Sports News Roundup: Comcast pulls Bally Sports channels, imperiling US broadcaster's restructuring; Soccer-US defender Dest to undergo ACL surgery, miss Copa America and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce 'extremely grateful' for new deal

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce wanted more money but was not interested in executing a leverage play as a means to get it. Kelce, as it turns out, got what he wanted as the Chiefs reworked his contract, pumping up his salary to $34.25 million over the next two seasons. The $17.125 million per year represents the highest average annual salary among all NFL tight ends.

Doping-USADA slams WADA for 'half-truths' in China doping case

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) criticised the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Wednesday for "doubling down on half-truths", after the global body published a document outlining its handling of a case involving Chinese swimmers.

WADA has been under fire since the New York Times reported last month that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) ahead of the Tokyo Games in 2021 but were allowed to compete after being cleared by a Chinese inquiry.

NBA roundup: 76ers fend off Knicks in OT, keep season alive

Tyrese Maxey scored 46 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. hit a tiebreaking layup in overtime as the visiting Philadelphia 76ers avoided elimination with a 112-106 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. Game 6 of the Eastern Conference series is Thursday in Philadelphia, and if the 76ers can continue to stay alive, the teams will play a seventh game on Saturday in New York. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 40 points.

MLB roundup: Cubs' Shota Imanaga stellar again in win

Rookie Shota Imanaga had another strong start and Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the fifth inning Wednesday night as the visiting Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 1-0. Nico Hoerner had two hits and a stolen base for the Cubs, who have won two of the first three games of the four-game series. Jeff McNeil collected a pair of hits for the Mets, who have lost seven of 10.

Comcast pulls Bally Sports channels, imperiling US broadcaster's restructuring

Cable provider Comcast stopped broadcasting Bally Sports channels on Wednesday, taking some MLB games off the air and imperiling the bankruptcy restructuring of the sports channels' operating company. Diamond Sports, a Sinclair subsidiary that broadcasts nearly half of all MLB, NHL and NBA games, has said that its bankruptcy restructuring depends on renewed deals with three major cable partners, including Comcast, that provide 80% of the company's revenue.

Athletics-Knighton sets his own pace for success ahead of Olympic trials

The best is yet to come for American Erriyon Knighton, with the young sprinter telling Reuters he had far from reached his full potential ahead of the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. The 20-year-old has had enormous expectations on his shoulders after breaking retired great Usain Bolt's junior records in the 200 metres and becoming the youngest individual sprint medallist at the worlds with bronze two years ago.

Steven Stamkos covets return to Tampa Bay for 17th season

Steven Stamkos has spent all 16 of his NHL seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning and he's highly interested in continuing the relationship. Stamkos, 34, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. But he said he had a preliminary conversation with Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois after Tampa Bay was eliminated from the postseason Monday night.

MLB suspends Brewers' Abner Uribe, Freddy Peralta, Rays' Jose Siri

Milwaukee Brewers pitchers Abner Uribe and Freddy Peralta were suspended six and five games, respectively, for their roles in Tuesday's benches-clearing incident against Tampa Bay, Major League Baseball announced. MLB also announced Wednesday that Rays outfielder Jose Siri was handed a three-game suspension for his role in the skirmish. Brewers manager Pat Murphy received a two-game ban for inappropriate conduct toward officials, the league said.

NHL roundup: Leafs outlast Bruins in OT, force Game 6

Matthew Knies scored 2:26 into overtime as the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs extended their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins with a 2-1 win in Game 5 on Tuesday. After John Tavares drove toward the net, a loose puck popped off the pads of Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman and went to Knies, who potted it after charging down the slot.

Soccer-US defender Dest to undergo ACL surgery, miss Copa America

United States' Sergino Dest will miss the Copa America after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), with the defender confirming he will undergo surgery soon. Dest, who has spent this season on loan at PSV Eindhoven from Barcelona, suffered the injury late last month while training with the Dutch club.

(With inputs from agencies.)