Rams’ Gurley earns record deal for running back
Todd Gurley was the key to the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive transformation last season, and the Rams have rewarded their star running back with a gamechanging contract.
The NFL’s offensive player of the year agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract extension through 2023 with the Rams on Tuesday.
A person with knowledge of the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because the terms weren’t publicly announced, confirmed to The Associated Press that Gurley’s contract extension contains $45 million in guaranteed money, a $20 million signing bonus and the NFL’s largest average annual value for a running back contract. ESPN first reported the terms.
General manager Les Snead said the Rams wanted “to get ahead of the curve” by signing Gurley two years before his rookie contract expires. They’ve also set a new benchmark for running back salaries to secure a cornerstone of a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Gurley was a league standout in his third NFL season while playing in first-year coach Sean McVay’s explosive offense. He finished second in the NFL with 1,305 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns while catching 64 passes for 788 yards and six more TDs.
Along with being a handsome reward for a burgeoning NFL star, Gurley’s deal sets a new standard in the market for ball-carriers such as Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott and Arizona’s David Johnson — and for Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell after he plays out this season on the franchise tag. MAYFIELD SIGNED, SEALED >> Quarterback Baker Mayfield has signed his rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns. The top overall pick in this year’s NFL draft finalized his fouryear, $32 million deal, a day before Cleveland’s players are scheduled to report to training camp. Rookie cornerback Denzel Ward, selected with the No. 4 overall pick, remains unsigned.
Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy last season at Oklahoma after he passed for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns. The Browns chose him over several other top-tier college QBs in April’s draft.
The Browns went 0-16 last season.
VIKINGS TO ATTEND SPARANO SERVICE >> The Minnesota Vikings have canceled their training camp practice on Friday so the team can attend the memorial service for offensive line coach Tony Sparano, who died of a heart condition. The service will take place in the Twin Cities area, where Sparano and his wife moved in 2016 when he was hired by the Vikings.
NBA
LOVE AGREES TO LONGTERM DEAL WITH CAVALIERS >> Kevin Love isn’t leaving Cleveland anytime soon. The All-Star forward signed a new four-year, $120 million contract with the Cavaliers, who are beginning anew following LeBron James’ departure.
Love will make $24.1 million next season before the extension begins, making the whole package worth $145 million over five years. Love waived his option for 2019-20 and there are no other options or trade clauses within the new deal.
He will be paid $28.9 million in 2019-20, $31.3 million in 2020-21 and 2021-22, and $28.8 million in 2022-23.
College football
MAINE FRESHMAN COLLAPSES, DIES >> A University of Maine football player collapsed and died during a preseason workout on campus. University officials say 18-year-old Darius Minor, from Locust Grove, Virginia, collapsed Tuesday afternoon. Training staff and first responders were unable to resuscitate him. Minor was in the third week of freshman workouts.
MEYER SAYS FIRING WAS BEST FOR TEAM >> Ohio State coach Urban Meyer is facing questions about his relationship with former receivers coach Zach Smith, who was fired after an Ohio court granted a domestic violence protection order to his ex-wife. Meyer says the move was the best thing for his team.
Smith is the grandson of former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce. He was charged in May with misdemeanor criminal trespass. Smith pleaded not guilty last month. Courtney Smith asked for a civil protection order on Friday.
Soccer
MBAPPE REVEALS HE PLAYED WORLD CUP FINALS INJURED >> France striker Kylian Mbappe has revealed he played the World Cup semifinals and final with a back injury he hid from his rivals. In an interview with France Football magazine, Mbappe says he displaced three vertebrae in his back during the tournament in Russia three days before France defeated Belgium 1-0 in the semifinals. France won the World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final.
The 19-year-old Mbappe was one of the stars of the tournament and picked up the award for the best young player at the World Cup. Mbappe also is challenging the decade-long dominance of FIFA’s best player award by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The winners will be announced in September.
Diving
ATHLETES SUING USA DIVING >> A former diver is suing USA Diving over allegations a coach sexually abused her beginning when she was 16. Estee Pryor says she and a 27-year-old coach began having sex within a week of him approaching her and complimenting her. The now 21-year-old Pryor made her comments about former coach Will Bohonyi to NBC’s Megyn Kelly. Pryor is one of two former divers suing USA Diving, accusing the national governing body of ignoring or obstructing inquiries into the sex abuse allegations.
Hockey
MONTOUR GETS NEW DEAL WITH ANAHEIM DUCKS >> Defenseman Brandon Montour, restricted free agent, agreed to a two-year, $6.775 million contract through the 2019-20 season to stay with the Anaheim Ducks. Montour had nine goals and 23 assists in 80 games last season, his first full NHL campaign.
Tennis
SERENA ENTERS MONTREAL EVENT >> Serena Williams will play in the Rogers Cup in Montreal next month, her first tournament since her runner-up finish at Wimbledon. Tournament officials gave Williams a wild card into the event, which begins Aug. 3. Her ranking jumped from No. 181 to No. 28.