Boston cancels bid to host 2024 Summer Games

Boston’s bid to host the 2024 Olympics is over.

The city and the U.S. Olympic Committee severed ties after a board teleconference Monday, USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky told The Associated Press.

The decision throws the bid process – and hopes that the U.S. will host another Olympics – into flux. Only seven weeks remain before cities have to be officially nominated. If the USOC wants to stay in the race, Los Angeles is its likely choice.

The Boston bid soured within days of its beginning in January, beset by poor communication and an active opposition group that kept public support low. It also failed to get – and keep – the support of key politicians.

NFL close to new football inspection rules

NFL: The NFL is preparing to send out instructions to game officials and teams explaining new rules for inspecting footballs.

Two people familiar with the league’s plans tell The Associated Press that proper inflation of the footballs will be documented as part of the new policy. But those people, speaking on condition of anonymity because the league has not released information on the new policy, say no instructions have been sent out yet.

The first preseason game is Aug. 9, the Hall of Fame game between Minnesota and Pittsburgh in Canton, Ohio.

Among the details being considered for the new policy: having game officials appointed by the referee inspect the 48 footballs for each game more than two hours before kickoff. In the past, the referee inspected the footballs.

• Manziel still No. 2 behind McCown for Browns: Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine has been impressed with quarterback Johnny Manziel’s improvement but said the former Heisman Trophy winner remains firmly behind Josh McCown for the starting job.

Meeting with Cleveland reporters to preview training camp, Pettine said McCown, signed during the offseason, likely will be the starter for the Sept. 13 season opener against the New York Jets.

Manziel, whose rough rookie season was followed by a stay in rehab, reported to the team’s facility on Monday.

• Panthers’ Martin contemplates retirement: Carolina Panthers offense tackle Jonathan Martin, the lineman harassed during the Miami Dolphins’ 2013 bullying scandal, is contemplating retirement following a back injury.

Martin’s agent, Ken Zuckerman, told The Associated Press his client recently injured his back during a workout. Zuckerman said doctors informed Martin he’s not allowed to do any activity for six weeks and needs surgery, putting his availability for the season in question.

The Panthers said they had no news information regarding Martin’s status.

Martin spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers where he played in 15 games with nine starts. In three NFL seasons Martin has played in 38 games and started 32.

• Cardinals name woman to training camp coach position: The Arizona Cardinals hired Jen Welter to coach inside linebackers through their upcoming training camp and preseason.

The Cardinals say Welter is believed to be the first woman to hold a coaching position of any kind in the NFL. Welter played running back and special teams in 2014 for the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League, becoming the first woman to hold a non-kicking position for a men’s professional sports league.

She coached linebackers and special teams for the Revolution last season.Welter played linebacker for more than 14 seasons with the Dallas Diamonds of the Women’s Football Alliance and holds a master’s degree in sports psychology.

Cavs trade Haywood, Miller to Blazers

NBA: The Cleveland Cavaliers traded forward Mike Miller and center Brendan Haywood to the Portland Trail Blazers to create salary-cap room and save luxury-tax money.

The Cavs have been shopping Haywood’s expiring $10.5 million contract for weeks and worked out a deal with the Blazers, who will also get two second-round picks from Cleveland.

The Blazers are expected to cut Haywood, who barely played for Cleveland last season. Miller was signed last summer, bringing playoff experience and 3-point shooting to the Cavs, but he was hardly used in the playoffs.

• Warriors trade David Lee to Boston: The Golden State Warriors have completed the trade sending two-time All-Star forward David Lee to the Boston Celtics for Gerald Wallace and Chris Babb.

Lee was an All-Star in 2010 with New York and 2013 with Golden State. Lee is due about $15.4 million in the final year of his contract, while Wallace is owed about $10 million next season.

• Heat make pair of trades: The Miami Heat trimmed roster and payroll, sending Shabazz Napier to the Orlando Magic and Zoran Dragic to the Boston Celtics.

Orlando sent a protected 2016 second-rounder to Miami for Napier. Boston sent a protected 2019 second-rounder for Zoran Dragic, while picking up a 2020 second-rounder and cash to cover his 2015-16 salary.

Nichols transfers to Virginia from Memphis

College Basketball: Memphis leading scorer Austin Nichols has transferred to Virginia.

Nichols averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 blocked shots per game as a sophomore with the Tigers.

The 6-foot-9 Nichols will have two years of eligibility remaining and must sit out the 2015-16 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

Nichols becomes the third Memphis player to transfer since the end of the season.