AP Sports SummaryBrief at 8:57 a.m. EDT | Sports | mankatofreepress.com – Mankato Free Press
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Inflation, gas prices looming over sports biz, concessions
CHICAGO (AP) — Persistently high inflation and gas prices are looming over sports and the monetary pipeline that resumed when fans returned to games amid the pandemic. The most recent Consumer Price Index Summary from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed an 8.2% rise in costs in September from a year earlier. Increases in the shelter, food, and medical care indexes were among the largest contributors to the rise in costs. Given the industry’s reliance on disposable income, the CPI numbers are a troubling sign for sports business leaders.
FBI probing ex-CIA officer’s spying for World Cup host Qatar
A former CIA officer who spied on Qatar’s rivals to help the tiny Arab country land this year’s World Cup is now under FBI scrutiny and newly obtained documents show he offered spy services that went beyond soccer to try to influence U.S. policy, That’s according to an Associated Press investigation into the work Kevin Chalker and his company Global Risk Advisors did for Qatar. Two people familiar with the FBI probe say it is focused on whether Chalker broke laws related to foreign lobbying, surveillance and exporting sensitive technologies. Chalker’s lawyer says the company never engaged in any unlawful activity.
No US-born Black players on expected World Series rosters
No U.S.-born Black players are projected to be on World Series rosters when the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros meet this week. Only once since Jackie Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier in 1947 has there been a World Series without at least one Black player. It happened in 1950 when the New York Yankees played the Phillies. Slightly over 7% of players on opening day rosters this season were Black. The Astros and Phillies will announce their 26-man rosters several hours before Game 1 on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.
Analysis: Lakers are going to have to look for some help
The season isn’t even two weeks old. Only 5% of the games have been played. Drawing any conclusions at this point would be ridiculous. Except, perhaps, this one: The Los Angeles Lakers are in trouble. The Lakers are taking an 0-4 record into Friday’s game at Minnesota. They’re at the bottom of the Western Conference, and if Orlando wasn’t 0-5 the Lakers would have the worst record in the NBA. They’re 78-87 since winning the 2020 NBA title. LeBron James is winless after four games for the second time in his career, the other being his rookie season. They need help, and fast.
Jokic, Nuggets keep Lakers winless with 110-99 victory
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 31 points and 13 rebounds, Jamal Murray hit a big 3-pointer and the Denver Nuggets kept the Los Angeles Lakers winless with a 110-99 victory Wednesday night. The Lakers dropped to 0-4 under new coach Darvin Ham. They remain in the company of Orlando and Sacramento as the only teams yet to win this season. Anthony Davis, dealing with lower back tightness, had 22 points and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles. LeBron James had 19 points to run his double-digit streak to 1,100 games. Russell Westbrook was held out to rest a sore left hamstring. Jokic finished an assist shy of a triple-double.
Eagles acquire 3-time Pro Bowl DE Quinn from Bears
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The undefeated Philadelphia Eagles have acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Quinn from the Chicago Bears. Chicago gets a fourth-round pick in 2023 in return. The 32-year-old Quinn is off to a slow start with just one sack and three quarterback hits. But he broke Hall of Famer Richard Dent’s franchise record with 18 1/2 sacks last year in a resurgent season. The Eagles are the lone remaining undefeated team.
Poyer’s trip to next Bills game shorter after drive to KC
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Safety Jordan Poyer has many reasons to be looking forward to the Buffalo Bills next game being played at home. His commute, for one, will be much shorter. Poyer returned from the team’s bye week off detailing how he had no choice but to hit the road to travel to play in Buffalo’s game at Kansas City on Oct. 16. Poyer was cleared to play, but not allowed to fly due to complications from a punctured lung that could be affected by the changing air pressure inside a plane. Poyer has since been cleared for air travel.
Schwarber powers Phillies in postseason with mythical homers
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber’s power surge has fueled the Philadelphia Phillies in their run to the World Series. He will be the leadoff hitter for Game 1 Friday night in Houston against the Astros. He led the National League with 46 home runs this season and hit three more in the NL Championship Series against San Diego. Phillies manager Rob Thomson lauded Schwarber’s clubhouse contributions and noted how the slugger has seemed to enjoy holding court in front of his locker with younger teammates.
World Series ump crew youngest in years, nod to K-zone tech
The seven-man umpire crew working this World Series is easily the youngest in recent memory. It reflects the impact of computerized strike zones, plus other factors including injuries, retirements and postseason rotations. At an average age of 45.7 years old, the crew calling the Philadelphia Phillies-Houston Astros matchup is more than five years younger than the average of World Series crews over the past decade, The Associated Press tallied. So young, in fact, there won’t be a full-time regular-season crew chief on the field in Game 2 on Saturday night. Usually, two or sometimes three veteran chiefs are on the Fall Classic crew. The Series starts Friday night in Houston.
British minister tells gay World Cup fans to ‘be respectful’
LONDON (AP) — British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is facing criticism after telling gay soccer fans heading to the World Cup in Qatar that they should show some “compromise” and “be respectful of the host nation.” The comments were quickly disavowed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office. A senior figure in the opposition Labour party called them “shockingly tone deaf.” Homosexual activity is criminalized in Qatar and Cleverly was asked about the issue in the wake of a British activist holding a one-man protest accusing the country of jailing members of the LGBTQ community.
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