Digest

NFL

Niners 'out' on Brady as free agency nears

Tom Brady

The San Francisco 49ers "are out" on pursuing New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in free agency, NBC Sports' Chris Simms reported on Sunday.

According to Simms, the 49ers were the top choice for Brady－who grew up in San Mateo, California, rooting for the team－but they are sticking with Jimmy Garoppolo, coincidentally Brady's former backup in New England.

With the Tennessee Titans also out after signing Ryan Tannehill to a reported four-year, $118 million contract on Sunday, Brady's list of potential suitors appears to be a bit smaller.

Simms characterized it as a two-team race between the Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Other outlets have reported recently that the Los Angeles Chargers, Oakland Raiders and even Indianapolis Colts are all interested to varying degrees.

The 42-year-old Brady will officially become a free agent on Wednesday. If he does not sign a new deal with the Patriots before then, his contract will expire, leaving $13.5 million in dead money on New England's cap for 2020.

CBA deal approved following close vote

NFL players approved the proposed collective bargaining agreement overnight, which will give the league labor peace through the 2030 season. The vote was 1,019 to 959 in favor of ratification, the NFL Players Association announced on Sunday.

The new CBA brings major changes, including 17 games in the regular season starting in 2021, an expanded playoff field to 14 teams and big raises for players earning the minimum salary.

It also includes added benefits for former players and an increased share of revenue for current players.

Cleveland Browns' JC Tretter, the recently elected union president, said the agreement represents major gains for current players in terms of salaries and post-career benefits. However, there was no shortage of players unhappy about the deal.

Indianapolis Colts' Eric Ebron wrote on Twitter: "Can't believe we agreed to that lol. We can only play this game for so long and y'all didn't want everything we could get out of it? Smfh. 2030 y'all do better"

BASKETBALL

Jordan helping out Hornets part-timers

Michael Jordan

Hornets owner Michael Jordan and the Hornets players have partnered to establish a fund to provide financial assistance to the team's part-time employees adversely affected by the loss of games and events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Payments from the fund will assist more than 500 part-time staff.

The fund will impact employees who serve in various capacities during games and events, including ushers, ticket takers, box-office attendants, entertainers, public-safety officers, retail staff, guest-services personnel, technical operations and others.

The part-time staff for the Hornets will be compensated through the end of the scheduled NBA season on April 13. There also will be assistance for part-time employees working Spectrum Center concerts and Greensboro Swarm part-time staff through the end of March.

BASEBALL

Yankees minor-leaguer has virus, camps empty

A New York Yankees minor-leaguer tested positive for the coronavirus, the Miami Marlins shut their spring training complex and baseball began bracing for the possibility that opening day could be delayed into May or longer.

On Sunday night, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended gatherings of 50 people or more be canceled or postponed across the country for the next eight weeks. Major League Baseball planned to update teams this week on its health policy.

On Sunday, a Yankees prospect became the first known player affiliated with MLB to contract COVID-19. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said a "younger player" was affected in Tampa, Florida, without identifying him. Cashman said the player "feels much better" and his symptoms had subsided, but he was still isolated.

SOCCER

Honda gets Brazilian career off to flier

Keisuke Honda

Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda scored in his debut for Brazilian club Botafogo on Sunday, a 1-1 draw against Bangu played in an empty stadium because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Honda, 33, got a hero's welcome from thousands of fans when he arrived in Brazil on Feb 7, but played his first match in the eerie quiet of Botafogo's deserted stadium.

He was photographed training ahead of the Rio Cup tie with a mask on. It may be his last match for some time: the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has suspended the season until further notice because of the pandemic.

Wearing the No 4 jersey, Honda netted a penalty in the 28th minute, before Bangu equalized in the 58th.

Coach Paulo Autuori substituted Honda four minutes later.

Former AC Milan star Honda, one of the best players in Japanese soccer history, had been without a club since leaving Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem in December, less than two months after joining.

Australia's top flight plays on without fans

Australia's top flight A-League has banned fans from matches for the rest of the season as part of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said on Monday.

Local media had speculated that the league would be suspended due to government travel curbs that will force two teams, Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory, to be quarantined for 14 days upon reentering Australia after their match in New Zealand on Sunday.

But FFA chief James Johnson said the teams' matches would be rescheduled after their quarantine period and New Zealand's Wellington had agreed to remain in Australia to allow the season to continue.

There are six rounds left in the A-League regular season before the playoffs.

On Sunday, Australia's rugby league bosses decided to continue their season behind closed doors.

Xinhua - Agencies