Texas Tech

backs Sorsby

HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Tech’s sports leadership is defending its plans to play quarterback Brendan Sorsby next season while he treats his gambling addiction. Coach Joey McGuire, speaking Wednesday, acknowledges criticism, including from the NCAA president.

McGuire says society accepts other issues but unites against gambling. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt states their role is to support Sorsby’s recovery, not manipulate eligibility. A court order suspended Sorsby for the first two games, but the NCAA plans to appeal the overall decision.

UFC fight a

group effort

(AP) — President Donald Trump’s UFC fight on the White House’s South Lawn requires a monumental effort from more than seven federal agencies, hundreds of staff working onsite daily and about $60 million.

The event is part of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding and is scheduled for the weekend with seven mixed martial arts matches on Sunday. But a lawsuit filed by two Virginia residents seeks to stop it. The agency filed a rebuff of the request in court, noting that the $60 million is coming from the UFC and groups affiliated with it.

The document does not specify the extent of government resources spent on the project, but said that seven agencies, including Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration, have “allocated significant resources and manpower.”

Infantino

defends prices

MEXICO CITY (AP) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended World Cup ticket prices by saying they align with North American sports. Ticket prices for the 48-nation tournament generally start at $140, with tickets for the World Cup final reaching up to $32,970.

FIFA offered some $60 tickets to national federations after being criticized. Infantino claims the average ticket price is under $500 and says it’s comparable to U.S. sports.

He says he is unconcerned about investigations by attorneys general in several states. Infantino also praised FIFA for allowing Iran to participate amid tensions with the U.S. He calls the tournament “the biggest event probably in the history of mankind.”

Stanley Cup

high-scoring

(AP) — The Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes has been must-see entertainment every night. One big reason is that no lead is safe. This is the first time in NHL history that a team has rallied from a multigoal deficit to tie the score in each of the first four games of the final.

That included Carolina coming back from down four in Game 3 at Vegas before losing in double overtime on a bounce off the end boards. The Golden Knights and Hurricanes have combined to score 33 goals, the most through four games since 1981. This was the most-watched final through three games since Chicago-Tampa Bay in 2015.