Quick hits
Dolphins' Norton has left arm amputated after car crash, in critical condition
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kendrick Norton, a former University of Miami standout, was involved in a two-car accident early Thursday morning that resulted in his left arm being amputated.
Norton's left arm had to be amputated by paramedics at the scene for him to be removed from the rolled-over vehicle, sources tell the South Florida Sun Sentinel. According to the sources, he is in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, though his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
"With sadness, I can confirm that Kendrick Norton was in a car accident last night and suffered multiple injuries, including the amputation of his arm," Malki Kawa, Norton's agent tweeted Thursday morning. "We ask that you continue to pray for him. His family also asks that the public respect Kendrick's privacy."
According to the Florida Highway Patrol incident report, Norton's black 2017 Ford F250 rolled over onto its roof after colliding with a concrete barrier for unknown reasons. A grey 2015 Maserati also was involved in the crash. The vehicle had minor damage, but the driver was not hurt.
According to the report, the crash took place at approximately 1:18 a.m. on the Dolphin Expressway (State Road 836) westbound ramp, leading to the Palmetto Expressway (State Road 826).
Both passengers injured in Norton's truck were transported to the Trauma Center, but only Norton's injuries are considered serious.
The Dolphins claimed Norton off the Carolina Panthers' practice squad late last year, and placed the 6-foot-3, 314-pound defensive lineman on the 53-man roster, where he was expected to compete with 12 other defensive linemen to determine who makes it onto Miami's 53-man roster. — Omar Kelly, Sun Sentinel
Former Rio de Janeiro governor says he paid bribes to host Olympics
RIO DE JANEIRO _ Rio de Janeiro's jailed former Gov. Sergio Cabral testified that he paid $2 million in bribes to secure hosting rights for the 2016 Olympics, according to his lawyer, Marcio Delambert.
Cabral told a judge Thursday the payment yielded a promise that between six and nine members of the International Olympic Committee would cast their votes for Rio, Delambert said in an email, confirming earlier reports from local media.
Massive construction projects for the 2014 World Cup and the Olympics offered huge opportunities for graft in Latin America's largest nation. The subsequent corruption revelations have toppled politicians and executives once thought untouchable, and affected companies' overseas operations. Ongoing probes have also hurt the recovery of Brazil's construction sector that has contracted for four straight years, dragging on overall activity.
Cabral told the judge that Lamine Diack, former chief of the International Association of Athletics Federations, and his son Papa requested payments of $1.5 million and $500,000, respectively. The lawyer for the elder Diack, William Bourdon, did not respond to a request for comment. His son, who has previously described the corruption allegations as "the biggest lie in the history of world sport," was not immediately reachable.
French authorities ordered both men to stand trial last month on charges of corruption and money laundering. They previously shared information from their investigation with Brazilian prosecutors, who presented evidence that the men, as well as Cabral, participated in the $2 million scheme.
Cabral is currently serving a sentence of just under 200 years imprisonment for corruption and money laundering. — David Biller, Bloomberg News
ESPN, NWSL announce broadcast partnership for remainder of 2019 season
The National Women's Soccer League was focused on adding a new television partnership before the end of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The league accomplished the goal, with NWSL and ESPN announcing a broadcast agreement on Thursday that will help boost the league's national exposure after the World Cup.
ESPN has the rights to 14 of the remaining matches during the 2019 season. Eight of these matches will be available on ESPNews, while six _ including the league semifinals and championship _ will be available on ESPN2. All 14 games will also stream live on the ESPN app.
NWSL declined to disclose any financial terms of the deal. ESPN typically includes non-disclosure language in its contracts.
Games that are not covered by ESPN family of networks will continue to streamed via Yahoo Sports.
The league entered this year without a cable agreement after A&E backed out of its broadcasting agreement months before the season opener.
NWSL President Amanda Duffy told Pro Soccer USA A&E's decision was a surprise and the league began pushing to negotiate a new television agreement in February.
"It was important that, at a minimum, we come out of the Women's World Cup with games for the remainder of the season," she said.
— Julia Poe and Iliana Limón Romero,
Pro Soccer USA