Sports

Published 2:08 am, Thursday, May 24, 2018 LEEDS, England (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have taken a minority ownership stake in English soccer club Leeds. Leeds says on its website the deal is a "strategic partnership with 49ers Enterprises, an investment entity affiliated with the San Francisco 49ers." The second-tier club says "funds invested will remain inside the club and will go towards investment in the first team squad." The agreement brokered by Leeds majority owner Andrea Radrizzani sees the president of 49ers Enterprises, Paraag Marathe, join the Leeds board of directors. Seen as a sleeping giant of English soccer, Leeds finished 13th in the 24-team Championship this season. Leeds won the last of its three English league titles in 1992, and was a Champions League semifinalist in 2001. … [Read more...] about San Francisco 49ers buy stake in English soccer club Leeds

ST. PETERSBURG — The increased competition in the IndyCar Series was on display during qualifying for Sunday's Indianapolis 500.Two fan favorites (Pippa Mann and 2013 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg winner James Hinchcliffe) couldn't crack the 33-car field. Another championship contender, Alexander Rossi, barely made it. And the night before, another big name (2008 Grand Prix winner Graham Rahal) feared he could be stuck on the outside, too."It could have easily been us," Rahal said earlier this week during a visit with local media. "Honestly on Friday, we did not have the speed to make the field. I never thought I'd say those words in my life, but it was the truth."All-night cramming by his crew helped Rahal sneak into the field and start 30th, but the point was made. If some of the series' top drivers were struggling to make it onto the 33-car grid, the talent level has jumped.The biggest name is Danica Patrick, who is retiring after one last shot at the 500 (where she has … [Read more...] about Graham Rahal: Indy 500 could be one of the ‘trickiest races’ in years

The biggest storyline heading into the Ravens’ organized team activity Thursday, the first one open to reporters, is not what veteran quarterback Joe Flacco does. It’s what he says.Flacco hasn’t publicly addressed the Ravens selecting his potential successor, former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson, in last month’s draft. He’s scheduled to speak to reporters following Thursday’s workout.As far as the happenings on the field, Thursday’s workout offers the most extensive glimpse yet at a Ravens’ roster that has undergone significant changes this offseason. More than 45 percent of the players on the roster were not with the organization at this time last year. The turnover is particularly evident at the offensive skill positions.There is only so much that can be gleaned from practices where contact is prohibited, most of the participants are in athletic shorts and some of the more accomplished veterans opt to skip the … [Read more...] about Organized team activities will provide best glimpse yet at new-look Ravens roster

In a different version of this Orioles season, where the losses weren't mounting and the team wasn't faced with a host of challenges both short- and long-term, the progress of rookie Chance Sisco at catcher would be occurring under a far brighter spotlight.A rookie catcher whose bat was considered far more advanced than his defense at the time of his debut in September, Sisco has taken over the left-handed-hitting half of the Orioles' backstop platoons with Caleb Joseph and, now, Andrew Susac. And he’s had to acclimate to life in the majors under far different circumstances than if he were with a contending club, getting plenty of time to learn on the way."It's fun to watch him grow," manager Buck Showalter said. "Try to keep in mind this guy was a shortstop in high school and barely started catching when we signed him. He's come a long way in a short period of time. What is he, a college senior? Fifth-year senior? I don't know what it would amount to. We try to keep that in … [Read more...] about Outside of spotlight, Orioles enjoying growth of rookie catcher Chance Sisco

The Washington Capitals pose with the NHL's Eastern Conference championship trophy after eliminating Tampa Bay on Wednesday night.  (Associated Press) For the first time in two decades, the Washington Capitals are heading to the Stanley Cup Final, where they will face this year's Cinderella team, the expansion Vegas Golden Knights. The Caps punched their ticket by defeating the Tampa Bay Lighting 4-0 on Wednesday night in the seventh game of their Eastern Conference Final series. Vegas had previously eliminated the Winnipeg Jets in the Western final. Washington let Tampa Bay know early that it meant business: Alex Ovechkin scored the opening goal during the second minute of play. Andre Burakovsky added two more in the second period to help lead the Caps' victory. "The first goal was very important," said Ovechkin, who will be playing in his first Final. "After that you could see we have all the momentum on our side. Holts [Washington goalkeeper Braden Holtby] was … [Read more...] about Washington Capitals eliminate Tampa Bay, will play Vegas in Stanley Cup Final

Sports NBA Milwaukee police chief Alfonso Morales said on Wednesday that the members of the force involved in the January  arrest of Milwaukee Bucks rookie Sterling Brown have been disciplined, as the force released body camera footage documenting  the arrest. Morales also offered his personal apologies to the athlete.  Brown, 23, was shot with a stun gun and arrested after a routine police stop in a Walgreens parking lot rapidly escalated into a heated altercation.  Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown (R) battles for a rebound in the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans this season. Brown was arrested on January 26. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports The force had previously stated Brown became confrontational over an alleged parking violation, which prompted the officers to use stun gun to arrest him. However, police chief Alfonso Morales conceded the response had not been appropriate. Recommended Slideshows 51 In … [Read more...] about Watch: Bucks Rookie Sterling Brown Tased in ‘Shameful and Inexcusable’ Incident with Milwaukee Police

Democracy Dies in Darkness Sections Home Try 1 month for $1 Username Sign In Account Profile Newsletters & Alerts Gift Subscriptions Contact Us Help Desk Subscribe Account Profile Newsletters & Alerts Gift Subscriptions Contact Us Help Desk Accessibility for screenreader Sports Baltimore Orioles Andrew Cashner, right, talks to starting pitcher Alex Cobb in the dugout after Cobb gave up four runs to the Chicago White Sox in the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) by Jon Meoli May 24 at 3:17 AM CHICAGO — In they came, first Alex Cobb from the dugout to begin Wednesday’s game for the Baltimore Orioles, then Pedro Araujo, Tanner Scott and Mike Wright Jr. to finish it. Each represents his own nightmare archetype for the Orioles, both leading up to this season and during it, and each combined to allow the Chicago White Sox, … [Read more...] about After an auspicious start, Alex Cobb craters as O’s fall meekly to White Sox

Sports NFL Tom Brady The New England Patriots began voluntary organized team activities (OTA) this week but the man who polarized attention was conspicuous by his absence. Tom Brady did not join the rest of the team as they worked out behind the Gillette Stadium, becoming the only starting quarterback in the league to snub OTAs. Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots takes the field before playing against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. Patrick Smith/Getty Images Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to comment on Brady’s absence, preferring instead to focus on the players who attended the session. Recommended Slideshows 51 In Pictures: 50 of the Biggest Stadiums in the World 51 In Pictures: 50 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World 32 World's Most Valuable Sports Teams "I'm not going to talk about the people that aren't here," Belichick was quoted as saying by ESPN. "Guys that … [Read more...] about Is Tom Brady Becoming a Problem for the Patriots?