National Sports - The Morning Sun

Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) and forward A'ja Wilson celebrate after a play against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Aces and Sky clinch spots in Commissioner's Cup title game

Las Vegas and Chicago will meet in the second annual Commissioner’s Cup championship game next month. This year the in-season competition title game will be played at the home of the team with the … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 6/22/22

Brooks Koepka prepares to putt on the fourth hole during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

AP source: Koepka the latest to join Saudi-backed LIV series

The Associated Press has learned Brooks Koepka is the latest PGA Tour to sign on with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series. Koepka gives LIV another big name because of his four majors. He's also the … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 6/21/22

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews poses with the Hart Trophy, left, and Ted Lindsay Award after the NHL hockey awards Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Hart Trophy is presented annually to the leagues' most valuable player and the Ted Lindsay award is giving the the most outstanding player. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Matthews wins Hart Trophy as NHL's most valuable player

Toronto’s Auston Matthews won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player, beating out Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers to win the award for the first … more

By FRED GOODALL | 6/21/22

FILE - Vegas Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer watches from the bench during the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Las Vegas. The Dallas Stars announced Tuesday, June 21, 2022, that they have hired Peter DeBoer as their new coach, a month after he was fired by the Vegas Golden Knights. (AP Photo/David Becker, File)

Stars hire 2-time Cup Final coach DeBoer to replace Bowness

The Dallas Stars have hired Peter DeBoer as their new coach. The move comes a month after he was fired by the Vegas Golden Knights after they missed the playoffs for the first time in the franchise's … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 6/21/22

Minjee Lee, of Australia, kisses the Harton S. Semple Trophy after Lee won the final round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C., on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Minjee Lee, of Australia, won the match. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Women's PGA Championship doubles prize money to $9 million

The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is doubling the size of its purse to $9 million. It's another boost to the women’s game that brings prize money for the five majors to nearly triple the amount … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 6/21/22

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after missing a putt on the third hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Column: Youth movement can make LIV Golf look appealing

The Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit is mostly about easy money. Still to be determined is whether it's also an easy way out. There's no question golf is trending young. Matt Fitzpatrick's win at the … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 6/21/22

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) controls the puck against Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Monday, June 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Lightning look to even Stanley Cup Final against Avalanche

So much for the notion that the Tampa Bay Lightning might be running out of gas against the speedy Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Final. The Lightning still trail the best-of-seven series 2-1 … more

By FRED GOODALL | 6/21/22

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Monday, June 20, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)

Max Fried, Braves go to salary arbitration $250,000 apart

Pitcher Max Fried became the fifth member of the World Series champion Atlanta Braves to go to salary arbitration, asking for $6.85 million while the team argued for $6.6 million. The 28-year-old … more

6/21/22

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) waves to fans after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Atlanta. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 30-17. Four-time All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement again, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

Rob Gronkowski retires, won't join Tom Brady for 3rd season

Four-time All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski has announced he is retiring and won't join Tom Brady for a third season in Tampa Bay. The four-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots and Buccaneers … more

6/21/22

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel talks to players at the NFL football team's practice facility Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Titans add assistant coaches, scouting interns for camp

The Tennessee Titans have added a handful of new coaches and scouts for training camp. The Titans announced Tuesday that five coaches will work with them during camp as part of the NFL’s Bill Walsh … more

6/21/22

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, center, celebrates with teammates after Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against Colorado Avalanche on Monday, June 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Analysis: Stanley Cup Final hinges on goaltending contrast

Goaltending has become the biggest X-factor in the Stanley Cup Final. Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar pulled Darcy Kuemper in favor of Pavel Francouz after allowing five goals in the team’s … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 6/21/22

Caeleb Dressel of the United States poses with his medal after winning the Men 50m Butterfly final at the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, June 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Defending champ Dressel drops out of 100 freestyle at worlds

Two-time world champion Caeleb Dressel is not defending his title in the men’s 100 freestyle at the swimming world championships after withdrawing before the semifinals. Dressel was included in the … more

By CIARÁN FAHEY | 6/21/22

Kristof Milak of Hungary reacts after winning the Men 200m Butterfly final at the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Hungary’s Milák sets world record in men’s 200 butterfly

Hungary’s Kristóf Milák has set a world record in the men’s 200 butterfly at the swimming world championships. The 22-year-old Milák clocked 1 minute, 50.34 seconds to shave 0.39 seconds off … more

6/21/22

Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz, second from right, stands for the singing of the National Anthem before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Pittsburgh, Monday, June 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

In Pittsburgh, Pirates' overhaul gains momentum by the day

Highly touted Pirates shortstop prospect Oneil Cruz is leading the charge of young players that the club hopes to build around. Cruz dazzled in his 2022 debut, driving in four runs and making a … more

By WILL GRAVES | 6/21/22

Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, is sprayed with champagne by members of his team after winning the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on Sunday, June 19, 2022. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)

AUTO RACING: NASCAR's top 3 series heading to Nashville

NASCAR's top two series return from a break as part of a tripleheader weekend in Nashville. Chase Elliott will look to expand on his lead atop the Cup Series standings, and A.J. Allmendinger will do … more

By The Associated Press | 6/21/22

FILE - Mega's Nikola Jovic tries to score during the ABA League basketball match between FMP and Mega in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. Jovic, of Serbia, is one of the top international prospects heading into this year's NBA draft. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)

Jović, Dieng highlight international prospects in NBA draft

Nikola Jović of Serbia and Ousmane Dieng of France are among the top international prospects in Thursday night's NBA draft. Both are 6-foot-10 and only recently turned 19 years old. They each … more

By KEN MAGUIRE | 6/21/22

U.S. forward Christian Pulisic (10) dribbles past Morocco's Sofyan Amrabat, front left, during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

US to play Japan, Saudi Arabia in last World Cup warmups

The United States will play Japan and Saudia Arabia in its last two World Cup warmups. The 15th-ranked Americans will play No. 23 Japan in an exhibition on Sept. 23 at a European site yet to be … more

6/21/22

FILE - Arkansas pitcher Autumn Storms throws a pitch against Arkansas-Pine Bluff during an NCAA softball game on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas did something rare during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons: It watched its baseball and softball teams both reach the NCAA tournament. The similarities end there.(AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)

Title IX: Some violations tough to prove in college sports

Title IX athletics violations aren't as simple as comparing similar teams and seeing how much money is spent on both. Recent Title IX lawsuits and federal complaints have focused on universities that … more

By ERICA HUNZINGER | 6/21/22

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Pat Maroon (14) scores past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Monday, June 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Kuemper pulled after allowing 5 goals in Avs' 6-2 loss

Colorado not only failed to take a stranglehold in the Stanley Cup Final after a 6-2 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 3 but also wound up with goaltending questions. Darcy Kuemper, after rarely being tested … more

By MARK DIDTLER | 6/21/22

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Monday, June 20, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Burnes, Brewers blank Cards 2-0, move alone atop NL Central

Corbin Burnes pitched seven dominant innings, Tyrone Taylor hit a two-run homer and the Milwaukee Brewers regained sole possession of first place in the NL Central with a 2-0 victory over the St. … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 6/21/22