Golf
Two tied for LPGA lead in Portland after one round
PORTLAND, Ore. – Amy Anderson and Sandra Changkija shared the first-round lead at 7-under 65 on Thursday in the LPGA Tour’s Cambia Portland Classic.
In warm, calm afternoon conditions, Anderson had five consecutive birdies on the front nine in her bogey-free round at Columbia Edgewater. Changkija, playing in the morning, made six birdies on her opening nine and reached 8 under before finishing with a bogey.
MLB
League seeks diversity in administrative positions
CHICAGO – Major League Baseball hired a search firm to help prepare candidates for openings in baseball operations throughout the league with special emphasis for minority and female candidates.
There has never been a female general manager in baseball, and there are few women and minorities on that side of the organizational structure in the sport.
MLB had a minority interview requirement in place for several years, but Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league feels the agreement with Korn Ferry “might be able to improve the effectiveness of the rule by making minority candidates who get an interview more effective in that interview process.”
NBA
League and referees will recommit for seven years
NEW YORK – The NBA and the National Basketball Referees Association reached a deal on a seven-year collective bargaining agreement.
The league and the referees’ union announced the deal Thursday. It replaces the agreement that was set to expire at the end of the upcoming season.
“The NBA takes great pride in our world-class referee program and we are pleased to extend the league’s partnership with the NBRA for another seven years,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
NFL
Broken jaw surgery to keep Smith out for 6-10 weeks
NEW YORK – New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith had surgery on his broken jaw two days after being punched by former teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali.
The Jets announced that Smith, whom head coach Todd Bowles said was expected to be sidelined 6-10 weeks, underwent the procedure Thursday. Smith had plates and screws placed into his jaw, which has not been wired shut.
Smith remained hospitalized overnight.
Tennis
Kyrgios will have to put money where mouth was
MONTREAL – The ATP fined Nick Kyrgios $10,000 on Thursday for his “insulting comment” toward French Open champion Stan Wawrinka during a match at the Rogers Cup.
On Wednesday night, a courtside microphone picked up Kyrgios saying that fellow Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis had slept with a player who is reportedly Wawrinka’s girlfriend.
The $10,000 is the maximum fine allowed by the ATP rule book for incidents of verbal abuse or unsportsmanlike conduct. Also, the ATP fined Kyrgios an additional $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct related to a comment made to a ball person during the match. The tour said Kyrgios has been served with a “Notice of Investigation,” which begins a process to determine if his actions also constitute a violation of the “Player Major Offense” provisions set forth under “Aggravated Behavior” or “Conduct Contrary to the Integrity of the Game.”
Associated Press
