NHL to withdraw from Olympics
The NHL will announce on Wednesday that it’s pulling out of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing after the regular-season schedule was disrupted by coronavirus outbreaks, according to reports.
On Tuesday, the league informed the players’ association that it was retaining its right to withdraw from Olympic participation because there was a material disruption to the season.
With 50 games already postponed, there was a fear the NHL would be unable to complete a full 82-game season while also taking a break of more than two weeks in February for the Olympics.
Baseball: The Yankees finalized manager Aaron Boone’s coaching staff for 2022 with new additions that include former Mets manager Luis Rojas, who will serve as third base coach and coach the outfield . ... MLB payrolls dropped 4% in 2021 compared to the league’s last full season, and the $4.05 billion total was the lowest in a fully completed year since 2015.
College football: Former USC QB Kedon Slovis will transfer to Pittsburgh. Slovis entered his junior season as a Heisman Trophy contender but he struggled, passing for 2,153 yards with 11 TDS and eight INTS in nine games before suffering a season-ending leg injury . ... Former Georgia RB Jahmyr
Gibbs will transfer to Alabama. Gibbs ran for 746 yards and four TDS as a sophomore this season. He also caught 35 passes for 465 yards and two scores . ... Former Ohio State QB Jack Miller will transfer to Florida. Miller saw limited action as a redshirt sophomore this season. He was suspended Nov. 5 for allegedly operating a vehicle while impaired.
NFL: Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette likely will be place on IR after suffering a hamstring injury during Sunday night’s loss the Saints, ESPN reported. Fournette is expected to be available for the playoffs. The Bucs will sign veteran Le’veon Bell to back up Ronald Jones . ... All-pro WR Tyreek Hill was the latest high-profile Chiefs player to be added to the COVID list after testing positive for the virus . ... Kirk Cousins threw two TD passes, and the visiting Vikings beat the struggling and short-handed Bears 17-9 on Monday. The Vikings improved to 7-7, while the Bears dropped to 4-10.
Women’s basketball: Aliyah Boston made a layup with 1:05 to left, giving No. 1 South Carolina a 65-61 victory over No. 2 Stanford on Tuesday. Boston finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, her fifth straight double double and 36th of her career. The Gamecocks (12-0) rallied from 18 points down in the first half to keep alive their best start in six years. It was the biggest comeback in school history. Stanford fell to 8-3.