Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Former Giants executive Magowan dies at 76

Peter Magowan, the former San Francisco Giants executive who thwarted a relocation attempt and championed construction of the waterfront stadium now called Oracle Park, passed away Sunday at age 76 after a long fight with cancer. He died at his home in the San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood, surrounded by family and friends. Former Australia captain Foster to lobby FIFA for Araibi

Former Australia soccer captain Craig Foster will lobby officials at world governing body FIFA later on Monday for them to intervene on behalf of a Bahraini refugee player being detained in Thailand and facing deportation to his country. Foster will meet with FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura and other senior officials to discuss the detention of Hakeem Al Araibi in Thailand. Soccer: U.S. give manager Berhalter a winning start, beat Panama 3-0

The United States beat Panama 3-0 on Sunday to give new manager Gregg Berhalter a winning start to his tenure. Djordje Mihailovic marked his first game for the national team with a goal in the 40th minute before Walker Zimmerman and Christian Ramirez scored in the second half to seal the comfortable victory in Glendale, Arizona. Report: Brady defiantly denies retirement question

If anyone had any question whether Tom Brady would consider retiring after the Super Bowl, win or lose, the iconic Patriots quarterback has apparently put it to rest. With New England preparing to face the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII next Sunday in Atlanta, the 41-year-old quarterback was reportedly asked if he planned to play next season. NBA roundup: George's 36 lead Thunder past Bucks

Paul George hit a season-high eight 3-pointers and scored 36 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 118-112 home win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. The Thunder have won five consecutive games, sweeping their three-game homestand that also included wins over New Orleans and Portland. The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for Milwaukee, which was playing the first of five consecutive games away from home. Figure skating: Stunning free skate gives Chen third U.S. title

World champion Nathan Chen delivered a spectacular free skate to easily claim his third consecutive U.S. figure skating title in Detroit on Sunday. The 19-year-old Olympian, already a 13-point leader after Saturday's short program, earned 228.80 points for his free skate, which was superior to the total scores of all but six of the 20 men's competitors. NFL notebook: Thousands give Pats a Super sendoff

For New England Patriots fans, the trip to the Super Bowl never gets old. Before the Patriots departed Sunday morning for their ninth Super Bowl appearance since the 2001 season, an estimated 35,000 fans gathered at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., to wish the team well. Fans started lining up in the cold before dawn to get a good viewing spot. Rugby: Major League commissioner sees bright future for game in U.S.

Major League Rugby (MLR) Commissioner Dean Howes says the sport will be more visible than ever in the United States this year as the professional league kicks off its second season. Featuring eight U.S.-based teams and one from Canada, with three more teams set to join in 2020, the MLR season began this weekend. It will stage 72 regular season games, culminating in a final in July. Devastating Djokovic claims record seventh Australian title

Novak Djokovic claimed a record seventh Australian Open crown in devastating style on Sunday as he condemned Rafa Nadal to the most stinging defeat in their long Grand Slam rivalry. Three years after thrashing Andy Murray for the 2016 trophy, the Serbian regained his Melbourne Park throne with a 6-3 6-2 6-3 procession, clinching his 15th Grand Slam title and third in succession. Patriots, Rams arrive in Atlanta for Super Bowl

The Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots have touched down in Atlanta after enthusiastic send-offs from their fans ahead of their Super Bowl clash on Sunday. An estimated 35,000 Patriots fans packed into Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to cheer on the team, which is looking to avenge their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in last year's championship game.