College Football
The countdown is on for the brand new SEC Network
HOOVER, Ala. – Some Southeastern Conference fans are still waiting to see if the SEC Network will be available in their living rooms next month.
The network will carry 45 football games in the upcoming season. ESPN and the SEC already have reached deals with providers like AT&T U-Verse, Cox Communications and DISH Network.
Talks continue with other major providers.
Gymnastics
Douglas says goodbye to her coach for a second time
Olympic champion Gabby Douglas is searching for a new coach after leaving Liang Chow following their brief stint back together.
Douglas, the all-around champion at the 2012 Olympics, went back to Chow’s gym in April but decided to part ways again after a reunion that lasted less than three months.
Last month, the 18-year-old said she hoped to compete in the all-around at this year’s nationals, set for Aug. 21-24.
She originally left Chow last August, sparking questions about whether she would try for a repeat Olympic title. Going back into the gym with Chow was a first step, but now her future seems less certain.
No woman has repeated as all-around Olympic champion since 1968.
MLB
Captain’s farewell had TV’s tuned into All-Star Game
NEW YORK – Derek Jeter’s final All-Star appearance helped boost television ratings.
The American League’s 5-3 win Tuesday in Minneapolis averaged more than 11.3 million viewers on Fox, up from 11 million for last year’s game at the Mets’ Citi Field in New York. The rating was up 9 percent for the first full half-hour, when the retiring Yankees shortstop first stepped to the plate.
The network said Wednesday that the 7.0 fast national rating was the highest since 2010. The 2012 edition set a record low with a 6.8.
NBA
Stephenson’s antics blowing into Charlotte to join Hornets
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A person familiar with the contract says free-agent shooting guard Lance Stephenson has agreed to a $27 million, three-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets.
The deal includes a team option for the third season.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been made public. The person says Stephenson is expected to be introduced at a news conference Friday.
Stephenson met with Hornets owner Michael Jordan and other members of the organization Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Stephenson is coming off his best NBA season, averaging 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He led the league with five triple-doubles.
NFL
Former Broncos quarterback released from Dallas deal
IRVING, Texas – Quarterback Kyle Orton was released Wednesday by the Dallas Cowboys, an expected move after Tony Romo’s backup was a no-show during offseason workouts.
Orton skipped the workouts amid reports that he was considering retirement. He was subjected to about $70,000 in fines for failing to report during the offseason and missing the mandatory minicamp in June.
The Cowboys report to training camp in California next week with Brandon Weeden as the backup quarterback.
Weeden, Cleveland’s first-round draft pick in 2012, signed with the Cowboys in March and worked with the first team during the offseason while Romo recovered from back surgery.
Orton threw for 15,019 yards with 83 touchdowns and 59 interceptions in 75 career games for Chicago (2005-08), Denver (2009-11), Kansas City (2011) and Dallas (2012-13). He was 35-35 as a starter.
Associated Press
