Reuters Sports News Summary

The reduced fare still dwarfs the less than $15 the same route costs on a typical day ⁠and ​exceeds the $80 round-trip fare for FIFA's own shuttle service to the 82,500-seat stadium, which will host eight World Cup matches including the final on July 19. NHL salary cap rising to record $104M for 2026-27 season The NHL's salary cap will reach a record of $104 million per team in 2026-27, the league and the NHL Players Association announced Thursday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Vikings agree to 1-year deal with former 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings

The Minnesota Vikings added to their receiver ​depth by agreeing to deal with former San Francisco 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings on Thursday. The team ​didn't disclose the terms, but The Athletic reported it's a one-year deal ‌with ​a base salary of $8 million with incentives which could pay Jennings as much as $13 million.

Veteran QB Taylor Heinicke announces retirement

Veteran quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who went from undrafted to a playoff starter in the NFL, announced his retirement on Thursday. "For 25 years, I had the pleasure to play this great sport of football," Heinicke wrote ‌in an Instagram post. "It has taught me a lot, not only about myself but about life as well. Many ups and downs throughout the years, but the ups outweigh the downs tenfold. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would've been able to live this life.

Lucas Herbert (64) on top at LIV Golf Virginia

Lucas Herbert of Australia eagled the par-5 second hole at Trump National DC on his way to an 8-under-par 64, staking himself to a two-shot ‌lead after one round of LIV Golf Virginia on Thursday in Potomac Falls, Va. Herbert, 30, has won on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Asian Tour but is still seeking his first LIV title in ‌his third year with the league.

Olympics-International Olympic Committee lifts restrictions on Belarusian athletes

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday lifted all restrictions on Belarusian athletes, clearing the way for their return to international competitions, including qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The IOC had recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials be banned from events since 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Belarus was used as a staging ground for the invasion.

MLB roundup: Cubs sweep Reds for 15th straight home win

Shota Imanaga struck out 10 across six innings as the Chicago Cubs completed a ⁠four-game sweep ​of the Cincinnati Reds with an 8-3 victory on Thursday for ⁠their 15th straight home win. Unlike the first three games of the series, the Cubs did not need to walk it off. Instead, they used a seven-run fourth inning to turn it into a rout and hand the Reds their seventh straight loss. Chicago has won ⁠nine in a row.

Tyrese Haliburton a 'full go' for Pacers summer camp

Less than one year after undergoing surgery for an Achilles tear, Tyrese Haliburton will be a full participant at Indiana Pacers summer camp later this month. Haliburton has experienced a rough calendar year ​after he came away with his Achilles injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last year on June 22. The Pacers lost the decisive game to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Soccer-New Jersey reduces ⁠World Cup public transit fare to $105

New Jersey lowered its round-trip fare to World Cup games at MetLife Stadium to $105 from $150 on Thursday, local media reported, after the original price drew criticism from FIFA. The reduced fare still dwarfs the less than $15 the same route costs on a typical day ⁠and ​exceeds the $80 round-trip fare for FIFA's own shuttle service to the 82,500-seat stadium, which will host eight World Cup matches including the final on July 19.

NHL salary cap rising to record $104M for 2026-27 season

The NHL's salary cap will reach a record of $104 million per team in 2026-27, the league and the NHL Players Association announced Thursday. That figure is an increase of $8.5 million (8.9%) from the 2025-26 cap.

Miami host committee assured ICE will not be ⁠at World Cup games

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will not be seen at World Cup matches this summer, according to the co-chair of the Miami host committee. Rodney Barreto told The Athletic on Thursday that he received ⁠reassurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that ICE would steer ⁠clear of the world soccer showcase.

Report: Majority of Big 12 teams declining $30M private equity credit

Multiple Big 12 schools have already declined the line of credit being extended by the conference to its member institutions thanks to its newly established private equity partnerships, Front Office Sports reported Thursday. The deal with RedBird Capital Partners and Weatherford Capital, approved in late ‌April by the conference's university presidents, ‌would offer schools up to $30 million in credit that would be paid back through the conference withholding a portion ​of the school's annual revenue distribution from the Big 12.