NFL focusing on minority coaching opportunities
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told the Associated Press that “the league will keep focusing on opportunities to create a deeper pool of minority coaching candidates.” The Associated Press found that of the 2018 season staff for coaching, there were only four minority stepping-stone positions for offensive coordinator and quarterback coaches. According to the Associated Press, the “lack of minority coaches in the pipeline helped contribute to the NFL’s sharpest-ever one-year drop in minority head coaches.”
Wife of detained refugee soccer player pleads to Thai Prime Minister
Hakeem al-Araibi, former professional soccer player from Bahrain, was detained in Thailand after being convicted in absentia for arson towards a police station. According to the Associated Press, “A campaign by Australia, human rights groups and international sports organizations to stop Thailand from extraditing to Bahrain a detained soccer player who has refugee status in Australia has gotten a personal touch, with an open letter from the jailed man’s wife delivered to the Thai prime minister.” Al-Arabibi was detained in Bangkok and was blindfolded and beaten while imprisoned in Bahrain.
Utah Olympic officials seeking $15 million for events
The United State Olympic Committee has approved Salt Lake city to bid to be the host of the 2030 Winter Olympic Games. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, “six weeks after Salt Lake City became the United States Olympic Committee’s choice for a future Olympic Games bid, local Olympic committees gather for the first time in 2019 to be briefed on where the process for the city’s Olympic hopes goes from here.”
Twins finalize $4 million, 1-year contract
Martin Perez, a former Texas left-hander, finalized a $4 million one-year contract with the Minneapolis Twins. This is the Twins’ first acquisition in the offseason. According to the Associated Press, “Perez gets a $43.5 million salary this year, and the Twins have a $7.5 million option for 2020 with a $500,000 buyout. The option price could escalate to $8.5 million based on innings this year. He also could earn $500,000 in performance bonuses this season
