6/24 Sports Brief

Dominican prosecutors in Wander Franco trial seek 5-year prison sentence

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Dominican prosecutors have requested that suspended Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco be sentenced to five years in prison for his alleged crimes. Franco faces charges of sexual abuse involving a girl who was 14 years old at the time. The prosecutors said in court there is sufficient evidence to prove Franco had a relationship with the minor for four months and that he transferred large sums of money to the minor’s mother to consent to the illegal relationship. The prosecutors also requested the minor’s mother be sentenced to 10 years in prison, arguing she sexually trafficked her daughter.

Athletics celebrate groundbreaking of $1.75 billion stadium project in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — With mounds of dirt, construction vehicles and the exact location where home plate will be at the new Athletics ballpark serving as the backdrop, team owner John Fisher stood in front of a large gathering with one message: “We are Vegas’ team.” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, state and local government dignitaries, former Athletics greats such as Rollie Fingers and Dave Stewart, Little Leaguers and many others looked on Monday as the team celebrated the groundbreaking of a $1.75 billion, 33,000-person capacity ballpark that is expected to be finished in time for the 2028 season.

Padres star Tatis sues Big League Advance in attempt to get out of future earnings deal

SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. is suing Big League Advance in an attempt to void the future earnings contract he signed as a 17-year-old minor leaguer that could cost him about $34 million. The lawsuit, filed in San Diego County Superior Court, accuses BLA of using predatory tactics to lure him into an “investment deal” that was actually an illegal loan. The suit alleges BLA misrepresented itself to Tatis, hiding its unlicensed status and pushing him into loan terms banned by California’s consumer protection laws. Attorney Robert Hertzberg said the suit also seeks public injunctive relief to protect young athletes from such deals.

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ poster boy Paul Mullin leaves club on a season-long loan deal

WIGAN, England (AP) — Wrexham poster boy Paul Mullin has left to join third-tier English soccer club Wigan on a season-long loan deal. Mullin says “I’m excited for the next part of my story. I’ve scored a lot of goals over the last few years, but more than anything, I give my absolute all for the club that I’m playing for, and I’m going to do that again with Wigan.” Mullin helped Wrexham become the first team in the history of English football’s top five divisions to secure three successive promotions. He formed such a close bond with Ryan Reynolds, one of the club’s owners, that he even appeared in the last “Deadpool” movie.

Prized prospect Chase Burns excited to make MLB debut for Reds against Yankees

CINCINNATI (AP) — Growing up, Chase Burns dreamed of playing for the New York Yankees. He’s about to make his major league debut against them. The 22-year-old Burns will take the mound for the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night, less than a year after being the second overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft. Burns will be the fifth first-round selection from last year’s draft to reach the majors, joining Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone, Angels second baseman Christian Moore and Astros outfielder Cam Smith.

Anaheim Ducks trade Trevor Zegras to Philadelphia Flyers for Ryan Poehling and draft picks

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Anaheim Ducks are trading forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Ryan Poehling and two draft picks. Zegras was the Ducks’ first-round pick in 2019. The Ducks also will get the 45th overall pick in the upcoming draft that initially belonged to Columbus, along with a fourth-round pick next season. Zegras had two 60-point seasons early in his NHL career but struggled with injuries for the past two seasons. The 26-year-old Poehling had 12 goals and 19 assists for Philadelphia last season.

‘Craziest’ reversal of fortune puts Mavs on path to Flagg after all the Doncic drama

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts marvels at the “craziest” reversal of fortune for the club that landed the rights to draft Cooper Flagg just months after the seismic trade of Luka Doncic. Dallas had just a 1.8% chance to win the draft lottery when Welts was telling his staff it was about to embark on the most important offseason in franchise history. He was thinking about the lingering fallout of the widely reviled Doncic trade. Suddenly the Mavs have a chance to grow with another young player who has superstar potential in Flagg, the teenager from Duke.

Paris Saint-Germain beats the Seattle Sounders 2-0 to reach Club World Cup round of 16

SEATTLE (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain didn’t allow a single shot on goal as the European powerhouse beat the Seattle Sounders 2-0 and advanced to the Club World Cup round of 16. Paris Saint-Germain won Group B on a goal-differential tiebreaker after Atlético Madrid defeated Botafogo 1-0. The 68,740-capacity Lumen Field was lively on Monday with 50,628 fans. Paris will play the runner-up of Group A on Sunday in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Seattle has been eliminated from the cup.

Golden State Warriors help transform lives of incarcerated men through coaching program

VACAVILLE, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors are partnering with the UK-based Twinning Project to teach incarcerated men at Solano State Prison in Vacaville, California, how to coach. The program includes a focus on mental health and anger management, too. Coaching has provided a purpose and much-needed self-confidence for these men, many of whom are serving sentences of life without the possibility of parole.