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ATHLETICS
SEC, Big Ten oppose bill
The two biggest conferences in college sports released a statement Tuesday saying they do not support the current version of a bipartisan bill designed to regulate an industry struggling for answers in a quickly changing era in which some players make millions. The SEC and Big Ten said the "bill leaves critical issues unresolved," including not "meaningfully" preempting state laws with a federal one, which has long been considered a key element for a measure to get support from the NCAA and the conferences. In an interview last week, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who drafted the bill with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., told the Associated Press "the bill is drafted to preempt state laws that conflict with the provisions in this bill." The SEC-Big Ten statement came out less than 24 hours before a scheduled hearing about the bill in front of the Senate Commerce Committee. Cruz chairs the panel and Cantwell is the ranking Democrat. The legislation has received support from the Big 12 and ACC, but the Big Ten and SEC, as the two richest leagues that also have decision-making power over the future of the College Football Playoff, hold the biggest cards. One of the bill's key provisions would give conferences an option to pool their media rights -- an idea the Big Ten and SEC have long claimed would not result in a financial windfall that proponents suggest. The leagues' statement did not speak to that issue. A spokesperson for the Commerce Committee that Cruz chairs acknowledged the Big Ten-SEC position.
FOOTBALL
London signs extension
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a four-year, $141 million contract extension with Drake London, making him one of the NFL's highest-paid wide receivers. Spotrac.com reported the financial details of London's deal, which has not been disclosed by the Falcons. According to the website, London's average salary through 2030 is $35.25 million, making him third among the league's receivers behind Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase ($42.25 million) and Seattle's Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($42.15 million). London's deal includes $100 million guaranteed and could be worth $150 million with incentives. He will earn about $16.8 million in 2026 on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. The extension provides the winner of the Falcons' quarterback competition between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa with the assurance that London will be available as a long-term, go-to target. Tagovailoa, the former Miami Dolphins starter who signed a one-year deal with Atlanta, has the early edge in the organized team activities while Penix continues his recovery from surgery on his left knee. Penix, however, has impressed first-year Coach Kevin Stefanski with his progress, providing hope he could be ready for the start of the season. NFL Network and ESPN first reported the contract extension. London, Atlanta's first-round draft pick in 2022, has 309 receptions for 3,961 yards and 22 touchdowns in four seasons. He set career highs with 100 receptions for 1,271 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2024 and had 68 catches for 919 yards and 7 touchdowns in 12 games last season.
Seahawks extend LB
The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and linebacker Derick Hall have agreed to a three-year contract extension, according to his agents Chad Berger and Ezra J. Thompson. The contract carries a $42 million base, and Hall could earn as much as $46.9 million in a deal that could keep him in Seattle through the 2029 season. The 37th overall pick of the 2023 draft is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Hall, 25, had a key strip-sack in the team's 29-13 victory against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. He had two sacks in the Super Bowl after getting two in the regular season. The 6-3, 254-pound Hall made a career-high eight sacks in the 2024 season. Hall's extension comes on the heels of Seattle adding to its pass rush. In May, the Seahawks signed veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. Hall returning for the next few seasons and the addition of Fowler, helps to offset the loss of edge rusher Boye Mafe, who signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.
Jacobs at practice
Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs is practicing with the Packers while prosecutors consider whether to file charges against the three-time Pro Bowl running back following his arrest on domestic abuse allegations. Jacobs was on the field Tuesday for the Packers' second week of organized team activities. Packers Coach Matt LaFleur said before Tuesday's practice that Jacobs' situation hasn't caused distractions. Jacobs was arrested May 26 in Brown County, Wis., on allegations of strangulation and suffocation and other offenses. Hobart/Lawrence Police Chief Michael Renkas said police had been dispatched to a complaint involving Jacobs on the morning of May 23. Jacobs has issued a statement through his lawyers saying he "vehemently denies the allegations." District Attorney David Lasee said it's too soon to make a formal charging decision.
HOCKEY
Werenski wins Norris
Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, the league announced Tuesday. Werenski was second in points at the position with 81 on 22 goals and 59 assists. It's the first time he has won the award in his career. The 28-year-old was first on 113 ballots in voting by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Colorado's Cale Makar was second, Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin third and Edmonton's Evan Bouchard fourth.
Canucks hire Malhotra
Manny Malhotra was hired as coach of the Vancouver Canucks late Monday night. The former Canucks forward takes over for Adam Foote, fired last month after Vancouver finished last in the NHL during his only season behind the bench. Malhotra becomes the 23rd head coach in franchise history and the latest Canucks player to be promoted by the team as it begins its rebuild. "Manny and I have been in the battle together before, so I know firsthand what a good teacher, leader, and quality person he is," General Manager Ryan Johnson said in a statement. The pair previously worked together in the minors with the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks.
BASKETBALL
Curry's deal: $400M
Stephen Curry's new show deal and apparel deal with Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning is worth $400 million, according to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania. The Golden State star's Curry Brand announced Monday the partnership to keep building Curry's global reach in basketball, golf and lifestyle. Curry and Li-Ning will team up on brand creation and product development along with sports culture initiatives with what they called "a shared commitment to inspiring the next generation of athletes around the world." Curry called it "the partnership of a lifetime." He wore the Li-Ning shoes of both Dwyane Wade and teammate Jimmy Butler earlier this year during what was considered a sneaker free-agency process. The 38-year-old Curry parted ways with Under Armour last November after more than a decade, then began wearing different shoes almost nightly the rest of the season -- pulling pairs from a large crate parked by his locker at Chase Center. Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican who co-chairs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, said Tuesday that he plans to ask the Department of Homeland Security to examine Li-Ning imports.