- Agent’s Take: Options to consider regarding impasse between Jonathan Taylor and Colts CBS Sports
- Jonathan Taylor’s trade interest, Sean Payton ‘pleased’ w/ Russell Wilson’s progress | THE HERD The Herd with Colin Cowherd
- Bills Trade for Jonathan Taylor? Pros & Cons Sports Illustrated
- Jonathan Taylor has the support of his teammates amid his messy battle with Colts Horseshoe Heroes
- Keefer: Colts’ relationship with Jonathan Taylor has unraveled dramatically. So now what? The Athletic
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Tag Archives: impasse
Agent’s Take: Options to consider regarding impasse between Jonathan Taylor and Colts – CBS Sports
- Agent’s Take: Options to consider regarding impasse between Jonathan Taylor and Colts CBS Sports
- Jonathan Taylor’s trade interest, Sean Payton ‘pleased’ w/ Russell Wilson’s progress | THE HERD The Herd with Colin Cowherd
- Bills Trade for Jonathan Taylor? Pros & Cons Sports Illustrated
- Jonathan Taylor has the support of his teammates amid his messy battle with Colts Horseshoe Heroes
- Keefer: Colts’ relationship with Jonathan Taylor has unraveled dramatically. So now what? The Athletic
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Resolution talks in NCAA’s case vs. Michigan hit impasse over Jim Harbaugh’s refusal to say he lied
A potential negotiated resolution in the NCAA infractions case involving the Michigan football program broke down this week after the NCAA demanded head coach Jim Harbaugh state that he lied to investigators, multiple sources told Yahoo Sports.
According to sources, Harbaugh has acknowledged his program committed four Level II violations, as the NCAA initially alleged. He has further apologized to the university that they occurred. However, he has refused to sign any document or publicly state that he was ever untruthful with the enforcement staff.
The 59-year-old has maintained he didn’t recall the events when first speaking with investigators but that he was never purposefully dishonest.
The NCAA delivered a draft of a notice of allegations earlier this month citing the four Level II violations. They include meeting with two recruits during a COVID-19 dead period, texting a recruit outside of an allowable time period, having analysts perform on-field coaching duties during practice and having coaches watching players work out via Zoom, according to sources.
The NCAA defines Level II violations as resulting in “less than a substantial or extensive recruiting, competitive or other advantage.” It further calls them “systemic violations that do not amount to lack of institutional control”.
Punishments are usually minor.
However, the NCAA claims that during the investigation, Harbaugh lied to enforcement staffers about those infractions, which is, itself, a Level I violation. That’s what turned this into a more serious case.
A Level I violation could carry with it a six-game suspension and significant recruiting restrictions, according to NCAA statutes. In the past, coaches have been hit with show cause penalties that make their employment difficult.
During two meetings this week, the NCAA and Harbaugh held firm and refused to back down from their positions. The NCAA said the coach lied. The coach said he merely forgot otherwise insignificant actions. An impasse resulted.
All of this has occurred during an eventful time for the football program. The Wolverines lost to TCU on New Year’s Eve in the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs. It capped a 13-1 season that saw Michigan reach the playoffs, win the Big Ten and defeat Ohio State in consecutive years.
Within days, Harbaugh’s name emerged again for various NFL head coaching openings, including the Denver Broncos, with whom he spoke. Then word broke of the NCAA infractions case and Harbaugh remained coy about returning to his alma mater for a ninth season.
Earlier this week, Harbaugh and the university stated he would be back for the 2023 season, but the looming NCAA case remained. Additionally, co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss was suspended Tuesday as police investigate an allegation of someone at Schembechler Hall accessing university email accounts without authorization.
As for the NCAA case, at this point, the battle lines are drawn.
Harbaugh is not expected to back down and would likely mount a ferocious defense against any allegation he purposely lied. Harbaugh is famous for being stubborn, both as a player and as a head coach in the NCAA and NFL.
Additionally, it is generally challenging to prove someone knowingly lied without detailed contemporaneous evidence, which sources say the NCAA either lacks or simply doesn’t exist.
The NCAA could back off its attempt to gather that admission and resolve the case otherwise, however it has made no indication that it will do that. An NCAA punishment, even a short suspension, on the Level II violations without any admission of lying might be acceptable to Harbaugh. Anything involving admitting dishonesty would not, sources said.
