Sports News Roundup: Ex-USC assistant in bribery scandal nears plea deal; Tokyo keeps Olympics budget at $12.6 billion, more work needed

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NFL notebook: League suspends Pats WR Gordon indefinitely

The NFL on Thursday officially suspended New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon, hours after Gordon announced that he planned to step away from football to address his mental health. Gordon has been returned to the Reserve/Commissioner Suspended list indefinitely for violating terms of his reinstatement from a yearlong ban for substance abuse. The 27-year-old was suspended the entire 2015 season and has been banned a total of 56 games in his career, all for drug violations.

Report: McIlroy backs off limited Euro Tour schedule

Rory McIlroy plans to commit to two more events in 2019 in order to retain his European Tour membership, according to a report by The Mirror. McIlroy, 29, created a firestorm last month when the Northern Irishman indicated he may not play in enough events to retain his European Tour membership as he focuses his efforts on the PGA Tour and the four majors. That led to a meeting with European Tour executive Keith Pelley, who flew to Belfast last week to meet with the four-time major champion.

NBA: Mumbai to host 2019 preseason games in first for India

Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings will play two preseason games in Mumbai next year, the first National Basketball Association games to take place in India, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on Thursday. Cricket-mad India has been on the radar of the NBA. The association runs an academy near New Delhi, has arranged the visits of 35 current and former NBA and WNBA players since 2006 and opened an office in Mumbai in 2011.

Reports: Rockies, Murphy reach two-year deal

The Colorado Rockies and free agent second baseman Daniel Murphy have agreed to terms on a two-year, $24 million contract, according to multiple reports Thursday. Murphy, who turns 34 in April, spent last season between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals. He didn't take the field until June as he recovered from microfracture surgery on his right knee but returned to hit .299 with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs in 91 games between the two clubs.

MLB notebook: Phillies get their shot to woo Machado

The Manny Machado Tour stopped in Philadelphia on Thursday as the free agent met with the Phillies, the only National League team known to be on his itinerary. According to reports, Machado, his wife Yainee Alonso and his representation arrived at Citizens Bank Park at around 12:15 p.m. ET and made their way inside the stadium.

Olympics: Tokyo keeps budget at $12.6 billion, more work needed

The 2020 Summer Olympics budget remains unchanged at $12.6 billion after increases in some areas were offset by reductions in others, with Games organizers acknowledging on Friday that more work was needed to curb spending. Organizers have been working to cut expenses since a study warned they could balloon to four times estimates made during the bidding process, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) wants Tokyo to set a good example for future host cities.

Reports: Ex-USC assistant in bribery scandal nears plea deal

Former USC assistant men's basketball coach Tony Bland, fired in January after his indictment on four felony charges related to a federal bribery case, reportedly is close to reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. Reports Thursday vary as to whether Bland has reached the agreement or is in the process, as well as to whether the deal would call for Bland to serve time in prison.

USOC prized winning over athlete safety: congressional report

The U.S. Olympic community prioritized "medals and money" over the safety of its athletes, creating a culture that contributed to widespread instances of sexual abuse, according to a congressional report released on Thursday. The report comes after more than 350 women testified that former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar abused them during his tenure, crimes for which he is now serving an effective life sentence.

NHL roundup: Lightning top Flames in shootout

J.T. Miller scored the winner in the seventh round of a shootout, and Louis Domingue was sensational after regulation as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the host Calgary Flames 5-4 Thursday night. Miller was the offensive hero, but the biggest Lightning star was Domingue, who stopped six Flames during the shootout after making seven saves in overtime. He finished the night with 33 saves.

Jutanugarn, Lee to renew rivalry in Australia

The 2019 LPGA season promises early excitement with world No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn and rival Minjee Lee set to clash at the Women's Australian Open championship from Feb. 14-17. Both players confirmed entry in the tournament at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, the Australian Golf Digest reported Thursday.

(With inputs from Reuters)