College Sports
Southeastern Conference schools will honor the scholarships of athletes who opt not to participate in fall competition because of concerns about COVID-19. The league announced the decision Friday, saying the athletes will remain in good standing with their team. SEC presidents and chancellors voted unanimously on the issue based on a recommendation of the league’s athletic directors. The SEC hasn’t announced plans for football and other fall sports yet. The league said it will determine later if the policy should be extended at least to the spring semester.
A report from ESPN has found that most of the highest-paid coaches at the college ranks have not taken voluntary pay cuts, despite a wave of salary reductions through the Power 5 programs amid the coronavirus pandemic. In looking at the 65 Power 5 schools along with 10 other prominent basketball programs, the survey found that at 33 of the 75 schools, at least either the football and basketball coach had agreed to have his pay cut. However, eight of the top 10 highest-paid football coaches, and half of the top 10 highest-paid basketball coaches did not have their salaries reduced.
College Football
Indiana University has put its voluntary football workouts on hold after six participants tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Athletic department protocols require each person with a positive test to self-isolate until further notice as contract tracing begins. Anyone deemed to be in close contact with someone who has
tested positive also will be quarantined.
MLB
Five more baseball players tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week, raising the total to 80 since testing started in late June. Major League Baseball and the players’ association said six of 10,548 samples were new positives in the week ending Thursday. In addition to players, one staff member tested positive.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco and free agent outfielder Yaisel Puig both tested positive for COVID-19 Friday while New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu and Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman both returned to the field after missing time with the virus.
NFL
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green signed his one-year, $17.9 million contract after the deadline to agree on a long-term deal passed. The team used its franchise tag on Green, who missed the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury. Green said he has no hard feelings towards the team, and has come to terms with the tag.
Golf
On the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods had a strong finish in the second round at The Memorial, just making the cut in his first tournament in five months. Woods, who has won the event a record five times, finished birdie-birdie-par for a 4-over 76, and sits 12 shots back of leaders Tony Finau and Ryan Palmer. Woods is 3-over for the tournament, right at the cut line. This is the 18th time he has participated in the tournament, and he has never missed the cut. Meanwhile, Louisville area native Justin Thomas sits at three under par, good for a tie for 16th.
The 82nd edition of the Irvin Cobb Golf Championship tees off Saturday morning at Paxton Park Golf Course in Paducah. Princeton’s Emma Talley will be the first woman to play in the event as the LPGA Tour golfer tees off at 11:59 am. Six time Cobb winner and PGA Tour Champions member Russ Cochran tees off at 1:48 pm. A number of area amateurs and professionals are also in the field.
NASCAR
The NASCAR Cup series is back in action tomorrow with the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Aric Almirola will sit on the pole.