Sports News Roundup: NHL-Bedard offers Blackhawks a chance to fast-track the rebuild; Cricket-ECB calls for 500,000 pounds fine for Yorkshire over Rafiq case and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NHL-Bedard offers Blackhawks a chance to fast-track the rebuild

Connor Bedard has yet to lace up his skates in a professional game but when he does the projected top pick of the 2023 NHL Draft will carry the weighty expectations of leading his new team back into contention for a Stanley Cup. There is no reason to think the Chicago Blackhawks will not use the top pick of the NHL Draft on Wednesday in Nashville to select Canadian Bedard, who has positioned himself as the best prospect since Connor McDavid entered the league in 2015.

Cricket-ECB calls for 500,000 pounds fine for Yorkshire over Rafiq case

Yorkshire should be fined 500,000 pounds ($636,600) and have points deducted over their handling of racism allegations made by former player Azeem Rafiq, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) told a hearing on Tuesday. The recommendations were made to an independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) panel, British media reported, after Yorkshire admitted to four amended charges of bringing the game into disrepute earlier this year.

Soccer-'I'm still cool': US World Cup squad bridges generational divide

Women's World Cup debutant Sophia Smith has no problem getting hyped up for a game - just do not expect her to recognize the music her Millennial team mates are playing in the locker room. The 22-year-old forward is among a small group of Generation Z talent on a U.S. squad that spans some two decades, united in the goal of bringing home a third consecutive title when the tournament kicks off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

Soccer-Coming to a US city near you: An 825-pound Alex Morgan statue

Fans wishing to snap a picture with U.S. forward Alex Morgan will have a chance at the next best thing as a six-meter, 825-pound (375kg) statue of the soccer star hits the road ahead of the Women's World Cup. World Cup broadcaster Fox Sports conceived of the statue to promote its programming for the tournament, which kicks off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

Soccer-Lehmann most influential women's player on Instagram ahead of World Cup

Switzerland's Alisha Lehmann, arguably as well known for her social media presence as her prowess on the pitch, is the top Instagram influencer heading to the Women's World Cup, according to Nielsen Sports, amassing 13.5 million followers to pass American Alex Morgan in the last year. "The soccer players participating at World Cup 2023 are not only exceptional sportswomen but also social media powerhouses, capable of driving impactful conversations and fostering genuine connections with their followers," Jon Stainer, Nielsen's global managing director, said in a statement.

Carlsen, Chess.com beat Niemann's $100 million suit over cheating scandal

A Missouri federal court on Tuesday dismissed U.S. chess prodigy Hans Niemann's $100 million defamation lawsuit alleging Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and Chess.com falsely accused him of cheating, though his lawyers said they will pursue their claims in state court. U.S. District Court Judge Audrey Fleissig rejected Niemann's claims that Carlsen and Chess.com broke antitrust laws by colluding to exclude him from lucrative tournaments. Fleissig also found she did not have jurisdiction over Niemann's state law claims for defamation and breach of contract, among others.

WTA roundup: Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff cruise in England

Third-seeded Jessica Pegula and fifth-seeded Coco Gauff each recorded straight-set wins to advance to the second round of the Rothesay International on Tuesday in Eastbourne, England. Pegula posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory over 24th-ranked Qinwen Zheng of China in 1 hour, 38 minutes, while Gauff fired six aces en route to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Bernarda Pera in 61 minutes.

Soccer-US veteran Morgan sees progress in FIFA's World Cup prize plan

A new FIFA plan to distribute Women's World Cup prize money directly to players will help level the playing field for competitors, United States forward Alex Morgan said on Tuesday, ahead of her fourth appearance at the tournament. Each player at the World Cup, which kicks off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, will be guaranteed at least a $30,000 payday in a FIFA first to distribute prize money to individuals rather than federations.

MLB roundup: Shohei Ohtani hits two homers, fans 10

Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs, struck out 10 in 6 1/3 innings and lifted the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night in Anaheim, Calif. Ohtani finished 3-for-3 with a walk in four plate appearances. He took a shutout into the seventh inning before exiting with a cracked fingernail. Ohtani (7-3) wound up charged with one run on four hits and two walks.

Soccer-Australia, NZ consider joint bid for 2029 Club World Cup

Football Australia (FA) chief James Johnson believes FIFA's expanded Club World Cup is going to be a big success and is mulling a joint bid with New Zealand to host the second edition in 2029. Australia and New Zealand will co-host the Women's World Cup in July and August this year and Johnson has already said that could be a springboard for a joint bid for the men's version, possibly in 2034.

(With inputs from agencies.)