmers sued the school for allowing Thomas to compete, and Thomas has been barred from international competitions by World Aquatics rules. The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld this ruling, making her ineligible for major events like the 2024 Olympics.


by Amanda Ireland in Sports

Bobby Bonilla hasn't played professional baseball in 24 years, yet he receives a $1.2 million annual payment from the New York Mets every July 1st. This is the result of a contract negotiated by his agent, Dennis Gilbert, that will continue until 2035, when Bonilla will be 72. The deal was a result of the Mets' desire to part ways with Bonilla after the 1999 season, but with $6 million remaining on his contract. Former Mets owner Fred Wilpon, a victim of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, opted to defer Bonilla's payments, which were then unwittingly invested into Madoff's fraudulent scheme. Gilbert negotiated an 8% annual interest rate on the deferred payments, resulting in a total payout of $29.8 million for Bonilla. While deferred payment schemes are not uncommon in MLB, Bonilla's case is particularly noteworthy due to its connection to the Madoff scandal. Recent examples include Shohei Ohtani's deferred payments with the Los Angeles Dodgers, highlighting the continued use of this strategy. The concept of deferred payments in professional sports has a long history, dating back to "The Dolgoff Plan" in the 1960s, showcasing Bonilla's deal as a high-profile example of a long-standing practice.


by Alan Iverson in Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Marcos Leonardo scored his second goal on a rebound in the 112th minute, and Al Hilal stunned Manchester City 4-3 on Monday night, eliminating the Premier League power from the Club World Cup in the round of 16. In a back-and-forth thriller at Camping World Stadium, the Saudi Arabian club took the lead three times, including twice in extra time. Kalidou Koulibaly put Al Hilal ahead 3-2 in the 94th minute, but Phil Foden — who entered as a substitute four minutes earlier — equalized in the 104th. Leonardo finally put Man City away. Goalkeeper Ederson saved a header by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from inside the penalty box and the ball deflected to Leonardo, who redirected it with his right foot as he fell to the pitch near the left post. Al Hilal moves on to face Fluminense of Italy, which took down Inter Milan earlier Monday. Leonardo also scored in the 46th minute to even the match at 1-1. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring in the ninth minute for Man City. Malcom put Al Hilal ahead in the 52nd, and Erling Haaland found the net in the 55th to make it 2-2. The match drew 42,311 to Camping World Stadium, which has a capacity of 60,219. Key moment Manchester City nearly won it regulation in the final seconds of added time on a counterattack that was thwarted by a hard challenge. Referees did not call a penalty, and Man City coach Pep Guardiola ran onto the field to argue the decision after the whistle. Takeaways Al Hilal will face Fluminense on July 4 at Camping World Stadium for a spot in the semifinals. What they said “We defeated a very, very strong team. That looked impossible yesterday.” — Simone Inzaghi, Al Hilal coach. “It’s a pity. ... Nothing to say. We’ll have to continue. I still have the feeling this team is doing well. We’ll go home and have time to rest.” — Pep Guardiola, Manchester City coach. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer


by Alex Ingram in Sports

NBA free agent Malik Beasley is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s office regarding gambling allegations tied to league games, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The NBA is cooperating with the investigation, but Beasley's attorney stated that no charges have been filed. This comes after similar investigations involving other NBA players, including Jontay Porter, who was banned from the league, and Terry Rozier, who has not faced charges or sanctions. The investigation could affect Beasley's free agency, as the Detroit Pistons were reportedly interested in re-signing him. Beasley had a successful season with the Pistons, setting a franchise record for 3-pointers and helping them reach the playoffs. He averaged 16.3 points per game last season.