MLB
Multiple reports indicate Alex Cora has been re-hired as manager of the Boston Red Sox. Cora led the Red Sox to the 2018 World Series title, but mutually agreed to part with the club amid the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. He was suspended for one season by Major League Baseball for his role in the scandal.
The Red Sox went 24-36 in the 60-game shortened 2020 season and decided not to retain manager Ron Roenicke, who replaced Cora in January after serving on his coaching staff.
NFL
ESPN reports the Pittsburgh Steelers have been fined a total of $350,000 for mask violations in the win against the Baltimore Ravens. The team was fined $250,000 for not wearing masks, while coach Mike Tomlin was fined $100,000 for not wearing his mask.
The Las Vegas Raiders were fined $500,000 Thursday and stripped of a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft and coach Jon Gruden has been fined an additional $150,000 by the league for what a source described to ESPN as “brazen and repeated violations” of COVID-19 protocols.
In total, Las Vegas has racked up $1.185 million in fines so far this season for breaking COVID-19 protocols and the Raiders are the first team to lose a draft pick over the violations.
NBA
CBS Sports.com reports the NBA Players Association approved late last night a tentative agreement for starting the 2020-21 season on December 22nd. The schedule would be 72 games in length with teams reportedly expected to be in training camp December 1st.