UPDATE: MLB delays labor-deal deadline to Tuesday for March 31 start
Players and management started their eighth straight day of bargaining Monday at 10 a.m. and didn’t recess talks until 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
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NFL to allow thousands of fans into Lucas Oil Stadium for scouting combine
The NFL will offer free admission for its primetime activities at Lucas Oil Stadium, with seating in the 100 and 200 levels—the areas closest to the field. It’s a marked shift in strategy after decades of limiting public access to much of the event.
American women players settle suit vs. U.S. Soccer for $24M
U.S. women soccer players reached a landmark agreement with the sport’s American governing body to end a six-year legal battle over equal pay, a deal in which they are promised $24 million, plus bonuses that match those of the men.
WNBA considering expansion, changes to playoff format
The WNBA finds itself at a crossroads, of sorts, as viewership of the league continues to trend upward. With interest at an all-time high, but only 12 franchises in the league, the constant conversation centers on expansion.
NLRB: College football players are employees, can unionize
National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo also threatened action against schools, conferences and the NCAA if they continue to use the term “student-athlete,” saying that it was created to obscure the employment relationship with college athletes and discourage them from pursuing their rights.
Former Pacer Jerry Harkness, a trailblazer on and off the court, dies at 81
Harkness led Loyola University Chicago to a barrier-breaking national college championship in basketball in 1963 and went on to a pioneering career in fundraising, broadcasting and business in Indianapolis.
Q&A with Scott Tarter, who’s turned ABA fandom into business and charity
An attorney for Bose McKinney and Evans LLP, Tarter has initiated business ventures that raise funds for the Dropping Dimes charity, which distributes money to former ABA players in need.
Drew Brees, former teammates partner on central Indiana stretching studios
Stretch Zone opened its first of three planned new Indiana franchises in Zionsville last month. Fishers resident Ben Smith, who co-owns the franchise with former NFL star Drew Brees, said he’s hoping to eventually open locations across the state.
Colts lock up Darius Leonard with NFL’s richest linebacker contract
The two-time All-Pro agreed on Sunday to a five-year contract extension that tops the five-year, $95.225 million contract Fred Warner recently signed with San Francisco, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
Colts, 3 other NFL teams remain under 50% vaccinated, source says
Pittsburgh, Miami, Carolina and Denver have the highest vaccination rates and are among 10 teams that have achieved at least 85%.
Former Colts great Manning doesn’t rule out future role with Broncos
Peyton Manning has lived in Denver since retiring from the NFL a month after becoming the first quarterback to win Super Bowls with two different teams.
Even as college athletes get paid, more hoops prospects skip college altogether
This month, the dam finally broke on college athletes getting paid as the NCAA scaled back its rules. But as some athletes cash in on that shift, a growing number of young basketball players are forgoing college and even high school to play in upstart professional leagues.
Explained: The NCAA and impact of NIL compensation
Here are some questions and answers about “NIL,” the shorthand most commonly used for athlete compensation tied to use of their name, image or likeness.
NCAA D1 Council recommends allowing athletes to profit off name, image, likeness
The 24-member NCAA Division I Board of Directors is expected to approve the historic recommendation Wednesday, the eve of the July 1 date that athletes rights advocates have been pointing toward with anticipation for months.
NCAA could seek once-radical solutions after Supreme Court loss
After the NCAA’s stinging legal loss this week, college sports leaders are acknowledging the path forward will have to include changes that once seemed antithetical to the mission.
Supreme Court sides with former athletes in dispute with NCAA
In a ruling that could help push changes in college athletics, the high court on Monday unanimously sided with a group of former college athletes in a dispute with the NCAA over rules limiting certain compensation.
Wayne Gretzky rookie card smashes record with $3.75 million sale
The photo for Gretzky’s rookie card was taken just weeks after he left the Indianapolis Racers, where the 17-year-old phenom played eight games (including home games at Market Square Arena) before his contract was sold to the Edmonton Oilers.
Record-breaking kicker Adam Vinatieri set to retire after 24-year career
Vinatieri, 48, entered the league as undrafted free agent and became known as the best clutch kicker in NFL history. He made 29 game-winning kicks during his career and scored a franchise-record 1,515 points with the Indianapolis Colts.
NCAA’s D1 Council hopes athlete pay rules get hashed out in June
The NCAA Division I Council plans to act on legislative proposals next month that would allow athletes to be paid to be sponsors, social media influencers and product endorsers, the governing body for college sports announced Wednesday.
NFL exploring changes to scouting combine, source says
The source, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the conversations are ongoing, said the league is evaluating all aspects of the combine, including the player experience.