Colleges eliminate nearly 100 sports
Four- year colleges facing budget shortfalls stemming from the pandemic are approaching an unwelcome milestone: In coming days, the number of eliminated sports programs will almost surely pass 100.
Research by the Associated Press found a total of 97 teams eliminated at four- year schools through Friday. The count includes only teams cut with the coronavirus outbreak and its impacts cited as all or part of the reason.
Of the 78 teams lost in Divisions II and III and the NAIA, 44 were from three schools that closed at least in part because of financial fallout from the pandemic.
No Power Five conference school is known to have dropped any sports. Most of the 19 Division I teams cut — 15 men’s, four women’s — are from schools in the so- called Group of Five conferences.
♦ Ohio State basketball player Seth Towns, a graduate transfer from Harvard, was detained by police officers at a protest Friday in Columbus, Ohio, the school confirmed.
Newton to hold off signing with team
With league sources saying that the market to sign Cam Newton has cooled over the last month, the veteran quarterback is expected to take his time before joining a team, a source told ESPN.
Newton could wait until teams resume regular activity after the shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. That could give teams the chance to check Newton’s health and meet with him in person.
Sources around the league aren’t sure whether Newton would take a backup job.
♦ Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little, known as “the Franchise’’ during his career with the Broncos, has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 77- year- old Little led the NFL in rushing yards ( 1,133) and yards from scrimmage ( 1,388) in 1971.
Keselowski to start first at Bristol
Brad Keselowski and Aric Almirola will lead the field Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway after the lineup for the race was determined by a live draw.
♦ The Premier League was given government approval to press ahead with its June 17 restart, although players will have to stay apart during goal celebrations and disputes to maintain social distancing.
♦ Horse racing will be the first main sport to resume in England on Monday after the government approved the end of the 11- week shutdown of events if there are no spectators and coronavirus protocols are followed.