IN BRIEF Redskins to have review of nickname
The Washington Redskins began a “thorough review” of their name Friday, a significant step toward moving on from what experts and advocates call a “dictionary-defined racial slur.”
Even though owner Dan Snyder had shown no willingness to change the name since buying the team in 1999, the recent national conversation on race has renewed opposition to the name and prompted sponsors to speak up. With support from the NFL, it may finally lead to a new moniker for the long-struggling storied franchise with long-ago Super Bowl success.
“In the last few weeks, we have had ongoing discussions with Dan, and we are supportive of this important step,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said.
In a statement, the team said recent events around the U.S. and feedback from the community prompted the formal review.
Baseball: Amid new pressure sparked by a national movement to correct racial wrongdoings, the Indians said they will review their long-debated nickname. “We are committed to making a positive impact in our community and embrace our responsibility to advance social justice and equality,” the team said in a statement. “Our organization fully recognizes our team name is among the most visible ways in which we connect with the community.” ... Thirty-one MLB players and seven staff members tested positive for COVID-19 during intake for the resumption of training, a rate of 1.2%. MLB and the players’ association announced the results as teams resumed workouts for the first time since spring training was interrupted March 12 . ... C Welington Castillo became the third Nationals player to opt out of the season, joining 1B Ryan Zimmerman and RHP Joe Ross . ... Indians OF Delino DeShields Jr. tested positive for the coronavirus and is being quarantined.
Colleges: Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy took a $1 million pay cut and had his contract shortened by a year as part of an internal review prompted by sharp criticism from his star RB for wearing a T-shirt promoting a far-right news channel . ... Kansas suspended its voluntary football workouts because of an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the program . ... Five-star recruit Makur Maker verbally committed to Howard, picking the Bison over basketball powerhouses UCLA, Kentucky and Memphis. Maker is a 6-foot-11, 235-pound center who declared for the NBA draft in April before opting to consider college ball.
Golf: Chris Kirk shot a 7-under 65 and Webb Simpson shot a 64 to forge a tie atop the leaderboard at the end of the second round at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. In a field that includes just 18 of the top 50 players, Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Wolff, Seamus Power, Mark Hubbard, Ryan Armour and Richy Werenski were a shot off the lead.
NBA: A person with knowledge of the situation says that the Heat have closed their training facility after a second unidentified player tested positive for coronavirus. The Heat will have players at the arena over the coming days to satisfy their NBA-mandated testing requirements but will not reopen the gym for individual workouts before leaving for the Disney complex near Orlando on Wednesday. Heat G Derrick Jones Jr. tested positive last week. ... Pacers G Victor Oladipo will sit out the rest of the season because of the risk of re-injuring his right knee.