Texas Rangers ban obscene fan
The Texas Rangers have banned a fan accused of racially harassing a family at Globe Life Park from attending home games.
Jessica Romero, her husband Ramon Romero and their son Nomar, 6, were harassed by a fan sitting behind them during a game.
The fan made an obscene hand gesture in their family photo. They also allege he made dispar- aging and racist comments about Hispanics.
The club released a statement Friday about the incident that occurred at a game on Aug. 3.
“We are notifying the individual that he violated the club's fan code of conduct and is indefinitely prohibited from attending Rangers home games,” the statement reads. “The Texas Rangers are committed to providing a safe and welcoming fan experience for everyone who attends our home games.
After reviewing information relating to the exchange that took place at last Saturday's game in which a family was subjected to offensive comments and a profane gesture made by a nearby guest.”
DOLPHIN WR: IT’S NOT POLITICAL
Miami Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills says he has no hard feelings toward Stephen Ross regarding the team owner's support of Donald Trump, and says his objections to a fundraiser for the president aren't political.
But Stills says there's a contradiction in Ross supporting both racial equality and Trump.
“It's not right,” Stills said following the Dolphins' preseason win over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. “Our country is in a rough place right now. I think there are other candidates he could support, but it's not about Democrat or Republican. It's about why are you trying to help this man raise money to continue to do the things he has been doing.”
In the wake of his recent criticism, Stills said, he has received death threats — “five to 10 in a night” — on social media but didn't report them.
“It is what it is,” he said with a slight smile. “I'll be OK.”
Stills earlier criticized Ross on Twitter for planning to host a fundraiser Friday at his Long Island home for Trump. Stills noted that Ross is the founder of RISE, a nonprofit that strives to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
“It doesn't align,” Stills said in the postgame locker room. “Someone has to have enough courage to let him know you can't play both sides of this. Maybe I shouldn't have done it on social media, but I did. If you're going to associate yourself with bad people, then people are going to know about it.”
In a statement Wednesday, Ross said he's a champion of racial equality but also a longtime friend of Trump's and “an active participant in the democratic process.”
ISLES GET ARENA FUNDING
The New York state board responsible for economic development has approved a $1.3 billion project to build a 19,000-seat arena for the Islanders hockey team at Belmont Park.
Newsday reports the six members of the Empire State Development board voted Thursday in favor of the complex that will include shops, restaurants and a hotel.
The project on state-owned property would allow the National Hockey League team to move from Brooklyn to Elmont, in Nassau County, while creating thousands of new jobs.
However, some residents of surrounding communities are worried about increased traffic and noise.
The state Franchise Oversight Board must still approve an environmental review. That could happen in the coming weeks.
NADAL ADVANCES
Top-seeded Rafael Nadal rallied to reach the Rogers Cup semifinals Friday night, beating No. 7 Fabio Fognini of Italy 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.
The winner last year in Toronto for his fourth title in the event, Nadal won his 380th ATP Masters 1000 match, a day after breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the tour record. Nadal has 82 singles victories, winning the French Open in June for his second title of the year.
In the semifinals, the 33-year-old Spanish star will face the winner of the late match between No. 10 Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain and No. 16 Gael Monfils of France.
Fognini beat Nadal in their last meeting in the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals.