Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Canes owner invests $250 million, named new AAF commish

Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has invested $250 million into the Alliance of American Football and will become the upstart league's new chairman. "As a lifelong sports fan and entrepreneur, I've always valued the opportunities generated in the ecosystem of sports and entertainment," Dundon said in a statement released by the AAF. "I'm impressed with The Alliance's stunning growth in-stadium and across TV, mobile and social media in just these first few weeks." NFL notebook: Cowboys, DE Lawrence hope to avoid tag

The Dallas Cowboys could put the franchise tag on defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence beginning Tuesday, but they apparently do not want to be forced into using that option. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Monday that the Cowboys hope to reach agreement with Lawrence on a long-term contract extension before the March 5 deadline for franchise tags. Athletics: Semenya releases list of experts for battle with IAAF at CAS

Caster Semenya has released a list of experts she will call in her appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) this week in her fight against regulations aimed at lowering the testosterone levels of hyperandrogenic athletes like her. The South African 800-metres double Olympic champion on Monday expressed her disappointment after the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) revealed the names of their five witnesses for the proceedings in Lausserne. Tennis player Djokovic, gymnast Biles win top Laureus awards

World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic crowned a winning return to the courts after surgery with the Laureus sportsman of the year award on Monday, while American gymnast Simone Biles won the sportswoman of the year prize. Serbian Djokovic, who 12 months ago had elbow surgery, won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2018, before lifting this year's Australian Open crown, to add to his tally of Grand Slam singles titles and reclaim top spot in the rankings. USA Gymnastics hires ex-NBA exec to help lead it past sex scandal

USA Gymnastics on Tuesday named a former National Basketball Association executive as its new chief executive, while the governing body of the sport copes with the aftermath of a sex abuse scandal. The executive, Li Li Leung, will take the helm of an organization that filed for bankruptcy protection in December as it staggered under the weight of lawsuits filed by hundreds of women who were sexually abused by the former national team doctor, Larry Nassar. MLB notebook: Padres reportedly offer Machado up to $280 million

The San Diego Padres are willing to sign free agent infielder Manny Machado to an eight-year contract worth between $240 million and $280 million, USA Today reported on Monday. The contract offer includes "heavily deferred" compensation, the newspaper said, citing two people familiar with the negotiations. NHL roundup: Blackhawks edge Senators 8-7

Alex DeBrincat scored a hat trick as part of a five-point night to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a wild 8-7 win over the visiting Ottawa Senators on Monday. The offensive barrage started early, as the teams combined for nine goals in the first period. It was the highest-scoring frame in the NHL this season, and the 12th-highest scoring period in league history. Starting goalies Collin Delia of Chicago (three goals on 10 shots) and Anders Nilsson of Ottawa (four goals on 12 shots) were both pulled before the first period was complete. Serena climbs back to Top 10 in WTA rankings

Serena Williams has made her way back to the Top 10 in the WTA rankings for the first time since the birth of her daughter in September 2017. Williams is No. 10 in the latest rankings released Monday. Curling: Former NFLers take aim at becoming Olympic curlers

A group of former NFL players who took up curling with Olympic-sized dreams may not have struck fear in opponents' eyes like they did on the gridiron but they still consider their inaugural campaign a sweeping success. Former Minnesota Vikings great Jared Allen and his team had no curling experience between them when they formed last March but that has not deterred them from chasing the lofty goal of representing the United States at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. Oklahoma QB Murray undecided on combine drills

Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray hears his name in the mix as a first-round draft pick. On the heels of turning down a pro baseball career, the Heisman Trophy winner has not decided what his level of participation will be at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine held next week in Indianapolis.