Or the NCAA could proceed with a full case and issue a notice of allegation. A prolonged infractions case would take at least a year and potentially even longer, meaning Harbaugh could coach the entire 2023 season, where the Wolverines are again a national title contender.
Michigan would also have a decision to make on whether it should go to the wall in backing its coach in a fight with the NCAA. In the past, cooperation was often the path of least resistance for schools, but the NCAA has lost significant credibility and power over the past decade.
Public opinion has turned on amateurism in general — and thus the NCAA rules that stem from it — as well as the infractions process that has failed to punish high-profile cases with far more significant recruiting allegations. Initial public support has been heavily on Harbaugh’s side and whether that should or should not be a consideration for the enforcement staff, the reality is this isn’t 2003, or even 2018, any longer.
So does the NCAA still go all-in on trying to prove Jim Harbaugh lied? Does Michigan stand with its coach and tell the enforcement staff to pound sand and prove it?
Or can this still be resolved before an epic battle emerges between one of college athletics’ most powerful, popular and well-heeled institutions and one of football’s most famous coaches and a weakened governing body that even with diminished relevancy might still have might?
Republicans scramble to end impasse over McCarthy’s imperiled speakership bid
CNN
—
Kevin McCarthy faces growing pressure to end the impasse over his imperiled speakership bid after two consecutive days of failed votes.
But even after proposing major concessions to his hardline opponents late Wednesday, it remains unclear if the California Republican will be able to lock in the 218 votes he needs to win the gavel, and patience is wearing thin among lawmakers as the fight drags on.
The House is set to reconvene on Thursday at 12 p.m. ET. It’s unclear if a seventh vote on McCarthy’s speakership will happen then or if Republicans will move to adjourn. McCarthy is leery of having additional votes that show 20 members are opposed to him and he wants to demonstrate some forward momentum, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN.
Republican holdouts were meeting Thursday morning, said Rep. Warren Davidson, who supports McCarthy.
“I think after that, they’ll talk to Leader McCarthy and hopefully close up a deal,” the Ohio Republican told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on “CNN This Morning,” though he conceded that McCarthy “may never make it to 218.”
McCarthy, however, struck an optimistic tone when he arrived on Capitol Hill.
“I think we’re making progress,” he said.
There are some early indications that negotiations have made some headway as McCarthy and his allies attempt to chip away at opposition from a bloc of conservatives.
In a series of new concessions first reported by CNN Wednesday night, McCarthy agreed to propose a rules change that would allow just one member to call for a vote to oust a sitting speaker, according to two sources familiar with the matter. McCarthy had initially proposed a five-member threshold, down from current conference rules that require half of the GOP to call for such a vote.
He also agreed to allow for more members of the Freedom Caucus to serve on the powerful House Rules Committee, which dictates how and whether bills come to the floor, and to vote on a handful of bills that are priorities for the holdouts, including proposing term limits on members and a border security plan.
Republican sources say that even if McCarthy’s offers are accepted, it would still not get him the 218 votes he needs to be speaker. While these concessions could attract some new support, other opponents have raised different concerns that have yet to be fully addressed.
McCarthy said Wednesday evening that there was no deal yet to end the stalemate, but that there has been progress. “I think it’s probably best that people work through some more,” McCarthy said after the House had adjourned.
McCarthy has already made a number of concessions to his opponents, though so far his efforts have not been enough.
But sources said the talks Wednesday between McCarthy allies and holdouts have been the most productive and serious ones to date. And in one sign of a breakthrough, a McCarthy-aligned super PAC agreed to not play in open Republican primaries in safe seats – one of the big demands that conservatives had asked for but that McCarthy had resisted until this point.
Texas Rep. Chip Roy, one of the conservatives who has voted against McCarthy’s speakership bid, told GOP leaders that he thinks he can get 10 holdouts to come along if ongoing negotiations pan out, according to GOP sources familiar with the internal discussions, and that there are additional detractors who may be willing to vote “present.”
Still, even if these negotiations prove successful and 10 lawmakers do flip to McCarthy’s column – which is far from certain – that won’t get McCarthy to the 218 votes needed to win the speakership, so he would still have more work to do.
McCarthy also met separately Wednesday with the freshmen members-elect who voted against him, sources told CNN.
During the meeting, McCarthy reiterated some of the things he has already promised and went into greater detail about those concessions.
McCathy’s direct outreach to the freshmen-elect offers another window into his strategy for winning over the holdouts.
Incoming House Majority Whip Tom Emmer commented that the negotiations have been “very, very constructive.”
