FIFA slashes price of some World Cup tickets to $60 after global fan backlash
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA slashed the price of some World Cup tickets for teams’ most loyal fans following a global backlash and some will get $60 seats for the final instead of being asked to pay $4,185. FIFA said Tuesday that some $60 tickets will be made available for every game at the tournament in North America, going to the national federations whose teams are playing. Those federations decide how to distribute them to loyal fans who have attended previous games at home and on the road. Fans worldwide reacted with shock and anger last week on seeing FIFA’s ticketing plans that gave participating teams no tickets in the lowest-priced category.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s slalom domination reaching new heights during the Olympic season
COURCHEVEL, France (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin claimed a record-extending 105th World Cup victory after several of her top challengers went out during the opening run of a slalom night race. Shiffrin finished 1.55 seconds ahead of Swiss skier Camille Rast and 1.71 ahead of German racer Emma Aicher. Shiffrin has now won the opening four slaloms of the season and five straight including the final race of last season. Lara Colturi, Zrinka Ljutic and Katharina Liensberger each failed to finish the first run and Wendy Holdener crashed in the finish area. Up next Lindsey Vonn will be back in action this weekend for a downhill and a super-G in nearby Val d’Isere.
Injured Davante Adams not ruled out by McVay for Rams’ Thursday night showdown with Seahawks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Davante Adams hasn’t been ruled out for the Los Angeles Rams’ showdown at Seattle on Thursday night despite his hamstring injury. Coach Sean McVay said the NFC-leading Rams likely will wait until game time to make a final decision on the availability of the NFL’s touchdown receptions leader. The team remains hopeful Adams can play, although he won’t participate in their walk-throughs and practice Tuesday. Adams got hurt while running a long route in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 41-34 comeback win over the Detroit Lions.
Dolphins considering a change at QB after Tua Tagovailoa’s continued struggles
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is considering a quarterback change after Tua Tagovailoa’s continued struggles this season. Those were magnified in Monday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that eliminated Miami from playoff contention for the second straight season. Tagovailoa threw for just 65 yards through three quarters, and the areas in which he has appeared to regress were evident again, from questionable decision-making to a lack of mobility that has hampered him throughout the season. McDaniel said he would give “more clarity” on his quarterback decision on Wednesday.
Celebrini’s spin-o-rama goal helps him become fastest Sharks player to 50 points
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Macklin Celebrini has become the fastest San Jose player to reach 50 points in a season. He achieved the milestone with a spectacular spin-o-rama goal during a four-point night as the Sharks defeated the Calgary Flames 6-3 on Tuesday. Celebrini, just 19 and in his second NHL season, has 18 goals and 33 assists in 34 games. Only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby reached 50 points faster as teenagers. Celebrini’s performance is a key factor in San Jose’s current playoff position after the team struggled mightily in previous seasons. His exceptional play is gaining him respect across the league.
Indiana’s Curt Cignetti becomes the first back-to-back winner of AP coach of the year
Curt Cignetti has been named The Associated Press coach of the year in college football for the second consecutive season. He is the first coach to win the award back-to-back since it was first presented in 1998. Cignetti has led Indiana to unprecedented success, with a 24-2 record over two seasons. The Hoosiers are 13-0 this year, Big Ten champions for the first time since 1967, and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. Cignetti received 47 first-place votes. Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea received two each, and Virginia’s Tony Elliott got one.
Terence Crawford, boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighter, retires on top with 42-0 record
Terence Crawford has announced his retirement from boxing. The 38-year-old is going out on top, having claimed the title of best pound-four-pound boxer with a convincing victory over Canelo Alvarez in September. Crawford is the only male boxer to capture three unified division titles, which he accomplished with that unanimous decision over Alvarez before 70,482 fans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. That gave Crawford the super middleweight championship and a 42-0 record with 31 knockouts. His final 20 bouts came with a belt on the line. In a video released Tuesday, Crawford says he’s at peace with his decision.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love announces he’s entering NFL draft
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is bypassing his senior season to enter the NFL draft. Love’s announcement Tuesday comes three days after he finished third in voting for the Heisman Trophy that went to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Love rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns while also catching 27 passes for 280 yards and three more scores this season. He became Notre Dame’s first winner of the Doak Walker Award that goes annually to college football’s top running back.
Silver says NBA is taking gambling scandal seriously, may look into Heat relief over Terry Rozier
LAS VEGAS (AP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says the league will look into the possibility of giving relief to the Miami Heat over the status of Terry Rozier. The veteran guard is on leave without pay while facing gambling charges. But Rozier’s $26.6 million salary takes up about 17% of the Heat’s cap space. And the team still owes Charlotte a first-round pick in either 2027 or 2028 to satisfy the terms of the trade that brought Rozier to Miami. Rozier pleaded not guilty earlier this month to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges stemming from accusations that he helped some friends win bets.