TAMPA, Fla. >> New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner may support a salary cap proposal as long as it contains a provision mandating minimum payrolls.

The Yankees had Major League Baseball’s highest payroll for 15 straight years through 2013 but have not been the biggest spender since then.

MLB is the only one of the four major U.S. professional leagues without a salary cap but has had a luxury tax in place since 2003.

Yankees drop ban on beards >> The New York Yankees dropped their ban on beards, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner.

Hal Steinbrenner, who succeeded his father as controlling owner in November 2008, discussed the contemplated change with Yankees stars Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole in one-on-one meetings. Steinbrenner then issued a statement that “we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward.”

Pro football

NFL investigators interviewed massage therapists >> NFL investigators have been interviewing massage therapists who have accused Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of inappropriate sexual behavior, the Baltimore Banner reported.

The news website cited three women who participated in the inquiry. The Banner has reported accusations from 16 massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers.

Tucker said after the initial allegations emerged that he has never received any complaints from a massage therapist or been told he was not welcome at a spa or other place of business.

College athletics

Arrest made in theft of cars >> Authorities have made an arrest in the theft of three luxury cars from a home where Miami quarterback Carson Beck and basketball player Hanna Cavinder were staying.

Tykwon Anderson, 20, was arrested Thursday afternoon. He’s one of four men accused of stealing the vehicles, including a Lamborghini, according to an arrest report.

Beck and Cavinder told investigators that someone stole a silver Mercedes-Benz AMG, a red Lamborghini Urus and a white Range Rover while they were asleep.

College football

Portis joins staff at Delaware State >> Clinton Portis, who rushed for just under 10,000 yards over nine NFL seasons and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has been named DeSean Jackson’s running backs coach and run game coordinator at Delaware State.