“There were a whole bunch of members that were involved in this, and there are some folks now that are sitting down and talking about that discussion to see where they want to go with it next,” the Minnesota Republican said.
One moderate Republican told CNN Thursday morning that they aren’t happy about the concessions, though they are willing to have “discussions” about them.
The fear is that lowering the threshold for a vote to oust the speaker to one member will make governing on items like the debt limit and funding almost impossible.
“I don’t like the rules but am willing to hear discussions. I think they’re a mistake for the conference. These handful of folks want a weak speaker with a four-vote majority. The public will not like what they see of the GOP, I fear,” the member said.
The fight over the speakership, which began Tuesday on the first day of the 118th Congress, has thrown the new House GOP majority into chaos and undercut the party’s agenda.
As the fight has stretched out, the situation has grown increasingly dire for McCarthy’s political future as even some of his Republican allies have begun to fear that the House GOP leader may not be able to pull off his gamble for speaker if the fight goes much longer.
McCarthy has so far come up short in six rounds of voting. The final GOP tally for the sixth vote, which took place on Wednesday, was 201 for McCarthy, 20 for Florida Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida and one “present” vote.
The House will remain paralyzed until this standoff is resolved. This is the first time an election for speaker has gone to multiple ballots since 1923.
To be elected speaker, a candidate needs to win a majority of members who vote for a specific person on the House floor. That amounts to 218 votes if no member skips the vote or votes “present.”
House Republicans won 222 seats in the new Congress, so for McCarthy to reach 218, he can only afford to lose four GOP votes.
Republicans scramble to end impasse over McCarthy’s imperiled speakership bid
CNN
—
Kevin McCarthy faces growing pressure to end the impasse over his imperiled speakership bid after two consecutive days of failed votes.
But even after proposing major concessions to his hardline opponents late Wednesday, it remains unclear if the California Republican will be able to lock in the 218 votes he needs to win the gavel, and patience is wearing thin among lawmakers as the fight drags on.
The House is set to reconvene on Thursday at 12 p.m. ET. It’s unclear if a seventh vote on McCarthy’s speakership will happen then or if Republicans will move to adjourn. McCarthy is leery of having additional votes that show 20 members are opposed to him and he wants to demonstrate some forward momentum, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN.
Republican holdouts are meeting Thursday morning at 8 a.m. ET, according to Rep. Warren Davidson, who supports McCarthy.
“I think after that, they’ll talk to Leader McCarthy and hopefully close up a deal,” the Ohio Republican told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on “CNN This Morning.”
Still, Davidson conceded, “he may never make it to 218.”
There are some early indications that negotiations have made some headway as McCarthy and his allies attempt to chip away at opposition from a bloc of conservatives.
In a series of new concessions first reported by CNN Wednesday night, McCarthy agreed to propose a rules change that would allow just one member to call for a vote to oust a sitting speaker, according to two sources familiar with the matter. McCarthy had initially proposed a five-member threshold, down from current conference rules that require half of the GOP to call for such a vote.
He also agreed to allow for more members of the Freedom Caucus to serve on the powerful House Rules Committee, which dictates how and whether bills come to the floor, and to vote on a handful of bills that are priorities for the holdouts, including proposing term limits on members and a border security plan.
Republican sources say that even if McCarthy’s offers are accepted, it would still not get him the 218 votes he needs to be speaker. While these concessions could attract some new support, other opponents have raised different concerns that have yet to be fully addressed.
McCarthy said Wednesday evening that there was no deal yet to end the stalemate, but that there has been progress. “I think it’s probably best that people work through some more,” McCarthy said after the House had adjourned.
McCarthy has already made a number of concessions to his opponents, though so far his efforts have not been enough.
But sources said the talks Wednesday between McCarthy allies and holdouts have been the most productive and serious ones to date. And in one sign of a breakthrough, a McCarthy-aligned super PAC agreed to not play in open Republican primaries in safe seats – one of the big demands that conservatives had asked for but that McCarthy had resisted until this point.
Texas Rep. Chip Roy, one of the conservatives who has voted against McCarthy’s speakership bid, told GOP leaders that he thinks he can get 10 holdouts to come along if ongoing negotiations pan out, according to GOP sources familiar with the internal discussions, and that there are additional detractors who may be willing to vote “present.”
Still, even if these negotiations prove successful and 10 lawmakers do flip to McCarthy’s column – which is far from certain – that won’t get McCarthy to the 218 votes needed to win the speakership, so he would still have more work to do.
