Sports News Roundup: Top U.S. women's league plans month-long tournament; Players Association seeking 'certainty' before return and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer: Top U.S. women's league plans month-long tournament in Utah

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) will return to action in late June with a 25-game tournament in Utah that will be played in empty stadiums due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NWSL, which delayed the start of its season because of the coronavirus, said it has worked with team doctors and public health officials to develop testing protocols to ensure a safe environment for its nine teams during the month-long tournament.

Players Association seeking 'certainty' before return

National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts told ESPN on Tuesday that players are seeking a "level of certainty" regarding their return from the hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic. On hold since March 11, Roberts said "it's time" for players to get back on the court.

Tiafoe wants to draw more black kids to tennis

American Frances Tiafoe has already changed the lives of his immigrant parents thanks to his tennis career and the 2019 Australian Open quarter-finalist hopes he can also inspire more black kids to take up the sport. Tiafoe, 22, was born to immigrant parents from Sierra Leone, with his father working as a janitor at a tennis centre in Maryland while his mother had to work double shifts as a nurse to help the family make ends meet.

NFL onside kick alternative clarified before Thursday vote

When NFL teams vote on the proposed rule change to adopt an alternative to the onside kick on Thursday, the language will be different from what was first introduced. The rule would permit teams to attempt a fourth-and-15 untimed play from their own 25-yard line twice per game in regulation.

Miller to ride for official Ducati MotoGP team in 2021

Australian Jack Miller will step up to Ducati's main MotoGP team next season with an option on 2022, the Italian manufacturer said on Wednesday. The 25-year-old is currently with the non-works Pramac Ducati team.

Future of English women's game faces threat due to COVID-19 says study

The future of English women's soccer faces an unprecedented threat as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and decisive action must be taken to protect its future, researchers have said. Professional soccer in England has been suspended since mid-March due to the novel coronavirus outbreak and this season's Women's Super League and second-tier Women's Championship were ended on Monday.

League says players should expect daily COVID-19 testing if play resumes

National Hockey League (NHL) players can expect daily COVID-19 testing if a proposed 24-team playoff competition is able to go forward this year, league officials said. The NHL, on hold since March due to the global coronavirus outbreak, outlined a roadmap for a return to competition on Tuesday, with plans to hold games in two hub cities without fans but stopped short of suggesting a potential start date.

Motorsport UK aims to get back on track from July 4

The governing body for motorsport in Britain aims to resume racing activities without spectators from July 4, it said on Wednesday. Motorsport UK suspended all its events throughout the country from March to the end of June due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

League proposes steep cuts to players' salaries for return of games: ESPN

A proposal from Major League Baseball (MLB) to bring back live games would see players' salaries slashed, with higher-earning players taking a bigger hit, ESPN reported on Tuesday https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29224973/sources-mlb-proposal-includes-pay-cuts-highest-paid-players, MLB and its players' association are in negotiations to resume games without fans at stadiums after the novel coronavirus outbreak put the 2020 season on hold.

Shuttlers to keep Tokyo ranking points earned before shutdown

Shuttlers will keep ranking points they earned during the original Olympic qualification period before the novel coronavirus pandemic forced the Tokyo Games to be postponed, the Badminton World Federation said on Wednesday. The All England Open, played from March 11-15, was the final event to count towards Olympic qualification before the circuit closed down due to the spread of the virus.