Daily fantasy sports games shut down in New York
NEW YORK — Top daily fantasy sports companies FanDuel and DraftKings agreed to halt their business in New York on Monday, betting on a legislative path to make the games legal after a months-long fight with the state’s attorney general.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said the companies agreed to immediately stop operating paid contests in the state. An appeal of an injunction against the two companies is slated to be heard by the state’s Appellate Division in September.
The settlement means that the companies would not have to pay any fines or other penalties related to the gambling charges, even if they are found to have been operating illegally.
“This is a decisive and important victory for the rule of law in New York state,” Schneiderman said at a press conference. “No company or individual no matter how powerful or well financed is above the law.”
New York is one of the largest markets for daily fantasy sports in the United States. According to court filings, the state was DraftKings’ second biggest by revenue in 2014.
Under the settlement, if daily fantasy sports are legalized in New York this year, the gambling claims against the companies will be dropped. The privately-held companies could still face charges for false advertising or consumer protection issues.
Red Wings sign LW Tangradi to two-year deal
The Detroit Red Wings signed left winger Eric Tangradi to a two-year contract extension Monday.
Tangradi, 27, is now locked up through 2017-18 season.
Tangradi has skated in 60 games with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins, producing a career-best 49 points (24 goals, 25 assists), along with 64 penalty minutes. He ranks second on the Griffins in goals and points.
Tangradi, a seventh-year pro, has appeared in one game for the Red Wings this season, logging one hit in 6:55 time on ice.
Pitt’s Dixon leaving to become TCU’s new coach
Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon is headed to his alma mater to become the new head coach at TCU, according to multiple reports Monday.
Multiple sources told CBSSports.com and ESPN that Dixon will leave the Panthers for the Horned Frogs.
Dixon, 50, played for TCU from 1984-87. Dixon replaces Trent Johnson, who was fired last week after four seasons including a 12-21 record in 2015-16.
Dixon is under contract at Pitt until 2023 and his buyout is reportedly $10 million. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dixon’s salary is $3.2 million.
Cubs’ Lester has bone chip in throwing arm
Chicago Cubs left-hander Jon Lester has been pitching with a floating bone chip in his throwing elbow for years, according to reports.
The Chicago Cubs knew about the bone chip when they signed Lester to a six-year, $155 million contract after the 2014 season, Yahoo Sports reported. The bone chip was discovered during a 2014 MRI exam before Lester signed his deal with the Cubs. Yahoo Sports is including the information in an upcoming book.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Lester calls the chip a “nonissue.”
Lester, 32, pitched 205 innings in the regular season last year, plus another 14 innings in the postseason. He posted an 11-12 regular-season record with a 3.34 ERA in 32 starts in 2015. He made two starts in the postseason, losing both games.