McCarthy also met separately Wednesday with the freshmen members-elect who voted against him, sources told CNN.
During the meeting, McCarthy reiterated some of the things he has already promised and went into greater detail about those concessions.
McCathy’s direct outreach to the freshmen-elect offers another window into his strategy for winning over the holdouts.
Incoming House Majority Whip Tom Emmer commented that the negotiations have been “very, very constructive.”
“There were a whole bunch of members that were involved in this, and there are some folks now that are sitting down and talking about that discussion to see where they want to go with it next,” the Minnesota Republican said.
One moderate Republican told CNN Thursday morning that they aren’t happy about the concessions, though they are willing to have “discussions” about them.
The fear is that lowering the threshold for a vote to oust the speaker to one member will make governing on items like the debt limit and funding almost impossible.
“I don’t like the rules but am willing to hear discussions. I think they’re a mistake for the conference. These handful of folks want a weak speaker with a four-vote majority. The public will not like what they see of the GOP, I fear,” the member said.
The fight over the speakership, which began Tuesday on the first day of the 118th Congress, has thrown the new House GOP majority into chaos and undercut the party’s agenda.
As the fight has stretched out, the situation has grown increasingly dire for McCarthy’s political future as even some of his Republican allies have begun to fear that the House GOP leader may not be able to pull off his gamble for speaker if the fight goes much longer.
McCarthy has so far come up short in six rounds of voting. The final GOP tally for the sixth vote, which took place on Wednesday, was 201 for McCarthy, 20 for Florida Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida and one “present” vote.
The House will remain paralyzed until this standoff is resolved. This is the first time an election for speaker has gone to multiple ballots since 1923.
To be elected speaker, a candidate needs to win a majority of members who vote for a specific person on the House floor. That amounts to 218 votes if no member skips the vote or votes “present.”
House Republicans won 222 seats in the new Congress, so for McCarthy to reach 218, he can only afford to lose four GOP votes.
Peter Harvey will refrain from ruling in Deshaun Watson case until settlement talks reach impasse
Yes, settlement talks continue between the NFL and the NFL Players Association in the Deshaun Watson case. It’s no surprise at this point. It’s been the case since late last week.
Appeals officer Peter Harvey hasn’t completed the (by rule) “expedited” review two weeks after the filing of the league’s appeal of the original six-game suspension for one reason. He’s waiting until the league and the union reach impasse in their ongoing settlement talks.
The message on Monday was that a settlement remained viable. At this point, every minute that Harvey doesn’t issue a ruling means that a settlement can still happen. And because the NFL, as a practical matter, controls Harvey, he’ll wait until the NFL tells him that settlement talks have hit a brick wall.
That’s the bottom line. No ruling until no settlement.
So where could a settlement land? Watson reportedly is willing to accept eight games. The league surely wants at least 12 games. The obvious middle ground is 10 games, plus a fine that converts all or part of 2021 into an unpaid suspension by taking up to the full $10 million in salary that he received last year.
As previously mentioned, both sides need to be committed to selling to the public that last year was, as a practical matter, a paid suspension, since he didn’t play in 2021 due to the off-field issue. And that’s 100 percent accurate. But for the legal entanglement, he would have been traded to the Dolphins at some point between the middle of March and Labor Day weekend.
Now, a different deal is under the microscope. Will the NFL and the NFLPA strike a deal that avoids a ruling from Harvey and, in turn, a fight in federal court? The possibility of a settlement remains until Harvey rules.
Actually, a settlement can happen even after Harvey issues a ruling. The league surely would prefer, however, to not bang the internal gavel at something like a one-year suspension and then promptly walk it back to 10 or 12 after the union sues. The time to settle is now, before Harvey rules. And Harvey won’t rule unless and until there’s a genuine impasse.
Nets, Kyrie Irving at an impasse; latest on Miles Bridges; NBA Draft notes
With the NBA Draft three days away and free agency around the corner, trade conversations, signings and pursuits for all 30 teams have begun in earnest. Across the league, major free agents — and potential free agents — are being monitored: Chicago’s Zach LaVine, Washington’s Bradley Beal, Philadelphia’s James Harden, Phoenix’s Deandre Ayton, Charlotte’s Miles Bridges, Dallas’ Jalen Brunson, Portland’s Anfernee Simons and more.
