NBC signs $3B media rights deal through 2036 including Salt Lake Games

LAUSANNE, Switzerland >> NBC will now be the champion of Olympic broadcasting in the United States through at least 2036.

The IOC said Thursday it signed its long-time United States broadcast partner to a $3 billion renewed deal for the 2034 Salt Lake City Olympics and the 2036 Summer Games.

The International Olympic Committee’s statement said the agreement elevates Comcast NBCUniversal to being a strategic partner instead of just a media rights holder, promising “innovative joint strategic initiatives and projects” and involving the streaming platform Peacock.

The 2036 host has yet to be decided with interest shown countries including India, Qatar, Turkey, Hungary and Indonesia.

Three more Norwegians suspended in widening cheating scandal

Three Norwegian ski jumpers were suspended on Thursday in a widening cheating scandal that has shocked the sport.

World championships medalists Robin Pederson and Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal were provisionally suspended along with Robert Johansson over suspicion of illegal manipulation of jump suits, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation said.

They follow the suspensions on Wednesday of Olympic gold medalists Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang in a scandal that came to light after Norway team officials manipulated suits to improve aerodynamics.

Minnesota fires Johnson after 4 seasons at alma mater with 56-71 record

MINNEAPOLIS>> Minnesota fired coach Ben Johnson on Thursday after four years of repeatedly rebuilding rosters at his alma mater without coming close to an NCAA Tournament appearance, which has become a fleeting accomplishment for a program that has fallen behind in the rugged and expanded Big Ten.

The Gophers finished 15-17 after losing to Northwestern on Wednesday in the first round of the conference tournament. Athletic director Mark Coyle announced his decision after a late-night meeting with Johnson on campus upon the team’s return from Indianapolis.

Brignone closes gap on super-G leader Gut-Behrami

LA THUILE, Italy >> Federica Brignone closed the gap to leader Lara Gut-Behrami in the World Cup super-G standings to 45 points in a race on a shortened course won by German prodigy Emma Aicher on Thursday.

Earning her second career win, Aicher edged Sofia Goggia by 0.06 seconds.

Racing close to her Italian hometown in the Aosta Valley, Brignone had a wild ride to finish third, 0.39 behind Aicher but 0.08 ahead of fourth-placed Gut-Behrami. Lauren Macuga, the American bronze medalist from last month’s world championships, was 0.55 back in fifth.

San Diego FC announces measures to discourage homophobic chant

SAN DIEGO >> San Diego FC will use pre-match and in-stadium messaging, enhanced security measures and strong enforcement of policies to discourage fans from engaging in what it called “discriminatory chants” at home matches, the team announced Thursday.

A homophobic chant marred the Major League Soccer expansion club’s inaugural home match March 1. The club condemned the chant after San Diego’s scoreless draw with St. Louis City.