THE HOT CORNER

1 ROWING: The University of Connecticut has settled a federal gender equity lawsuit, reaching an agreement to keep its women’s rowing program for at least the next five years. The lawsuit was filed by 12 rowers after the school announced in June 2020 that the sport would be among several eliminated. U.S. District Judge Stephen Underhill ruled rowers were likely to prevail in their suit, which alleged that eliminating the team would violate Title IX, which guarantees equal access to women in education.

2 TENNIS: French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has tested positive for COVID-19, casting doubt on her place in the Australian Open beginning Jan. 17. Pavlyuchenkova confirmed she has the coronavirus and is isolating after arriving in Australia on Tuesday. Pavlyuchenkova is still searching for her first major singles title.

3 DOG SHOW: The Westminster Kennel Club’s annual dog show has become the latest event to be postponed or canceled in New York. The club’s board of governors announced Wednesday it was postponing its 2022 event, scheduled for late January, to later in the year. A new date wasn’t given.

4 PRO FOOTBALL: A day after returning to practice, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was not present for the portion of Thursday’s session open to reporters, a possible setback in his recovery from an ankle injury. Jackson was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, his first since being taken off the field in a Week 14 loss to Cleveland.

5 PRO FOOTBALL: Browns QB Baker Mayfield downplayed death threats he received following his four-interception performance at Green Bay, and called social media critics “keyboard warriors that make empty threats.” Mayfield didn’t provide details on the threats.