But one of the most anticipated free-agency situations involves Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving, who has a June 29 deadline on his $36.9 million player option for the 2022-23 season. However, multiple sources tell The Athletic that conversations about Irving’s future have gone stagnant between him and the Nets. An impasse currently exists among the parties that clears the way for the seven-time All-Star to consider the open marketplace, those sources said.
Irving joined the Nets along with Kevin Durant in the summer of 2019, though Durant missed their first season together as he recovered from a torn Achilles tendon. Irving made the All-Star team in 2020-21 and helped lead the franchise to the Eastern Conference semifinals alongside Durant and James Harden prior to an ankle injury in a series against the Bucks. After the past season, in which he played just 29 games and missed most of the season’s home games because of his decision not to comply with New York City’s vaccine mandate, Irving made clear that he intended to return to the Nets in the summer and continue to build with Durant and newcomer Ben Simmons. He has averaged 27.2 points, 6.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game and made 40.4 percent of his 3-point attempts in three seasons with Brooklyn, but he has appeared in 103 of 216 regular-season games.
“I don’t really plan on going anywhere,” Irving said on April 25 after the Nets’ season-ending sweep to the Celtics in the first round of the East playoffs.
Nearly two months later, it appears both sides have serious work to do in order to find a resolution that brings Irving back to Brooklyn and his co-star in Durant, who is under contract with the Nets through 2025-26. Several teams across the league have kept tabs on the situation, wondering about the future of Irving and Brooklyn.
The Lakers, Knicks and Clippers are expected to be among the interested suitors if Irving heads elsewhere, multiple sources tell The Athletic.
For the Lakers, the likely path to acquire Irving would be him opting in to facilitate a trade, because the Lakers cannot realistically clear cap space to sign him themselves, and a sign-and-trade would trigger the hard cap, thus making acquiring Irving significantly more difficult. If Irving would opt in, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka would have to satisfy the collective bargaining agreement’s salary-matching rules, meaning if Irving’s $36.6 million was the only incoming salary, the Lakers could send anywhere from $29.3 million to $45.8 million to the Nets and/or a third team in a legal transaction.
For the Knicks, the likely path to acquire Irving depends on what the Nets prioritize. New York is even with the salary-cap line for 2022-23 so it could clear enough space to sign Irving on a maximum contract by offloading salaries such as Evan Fournier, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel and Kemba Walker. But the Knicks could also offer some or all of those players to the Nets or a third team in a possible sign-and-trade.
For the Clippers, the likely path to get Irving requires him to opt in, because they are significantly over both the luxury-tax line and the hard cap for 2022-23. To satisfy salary matching, the Clippers would need to send out between $29.3 million and $45.8 million to the Nets and/or a third team if Irving is the only salary headed their way. The Clippers’ scenario is less complicated than the Lakers, as the Clippers have a series of players making $11 million to $17 million to work with. For example, two or three of Norman Powell, Marcus Morris, Luke Kennard and Reggie Jackson going out satisfies the CBA’s trade rules, and they also have a collection of young players like Terance Mann or Brandon Boston who could help sweeten the deal.
A potential Irving departure would be incredibly damaging to the Nets because of their limited ability to replace him and his salary slot should Irving sign elsewhere as a free agent. A likelier path to any departure would be via sign-and-trade. Brooklyn owes $111 million to six players in 2022-23, not including Irving, so even filling out the roster with minimum salaries would put the Nets over next season’s projected salary cap of $122 million. If Irving bolts, Brooklyn’s strongest path to adding talent would be the full $10.3 million midlevel exception. Irving is also eligible for a new deal via exercising his player option and extending his contract from there, which could land him a starting salary of $45.2 million for 2023-24.
For the Nets, the fate of Irving’s free agency is one to keep an eye on as the NBA Draft and free agency near.
More NBA news and notes
Atlanta Hawks
Hawks free-agent guard Lou Williams intends to continue his playing career, his agent Wallace Prather says. “(Williams) is not pursuing retirement, and I’ll be proactive in talking to teams during free agency,” Prather said. Williams, a 17-year veteran, averaged 6.3 points and 14.3 minutes a game over 56 contests this past season.
