TEAM REPORTEDLY WILL DUMP REDSKINS NAME
ASHBURN, VA.» Washington’s NFL team will get rid of the name ‘Redskins’ on Monday, according to multiple reports.
It’s unclear when a new name will be revealed for one of the league’s oldest franchises.
USA Today, ESPN, The Washington Post, Washington Times and Sports Business Journal reported Sunday night that owner Dan Snyder is set to “retire” the name. Yahoo, on Saturday, reported a name change was imminent.
The team launched a ‘thorough review’ of the name July 3 that the NFL supported. That came in the aftermath of prominent sponsors FedEx, Nike, PepsiCo and Bank of America asking the team to change the name.
FedEx is the title sponsor of the team’s stadium in Landover, Maryland, and CEO Frederick Smith is a minority owner. Nike and other companies pulled team gear from their online stores.
Over a dozen Native American leaders and organizations wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last week demanding an immediate end to Washington’s use of the name. In the letter that was obtained by The Associated Press, they said they “expect the NFL to engage in a robust, meaningful reconciliation process with Native American movement leaders, tribes, and organizations to repair the decades of emotional violence and other serious harms this racist team name has caused to Native Peoples.”
MLS postpones match after positive coronavirus test.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.» Major League Soccer postponed a match between Toronto FC and D.C. United shortly before it was scheduled to begin Sunday morning because of one unconfirmed positive test and one inconclusive test for the coronavirus.
The unconfirmed positive test was for a D.C. United player, while a Toronto player returned the inconclusive test. Players and staff are tested the day before each game during the MLS is Back tournament. Because of the positive and inconclusive tests, the league’s protocol for the tournament called for both teams to undergo another set of testing.
The league announced Sunday night that the match would be rescheduled for Monday with a 7 a.m. MDT kickoff after all players on both teams had tested negative during the additional round of testing.
• Kevin Molino scored in the seventh-minute of second-half stoppage time as Minnesota United rallied with two late goals to beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Sunday night in the MLS is Back tournament . ... The Rapids were facing Real Salt Lake in the late match.
Torrence wins in NHRA’s return.
INDIANAPOLIS» Billy Torrence won in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series return, beating Doug Kalitta in the Top Fuel final Sunday in the NHRA Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway.
The drivers raced in front of limited fans in the first of two straight events at the track in the NHRA’s return from a more than four-month break because of the coronavirus pandemic. The NHRA Summernationals are next week.
Matt Hagan won in Funny Car, Jason Line in Pro Stock and Ryan Oehler in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Lipsky wins San Antonio Challenge.
SAN ANTONIO» David Lipsky took advantage of his status on the Korn Ferry Tour by winning the TPC San Antonio Challenge at the Canyons, closed with a 6-under 66 for a four-shot victory over Taylor Pendrith of Canada.
Two-time All-Star 2B Bolling dies. MOBILE, ALA.» Frank Bolling, a twotime All-Star second baseman and the last player to hit a grand slam off Sandy Koufax, has died. He was 88.
Bolling died Saturday. He was diagnosed with cancer about five years ago, according to a notice posted by the funeral home handling the arrangements.