NFL
NFL owners have approved several rule changes for 2021. Among them are expanded oversight from replay officials, an experiment to make onside kick recovery easier, and the elimination of preseason overtime. Also, more players will also be allowed to wear single-digit numbers.
NFL clubs will find out their 2021 schedules next month as the league will release the full regular-season slate in prime time on May 12th on NFL Network, NFL.com, and the NFL app. The schedule will feature 17 regular season and three preseason games for the first time ever.
NHL
The Nashville Predators led by three goals midway through the third period, but could not hold it in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Blackhawks in Chicago. Mikael Granlund had a goal and an assist for Nashville. Luke Kunin scored early in the final period to give Nashville a 4-1 advantage. The two teams conclude their series tomorrow night in Chicago.
NBA
The Memphis Grizzlies led by 15 points after one quarter before fading in a 117-105 loss to the Clippers in LA. Ja Morant led Memphis with 22 points. Memphis plays tomorrow night in Portland.
Auto Racing
The Indianapolis 500 is set to be the largest sporting event in the world since the start of the pandemic with 135-thousand spectators permitted to attend next month. Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced Wednesday that it worked with local health officials to determine the 40-percent venue capacity permitted for the May 30th race. The speedway is the largest sporting facility in the world and typically hosts 400-thousand on race day throughout the entire property.
Golf
Princeton’s Emma Talley had a three over par 74 Wednesday in her opening round of the LPGA Tour’s Hugel-Air Premia LA Open in Los Angeles. Jessica Korda at seven under 64 leads by a stroke going into today’s second round.
The unique PGA Tour Zurich Classic tees off today at TPC Louisiana outside of New Orleans. Golfers will be paired with two rounds of best-ball and two rounds of alternate shot to determine a champ on Sunday. Jon Rahm and Ryan Palmer won the event in 2019, while the pandemic canceled it last year.