Top Stories
- Nike Inc. suspended its endorsement deal with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson after Ashley Solis became the first of 22 women who have accused Watson of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior to speak out publicly about the allegations, and sources said Apple Inc.-owned Beats by Dre was severing ties with the three-time Pro Bowler. Houston-based NRG Energy Inc. and San Antonio-based supermarket chain H-E-B Grocery Co. each issued statements saying they had no plans for future engagements with Watson, who also has brand partnerships with watchmaker Rolex and cheesesteak franchise Lefty's. (Yahoo Sports)
- Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, declined to support or oppose Georgia's controversial new voting law ahead of the start of the Masters today, but said calls to boycott the event were misguided and would negatively impact the local community in Augusta, Ga. MLB's decision to move its All-Star Game out of Atlanta put the spotlight on how the Masters, the first of three prominent golf events set to be held in the state this year, would respond to the law that critics say disproportionately limits access to the polls for people of color. (The Associated Press)
- The University of Arizona fired men's basketball coach Sean Miller, under whom the program drew scrutiny from both the NCAA and the FBI amid allegations of academic misconduct, a bribery scheme and the cover-up of a loan. The school reportedly dismissed Miller, whose contract runs through May 2022, "without cause," meaning he is entitled to 50 percent of his remaining guaranteed pay, or about $1.5 million. (The Arizona Republic)
- The NBA expects its teams to host full-capacity crowds at all arenas next season and is holding out hope that it can increase the number of fans allowed into remaining games this season, league sources said, based in part on a new partnership with biometric security company CLEAR. The arrangement makes CLEAR's COVID-19 screening technology available to all 30 teams for use in their home arenas, each of which will determine how to best use the technology. (ESPN)
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