Sports briefs
Trending
Harden stays
with Cavaliers
(AP) -- Two people close to the situation tell The Associated Press that James Harden has agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because it has not been announced.
The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season as well as a trade kicker. Harden declined his $42.3 million player option for the upcoming season, but he indicated after the Cavaliers were swept in four games by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals that he would like to return.
Alcaraz to
defend title
NEW YORK (AP) -- Carlos Alcaraz is ready to return from injury to defend his U.S. Open title. “Here we go,” Alcaraz posted on his social media pages Thursday, with one picture showing him in front of the U.S. Open logo.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined since April because of a right wrist injury, forcing him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz won his second U.S. Open title last year, beating Jannik Sinner in the final. He then won the Australian Open to start this season and the Spaniard is still ranked No. 2 despite his absence.
The U.S. Open singles champions will earn $5.5 million, the highest winnings in Grand Slam tennis history.
Soccer fans
launch petition
GENEVA (AP) -- Soccer fan groups from around the world have launched a petition calling for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA president after he tried to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.
The petition also calls for FIFA “to be rebuilt so that the current debacle can never happen again.” The fan groups include Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa and, in North America, the Independent Supporters Council, plus about 40 national fan groups worldwide. Infantino’s plan for a commercial spinoff was dropped amid a global backlash.
College revenue
playbook expands
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Universities are getting creative to keep up with the expensive world of college athletics. They’re adding corporate logos to jerseys and fields, and building entertainment districts to generate revenue beyond game days.
The NCAA’s 352 Division I schools reported nearly $20.5 billion in revenue for 2024, but many athletic departments are still losing money. Schools are also forming public-private partnerships and developing mixed-use facilities.
Washington, for example, is raising funds through uniform patch deals and loans on future TV revenue. Tennessee has added a NIL fee to tickets, but demand remains high. Schools are also hosting concerts and events to boost income.
Buffaloes
welcome Carter
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- Colorado’s roster currently lists Boo Carter solely as a defensive back. But don’t be surprised if he plays some wide receiver or even lines up in the backfield. The transfer from Tennessee may very well follow in the two-way footsteps of Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner for the Buffaloes who’s now with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
Carter has the skills to play on both sides of the ball and a coach in Deion Sanders who may just let him. Carter left Tennessee for a fresh start and is eager to help turn things around for Colorado after a 3-9 season. They open the season Sept. 3 at Georgia Tech.