Hockey
Hockey on ESPN? Network awarded World Cup rights
ESPN is getting back into broadcasting professional hockey after landing the U.S. rights for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association, who are overseeing the eight-team international tournament, jointly announced the decision Wednesday. ESPN was selected ahead of NBC Sports Group, which is in the midst of a 10-year contract to broadcast NHL regular-season and playoff games through 2020-21.
ESPN was the NHL’s U.S. broadcaster from 1992 through the league’s lockout that wiped out the entire 2004-05 season.
MLB
Year-long suspension ends for A-Rod in Spring Training
TAMPA, Fla. – Alex Rodriguez returned to the New York Yankees after an absence of more than 17 months, lining a single into short left field in his first at-bat and going 1-for-2 with a walk in a 3-1 spring-training loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.
Greeted by a 10-second mix of boos and cheers from the crowd of 9,673 as he stepped into the batter’s box for his first game following a one-year drug suspension, Rodriguez was wearing the Yankees’ white uniform with pinstripes for the team’s exhibition season home opener rather than the usual dark blue jersey used in exhibition games.
MLS
Potential strike avoided with new five-year CBA
Major League Soccer and its players’ union have agreed in principle to a five-year labor contract, averting a possible strike ahead of Friday’s season opener.
The deal, the culmination of talks that began last weekend, was announced Wednesday night and would replace the contract that expired Jan. 31.
MLS’s 20th season begins this weekend, with the defending champion Los Angeles Galaxy hosting the Chicago Fire in the opener.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber says “this agreement will provide a platform for our players, ownership and management to work together to help build Major League Soccer into one of the great soccer leagues in the world.”
NFL
With Peterson’s status in question, Vikings pay visit
The Minnesota Vikings made their in-person pitch to Adrian Peterson.
General manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer spent about four hours Wednesday afternoon at Peterson’s home north of Houston. Photographers captured Spielman and Zimmer leaving together, dressed in sport coats and blue jeans.
This was the first meeting they’ve had with Peterson since the star running back was placed on the exempt list in mid-September following his indictment in a child abuse case involving his 4-year-old son.
Soccer
Solo returns to USWNT goal at the Algarve Cup
Carli Lloyd scored two goals, and the U.S. women’s national team opened the Algarve Cup in Portugal with a 2-1 victory over Norway on Wednesday.
Trailing 1-0 at the half, Lloyd evened the match with a goal in the 56th minute before putting the United States ahead on a penalty kick about six minutes later at the Municipal Stadium in Vila Real de San Antonio.
Hope Solo made her first appearance in goal for the second-ranked U.S. women this year following a 30-day suspension from the team.
Ada Hegenberg scored against Solo with a header late in the first half to give No. 12 Norway the lead.
The United States has won the Algarve Cup nine times in the tournament’s 22-year history.
Associated Press
