AP Sports Digest

Updated May. 23, 2020 2:42 a.m. ET

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The highlights of the AP Sports report. An up-to-the minute listing of all stories planned, including games and events, is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, http://newsroom.ap.org/coverageplan You can also find a link to Coverage Plan on the left navigation of the Newsroom home page, http://newsroom.ap.org

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TOP STORIES

HKN--PLAYOFF FORMAT VOTE

The NHL Players’ Association’s executive committee authorized moving forward in talks with the league on returning to play from the coronavirus suspension, approving 24 teams making the playoffs with other aspects still to be negotiated. The NHLPA did not provide a breakdown of the vote of its 31 player reps in making the announcement Friday night, a day after the proposal was presented to the union’s executive board. The NHLPA stressed several details still need to be negotiated. By John Wawrow and Stephen Whyno. SENT: 850 words, photos.

BKN--OBIT-SLOAN

Hall of Fame basketball coach Jerry Sloan has died. His death was announced by the Utah Jazz, the team he took to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. The Jazz say he died Friday from complications of Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Sloan spent 23 seasons coaching the Jazz, many led by John Stockton and Karl Malone. The team finished below .500 in only one of those years. Sloan won more than 1,200 games in his career, the fourth-highest total in NBA history. By Tim Reynolds. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.

FBC--VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLLEGE SPORTS

Southeastern Conference schools will be able to bring athletes in all sports back to campus for voluntary activities starting June 8 at the discretion of each university. The Big 12 plans to welcome football players back to campus a week later. These are the latest signs that a college football season will be launched in some form this fall. The move comes two days after the NCAA Division I Council voted to lift a moratorium on voluntary workouts on campus by football and basketball players, effective June 1. The NCAA now says voluntHary activities will be allowed in all sports starting June 1. By Stephen Hawkins and Steve Megargee. SENT: 830 words, photos.

CAR--NASCAR-CHARLOTTE-DISAPPOINTED FANS

CONCORD, N.C. — Many race fans have been coming to the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway for decades. But this year spectators won’t be allowed in due to the coronavirus pandemic. That has left fans both sad and frustrated. Harry Wiley from Johnson City, said he feels “lost” not being at the race. He and his wife Judy normally spend 18 days in Charlotte reuniting with friends over food, drinks and racing. But this year Wiley, like thousands of other race fans, will watch NASCAR’s crown jewel on television from his home. Wiley likens it to losing a friend, saying “I have nothing to do now.” By Steve Reed. UPCOMING: 795 words, photos by 3 a.m.

COMMENTARY

PAUL NEWBERRY-NO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Jerry Sloan was undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. Yet there’s one glaring omission on an otherwise stellar resume. A championship. Sloan died Friday at age 78, which prompted us to look at other coaching gurus who failed to compete a trip to a title. By Paul Newberry. SENT: 1,050 words, photos.

NOTABLE

FBC--VIRUS OUTBREAK-HBCUs

Historically black schools in the Southwestern Athletic Conference have fared well economically so far despite limited resources and the shutdown of sports because of the pandemic. But their programs could take a huge financial hit if fans are banned from football games this fall. Teams in the SWAC as well as many other HBCUs across the country earn some money from television contracts. But the primary source of revenue from football comes from putting fans in the stands. By Kristie Rieken. UPCOMING: 960 words, photos by 3 a.m.

CAR--NASCAR-CONDO VIEW

CONCORD, N.C. — Not all NASCAR fans will be locked out of NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday. Due to a logistical quirk in the facilities, those who live in the condominiums at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be allowed to watch the race from inside their residence. Each condo owner gets five tickets and three parking passes, though there are some restrictions. Charlotte, Atlanta and Texas are among the speedways that have condos where people actually live at the track and will be allowed to see the races. NASCAR has otherwise resumed its season without fans in attendance. By Steve Reed. SENT: 870 words, photos.

SOC- -VIRUS OUTBREAK-MEXICO SOCCER

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s Liga MX canceled the remainder of its spring season without crowning a champion for the first time,. The decision was caused by the new coronavirus pandemic. Teams had played 10 of the Clausura’s 17 dates before suspending play March 15. The league says restrictions caused by the health emergency made it impossible to continue without putting people at risk. Cruz Azul had been seeking its first league title since 1997. It finished with 22 points and a one-point lead over second-place León, which joined Cruz Azul in qualifying for the next CONCACAF Champions League. By Carlos Rodriguez. SENT: 190 words, photos.

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Wiley Green

Utah Jazz