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SAN DIEGO — One rehab start served as sufficient buildup for Chicago Cubs left-hander Wade Miley.Miley will be activated from the injured list Tuesday to start against the San Diego Padres. The Cubs still are determining who will start Wednesday’s series finale.AdvertisementLeft elbow inflammation sidelined Miley shortly after he reported to spring training in mid-March. He was expected to be a stabilizing presence in the rotation after the Cubs claimed him off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds in November.[ [Don’t miss] Kyle Hendricks dazzles for Chicago Cubs in a near complete game — but Seiya Suzuki exits early in the 6-0 win ]While the Cubs offense had notably scuffled over the previous 17 games before Monday’s 6-0 win over the Padres — hitting .204 and averaging 3.2 runs in that span, which includes a 21-run game against the Pittsburgh Pirates — the rotation has yet to hit its stride. The Cubs need Miley to help get the rotation in a groove by ripping off a few consecutive quality starts.Advertisement“We’ve had to throw some bullpen days out there just because of some adversity we’ve hit early on,” manager David Ross said Monday at Petco Park. “Just another veteran presence you can get out there and trust to go out and do his thing.”The rotation appeared in rough shape after Sunday. Right-hander Marcus Stroman went on the injured list before the 7-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers without an injury distinction, indicating a COVID-19-related move.Then left-hander Justin Steele, originally slated to start Monday and bumped up to Sunday, exited the game while warming up for the fifth inning because of a sore left thumb.Steele played catch Monday and told the Tribune his thumb felt fine with no lingering issues. Although there is a little stiffness around his lower knuckle, Steele was able to use his slider grip Monday, which is what plagued him Sunday to prompt his removal. He anticipates making his next start.Right-hander Alec Mills’ progress hasn’t changed much. His light bullpen session Sunday at the team complex in Arizona went well, but it remains unclear when he will resume his rehab assignment. Mills initially went on the IL with a lower back strain and made a rehab start April 23, but he experienced tightness in his right quadriceps and was shut down nearly two weeks ago.Shortstop Andrelton Simmons had a scheduled day off Monday as part of his rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa and will ramp up this week.

The next important step in the Chicago Bears offseason program begins next week with voluntary organized team activities at Halas Hall. It’s another chance for the new front office and coaching staff to implement systems and evaluate a constantly evolving roster.The Bears signed six tryout players from rookie minicamp over the weekend and have five weeks remaining before mandatory minicamp June 14-16, followed by a break before training camp.AdvertisementGeneral manager Ryan Poles, coach Matt Eberflus and their staffs will be searching for clues if not answers. Here are seven positions with questions, some of which won’t be resolved until training camp or even the preseason.Bears offensive lineman Dakota Dozier (78) warms up with teammates during minicamp at Halas Hall on April 21, 2022, in Lake Forest. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)Sam Mustipher lined up with the first unit during the voluntary minicamp last month after playing center the previous two seasons. Free-agent addition Lucas Patrick has taken over at center and the Bears would prefer to keep him there.AdvertisementDakota Dozier is an option after he started 16 games at guard for the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, giving him familiarity with the outside zone scheme. Sixth-round pick Zachary Thomas might compete for the job, but it’s premature to suggest the San Diego State product can go from Day 3 pick to starter in a matter of months.The Bears tried to pluck Ryan Bates from the Buffalo Bills as a restricted free agent, and he would have slotted in at right guard. But that move didn’t materialize, and a month and a half later there isn’t a clear starter.Bears offensive tackle Teven Jenkins (76) walks off the field after a loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field on Dec. 12, 2021, in Green Bay. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)That might be a bigger question than the issue at right guard. Borom was at left tackle during minicamp with Jenkins at right tackle. If the Bears didn’t believe the two second-year pros had legitimate chances to settle in, they probably would have made a move for one of the unsigned veteran options.“I think they both have a really good chance this year to show what they’re made of,” offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said Sunday.But it’s only a projection at this point.[ [Don’t miss] 4 things we learned at Bears rookie minicamp, including the inspiration Ja’Tyre Carter takes from his late brother ]“They’re working hard,” Poles said when asked about the offensive linemen Friday on the “Mully and Haugh Show” on WSCR-670 AM. “They’re improving. They’re taking coaching, so that is obviously a positive. If you are an O-line guy like I am, you know that we’re not going to be able to tell much about these offensive linemen until we put pads on.“So I love the work they’re putting in. They’re doing everything right. They’re adapting to the new scheme. They’re changing their bodies. Everything that they’re supposed to. But listen, we all know up front when the pads come on, that’s when we really see what’s going on.”ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 119Bears quarterback Justin Fields scores in the fourth quarter against the 49ers at Soldier Field on Oct. 31, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)Despite the sentiment some hold that the Bears’ offseason moves to this point — which haven’t included any eye-catching moves on offense — hint at a lack of belief in the second-year quarterback, that’s simply not the case.AdvertisementThe Bears believe Fields can take a big step forward in the new scheme and they’re working on refining his mechanics with quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko while giving him the blueprint for the offense. Fields should have the basics down by training camp.[ [Don’t miss] 3 things we heard from Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, including his ‘tremendous’ dynamic with Justin Fields ]“There’s a lot,” Getsy said when asked what he’d like to see from Fields between now and then. “We’re working though this thing step by step. In order to be able to master our craft, we have to master each step.