Bettman: NHL in Olympics doubtful

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman cast doubt on whether the league will send its players to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, citing safety and logistical concerns as well as a tightening time frame.

“We have real concerns about whether or not it’s sensible to be participating,” Bettman said during his annual pre-Stanley Cup Final session with the media.

“We’re already past the time that we hoped this would be resolved,” he added, in noting the league still intends to release its schedule for next season — with or without an Olympic break — before holding the draft on July 23. “We’ll deal with it, just as we’ve managed to be agile and flexible over the last 15 months. But we’re getting to be on a rather short time frame now because this can’t go on indefinitely.”

PROSECUTOR HIRED FOR REVIEW >>

The Blackhawks have hired a former federal prosecutor to conduct an independent review of allegations that a former player was sexually assaulted by a then-assistant coach in 2010.

CEO Danny Wirtz announced the move in an internal memo Monday that was confirmed by a person familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

“An experienced team of professionals, led by former federal prosecutor Reid Schar of the law firm of Jenner & Block LLP, has been retained and is currently conducting an independent review of these allegations,” Wirtz said in the memo obtained by the AP after it was first reported by The Athletic. “Mr. Schar and his firm have significant experience conducting independent investigative reviews, have no previous ties to the Blackhawks organization, and have been directed to follow the facts wherever they lead.”

MLB

TROUT OUT UNTIL AFTER BREAK >> Mike Trout was transferred to the 60day injured list by the Angels, ruling out his return until after the AllStar break. Trout swung a bat June 28 in a batting cage for the first time since he strained his right calf on May 17.

Soccer

SWITZERLAND STUNS FRANCE >> Au revoir France, this summer belongs to Yann Sommer.

The Switzerland goalkeeper, who left in the middle of the European Championship’s group stage to be with his wife for the birth of their second daughter, made the biggest save of his life against one of the best players in the world.

That gave the Swiss a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over World Cup champion France on Monday and a spot in the quarterfinals of a major soccer tournament for the first time in 67 years. The match had finished 3-3.

NFL

WR THOMAS RETIRING >> Five-time Pro Bowl receiver Demaryius Thomas announced his retirement from the NFL on following a decade-long career. “I’m just happy to say I’m done and it did me well,” Thomas said in a video on the Broncos’ Twitter account. Thomas was part of the winningest four-year period in team history from 201215 with Peyton Manning at quarterback.

FACENDA HONORED

>> The late John Facenda, a longtime narrator of NFL highlights whose voice became synonymous with the league, has won the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2021 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.