SPORTS SHORTS
HOOPS: NCAA walks back ‘Rich Paul Rule’
The NCAA has backtracked on new certification standards and will no longer require a bachelor’s degree for a sports agent to represent Division I men’s basketball players who declare for the NBA draft while maintaining college eligibility.
The requirement drew criticism last week when the certification standards were revealed, including a social media blast by NBA star LeBron James. The requirement was quickly dubbed the “Rich Paul Rule” in reference to James’ agent, who does not have a college degree.
The NCAA announced Monday it would amend the standards so bachelor’s degrees would not be required for agents currently certified and in good standing with the NBA players union.
The amended policy still requires the agent to be certified by the NBPA for at least three consecutive years, as well as taking an in-person examination, going through a background check and paying required fees.
Kyle Lowry of the NBA champion Raptors says his surgically repaired thumb has not recovered sufficiently enough to allow him to participate with USA Basketball in camp for the FIBA World Cup, and is withdrawing from consideration for the team.
MLB: Santana’s clutch HR lifts Tribe into first
Carlos Santana homered leading off the ninth inning to send the Indians to a 6-5 win in Cleveland over the fastfading Red Sox and back into first-place in the AL Central.
After the Red Sox tied it in the top of the inning, Santana connected on a 2-2 pitch from Marcus Walden, barely driving it over the wall in left to give the Indians their biggest win this season. The Indians moved past the idle Twins and are alone in first for the first time since April 19.
In Washington, Trea Turner and Matt Adams homered, Erick Fedde pitched well after allowing a solo shot on the game’s first pitch and the depleted Nationals held on to edge the Reds 7-6.
ETC.: Report: Running backs want own union
A petition reportedly has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to create a separate union for NFL running backs.
According to the website Law360, the petition was filed Thursday by the International Brotherhood of Professional Running Backs and focuses on the shorter careers for players at the position.
“These employees have unique career structures; and the current one-size fits all unit is inappropriate,” the petition says of players’ representation by the NFL Players Association. “Excluded: All other player groups,” it said.
Francis Jacobs is the youngest male player ever to sign a pro soccer contract in the U.S., according to USL Championship club Orange County SC. Jacobs, of Laguna Beach, Calif., was 14 years, four months and 29 days old when he signed his deal in July, a month younger than Freddy Adu was when he signed with DC United of the MLS in November 2003.