Sports News Roundup: NBA's TV rights talks with Disney, Warner likely to end without deal, CNBC reports; NFL draft hopeful AJ Simon of Albany dead at 25 and more

The veteran right-hander takes the ball for the first time this season when the Astros visit the Washington Nationals on Friday night. NHL roundup: Nikita Kucherov's 100th assist lifts Lightning NHL point leader Nikita Kucherov made history by recording his 100th assist of the season as the Tampa Bay Lightning topped the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 on Wednesday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Clark effect: Mystics to host Fever at Capital One Arena

The Washington Mystics on Thursday became the latest WNBA team to announce a venue change to accommodate a visit from Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. The Mystics are moving their June 7 date from the 4,200-seat Entertainment & Sports Arena to the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena, home of the NBA's Wizards and NHL's Capitals.

Bills, quarterback Josh Allen search for answers without wide receiver Stefon Diggs

With no true No. 1 wide receiver on the roster, some might have anticipated a more abrasive posture from quarterback Josh Allen as the Bills open offseason workouts. But as the Bills transform the roster, Allen said he's accepting the unspoken challenge of becoming a better leader.

MLB roundup: Rangers hit three HRs, outslug Tigers

Jonah Heim hit a two-run home run, Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia delivered solo shots and the visiting Texas Rangers topped the Detroit Tigers 9-7 on Thursday. Semien had three hits and scored twice for the Rangers, who won the series 3-1.

Just-in Time: Verlander debuts for ailing Astros in Washington

Justin Verlander's season debut comes at a great time for the Houston Astros. The veteran right-hander takes the ball for the first time this season when the Astros visit the Washington Nationals on Friday night.

NHL roundup: Nikita Kucherov's 100th assist lifts Lightning

NHL point leader Nikita Kucherov made history by recording his 100th assist of the season as the Tampa Bay Lightning topped the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 on Wednesday. In the regular-season finale for both teams, Kucherov, who has 144 points (44 goals, 100 assists) also scored. He reached the century mark in helpers when he set up Brayden Point's goal at 17:05 of the second, a marker that lifted Tampa Bay to a 4-1 lead.

NFL draft hopeful AJ Simon of Albany dead at 25

AJ Simon, a defensive lineman from the University at Albany who was hoping to be drafted into the NFL next week, died at age 25, the school confirmed Wednesday. Simon played four seasons of football at the FCS level -- two at Bloomsburg (2018, 2021) and two at Albany. The native of Pennsylvania had 12.5 sacks for Albany in 2023 and was named to the All-CAA first team.

Auburn C Johni Broome returning for 2024-25 season

Auburn center Johni Broome is returning to the team for his final season of eligibility in 2024-25. The 6-foot-10 senior announced his decision with a video posted to social media on Wednesday.

NBA's TV rights talks with Disney, Warner likely to end without deal, CNBC reports

The National Basketball Association's exclusive media rights negotiating period with current partners Walt Disney and Warner Bros Discovery is likely to expire without a new deal on Monday, CNBC reported on Thursday. NBA will be able to engage with new partners to show packages of games from the start of next week, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

NHL-League approves Coyotes sale and new franchise in Utah

The National Hockey League's Board of Governors have approved the sale and relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Utah starting with the 2024-25 season, the league said on Thursday. The deal includes a clause that could ultimately see Arizona get an expansion team if a state-of-the-art facility appropriate for an NHL team is constructed within five years.

Two-time Stanley Cup champion Jeff Carter retires

Two-time Stanley Cup champion Jeff Carter announced his retirement from the NHL after playing his final game for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Carter, 39, totaled 851 points (442 goals, 409 assists) in 1,321 games across 19 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings and Penguins. Carter won the Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2012 and 2014 and a gold medal with his native Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

(With inputs from agencies.)