Gambling probe

involves Guardians

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The agency that oversees sports gambling in Ohio says it is working with Major League Baseball on the investigation of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, but had no further comment.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission said it was notified on June 30 by an Ohio licensed sportsbook of suspicious wagering activity on Guardians wagering events before also being contacted by MLB.

Ortiz is being investigated for two pitches thrown by the right-hander that received higher activity than usual during his starts at Seattle on June 15 and against St. Louis on June 27. The gambling activity on the pitches was flagged by a betting-integrity firm and forwarded to MLB.

Jerry Jones

reveals diagnosis

OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has credited an experimental trial drug for successfully treating advanced melanoma as he disclosed his cancer diagnosis publicly for the first time.

Jones revealed his illness in a documentary debuting on Netflix next week. The 82-year-old Jones told The Dallas Morning News how he was initially diagnosed in June 2010 and underwent two surgeries on his lung and two on his lymph nodes over the next 10 years after skin cancer cells metastasized.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer described Jones’ fight with cancer as an “amazing story” and praised him for going public. He also revealed his own fight with thyroid cancer when he was 28.

NBA approves

sale of Celtics

BOSTON (AP) — The NBA has unanimously approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to a group led by private equity mogul Bill Chisholm. The deal was announced Wednesday and it values the franchise at more than $6.1 billion.

That’s the largest ever price for an American professional sports team. The league said the transaction is expected to close shortly. When it does, Chisholm will take ownership of at least 51% of the team. Full control will come by 2028 at a price that could bring the total value to $7.3 billion.

The previous record for a U.S. sports franchise was the $6.05 billion paid for the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023.

US Open welcomes

Venus Williams

NEW YORK (AP) — Venus Williams will make her return to Grand Slam tennis at the U.S. Open in singles at age 45 after a two-year absence. Williams received a wild-card invitation on Wednesday to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows.

The American will be the oldest singles entrant in the tournament since Renee Richards was 47 in 1981. Williams already had been given a wild-card entry by the U.S. Tennis Association for the mixed doubles competition in New York next week.

Her seven major singles championships include titles at the U.S. Open in 2000 and 2001. Singles matches begin in New York on Aug. 24.

Shedeur Sanders

suffers injury

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cleveland rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders sustained an oblique injury during practice Wednesday and is unlikely to play in the Browns’ preseason game against the Eagles. Sanders did not finish the practice session and was ruled out of today’s practice.

The Browns said Sanders is day to day. Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards with two first-half touchdown passes in his NFL preseason debut against Carolina on Friday night.

Twins will

add investors

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins are no longer for sale after a 10-month exploratory process, according to executive chair Joe Pohlad.

Pohlad announced that his family will remain the principal owner and add two new investment groups instead. His grandfather, Carl Pohlad, bought the Twins in 1984. Pohlad in his announcement said the family was “fully open to all possibilities” and focused on “what’s best for the long-term future of the Twins.”

Fans have been frustrated recently by a spending cut on the roster. The Twins are on track for their lowest attendance total in 16 seasons at Target Field.