Auto Racing
Formule One test driver Wolff retiring at end of year
LONDON – Susie Wolff, the first female driver to take part in a Formula One race weekend in 22 years, is retiring from racing at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old Briton joined Williams as a development driver in 2012 before being promoted to test driver this season.
Wolff made a breakthrough when she took part in free practice for the British Grand Prix last year. She later took part in practice at the 2014 German Grand Prix, as well as in Spain and Britain again this year.
Three cities rewarded playoff football championships
Atlanta, Santa Clara, California, and New Orleans were selected to host College Football Playoff national championship games from a group of nine cities/regions that were vying for the event.
Atlanta will be the site of the championship game scheduled for January 2018. Santa Clara will host the January 2019 title game. New Orleans will be the site of the January 2020 College Football Playoff championship game.
Each of the first six championship games will be held in different states.
This season’s championship game will be held Jan. 11 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which also is the site of the Fiesta Bowl. Next season’s championship game will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
College Sports
Texas to pay former AD nearly $3 million to not work
AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Texas will pay former athletic director Steve Patterson nearly $3 million.
According to documents released by the school Wednesday, the payments stretch through the 2016-2017 academic year and will be reduced if Patterson takes a new job.
Patterson was pressured to resign Sept. 15.
Patterson has agreed not to sue Texas and both sides also agreed not to make disparaging comments about each other.
MLB
Royals’ roster revamping days after taking title
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – All-Star outfielder Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals declined his player option for next season Wednesday and will test free agency for the first time, though he could still return to the World Series champions.
The four-time Gold Glove winner has spent his entire nine-year career with the Royals, who drafted him second overall in 2005. But it has only been in the past few years that he has truly flourished, driving up his value while helping Kansas City to this year’s title.
His decision was the most significant to come down Wednesday as the Royals, just 24 hours after celebrating their championship with a downtown parade, began turning their attention to 2016.
Earlier in the day, the Royals declined mutual options on right fielder Alex Rios and starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. They still had not announced whether they had exercised club options on All-Star reliever Wade Davis, All-Star shortstop Alcides Escobar or outfielder Jonny Gomes.
Greinke gives up big bucks, becomes free agent again
NEW YORK – Pitcher Zack Greinke opted out of the final three years of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, giving up a guaranteed $71 million to become a free agent again.
The Dodgers are expected to make a $15.8 million qualifying offer Friday, which he will certainly reject. Los Angeles then would be eligible to receive an extra draft pick after the first round next year if Greinke signs with another team.
The 32-year-old right-hander was 19-3 with a major league-best 1.66 earned-run average this season, when he struck out 200 in 222 2/3 innings.
Associated Press
