Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.
WEDNESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NHL: Penguins at Bruins, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
NHL: Sharks at Avalanche, 10 p.m. (NBCSN)
NBA: Wizards at Bulls, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
NBA: Spurs at Kings, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Villanova at Xavier, 7 p.m. (FS1)
College basketball: Houston at UCF, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: Mississippi State at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Marquette at Creighton, 8 p.m. (CBSSN)
College basketball: East Carolina at Tulane, 8 p.m. (ESPNews)
College basketball: Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: Arizona at Colorado, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: San Diego State at Wyoming, 10 p.m. (CBSSN)
College basketball: Washington at Oregon State, 11 p.m. (ESPNU)
Soccer: UEFA Champions, Manchester City at Dynamo Kyiv, 2:30 p.m. (FS1)
Soccer: CONCACAF Champions, Santos Laguna at Los Angeles, 10 p.m. (FS1)
AROUND THE WEB:
— As tales of drunken debauchery during Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski‘s weekend party cruise continue to filter out, the cruise now is being included in a lawsuit against the NFL.
Last summer, the NFL effectively shut down a fantasy football convention in Las Vegas because the event was being held on casino-owned property. The league barred players (most notably Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, one of the event’s organizers) and league employees from attending.
The National Fantasy Football Convention responded with a lawsuit, and the two sides reportedly will be in court Monday for a hearing on the NFL’s motion for summary judgment.
NFFC apparently is upset that the NFL did not object until after players and members of NFL Media had agreed to appear at the event, and it claims the league’s policy about gambling is ambiguous.
In an amended petition filed Monday in a Texas court (via Pro Football Talk), the NFFC references Gronkowski’s event, noting that there was gambling on the cruise.
Wrote the NFFC lawyers: NFL player Rob Gronkowski hosted a party cruise from Miami to the Bahamas on February 19-22, 2016. The four-day party took place on Norwegian Cruise Line, where Gronkowski’s fans and attendees can take full advantage of Norweigan’s famed ‘Casinos at Sea.’ Photos from the booze-cruise show fans gambling at the on-board casino. The NFL specifically knew about the party cruise and its ties to gambling for more than seven months leading up to the event; yet the NFL took no action to either discipline Rob Gronkowski or prevent the event from taking place.
If the NFL fails to win Monday, the case will head to trial (barring a settlement).
— Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler admitted to supervising a fight between his girlfriend and the mother of his child at a Florida apartment complex that was captured on surveillance video.
The gossip website TMZ posted the video, which shows Fowler between the two women signaling for them to start fighting. After they brawl for a little while, Fowler breaks it up by tossing his ex off his girlfriend. He then leaves via the elevator with his girlfriend.
Fowler, the third overall pick in last year’s draft who missed the entire season after tearing his ACL during rookie minicamp, said in a statement that he is “embarrassed and have apologized for my actions to everyone involved.”
“As a family, we have been dealing with this moment and the conflict that led to it since this occurred,” Fowler said. “The video surfacing is a sad reminder that emotions got the best of all of us. I take 100 percent responsibility for everything that happened.”
The league said it was reviewing the matter, while the Jaguars said Fowler approached them before the video’s release and did not hide from his actions.
“Dante brought the incident to our attention prior to the video being released and was embarrassed and remorseful,” the team said in a statement. “Violence of this type against others is unacceptable in our society and to our organization. We will continue to look into the incident while offering resources and providing support to Dante and his family to help them through this private matter.”
— Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes, who was arrested in October and charged with abuse of a family or household member following an argument with his wife in Hawaii, was placed on paid leave by Major League Baseball until the conclusion of criminal proceedings. He is the first player affected by the new policy agreed to in August by MLB and the players’ association.
Reyes, a four-time All-Star during his time with the Mets, will not report to spring training. He is scheduled to have a trial April 4, the same day the Rockies open their season. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will not determine any potential punishment for Reyes until after that time, and following an investigation.
The players’ association can challenge Reyes’ punishment before an arbitrator.
“We are closely monitoring the proceedings in Hawaii, as well as the commissioner’s actions,” the union said in a statement. “If further discipline is issued or if Mr. Reyes’ paid suspension is not resolved in a timely fashion, the players’ association will work with Mr. Reyes to ensure that all of his rights under the policy are protected.”
Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman and Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig also are under investigation by MLB following offseason incidents.
ON THIS DAY TRIVIA (answer below): On Feb. 17, 1972, Phil Esposito recorded a hat trick in a 4-1 victory over the Flyers in Philadelphia and became the second player in team history with 250 goals. Who was the first?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’ve seen a lot of athletes, once they’re done, at some point, for some reason, a lot of us kind of feel like we still got something in the tank to come back. Hopefully that’s not my case. That’s some knowledge based on everything I want to do and what I have done. Plus, I look around me and everybody is 20. I think I’m ready. … Everybody gets that moment when you feel like it’s time to go.” — Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, on his pending retirement
STAT OF THE DAY: 0-15 — The Boston College basketball team’s record in the ACC this season, following Tuesday’s 71-56 loss to Virginia Tech
‘NET RESULTS (mobile users, check the website to see the videos): Vanderbilt ends the first half against Kansas with a huge block that leads to an 80-foot heave at the buzzer.
Baylor’s Rico Gathers hits a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer against Kansas, then knocks over a trainer with a chest bump.
Boston College forward Garland Owens ends the first half against Virginia Tech with a monstrous putback dunk.
Members of the George Washington and Delaware State baseball teams joust during a rain delay.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Johnny Bucyk
SOOTHING SOUNDS: Gene Pitney, who died in 2006, was born in Hartford on this day in 1941.