Pitino wants start of season delayed

Iona coach Rick Pitino is calling for a delayed start to the college basketball season as COVID-19 cases rise across the country.

“Save the Season,” Pitino tweeted on Nov. 14. “Move the start back. Play league schedule and have May Madness. Spiking and protocols make it impossible to play right now.”

NCAA vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt said this week that he’s fully confident there will be a season, but an increase in coronavirus cases have led to multiple cancelations in football and caused uncertainty about basketball.

Many schools are still trying to fill out schedules with the season set to start on Nov. 25.

MLB

BENCH AUCTION GETS $2 MILLION » Personal memorabilia from the career of Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench was auctioned for just under $2 million. The sale that involved live and online bidding ended at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory in Kentucky, not far from where Bench was a 14time All-Star for the Cincinnati Reds during his 17-year major league career.

NFL

BILLS’ NORMAN OUT » Bills cornerback Josh Norman has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be one of four players and one assistant coach not traveling with the team for its game at the Cardinals. The team also ruled out tight end Tyler Kroft, cornerback Levi Wallace and safety Dean Marlowe by placing them on the reserveCOVID-19 list. The three were deemed to have been in close contact with Norman.

KIRKSEY ACTIVATED » The Green Bay Packers activated linebacker Christian Kirksey from injured reserve and placed tight end/fullback John Lovett on IR. Kirksey missed Green Bay’s last five games with a pectoral injury.