“We’re staying on track. I think he’s — if anything — ahead of pace and I’m real excited to see by the end of this thing if we’re just going to keep knocking out these steps.”Bears wide receiver Byron Pringle warms up during minicamp April 19, 2022, at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)This question won’t be answered until the regular season, but the more work Fields gets with Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown and rookie Velus Jones, the better their timing will be when camp opens. They’ve been running routes on air and will be able to go against defensive players when OTAs start.It doesn’t sound like the team is interested in bringing in one of the unsigned name wide receivers. That puts pressure on Pringle and, to a lesser degree, St. Brown to emerge as consistent contributors with elevated roles in the new offense.Colts defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad (97) plays against the Cardinals on Dec. 25, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (Darryl Webb/AP)Eberflus has said he wants to play linemen in waves to keep them fresh and avoid the high snap counts you see on a lot of teams. Only two of his Indianapolis Colts defensive linemen played more than 60% of the defensive snaps last season: tackle DeForest Buckner (77.4%) and end Al-Quadin Muhammad (73.4%).AdvertisementMuhammad, a free-agent signing, figures to be a main cog for the Bears and Robert Quinn should start opposite him. Behind them, Trevis Gipson and rookie Dominique Robinson could help in pass-rushing situations.[ [Don’t miss] Column: Bears haven’t had 2 rookie DBs start Week 1 in 51 years. Could Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker end that streak? ]Inside, the Bears have Angelo Blackson, Justin Jones, Mario Edwards Jr. and Khyiris Tonga. Linemen can get thinned out quickly, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bears are proactive looking for another player to add to the mix.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 92Bears linebacker Roquan Smith tackles Packers running back Aaron Jones during the first quarter Jan. 3, 2021, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)The Bears haven’t been able to answer this question, and it’s possible Eberflus and his staff won’t make a decision until training camp.Smith’s athletic ability seems to make him an ideal fit for the weak-side linebacker position, where Darius Leonard has starred in Indianapolis. It’s also the spot where Lance Briggs was a perennial Pro Bowl selection for the Bears under Lovie Smith. But don’t discount the significance of the middle linebacker position Brian Urlacher played.Wherever the Bears use Smith, he should be the most impactful player on the defense. Seeing how he reads and reacts during OTAs and minicamp should help influence the decision — or at least give the coaches an idea of where they want him to begin training camp.Bears defensive back Tavon Young (25) stretches during minicamp April 20, 2022, at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)The former Raven has been a feisty, effective defender when he’s on the field, but injuries marred his time in Baltimore and the coaching staff had to manage his practice time last season.AdvertisementDuke Shelley is behind him on the depth chart, and he has been underwhelming when he has had an opportunity. It’s a difficult position to play, and considering Young’s durability history, it’s worth keeping an eye on potential slot cornerbacks.

Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams said the NBA should consider having a special section in the stands reserved for the families of visiting teams in the wake of Chris Paul’s family being harassed during Sunday’s playoff game in Dallas.The incident happened during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Dallas Mavericks and Suns.AdvertisementESPN reported that members of Paul’s family had been harassed by fans and that some in the crowd made physical contact with them. The Mavericks said the fan was ejected.“It’s a hard one, because it’s happening more and more,” Williams said Monday at practice. “The situations are getting to a place now where I really feel like families, who are there to support their loved ones, need to be protected a bit more. Whether or not we have to give these people a section, a suite, something has to be done.Advertisement“Because we can’t wait for it to get to a level or two higher, before we do what we need to do. Yesterday was unnecessary.”The Mavericks said after the game they were aware of the incident between a fan and Paul’s family at American Airlines Center. Williams said he didn’t know the extent of the harassment in real time because the game was still being played.Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, l, greets, Chris Paul at the bench after Paul fouled out in the second half of Game 4. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)The Mavericks said in a statement on Monday the offending fans had been banned from the arena for eight months.“American Airlines Center and Dallas Mavericks security and executives have concluded the investigation into the incident involving the Paul family,” the statement said. “Two unruly fans attempted to give unwanted hugs and have conversations with members of the Paul family on the public concourse of American Airlines Center. AAC security responded immediately once notified by the family and the fans were swiftly ejected from the game. The fans involved in the incident will not be allowed to return to the arena until 2023.”After the game, Paul tweeted: “Wanna fine players for saying stuff to the fans but the fans can put they hands on our families.” He also added an expletive.Paul didn’t speak to the media after Monday’s practice.The NBA has had several moments of conflict between fans and players or their families over the past few seasons, including an incident earlier this season when LeBron James had two fans ejected in a game in Indiana.Suns forward Cam Johnson said a similar situation happened in Milwaukee last season during the NBA Finals when his girlfriend was hit in the back of the head and had beer spilled on her. Johnson said he didn’t hear about it until after the game.Advertisement“It was kind of a big scene,” Johnson said. “It really frustrated me.”Johnson said security in Milwaukee handled the situation and that the fan was kicked out. He said security can only do so much to keep families safe.“A large part of the responsibility has to be on fans,” Johnson said. “They just can’t act that way. There’s no other way around it. You’ve got to address the problem with the real problem. It’s that a fan can’t go up to someone’s mother and harass them.”On Sunday, the Mavericks beat the Suns 111-101 and evened the best-of-seven series 2-2. Paul fouled out of the game in the fourth quarter. Game 5 is Tuesday night in Phoenix.“I have to stress that I don’t think this is indicative of the fans in Dallas,” Williams said. “They’re cheering for their team. I’ve never had this kind of incident at that arena, even going back to the old spot, Reunion Arena, never.”

