TENNIS OFFICIALS SAY QUICK ACTION NEEDED FOR MATCH- FIXING
melbourne, australia » Tennis leaders are taking steps at damage control as they grapple with allegations of match- fixing in recent media reports, which have cast a shadow over the first Grand Slam of the year and shaken confidence in the integrity of the sport.
An independent review of tennis’ anti- corruption unit was announced Wednesday at the Australian Open in the wake of allegations that officials had failed to properly investigate suspected cases of match- fixing.
ATP chairman Chris Kermode said immediate action was needed to “restore public confidence in our sport” and that “nothing is off the table.”
“I think this is a very bold step. We need to address the perception, public confidence, hit it head on. We don’t have anything to hide at all.”
The creation of the review came 10 days after the BBC and BuzzFeed News published stories alleging that tennis authorities had suppressed evidence of match- fixing and failed to thoroughly investigate possible cases of corruption involving 16 players who have ranked in the top 50 over the past decade. No players were named in the reports.
Oosthuizen off to fast start
B doha, qatar » Louis Oosthuizen had another fast start to his first tournament of the year, shooting a 7- underpar 65 in the first round of the Qatar Masters to share the lead with Pablo Larrazabal.
Andrew Johnston and Nicolas Colsaerts are a shot behind along with Sweden’s Bjorn Akesson, who was 7- under after 11 holes but bogeyed No. 8 — his 17th hole.
Calif. regulates fantasy sports
B sacramento, calif. » California’s state Assembly approved minimal regulations for the fast- growing daily fantasy sports industry amid a national debate over whether the online games violate states’ gambling laws.
The bill would legalize the games while requiring that operators pay regulatory fees and be licensed by the state Department of Justice.
• Florida lawmakers are moving closer to making fantasy sports legal in the state.
House and Senate panels voted in favor of bills to allow and regulate fantasy sports contests. The legislation would cover both season- long fantasy baseball or football leagues, as well as daily fantasy leagues.
Brooks takes over MLB diversity
B new york » Major League Baseball hired Tyrone Brooks from the Pittsburgh Pirates as senior director of its new front office and field staff diversity pipeline program.
The program is designed to increase the pool of minority and female candidates for on- field and baseball operations positions.
Brooks, 42, had been Pittsburgh’s director of player personnel. He will report to chief legal officer Dan Halem.
Popovich to coach West stars
B new york » San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich will coach the NBA’sWest All- Stars, though Golden State has the best record in the conference.
With theWarriors’ Steve Kerr ineligible because he coached last year, Popovich earned the nod asWest coach for the fourth time.
LukeWalton led theWarriors to a record- setting start before Kerr returned from back surgery last week. However, NBA rules state that all of Walton’s victories earned on an interim basis actually go to Kerr, and league rules prevent coaches from participating in two consecutive allstar games.
• The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Tyronn Lue was named coach for the East all- stars. The All- Star Game is Feb. 14 in Toronto.
Footnote.
About $ 4.2 billion will be wagered on Super Bowl 50 by bettors in the United States, according to the American Gaming Association. The estimated amount represents an 8 percent increase from last year’s title game. Denver Post staff and wire services