Morning briefing NHL, players union agree on protocols
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the NHL and NHL Players’ Association have agreed on protocols to resume the season.
Daly said the sides are still negotiating an extension of the collective bargaining agreement. A CBA extension is crucial to the process, and the league’s board of governors and players’ executive committee and full membership must still approve that and the return to play protocols to bring hockey back this summer.
If everything is ratified, it will end a pandemic-forced shutdown for 31 teams across North America that began in mid-March. Games would resume in late July or early August with 24 teams taking part in an expanded playoffs, finishing with the Stanley Cup being awarded in October.
Assuming approval from owners and players, teams are expected to open training camps July 13 before traveling to two “hub” cities for games.
Auto racing
Valtteri Bottas showed impressive composure to win the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria — which had no fans present due to the coronavirus pandemic — with six-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton just a half-second behind him for spells.
Football
The three minority owners of the Washington Redskins are seeking to sell their shares in the team because they are “not happy being a partner” with owner Daniel Snyder,
The Washington Post reported. Businessmen Robert Rothman, Dwight Schar and Frederick W. Smith, who combined own about 40% of the team, have hired an investment banking firm to search for possible buyers.
Basketball
After receiving the results of a Friday round of testing for the coronavirus, the Milwaukee Bucks shut down the team’s practice facility. It was not immediately clear if there was more than one positive test, but the Bucks plan to keep the facility closed for workouts until the team departs for the league’s restart in Orlando, Fla.
Soccer
Defender Abby Erceg’s header in the 81st minute gave the North Carolina Courage a 1-0 victory on the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup in Herriman, Utah. The two-time defending NWSL champions have won all three games in Utah.
Colleges
Some Kansas State athletes were among about 100 people who protested this weekend over an insensitive tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd. Those attending the rally in Manhattan, Kan., on Saturday said the university administration’s promise to launch initiatives to address racial injustice at the school did not go far enough.
Harness racing
The Meadows has temporarily suspended onsite race wagering, and access to the racetrack and racing operations will be prohibited to the public because of COVID-19. Racing at the harness track will continue as scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and can be viewed at meadowsracing.com.
Elsewhere
The English government ruled that selected sports stars are to be exempt from quarantine requirements when competing in England. The new measures will allow Formula One, international soccer, golf and snooker events to take place.