Cleveland WNBA team names president

CLEVELAND — Allison Howard has been named the first team president of Cleveland’s upcoming WNBA franchise, the organization announced Tuesday.

Howard will also continue her role as executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Rock Entertainment Group, which oversees the Cavaliers, until the end of the 2025-26 NBA season. She will then transition to full-time oversight of the franchise’s business operations, including culture, marketing, fan experience and community engagement. The team is scheduled to start play in 2028 at Rocket Arena.

Howard previously served as the first president of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Kansas City Current. She was instrumental in expanding that team’s brand, securing stadium naming rights and growing revenue through corporate partnerships.

Riverhounds to expand stadium

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds announced plans Monday to expand their South Shore stadium, aiming to reach a 15,000-seat capacity and meet U.S. Soccer Division I standards.

The current 5,000-seat Highmark Stadium will nearly triple in size under the multi-phase project. Upgrades will include premium seating, banquet clubs, suites, locker rooms, and a rooftop terrace designed to accommodate concerts and other major events.

Owner Tuffy Shallenberger said the expansion will enable the club to host dozens of entertainment and sporting events annually while enhancing regional economic activity.

Riverhounds attendance has surged over the past five years — averaging over 11% annual growth and selling out nearly 75% of home games.

The expansion positions the club to compete for a spot in the U.S. Soccer Division I league set to launch in 2028.

Pirates stopped by Jays

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Max Scherzer pitched six strong innings to notch his 220th career win, and George Springer hit an early two-run home run as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 on Tuesday night.

Scherzer (4-2) allowed one run and four hits with four strikeouts and three walks. The 18-year veteran has pitched at least six innings in five consecutive starts.

The Blue Jays (74-53) built a 5-0 lead against Mitch Keller in the first two innings.

Springer hit a 423-foot shot to center field for his 20th homer of the season in the second inning. The Blue Jays scored three runs in the first when Alejandro Kirk had an RBI single and Nathan Lukes followed with a two-run single.

Kirk added a two-run home run, his 10th, off Colin Holderman in the seventh inning to make 7-1. The All-Star catcher finished with three hits and three RBIs.

Keller (5-12) was tagged for five runs in 3 1/3 innings after giving up six runs in four innings in a loss at National League-leading Milwaukee in his previous start last Wednesday.

The Pirates lost for the eighth time in 10 games as they fell deeper into the NL Central basement.

Blue Jays All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sat out because of tightness in his left hamstring. An MRI performed earlier Tuesday revealed no damage.

Auburn claims 4 additional titles

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn is claiming four additional football national titles and will call itself a nine-time champion moving forward.

The Tigers, for decades, boasted titles in 1957 and 2010. They also claimed the 1913, 1983 and 1993 seasons as meeting national championship qualifications.

Now, though, athletic director John Cohen is adding titles from 1910, 1914, 1958 and 2004 to the program’s resume. It’s laudable by some and laughable by others.

“For too long, Auburn has chosen a humble approach to our program’s storied history — choosing to recognize only Associated Press national championships,” Cohen told On3 for a story announcing the decision Tuesday.