Levi's Stadium selected as host site for 2026 FIFA WC

For the second time in FIFA World Cup history and the first since 1994, the men's tournament is coming to the United States.

And after playing host to six World Cup games nearly three decades ago, the Bay Area was once again selected to host games during soccer's premier world tournament in 2026.

FIFA revealed Thursday that Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, the home of the San Francisco 49ers, will be one of 16 venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico to host games in four years.

The other cities that will make up the Western Region are: Vancouver, British Columbia; Seattle; Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium in Inglewood); and Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Central Region cities are: Kansas City; Arlington, Texas; Houston; Atlanta; Monterrey, Mexico; and Mexico City.

The Eastern Region cities are: Miami; Philadelphia; Toronto; Boston; and New York/New Jersey.

Baseball

MINOR LEAGUE GAME TIME CUT 29 MINUTES WITH PITCH CLOCKS >> Pitch clocks have shortened games by an average of 29 minutes in the minor leagues this year as the season nears the halfway point.

Minor league games with a pitch clock have averaged 2 hours, 35 minutes, down from 3:04 through June 14 last year, in an experiment that Major League Baseball is preparing for possible adoption in 2023.

However, robot umpires calling balls and strikes are not close to a big league promotion.

Triple-A is using a pitch clock of 14 seconds with no runners and 19 seconds with runners, while lower levels are using 14/18. Experiments also are underway with limits on defensive shifts and use of larger bases.

SOURCES: BLITZER TO GET MINORITY SHARE OF GUARDIANS >> Major League Baseball approved the sale of a minority stake in the Cleveland Guardians to David Blitzer, whose sports holdings include ownership shares in the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL's New Jersey Devils, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

Blitzer initially will have 25-30% ownership and will have the right to increase his stake to a controlling interest in several years, said one of the people.

WINKER, MARINERS AVOID ARBITRATION >> All-Star outfielder Jesse Winker and the Seattle Mariners avoided a salary arbitration hearing when they agreed to a $14.5 million, two-year contract.

Winker gets $6.25 million this year and $8.25 million in 2023. Winker was a first-time All-Star last year for Cincinnati, setting career bests with a .305 average, 24 homers and 71 RBIs.

Pro basketball

WNBA STAR BIRD SAYS 2022 WILL BE HER FINAL SEASON >>

Seattle Storm star and fivetime Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird announced the 2022 season will be her last playing in the WNBA.

The announcement by Bird, 41, ended any speculation about her future; she had acknowledged in February when she re-signed with Seattle that this would likely be her final season. She strongly considered retirement after last season before choosing to return for a 19th season as a player.

Bird is a four-time WNBA champion, 12-time All-Star and the oldest player in the league. She has spent her entire WNBA career with Seattle since becoming the No. 1 draft pick in 2002 following her storied college career at UConn. This season is her 21st associated with the franchise although just her 19th playing after missing two seasons because of injuries.

Hockey

SOURCE: TORTORELLA HIRED AS COACH BY FLYERS >> The Philadelphia Flyers have hired John Tortorella as their new coach, hoping the fiery veteran can help lead them to their first Stanley Cup championship since 1975. Tortorella, who turns 64 next week, coached Tampa Bay to a Stanley Cup title in 2004, and he also coached the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. He was fired in May 2021 after six seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Cycling

SPORT SETS STRICTER RULES FOR TRANSGENDER ATHLETES >> Cycling's governing body updated its eligibility rules for transgender athletes with stricter limits that will force riders to wait longer before they can compete.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) increased the transition period on low testosterone to two years, and lowered the maximum accepted level of testosterone.

The previous transition period was 12 months but the UCI said recent scientific studies show that “the awaited adaptations in muscle mass and muscle strength/power” among athletes who have made a transition from male to female takes at least two years.

The UCI also cut the maximum testosterone level allowed in transgender athletes to 2.5 nanomoles per liter instead of the current five.

It added that the adjustment “is intended to promote the integration of transgender athletes into competitive sport, while maintaining fairness, equal opportunities and the safety of competitions.”