WNBA All-star Game sets record
NEW YORK — The WNBA Allstar Game drew a record number of viewers with 3.44 million people watching the contest on Saturday.
The game, which saw the WNBA Allstars beat the U.S. Olympic team 117-109, easily topped the 1.44 million that viewed the 2003 contest. Saturday’s game peaked with more than four million viewers. It was the third most viewed WNBA event ever and the largest audience for the league since its first two nationally televised games in 1997. Last year’s game, which was also on prime-time TV, drew 850,000 viewers. This was the 17th WNBA game this season that has had more than 1 million viewers with Caitlin Clark appearing in 15 of them.
Johnson gets leave of absence
ATLANTA — Ernie Johnson, the well-respected longtime TNT Sports broadcaster, is taking a leave of absence from hosting duties for TBS’ national MLB games.
In a news release, he said, “I’d like to thank the leadership at TNT Sports for allowing me the time away to take care of a family matter during the baseball season. I look forward to returning to the studio for the start of the NBA season.”
MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger will take over as the studio host.
Sabres give Malenstyn $2.7M
BUFFALO — The Sabres averted arbitration by agreeing to sign newly acquired forward Beck Malenstyn to a two-year, $2.7 million deal.
Buffalo acquired the hard-hitting left winger in a trade with the Washington Capitals during the second day of the NHL draft last month.
Malenstyn is coming off his first full NHL season in which he had six goals and 21 points in 81 games.
Hornets cut Jackson after deal
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Hornets waived guard Reggie Jackson, less than a month after acquiring him and three future second-round picks in a deal with the Nuggets.
U.S. women’s team rebounds
A’ja Wilson had 19 points and 14 rebounds to help the U.S. women’s basketball Olympic team rebound from a rare exhibition loss to beat Germany 84-57. The Americans lost to a team of WNBA All-stars on Saturday before traveling to London for the exhibition against Germany.
Simpson named vice captain
FRISCO, Texas — U.S. captain Keegan Bradley selected Webb Simpson as his first vice captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Simpson won the 2012 U.S. Open and is a seventime winner on the PGA Tour. Simpson, 38, competed in the Ryder Cup in 2012, 2014 and 2018.
Force released from hospital
PHOENIX — NHRA drag racing great John Force was discharged from the hospital where he was undergoing rehabilitation for a traumatic brain injury sustained in a fiery, 300-mph crash at the Virginia Nationals last month.
Firewolves’ Reid extended
ALBANY — The Firewolves of the National Lacrosse League agreed to a two-year extension with defenseman Jackson Reid, pending league approval. In two seasons with Albany, Reid has 12 points, 69 loose balls and 13 caused turnovers.
Dujardin out of Olympics
PARIS — Three-time Olympic gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin of Britain withdrew from the Paris Games after a video emerged that she says shows her behaving inappropriately while coaching other riders and that she’s “deeply ashamed.” Dujardin said the video from four years ago “shows me making an error of judgment during a coaching session.” It wasn't clear what video Dujardin referred to or what specifically the video shows.