When everyone predicted last month the Chicago White Sox would run away with the American League Central, general manager Rick Hahn voiced concern about the possibility of getting off to a “little rocky” start.“Just the nature of the offseason, the shortened spring, the steep schedule expectations early in the year were going to create some volatility in the roster and likely in performance,” Hahn said Monday afternoon. “I didn’t quite foresee losing eight in a row followed by (winning) six in a row. But it’s not a total shock that we haven’t quite found our sea legs or that this team hasn’t quite found its identity.”AdvertisementActually this Sox team already had an identity, forged during its run to the postseason in 2021. But only lately have we seen that cocky, us-against-the-world attitude on display.A six-game winning streak will do that, and the return of third baseman Yoán Moncada and reliever Joe Kelly from the injured list Monday only added to the team’s swagger.AdvertisementThe switch-hitting Moncada might not solve all of their early issues hitting right-handers, and Kelly must prove he’s totally back about 6½ months after incurring a right biceps nerve injury for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. Still, they’re two valuable ingredients to this White Sox stew.The Sox came home to summerlike weather Monday to begin a homestand against the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees. Michael Kopech, who has dominated since joining the rotation after his sabbatical in the bullpen last season, took the mound against the Guardians in search of his first win.[ [Don’t miss] Michael Kopech continues to learn with each start for the White Sox. ‘His stuff is electric,’ says Tim Anderson. ]It makes sense the Sox have handled Kopech with kid gloves — 23 innings in his first five starts — in spite of a sparkling 1.17 ERA. But does manager Tony La Russa foresee Kopech throwing into the eighth or ninth inning at all this season?“You’re fooling yourself or somebody if you predict what he’s going to get today,” La Russa said before Monday’s start. “If he’s cruising, he can pitch seven or eight if he’s having quick outs. If not, maybe half of that.“We know the reality is this is his first (full) year as a starter. It’s a long season and we’re going to err on the side of caution as far as extending him.”Kopech showed his frustration in the dugout after being removed in the fifth inning of his last start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, though he later said he understood the Sox were looking out for his well-being.White Sox third baseman Yoán Moncada during batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field on Monday, May 9, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)It’s hard to come out when you’re almost unhittable. Kopech had limited right-handed hitters to a .114 average entering Monday’s game with no extra-base hits against him.“I don’t even think he’s brought anything near his ‘A’ game out yet, and he’s absolutely dominated guys,” fellow starter Dylan Cease said Monday. “When he’s clicking on all cylinders, it’s going to be scary.”AdvertisementCease, who may be on his way to his first All-Star selection, said Kopech is relearning how to be a regular starter for the first time since 2018. He missed all of 2019 after Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and sat out the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.“He’s obviously already a good pitcher, and he had done it for spurts out of the bullpen,” Cease said. “But now it’s the next step of getting through the lineup a couple times. He absolutely has the stuff to do it.”It has been a minute since Kopech and Moncada became the first two prospects Hahn acquired for the rebuild when he sent ace Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox at the 2016 winter meetings. Injuries and COVID-19-related absences have prevented both players from living up to the early hype, but it’s easy to forget Moncada has played only four full seasons while Kopech had only eight career starts entering 2022.If the promised land is on the Sox docket, both players must be vital cogs on the ride.The Sox optioned Jake Burger to Triple-A Charlotte to open Moncada’s roster spot. Kelly took the place of reliever Aaron Bummer, who was placed on the IL retroactive to Saturday with a right knee sprain.“Just kind of a freak thing that happened in Boston,” Bummer said. “Just on the last two pitches felt something. We’re definitely playing it smart. We’re playing it safe this time of the year and not trying to push anything, and it’ll be healthy for the long run.”Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] The ‘Sodfather’ confirms the obvious: This Chicago spring — with its ‘brutal’ weather pattern— has been the worst ]Kelly’s health bears watching after Hahn signed the veteran in March to a two-year, $17 million deal with an option for 2024. Kelly once suffered a back injury cooking crawfish for his teammates in 2019.“He was cooking some Cajun food,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I guess he was standing a little longer than he wanted to. That’s what he told me.”With their never-ending series of untimely injuries, the Sox hopefully can keep Kelly away from the stove in 2022. Hand him some takeout menus from our many fine restaurants.It couldn’t hurt. The Sox have become experts in overcoming obstacles the last two-plus seasons, and their early travails could be a mere blip come October.“One of the beautiful things about this game is over the course of a long summer, the true talent and true ability of the team tends to prevail,” Hahn said.Summer arrived early Monday, interrupting our miserable Chicago spring.AdvertisementWe can only hope it’s a long one.

