Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
MLB notebook: Machado, Padres reportedly agree to deal
The San Diego Padres reached an agreement with free agent infielder Manny Machado on a 10-year, $300 million deal, according to multiple reports Tuesday. It would be the most lucrative free agent contract in the history of American sports, according to MLB.com.
Dodgers P Newcombe, 1956 MVP, dies at 92
Former National League MVP and Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Don Newcombe, one of the Dodgers franchise's final links to Brooklyn, passed away Tuesday after a lengthy illness. He was 92. Los Angeles team president Stan Kasten called Newcombe "a role model for major leaguers across the country."
Canes owner invests $250 million, named new AAF commish
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has invested $250 million into the Alliance of American Football and will become the upstart league's new chairman. "As a lifelong sports fan and entrepreneur, I've always valued the opportunities generated in the ecosystem of sports and entertainment," Dundon said in a statement released by the AAF. "I'm impressed with The Alliance's stunning growth in-stadium and across TV, mobile and social media in just these first few weeks."
Tiafoe crashes out, Del Potro advances at Delray Beach Open
Frances Tiafoe's title defense wilted but Juan Martin del Potro looked fully recovered from his knee injury to cruise to a 6-3 7-5 win over Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round of the Delray Beach Open on Tuesday. The third-seeded Tiafoe looked to have the match against qualifier Dan Evans in hand when he served up 6-5 and 30-love in the second set but was instead broken by Evans, whose aggressive net play frustrated Tiafoe in the final two sets as the Briton eventually prevailed 3-6 7-6(1) 7-5.
Top seed Thiem knocked out of Rio Open in first round
Top seed Dominic Thiem was knocked out the Rio Open in the first round on Tuesday, going down 6-3, 6-3 to Laslo Djere, a result that gave the unheralded Serbian his first victory over a top 10 player in his career. The world ranked No. 90 broke Thiem´s serve five times in what was a surprisingly lackluster display from a man who has won eight ATP titles on clay.
Ex-NBA executive Leung hired to help lead USA Gymnastics past sex scandal
USA Gymnastics on Tuesday named former National Basketball Association vice president Li Li Leung as its new chief executive officer to help the sport's national governing body navigate the aftermath of a devastating sex abuse scandal. Leung, who was a college gymnast at the University of Michigan, will take the helm of an organization that filed for bankruptcy protection in December under the weight of lawsuits filed by hundreds of women who were sexually abused by former national team doctor Larry Nassar.
NHL roundup: Blues win record 11th straight
Ryan O'Reilly scored 34 seconds into overtime as the St. Louis Blues extended their winning streak to a franchise-record 11 games with a 3-2 victory over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Jaden Schwartz had a goal and an assist, and Colton Parayko scored a goal for the Blues, who built a 2-0 lead in the first period. Tyler Bozak added two assists.
NFL notebook: Brown, Steelers decide to part ways
After meeting with team president Art Rooney II on Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown announced on Twitter that both sides have decided to part ways. "Had a great meeting with Mr. Rooney today we discussed a lot of things and we cleared the air on several issues! We both agreed that it is time to move on but I'll always have appreciation and gratitude towards the Rooney family and @steelers organization! #CallGod #Boomin," Brown tweeted.
Tearful Osaka stunned by Mladenovic in Dubai
A tearful Naomi Osaka said she was struggling with the attention of being the world's top-ranked woman after being stunned 6-3 6-3 by France's Kristina Mladenovic in her opening match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday. Playing her first match since claiming the number one ranking with her Australian Open triumph, the Japanese 21-year-old capitulated in just over an hour, having won less than half of her first serve points while making 25 unforced errors.
Tennis: ITF's new pathway to help dreamers reach the top
Armed with his talent and a racket bag full of hope, Frenchman Evan Furness is one of the dreamers hoping to climb from tennis's lowest rungs up onto the biggest stages of all. The trouble is the vast majority of the thousands of players who venture, like 20-year-old Furness, into the jungle of world tennis find the path leads not to fame and fortune, but to a dead end and debt.
