The NFL players have narrowly voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement which means labor peace through 2030. It also means that starting next season, each conference will have an additional playoff team and only the top seed will receive a bye. And a 17-game schedule is coming to the NFL as early as the 2021 season.

In an exchange for a 17-game regular season, players are getting a larger share of the revenue, minimum salaries will increase, the size of the practice squad increases and the league is softening its drug policy.

A new league year is set to begin on Wednesday and the legal tampering window begins today. The Saints have their fair share of big-name free agents, quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill. Safety Vonn Bell, linebacker A-J Klein, guard Andrus Peat and cornerback Eli Apple.

Coach Sean Payton said he thought the start of the league should be pushed back, but the NFL is moving on as scheduled.

Sources have told ESPN that NBA owners and executives are bracing for the possibility of mid-to-late June as a best-case scenario for the league’s return. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends no events or gatherings should include more than 50 people for the next eight weeks. The league has reportedly told teams that games would return without fans, teams have been told to search out arena dates well into August.

The NCAA decided against releasing a bracket on selection Sunday. But ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi released one and he had LSU as an eight seed playing Oklahoma in Spokane on Thursday.

The LHSAA Boys Basketball Championships were completed over the weekend without fans. Alexandria won its first state title in boys basketball. Peabody won its ninth, the eighth for hall of fame coach Charles Smith. Bossier won the three-A title, North Central repeated as One-A champs, Doyline knocked off two-time defending Class B champs Simsboro.

The fears over the coronavirus have resulted in the cancellation of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball tournament. No March Madness and no College World Series or Women’s College World Series. The decision to cancel the College World Series caught many people in the college baseball world by surprise.

The SEC and many other leagues have already canceled all sporting events through March 30th, leaving open the possibility that spring sports can still be played. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey held a press conference in Nashville, where the SEC Tournament was supposed to be played. He was asked if games could be played after March 30th, but he doesn’t know…
cut 12 (11) “…beyond”

Of course the NBA season has been suspended. The league owners have asked Commissioner Adam Silver to reevaluate the league’s suspension of play in 30 days. The Pelicans say they will provide updates to our fans, ticketholders and team partners as they become available.

The Major League Baseball has halted spring training and Opening Day which was scheduled for March 26th has been halted for at least two weeks.

There are games being played in the state today and that’s the high school basketball state championships. In Lake Charles yesterday, five teams advanced to state title games on Saturday. In One-A top seeded, North Central crushed Tensas 68-48. The Hurricanes will play Lincoln Prep after the Panthers defeated Grand Lake 61-55. In 3-A top-seeded Bossier beat Brusly 53-51. And the Four-A semifinals were played last night as Peabody and Breaux both advanced and they’ll play each other Saturday night at 8 PM.

The public health emergency we are facing means we’ll have to live without sports for awhile. Last night, the NBA made the decision to suspend its season. The NHL is doing the same and Major League Baseball is suspending spring-training games and delaying the start of the regular season by at least two weeks.

The SEC has canceled all games between now and March 30th. That includes the SEC Tournament in Nashville. The LSU baseball team was set to leave for Oxford to begin SEC play versus Ole Miss. But as soon as they got on the bus, they got off and were told there will be no games until at least March 31st. Coach Paul Mainieri understands why they need to halt play, but he’s still sad for his players, because they’ll never be able to relive this part of their life…
cut 14 (12) “….in the world”

Due to the coronavirus, the NFL has canceled its upcoming league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida from March 29th to April 1st. So any proposed rule changes will now be placed on the NFL spring meetings agenda on May 19th to the 20th.

The Southland and Conference USA have suspended their spring sporting events. Northwestern State, Nicholls and Louisiana Tech were all scheduled to play in tournament basketball games today, but those tournament games have been called off.

High school basketball games are being played in Lake Charles as the boys state basketball tournament continues at the Burton Coliseum. Earlier today, in Class One-A, top seeded North Central defeated Tensas 58-48. They will play the winner of tonights’ game between Grand Lake and Lincoln Prepatory School.

Last night, Alexandria and Bonnabel advanced to tomorrow night’s Class Five-A Championship game. The Trojans beat Hahnville 70-54 and the Bruins defeated Walker 65-60.

Also tomorrow, the Class C title game between district rivals Pleasant Hill and Hicks. And in Two-A, Rayville will face Port Allen in a rematch of last year’s title game won by Rayville.

The Pelicans were all set to play the Sacramento Kings last night, but New Orleans never came out for its pregame warm-up. That’s because one of the referees worked a game earlier this week that involved Rudy Gobert. The Utah Jazz center tested positive for the coronavirus, which resulted in the NBA suspending its season until further notice.