Eleven months after the NCAA lifted most of its restrictions against athletes cashing in on their fame, college sports leaders are trying to send a warning to schools and boosters they believe have crossed a line: There are still rules here and they will be enforced.But after last year’s Supreme Court ruling against the NCAA in an antitrust case, is a crackdown on so-called collectives brokering name, image and likeness deals likely — or even possible?Advertisement“I didn’t think (the NCAA) would not try at some point,” said Maddie Salamone, a sports attorney and former Duke lacrosse player. “That’s why many attorneys have been kind of giving cautious advice in terms of what is and is not allowed. Especially when it comes to collectives and different NIL deals.”The NCAA’s Division I Board of Directors on Monday approved guidance developed by a group of college sports administrators, clarifying the types of NIL payments and booster involvement that should be considered recruiting violations.Advertisement“Specifically, the guidance defines as a booster any third-party entity that promotes an athletics program, assists with recruiting or assists with providing benefits to recruits, enrolled student-athletes or their family members,” the NCAA release said. “The definition could include ‘collectives’ set up to funnel name, image and likeness deals to prospective student-athletes or enrolled student-athletes who might be considering transferring.”The NCAA added a reminder: Recruiting rules bar boosters from recruiting or providing benefits to prospects.The guidance is effective immediately. NCAA enforcement staff was directed to look for possible violations that might have occurred before May 9, 2022, but “pursue only those actions that clearly are contrary to the published interim policy, including the most severe violations of recruiting rules or payment for athletics performance.”The NCAA neither changed its rules nor created new ones.“I don’t think they’re even necessarily clarifying the rules,” said attorney Darren Heitner, who helped craft Florida’s NIL law. “My understanding is this is just certain individuals who have made up a working committee deciding that after almost 11 months we want to enforce our rules.”The rise of booster-funded collectives prompted the board in February to ask the DI Council to review the NCAA’s interim NIL policy. The concern among many in college sports has been that payments from collectives are being made to high school recruits and to college athletes in hopes of getting them to transfer to a particular school.“Some things look very much like pay-for-play,” Salamone said. “There are rules on the books within the NCAA around boosters. The fact that the NCAA has been hesitant to enforce anything I think has emboldened a lot of people around this issue to be a little bit more obvious.”Last year, the NCAA removed its longstanding ban against athletes earning money from sponsorship and endorsement deals. What remained in place, however, were three pillars of the NCAA’s amateur athlete model:AdvertisementAthletes could not be paid solely for playing their sport.Compensation could not be used to lure an athlete to a particular school.Financial arrangements must have some type of quid pro quo agreement in which the athlete was being paid for services provided, such as a social media post or an appearance.The NCAA did not ban boosters from being involved in NIL activity. However, without detailed NCAA rules and with state-level NIL laws differing across the country, it left both schools and the association struggling to determine which activities were impermissible.Some state laws also prohibit boosters from engaging with recruits, but there has been little appetite for enforcement of those laws.Should the NCAA start targeting some collectives, it could trigger a new round of lawsuits against the association.Mit Winter, a sports attorney in Kansas City, Missouri, said NCAA enforcement of these rules is not a clear-cut antitrust violation.“So the question is, under antitrust law, is the rule that’s being enforced reasonable?” Winter said. “And from my reading of everything, the rule that they’re going to be enforcing is the rule that says boosters and other third parties like collectives cannot pay athletes in return for a commitment to a school.”Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.Heitner advises several collectives and businesses that have made NIL deals with college athletes. He said he has stressed to clients from the start to wait until athletes are at the school of their choice before getting involved.Advertisement“I don’t think it’s a collective issue,” he added. “I think it’s just a matter of the NCAA saying, ‘Hey, we’ve always been of the position that boosters cannot influence decision making of athletes, particularly high school athletes who have not yet enrolled at universities.’”Gabe Feldman, the director of sports law at Tulane, said the NCAA would be best served being forward-looking with its NIL enforcement.“That probably is a safer and more fair approach,” Feldman said. “Hindsight is 20/20, but what might have been an even better approach is to have come up with clear rules earlier and started enforcing those so we didn’t get to a situation where it might be unfair to start enforcing the rules.”College sports conferences and the NCAA have been frequent targets for lawsuits, and last June’s Supreme Court ruling left the door open for even more.Feldman said the NCAA could be opening itself up to more antitrust exposure by failing to enforce its existing rules. But both antitrust lawsuits and NCAA enforcement are notoriously slow-moving.“This would be like the tortoise and the tortoise,” Feldman said. “Neither would get done quickly, but there’s a lot of risk in the interim.”

SAN DIEGO — First baseman Frank Schwindel’s time with Triple-A Iowa didn’t last long.Schwindel is expected to rejoin the Chicago Cubs in San Diego ahead of their series opener Monday night, a source confirms. A Cubs fan spotted Schwindel on a Monday morning flight from Chicago to San Diego.AdvertisementIt is not yet clear what corresponding move the Cubs will make for Schwindel. However, for Schwindel to be so quickly recalled and not spend the minimum stint in the minors indicates the Cubs have some sort of injury or injured list move within the roster.Left-hander Justin Steele exited Sunday’s start with left thumb soreness. He was originally slated to start Monday against the Padres but had his outing pushed up. Right-hander Marcus Stroman was scratched from his scheduled Sunday start and placed on the IL without an injury distinction. Players can only go on the IL under those circumstances when it relates to COVID.AdvertisementSchwindel, 30, was optioned to Triple A before Sunday night’s 7-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He does not lose his final minor-league option because he has not spent the minimum 20 days in the minors. The Cubs hoped the move would allow Schwindel to get locked in and recapture what made him successful during his stellar two months to close out last season.[ [Don’t miss] How Chicago Cubs first baseman Frank Schwindel’s experience at catcher helps him defensively: ‘He’s hungry’ ]After missing time in spring training because of back tightness, Schwindel has struggled to get going. He posted a .209/.250/.308 slash line with a 62 OPS+, five extra-base hits, 21 strikeouts and five walks. His strikeout rate is nearly 7% higher than last year while his walk rate has dipped by 1.5%.

