MCILROY, JOHNSON HEADLINE MATCH
golf returns to television in just under two weeks with a $3 million charity skins match for COVID-19 relief that includes Rory Mcilroy, Dustin Johnson and the broadcast debut of fabled Seminole Golf Club.
Mcilroy and Johnson, both major champions who have reached No. 1 in the world, will face Oklahoma State alumni Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff in an event billed as the “Taylormade Driving Relief.”
Unitedhealth Group Inc. is backing the $3 million donation. Mcilroy and Johnson are playing for the American Nurses Foundation, while Fowler and Wolff will play for the CDC Foundation.
All four players have endorsements and relationships with the groups involved. Farmers Insurance has pledged $1 million for a birdies-and-eagle pool to benefit “Off Their Plate,” which supports COVID-19 health care workers. PGA Tour Charities will have a “text-to-donate” online program for viewers to pledge additional money.
NFL
The NFL is moving its five games scheduled for London and Mexico City this season back to U.S. stadiums because of the pandemic. All five regular-season games will be played at the stadiums of the host teams. The league will announce the full NFL schedule on Thursday at 5 p.m. PT.
• The Ravens signed veteran inside linebacker Jake Ryan to a one-year deal, the team announced, adding more depth at the position after selecting two linebackers in the draft.
• The Bears signed 13year verteran wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to a one-year contract,
• The Cowboys officially signed quarterback Andy Dalton and waived Cooper Rush, who had been the backup to Dak Prescott since the middle of the 2017 season.
• Former third-round pick Nazair Jones was one of four players waived by the Seahawks as the team reached its 90-man roster limit.
• The Colts decided not to exercise their fifth-year option on starting safety Malik Hooker, which could make him an unrestricted free agent after next season. the team announced.
College basketball
Louisville has received a notice of allegations from the NCAA that accuses the men’s basketball program of committing a Level I violation with an improper recruiting offer and extra benefits and several Level II violations that accuse former Cardinals coach Rick Pitino of failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance.
• The women’s committee will start using the NCAA Evaluation Tool instead of RPI to help evaluate teams for the tournament starting with the upcoming season.
Soccer
The National Women’s Soccer League will allow voluntary, individual workouts at outdoor team practice fields starting Wednesday. The league’s announcement follows a similar decision by Major League Soccer. The nine-team NWSL was supposed to start the season April 18 but it was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
• The German league reported 10 positive tests for the coronavirus among 36 clubs in the Bundesliga and second division.
• Hertha Berlin suspended and heavily criticized its striker Salomon Kalou for broadcasting a livestream showing sociallive distancing measures being flouted at the club.
Tennis
The governing bodies of tennis plan to announce as soon as this week they are launching a fund of more than $6 million aimed at lessening the financial effects of the pandemic for about 800 singles and doubles players. If $6 million were evenly distributed to 800 players, each would get $7,500.
• World Teamtennis, including the San Diego Aviators, is in discussions with several cities in an attempt to find one to host the league’s full nine-team schedule in one venue without spectators amid the pandemic.
Horse racing
Monmouth Park plans to start its delayed thoroughbred season on July 3. The track near the New Jersey shore announced a trimmed-down stakes schedule. The meet will run 37 days and feature 35 stakes worth more than $5 million. The highlight is the $1 million Tvg.com Haskell on July 18.
• French organizer France Galop says Paris police have given the green light for horse racing to resume next Monday, when France starts to ease its coronavirus lockdown in place since March 17.
Also
Live baseball is back on ESPN — from South Korea. ESPN announced it will televise six Korean Baseball Organization League games a week.
• Clippers owner Steve Ballmer completed his purchase of The Forum in Inglewood from Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. for $400 million.
• Women’s flag football will become a varsity sport for NAIA schools by next year, the organization announced.