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Michael Masi has been removed as Formula 1 race director over his management of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Australian was heavily criticized for his handling of the last-lap saga that ultimately decided the F1 driver’s championship, with Max Verstappen ultimately winning the race over rival Lewis Hamilton in a controversial fashion. The FIA released a statement confirming Masi would be removed from the high-level position, but instead will be offered a new role by the sport’s governing body....

“Being able to get back on the podium — it feels amazing,” Phelps said. “It’s a good first day. Good first international meet back. There’s no better way to finish this, lovely, rainy night then being able to step up with your teammates and win a gold medal.” Phelps finished fourth in his first final — the 100 free — but he later swam the second leg of the relay and watched as Matt McLean overhauled Takeshi Matsuda of Japan on the last lap....

After serving a six-month ban from professional swimming, Phelps on Saturday swooped in from last place and won the 100 freestyle at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa, Ariz. “As soon as I was underwater I just started kicking and one of the kicks I just felt something different that I hadn’t felt before,” Phelps told Fox Sports. “I don’t know if that was the switching gear in knowing how to race again or what....

The former Rams draft pick recently made the cover of Attitude where he spoke about the homophobia and racism he’s faced since coming out. “It’s terrible," he told the magazine, via The Advocate. “People have told me I’m not gay enough, people have told me I’m not black enough. I don’t know what that means. You want to be accepted by other people but you don’t even accept someone just because of the color of their skin?...

The players association chose Washington, D.C., lawyer Michele Roberts as its new executive director, Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported. Roberts will be the first woman to lead a male North American professional sports league’s union. Roberts will replace longtime director Billy Hunter, who was forced out after a fight with the players. Wojnarowski reported that Roberts received the support of Clippers guard Chris Paul, the NBPA’s president.

MORE: When politics and sports mix Robinson has a deep basketball resume, including head coaching gigs at Oregon State from 2008-2014 and Brown from 2006-2008. The Business Journal notes a loose political angle to the hire. Bucks co-owners Wes Edens and Marc Lasry are “prominent figures in national Democratic politics,” according to the report, and Lasry is a longtime friend and supporter of presidential election front runner Hillary and former U....

The 2014 U.S. Women’s Open winner has been fighting a wrist problem all year that has limited her to one full tournament. She first announced last month she was taking a break from the tour. “While I’m making progress with my recovery, I have decided to withdraw from the U.S. Women’s Open,” Wie wrote on her Instagram account. “It was a difficult decision to make because the U.S. Open was one that I was looking forward to playing in all year, but my recovery and health is the priority....

“Good flight, happy to be here,” Harbaugh said in brief chat with reporters (via MLive.com). “Been to Florida many times, love Florida. It’s great to be here.” MORE: Predictions for all 41 bowl games Harbaugh raised eyebrows by conducting spring drills in the Sunshine State earlier this year, but this time around it’s for the game against Florida State. The Wolverines are scheduled to practice Monday, the first of four practices in Florida, concluding what has been dubbed “Christmas Camp....

An on-field scrum between several Ohio State and Michigan players resulted in the ejections of two Buckeyes and one Wolverine. Less than a minute into the second quarter with the Wolverines up 21-14, a melee erupted with multiple punches thrown following an Ohio State kickoff return. Michigan linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone was ejected after ripping off Ohio State kick returner Dontre Wilson's helmet. In obvious anger, Wilson then struck Michigan defensive back Delano Hill in the facemask with an open hand and was also tossed....

Per CBSSports.com, the schools announced Monday that they will meet early in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, first at Norman, then at Ann Arbor. MORE: ‘14 non-con rankings: Big Ten | Big 12 | OU No. 1 in SN’s Top 25 The series is a strong response to the Power 5 conferences’ plans to improve the quality of non-conference schedules. The Sooners have been among the most active programs on that front, having also scheduled Ohio State, LSU, UCLA, Nebraska (renewing their old rivalry) and Tennessee....

