IN BRIEF Umps reach deal; replay might pause
Replay reviews could vanish in Major League Baseball in 2020 as part of a deal that covers how umpires would be paid for a season shortened or wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic.
The sides struck an agreement late Thursday night, two people told The Associated Press. They spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement.
Umps are guaranteed 50% of their salaries for May, but would be paid nothing else if no games are played in 2020. Umpires generally make between $150,000 and $450,000.
Umpires have already been paid from January through April and will be paid at a 50% rate in May. If even one regular-season game is played this season, the umps are guaranteed about one-third of their salaries.
The umps will be paid a prorated share of their salaries based on games over a 182-day season, according to a copy of the fourpage term sheet obtained by The Associated Press.
■ Indians reliever Emmanuel Clase was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for a banned performanceenhancing drug. Clase was acquired from the Rangers as part of the trade for two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. Clase, 22, tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid.
Auto racing: Indianapolis Motor Speedway could be the first major sporting venue to have fans back in the stands this summer. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced a five-stage plan to reopen the state with the final phase tentatively scheduled to include a return to sporting venues on July 4 — the very day an IndyCar-NASCAR Xfinity Series doubleheader is scheduled to be run in the sprawling track.
Colleges: Widespread testing for coronavirus will be crucial to having college sports in the fall — especially contact sports such as football and basketball, the NCAA’s chief medical officer, Dr. Brian Hainline said. Hainline expressed cautious optimism that college sports could be played during the fall semester as long as leaders take a methodical approach . ... The NCAA has expanded its sexual violence policy to require studentathletes to inform their schools each year about any investigations or disciplinary matters in their past . ... Former tournament champion Notre Dame and Oregon headline the 2021 Maui Invitational field. The bracket also includes Butler, Houston, Saint Mary’s, Wisconsin, Texas A&M and host Chaminade.
NFL: Chiefs coach Andy Reid has spoken with CB Bashaud Breeland following his arrest in South Carolina. Reid said Friday that the organization will allow the legal process to play out before making any decisions of its own. Breeland, 28, faces five total charges, including resisting arrest and drug possession . ... The Jaguars declined to pick up the fifth-year option in RB Leonard Fournette’s rookie contract. Fournette is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is due to make $4.17 million in 2020. He topped 1,600 yards from scrimmage in 15 games last season . ... The Broncos have declined the fifthyear contract option on LT Garett Bolles . ... The Dolphins traded DE Charles Harris, a former firstround draft pick, to the Falcons for a seventh-round choice in 2021 . ... The Titans have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran S Ibraheim Campbell.
Soccer: A federal judge threw out the unequal pay claim by players on the U.S. women’s national soccer team but allowed their allegation of discriminatory travel accommodations and medical support services to go to trial. Players led by Alex Morgan claim they have not been paid equally under their collective bargaining agreement to what the men’s national team receives under its labor deal and asked for more than $66 million in damages under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . ... The English Premier League stepped up planning to resume the competition in neutral stadiums, holding separate talks with the government and its clubs to discuss the COVID-19 testing and logistics necessary. The aim is to resume the league after June 8 following a three-month suspension, with games without spectators in any stadiums . ... MLS is allowing players to return to outdoor team training fields for individual workouts starting Wednesday. The league-wide moratorium on group and team training remains in effect through May 15.