Day: February 17, 2017

Browns sign long snapper Hughlett to 6-year extension (Sports Betting News)Browns sign long snapper Hughlett to 6-year extension (Sports Betting News)

The Cleveland Browns signed steady long snapper Charley Hughlett to a six-year contract extension. Hughlett has been with the team since 2014, when he joined Cleveland’s practice squad and was eventually signed to the active roster. Hughlett had been scheduled to become an exclusive rights free agent this offseason before signing through 2022.

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NASCAR hopes for boost after big swings at spicing it up (Sports Betting News)NASCAR hopes for boost after big swings at spicing it up (Sports Betting News)

FILE - In this June 30, 2016, file photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr. gestures as he speaks during a news conference before the start of a NASCAR Sprint Cup auto racing practice at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR has a new sponsor, a new format and a familiar face this year in its bid to rebound from declining ratings and attendance. The next 11 months will show if Dale Earnhardt Jr., Monster Energy and different rules can provide the needed jolt.(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

NASCAR has a new sponsor, a new format and welcomes back its most popular driver, all providing optimism for a series eager to halt a steady decline in attendance, ratings and sponsorship. The on-track product for the stock car series officially reports for work Friday at Daytona International Speedway, which hosts the Feb. 26 season-opening ”Great American Race.” It will kick off a season of hold-your-breath, we-really-hope-this-works efforts by NASCAR, the networks, tracks, teams and drivers to turn things around. This season begins with Monster Energy roaring into its debut year as title sponsor amid promised marketing to millennials and the opportunity to lure new eyeballs to a sport with an aging audience.

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NASCAR hopes for boost after big swings at spicing it up (Sports Betting News)NASCAR hopes for boost after big swings at spicing it up (Sports Betting News)

FILE - In this June 30, 2016, file photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr. gestures as he speaks during a news conference before the start of a NASCAR Sprint Cup auto racing practice at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR has a new sponsor, a new format and a familiar face this year in its bid to rebound from declining ratings and attendance. The next 11 months will show if Dale Earnhardt Jr., Monster Energy and different rules can provide the needed jolt.(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

NASCAR has a new sponsor, a new format and welcomes back its most popular driver, all providing optimism for a series eager to halt a steady decline in attendance, ratings and sponsorship. The on-track product for the stock car series officially reports for work Friday at Daytona International Speedway, which hosts the Feb. 26 season-opening ”Great American Race.” It will kick off a season of hold-your-breath, we-really-hope-this-works efforts by NASCAR, the networks, tracks, teams and drivers to turn things around. This season begins with Monster Energy roaring into its debut year as title sponsor amid promised marketing to millennials and the opportunity to lure new eyeballs to a sport with an aging audience.

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Johnson, Mickelson near the early lead at Riviera (Sports Betting News)Johnson, Mickelson near the early lead at Riviera (Sports Betting News)

February 16, 2017; Pacific Palisades, CA, USA;  Dustin Johnson hits from the ninth hole fairway during the first round of the Genesis Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

(Officialsportsbetting.com) – Big-hitting Dustin Johnson made a strong start in his bid to claim the world number one ranking this week by firing a five-under 66 that left him two shots off the early first-round lead at the Genesis Open at Riviera. The reigning U.S. Open champion, who can claim the top ranking with a victory should incumbent Jason Day tie for third or worse here, made six birdies and one bogey to stand two shots behind Sam Saunders on the classic Los Angeles layout. “I just want to put myself in position to win on Sunday.” Saunders, grandson of the late Arnold Palmer, made seven birdies in a bogey-free round of 64 as he chases his first PGA Tour win in his 79th start.

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Ducks’ Vermette suspended 10 games for slashing official (Sports Betting News)Ducks’ Vermette suspended 10 games for slashing official (Sports Betting News)

In this Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, photo, Anaheim Ducks center Antoine Vermette pauses on the ice during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz. Vermette is facing the likely prospect of a 10-game NHL suspension for slashing linesman Shandor Alphonso during the Duck's game on Tuesday, Feb. 14. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Anaheim Ducks forward Antoine Vermette was suspended for 10 games without pay Thursday for slashing a linesman in apparent anger after a faceoff. Vermette slapped his stick against the back of linesman Shandor Alphonso’s legs after losing a faceoff to Minnesota captain Mikko Koivu during the third period of the Ducks’ 1-0 win Tuesday. Two days later, the NHL issued the automatic 10-game suspension under league rules for applying physical force to an official without intent to injure.

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Ducks’ Vermette suspended 10 games for slashing official (Sports Betting News)Ducks’ Vermette suspended 10 games for slashing official (Sports Betting News)

In this Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, photo, Anaheim Ducks center Antoine Vermette pauses on the ice during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz. Vermette is facing the likely prospect of a 10-game NHL suspension for slashing linesman Shandor Alphonso during the Duck's game on Tuesday, Feb. 14. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Anaheim Ducks forward Antoine Vermette was suspended for 10 games without pay Thursday for slashing a linesman in apparent anger after a faceoff. Vermette slapped his stick against the back of linesman Shandor Alphonso’s legs after losing a faceoff to Minnesota captain Mikko Koivu during the third period of the Ducks’ 1-0 win Tuesday. Two days later, the NHL issued the automatic 10-game suspension under league rules for applying physical force to an official without intent to injure.

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