Charlotte Hornets
Rival executives expect Hornets restricted free agent Miles Bridges to command a maximum — or near-max — deal in July, and sources said there’s hesitancy from Charlotte to match a max sheet. Bridges had a breakout season in 2021-22, averaging 20.2 points, seven rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. In a league that saw wings such as Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins and Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have game-changing impacts on a run to the NBA Finals, Bridges’ two-way ability on the wing has become incredibly valued toward winning.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers restricted free agent Collin Sexton has been cleared for full basketball activities, sources said. Sexton underwent surgery in November to repair a torn meniscus and has made a complete recovery on the eve of entering free agency. Rival execs believe Sexton’s market could reach the $20 million-per-year range.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are seriously discussing trades centered on Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner, sources said. The Wizards and Knicks are interested in Brogdon, armed with the Nos. 10 and 11 picks respectively, sources said. The Hornets have expressed interest in Turner, those sources said. Still, Indiana, which has the No. 6 pick in the draft, could elect to continue retooling its veteran core rather than rebuild entirely around young players.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have discussed deals around veteran centers, including Atlanta’s Clint Capela, sources said.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings are becoming increasingly comfortable drafting at No. 4 in Thursday’s draft and have described a steep price for teams behind them in the lottery who are attempting to trade up, sources said. Sacramento general manager Monte McNair has engaged in conversations around Hawks forward John Collins — among a slew of other established, productive players in the market — but there has been no involvement of the No. 4 pick in the discussions centered on Collins, and McNair will ultimately make the decision on the pick, according to sources.
Utah Jazz
Sources said the Jazz are scheduling second interview times with almost all of their 15 head coaching candidates as the next step in the process.
The 15 head coaching candidates are: Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant; current assistant Alex Jensen; current assistant Lamar Skeeter; Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin; Celtics assistant Will Hardy; Bucks assistant Charles Lee; Heat assistant Chris Quinn; Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney; Celtics assistant Joe Mazzulla; Pistons assistant Jerome Allen; 76ers assistant Sam Cassell; Suns assistant Kevin Young; G League head coach Jason Terry; former Lakers coach Frank Vogel; and ex-Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts.
Draft notes
• Auburn’s Jabari Smith, who worked out and met with the Magic (No. 1) and Thunder (No. 2) during the predraft process, is a virtual lock to go in the top two in the draft. He remains a favorite to go No. 1.
• Kentucky’s Shaedon Sharpe is the mystery man of the NBA Draft. Sharpe is a projected high lottery pick, and sources say he has conducted strong group workouts such as three-on-three and four-on-four scrimmages to showcase his ability for teams who have not seen him play organized basketball over the past year or two. Instead of conducting individual workouts, Sharpe sought the competition, working out for teams between the draft ranges of Nos. 1-13.
• The G League Ignite’s Michael Foster will end up working out for 15 teams, with his 6-foot-9 build and expected versatility at the next level making him a candidate to be a draft sleeper. In 13 games for the Ignite last season, Foster averaged 14.8 points and a team-high 8.7 rebounds per game.
(Photo: Winslow Townson / USA Today)
AT&T, Verizon propose limits to 5G to break regulatory impasse
Cellphone carriers AT&T and Verizon on Wednesday proposed limits on their 5G networks for the first half of 2022 in an effort to launch their services while also addressing regulatory concerns about potentially disrupting air traffic safety, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The Journal, which obtained a copy of a letter that both carriers sent to Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica RosenworcelJessica RosenworcelHillicon Valley — Presented by Ericsson — House passes Biden plan with 0M for cyber FCC votes to let people text 988 to reach suicide prevention hotline Hillicon Valley — TikTok, Snapchat seek to distance themselves from Facebook MORE on Wednesday, reported that the companies proposed to reduce or cap the strength of its 5G services across the country, especially near helipads and airports.
“This is an important and encouraging step, and we are committed to continued constructive dialogue with all of the stakeholders. We look forward to reviewing the AT&T and Verizon proposal,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement. “The FAA believes that aviation and 5G C-band wireless service can safely co-exist.”
The proposal represented “one of the most comprehensive efforts in the world to safeguard aviation technologies,” a FCC spokesman said, according to the Journal.
At the crux of the issue is how frequencies from 5G may affect a system used to calculate distance between the ground and aircraft, which is measured by radar altimeters, according to the Journal.
Some radar altimeters may be sensitive and able to pick up the transmissions of 5G, though cellphone carriers contend those 5G transmissions are lower than those picked up by the altimeters. The cellphone carrier proposed the limits as a way to give the government time to look into the issue.
Although the carriers said the limits would not have a significant impact on the speed of services they provide to customers, The Journal noted that the proposal is significant because the companies have spent billions on the 5G spectrum licenses.