ORLANDO — Adreian Payne, a former Michigan State basketball standout and NBA player, has died in a shooting. He was 31.The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a shooting at 1:34 a.m. Monday when Payne was identified and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.AdvertisementLawrence Dority, 29, was present at the scene, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested on a first-degree murder warrant after homicide detectives interviewed him.Payne played in 107 NBA games, averaging four points and three rebounds, over four seasons with Atlanta, Minnesota and Orlando. The Hawks drafted him No. 15 overall in 2014, traded him to the Timberwolves, and he averaged 6.7 points and 5.1 rebounds as a potentially promising rookie.AdvertisementThe Magic waived the 6-foot-10 forward in January, 2018, after he was part of an ESPN report that detailed sexual assault allegations against former basketball and football players at the school.Michigan State’s Adreian Payne speaks during a NCAA Tournament press conference in New York on March 29, 2014. (Brad Horrigan / McClatchy-Tribune)Payne played professionally earlier this year for Juventus in Lithuania. He also played in Turkey, France, Greece and China.Payne, who is from Dayton, Ohio, started in 94 of 138 games over four seasons for Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State. He averaged 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds as a senior during the 2013-14 season.While in college, Payne befriended 8-year-old, cancer-stricken Lacey Holsworth and spoke at her memorial ceremony in April, 2014.

CLEVELAND — Ian Jackson and Johnuel “Boogie” Fland are among the brightest stars in the firmament of high school basketball and now have business deals to prove it.The New York City teens and friendly rivals are cashing in on their name, image and likeness through marketing contracts often referred to as NIL deals. The contracts have begun to trickle down to the high school level after the NCAA’s decision last year to allow college athletes to monetize their stardom.AdvertisementSeven states have so far approved the deals for prep athletes. Other states, such as Ohio, continue to debate whether NILs would sully high school sports.Jackson and Fland, both of whom are ranked as top college prospects for the 2024 graduating class, are paid a percentage of sales on a merchandise company’s products carrying their likeness and four-figure monthly checks to post about the brand on social media.AdvertisementJackson, 16, said he is saving the money he earns from the merchandise company Spreadshop and several other deals to buy a home for his family.“I want to put my family in a better place,” Jackson said.Fland, 15, also said he wants to help his family.“It’s been a very big deal,” he said. “All the hard work is finally paying off.”Johnuel “Boogie” Fland shoots hoops in the gymnasium of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y., on May 2, 2022. (Robert Bumsted/AP)In Ohio, high school principals began voting May 1 on whether to change the state high school athletic association’s bylaws to allow athletes to sign deals.“A lot of us here at the OHSAA and school administrators don’t like NIL,” said Ohio High School Athletic Association spokesperson Tim Stried. “We wish we weren’t having to deal with this, but it’s not going away. We can have a hand in shaping it or do what the NCAA did and fight it until otherwise.”Karissa Niehoff, CEO of the National Federation of State High School Associations, said NIL rights for high school athletes could prove disruptive, but she tempered her criticism, saying, “I don’t think we’re going to see a lot of this.”High school, Niehoff said, “is not intended to be an opportunity to earn a living, and we hope it will stay that way.”AdvertisementThe issue of NIL deals for high school athletes follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision last June that said the NCAA cannot restrict education-related compensation benefits for the country’s nearly 500,000 college student-athletes. Since then, Alaska, California, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Louisiana and Utah have created laws or policies allowing NIL compensation for high school athletes.Jackson, who attends Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, is represented by his AAU coach. Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, has hired a marketing consultant to help Fland and other students at the school with NIL deals.Generally, college and high school athletes can use sports agents to market their name, image and likeness, but they are not permitted to hire agents to represent them professionally without endangering their eligibility. The standard fee for marketing agents is 15-20% of an athlete’s NIL deal.High school athletic associations in states where NIL deals are permitted bar students from using their school names and team logos in the deals they strike.In Florida, high school athletes are not allowed to benefit from their stardom. But Laney Higgins, a senior volleyball player at Carrollwood Day School in Lake Magdalene, cut a deal after her season ended that has her donating earnings to a concussion center that treated her.She signed with Q30 Innovations, a Connecticut company that produces devices to help reduce brain injuries, after suffering numerous concussions playing her sport. She donates the earnings to the University of South Florida Concussion Center in Tampa.AdvertisementHiggins is continuing her volleyball career at Oglethorpe University in Brookhaven, Georgia, this fall.“Brands are going to continue to see that female student athletes can fulfill goals in a unique and authentic way because the biggest name doesn’t always mean the best success,” Higgins said.According to the latest data gathered by Opendorse Deals, a company that its officials say have helped connect 100,000 college athletes with third parties for NIL deals, the average payout has been small thus far. Division I athletes with at least one deal have earned about $664 on average, according to the data. For Division II athletes, it’s $59 and just $43 in Division III.Nearly 70% of deals involve social media posts, the Opendorse data shows.David Ridpath, an associate professor of sports business at Ohio University, frames the opportunity for student-athletes to benefit financially as a civil rights issue. Athletes are not employees of the schools they attend and should not be restricted from earning money, he said, adding that amounts won’t be large but could put “a few extra bucks in their pockets.”“In my view, it’s all been positive,” Ridpath said. “College and, by extension, high school athletes, are not employees and should not be restricted to any market place where they have value.”AdvertisementBasketball phenom Mikey Williams is among the exclusive group of high school athletes who have signed lucrative NIL deals. Williams, who will play his senior year at San Ysidro High School in San Diego, signed a deal with shoe and athletic apparel maker Puma for an undisclosed amount while attending a sports academy in Florida.Former Texas high school football star Quinn Ewers is another exception to the norm of modest earners. The highly touted quarterback chose to forgo his senior year to enroll early at Ohio State University last year, a move that allowed him to sign a reported $1.4 million in NIL deals before arriving on campus last summer. Ewers played only two meaningless snaps for the Buckeyes last season before choosing to transfer to the University of Texas.Matthew Mitten, a sports law professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee, said there are potential pitfalls in NIL deals at both the high school and college levels, which he called the “last bastion of amateurism.”Mitten noted that University of Texas alumni and supporters in December announced that up to 16 football offensive lineman on scholarship would each receive $50,000 starting in August to support charitable causes.“It’s almost become a de facto pay to play,” Mitten said.Mitten and others wonder about the affect NIL opportunities could have on the forbidden yet hardly uncommon practice of high schools recruiting athletes. He raised the possibility that wealthy alumni from private high schools might copy the University of Texas alumni model.AdvertisementMitten and others say parents of high school athletes need to become educated about NIL deals to protect their children should an opportunity arise.“I think they’re going to have to be careful,” Mitten said. “There’s a whole lot of legal issues that minors and their parents and guardians won’t be familiar with.”

