Pac-12 boss downplays concerns about TV deal
As school leaders hold their collective breath amid persistent speculation over a new media rights deal and defections, Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff said Friday that no deal would be announced at the conference’s media day “on purpose, because we want the focus to be on football.”
The commissioner’s comment raised some eyebrows: Did that mean a deal already was done?
“I think you’re reading too much into that,” Kliavkoff said when asked if that was the case.
Where the conference actually stands in its media rights negotiations remains unclear, but Kliavkoff, who hadn’t spoken publicly since last year, tried his best to quell any concerns.
“The longer we wait, the better our options get, and I think the board [of directors] realizes that,” he said.
—Ryan Kartje
Former New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs was found not guilty of embezzlement charges that stemmed from accusations that he used public money for a lavish golf trip that he said was meant to strengthen relationships with donors . ... Two-time defending national champion Georgia is the overwhelming preseason pick by the media to win the Southeastern Conference title.
Spain opens with World Cup win
With three goals in four minutes in the middle of a lopsided first half, Spain shattered Costa Rica’s resistance, created the foundation of a resounding 3-0 win and sent a warning to rivals at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
Ramona Bachmann drilled her penalty kick into the left side of the net moments before halftime to set up Switzerland’s 2-0 win over the Philippines in the teams’ opener. Switzerland’s Seraina Piubel added a second-half goal, scoring on the rebound from a missed shot that ricocheted off Philippines goalkeeper
Olivia McDaniel, who starred at Norco High . ... With a diving, one-handed save to her left, goalkeeper
Chiamaka Nnadozie denied international soccer’s leading scorer, Christine Sinclair, and played a pivotal role in Nigeria holding Olympic champion Canada to a 0-0 draw in Australia.
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired reliever Génesis Cabrera in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for minor league catcher Sammy Hernandez. ... Yankees catcher Jose Trevino has a tear in his right wrist that will require surgery, likely sidelining him for the rest of the season.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon broke the women’s mile record by nearly five seconds at the Monaco Diamond League for her third world mark of the last two months. She finished in 4 minutes 7.64 seconds to break the record of 4:12.33
Cheyenne Knight and Elizabeth Szokol birdied six of the last eight holes in alternate-shot play for an eight-under 62 and a threestroke lead in the Great Lakes Bay Invitational.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone withdrew from her final 400-meter tune-up race before August’s world championships after dealing with pain in a knee, coach Bobby Kersee told The Times. —Andrew Greif
Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz won his first match since winning Wimbledon by rallying to beat David Goffin of Belgium 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 in the Hopman Cup . ... Top-ranked Daria Kasatkina is out of the Palermo Open after losing to home favorite Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.
Former NBA All-Star Kemba Walker is headed to Europe, joining AS Monaco.
Matej Mohoric edged Kasper Asgreen in a photo finish to win the Tour de France’s 19th stage while defending champion Jonas Vingegaard protected his commanding lead.
The Carolina Panthers and No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young agreed to a four-year contract. The Associated Press reported the fully guaranteed deal is worth $37.9 million . ... Wide receiver
Marquise Goodwin will miss the start of his first training camp with Cleveland because of blood clots in his legs and lungs . ... The Las Vegas Raiders will be without talented rookie defensive linemen Tyree Wilson and Byron Young at the beginning of camp because of injuries . ... The Baltimore Ravens agreed to a one-year deal with one running back,
Melvin Gordon, and put another, J.K. Dobbins, on the physically-unable-to-perform list . ... The New York Giants signed running back
James Robinson and receiver Cole Beasley.
The Seattle Kraken resigned top defenseman Vince Dunn to a four-year, $29.4-million contract.
Napheesa Collier scored eight points in a late 12-0 run and had with 22 points as the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Sparks 73-70 on Thursday. Nneka Ogwumike led the Sparks (7-14) with 19 points.