TALKING POINTS
Editor’s Note
Due to an earlier deadline of 8 p.m. throughout the pandemic, some games might not make it into the print edition of your Valley Press. Please find the following full stories on our website at www. avpress.com: NBA Finals Game 1: Lakers vs. Heat; MLB National League Wild-card Round Game 1: Dodgers vs. Brewers.
Davis signed by Vikings
The Vikings signed seven-year veteran linebacker Todd Davis to help fill the void created by an injury to outside linebacker Anthony Barr. Released by Denver on Sept. 4, Davis has played in 85 regular-season games, primarily with the Broncos. He was tied for eighth in the NFL last year with a career-high 134 tackles. Davis graduated from Paraclete High.
Barr was placed on injured reserve last week, with a season-ending torn pectoral muscle.
Fans to be allowed at World Series, NLCS in Arlington, Texas
NEW YORK — Fans can take themselves out to the ball game for the first time this season during the NL Championship Series and World Series at new Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Major League Baseball said Wednesday that approximately 11,500 tickets will be available for each game. That is about 28% of the 40,518-capacity, retractable-roof stadium of the Texas Rangers, which opened this year adjacent to old Globe Life Park, the team’s openair home from 1994 through 2019.
Commissioners decline CFP expansion after Pac-12 request
The conference commissioners who manage the College Football Playoff have decided to stick with a four-team format during the pandemic-altered season after the Pac-12 made a request to consider expansion.
College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock said Wednesday that Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott asked the rest of management committee to consider having eight teams play for the national championship this season. ESPN first reported Scott broaching the subject.
The request was made because of disruptions to the season caused by the pandemic. Conferences are not playing the same number of games, are starting play at different times and there are no interconference matchups between Power Five leagues.
Hancock said the committee, with 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Jack
Swarbrick, had a “civil and thoughtful discussion.”
“To do it now, it’s such a significant change with so many challenges, especially with the season started, they thought it was best to not make a change,” Hancock said.
Hancock added any decision on expansion would need the approval of the CFP’s presidential oversight committee after a recommendation by commissioners.
The playoff semifinals are scheduled for Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The national championship game is set for Jan. 11 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
NFL threatening suspensions for maskless sideline personnel
The NFL is threatening teams with possible suspensions for sideline personnel, including coaches, who do not properly wear face coverings during the pandemic.
Forfeiting draft picks also could be among disciplinary measures for failing to comply with league/players’ union protocols.
In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, Troy Vincent, who oversees NFL football operations, told the 32 teams Wednesday that “accountability” is required on the sidelines.
“We will continue to address lack of compliance with accountability measures that may also include suspensions of persons involved, and/ or the forfeiture of a draft choice(s),” Vincent wrote.
“As you know, the gameday protocols agreed to with the NFLPA require that coaches and other non-player personnel wear appropriate face coverings at all times on the field and in the coaches’ booths . ... While we saw significant progress in Week 3 with compliance from club personnel, wearing of protective equipment is still not universal, and this lack of compliance creates unnecessary risk to game-day participants.”
The NFL has fined several coaches $100,000 for lack of compliance, including Sean Payton of New Orleans and Jon Gruden of Las Vegas, who both have said they contracted and recovered from the coronavirus. Teams were fined $250,000.
NASCAR at long last adds schedule variety with 2021 changes
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
NASCAR promised radical changes to the 2021 schedule and delivered Wednesday with six road courses, the first dirt race for the Cup Series since 1970 and new stops in Nashville, Tennessee, and Austin, Texas.
Dropped from the lineup were Kentucky Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway, two “cookie-cutter” intermediate tracks that were part of a staid schedule that lacked variation or originality. Michigan International Speedway, Dover International Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway each lost one of two Cup Series points races.