FOOTBALL
Brady trying out new helmet
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is breaking in a new helmet this exhibition season, yet another sign the 41-year-old quarterback is planning to play next year. Brady’s old helmet is among the models being phased out by the NFL, because tests showed that it is not as effective at protecting against concussions. The new rules take effect next season, but Brady used a compliant helmet in last week’s pre-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles instead of the one he has had through most of his NFL career. Brady said he was still tweaking the new model to make sure the mask allows for the same comfort and peripheral vision as the one he was used to. He said he asked his teammates if he looked younger or faster in it. “They said yes, so I might keep it,” Brady said.
GOLF
Woods, Mickelson to duel
The winner-take-all match between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson is on. WarnerMedia said it has secured the rights for a pay-per-view event it is promoting as “The Match,” which is to feature 18 holes between Woods and Mickelson on Thanksgiving weekend at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas. The winner is to receive US$9 million. The pay-per-view cost is to be announced later. Woods announced that the match was on in a tweet, setting off Twitter banter with Mickelson, who only signed up for a Twitter account on Wednesday. Pay-per-view coverage would be distributed through Turner’s B/R Live, AT&T DirecTV and U-verse, as well as on other on-demand platforms, WarnerMedia said. Woods and Mickelson are to make side bets during the match on things such as longest drive or closest to the pin.
ICE HOCKEY
The Cup to visit Humboldt
The Washington Capitals’ Chandler Stephenson is today to take the Stanley Cup to Canada in the hopes of providing a lift to the Saskatchewan town of Humboldt, home to the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team. A bus crash in April killed 16 people, including 11 members of the team. Stephenson is from nearby Saskatoon. He said he knew he wanted to use his time with the Stanley Cup to take the famous trophy to Humboldt, adding that the community deserves to have a good day. Members of the Broncos organization are to be around Stephenson and the Stanley Cup for a private function before he takes the trophy to a public event in the afternoon that is to feature street hockey with a handful of NHL players.
RUGBY UNION
Cipriani escapes with fines
England flyhalf Danny Cipriani is not to face further sanction by the Rugby Football Union following an incident at a nightclub in Jersey last week that left a female police officer bruised. The union had charged Cipriani with “conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game” following his conviction for common assault and resisting arrest. He was fined £2,000 (US$2,582) and ordered to pay £250 in compensation to the officer after pleading guilty to common assault at Jersey Magistrates’ Court. He was on Monday also fined £2,000 and told to undertake 10 hours of community service by his club, Gloucester Rugby. A disciplinary panel on Wednesday upheld the union charges, but decided the punishment handed out to him by magistrates and the club was sufficient.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and