NBA:
The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of its objections to a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people. The league had expressed its opposition to the law since it was enacted in March.
Meanwhile a top Massachusetts lawmaker is making a play for the NBA's 2017 All-Star Game. Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo sent a tweet urging the NBA to bring the game to Massachusetts, where lawmakers recently approved a transgender rights law. The league hopes to announce a new location soon.
Horse Racing:
The 148th season of thoroughbred racing in Saratoga Springs gets underway this week, kicking off nearly seven weeks of a summertime tradition dating to the Civil War. Opening day for Saratoga Race Course is Friday, with gates opening at 11 a.m.
MLB:
In baseball, in the American League, Boston crushed Minnesota 13-2, Baltimore beat the Yankees 4-1 Tampa Bay won against Oakland 7-3, and it was Detroit over the White Sox 2-1 in 7 innings.
In the National League, the Dodgers doubled up Washington 6-3, Miami tripled Philadelphia 9-3, Pittsburgh won against Milwaukee 5-3, St. Louis edged San Diego 6-5, and it was Colorado over Atlanta 7-3.
WNBA:
In the WNBA, Indiana topped the Liberty 82-70.
The WNBA has fined the Indiana Fever, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury and their players for wearing black warm up shirts in the wake of recent shootings by and against police officers. All three teams were fined $5,000 and each player was fined $500. WNBA President Lisa Borders said in statement to The Associated Press the fines were not about the players speaking out on a social issue.
AHL:
A group that wants to bring a new minor league hockey team to Portland, Maine says it has found an investor who will bankroll most or all of the deal. The Portland Press Herald reports the unnamed investor might put up all of the $750,000 needed to buy a team. Former Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce head Godfrey Wood is leading the effort.
Legal:
The South African prosecutors' office will appeal Oscar Pistorius' six-year jail sentence and seek a longer prison term for the double-amputee athlete. He was convicted of murder for shooting girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The National Prosecuting Authority called the July 6 sentence "shockingly too lenient" in announcing the appeal.
Tour de France:
Defending champ Chris Froome has all but assured himself a third title in cycling's premier event by winning the 18th stage mountain time trial. That gives him a commanding 3-minute, 52-second lead with just three stages to go.
PGA:
Woody Austin shot a 4-under 68 to take the lead after the first round of the Senior British Open. Austin closed strong with four birdies over the final eight holes at Carnoustie. That left him a shot ahead of seven golfers, including former British Open champ Mark O'Meara. Ten other golfers are just two shots back.
Dustin Johnson made a 10-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole for a 6-under 66 and a share of the Canadian Open lead with Luke List. The U.S. Open champion set up the eagle with a 364-yard drive and 150-yard approach. In windy conditions at sun-baked Glen Abbey, Johnson also had seven birdies and drove into the water on the par-4 14th en route to a double bogey. Johnson played the three back-nine par-5 holes in 4 under. List birdied all four par 5s in a round he closed with seven pars. Johnson and List have a one-shot lead over Chesson Hadley, Kelly Kraft and Canadian amateur Jared de Toit. Top-ranked Jason Day shot a 69.
NHL:
Toronto has signed the NHL's No. 1 overall draft pick Auston Matthews to a three-year, entry-level contract. General Manager Lou Lamoriello typically refuses to give bonuses to rookies, but agent Pat Brisson confirmed that the deal includes the maximum entry-level salary of $925,000 per year as well as bonuses. That could make the deal up to an average annual value of $3.775 million. Matthews had 24 goals and 22 assists in 36 games last season for the Zurich Lions in Switzerland and had nine points for the United States at the world hockey championship.
NFL:
A person familiar with J.J. Watt's condition said the Houston Texans' star defensive end has had back surgery and will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday night on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't confirmed the surgery or Watts' roster status. Watt was the NFL sacks leader last season with 17 ½. He will miss the start of training camp, but is expected to be ready for the season opener.
The Jacksonville Jaguars worked out polarizing defensive end Greg Hardy on Thursday. A team spokesman confirmed the workout but did not say whether the Jags planned on signing the former Dallas and Carolina standout. Hardy had a tumultuous season in Dallas. It that started with a four-game suspension related to his domestic violence case in North Carolina. It also included several disruptions that included a physical confrontation with an assistant coach.
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