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Kraft’s Blown Coverage?

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JUPITER – Robert Kraft, the owner of the six time NFL Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, was charged with soliciting prostitution in a sweeping crackdown of area massage parlors in Jupiter, Florida, as part of a wide-ranging police investigation.

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Kraft was charged with two misdemeanor counts, according to a Treasure Coast Palm (TCPalm (dot) com) media site run by Gannett. The media outlet reported authorities made arrests in 10 spas in Orlando and Palm Beach County, Florida after a four month-long sting operation which began in October, 2018.

Jupiter police told reporters Friday that the 77-year-old Kraft hasn’t been arrested. A warrant will be issued and his attorneys will be notified. He was the only individual named by authorities who were quizzed about other famous names, including other sports figures.

“We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity,” a spokesman for Kraft said in a statement. “Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.”

The owner of the Orchids of Asia spa, Hua Zhang, 58, of Winter Garden, was arrested and charged with “deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, keeping and frequenting a house of prostitution and 26 counts of procuring for prostitution,” according to local authorities.

Twenty-five people were arrested in the sting that included the New England Patriots team owner..

Kraft is not a resident of the state of Florida, and thus, an arrest warrant was issued related to the charges, police said. Kraft was the only “notable” name on the list of alleged participants, local police said.

It’s Up to Gronk

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FOXBOROUGH – All-Pro tight end is still mulling over whether to retire or return to the New England Patriots for a 10th NFL season, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

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“He’s thinking it through, he’s giving it a lot of thought,” Rosenhaus said on ESPN’s “NFL Live,” adding, “I imagine a decision will happen in the next couple of weeks.”

NFL Network’s Mike Giardi tweeted Tuesday afternoon that “Gronkowski told multiple teammates/associates that he wanted to win another ring in the first few days following the Super Bowl.”

Gronkowski’s decision will affect the Patriots’ offseason moves. The NFL Scouting Combine begins late this month in Indianapolis, and the Patriots will need to know soon whether they are looking for an NFL-ready starting tight end or one who could back up Gronkowski.

Free agency begins March 13, and the NFL draft will be held April 25-27 in Nashville, Tenn.Gronkowski has one year left on his contract and is due to earn $9 million in 2019. He turns 30 in May.

Injuries have limited Gronkowski through the years, and he’s played in just 115 games since entering the league as a second-round draft pick in 2010. He has 521 career receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

My Valentine? NFL Courts Silver

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CHARLOTTE – NBA commissioner Adam Silver says he already has his dream job and hasn’t “given any thought” to inquiries from NFL owners about switching leagues.

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ESPN reported Thursday that Silver has been approached by several NFL owners and a number of Fortune 500 companies during his five-year run with the NBA. “I’ll just say I have not given it any thought,” Silver told ESPN.

“I feel very fortunate to be in this position. As a longtime fan, as a longtime league employee, the opportunity to become the commissioner of this league was beyond anything I even ever dreamed of as a kid.

“I’ve loved every day I’ve been in this job, and I think there’s nothing but enormous opportunity ahead for this league. And ultimately, I realize I’m just passing through like every player who’s gone through this league and ultimately like every owner. I feel an enormous obligation to the fans and to this greater NBA family to do my best and try my hardest every day. But that’s where 100 percent of my focus is.”

Silver, 56, succeeded David Stern as the NBA’s fifth commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014. He signed a five-year extension in June that runs through the 2023-24 season.

During Silver’s tenure, team valuations have increased by 267 percent, from an average of $509 million in 2013 to $1.9 billion in the most recent report from Forbes.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell signed a five-year extension worth up to $200 million in December 2017.

–Field Level Media

Murray Commits to NFL

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OAKLAND – Kyler Murray announced on social media Monday that he is giving up baseball and will pursue his dreams of being an NFL quarterback.

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“Moving forward, I am firmly and fully committing my life to being an NFL quarterback,” Murray stated in the post. “Football has been my love and my passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100% of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships.”

That statement seemingly shuts the door on the possibility he will play for the Oakland Athletics, who made him the No. 9 overall pick in last June’s draft. After the draft, Murray signed with the A’s and received a $4.66 million signing bonus, a payment he will have to return.

According to published reports, Murray will return $1.29 million of the $1.5 million he received last year. He forfeits the remaining $3.16 million due March 1. Also, The A’s will put Murray on the restricted list and retain his rights, but they will not receive a compensation draft pick.

Murray was granted permission to play one final year of football at Oklahoma last fall before reporting to the A’s, and he won the Heisman Trophy.

Murray, an outfielder, was invited to spring training by the A’s. Position players are due to arrive on Friday at the team’s spring training complex in Mesa, Ariz.

Some NFL mock drafts have Murray being drafted in the first round, and Murray would be the first athlete ever drafted in the first round by both an NFL and MLB franchise, according to ESPN.

At Oklahoma, Murray guided the Sooners to a 12-2 record, an appearance in the College Football Playoff and a No. 4 final ranking. The redshirt junior passed for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns and rushed for 1,001 yards and 12 scores. He led the nation in total yards, points responsible for, yards per pass attempt and yards per completion.

Aside from the Heisman, Murray’s lengthy list of honors include the Manning Award, Davey O’Brien Award, AP Player of the Year, USA Today Player of the Year and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

Murray is scheduled to attend the NFL Scouting Combine, to be held Feb. 26-March 4 in Indianapolis.

“I have started an extensive training program to further prepare myself for upcoming NFL workouts and interviews,” he continued in his social media post. “I eagerly await the opportunity to prove to NFL decision makers that I am the franchise QB in this draft.”

–Field Level Media

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Patrick Chung on the Mend

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FOXBOROUGH – New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung will have surgery on the broken arm he suffered Sunday in Super Bowl LIII.

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Chung walked off the field with his right arm in an air cast after helping to tackle Los Angeles running back Todd Gurley early in the third quarter.

Chung, 31, was already scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery in about three weeks, according to reports. He played with the shoulder injury throughout the season.

The talented defensive back likely will miss team OTAs because of the shoulder surgery but he is expected to take part in training camp this summer, according to multiple reports.

The three-time Super Bowl champion was a second-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2009.

Chung played in 15 games in 2018, recording 84 tackles, a half-sack and an interception.

–Field Level Media

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