And when it came and went, there were some schools hit harder than others by their players’ decisions to depart. MORE: NBA Mock Draft 2019, post-lottery edition These schools were the biggest losers on deadline night: Michigan. In a sense, Michigan not only lost three starters to early entry, they also lost the best coach in school history. It always was anticipated that wing Charles Matthews was playing his final season in 2018-19, so much that he was listed as a senior on the UM roster even though he had a year of eligibility remaining....

The “Promote the Vote 2022” ballot initiative would amend the state constitution creating a new early voting system that would give voters nine days of early, in-person voting. The initiative would also provide state funding for prepaid postage on absentee ballots. “Michigan voters have been clear: They want accessible and secure elections, which means being able to make their voices heard at the ballot box and being confident that their vote will be counted,” Christina Schlitt, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Michigan, said according to Michigan Advance....

Whitmer announced that she signed the bill, which was filed with the Secretary of State on Monday according to the Michigan Legislature records, last week. The bill allows employees that have not obtained a teaching certificate to work as substitute teachers as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. Employees that could begin working as substitutes under the new bill include library aides and bus drivers....

Michigan was coming off an 8-5 season in 2017. Pressure was mounting for a program breakthrough. “When I was talking to the publisher about it, it does kind of set up like John Feinstein’s great book ‘Season on the Brink,’” Bacon told Sporting News. “I told the publisher, ‘If we’re lucky,’ that’s what happens here.” MORE: Harbaugh, Michigan must make breakthrough with top-ranked class Michigan would like that parallel. Feinstein’s book followed Bob Knight and Indiana basketball in 1985-86, a year that followed a NIT bid and ended with a first-round exit in the NCAA tournament....

Fans started setting fire to couches in the streets of East Lansing after the Spartans beat rivals Wolverines 37-33 on Saturday. But one fan appeared to have made a lucky escape after his clothes caught fire as he sat on a burning couch in the middle of the street. A video shared by account @AyeThatsLee was uploaded to social media website Twitter that showed the fire spreading on the Michigan State fan’s clothes before other Spartans supporters stepped in to rescue him....

But the good news is this: Michigan State is expecting to get senior center Adreian Payne (sprained foot) back in the lineup in less than a week. Michigan State was outrebounded by Georgetown 35-29, and by the same count last Saturday in a home loss to Michigan. The Spartans have been able to cover for Payne’s singular absence, but losing Branden Dawson as well has exposed this team down low....

For three seasons, he played the role of complementary receiver. The top recruit out of the state of Michigan in 2012 collected 80 catches for 916 yards and three touchdowns in those three seasons. PLAYOFFS: Impact players | ROAD: OU | Clemson | Bama | MSU Not bad, but not what he wanted. “When I first came here it was just my athletic ability and making plays on the field,” Burbridge said....

Despite replacing 10 defensive starters, the Wolverines held No.17 Florida to just 192 total yards as they pulled away for a 33-17 victory. Both of Florida’s touchdowns came from its defense, as Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight threw pick-6s on back-to-back drives in the first half. MORE: Michigan can be great behind Wilton Speight Florida was without 10 suspended players, including top receiver Antonio Callaway and leading rusher Jordan Scarlett....

ESPN/ABC’s telecast of Ohio State’s 30-27 double-overtime victory over Michigan on Saturday drew a massive 10.4 overnight TV rating. MORE: Eight big CFP questions with one week to go That made Wolverines vs. Buckeyes easily the highest-rated college football game of the season across all networks. The 10.4 overnight was up 53 percent from last season’s Ohio State at Michigan game on Nov. 28, 2015. It continued ESPN/ABC’s ratings dominance against CBS and other networks in college football this year....

The Athletic published a report Monday about Mickey Callaway — the former manager of the Mets and current pitching coach of the Angels — and his alleged history of harassing women in sports media, during his stops in Cleveland, New York and Los Angeles. Five women spoke to The Athletic and detailed their encounters and interactions with Callaway. Seven others said they’d been cautioned about Callaway’s past behaviors. “It was the worst-kept secret in sports,” one of the women told The Athletic....