Saints’ WR Thomas signs massive contract

The New Orleans Saints and leading receiver Michael Thomas have agreed to a new five-year, $100 million contract, his agent said July 31.

Andrew Kessler of the agency Athletes First, who joined colleague David Mulugheta in negotiating the deal with the Saints, said the contract pays Thomas about $61 million in guaranteed salary and bonuses.

The agreement, first reported by NFL Network, brings to an end Thomas' training camp holdout that spanned five practices.

TEPPER WANT DOME IN CHARLOTE >> Panthers billionaire owner David Tepper believes Charlotte, North Carolina is destined to be the “sports entertainment capital of the Carolinas,” — and he's vowing to make sure that happens.

Tepper said on July 31 his goal is to build a retractable roof stadium in Charlotte within the next 10 years in an effort to attract major sporting events to the state, including the NCAA men's basketball Final Four and a Major League Soccer team.

“It's not idle chatter, it's something I would like to see done,” Tepper said after the completion of Panthers practice at Wofford College.

“Charlotte is the center of the Carolinas and it is untapped territory,” Tepper said. “We're starting to move that way.”

Tepper has the means to make it happen.

He's the NFL's wealthiest owner with a net worth of more than $11 billion.

NBA

KIDD JOINS LAKERS’ STAFF >> Former NBA head coaches Jason Kidd and Lionel Hollins have joined new coach Frank Vogel's staff with the Lakers.

Phil Handy, Miles Simon, former Lakers guard Mike Penberthy and Quinton Crawford also will be Vogel's assistant coaches. Simon is the only holdover from former coach Luke Walton's staff.

Kidd joins the Lakers after head coaching stints in Brooklyn and Milwaukee.

The Hall of Fame point guard was fired by the Bucks in January 2018.

Hollins spent four seasons with Memphis and two more with the Nets, who fired him in January 2016.