Panthers agree to deal to sign Newton
CHARLOTTE, N.C. >> Superman has returned.
Whether or not Cam Newton can save the Carolina Panthers’ sinking season remains to be seen.
The Panthers (4-5) announced they’ve agreed to a one-year contact with Newton, bringing him back to the franchise that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2011 — and later cut him prior to the 2020 season after losing eight straight games.
The deal is worth $10 million, including $4.5 million in fully guaranteed money and a $1.5 million roster bonus, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team does not announce financial terms of players’ contracts.
“A healthy Cam Newton is a special player,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said.
Carolina was in need of a quarterback after an MRI on Monday revealed starter Sam Darnold would miss at least four weeks with a incomplete fracture of his right shoulder blade.
Rhule said he called Newton on Tuesday night to gauge his interest in returning to Carolina, and the quarterback was excited about the possibility.
Rhule said P.J. Walker
will start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals and Matt Barkley, signed off the Tennessee Titans practice squad earlier in the week, will serve as his primary backup. Rhule isn’t sure if Newton would be active this week because he hasn’t practiced yet.
College basketball
SEATTLE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL COACH HAYFORD RESIGNS >> Seattle University basketball coach Jim Hayford resigned, the school’s athletic director said.
Hayford had been on paid administrative leave since Friday following a published report that he had used a racial slur during a scrimmage.
Fink said the school will take other steps to ensure
concerns within the program are addressed and has begun a review of the climate within the program.
Tennis
PAUL HOLDS OFF MURRAY TO REACH SEMIFINALS AT STOCKHOLM OPEN >> Tommy Paul held off Andy Murray’s comeback attempt to beat the former No. 1 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 and reach the semifinals at the Stockholm Open.
Paul jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first set but struggled with his first serve in the second, allowing the two-time Wimbledon champion back in the match. But Murray doublefaulted to hand Paul a 4-3 lead in the deciding set, missing out on a chance to reach his first semifinal since the European Open in October 2019, before undergoing hip surgery.
Horse racing
NEW ANTI-DOPING, MEDICATION RULES FOR HORSE RACING UNVEILED >> The nascent Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority released a draft of proposed anti-doping and medication control rules designed to bring uniformity to a sport that has operated for years under patchwork regulations in 38 racing states.
Since July, HISA has been working with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to develop rules that are now open to public comment, including from those in the racing industry.
On Dec. 6, the proposed rules go to the Federal Trade Commission for further public comment and FTC approval. If approved by the FTC and HISA, the rules would take effect July 1.
Baseball
QUIET GM MEETINGS END >> A looming lockout at the expiration of baseball’s collective bargaining agreement Dec. 1 didn’t change much at the general manager’s meetings this week.
Despite an offseason that figures to be different than any since baseball’s last labor stoppage in 199495, the GM meetings went on as planned in Southern California.