Sports

Reuters reports: Tokyo 2020 Olympics chief Yoshiro Mori resigned on Friday and apologised again for sexist remarks that sparked a global outcry, leaving the troubled Olympics searching for a chief five months from the opening ceremony. The resignation of former prime minister Mori, 83, will further erode confidence in the organisers’ ability to pull off the postponed Summer Games during …

NPR reports: The NBA says every team – including the Dallas Mavericks – must play the national anthem in their arenas, after news emerged that team owner Mark Cuban had ordered the Mavericks to discontinue the long-held practice. “With NBA teams now in the process of welcoming fans back into their arenas, all teams will play the national anthem in …

ESPN reports: The Dallas Mavericks have stopped playing the national anthem before home games at the direction of owner Mark Cuban, he confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday. The Mavericks do not plan to resume the tradition to play the national anthem before games in the future. Cuban, who declined further comment, made the decision after consulting with NBA commissioner Adam …

Tampa’s NBC News affiliate reports: Thousands of people flocked to streets across Tampa, Florida on Sunday evening to celebrate the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl victory, many of them ignoring public health measures implemented to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Photos and video of the celebration, which kicked off soon after the home-team Bucs notched a 31-9 win over the Kansas …

The Hill reports: There will be heavy security at the Super Bowl on Sunday despite limited attendance after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) risk assessment found the event could be a target for criminal activity. DHS announced on Saturday that 500 DHS personnel will be at the Super Bowl since it garnered a Level 1 Special Event Assessment Rating. …

USA Today reports: The president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee had a simple message Tuesday for fellow members of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The games will happen. “No matter what situation would be with the coronavirus, we will hold the games,” Yoshiro Mori, who is also a former Japanese prime minister, told lawmakers. “We should pass on the …

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports: Sex videos of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft are set to be destroyed under a court order. It’s been two years since the 79-year-old billionaire was among more than two dozen people secretly videotaped by police during a massage parlor prostitution sting in Palm Beach County. U.S. District Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz II …

CBS News reports: The Miami Heat are bringing back some fans, with help from some dogs. The Heat will use coronavirus-sniffing dogs at American Airlines Arena to screen fans who want to attend their games. They’ve been working on the plan for months, and the highly trained dogs have been in place for some games this season where the team …

Atlanta’s ABC News affiliate reports: He is the one man that Muhammad Ali said he idolized “more than myself.” He became known to the world as “Hammerin’ Hank.” Legendary Atlanta Brave and Major League Baseball record holder Hank Aaron died Friday at the age of 86, according to Aaron’s daughter. Aaron won the National League batting title in 1956 and …

ESPN reports: The New York Mets fired general manager Jared Porter on Tuesday, according to owner Steve Cohen. The firing came a day after ESPN reported that he sent explicit unsolicited texts and images to a female reporter in 2016 while working for the Chicago Cubs in their front office. Cohen tweeted Tuesday that the Mets “have terminated Jared Porter …

ESPN reports: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Monday he will not “move forward” with the Presidential Medal of Freedom that Donald Trump planned to present to him on Thursday. Belichick explained his decision in a statement. “Recently I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for …

Forbes reports: The Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster has been removed as the host of the 2022 PGA Championship — one of golf’s four major championships — the organization’s president announced on Sunday night, joining the list of entities who are looking to distance themselves from outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump days after a mob of his supporters breached …

Orlando’s ABC News affiliate reports: Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman shared photos on social media Friday suggesting he has been hospitalized with COVID-19. The 65-year-old Australian posted a video on Instagram on Thursday night saying he was experiencing coronavirus symptoms, then posted photos Friday showing himself in a hospital bed. “This sums it all up,” he wrote. “My Christmas …

ESPN reports: The College Football Playoff semifinal scheduled to take place at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, has been moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Rose Bowl announced Saturday. The game will take place Jan. 1 and be broadcast by ESPN. According to the release, the decision to move the game was based on the growing …

The Associated Press reports: Russia was banned Thursday from using its name, flag and anthem at the next two Olympics or at any world championships for the next two years. The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling also blocked Russia from bidding to host major sporting events for two years. Russian athletes and teams will still be allowed to compete …

ESPN reports: The Cleveland Indians plan to drop the nickname they have used for more than a century, becoming the latest professional sports franchise to shed its Native American imagery amid accusations that its use is racist, two sources familiar with the decision confirmed to ESPN. The organization is expected to announce the change this week, sources said, continuing a …

ESPN reports: Break-dancing became an official Olympic sport on Monday. The International Olympic Committee’s pursuit of urban events to lure a younger audience saw street dance battles officially added to the medal events program at the 2024 Paris Games. Also confirmed for Paris by the IOC executive board were skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing. Those three sports will make their …

Fox Business reports: The fallout from the case against New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is costing a Florida masseuse at the center of the scandal thousands of dollars. Shen Mingbi, one of the masseuses Kraft allegedly visited at the Orchids of Asia in Jupiter, pleaded guilty to soliciting another to commit prostitution and is going to be forced to …

The Associated Press reports: The postponed Tokyo Olympics are getting a kickstart. Local organizers on Friday announced a series of 18 test events set to begin in March and run into May. The Tokyo Olympics are set to open on July 23, 2021, after being postponed eight months ago because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement in an online news …

ESPN reports: The Washington Nationals are making their pitch to President-elect Joe Biden. The Nats have invited Biden to toss out the ceremonial first ball next season on Opening Day. Washington is scheduled to host the New York Mets at Nationals Park on April 1. “We’re excited to continue the long-standing tradition of sitting Presidents throwing out the first pitch …