Getty Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott
Welcome to the roundup of must-see sports news from Tuesday, highlighted by a report that Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott will not play next season without a new deal in place.
We’ll also take a look at a new NCAA policy being dubbed the “Rich Paul Rule” that drew the ire of NBA star LeBron James and a can’t miss highlight in Cleveland of Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield taking care of some troops at training camp.
All this and more as we get you up to speed with the sports world on this Wednesday!
HOLDOUT, HOLD UP: Report Says Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott Won’t Play in Dallas Without New Deal
GettyDallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott
The drama surrounding Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott continued on Tuesday with the team’s preseason opener quickly approaching.
Despite having two years left on his contract with the Cowboys, Elliott has been holding out from the team’s training camp in Oxnard, Calif. in search of a new deal. The latest wrinkle in the negotiations came from ESPN’s Josina Anderson, who reported that Elliott will not play during the 2019 season without a new contract.
After the report, Anderson clarified that the same source believed Zeke missing games “is not likely.”
Elliott is still on his rookie deal, which puts him 10th among running backs in terms of average annual salary at $6,239,086. Ahead of him are names like Lamar Miller and Jerick McKinnon. Zeke has also seen both Rams running back Todd Gurley (4 years, $57.5 million) and Jets running back Le’Veon Bell (4 years, 52.5 million) ink massive deals the last two offseasons.
The Cowboys have not been shy about feeding Zeke the ball. Last year, Elliott had a monster workload, with 304 rushes — 43 more than any other player — to go with 77 catches, collecting 2,001 yards from scrimmage. He’s also led the NFL in rushing in two of his three seasons as a pro.
While running backs have held out for new deals before, Bell missing the entirety of last season with the Steelers amid a contract dispute and then cashing in with the Jets changed the thought process behind a holdout. However, Elliott is in a different position, having two years left on his deal and the possibility of a franchise tag to follow. Bell weighed in on Elliott’s situation on Twitter.
Elliott is currently subject to a fine of $40,000 per day for his holdout. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, missing all of camp would subject Elliott to approximately $1.5 million in fines.
Elliott has been in Cabo during his holdout and the running back was spotted driving around Tuesday.
Zeke sighting in Cabo? 👀
(via truephjt/IG)
The Cowboys are in the midst of an offseason full of contract issues, with quarterback Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper also in need of deals. Both Pro Bowl offensive players are in the last year of their deals.
NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported that the Cowboys have “generous” offers on the table for Prescott, Cooper and Elliott that would put each one in the top five at their positions
RICH PAUL RULE? Fans, LeBron James Blast NCAA for New Agent Criteria
GettyAnthony Davis and LeBron James pictured with agent Rich Paul.
The NCAA issued a memo to agents Monday outlining new criteria players testing the NBA draft waters. By Tuesday, it went viral as the “Rich Paul Rule,” appearing to target the Klutch Sports mastermind.
The new qualifications needed include: a bachelor’s degree (which Paul doesn’t have), NBPA certification for at least three consecutive years, professional liability insurance and completion of an in-person exam taken at the NCAA office in Indianapolis in early November.
Paul is one of the NBA’s most powerful agents, recently being dubbed “King Maker” in a Sports Illustrated piece. He represents the likes of Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, Draymond Green and LeBron James — who also happens to be his good friend and business partner.
LeBron responded to the new rules on Twitter shortly after they were announced and all he could do was laugh.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop! They BIG MAD 😡 and Scared 😱. Nothing will stop this movement and culture over here. Sorry! Not sorry. 😁✌🏾
James wasn’t the only one to connect the dots. The term “Rich Paul Rule” was trending on Twitter and other NBA players — former and current — spoke out on the issue.
@JonRothstein White agents are mad!! Lol Rich Paul is changing the game.. Respect my brother 🙏🏽
#MoreThanAthletes
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE: Baker Mayfield Takes Care of Troops at Training Camp
Baker Mayfield wasn’t going to leave until every autograph was signed for the troops in attendance at Cleveland Browns training camp on Tuesday.
Despite being called off the field by Browns personnel, Mayfield stuck around well after practice to snap selfies and sign everything from shirts to helmets and balls for the soldiers who were anxiously awaiting his signature.
Hayden Grove of Cleveland.com caught the interaction on video.
Baker Mayfield was called off the field by the team when autographs were supposed to be over. He refused and signed and took selfies with every soldier remaining on the field. #Browns
One soldier notes that he was getting the autograph for his wife, who’s a big Mayfield supporter.
“She’s a huge, huge fan,” the solider said, saying that his wife was digging the QB’s new mustached look.
DON’T MISS THESE STORIES: Rounding Up the Top Sports Headlines
GettyGisele Bundchen and Tom Brady form one of the most famous couples in the world.
- Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen list massive Massachusetts home for $39.5M
- Cowboys defensive end Robert Quinn suffers broken hand
- Grienke wins Astros debut despite uneven outing
- Highlights from first episode of Hard Knocks featuring the Oakland Raiders
- 76ers star Ben Simmons implies he was racially profiled at casino
WHAT’S ON TAP IN THE SPORTS WORLD
BASKETBALL: Jr. NBA Global Championship
The next wave of basketball talent takes the court as the top 13- and 14-year-old players from all over the world compete in a youth tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
The event started Tuesday and runs through Aug. 11.
WHEN: Today, 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1
PGA TOUR: FedExCup Playoffs – THE NORTHERN TRUST
The FedExCup Playoffs get underway this week with THE NORTHERN TRUST at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey.
This year’s PGA postseason will consist of just three tournaments, with the top 70 players in the standings following THE NORTHERN TRUST advancing to the BMW Championship. The top 30 will then book a trip to East Lake for the TOUR Championship, which will begin on August 22nd.
Tiger Woods will be teeing it up this week for the first time since his disappointing missed cut at The Open Championship.
WHEN: Thursday; First-round coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET on Golf Channel
Missed Yesterday’s Roundup? Click here for it.
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Your Must-See Sports Headlines for Today, August 7