Minnesota AD Teague resigns amid sexual harassment claim
Minnesota athletic director Norwood Teague resigned Friday morning amid allegations of sexual harassment that includes inappropriate texts.
School president Eric Kaler said Teague’s resignation “follows the report of two recent incidents of sexual harassment of two non-student University employees.”
In a sexual harassment complaint filed by a university employee, she said Teague sent texts to one woman asking her to go skinny dipping and to perform oral sex. He also was accused of inappropriate touching and unwelcome physical advances.
In an email to university staff, Kaler wrote, “To be clear, sexual harassment will not be tolerated at the University of Minnesota and I sincerely regret that our employees experienced this behavior. The University has an explicit policy and a strong code of conduct that articulates our standards.”
Teague told Minneapolis TV station KARE in a prepared statement that he read on the air:
“At a recent University event, I had entirely too much to drink. I behaved badly towards nice people and sent truly inappropriate texts. I’m embarrassed, and I apologize to everyone involved. This neither reflects my true character or the true character of this great, great university.”
Teague also said he “will be seeking help for my alcohol use and … re-evaluating my life and career.”
Indians deal Bourn, Swisher to Braves
The Cleveland Indians on Friday traded outfielder Michael Bourn and outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Chris Johnson.
The Indians also will send $10 million to the Braves to help fund the $29 million in guaranteed salaries for Bourn and Swisher in 2016. The deal cannot become official until all players clear waivers.
Johnson, 30, missed most of May with a broken left hand and is hitting .235 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 56 games.
Bourn, 32, is hitting .246 with 12 doubles and 13 steals this season for the Indians. Since signing a four-year, $48 million deal in 2013, he has hit just .257. Now he will return to Atlanta, where he was an All-Star in 2012.
Swisher, 34, is hitting .198 with two homers and eight RBIs in 30 games this season.
Top NHL prospect to play in Switzerland
Center Auston Matthews, the 17-year-old frontrunner to be the top pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, will play for Zurich in the Swiss National League this season.
The announcement Friday came after months of speculation that Matthews might instead play for Everett of the Western Hockey League.
Matthews, who signed a one-year contract with Zurich, is with 32 other U.S. prospects at the United States National Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., this week.
Matthews will not be eligible to join the Swiss team until after Sept. 17 when he turns 18. If selected No. 1 overall next June, Matthews would be the first American-born player to go first since Patrick Kane in 2007.
Matthews, born in Scottsdale, Ariz., scored 55 goals and 116 points in 60 games with the U.S. U-18 team last season and another 48 points in 24 games with the U.S. National Team Development Program in the USHL in 2014-15.
Arthur, Barton, Nelson remain with Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets re-signed forward Darrell Arthur and guards Will Barton and Jameer Nelson to multiyear contracts on Friday.
Arthur’s contract reportedly is for two years with a player option for the second season. Barton’s deal was reported to be $10 million for three years and Nelson received a three-year, $13.5 million contract.
Arthur played in 58 games for the Nuggets last season and averaged 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist. Barton averaged 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.21 steals in 28 games for the Nuggets last season after coming to the team in a trade on Feb. 19. Nelson saw action in 34 games and started five times for the Nuggets last season after a January trade with the Boston Celtics, averaging 9.6 points and 3.7 assists.