BASKETBALL
Kidd signs extension
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed Coach Jason Kidd to a three-year contract extension. The team said Tuesday the agreement will keep Kidd in his position through the 2019-20 season. Bucks co-owner Wes Edens said the team thinks there is "no better fit to lead our young and talented roster." Kidd said the Bucks' coaches "still have work to do but we're committed to the goal of building a team that consistently competes for titles." He is entering the last year of a three-year deal with Milwaukee initially signed in 2014. He is 74-90 over his first two seasons in Milwaukee, including a 41-victory season and playoff appearance in 2014-15. Kidd also coached in Brooklyn for one season, guiding the Nets to a 44-38 record and a playoff appearance in 2013-14.
Afflalo, Williams opt out
Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams have informed the New York Knicks that they are opting out of their contracts, a league source said. Afflalo was set to make $8 million next season and Williams $4.6 million. These moves, which were expected, should open roughly $13 million more to use when free agency begins July 1. The Knicks could have around $35 million to spend on free agents, but that depends on other transactions. Their needs in free agency are both backcourt positions. There's still a chance that Williams could return. He would fit well in new Coach Jeff Hornacek's up-tempo system. Williams, the No. 2 pick in the 2011 draft, averaged 9.3 points in 80 games last season. Afflalo, whom the Knicks signed last year to be their starting shooting guard, ended the season as a reserve and wasn't happy with his role. He averaged 12.8 points.
Cajuns recruit dies
Louisiana-Lafayette basketball recruit Herman Williams has died while playing basketball in his home state of Florida. Ragin' Cajuns Coach Bob Marlin said the death of Williams, 19, has hit his program hard. Authorities are investigating the cause of death after Williams collapsed on a court in his hometown and could not be revived. Williams was a standout player at Mariana High School in Jackson County, Fla., averaging 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists while leading the Bulldogs to 20 victories and a playoff appearance in his senior season.
Plain Dealer prints 1/2 M
Overwhelming demand for a piece of history has prompted The Plain Dealer newspaper to print nearly 500,000 copies of its Monday edition proclaiming the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA champions. Newspaper officials said Tuesday that the normal press run for a Monday is around 36,000 copies, but the newspaper printed 180,000 copies to mark one of the biggest sporting events in city history. Fans began flocking to the Plain Dealer's suburban printing plant early Monday to buy copies after the Cavs clinched the title. Demand prompted the newspaper to print an additional 300,000 copies later Monday. Stores were restocked numerous times Monday after the newspaper printed extras. Interstate 480 exits next to the printing plant were jammed with cars Tuesday as more people headed there to pick up newspapers.
HOCKEY
Kings' Lecavalier retires
Los Angeles Kings forward Vincent Lecavalier has retired after 17 NHL seasons. Lecavalier formally confirmed his previously announced retirement Tuesday. Lecavalier, 36, spent his first 14 NHL seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, winning the Stanley Cup in 2004. He had a disappointing tenure in Philadelphia before joining the Kings in January and declaring that the 2015-16 season would be his last. Lecavalier was revitalized in Los Angeles, scoring 10 goals and seven assists in 42 games. He showed his skills hadn't evaporated while filling a major role for the Kings, who were eliminated from the first round of the postseason by San Jose. Lecavalier scored 949 points in 1,212 regular-season games, including 421 goals. Lecavalier has said he has no major plans for retirement beyond fatherhood.
Callahan has hip surgery
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan has undergone surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip and will be sidelined about five months, which means he will not play for Team USA in the World Cup of Hockey. Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman said the operation Tuesday was performed by Dr. Bryan Kelly in New York. Callahan appeared in 73 games last season, finishing with 10 goals and 28 points. He also played in 16 playoff games, notching two goals and four points in helping the Lightning reach the Eastern Conference final. With Callahan out of the World Cup of Hockey, it opens up a spot on the U.S. roster that could be filled by Lightning teammate Tyler Johnson or Penguins forward Phil Kessel. The absence of Kessel was the most notable when the final rosters were announced, as he was leading the Stanley Cup champions in playoff scoring. The gritty Callahan is a favorite of U.S. Coach John Tortorella.
OLYMPICS
IOC, IAAF split over terms of participation
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Some Russian track and field athletes could be competing under their own flag at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after all.
Leaders of the International Olympic Committee and track’s world governing body appeared split Tuesday over the terms of participation of any Russian athletes cleared to compete at the Aug. 5-21 games.
While upholding last week’s IAAF decision to ban Russia’s track team for systematic doping, Olympic leaders did not accept the federation’s position on a key issue: that a neutral flag would represent the few athletes given dispensation to apply to compete if they live outside Russia and have undergone rigorous testing.
IOC President Thomas Bach said if any Russians are deemed eligible by the IAAF, they would compete under the Russian flag.
“If there are athletes qualified, then they will compete as members of the team of the Russian Olympic Committee because only a national Olympic committee can enter athletes to the Olympic Games,” Bach said. “There are no teams of international federations there. And the Russian Olympic Committee is not suspended.”
The IAAF appeared caught off guard by Bach’s comments, insisting its position had been accepted by Olympic leaders and saying it will work with the IOC to make sure it is “respected and implemented in full.”
The sharp differences between the IOC and the IAAF emerged after a summit of Olympic leaders called by Bach to follow up on the IAAF’s decision to ban Russia and to take further steps to ensure a “level playing field” for athletes in all sports at the Rio Games.
The leaders called for drug testing of individual Russian and Kenyan athletes across all sports, warning that evidence of inadequate doping controls in those countries could lead to more teams being barred from the Rio de Janeiro Games.
The leaders also called on authorities to pursue sanctions not only against athletes, but against doctors, coaches, officials and other personnel implicated in doping. Bach also lamented “deficiencies” in global drug-testing and urged the World Anti-Doping Agency to hold a special conference next year to address the problems.
Sports on 06/22/2016