College Sports
Late Tuesday night, the NCAA released a statement in which it says the Board of Governors unanimously approved a two-year contract extension for President Mark Emmert that keeps him under contract through the end of 2025. The announcement comes amidst a hectic last few months for the NCAA, having to confront issues such as the inequalities between men’s and women’s March Madness and the name, image and likeness fight in state and federal courtrooms across the country.
Baseball
The Pioneer Baseball League is thinking outside the batter’s box to resolve tied games. The independent league announced it will employ a “Knock Out” rule that involves a “sudden death” home run duel instead of extra innings. Each team’s hitter would get five pitches, and the game determined by most homers hit.
Extra rounds would follow if the game is still tied. League officials say it’s a “first-of-its-kind” rule and an effort to “avoid the excessive strain” on pitching staffs. The short-season professional minor league has teams in Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.
NHL
The Nashville Predators held a one-goal lead after two periods, but the Florida Panthers scored four in the third to win a barn burner, 7-4. Ryan Ellis scored twice for the Preds, and Luke Kunin and Tanner Jeannot had the other two tallies. The Panthers peppered pucks on Juuse Saros, who totaled 49 saves on the night.
Florida clinched a playoff berth with the win, meaning there’s only one spot remaining in the Central Division, and the Preds currently hold that spot by two points over the Dallas Stars with five games remaining.
NFL
There won’t be much drama surrounding Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s fifth-year option. Head coach John Harbaugh told The Rich Eisen show Tuesday that it’s a “guarantee” the franchise will pick up the option for their signal caller. Jackson was drafted by Baltimore in 2018 out of Louisville and has helped turn the franchise into a contender. He’s guaranteed to make 23.1-million dollars in 2022.