Patriots

Morning sports update: Here are the latest odds on Tom Brady’s free agent decision

A return to the Patriots is still favored.

Tom Brady at the TB12 Performance & Recovery Center in Boston on Sept. 17, 2019. Nic Antaya/Boston Globe

By Hayden Bird

On Thursday, the sports world in North America all but ground to a halt in an effort to help fight the spread of coronavirus. Alongside the near-unanimous suspension of professional leagues, the NCAA announced that all championships — including the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments — were canceled.

Tom Brady and free agency: Though the NFL is currently in its offseason, it’s still reacting to coronavirus like other leagues. The annual league meeting has been canceled, and many teams have closed their facilities and recalled scouts.

Yet the NFL’s offseason schedule will continue. ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the league would not change the formal start of its new league year, which is still set for March 18:

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With that in mind, Tom Brady’s free agent decision remains on course. The 42-year-old quarterback will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career on Wednesday unless he agree to a new deal with the Patriots before that. Brady can begin talking with other teams on Monday (March 16) when the legal tampering period begins.

As for where he might play during the 2020 season, here are the latest odds according to Odds Shark:

  • New England Patriots: -150
  • Tennessee Titans: +500
  • Las Vegas Raiders: +600
  • Los Angeles Chargers: +600
  • San Francisco 49ers: +700
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +1200
  • Indianapolis Colts: +1400
  • Chicago Bears: +3300
  • Dallas Cowboys: +3300
  • Miami Dolphins: +3300

Trivia: What former Red Sox manager has also won a championship in Japan?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He grew up in Connecticut.

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English soccer is suspended until at least April 3:

Kevin Love’s charity is donating $100,000 to help support Cavaliers arena and support staff during the NBA’s season suspension:

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Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. And the fear and anxiety resulting from the recent outbreak of COVID-19 can be extremely overwhelming. Through the game of basketball, we’ve been able to address major issues and stand together as a progressive league that cares about the players, the fans, and the communities where we work. I’m concerned about the level of anxiety that everyone is feeling and that is why I’m committing $100,000 through the @KevinLoveFund in support of the @Cavs arena and support staff that had a sudden life shift due to the suspension of the NBA season. I hope that during this time of crisis, others will join me in supporting our communities. Pandemics are not just a medical phenomenon. They affect individuals and society on so many levels, with stigma and xenophobia being just two aspects of the impact of a pandemic outbreak. It’s important to know that those with a mental illness may be vulnerable to the effects of widespread panic and threat. Be kind to one another. Be understanding of their fears, regardless if you don’t feel the same. Be safe and make informed decisions during this time. And I encourage everyone to take care of themselves and to reach out to others in need — whether that means supporting your local charities that are canceling events, or checking in on your colleagues and family.

A post shared by Kevin Love (@kevinlove) on

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U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro resigned after intense scrutiny amid the ongoing lawsuit with the U.S. women’s team:

On this day: In 1983, North Carolina State men’s basketball, coached by Jim Valvano, stunned Ralph Sampson and Virginia to win the ACC Conference Tournament.

The Wolfpack entered the conference tournament 17-10, needing a miracle to make the NCAA Tournament. But after a dramatic win against Wake Forest and an overtime victory over Michael Jordan and North Carolina, Valvano’s team was one win away from an automatic NCAA bid.

Facing Ralph Sampson and the No. 2 ranked Cavaliers, N.C. State pulled off yet another upset. It proved to be only the beginning of what would become a miraculous run, famously chronicled in the 2013 ESPN “30 for 30” titled “Survive & Advance.”

Daily highlight: In one of the last European soccer games to be played for the foreseeable future, Manchester United’s Odion Ighalo juggled the ball to himself before smashing his shot into the top corner. United defeated Austrian team LASK, 5-0.

One more look:

Trivia answer: Bobby Valentine

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