The Hill has reached out to AT&T, Verizon and the FCC for comment.
Everything we know and don’t know about Ben Simmons, the Philadelphia 76ers and their trade impasse
Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers remain at an impasse, as the two sides have been since Philadelphia was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks in June.
Simmons, who is under contract for four more seasons, would like to be traded. The 76ers would like to trade him, but only for a return they believe is commensurate with how they value the 25-year-old three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defense selection.
So far, a deal hasn’t happened. Until it does, both sides will remain locked in a stalemate.
Sources previously told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Simmons has sought a trade out of Philadelphia and that Simmons’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, and Sixers management met earlier this summer. Now, sources confirmed Simmons has threatened to skip the start of training camp in an effort to put pressure on Philadelphia to make a move.
All of that adds up to Philadelphia — a city that has grown accustomed to drama surrounding its basketball team — being home to the league’s stickiest situation with less than three weeks until training camp.
How did we get here?
From the moment Simmons passed out of a wide-open dunk to Matisse Thybulle with under four minutes to go in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Hawks, league insiders have believed his exit from Philadelphia was inevitable.
After staunchly defending Simmons all season, Sixers coach Doc Rivers was asked after that Game 7 loss if Simmons could be a championship-level point guard.
“I don’t know the answer to that,” Rivers said.
Part of the reason Rivers defended Simmons all season was that it was his latest attempt to use his news conferences to boost the confidence of one of his key players — something he’d had success doing with players like Rajon Rondo with the Boston Celtics and DeAndre Jordan with the LA Clippers.
Not only was Philadelphia still hoping Simmons would become more willing to shoot, but there also was the fact that Simmons’ name had been bandied about in James Harden trade talks at the start of the season.
Ultimately, none of it worked, culminating with Simmons passing up that wide-open dunk.
Shortly after that ugly Game 7 loss, and following a discussion between management and Simmons’ representation, both sides agreed to look for a trade as the draft and free agency approached. Over the ensuing weeks, the Sixers had talks with numerous teams, sources said, and several made what they believed were legitimate offers.
It became clear the Sixers’ asking price for Simmons was steep; Philly was looking for a premium return whether it was a star player, multiple first-round picks or both.
After the transaction season ended in mid-August, owner Joshua Harris and 76ers management flew to Los Angeles to meet with Simmons and agent Rich Paul. The Sixers intended to tell Simmons they couldn’t find a deal for him and hoped to put aside differences and enter the season on the same page, sources said.
Simmons, however, was steadfast, telling Harris he didn’t want to play for the team again and that if he wasn’t traded by the end of the month he didn’t intend to come to training camp, sources said.
The point was made that it wasn’t Simmons’ responsibility to increase his trade value, and that the Sixers should find the best possible trade and execute it now, rather than wait for a strong start to the season to increase his value.
Why hasn’t Simmons been traded yet?
The simple answer? Because Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal aren’t available yet.
Philadelphia’s president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, has proven three things over his long, successful run as an executive: He isn’t afraid of awkward situations, he isn’t going to make a deal for the sake of making one and he is constantly trying to swing trades for stars.
Like several other teams around the league, the 76ers are closely monitoring the Lillard situation in hopes that he asks out of Portland. Earlier this summer, Lillard said he didn’t feel like the Blazers had a championship roster and wanted to see improvements. Portland has had a quiet offseason in terms of free-agent additions.
Until there’s any movement there — or another team comes in with a huge offer for Simmons separately — it seems likely Simmons will remain on Philadelphia’s roster for the foreseeable future.
Would Simmons really not report to training camp?
Rich Paul hasn’t been afraid to use this sort of tactic to his advantage in the past. Two Klutch Sports clients, Tristan Thompson and JR Smith, had protracted contract negotiations with the Cleveland Cavaliers deep into training camp, only getting them done close to the start of the regular season.
This situation is different. Simmons is under contract for another four seasons, which diminishes his leverage. Holding out is one way he could pressure Philadelphia to make a move — although it’s unlikely Morey would feel the need to rush into making one.
Expect the NBA to step in if Simmons does not report and the 76ers do not penalize him financially with a suspension. The last thing the league can afford is a precedent of players under contract not reporting for training camp.
Have there been recent examples of players under contract not reporting to camp?
The closest is Jimmy Butler in 2018 with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Butler was dissatisfied that his contract was not renegotiated during the offseason and believed not everyone on the roster was aligned to winning. As a result, he implored the organization to trade him.
