Notre Dame AD still upset, calls for CFP expansion to 16-team playoff field

Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua thinks there’s a simple solution to politicking for College Football Playoff spots — expansion.

He was still upset Tuesday about the selection committee’s decision to bypass the Fighting Irish from the 12-team playoff field and the ACC’s public campaigning to get full-time league member Miami a spot. He then called a 16-team format the perfect number.

“It should be 16 teams in my opinion, with five automatic qualifiers and 11 at-large teams,” Bevacqua said, fielding questions for nearly 40 minutes. “What I like about 16 is it creates more opportunity, more narratives around schools and yet it preserves the integrity and importance of the regular season.”

NHL says it’s cautiously optimistic of participation on smaller ice rinks

The NHL said it remains cautiously optimistic about sending the world’s best hockey players to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in February amid issues with a smaller-than-expected rink size and questions regarding ice quality due to construction delays.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said there’s nothing the NHL or organizers can do about the dimensions of the not-yet-completed 16,000-seat Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and secondary Rho facility. “It’s a structural issue. It would be impossible to correct,” he said.

McMann suspended 1 game for high-sticking

TORONTO>> Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann has been suspended for one game for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning winger Oliver Bjorkstrand, the NHL announced.

McMann received a match penalty after swinging his stick and hitting Bjorkstrand’s head following a cross-check from the Lightning forward.

Spirit are committed to keeping Rodman with club

The Washington Spirit are committed to keeping free agent forward Trinity Rodman on the team and are continuing to work with the National Women’s Soccer League and Rodman’s representation despite the turbulent turn the negotiations took last week, the team’s leadership said. The league rejected a multiyear contract offer the Spirit extended to Rodman.

Trump’s peace prize sparks complaints about Infantino

GENEVA>> FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s public support for Donald Trump and a peace prize awarded to the U.S. president are the subjects of formal complaints to the global soccer body’s ethics investigators.

FairSquare, a London-based human rights nonprofit, said it filed requests for investigations into Infantino’s alleged breaches of FIFA’s statutory duty to be politically neutral.

Magic’s custom Cup court was damaged in storage

ORLANDO, Fla.>> The Orlando Magic were not able to use their custom home court for Tuesday night’s NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup with Miami after the team said it was damaged in storage.

Claressa Shields to face Crews-Dezurn in Detroit

DETROIT>> Claressa Shields will face Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Feb. 22 at Little Caesars Arena in the first bout of the $8 million, multi-fight deal she landed last month.

— The Associated Press