OAKLAND RAIDERS NOW OFFICIALLY THE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
VEGAS» The Oakland Raiders have LAS been officially renamed the Las Vegas Raiders.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak unveiled the Raiders’ new name alongside owner Mark Davis at a news conference Wednesday at Allegiant Stadium.
“The Raiders were born in Oakland and played 13 seasons in LA. Both cities will always be part of our DNA,” Davis said. “But today, we begin a new chapter in our storied history.”
Panthers’ McCaffrey gives Marine 2 tickets to Super Bowl. Carolina Panthers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey is sending a U.S. Marine to the Super Bowl.
McCaffrey is teaming up with USAA, the NFL’s Salute to Service partner, and the Marine Corps Association & Foundation to send Sgt. Maj. Luis “Chino” Leiva to the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 2 in Miami.
Colorado, Wyoming represented on CFP committee. Iowa athletic director Gary Barta has been chosen as the new chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee.
Barta will replace Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens, who served as chairman and de facto spokesman for the committee the last two seasons.
Three new members of the selection committee were also appointed for three-year terms: former Penn State offensive lineman John Urschel, Wyoming athletic director Tom Burman and Colorado AD Rick George.
MLB to test but not use computer umps at spring training. YORK»
NEW Major League Baseball will test computer plate umpires during spring training but will not use the system for decisions in any exhibition games. MLB experimented with the automated balls and strikes system during the second half of last season in the independent Atlantic League, and the Arizona Fall League used it for a few dozen games at Salt River Fields. The Major League Baseball Umpires Association agreed last month to cooperate and assist if Commissioner Rob Manfred decides to utilize the system at the major league level.
Mayors launch task force to oppose minor-league contraction. Dozens of mayors from across the United States have formed a task force opposing a proposal by Major League Baseball to eliminate 42 affiliated minor league franchises for the 2021 season.
The coalition launched Tuesday with three leaders and was up to 30 members by Wednesday afternoon, ranging from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Hillsboro, Oregon.
“All of us understand this plan is a major league error,” Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said.
Twins, Donaldson finalize $92M deal, boost potent lineup.
MINNEAPOLIS» The Minnesota Twins and third baseman Josh Donaldson finalized their four-year, $92 million contract Wednesday that is the richest in team history for a free agent.
Donaldson agreed last week to the deal that includes a club option for a fifth season. The 34-year-old will make $21 million per season. For 2024, the Twins can either retain him for $16 million or buy him out for $8 million.
Mets pick coach Luis Rojas to replace Beltran as manager.
NEW YORK» Caught off guard in a quick split with Carlos Beltran, the New York Mets want some continuity for a change. So with spring training only three weeks away, they picked his replacement from their own bench.
The club was working Wednesday to complete a multiyear agreement with quality control coach Luis Rojas that would make him New York’s fourth manager in the past 2½ years — and third in four months.
Rojas would take over for Beltran, let go by the Mets last week before managing a single game as part of the fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.