ICE HOCKEY
Vegas, Quebec in final stage
Las Vegas and Quebec City are moving closer in their bids to land an NHL franchise. A Bill Foley-led group and Montreal-based communications giant Quebecor are in the third and final stage of a process to potentially bring the world’s top hockey league to Las Vegas and Quebec City respectively. “They have been invited to make presentations to the executive committee on Tuesday,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an e-mail. Later in the day, the committee was to report to the NHL board of governors. “Evaluation process will continue,” Daly wrote. “No defined timeline.” Quebecor spokesman Martin Tremblay and Michelle Kersch, spokeswoman for Foley’s group, confirmed their groups are to make a presentation. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman earlier this month said the league is “not feeling any timeline pressure,” in the expansion process. Bettman has proposed an expansion fee of US$500 million, a significant jump from the US$80 million fee paid by the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild when the NHL last expanded to 30 teams in 2000. It is expected to take at least two years before the NHL would potentially have 32 teams playing. The league has examined each market and both groups’ arena plans after they were chosen out of 16 expansion applicants.
BASEBALL
Tulowitzki soon to return
Toronto shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on Monday tested his injured shoulder by taking batting practice and expects to return in time for the post-season. Tulowitzki has not played since Sept. 12 last year, when he cracked his scapula and bruised muscles in his upper back after colliding with teammate Kevin Pillar in a game against the Yankees. After taking between 30 and 40 swings, Tulowitzki said: “Hitting is the last thing. This is pretty much the first time I have hit live.” Tulowitzki took a few cuts outside before rain forced him to conclude the session indoors. The Blue Jays obtained Tulowitzki from Colorado on July 28 in a multiplayer deal. He was batting just .232 with the Blue Jays, but they are 30-8 with him in the starting lineup. Manager John Gibbons said Tulowitzki could return sometime this week. The Blue Jays entered Monday’s game against the Orioles with a magic number of four to clinch the AL East title. Asked if he expected to be ready for the post-season, Tulowitzki replied: “Definitely.”
BASEBALL
Nationals suspend Papelbon
Washington Nationals pitcher Jonathan Papelbon was suspended for four games without pay on Monday following his dugout brawl with star outfielder Bryce Harper, the Major League Baseball team said in a statement. Papelbon on Sunday lunged at Harper in an ugly confrontation that added insult to injury after the Nationals were officially eliminated from playoff contention a day earlier. “The behavior exhibited by Papelbon yesterday is not acceptable,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement announcing the punishment. “That is not at all in line with the way our players are expected to conduct themselves, and the Nationals organization will not tolerate it in any way.” The four-game suspension is to begin after Papelbon completes a three-game ban issued by MLB following a separate incident in a match against the Baltimore Orioles last week, effectively ruling Papelbon out for the remainder of the season. Papelbon accepted responsibility for the fight. “I am in the wrong there,” Papelbon said. “There is a lot of competition and it’s a long season. It is a grind.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely