Olympic officials say cancelation, no fans still options

Two top officials of Japan’s ruling LDP party on April 15 said radical changes could be coming to the Tokyo Olympics. One went as far to suggest they still could be canceled, and the other that even if they proceed, it might be without any fans.

Toshihiro Nikai, the secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, suggested the cancellation just a day after Tokyo reached the 100-days-to-go mark on April 14.

He made his comments in a show recorded by Japan’s TBS TV.

“If it seems impossible to go on with the games, they must be definitely canceled,” Nikai said. “If there is a surge in infections because of the Olympics, there will be no meaning to having the Olympics.”

NFL

LEAGUE INKS BETTING DEALS >> Once one of the staunchest opponents of allowing people to bet legally on its games, the NFL on April 15 announced deals with three major gambling companies to become official sports betting partners. The league is partnering with Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings and FanDuel, all of which will get the use of NFL trademarks and official league data, and will integrate their own betting content into media properties including NFL.com and the league’s official app.

NBA

LEAGUE: INJURY RATE DOWN SLIGHTLY >> The NBA said that the rate of players needing to miss games because of injuries is down from last season, and within the normal range for what the league has seen over the last five seasons.

College sports

MINORITY COACHES PROGRAM LAUNCHED >> An organization started by Maryland’s Mike Locksley is trying to help advance the careers of minority football coaches by connecting them with the people who do the hiring in college sports. The National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches launched its first Coalition Academy this week. The program matches coaches and athletic directors for mentorship. Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, Nevada head coach Jay Norvell, UNLV head coach Marcus Arroyo and Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis are among the 12 coaches participating.

PURDUE GREAT DIES AT 74 >> Leroy Keyes, a two-time consensus All-American running back and one of the greatest football players in Purdue history, died April 15. He was 74. He died at his home in West Lafayette, Indiana, surrounded by his wife and children, the family said in a statement.

MICHIGAN’S LIVERS NOT RETURNING >> Michigan senior Isaiah Livers is not returning for an extra year of eligibility. A team spokesman confirmed Livers’ decision.

USC SANCTIONS >> The NCAA hit Southern California’s men’s basketball program with two years’ probation because a former assistant coach violated NCAA ethics rules when he accepted a bribe to steer players to a business management company.

MLB

MANAGER BENCHED >> The Cubs will be minus manager David Ross for the series opener against Atlanta at Wrigley Field. He’s been suspended for one game by Major League Baseball in the aftermath of a dust-up in Milwaukee earlier this week.