FIFA slashes price of some World Cup tickets to $60 after global fan backlash
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA slashed the price of some World Cup tickets for teams’ most loyal fans following a global backlash and some will get $60 seats for the final instead of being asked to pay $4,185. FIFA said Tuesday that some $60 tickets will be made available for every game at the tournament in North America, going to the national federations whose teams are playing. Those federations decide how to distribute them to loyal fans who have attended previous games at home and on the road. Fans worldwide reacted with shock and anger last week on seeing FIFA’s ticketing plans that gave participating teams no tickets in the lowest-priced category.
Knicks win NBA Cup after rallying to beat Spurs 124-113
LAS VEGAS (AP) — OG Anunoby scored 28 points and Jalen Brunson added 25 as the New York Knicks rally to beat the Spurs 124-113 and win the NBA Cup. The Knicks can now hang a banner next to their 1973 NBA championship banner in Madison Square Garden. New York's Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds despite battling an injury. The Knicks dominated inside, outrebounding the Spurs 59-42. The Spurs led for much of the game, but the Knicks went on a 13-1 run late in the third quarter to take control. Each Knicks player with a standard contract earns an extra $318,560 for the win.
Mikaela Shiffrin's slalom domination reaching new heights during the Olympic season
COURCHEVEL, France (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin claimed a record-extending 105th World Cup victory after several of her top challengers went out during the opening run of a slalom night race. Shiffrin finished 1.55 seconds ahead of Swiss skier Camille Rast and 1.71 ahead of German racer Emma Aicher. Shiffrin has now won the opening four slaloms of the season and five straight including the final race of last season. Lara Colturi, Zrinka Ljutic and Katharina Liensberger each failed to finish the first run and Wendy Holdener crashed in the finish area. Up next Lindsey Vonn will be back in action this weekend for a downhill and a super-G in nearby Val d’Isere.
Injured Davante Adams not ruled out by McVay for Rams' Thursday night showdown with Seahawks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Davante Adams hasn't been ruled out for the Los Angeles Rams’ showdown at Seattle on Thursday night despite his hamstring injury. Coach Sean McVay said the NFC-leading Rams likely will wait until game time to make a final decision on the availability of the NFL’s touchdown receptions leader. The team remains hopeful Adams can play, although he won’t participate in their walk-throughs and practice Tuesday. Adams got hurt while running a long route in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 41-34 comeback win over the Detroit Lions.
Carlos Alcaraz ends 7-year partnership with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero
Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz is parting ways with his longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Alcaraz announced the end of their seven-year partnership on Wednesday in a message on his social network. With Ferrero, Alcaraz has claimed six Grand Slam titles, including two French Open titles, two Wimbledon crowns, and two US Opens. Alcaraz expressed gratitude, saying Ferrero helped turn his childhood dreams into reality. He reflected on their journey, noting Ferrero's support both on and off the court, and shared his enjoyment of every step together.
Dolphins considering a change at QB after Tua Tagovailoa's continued struggles
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is considering a quarterback change after Tua Tagovailoa’s continued struggles this season. Those were magnified in Monday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that eliminated Miami from playoff contention for the second straight season. Tagovailoa threw for just 65 yards through three quarters, and the areas in which he has appeared to regress were evident again, from questionable decision-making to a lack of mobility that has hampered him throughout the season. McDaniel said he would give “more clarity” on his quarterback decision on Wednesday.
Losing to Jake Paul would be 'awfully embarrassing' for Joshua, says promoter Hearn
LONDON (AP) — Anthony Joshua's promoter says it would be “an absolute disaster and awfully embarrassing" if the British fighter lost to Jake Paul or was even taken the distance in their eight-round bout. Writing in a column for the BBC, Eddie Hearn acknowledges it is “crazy" that Joshua is getting in the ring with Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer. The 36-year-old Joshua is a former two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist. Hearn says the fight is part of a strategy to reignite the 36-year-old Joshua’s career while also giving him “one of his career-high paydays” for a bout on Friday that will be shown on Netflix.
Celebrini's spin-o-rama goal helps him become fastest Sharks player to 50 points
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Macklin Celebrini has become the fastest San Jose player to reach 50 points in a season. He achieved the milestone with a spectacular spin-o-rama goal during a four-point night as the Sharks defeated the Calgary Flames 6-3 on Tuesday. Celebrini, just 19 and in his second NHL season, has 18 goals and 33 assists in 34 games. Only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby reached 50 points faster as teenagers. Celebrini's performance is a key factor in San Jose's current playoff position after the team struggled mightily in previous seasons. His exceptional play is gaining him respect across the league.
Indiana's Curt Cignetti becomes the first back-to-back winner of AP coach of the year
Curt Cignetti has been named The Associated Press coach of the year in college football for the second consecutive season. He is the first coach to win the award back-to-back since it was first presented in 1998. Cignetti has led Indiana to unprecedented success, with a 24-2 record over two seasons. The Hoosiers are 13-0 this year, Big Ten champions for the first time since 1967, and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. Cignetti received 47 first-place votes. Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea received two each, and Virginia’s Tony Elliott got one.
Terence Crawford, boxing's top pound-for-pound fighter, retires on top with 42-0 record
Terence Crawford has announced his retirement from boxing. The 38-year-old is going out on top, having claimed the title of best pound-four-pound boxer with a convincing victory over Canelo Alvarez in September. Crawford is the only male boxer to capture three unified division titles, which he accomplished with that unanimous decision over Alvarez before 70,482 fans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. That gave Crawford the super middleweight championship and a 42-0 record with 31 knockouts. His final 20 bouts came with a belt on the line. In a video released Tuesday, Crawford says he's at peace with his decision.
