OFF AND RUNNING

Giants giving Barkley the chance to test free agency

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. >> Star running back Saquon Barkley moved another step closer to free agency Tuesday when the New York Giants elected not to put a franchise tag on the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

The Giants used the tag last season and eventually worked out a one-year, $10.1 million contract before the start of training camp. A franchise tag this year would have cost the team $12.2 million if Barkley accepted the offer.

The 27-year-old Barkley, who is looking for a multi-year deal, and the Giants have until Wednesday to work out a deal.

Jaguars place franchise tag on pass rusher Allen

JACKSONVILLE, FLA.>> The Jaguars used their franchise tag on standout pass rusher Josh Allen on Tuesday, essentially guaranteeing he will play at least another year in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville’s non-exclusive franchise tender, assuming Allen signs it, would guarantee him $24 million in 2024. The Jaguars and Allen have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. If they don’t, Allen would be forced to play under the tag or sit out and risk losing millions.

GOLF

LIV abandons pursuit of world ranking points

The Great White Shark is waving the white flag when it comes to LIV Golf being recognized by the Official World Golf Ranking. Greg Norman, the

CEO and commissioner of the Saudi-funded league, has told his players that LIV has withdrawn its application.

LIV Golf first applied for world ranking points in July 2022, about a month after the league launched with the same 48 players competing over 54 holes with no cut.

The OWGR board formally rejected the application last October, saying it could not fairly measure a league with the same group of players against 24 other tours around the world that have fuller tournaments and a path to get into them.

PARIS OLYMPICS

Tourists won’t have free access to opening ceremony

PARIS >> Tourists won’t be allowed to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics along the Seine River for free, the French government announced Tuesday, as it grapples with security concerns about the unprecedented open-air event. Free access will be invitationonly instead.

Organizers had planned a grandiose opening ceremony July 26 for as many as 600,000 people, most watching free of charge from riverbanks.

TENNIS

Halep wins doping case, is cleared to resume tennis

GENEVA>> Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep was cleared for an immediate return to tennis on Tuesday after sports’ highest court accepted she was not entirely at fault for her positive doping test at the 2022 U.S. Open.

Halep’s four-year ban was cut to just nine months and, applied retroactively, expired last July.

SOCCER

Flacco, Lee among new investors in Irish team

DUBLIN>> Veteran NFL quarterback Joe Flacco’s new team is St Patrick’s Athletic — as an investor in the Irish soccer club.

The Dublin team announced Tuesday that Flacco, New York Islanders forward Anders Lee and former NFL players Matt Birk and Chad Greenway are part of a group that have become “strategic investors.”

Flacco is a free agent after helping the Cleveland Browns reach the playoffs last season.