There still are so many questions about the new Chicago Blackhawks front office’s plan for its first offseason.General manager Kyle Davidson has shared a lot of reasons why he tabbed Norm Maciver, Jeff Greenberg and Brian Campbell to be in his inner circle and how they plan to modernize hockey operations. But Davidson didn’t offer a ton of detail about the draft, free agency, the coaching search — you know, hockey stuff.AdvertisementIn some cases, there aren’t a lot of details to be had yet.For example, Davidson can’t fully understand his draft strategy until he knows whether he’ll have a first-round pick — and that information comes with Tuesday’s lottery.AdvertisementHe has a list of attributes he wants in a coach, but if he has candidates in mind who might meet those criteria, he’s not yet divulging. But that likely will play out in July.Still, there are some answers that we have and others we can intuit. Here are some readers’ questions.Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson speaks after being introduced, March 1, 2022, at the United Center. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)Are the Hawks satisfied with their goalies or are they looking outside the organization? — @Ottawa19711Kevin Lankinen and Collin Delia are both unrestricted free agents, but neither has looked like a long-term solution.Delia, who has been with the organization since 2017, had a 3.85 goals-against average and .899 save percentage over eight appearances (six starts), compiling a 1-4-1 record.AdvertisementHe also faced the second most five-on-five shots per 60 minutes (38.78) among goalies with at least 200 minutes ice time, according to naturalstattrick.com.Lankinen finished 8-15-6 with a 3.50 GAA and .891 save percentage. He also was on the negative side in goals saved above average (-15.5 GSAA) among qualifiers, according to hockey-reference.com. He also has made just 66 career starts, so that has to be taken into consideration.General manager Kyle Davidson is keeping all options open.“We’re still pretty early in talking about that,” he said. “We definitely need to bring some NHL contracts in.“Kevin and Collin are part of that discussion, they’re not out of that candidate list, but there’s some players that we’ll look at in free agency and see which direction we want to go.”Would the Hawks roll the dice and invest up to $4 million annually in 27-year-old Ville Husso, who split the season in St. Louis with Jordan Binnington and will be an unrestricted free agent?AdvertisementSurely, the Blues can’t keep two goalies under 30 making top dollar, can they?The Winnipeg Jets’ Eric Comrie, who’s 26 and had a 2.58 GAA and .920 save percentage in 19 games, will be a Group 6 UFA. But if the Jets keep goalie coach Wade Flaherty on staff, it could be difficult to pry Comrie away.The Washington Capitals may have a decision to make between Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vaněček, who will be restricted free agents with arbitration rights.Vaněček, 26, was inconsistent during the regular season but he’s young, relatively low-cost ($716,667 cap hit 2021-22) and could grow with the Hawks. And if he’s doesn’t pan out during a multiyear rebuild, no big deal.Davidson said he’s “not ruling out the trade market” and is keeping an eye on the pipeline.“We have a couple options,,” Davidson said. “Most of them are not ready to step into the NHL, in any respect, but they’re very promising.Advertisement“Arvid Söderblom has been excellent in Rockford this year. … We just signed Jaxson Stauber out of Providence College, and we’re really high on him, so he’s going to be turning pro next year. And then we have Drew Commesso at Boston University who was on the U.S. Olympic team and was selected for two World Juniors in a row.”What’s the rebuild strategy, draft and develop? Acquisition of proven NHL assets? Hybrid? We’ve been trying the latter unsuccessfully for a while, so what will be different? — @pdx2ordFrom GM Kyle Davidson’s comments last week, he definitely is on the draft-and-develop side of things, and he may be more willing to employ the “patience factor” than predecessor Stan Bowman, who had given a lot of NHL ice time to young players before his ouster.“If a player does end up back in Rockford, that’s not a failure at all,” Davidson said. “Looking back at some of the Cup teams, Duncan Keith spent time in the minors. A lot of the core of those early Cup teams with the Blackhawks spent time in the minors.“… They’re going to learn what they need to do to get to the NHL and stay in the NHL and it’s not a race to the NHL for any of our prospects, it’s more of that journey of getting to the point that when you do get recalled, we can’t send you back. That takes time, that takes development and that takes commitment, but it takes commitment from our side working with them to the point that they come up and stay.”AdvertisementIt doesn’t hurt that CEO Danny Wirtz isn’t pressuring Davidson to turn the Hawks into a contender in a season or two, so Davidson is putting an emphasis acquiring prospects, not just placing all the Hawks eggs in the blue-chip basket.“Quantity is what you need in building a depth of talent that’s going to come up together and sustain success at the NHL level,” he said. “If we can add more high-end talent, then that’s what we really want to do. It’s not necessarily an indictment of the players in our system. It’s more so just outlining, we need more.”That’s not to say the Hawks won’t look at the market, of course.“One thing we do want to put in place is playing a more up-tempo style of hockey,” Davidson said, “and if we need to go find a player or two on the market to help drive that philosophy and style of play, then we’ll definitely consider it. I’m not going to rule out anything.”Well, almost anything. Don’t expect another splash contract like Seth Jones’ eight-year, $76 million extension.