Sports

Manfred calls Athletics’ new park in Sacramento charming but still expects to be in Vegas by 2028. He thanks Steinbrenner for helping Rays.

Published

8 hours ago

February 22, 2025

PHOENIX (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred called the Athletics temporary home charming but reiterated he expects the franchise will open its new stadium in Las Vegas in 2028.

Manfred recently visited the 14,000-seat minor league stadium in West Sacramento, California, and said the owners of the Triple-A River Cats and Athletics have provided players with “as close to a major league experience as it can possibly be.”

“It was a really positive day,” Manfred said Tuesday. “I’m glad I took the time to do it before opening day. That was my plan originally. I think the level of excitement in the community is really palpable.”

The Athletics had been based at the Oakland Coliseum since 1968, but left their longtime home following last season with a plan to eventually wind up in Las Vegas, which has added NHL and NFL franchises over the past decade.

The Las Vegas Stadium Authority approved lease, non-relocation and development documents in December to clear the last major hurdles for the A’s to construct a $1.75 billion stadium on the Strip. Dtails remain to be worked out, such as a development agreement with Clark County, but groundbreaking likely will take place in the spring to allow a 2028 opening.

“I don’t think the timeline has changed,” Manfred said. “I believe we’re going to be on time to go in 2028.”

Nevada and Clark County are providing $380 million in public funds for a domed stadium estimated to have a 33,000 capacity.

Interim A’s team president Sandy Dean said at the December meeting that owner John Fisher increased the previous pledge of his family’s money to $1.1 billion. Dean said U.S. Bank and Goldman Sachs will offer a $300 million loan and that Fisher still hopes to attract investors in Las Vegas and elsewhere who would purchase equity in the team.

The Tampa Bay Rays also will play in a minor league ballpark due to hurricane damage at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida,, using the New York Yankees’ spring training and Class A ballpark, Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

“The industry owes Hal Steinbrenner a real debt of gratitude,” Manfred said of the Yankees owner. “He put literally tens of millions of dollars into improving Steinbrenner Field and the first people who are really going to get to use it for any period of time is the Tampa Bay Rays.”

Packing the seats

Manfred said teams anticipate another attendance rise.

“At the risk of jinxing myself, we do have great expectations for 2025,” Manfred said. “Over the last couple of years, we feel like we’ve made great improvements with respect to the game on the field. We have a great generation of really talented players who are playing a game that’s crisp, athletic and action packed.”

MLB games averaged 29,373 fans last season, the most since 2017. That was up from 29,114 in 2023 and 26,566 in 2022 as the sport rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baseball reached its high attendance during the 2007 season with a 32,6b96 average.

Dodger blues

The gap between baseball’s haves and have nots looks like it will increase even more in 2025, mostly thanks to the big-spending Los Angeles Dodgers.

Manfred acknowledged his concerns payroll discrepancy but is not blaming the Dodgers.

“The Dodgers have gone out and done everything possible, always within the rules that currently exist, to put the best possible team on the field and that’s a great thing for the game,” Manfred said. “That type of competitive spirit is what people want to see.”

Baseball’s biggest spender in 2024 won the World Series: The Dodgers had a $353 million luxury tax payroll and had to pay a $103 million tax. The Athletics had the lowest luxury tax payroll at just under $84 million.

Manfred said fans have sent him emails with concerns about the game’s financial parity.

“It’s clear we have fans in some markets that are concerned about the ability of the team in their market to compete with the financial resources of the Dodgers,” Manfred said. “If we’ve been consistent on one point, it is we try to listen to our fans on topics like this.”

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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum and AP Sports Writer Mark Anderson in Las Vegas contributed to this report.

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Sports

Angels’ Owner Extends His Anaheim Lease Until 2032

Published

6 hours ago

February 23, 2025

Austin Reed

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim owner Arte Moreno

The team could use the stadium until 2038 with additional extensions.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has one less franchise stadium issue to worry about. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim owner Arte Moreno has extended his lease by three years to use the city of Anaheim’s stadium until 2032. Manfred is retiring in 2029. It will be up to Manfred’s successor to deal with an Anaheim stadium issue. Moreno, who is 78 years old, might allow someone else to deal with the lease. Angels’ franchise ownership can extend the lease through 2038. When we last left Moreno, he had struck out in his attempt to take over the Anaheim stadium and the land surrounding it. Moreno wanted to build a stadium-village. The city of Anaheim released a terse statement about the lease extension. “The extension is not the result of any long-term discussions between the team and the city, and there are no long-term lease or other talks underway.” The Anaheim stadium is 59 years old and has undergone extensive renovations.

In the past Moreno has looked at sites in Los Angeles, Carson, Irvine and Tustin as a possible replacement for the Anaheim stadium. In March 2022, Long Beach, California officials claimed they were ready to provide Moreno with a stadium site. Long Beach, which is about 23 miles from Anaheim, had offered Moreno a chance to look at the city’s waterfront area for a stadium in 2019 when Moreno was exploring various areas to relocate his business. There was no concrete proposal for a Long Beach stadium, there was no money plan, just a notion that Moreno could be in a position to develop the waterfront property with the ballpark as the centerpiece. Moreno then had a deal with Anaheim to create a stadium-village which fell through. Moreno is out of the stadium game in Anaheim for the foreseeable future.

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Anaheim Stadium

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Sports

Ugo Humbert lifts back-to-back Open 13 Provence titles

Published

6 hours ago

February 23, 2025

Austin Reed

Humbert Makes History in Marseille

French number one Ugo Humbert successfully defended his title at the ATP 250 Open 13 Provence in Marseille on Sunday.

Humbert secured a straight set win to beat Hamad Medjedovic 7-6, 6-4 and ended his long-wait for a silverware since March 2024.

The 26-year-old’s experience was evident against 21-year-old Medjedovic in Palais des Sports as he brilliantly made the most of his service.

Unlike Medjedovic who registered five double faults during the game that lasted over 2hours and 30minutes, Humbert was flawless and he recorded 13 aces.

Humbert became the first Frenchman to win back-to-back titles in Marseille and an extended win record of 18-1 on French soil with the only defeat coming in the 2024 Paris Masters final against Alexander Zverev in November.

As a result of his win on Sunday with additional 250 ATP points, Humbert is now 14th in the world ranking – just a spot behind his career-best position while Medjedovic leapt from 94th in the world to number 72 in the latest ATP standings.

‘Disappointed’ Medjedovic positive after defeat

Medjedovic admitted he had a fantastic win in France but he rued his missed chances in Sunday’s final that could have turned the game in his favour.

The 21-year-old raced from behind in the first set, forcing a tie-break but he did not make the most of his chances during the crucial moments.

“It never really feels great to lose in a final, especially in the second time. I think it was a great week, I’ve played some good tennis this week and I feel good on the court, that’s the positive thing,” Medjedovic told Rant Sports after the game.

“I will continue working until I get there and when a new tournament starts.

“It was a good week, I got my first top 10 win and I have improved in my ranking. It‘s positive and it will give a real confidence for the future so I’m really happy about it.

“I made a lot mistakes by winning yesterday [against Medvedev] and being too hyped about it, not focusing on the final. I knew I won a big game yesterday but my whole focus was in today’s game; I had my chances in the first set which I didn’t use.”

On his next plan as he targets more milestone in the 2025 season, the Serb said: “For now, I’m leaving for Doha and I’m connecting Dubai from Doha. I don’t think I struggled with return today, Ugo served very well and he used his left hand amazingly.

“I think this main moment when I had the set point, tie breaks, I should have done better and it is something I will improve on when I face a player like that.”

What next in the ATP Tour?

The ATP Tour train moves to the Middle East with the Qatar Open in Doha this week then by the Dubai Tennis Championships the following week.

Majority of the players who featured in Marseille including winner Humbert and runner-up Medjedovic are scheduled to participate in the tournament alongside Novak Djokovic.

A combined 1000 ATP points are up for grabs for the winner of the two ATP 500 tournaments in Dubai and Doha.

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NBA MVP odds: What player has the best shot to win the award?

Published

7 hours ago

February 23, 2025

Austin Reed

Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9), right, steps onto the court with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Palm Desert, Calif. (AP Photo/William

NBA MVP Odds

With the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in the rearview, let’s now concentrate solely on basketball as the league hits the stretch run to the postseason. One of the big questions as the regular season begins to wind down is: Who is the leading candidate to win the Most Valuable Player award this year? Here’s a look at the players with the best MVP odds right now to capture the honor this season, according to sports.betmgm.com.

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics: +30000

Why he could win:? The No. 1 seed in the East isn’t out of the question for the Celtics, who have one of the easiest schedules the rest of the way. If the Cleveland Cavs do slip, Boston could reach the top, opening the door for Tatum (27.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists).

Why he wouldn’t win:? While possible, the Celtics likely aren’t catching the Cavs for the No. 1 seed. The defending champs also have so much depth with Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis that Tatum won’t always post big numbers.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: +12500

Why he could win?: Antetokounmpo’s numbers (31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 blocks) garner him consideration. With 28 games remaining, he can lead the Bucks on an incredible run, and they could climb from the No. 5 seed to No. 2 or No. 3 in the East.

Why he wouldn’t win?: The two-time winner has struggled with a calf injury and Thursday’s game was the first he played in since Feb. 2. The Bucks might be cautious, and he could be in and out of the lineup. Players must play in at least 65 games to qualify for the award. He’s played in 42.

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: +300

Why he could win?: The three-time award winner is averaging a triple-double (29.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 10.2 assists) and shooting 45% from 3-point land. Those numbers are better than last season when he won. Denver is also heating up, winning eight out of its last 10.

Why he wouldn’t win:? Voter fatigue. Michael Jordan should’ve won more than five MVPs. LeBron James should have more than four. Jokic’s greatness is being taken for granted. The Nuggets also can’t finish 8.5 games behind the No. 1 seed in the West as they are now.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: -500

Why he could win?: Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player on the best team (44-10) in the league. That’s been a winning formula. He leads the NBA in scoring at 32.5 points, shooting 52.5 percent from the field, and averages 6.1 assists and 5.2 rebounds.

Why he wouldn’t win?: It would take a gigantic team collapse or severe injury to him in order for SGA not to win his first NBA MVP award. But there’s no reason to believe OKC won’t keep stacking wins, and he’s been durable, playing in 53 out of 54 games so far.

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All-Star Game Weekend Rewind

In case you did miss it, here’s a recap of the festivities last weekend:
— San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle was named MVP of the Rising Stars event after leading Team C past Team G in the title game.
— Team Cavs (Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley) won the Skills Challenge competition, but the better story was Team Spurs (Chris Paul, Victor Wembanyama) got disqualified for cheating.
— Miami Heat star Tyler Herro outgunned Golden State Warriors’ Buddy Hield and Cavs’ Darius Garland in the last round to win the 3-point contest.
— Mac McClung, a two-way player for the Orlando Magic, soared over a car to win his third consecutive and maybe his final slam dunk contest.
— Lastly, Shaq’s OGs, which consisted of future Hall of Famers Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Damian Lillard, cruised past Chuck’s Global Stars to win the first-ever All-Star mini-tournament.

Records as of Feb. 20, stats courtesy of nba.com

You can now follow Dwayne on X @DwayneCNelson.

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