Hawkeyes’ worst season in 7 years prompts firing of coach Fran McCaffery

Iowa fired coach Fran McCaffery on Friday after the Hawkeyes won their fewest games and had their lowest Big Ten regular-season finish in seven years.

The 65-year-old McCaffery, who was under contract through 2028, had said last week that he intended to return for a 16th season rather than retire.

Athletic director Beth Goetz decided a change was in order amid declining attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and will sign off on McCaffery’s $4.2 million buyout. McCaffery was 297-207 with the Hawkeyes after Thursday night’s 106-94 loss to Illinois in the conference tournament. McCaffery was ejected midway through the second half for arguing a foul call.

McCaffery is Iowa’s all-time wins leader and longest-tenured coach in program history.

Developers reveal proposal for new Bears stadium on Chicago’s South Side

CHICAGO >> The developers of a tract of land on Chicago’s South Side launched a Hail Mary they hope keeps the Bears in the city, revealing renderings for an enclosed stadium and mixed-use development on the site of the old Michael Reese Hospital.

The plan released by Chicago’s Farpoint Development calls for both a $3.2 billion, 75,000-seat stadium to house the founding NFL franchise as well as $356 million in parking and infrastructure to be financed privately.

The Bears declined comment on Friday. They have rejected the 48.6-acre site in the past, saying it was too narrow and that commuter train tracks presented engineering challenges.

United Center removes the Bulls’ damaged championship banners

CHICAGO >> The Chicago Bulls’ six NBA championship banners have been removed from the United Center rafters after they were damaged during a concert.

According to a United Center statement, the banners sustained “minor damage” during a performance by the rock band Disturbed on Saturday night.

“United Center is currently working with the Bulls to explore options to repair these banners,” an arena spokesperson said Friday in the facility statement. “While the banners will not be in place for the remainder of this season, we do anticipate them being back in place next season.”

Boston NWSL team to shed BOS Nation nickname

BOSTON >> Boston’s expansion National Women’s Soccer League team is rebranding before the team ever plays a match.

The team scheduled to kick off next year will get a new name to replace BOS Nation in the coming weeks, the club announced on Friday night.

The name BOS Nation was unveiled in October with a widely criticized marketing campaign, “Too Many Balls,” which some considered offensive. A day later, the team apologized, saying it “missed the mark” with an attempt to “create a bold and buzzworthy brand launch campaign.”

Federica Brignone closes in on overall World Cup title with super-G victory

LA THUILE, Italy >> Federica Brignone all but locked up the women’s overall World Cup title by winning a super-G on Friday, giving the Italian a near-insurmountable lead in the season standings.

Brignone extended her advantage over her only remaining challenger, defending champion Lara Gut-Behrami, to 382 points with four races left at the World Cup finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.