Sports briefs
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WNBA sees
ratings surge
NEW YORK (AP) -- The WNBA Finals was the most watched since 1999 with an average of 1.88 million people viewing the seven-game series that Golden State won over Atlanta in a decisive Game 7. That game averaged 3.3 million viewers, making it the most watched WNBA postseason game ever.
It was up 128% from last season’s clinching game between Las Vegas and Phoenix that the Aces won. All seven games in the series were sold out, including Game 6, which was played at 12:30 p.m. EDT.
The Finals capped the WNBA’s most-watched postseason since its inaugural season in 1997, averaging 1.49 million viewers, up 27% from last year.
Brissett going
to Ravens
(AP) -- Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is heading from the Arizona Cardinals to the Baltimore Ravens, according to a person with knowledge of the trade. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been completed.
Brissett started eight games for Arizona this season but was demoted to third-string quarterback after Gardner Minshew stepped in and led the Cardinals to a 33-30 comeback victory at Dallas. The 4-4 Ravens desperately needed a quarterback after losing Lamar Jackson to a thumb injury and backup Tyler Huntley to a toe injury. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano will start for the Ravens against Jacksonville on Thursday night
Soccer death
investigated
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- The emergency medical treatment that the Spanish soccer player who died following a hard in-game collision is falling under scrutiny. Spain’s National Police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter after Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel died on Tuesday a day after absorbing a heavy hit by the opposing team’s goalkeeper during a match in Spain’s second division and being rushed to a hospital.
Separately, medical professionals and Spain’s media are also wondering if the immediate attention De Miguel received on the field was adequate.
Conspiracy
trial begins
NEW YORK (AP) -- Jurors have heard opening statements at the fraud conspiracy trial of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz in a New York federal court. A prosecutor, Rebecca Urquiola, told jurors Wednesday that the government will prove that Clase and Ortiz agreed to tip off sports betting gamblers so they could bet that several pitches thrown between 2023 and 2025 would be balls or strikes -- or high or low.
Clase is the Guardians’ former closer and Ortiz, a starter. Both have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges. Their lawyers told jurors that gamblers lied about their clients.
CFP rankings
questioned
(AP) -- The College Football Playoff rankings have raised questions about the committee’s decision-making. The rankings have sent mixed messages about strength of schedule, injuries, and head-to-head victories. Miami’s top spot was expected, but Georgia’s second-place ranking raised eyebrows due to a recent loss.
Notre Dame and UCLA were surprisingly low, possibly due to weak schedules. Head-to-head results seemed inconsistent, with Tennessee ranked lower than Alabama despite a recent win. Injuries also played a confusing role, particularly for Ohio State. With four weekends left, there’s still time for significant changes in the rankings.
Watson in
protocol
BEREA, Ohio (AP) -- Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been placed in the concussion protocol after experiencing symptoms Monday night. If Watson is not cleared in time for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, Shedeur Sanders would get his first start of the season.
Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit during the first quarter of last week’s 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watson was given a gameday concussion evaluation and cleared by the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant. The 10-year veteran returned to the game and completed 27 of 39 passes for 324 yards, his second straight 300-yard game.
Aiyuk looks
to return
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Receiver Brandon Aiyuk has applied to be reinstated to the San Francisco 49ers from the reserve/left squad list and plans to report to the team later this week.
Aiyuk’s new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, says Aiyuk has officially submitted his paperwork to the NFL to get back and is planning to return to the 49ers on Friday. Aiyuk hasn’t played a game in more than two years since going down with a knee injury in October 2024 and has been on the reserve/left squad list after leaving the Niners late last season.