As of now, the NCAA Basketball Tournament is set to be played, but fans will not be allowed. That includes the women’s final four in New Orleans April third and fifth. Conference tournaments will go on without fans. The SEC has also decided to keep fans away for its contests until March 31st.

The LHSAA boys basketball state tournament in Lake Charles will continue today with fans, but that could change. Here are your winners from yesterday, Wossman, Simsboro, Doyline, Alexandria, and Bonnabel. The Trojans and Bruins will meet Friday night in the 5A championship game.

Former LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey will be inducted into the college football hall of fame in December. The unanimous all-American helped the Tigers win the 2007 national title Dorsey was a unanimous first-team All-American that season and remains the most decorated defensive player in LSU history.

In the last game in front of fans until at least March 30th, the 19th ranked LSU baseball team beat South Alabama four to one. Freshman second baseman Cade Doughty had three hits and Cade Beloso hit his first home run. The Tigers begin SEC play on Friday at Ole Miss.

The 5th ranked Rebels won their 16th straight yesterday as they defeated ULM 18 to seven. Ole Miss hit five home runs on the day.

Elsewhere…UNO defeated Southern 11 to five, Tulane doubled up Lamar six to three, and Nicholls banked Mississippi Valley State.

At the Southland Conference Basketball Tournament…Northwestern State advanced with a 79-62 win over Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi, McNeese lost to Lamar 80-59. Nicholls plays Lamar tonight.

The Pelicans continue their four-game road trip tonight as they visit Sacramento. The two teams share identical records and are 3.5 games back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the West. The tip-off is at 9:30.

19th ranked LSU hosts South Alabama tonight before it begins SEC play this weekend versus the Rebels. Looking ahead, Coach Paul Mainieri says Landon Marceaux will start game one to give Cole Henry an extra day after experiencing some arm soreness after his last start…
cut 18 (20) “…not throwing”
First pitch is at 6:30.

Nicholls completed a midweek two-game sweep of Mississippi Valley State with a one to nothing victory today.

Former LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey has been elected to the college football hall of fame. He’s the most decorated defensive player in school history and a two-time first-team All-American. Dorsey helped the Tigers win a national championship in 2007 and that year he was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Bednarik Award.

Louisiana Tech announces construction has begun to rebuild the athletic facilities destroyed by a tornado almost a year ago. The university expects new baseball, softball and soccer stadiums before the 2021 seasons for each sport.

The Lady Techsters upset UAB 66-63 in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament today. La Tech will face Middle Tennessee tomorrow. Tomorrow night, the men’s team will face either UTEP or Marshall.

The Southland Tournament gets underway today in Katy, Texas as Northwestern State versus Corpus Christi and McNeese battles Lamar.

The Pelicans have a big game tonight in Sacramento as they continue their push to make the playoffs. New Orleans and the Kings have identical records and they find themselves 3.5 games back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. This is game two of a four-game road trip that also includes contests against the Jazz and the Clippers.

The Southland Tournament gets underway today in Katy, Texas as Northwestern State hosts Corpus Christi. McNeese will face Lamar. The Cowboys just beat the Cardinals on Saturday to get in the tourney. Nicholls will play tomorrow night.

Last night, Southern advanced to the semi-finals fo the SWAC Tournament with a 67-53 win over Alabama State. The Jaguars will face Texas Southern in the semis, who eliminated Grambling State 75-62.

And big news from LSU, former defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey has been elected to the college football hall of fame and he’ll be enshrined later this year.

The LSU baseball team looks to extend its winning streak to five games when they host South Alabama. Last time out the Tigers rallied to beat U-Mass Lowell thanks to two home runs from Gavin Dugas. The Houma native is hitting .250 on the season and he hopes the playing time will come more frequently after a break-out performance…
cut 17 (13) “….in baseball”
First pitch is 6:30.

Also today in baseball…ULM hosts eighth-ranked Ole Miss at 4 PM. Last night, the Rebels beat the Warhawks six to three. The Cajuns shutout McNeese seven to nothing, Northwestern defeated Grambling four to one and Tech defeated Southeastern Louisiana 14 to 3.

Louisiana Tech announces construction has begun to rebuild the athletic facilities that were destroyed by a tornado almost a year ago. The university expects competition of a new baseball, softball and soccer stadiums before the 2021 seasons for each sport.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron announces freshman quarterback Peter Parrish has been indefinitely suspended from the team for a violation of team rules. Parrish is battling to be the Tigers number two quarterback in 2020, but now freshmen T-J Finley and Max Johnson have a leg up in that battle. Orgeron has also hired former defensive tackle Bennie Logan from Coushatta as a defensive analyst and former receiver Eddie Kennison is the new director of player development.

In college basketball, Southern advanced to the semi-finals of the SWAC Tournament with a 67-53 win over Alabama State. The Jaguars will face Texas Southern in the semis, who eliminated Grambling State 75-62.

