Auto Racing
American driver joins F1’s Marussia as a reserve
BUDAPEST, Hungary – Marussia said Alexander Rossi of the United States joined the Formula One team as its new reserve driver.
Rossi was in the same role with the Caterham team for two years and also competed in the GP2 development series.
The Russian team has been competing in F1 since 2012 and has two points this season after 10 races.
Rossi, who said the move was “the next step” in his F1 career, joined the team Thursday ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix on the Hungaroring.
NFL
Jon Bon Jovi entertains idea of Buffalo in Canada
BUFFALO, N.Y. – A person close to the situation said a Buffalo Bills prospective ownership group that includes rocker Jon Bon Jovi conducted a feasibility study into buying the NFL franchise and building a stadium in Toronto.
The person said the study identified at least three potential stadium sites, two in Toronto, including one on the waterfront, and another in the suburb of Mississauga. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because Bon Jovi and his partners, the Rogers family and Larry Tanenbaum, have not publicly revealed details of their plans to purchase the team.
Andy Bergmann, responsible for overseeing the Bon Jovi group’s stadium plans, confirmed Thursday in an email to the AP that his company has conducted stadium studies “but nothing related to specific sites.”
NFL suspends Rice for his domestic violence arrest
OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice received a two-game suspension from the NFL on Thursday after his offseason arrest for domestic violence.
Rice will miss the season opener against AFC North champion Cincinnati on Sept. 7 and the Sept. 11 game Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The six-year veteran was arrested after a Feb. 15 altercation in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in which he allegedly struck then-fiancee and current wife Janay Palmer. The 27-year-old Rice has been accepted into a diversion program, which upon completion could lead to the charges being expunged.
Rice met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last month after joining the diversion program. Goodell ultimately decided to suspend the running back for two games without pay and fine him an additional game check “for conduct detrimental to the NFL in violation of the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.”
Soccer
New York City FC of the MLS pairs Lampard with Villa
NEW YORK – The newest team in Major League Soccer is doing its part to fill Yankee Stadium with stars.
New York City FC introduced Frank Lampard in Brooklyn on Thursday after signing the 36-year-old former Chelsea midfielder to a two-year contract.
The club, owned by Manchester City of the Premier League and the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball, previously signed David Villa of Atletico Madrid. They will begin play in 2015.
Lampard, who has scored 211 goals for Chelsea and England, became the latest international star to move to MLS. Most famous was David Beckham, who joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 from Real Madrid.
Tennis
No. 62 Mayer withdraws from this year’s U.S. Open
NEW YORK – Florian Mayer pulled out of the U.S. Open.
The 62nd-ranked German hasn’t played since March. He missed the French Open and Wimbledon.
The 30-year-old Mayer’s best Grand Slam finish was twice reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. He never has advanced past the third round at Flushing Meadows. Mayer has been ranked as high as 18th.
Associated Press
