League looking into tampering, salary cap violations
The NBA, according to a report in the New York Times, has begun an investigation into how teams handled free agency this summer, focusing on whether improper inducements were offered to players to circumvent the salary cap, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.
The issue was raised by multiple team owners at a meeting of the league’s board of governors this month in Las Vegas, according to the person, who requested anonymity because of a lack of authorization to speak publicly on the subject.
ESPN first reported on the existence of the investigation.
There were also multiple reports this month suggesting that Kawhi Leonard’s representatives, in arranging his blockbuster move from the Toronto Raptors to the Los Angeles Clippers, had asked for perks that would violate the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, citing “people in NBA circles,” said on the air that Leonard’s uncle — Dennis Robertson (known in NBA circles as “Uncle Dennis”) — had asked other teams for houses, planes and guaranteed sponsorship money. Smith added, “I have no idea whether this is true or not.”
In another report, The Sports Network in Canada said Robertson had asked for “things players don’t generally ask for in standard contract negotiations,” without specifying what those things might be.
Swimming
MORE PODIUM DRAMA >> There was more podium drama at the world swimming championships on Tuesday (South Korea time) as British bronze medallist Duncan Scott refused to shake hands with Sun Yang after the Chinese swimmer’s victory in the 200 meters freestyle in Gwangju, South Korea.
Sun, who is swimming under a cloud in Gwangju with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) set to hear a doping case against him in September, came home second in the 200 but got the win when Lithuanian Danas Rapsys was disqualified for a false start.
At the medal ceremony, Scott shook hands with fellow bronze medallist Martin Malyutin of Russia, who finished with the same time as the Briton, but then completely cold shouldered Sun, refusing to make eye contact and not offering a handshake.
Sun was livid, yelling and gesturing at the 22-year-old Scott, and later confronting him as the medallists walked off the podium towards the stairs leading to the pool deck.
“You loser, I’m winning, yes,” he spat at Scott, who ignored the taunt and kept walking with his hands behind his back.
The incident comes after Australian Mack Horton refused to share the podium with Sun after the Chinese swimmer won the 400 freestyle on Sunday.
• Olympic and defending world champion Ryan Murphy was upset in the men’s 100 backstroke at the world championships in Gwangju, South Korea. Xu Jiayu of China won in 52.43 seconds. Evgeny Rylov of Russia took silver and Mitch Larkin of Australia got bronze.
Murphy, who was under his own world-record pace at the turn, faded to fourth. Fellow American Matt Grevers was fifth.
• In the women’s 100 back, Kylie Masse of Canada won in 58.60. Kathleen Baker of the U.S., the world record holder, tied for sixth after being tied for the lead at the turn.
College football
SAN JOSE STATE PICKED LAST IN MOUNTAIN WEST >> The 2019 Mountain West Conference football standings could look an awful lot like last last season — including another last-place finish for San Jose State — according to the preseason media poll announced on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
The poll projects Fresno State and Boise State to defend their division titles as well as repeat lastplace finishes for the Spartans and New Mexico. In all, eight of the 12 MW teams are predicted to finish where they did in 2018.
San Jose State is coming off a 1-11 season that saw the Spartans go 1-7 in conference play and end the year on a four-game losing streak.
Soccer
PULISIC MAKES FIRST START WITH CHELSEA >> American midfielder Christian Pulisic made his first start for Chelsea in a 2-1 exhibition loss to Barcelona at Saitama, Japan. Pulisic, 20-year-old from Hershey, Pennsylvania, played on the left flank. He was replaced by Olivier Giroud in the 60th minute. Pulisic was acquired by Chelsea in January from Borussia Dortmund for a $73 million transfer fee.
MESSI BANNED ONE GAME FOR COPA AMERICA RED CARD >> Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been banned for one game and fined $1,500 after being sent off against Chile in the Copa America third-place playoff and leveling accusations of “corruption” at South American soccer chiefs. The ban is expected to be served in Argentina’s first qualifier for the 2022 World Cup.
Golf
LOWRY BOWS OUT OF WGC-FEDEX ST. JUDE INVITATIONAL >> Shane Lowry, coming off his first major victory at the Open Championship, withdrew Tuesday from this week’s World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in Memphis, Tennessee. Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler and Francesco Molinari are among those not competing this week.
BAY AREA PLAYERS REACH MATCH PLAY AT U.S. GIRLS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS >> Sabrina Iqbal (142) of San Jose, Gia Feliciano (147) of Concord and Madelyn Gamble (149) of Pleasant Hill advanced through stroke play in the U.S. Girls Junior Championship at SentryWorld GC in Stevens Points, Wisconsin. The three will start the match play portion today.
Olympic sports
WHITE PUSHES FORWARD ON OLYMPIC SKATEBOARDING TRACK >> Shaun White is pressing forward with plans to shoot for the Summer Olympics in skateboarding. White said on NBC’s “Today” show that he’ll compete at world championships in September “and see what happens” before deciding whether to try to earn a spot on the U.S. team for skateboarding’s Olympic debut next summer in Tokyo.
Boxing
FIGHTER DIES AFTER SUFFERING INJURIES IN BOUT >> Boxer Maxim Dadashev died, two days after suffering a brain injury in a fight in Maryland. He was 28. The Russian Boxing Federation said Dadashev suffered a brain swelling in Friday’s light-welterweight fight with Subriel Matias at the Theater at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. He underwent surgery but his heart stopped Tuesday, the federation said.
Dadashev was hospitalized at UM Prince George’s Hospital Center shortly after the fight, which was stopped by his corner following the 11th round after Dadashev took numerous shots to the head.
College basketball
NCAA PUNISHES DEPAUL >> The NCAA suspended DePaul men’s basketball coach Dave Leitao for the first three games of the regular season Tuesday, saying he should have done more to prevent recruiting violations by his staff. The NCAA also put the Big East program on three years of probation, issued a $5,000 fine and said an undetermined number of games will be vacated because DePaul put an ineligible player on the floor.
BYU’S EMERY DROPS BASKETBALL >> Guard Nick Emery, who accepted $12,000 in impermissible benefits leading to BYU being placed on probation, announced that he is retiring from the sport. He sat out the 2017-18 season for what he described as “personal reasons.” Meanwhile, the NCAA Committee on Infractions was investigating BYU and found that boosters provided Emery with $12,000 in vacations, cash, meals, golf and use of vehicles.
Last November, the NCAA placed BYU on probation for two years and forced the school to vacate 47 victories from Emery’s first two seasons in the program.
NHL
MAPLE LEAFS ACQUIRE CLARKSON >> The Toronto Maple Leafs traded for the contract of one of their former players, right wing David Clarkson, in a deal that sent backup goaltender Garret Sparks to the Vegas Golden Knights. PREDATORS SIGN SISSONS TO 7-YEAR DEAL >> The Nashville Predators signed forward Colton Sissons to a seven-year, $20 million contract. The Predators avoided arbitration and locked up the 25-year-old through 2025-26.