The Southland Tournament gets underway today in Katy, Texas as Northwestern State hosts Corpus Christi. McNeese will face Lamar. The Cowboys just beat the Cardinals on Saturday to get int he tourney. Nicholls will play tomorrow night.

The Pelicans continue their four-game road trip tonight as they visit Sacramento. The two teams share identical records and are 3.5 games back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the West. The tip-off is at 9:30.

In college baseball action last night…eighth-ranked Ole Miss doubled up ULM six to three. The same two teams today at 4 PM. The Cajuns blanked McNeese seven to nothing. Louisiana Tech trounced Southeastern Louisiana 14 to 3. Northwestern State upended Grambling four to one, Nicholls blanked Mississippi Valley 14 to 0 and 20th ranked Tulane outscored Lamar 14-12.

19th ranked LSU hosts South Alabama tonight before it begins SEC play. We’ll see if sophomore Gavin Dugas is back in the line-up tonight. The Houma native hit two home runs on Sunday in a come from behind win over U-Mass Lowell
Cut 16 (11) part of”
The first pitch is at 6:30.

LSU Senior guard Skylar Mays has been named first-team All-SEC by the coaches. Mays leads the Tigers in scoring at 17 points per game. The Baton Rouge product is also the league’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year as he owns a 3.9 GPA. LSU’s Trendon Watford is on the All-SEC Freshman team. Watford averages 14 points and seven rebounds a game. The Tigers will play Friday night in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament in Nashville against either Vanderbilt, Arkansas or South Carolina.

The SWAC Tournament is tonight with games on campuses. Southern is a two-seed and will host Alabama State. Gambling is the sixth seed and the Tigers are at Texas Southern.

The Cajuns season ended last night with an 82-81 loss at Georgia Southern in the second round of the Sun Belt Tournament.

La Tech’s Kaleb Kedoux has been named as the Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year. The redshirt junior is averaging nearly 12 points off the bench.

Marsh Madness continues tonight in Lake Charles with boys basketball semi-final action. Tonight is the Class C semi-final contest between Simpson and Hicks.

In select action in Division Four…St. Mary’s Natchitoches is at Crescent City, while Hamilton Christian hosts Calvary Baptist. In Division Three. Lafayette Christian hosts Episcopal and in Division Two, St. Louis Catholic is at St. Thomas More.

In college baseball…ULM hosts eighth-ranked Ole Miss for a two-game mid-week series at Warhawk Field. The Rebels, who open SEC play against LSU this weekend, is 14-and-1 on the season. The Warhawks are also playing well, as they are 12-and-3. The first pitch tonight is at six o’clock.

McNeese lost two of three to ULM this past weekend. Tonight, the Cowboys host the Ragin Cajuns. Before the game, they’ll rename the Pokes bullpen after the late Tony Robichaux, who coached for both teams.

Also tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts Southeastern Louisiana at Ruston High, Nicholls hosts Mississippi Valley, Northwestern State is at Grambling.

LSU Senior guard Skylar Mays has been named to the coaches’ first-team All-SEC team. Mays leads the Tigers in scoring averaging 17 points a game and second on the team in assists. Mays has also been named Scholar-Athlete of the Year as he owns a 3.9 GPA while studying to be a doctor. LSU’s Trendon Watford is on the All-SEC Freshman team. Watford averages 14 points and seven rebounds a game.

The Tigers leave tomorrow for the SEC Tournament in Nashville, even though they will not play until Friday night against either Vanderbilt, Arkansas or South Carolina. The league office says they expect to play the tourney as scheduled despite concerns over the coronavirus.

The SWAC Tournament starts today with games at campus sites. Southern is a two-seed and will host Alabama State. Gambling is the sixth seed and the Tigers are at Texas Southern.

The Cajuns season ended last night with an 82-81 loss to Georgia Southern in the second round of the Sun Belt Tournament.

Louisiana Tech is the three-seed in the Conference USA Tournament and the Bulldogs will play either Marshall or UTEP in Frisco, Texas on Thursday. The Thundering Herd have won six of their last eight, while the Miners have won four in a row. Marshall and UTEP play on Wednesday.

In college baseball…ULM hosts eighth-ranked Ole Miss for a two-game mid-week series at Warhawk Field. The Rebels, who open SEC play against LSU this weekend, is 14-and-1 on the season. The Warhawks are also playing well, as they are 12-and-3. First pitch tonight is at six o’clock.

McNeese lost two of three to ULM this past weekend. Tonight, the Cowboys host the Ragin Cajuns. Before the game, they’ll rename the Pokes bullpen after the late Tony Robichaux, who coached for both teams.

Also tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts Southeastern Louisiana at Ruston High, Nicholls hosts Mississippi Valley, Northwestern State is at Grambling.