Gymnast Wieber sues school, organizations
Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber is the latest gymnast to sue Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic Committee over former sports doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse.
Wieber was on the “Fierce Five” team that won Olympic gold in 2012. She filed a lawsuit in California alleging Michigan State and former USA Gymnastics leaders hid Nassar’s conduct from the public and law enforcement. She says the abuse spanned between 2006 and 2012, her medical records were destroyed, and she and her teammates “were not protected.”
In her first public appearance since revealing six months ago she was sexually abused by Nassar, Olympic gold medalist McKayla Maroney said she at times questioned whether her gymnastics career was worth the abuse and rebuked USA Gymnastics, Michigan State and the U.S. Olympic Committee for turning a blind eye.
“All they cared about was money, medals, and it didn’t seem like anything else,” Maroney said at the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s spring luncheon. “It was my biggest dream to compete for my country. They demanded excellence from me, but they couldn’t give it to us.”
The Associated Press Sports Editors organization has recommended that its members refrain from covering USA Wrestling events after the federation said it would require journalists to undergo a background check to cover its events.
Cleveland coach Hue Jackson dismissed reports that general manager John Dorsey has settled on a quarterback and said the top prospects — USC’s Sam Darnold, Wyoming’s Josh Allen, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and UCLA’s Josh Rosen — remain in contention to be selected by the Browns . ... The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are picking up the fifth-year option on quarterback Jameis Winston, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The option will pay Winston $20.922 million in 2019 . ... Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold, who was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was twice a first-team All-Pro, announced his retirement . ... Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah signed his franchise tag, signaling his return to the Detroit Lions.
G League salaries are going up next season, to $35,000 for most players and up to $385,000 for those on two-way contracts.
Salaries also can be enhanced through bonuses and call-ups. NBA teams called up 50 players a total of 60 times last season, generating just over $11 million in additional salary.
The G League also says about 25% of its players this season earned an average of $44,000 in affiliate player bonuses. The maximum regular salary in the G League was around $26,000.
Nebraska men’s basketball coach Tim Miles has been given a one-year contract extension through 2020-21 after leading the Cornhuskers to their most conference victories in a season. The Cornhuskers were 22-11 and played in the National Invitation Tournament. Their 13-5 record in Big Ten Conference play was good for fourth place, tied with national runner-up Michigan.
Wake Forest center Doral Moore says he will skip his senior season and turn pro. The 7-foot-1 Moore averaged 11.1 points and 9.4 rebounds last season and had a team-best 61 blocks while setting a school season record by making 68.9% of his shots . ... South Carolina’s top scorer and rebounder, Chris Silva, has declared for the NBA draft but said he won’t hire an agent. The 6-9 Silva averaged 14.3 points and eight rebounds last season.
Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov and Dominic Thiem all came from a set down to win their secondround matches at the Monte Carlo Masters.
The third-seeded Zverev won 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 against big-serving Gilles Muller, after the fourth-seeded Dimitrov had rallied to beat PierreHugues Herbert 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 and the fifth-seeded Thiem saved a match point in his 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 win against Andrey Rublev of Russia.
Eclipse Award winner Heavenly Prize has been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.