News+Notes: WNBA approves Montgomery’s role in new Dream ownership group,
Former Atlanta Dream guard Renee Montgomery made history on Friday as part of a three-member investor group that was approved to purchase the team.
The ownership change follows pressure on former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a Republican who angered WNBA players with her opposition to the league’s racial justice initiatives, to sell her share of the Dream.
Real estate investor Larry Gottesdiener was approved as majority owner of the team.
Montgomery becomes the first former player to become both an owner and executive of a WNBA franchise.
Pro basketball
DURANT OUT UNTIL AFTER
ALL-STAR BREAK WITH HAMSTRING INJURY » Kevin Durant will be out through the All-Star break because of a hamstring injury, sidelining the Brooklyn Nets star from a game for which he was chosen to serve as a captain.
Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis was chosen by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace Durant, with Boston’s Jayson Tatum elevated to the pool of starters for the March 7 game in Atlanta.
NBA TO INVESTIGATE LIN’S CLAIM » The NBA G League is opening an investigation into guard Jeremy Lin’s claim that he has been called “coronavirus” on the court, according to The Athletic.
As the number of violent attacks against Asian Americans escalates across the country, Lin, an Asian American currently playing for the Warriors’ G League affiliate, detailed in a Facebook post Thursday the racism he has experienced over the course of
his basketball career.
Golf
KOEPKA TAKES LEAD » Brooks Koepka hit three straight birdies that led to a 6-under 66 and a oneshot lead in the Workday Championship.
Koepka, who finished at 11-under 133, had a oneshot lead over Cameron Smith, Billy Horschel and PGA champion Collin Morikawa, who made up ground quick with six birdies over his last 10 holes. SORENSTAM MAKES CUT »
Annika Sorenstam went more than 12 years without playing on the LPGA Tour. Now she gets two more days.
Sorenstam made three birdies after making the turn at Lake Nona and posted a 1-under 71 in the Gainbridge LPGA. And even with the wrong ruling the previous day that led to an extra stroke, she still made the cut on the number.
She still was 12 shots out of the lead as Lydia Ko posted a 3-under 69 and
took a one-shot lead over Nelly Korda (68). Ryan O’Toole had her second straight 68 and was another shot behind. MICKELSON IN CONTENTION IN CHAMPIONS EVENT » Phil Mickelson made a birdie after hitting out of the mud on the par-5 15th hole during a 3-under 70 at the Cologuard Classic, putting him in contention for a third straight victory to open his PGA Tour Champions career.
Mickelson was four shots behind Mike Weir, who had a bogey-free 66 in windy conditions at Tucson National.
Baseball
3 MLB PLAYERS POSITIVE
FOR COVID-19 IN PAST WEEK » Three players were positive for COVID-19 among 900 intake samples among those arriving at spring training during the second week of workouts.
Major League Baseball said there had been 15 positives overall among 5,236 tests thus far during spring training, a positive rate of 0.3%. Positive tests included 12 players and three staff.