The Butler situation was different because the Timberwolves gave him permission to miss media day and the early part of training camp while he rehabbed his right knee. When Butler did return to training camp on Oct. 10, he created a storm at his first practice, challenging teammates, coaches and front-office executives.
One of those targets was then-GM Scott Layden: “You f—ing need me, Scott. You can’t win without me,” Butler reportedly said.
The young Timberwolves team that reached the playoffs the previous year started the season 3-7. After four straight losses, Butler was traded on Nov. 12 to the 76ers, where he helped Simmons and Embiid reach the second round of the playoffs before losing to the eventual champion Toronto Raptors.
Another example is when the Rockets’ James Harden asked for a trade last offseason and missed the first week of training camp as a result of failing to meet the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols.
Harden eventually practiced on Dec. 14 but was ruled unavailable for the Rockets’ season opener after being spotted at an indoor party without a mask, a violation of the league’s health and safety protocols that cost him $50,000. Houston started the season 3-6 before Harden was traded to Brooklyn in mid-January.
A Simmons no-show at training camp would be considered more of an inconvenience and less of a disruption.
Unlike Minnesota and Houston, where Butler and Harden were both their teams’ top players, that is not the case in Philadelphia. The 76ers have an MVP candidate in Joel Embiid and a strong nucleus led by Tobias Harris, Seth Curry, Thybulle and Tyrese Maxey.
With or without Simmons, Philadelphia is still a playoff team, although likely not one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference.
What are the financial implications if Simmons holds out?
Under Article VI, Section 1 (player conduct) of the collective bargaining agreement, a player who fails to render services would be suspended and could be fined up to 1/145th of the player’s base compensation for each day he does not show up.
This means Simmons could forfeit $227,613 for every practice and game that he misses. It should be noted that Simmons would need to be suspended before the 76ers can levy the per-day penalty.
Taking the suspension approach is the point of no return for the 76ers, who would lose a ton of leverage in their search for a trade.
If the 76ers elect not to enforce the “failure to render services” language in the CBA, they could still fine him $2,500 for the first missed practice, $5,000 for the second missed practice, $7,500 for the third missed practice and a reasonable fine under the circumstances for a fourth (or additional) missed practice.
However, Simmons’ situation is unique because of the pay structure in his contract.
When Simmons signed his five-year $177.2 million rookie max extension in 2019, he elected to be paid 25% of his salary for every season on July 1, 25% on Oct. 1 and the remaining 50% in 12 installments starting on Nov. 15.
The unknown is if the 76ers would withhold $8,250,984 on Oct. 1 if he doesn’t show up for training camp.
What is Simmons’ relationship with Embiid now?
From the moment Simmons and Embiid began playing together in 2017, there have been questions about their on-court fit despite the two of them consistently posting positive net ratings when sharing the court.
Philadelphia’s repeated stumbles in the playoffs haven’t eased those concerns. And after Embiid spoke to the media following the 76ers’ Game 7 loss to the Hawks, the idea of breaking up the stars burst open.
“I’ll be honest. I thought the turning point was when we, I don’t know how to say it, is when we had an open shot and we made one free throw,” Embiid said, not naming Simmons but specifically calling out his passed-up layup opportunity as the reason for Philadelphia’s loss.
However, Embiid took to Twitter last week in response to a story about the status of their relationship, saying he had no issues with Simmons.
“Stop using my name to push people’s agendas,” Embiid tweeted. “I love and hate drama. I love playing with Ben. Stats don’t lie. He’s an amazing player and we all didn’t get the job done. It’s on me personally. I hope everyone is back cuz we know we’re good enough to win.”
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst contributed to this story.
Why the Cubs and Anthony Rizzo are at an impasse in contract extension talks – The Athletic
All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo’s contract talks with the Cubs are stalled for the same reason contract talks usually stall: A difference of opinion on the player’s value.
The Cubs offered Rizzo a five-year extension for $70 million, according to major-league sources. The proposal, an initial offer subject to negotiation, was front-loaded and included escalators that would have enabled Rizzo to earn more on the back end, sources said. But the guarantee was barely more than half of what the Cardinals gave first baseman Paul Goldschmidt when they signed him to a five-year, $130 million extension in March 2019.
Rizzo is in the same position Goldschmidt was then, eight months away from free agency, entering his age-31 season.
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