Sports briefs
In the NFL
The Tennessee Titans have a major need for help at wide receiver, and they will be the first NFL team to bring three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in for a free agent visit.
They certainly could use his experience in a very young wide receiving group. Hopkins, who turned 31 Tuesday, would have led Tennessee last season with his 64 catches for 717 yards last season despite being limited to nine games by a six-game suspension. He also missed the final two games.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars unveiled conceptual designs for their “stadium of the future” on Wednesday, providing a glimpse into a $1.4 billion project that would tie the team to one of the NFL’s smallest markets for decades.
The proposal includes a 62,000-seat, open-air stadium under a translucent covering that’s the equivalent of “wearing shades in the sun,” team president Mark Lamping said. It also includes a 360-degree concourse that’s four times wider than the current space.
Capacity could be expanded to 71,500 for the annual Florida-Georgia rivalry, the Gator Bowl, a College Football Playoff game or the Final Four. Pools and a party deck would remain in the north end zone.
The venture requires approval from newly elected mayor Donna Deegan.
In the Olympics
The IOC finally ran out of patience with the International Boxing Federation on Wednesday and set a date to terminate its Olympic status this month.
While boxing will still be on the program at the 2024 Paris Games, the International Olympic Committee said its executive board has asked the full membership to withdraw its recognition of the IBA at a special meeting on June 22.
IOC members rarely vote against recommendations from their 15-member board and the IBA’s ouster is likely a formality.
In auto racing
NASCAR issued another set of penalties Wednesday for illegal modifications to its second-year Next Gen car, this time against Legacy Motor Club and driver Eric Jones.
NASCAR said the team modified the greenhouse on the No. 43 Chevrolet and fined crew chief Dave Elenz $75,000 and suspended him one race. Both Legacy and Jones were also docked 60 points and five NASCAR playoff points.
Ed Carpenter Racing said it has ended its relationship with driver Conor Daly effective immediately and will announce a new driver for the No. 20 Chevrolet by IndyCar’s next race.