>>Running Backs Remain Unsigned
(Undated) — A pair of star running backs are without a contract heading into the season. Monday’s deadline for franchise players to agree to long-term contracts passed without deals for the Giants’ Saquon Barkley or Raiders’ Josh Jacobs. Both backs have stayed away from their teams’ offseason programs and will not be fined if they decide to skip training camp. Veterans of the Giants and Raiders are expected to report next week. Cowboys’ running back Tony Pollard was also unable to come to a long-term agreement, but had already signed his tender. The 26-year-old will play the 2023 season on a one-year deal for just over 10-million-dollars.
>>Former Commanders VP Sues Team For Defamation
(Undated) — The former vice president of sales and customer service of the Washington Commanders is suing the organization. Jason Friedman has filed a 15-page suit in the civil division of Loudoun County District Court on a defamation claim. In the lawsuit, Friedman is asking for 7.5-million-dollars in compensatory damages and another 350-thousand-dollars in punitive damages. The lawsuit stated that “The Team responded to Mr. Friedman’s allegations of financial improprieties by repeatedly and publicly calling him a liar, accusing him of committing the federal crime of perjury, and falsely implying that he was terminated as part of the Team’s sexual harassment scandal that was being widely reported in the press.”
>>Cavaliers Crush Rockets In Las Vegas Summer League Final
(Las Vegas, NV) — The Cavaliers are earning their first ever Las Vegas Summer League championship. Cleveland crushed the Houston Rockets 99-78 in the title game at the Thomas and Mack Center in Sin City. Isaiah Mobley led the charge with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Sam Merrill added 27 points in the victory. The Cavs were a perfect 6-and-oh in Las Vegas. Nate Hinton paced the Rockets with 18 points in the losing effort. Cam Whitmore chipped in 14 points after being named the 2023 Summer League MVP earlier in the day.
>>Astros, Aces To Visit White House In August
(Washington, DC) — A pair of championship teams are set to visit President Joe Biden at the White House next month. The Houston Astros will visit on August 7th to celebrate their 2022 World Series title, while the Las Vegas Aces are set to be honored for their 2022 WNBA title on August 25th. The Astros claimed their second title in the last six years with a win over the Philadelphia Phillies last season. The Aces won their first-ever championship and the first title for the city of Las Vegas with a Finals win over the Connecticut Sun last year.
>>Truex Jr. Wins Third NASCAR Cup Series Race
(Loudon, NH) — Martin Truex Jr. is claiming his third NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season following a Crayon 301 victory in Loudon. The driver of the number-19 car cruised to the winner’s circle after leading 254 of the 301 laps. Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top five finishers. Will Byron, who won the Quaker State 400 in the last race, came in 24th. The field will stay east for the HighPoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday.