PHILADELPHIA (AP) β A federal judge has granted preliminary approval to a landmark deal that would compensate thousands of former NFL players for concussion-related claims. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Anita Brody came about two weeks after the NFL agreed to remove a $675 million cap on damages. More than 4,500 former players have filed suit against the league.
ST. LOUIS (AP) β Adam Wainwright is out to become the National League’s first 12-game winner tonight when he takes the mound for St. Louis against the Pirates. Wainwright tops the majors with a 1.89 ERA. Pittsburgh starts the series with a half-game lead over St. Louis for second in the NL Central.
CLEVELAND (AP) β The Indians could be without center fielder Michael Bourn for a month with a strained left hamstring that he reinjured in game Saturday. To help out in the outfield, Cleveland has acquired Chris Dickerson from Pittsburgh for a player to be named or cash.
NEW YORK (AP) β Former Memphis coach Lionel Hollins has been introduced as the new coach of the Brooklyn Nets. After leading the Grizzlies to the NBA Western Conference finals in 2012-13 he was let go by the club but not before winning a franchise record 214 games. He replaces Jason Kidd, who asked for more control of the basketball operations but was encouraged to find another job. He did, with Milwaukee, and the Nets job opened up for Hollins.
LONDON (AP) β Novak Djokovic (JOH’-koh-vihch) is the new No. 1 ranked player in men’s tennis following his win over Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final yesterday. Djokovic vaults over French Open winner Rafael Nadal (rah-fay-ehl nah-DAHL’), with Federer third.