“I would say it’s unlikely we’re going to sign some long-term deals,” Davidson said. “Very unlikely. But that’s not to say we won’t fill some spots in the UFA market if the right opportunity presents itself.”AdvertisementAnaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) kneels on the ice as he watches the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate one of their first-period goals during a game at the United Cente, March 8, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)It seems to me that things are heading in the right direction because of Kyle Davidson. And because of the circumstances why he is the new GM, where would this organization be if Stan Bowman had not been forced out? Would Bowman still be the GM had there not been a scandal? — @manutileThat scandal would be the Hawks’ cover-up of Kyle Beach’s 2010 sexual assault allegation against then-video coach Brad Aldrich.According to an independent investigation by law firm Jenner & Block, the team’s senior leaders — including Bowman — violated the team’s own sexual harassment policy by failing to “promptly and thoroughly investigate” Beach’s allegation until after the Hawks won the Stanley Cup.When Jenner & Block released its findings in late October, Bowman stepped down as president of hockey operations and GM.It’s usually sketchy to play what-if, but in this case it’s fair to wonder if Bowman would’ve stayed in his role if he hadn’t been implicated in the scandal or if the scandal had never existed.AdvertisementBowman hadn’t even been in his new role as hockey operations president for a year yet. CEO Danny Wirtz added the title to Bowman’s GM duties in December 2020 when Wirtz named Jaime Faulkner president of business operations.Wirtz tweaked top leadership to “reimagine the potential of hockey” and have both sides work together in ways they hadn’t before. He also wanted to grant Bowman full control of the hockey side months after firing team President John McDonough, who had a firm hand on both fronts.Bowman had announced a rebuild before pivoting to a summer spending spree that included acquiring defenseman Seth Jones and goalie Marc-André Fleury.But the new-look Hawks got off to a 1-9-2 start that precipitated Jeremy Colliton’s firing.We may never know what Wirtz’s thinking would be in a hypothetical scenario in which Bowman isn’t entangled in a scandal, but it’s reasonable to think he could’ve survived Colliton’s abysmal start.Colliton, after all, was Bowman’s first swing at a coaching hire after he dismissed Joel Quenneville in November 2018. Many a GM has gotten a second chance at picking the right coach.AdvertisementAlso remember that in August 2020, Bowman had three weeks with Wirtz in the Edmonton bubble to bond and sell him on his long-term plan for the Hawks.When Wirtz promoted Bowman that December he praised Bowman’s “body of work” entering his 19th season.“Stan has set forth a vision for where he wants to take the organization and the hockey team (and) a system to get us there,” Wirtz said. “We have a lot of trust in Stan, his knowledge is great and he’s a growth-minded leader. You don’t see that a lot in people who have success. They have success, stop and rely on that.”But growth takes time and patience for trial-and-error.Given Wirtz’s trust in Bowman before the events of 2010 were revealed, it’s logical to conclude Bowman would’ve received such latitude.AdvertisementIs anyone untouchable or will offers be considered for anyone in trade? — @syats59In short, no — unless a player’s no-trade clause deems it so.However, it would be hard to imagine the Hawks would part with leading scorer Alex DeBrincat (41 goals) unless another GM puts something outrageous on the table.“I don’t necessarily subscribe to the untouchable theory because there’s always a situation where someone’s going to offer you,” GM Kyle Davidson said in March. “Whether it’s realistic or not, there’s always a situation where you might get offered something that you can’t turn down.”That happened with forward Brandon Hagel, who fetched two conditional first-round picks and two rookie forwards, Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk, in a blockbuster deal that included sending two-fourth rounders to the Tampa Bay Lightning.Said Davidson: “When you announce something like a rebuild, it’s only natural that people come to you with a lot of different ideas.”AdvertisementThe opening month of the season was too much to take and why the players put up with their performances is a real question. Wasn’t the core of Blackhawks enough to say, “We’ve had enough,” or has the skill level throughout the line diminished so much saving the season was impossible? — Tom K.After talking to various members of the Hawks organization and some NHL experts, I don’t get the sense that skill was the problem.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.In fact, associate general manager Norm Maciver said skill had been prioritized over competitiveness and speed for too long.The players said they often came up short against better teams, unable to compete at the level they needed to for three periods.That’s not to say that most of the teams in this year’s playoffs aren’t deeper and more talented than the Hawks, but by their own admission the Hawks have to fix their inconsistency.AdvertisementPlayers also cautioned that losing feeds on itself.“Things turn sideways when you’re not winning games,” Seth Jones after the season finale, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres. “A lot of player meetings and meeting after meeting, it’s never fun, it makes the season longer.“If you find a way to win more games, it makes it more fun coming to the rink.”

