Trending
No new deal
for Mayfield
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Baker Mayfield feels “disrespected” by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is focused on playing his best football. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback didn’t get the contract extension he sought and plans to play out the final season of his three-year, $100 million deal.
Mayfield, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft by Cleveland, revived his career in Tampa Bay after replacing Tom Brady in 2023.
He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons while leading the Bucs to consecutive NFC South titles.
Shooting
investigated
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) -- The 27-year-old son of Chiefs assistant Eric Bieniemy has had his court appearances in connection with the shooting of his mother delayed pending a mental health evaluation.
Elijah Bieniemy faces three charges after the shooting of Mia Bieniemy at the couple’s home in Virginia. He was arrested Monday and remains in custody. The Loudoun County sheriff’s office continues to investigate, with no motive provided.
Eric Bieniemy is currently away from the Chiefs, where he serves as offensive coordinator. Head coach Andy Reid says Bieniemy is focusing on personal matters and a timetable for his return to the team remains undetermined.
Mia Bieniemy, 57, has been released from the intensive care unit, where she was being treated for multiple gunshot wounds.
FIFA plan
protested
GENEVA (AP) -- UEFA member federations will boycott all FIFA competitions in protest of Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors.
The European soccer body says it’s a unanimous decision after an urgent online meeting of the 55 members. The strategy meeting was called to counter FIFA president Infantino’s offer of $20 million to each of its 211 global members that has to be accepted by mid-September.
Infantino’s secret proposal was revealed Tuesday to spin off its commercial operations in a $20 billion operation 20% owned by private investors. The North American soccer body rejected Infantino’s plan later Thursday.
NIL stalemate
in Congress
(AP) -- One key difference between Senate negotiators and the conferences holding out on proposed legislation to regulate college sports is whether language in the bill would truly create a “hard salary cap” that would eliminate many third-party payments that have sent roster costs skyrocketing.
A bill co-sponsor, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, said the cap is a hard cap, with no loopholes. But the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences’ refusal to sign off on changes to the Protect College Sports Act during a frenzied week of negotiating is a sign that they do not agree with Cruz’s assessment and would like to see stronger language in the bill.