NFL’s national anthem rules are put on hold
The NFL and the NFL players union agreed to temporarily halt implementing the league’s new policy on standing during the national anthem Friday. In the meantime, the two sides will discuss the matter and try to come to a resolution.
“In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue,” the league and union said in a joint statement, “we have come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA’s grievance and on the NFL’s anthem policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing.”
The agreement followed Thursday’s news that a Miami Dolphins document obtained by the Associated Press classified anthem protests as “conduct detrimental to the club” and said they could lead to a suspension of up to four games or a fine. In the wake of the criticism that followed, the team denied the policy was set in stone and said “all options are still open.”
President Trump, a frequent critic of protesting players, said Friday that players should be suspended for a game for kneeling once, then suspended for the season with no pay if they kneel a second time.
“Isn’t it in contract that players must stand at attention, hand on heart? The $40,000,000 Commissioner must now make a stand,” Trump tweeted, referring to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
The confusion is partly the result of the league’s decision in May to alter its anthem policy on its own, as opposed to a negotiated agreement with the union. The union then filed a grievance, arguing that the league had violated the collective bargaining agreement. That prompted talks between the two sides.
Officials for the league and union declined comment on how they would chart a path forward with the first preseason game less than two weeks away.
Former 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens, 44, was released from the Edmonton Eskimos’ negotiation list, leaving him free to sign with any other Canadian Football League team. Earlier, Owens activated a 10-day window to receive a contract offer from the Eskimos by Tuesday. Edmonton placed Owens, who last played in the NFL in 2010, on its 45-man negotiation list June 19, shortly after he posted a video of himself running a 4.43second 40-yard dash.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Andrew Luck will take some extra days off during training camp but will have no limitations when he’s on the field. The former Stanford quarterback is trying to return from a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, which required surgery in January 2017.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler was suspended without pay for one game for attacking a man in a parking lot a year ago.
WNBA: Courtney Vandersloot became the seventh player to have a triple-double in league history, finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists in the Chicago Sky’s 114-99 victory over the visiting Dallas Wings. Vandersloot set a franchise record with 10 first-half assists and tied her team mark of 14 midway through the third quarter. Ticha Penicheiro holds the league record of 16 . ... Jewell Loyd scored 20 of her 31 points in the second half and the Seattle Storm beat the host Connecticut Sun 78-65 . ... Candice Dupree and Cappie Pondexter each scored 16 points and the last-place Indiana Fever beat the host Los Angeles Sparks 78-76 to end a five-game losing streak.
NHL: The Vegas Golden Knights resolved a trademark dispute with the U.S. Army over the NHL franchise’s name and gold and black colors. The hockey team said in a statement that an agreement with the Army allows the team to continue using the “Vegas Golden Knights” and “Golden Knights” while the Army can keep using the “Golden Knights” nickname and variations of it for its parachute exhibition team.
Motor sports: Kurt Busch turned a lap of 133.591 mph in the No. 41 Ford to win the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Colleges: More than 100 former students have provided firsthand accounts of sexual misconduct by the now-dead Ohio State team physician at the center of an ongoing investigation, the university said. Allegations against Richard Strauss involve male athletes from 14 sports as well people who were treated by Strauss at the student health center and his off-campus medical office from 1979 to 1997. Many of the accusers who have spoken publicly allege Strauss groped them or conducted unnecessary genital exams.
NBA: Forward Michael Beasley has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Lakers, ESPN reported. Beasley averaged 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Knicks last season . ... Guard Yogi Ferrell agreed to a two-year, $6.2 million deal with the Kings, Yahoo Sports reported. Ferrell, who averaged 10.2 points per game for the Mavericks last season, had initially agreed to a deal to remain with Dallas before changing course . ... The Spurs signed guard Marco Belinelli and forward Dante Cunningham. Belinelli, a former Warrior, got a two-year, $12 million deal, ESPN reported. He split last season between Atlanta and Philadelphia, averaging 12.1 points per game for the season. Cunningham spent last season with New Orleans and Brooklyn and averaged 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 73 total games.