The Chicago Bulls ended the 2021-22 season on a frustrating note when the Milwaukee Bucks eliminated them from the first round of the playoffs in five games.Next up is a critical period of recruitment and roster management for executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas and the rest of the front office as the Bulls aim to build on their first postseason berth in five seasons.AdvertisementHere are the key dates and topics to track for the Bulls offseason.May 16-22: NBA draft combine, ChicagoMay 17: NBA draft lottery, ChicagoJune 13: NBA draft early entry withdrawal deadlineJune 19: Last possible date for the NBA FinalsJune 23: NBA draft, Barclays Center, New YorkJune 29: Last day for teams to make contract decisions and qualifying offers to free agentsJune 30: Free agency negotiations beginJuly 1: Moratorium begins; teams can sign players to rookie, minimum and two-way contractsJuly 7: Moratorium ends; teams can begin making trades and signing playersJuly 7-17: NBA Summer League, Las VegasJuly 13: Last day to withdraw qualifying offers to free agentsAug. 31: Last day to waive playersNBA draftAdvertisementAuburn’s Walker Kessler blocks a shot by Jacksonville State guard Darian Adams in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 18, 2022, in Greenville, S.C. (Chris Carlson/AP)The Bulls went to a tiebreaker after finishing with an identical 46-36 record to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After winning the draw, the Bulls hold the 18th pick in the draft. That’s their only pick this year.The end of the season exposed two major areas of needed improvement: size and shooting. Those aren’t issues the Bulls can rectify through the draft alone, but the front office likely will address one of those weaknesses as it makes another addition to the young core.[ [Don’t miss] Illinois center Kofi Cockburn says he’s declaring for the NBA draft: ‘It’s time for me to take that next step’ ]Last year’s draft paid off immediately for the Bulls, who selected Ayo Dosunmu in the second round and elevated the homegrown guard into an unexpected starting role for much of the season.The Bulls could be in position to add another Illinois alumnus after center Kofi Cockburn declared for the draft, although there might be better fits for the frontcourt — such as Auburn’s Walker Kessler — available with the 18th pick.Free agencyExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 133Bulls guard Zach LaVine and forward DeMar DeRozan head to their locker room after playing the Bucks at the United Center on April 24, 2022. The Bucks won 119-95 to take a 3-1 lead in their playoff series. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)This is an important free agency period for the Bulls. Although the front office isn’t likely to take as big of a swing as it did last year — picking up DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso — shoring up the margins of the roster will be a key to getting past the first round next season.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.The Bulls bench finished as one of the worst in the league this season, providing only 20.6 points per game, and that lack of support became an insurmountable weakness in the playoffs. Creating a more balanced bench will be crucial for the Bulls this summer.[ [Don’t miss] Column: Zach LaVine deserves his big payday — whether it’s with the Bulls or somewhere else ]Meanwhile, Zach LaVine will spend the summer poring over offers in his first offseason as an unrestricted free agent. LaVine made clear his intention to weigh all possibilities before signing a new deal. If he departs Chicago after five seasons, he would leave a gaping hole in the Bulls roster.AdvertisementNBA Summer LeagueExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 75Ayo Dosunmu tries to block the shot of Atlanta guard Trae Young in the second half of a game at the United Center on Feb. 24, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)The Bulls haven’t determined how they’ll use the NBA Summer League — which takes place July 7-17 in Las Vegas — to prepare younger players for the upcoming season. While they can be expected to send their draft pick and Windy City Bulls players to Las Vegas, they haven’t committed to sending Dosunmu and Patrick Williams.Both players voiced enthusiasm about playing in Vegas this summer, but this will be a calculated decision for the Bulls. After stepping in for Ball and Caruso, Dosunmu played significantly more time than the Bulls planned in his rookie season, including 40 starts.[ [Don’t miss] Bulls veterans preach continuity as they hope to ‘run it back’ in 2022-23 after their 1st season together ]Williams could use the minutes after missing most of his second season because of a wrist injury. But third-year players aren’t often called for summer league, and the competition level might not be high enough to push the power forward.If either player does play in Vegas, Bulls fans would get a look at a substantial portion of the franchise’s future.Free agents: Zach LaVine (unrestricted), Derrick Jones Jr. (unrestricted), Tristan Thompson (unrestricted), Troy Brown Jr. (restricted), Matt Thomas (restricted), Tyler Cook (restricted, two-way), Malcolm Hill (restricted, two-way)Contract option: Tony Bradley (player option)Under contract: Nikola Vučević (expires 2023), Coby White (2023), Javonte Green (2023), Ayo Dosunmu (2023), DeMar DeRozan (2024), Patrick Williams (2024), Marko Simonović (2024), Lonzo Ball (2025), Alex Caruso (2025)Eligible for extension: Vučević, White