>>NFL Suspends Four Players For Gambling
(Undated) — Four NFL players are out of luck. Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry of the Indianapolis Colts and free agent Demetrius Taylor were suspended indefinitely through at least the 2023 season for betting on NFL games. In addition, Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended six games for betting on other sports at the workplace. The four suspensions were announced Thursday by the NFL. Indianapolis has waived both Rodgers and Berry as a consequence of their suspensions. The NFL said last week that it planned to reinforce its gambling policy to players.
>>NBA Free Agency Preview
(Undated) — NBA free agency begins tonight when teams can start negotiating deals with players. Those contracts will become official on July 6th. Kyrie Irving, Brook Lopez and Kyle Kuzma are among the group of players looking for a new home. Some players such as Khris Middleton, Draymond Green and Fred VanVleet declined their player options to enter unrestricted free agency. Players like Cameron Johnson, Austin Reaves and Grant Williams are restricted free agents that can negotiate a deal with another organization before their team gets the chance to match the offer. The Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings have significant cap space and could be looking to make some major additions.
>>James Harden Opts In; 76ers Explore Trade
(Philadelphia, PA) — James Harden is opting-in to his player option with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, ESPN reports the team is exploring a trade for the 10-time All-Star. The Sixers started making calls to teams on Thursday as it became clearer he would enter free agency. Harden is now signed for one-year at 35.6-million-dollars. Several teams are expected to have interest in the guard including the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks. The Rockets were also rumored to acquire Harden after the 33-year-old was reportedly “torn” between returning back home to Houston or staying in Philadelphia. Free agency begins Friday night.
>>MLB Announces All-Star Game Starters
(Seattle, WA) — Major League Baseball is announcing the starters for this year’s All-Star game. The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers lead in the National League with three starters selected for each club. The Texas Rangers paced the American League with four starters named. Two rookies earned starting positions with Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll and Rangers third baseman Josh Jung slated to start. The rest of the All-Star rosters will be announced on Sunday. The 2023 MLB All-Star game is scheduled for July 11th at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
>>NHL Free Agency Starts Saturday
(Undated) — The NHL draft is over, which means player movement will ramp up across the league. Free agency begins on Saturday at 12PM-Eastern. Several players headline the free agent class including center Ryan O’Reilly, defenseman Matt Dumba, winger Tyler Bertuzzi and defenseman Dimitry Orlov. The Boston Bruins are hoping to keep both Bertuzzi and Orlov after acquiring them at last season’s trade deadline. The New York Rangers are hoping to do the same with a pair of veteran wingers they traded for at the deadline. Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko are both unrestricted free agents. Goaltender Adin Hill is also a free agent after winning the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights. He made just over two-million-dollars last season.
>>Rocket Mortgage Classic Round One Recap
(Detroit, MI) — A pair of players are tied atop the leaderboard after the opening round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club. Taylor Moore and Peter Kuest each shot an eight under 64 in round one. Seven players are tied for third place. Adam Schenk, Sam Bennett and Sam Ryder are among those that finished the first round seven under par. Defending champion Tony Finau is tied for 107th after finishing even. Dylan Wu, Carson Young and Vince Whaley will be among the first group of players teeing off the second round of the tournament.
>>Ross Chastain Aims To Climb Standings At Chicago Street Race
(Chicago, IL) — Ross Chastain is hoping to climb the NASCAR Cup series standings during the organization’s first ever street race this weekend. The drivers roll into Chicago for the Grant Park 220. The course will take the field around Lakefront Green and past Buckingham Fountain for a 100-lap race. Pit road is situated at President’s Paddock Club. Chastain is third in the standings behind Martin Truex Jr. and William Byron while Christopher Bell and Kyle Busch round out the top five. The green flag waves from Chicago on Sunday.
>>NCAA Changes Sports Wagering Violation Policy
(Indianapolis, IN) — Meanwhile, the NCAA has released new sports wagering guidelines. The organization says the punishment handed down to student-athletes will be based on the violation. Players who bet on their team, provide inside information, or influence the outcome of a game due to sports betting could face a permanent loss of collegiate eligibility. Players who place a bet on a different school would lose up to half a season of eligibility.