Women’s World Cup pay boosted
The Women’s World Cup is getting an increase in prize money of more than 300 percent for this year’s tournament.
The $152 million fund for the first 32-team tournament — covering prize money, team preparation and payments to players’ clubs — is a huge boost from the 24-team edition in 2019, and 10 times what it was in 2015.
Some of the $110 million in pure prize money should be dedicated to paying players, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Thursday in Rwanda after being re-elected by acclamation through 2027.
Elsewhere, Manchester United is into the quarterfinals of the Europa League after beating Real Betis 1-0 in the second leg of their round-of-16 matchup. United won 4-1 in the first leg at Old Trafford last week.
Fight costs goalie 2 games, fine
St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington was suspended two games without pay Thursday for throwing a punch at Wild forward Ryan Hartman during the second period of Wednesday’s 8-5 loss to Minnesota for swinging his blocker glove at Hartman.. Binnington’s suspension forced the Blues to call up Joel Hofer from Springfield of the AHL to serve as an emergency goaltender. Binnington will forfeit $64,864.86 under the NHL collective bargaining agreement based on his average annual salary. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Shiffrin 14th in Super-g finale
SOLDEU, Andorra — Swiss skier Lara Gut-behrami won the women’s World Cup super- G on Thursday and Mikaela Shiffrin finished 14th in her first race since setting the record for most career victories with 87.
Georgia’s Carter avoids jail time
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter was given 12 months’ probation and a $1,000 fine on Thursday after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing related to a crash that killed Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock and a recruiting staff member. Carter, projected as one of the top players in next month’s NFL draft, also must complete 50 hours of community service and a state-approved defensive driving course, and his driving privileges have been suspended for 120 days. The state can’t bring additional charges against him.