Chicago Cubs, Sinclair to launch sports network in 2020
Logano at Daytona 500 media day: ‘Championship fun is over’
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Joey Logano no longer feels like the NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Even though he thinks it’s cool that people call him “champ,” he says he and his Team Penske crew need to turn the page and start looking toward the new season.
“That was last year,” Logano said Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway. “One of my favorite Roger Penske’s quotes is, ‘Don’t trip over your press clippings.’ That’s last year and we need to keep looking forward because right now we’re past champions in my eyes. As soon as we unloaded down here, the championship fun is over and it’s back to trying to win another one. We’re back at zero with everyone else.”
He finished third in the exhibition Clash on Sunday and was back at the track three days later for Daytona 500 media day.
The 28-year-old Logano won his first Cup championship in November at Homestead-miami Speedway, beating out fellow title contenders Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr.
He says winning was the best part, not anything that followed.
Kyle Busch finalizing extension with Gibbs
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Kyle Busch says he’s deep into negotiations on a contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Busch has driven the No. 18 Toyota for Gibbs since 2008 and is in a contract year with the organization. He was surprised Wednesday to learn his contract status was public knowledge but indicated he’s not truly a free agent.
“We’re in discussions right now, we are talking. It’s all been agreed to,” Busch said. “It’s just a matter of putting pen to paper. We’re all good.”
Busch has won 47 Cup races with Gibbs and the 2015 championship. He’s raced for the title in each of the last four seasons.
Nola, Phillies agree to $45M, 4-year deal, avoid arbitration
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Pitcher Aaron Nola and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $45 million, four-year contract, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for this week.
The 25-year-old right-hander set career bests last year when he was a firsttime All-star, going 17-6 with a 2.37 ERA. He would have been eligible for free agency after the 2021 season.
Under a deal announced Wednesday, Nola gets a $2 million signing bonus, $4 million this year, $8 million in 2020, $11.75 million in 2021 and $15 million in 2022. Philadelphia has a $16 million team option for 2023 with a $4.25 million buyout. Eligible for arbitration for the first time, he had asked for a raise from $573,000 to $6.75 million. The Phillies had offered $4.5 million.
Maryland governor exits talks for new Redskins stadium
OXON HILL, Md. – Gov. Larry Hogan has abandoned talks to persuade the Washington Redskins to build its next stadium on a Maryland site currently owned by the federal government.
Spokeswoman Amelia Chasse told news outlets Tuesday that Hogan will proceed with acquiring state control of the 300-acre tract near MGM National Harbor. In December, Hogan acknowledged negotiating a nonbinding land swap that could have cleared the way for a 60,000-seat stadium. That plan drew concern from surprised local politicians and those worried about environmental and financial impact.
Hogan’s decision and Virginia’s disinterest leaves Redskins owner Daniel Snyder with one suitor – the District of Columbia.
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs and Sinclair Broadcast Group are launching a regional sports network in 2020 that will be the team’s exclusive TV home.
The Cubs said Wednesday the Marquee Sports Network will carry live game broadcasts and pregame and postgame coverage. Cubs games will be in one place, instead of split between two broadcast stations. The Cubs signed five-year contracts with WGN and WLS in 2014 ahead of plans for the network launch in 2020.