Raiders’ McKenzie disputes report that Carr talks in trouble
McGregor UFC deal makes Mayweather bout closer to reality
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie disputed a recent report that there are communication issues regarding the pending contract extension of quarterback Derek Carr.
“I see Derek every day,” McKenzie said Thursday in an interview on 95.7 The Game. “We have a great relationship, communicate very well. Now, that’s not going to be an issue at all. ... I don’t like discussing contracts through the outside, outside these walls ... but bottom line is we love Derek and we want to keep him and we’re going to do everything to make sure this contract gets done.”
McKenzie was offering a counter to Tuesday’s report via NFL Media’s Mike Silver that cited two unnamed sources who expressed Carr was “frustrated with the slow pace of discussions” and that the Raiders hadn’t reached out to Carr’s camp since the conclusion of the NFL draft.
Both sides had already mutually agreed to get through the draft first before engaging in serious talks, with Carr saying a month ago that “hopefully it just gets done before training camp. Because once training camp starts, I won’t even answer my phone if it has to do with that.”
Colleges
San Jose State’s search for an athletic director is over. The Spartans have called a news conference for Friday afternoon, a mere two weeks after the deadline for applications.
They’re expected to promote interim AD Marie Tuite to the permanent post, according to sources. There was no official word from SJSU as of Thursday night.
Tuite arrived at SJSU in 2010 and has twice served as interim head of SJSU athletics: When Tom Bowen departed for Memphis in the spring of 2012, and again when Gene Bleymaier stepped down in February.
Boxing
Conor McGregor has come to an agreement with UFC that has moved a proposed fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. closer to reality.
UFC President Dana White said he reached a deal with McGregor, MMA’s biggest star and lightweight champion, and will now start negotiations on a mega fight with the retired Mayweather that could be one of the best selling fights in history.
NFL
The public board that oversees the proposed stadium where the Raiders want to start playing in 2020 unanimously approved a conditional lease agreement for the facility after months of negotiations that were affected by the sudden exit of an instrumental financial backer of the $1.9 billion project.
The opening date for the $2.6 billion football stadium under construction in Inglewood, has been pushed back one year to 2020. The Los Angeles Rams are financing the stadium to be shared with the Los Angeles Chargers. The delay is blamed on heavy rains that have hindered the excavation process in recent months.
Golf
Bay Area product James Hahn birdied the final hole for a 6-under 64 and a share of the first-round lead with Ricky Barnes in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
Matt Kuchar, Jhonattan Vegas, Jason Kokrak and Cameron Tringale shot 66, and top-ranked Dustin Johnson topped the group at 67, a stroke ahead of fourth-ranked Jason Day and Jordan Spieth, the No. 6 player competing in his hometown event.
Scott McCarron eagled the par-5 18th hole for a 7-under 65 and a share of the opening-round lead in the first of the PGA Tour Champions’ five majors.
Lexi Thompson had six birdies in a seven-hole stretch and finished with a 6-under 65 to take the firstround lead in the Kingsmill Championship.
Tennis
Rafael Nadal’s preparations for the French Open continued apace as he swept past 13th-seeded Jack Sock 6-3, 6-4 to ease into the Italian Open quarterfinals and extend his winning streak to 17 matches.
Maria Sharapova has been granted a wild card to play in the pre-Wimbledon tournament in Birmingham.
Motor sports
Jay Howard topped the speed charts at Indianapolis 500 practice with a fast lap of 226.744 mph. Honda cars claimed nine of the fastest 11 speeds during the practice session. Qualifying is this weekend and the race is set for May 28.
Hockey
Finland defeated the United States 2-0 in the quarterfinals to knock Jeff Blashill’s young roster out of the ice hockey world championship.