Larry Brown suspended by NCAA for nine games
The NCAA suspended Southern Methodist University basketball head coach Larry Brown for nine games of the upcoming season, banned the SMU Mustangs from the 2016 postseason and will revoke nine scholarships from the team over the next three years. The penalties stem from several rule violations, including academic fraud, unethical conduct and promoting a noncompliant attitude. An NCAA investigation revealed that a former assistant coach and another administrator completed a player’s coursework, enabling him to play for the team. Brown and other staff on the team did not report this violation.
Extreme sports and MTV star Erik Roner dies during skydiving stunt
In the opening act for a golf event in Squaw Valley, California, Roner, 39, died after hitting a tree while attempting to land. Onlookers at the event said that Roner hit the tree and became entangled, and officials pronounced him dead at the scene. Roner was a member of the Nitro Circus, an extreme sports group. All other skydivers in the stunt landed safely.
Sports media group proposes ‘Netflix of sports’
Perform Group, a European global sports media company based in the United Kingdom, introduced a livestreaming service for sports. Launching in 2016, the unnamed service will provide users with real-time games for $10 a month in Germany, Japan, Switzerland and Austria. The company has already secured the rights to broadcast several major international soccer leagues and the NFL. It is slated to also provide original content and shows hosted by former athletes.
Nat Fyfe wins AFL’s 2015 Bronlow Medal
Fyfe, midfielder and forward for the Fremantle Football Club, won the 2015 Brownlow Medal for the Australian Football League’s best and fairest player, tallying 31 votes. At 24-years-old, Fyfe is the youngest player since 2008 to win the award. He is also the first Fremantle Docker to win the medal.
Linebacker Scooby Wright out with a sprained foot
Wright sprained his left ankle in a game against UCLA after just returning from a knee injury. He missed the first three games due to a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee, which required surgery, and is projected to be out for several weeks. Coach Rich Rodriguez said that in addition, quarterback Anu Solomon may or may not be able to play because of a concussion.
