NFL to spot-check footballs
The NFL will start spot-checking the inflation of footballs this year in the wake of the Deflategate scandal.
Mike Pereira, the league’s former head of officiating, wrote an article Sunday on FoxSports.com, detailing the NFL’s new football-monitoring procedures.
According to Pereira:
Each team will supply 12 primary and 12 backup footballs to the game officials 2 hours and 15 minutes before each game. Previously, the visitors had to supply just 12, though they could have supplied up to 24 for outdoor games.
If a football is found to be below the minimum of 12.5 PSI or above the maximum of 13.5 PSI, it will be inflated or deflated to 13 PSI.
Rangers sign Stepan to $39M
The New York Rangers and restricted free agent center Derek Stepan avoided an arbitration hearing Monday when they agreed to terms on a multiyear contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the New York Daily News reported the deal is for six years and worth $39 million for an average annual value of $6.5 million.
Stepan was seeking a $7.25 million, one-year contract prior to the settlement and the Rangers were offering $5.2 million for one year, Sportsnet reported Saturday. Stepan had an average annual value of $3.075 million in the two-year contract he signed in 2013.
Stepan, 25, registered 55 points (16 goals, 39 assists), along with a plus-26 rating and 22 penalty minutes in 68 games with the Rangers last season.
Wilson, Predators agree to deal
The Nashville Predators signed restricted free agent Colin Wilson to a four-year, $15.75 million contract to avoid arbitration.
Wilson will be paid $3.75 million in 2015-16, and $4 million in 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 for an average annual value of $3.9375 million.
Wilson, 25, set career highs in goals (20) and points (42), while tying a personal best in assists (22) in 2014-15.
Aussie Dellavedova to stay with Cavs
Australian guard Matthew Dellavedova has re-signed for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team announced on Monday.
Terms of the deal were not announced but reports say it is a one-year deal worth more than $1 million to Dellavedova, who made just over $800,000 last season.
Dellavedova, 24, made only 13 starts for the Cavs in the 2014-15 regular season, but rose to prominence in the NBA Finals with his hustling defense against the Golden State Warriors.
With starter Kyrie Irving out with a season-ending knee injury, Dellavedova started five games in the series, which the Cavs lost to the Warriors 4-2.
He scored 20 points in a winning effort in game three, and was hospitalized after the game for dehydration.
In 20 playoff games, Dellavedova and averaged 7.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
Seahawks’ Wilson seeks guaranteed money
Guaranteed money is the hurdle the Seattle Seahawks must clear to sign quarterback Russell Wilson to a long-term contract.
According to NFL Network, Wilson has not turned down any contract offer from the Seahawks, contrary to published reports, and negotiations are ongoing focused on the amount of guaranteed money in the deal.
Wilson can become a free agent at the end of the 2015 season if he does not sign an extension.