MLS ANNOUNCES PLANS TO EVENTUALLY EXPAND TO 28 TEAMS
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber announced plans Thursday for the league’s expansion to 28 teams, including a deadline for owners to apply and a new franchise fee.
The fee for the two teams expected to be granted next year is jumping to $150 million. Garber also set a Jan. 31, 2017, deadline for interested potential owners or ownership groups to apply.
The league has expanded to 22 teams with the addition of Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC, which will debut next season.
The Los Angeles Football Club will join the league in 2018 as the 23rd team. The league announced it is “making progress” on plans to add a team in Miami that would bring the league to 24.
Hall of Famer Carew getting new heart, kidney B
los angeles» Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew is preparing to receive a new heart and undergo a kidney transplant.
His wife, Rhonda, confirmed the procedures on Thursday through the American Heart Association News.
The 71-year-old former hitting star has struggled with heart issues since September 2015 when he had a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest while undergoing a procedure to open clogged arteries.
A machine has kept Carew alive since he nearly died 15 months ago. Doctors say the kidney transplant will improve his chances for a strong recovery.
• A judge in Fort Lee, N.J., has dropped a charge stemming from a domestic violence complaint against Mets star relief pitcher Jeurys Familia. Familia had been charged with simple assault stemming from an incident in his apartment in the early morning of Oct. 31. Police said Familia’s wife, Bianca Rivas, was left with scratches on her chest and a bruise on her right cheek.
But the judge dropped the charge after prosecutor Arthur Balsamo said he met with Rivas and her lawyer and was told by Rivas that her husband never hurt her and that the scratch came from their 1-year-old child.
• Outfielder Odubel Herrera and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $30.5 million, five-year contract.
• San Diego Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte was named the winner of the 2016 Tony Conigliaro Award. The annual honor goes to a baseball player who overcomes adversity through “spirit, determination and courage.” Solarte’s wife, Yuliett Pimentel Solarte, died of cancer in September at the age of 31.
Newton’s MRI shows no serious damage B
charlotte, n.c.» Panthers coach Ron Rivera said an MRI on quarterback Cam Newton’s right shoulder revealed no serious damage and he anticipates the 2015 NFL MVP will play Monday night against the Washington Redskins.
Rivera said Thursday that Newton’s shoulder is sore and the Panthers “don’t want to aggravate it, so we’re bringing him along slowly.”
Newton sustained the injury in Carolina’s 28-16 win over San Diego on Sunday.
• New York Jets running back Matt Forte practiced on a limited basis and will probably be a game-time decision against Miami on Saturday night.
• Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Alvin Bailey has been suspended without pay for two games by the NFL for a substance violation.
Crawford sentenced to 90 days
B omaha» World boxing champion Terence “Bud” Crawford was sentenced to 90 days in jail along with two years’ probation for two misdemeanors in connection with an April disturbance at an Omaha body shop. His attorney, Matthew Kahler, is appealing the sentence and conviction.
Chubb to return for senior year
B athens, ga.» Running back Nick Chubb, who had decided to leave Georgia and apply for early entry to the NFL draft, changed his mind and will return for his senior season.