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Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft has received a contract extension that runs through June 30, 2032, and will pay him an average of $2.26 million per year over the next eight years, the school announced Monday.

Kraft, who was entering Year 3 of a five-year deal, will have the opportunity for a performance-based bonus of up to $350,000 annually if he reaches specific goals, including “for academic and competitive excellence,” according to the school.

The extension was approved by the Penn State board of trustees and its committee on equity and human resources. The vote was unanimous.

“Pat is an extraordinary leader who brings valuable insight and strategic direction to athletics and the university, with a focus on both athletic and academic success for Penn State’s more than 800 student-athletes,” Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi said in a statement. “This new contract will help ensure Penn State continues to benefit from Pat’s leadership for years to come.”

According to a release, Penn State worked with consulting firm Segal to analyze Division I athletic directors’ compensation nationwide and determine a competitive salary.

Kraft joined Penn State from Boston College in July 2022. Under his leadership, Penn State has produced six individual NCAA champion student-athletes, 19 nationally ranked teams and the national champions in wrestling in 2023-24. In the 2022-23 season, Penn State recorded its highest Learfield Directors’ Cup finish since 2018-19, placing No. 15 in the ranking of school performance across sports.

Kraft created a mental health and wellness department within Penn State athletics and has invested significantly in nutrition, mental health support, recovery and travel programs. He led Penn State to a 93% graduation success rate, including 12 programs with 100% ratings, in the NCAA’s most recent report.

“I am deeply thankful to President Bendapudi and the Board of Trustees for their unwavering support of our intercollegiate athletics program and our leadership team,” Kraft said in a statement. “Penn State is a remarkable place, made so by its incredible people — our talented student-athletes, dedicated coaches and staff, passionate supporters and engaged community members. I am excited for us all to continue working together to elevate Penn State Athletics and the University as a whole. Betsy, our children, and I feel truly blessed to be a part of the Penn State and State College communities, and we cannot wait for what lies ahead.”

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Padres vs. Dodgers (Jun 16, 2025) Live Score – ESPN

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Padres vs. Dodgers (Jun 16, 2025) Live Score - ESPN

Shohei Ohtani made his pitching debut from Dodger Stadium on Monday, giving up a run in his lone inning of work, then struck out in his first plate appearance as Los Angeles’ DH, marking the first time he has pitched and hit in a game since Aug. 23, 2023.

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Source: Steelers extend S Elliott on 2-year deal

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Source: Steelers extend S Elliott on 2-year deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers and safety DeShon Elliott have agreed to a two-year, $12.5 million extension with $9.21 million guaranteed, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Elliott, 28, was one of the Steelers’ best run defenders last year with 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 tackles for loss and 108 combined tackles.

NFL Network first reported the deal.

A former sixth-round pick, Elliott spent his first four seasons in the league with the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions before joining the Miami Dolphins for one year.

The Steelers signed Elliott as a free agent to a two-year deal before the 2024 season.

He has 395 tackles in 72 career games.

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Ex-Ohtani interpreter reports to federal prison

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Ex-Ohtani interpreter reports to federal prison

Ippei Mizuhara, the disgraced former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, is in federal prison in Pennsylvania, a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons told ESPN on Monday.

Mizuhara, 40, was ordered to surrender to federal authorities by Monday. He is in custody at Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood Low, a low-security facility, after being sentenced to 57 months in prison for stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani.

Mizuhara was initially ordered to report to prison in March, but a federal judge granted the delay. The reasons for the delay remain under seal.

Mizuhara’s attorney declined ESPN’s request for comment, but previously stated that he expects Mizuhara, a Japanese citizen, to eventually be deported.

The Dodgers fired Mizuhara in March 2024 after an ESPN investigation revealed he sent millions in wire transfers from Ohtani’s account to an illegal bookmaker. He pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return in June 2024, admitting that he placed about 19,000 bets with the bookie over a two-year period and accumulated over $40 million in debt.

The bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer, pleaded guilty in August to running an illegal gambling business, money laundering and subscribing a false tax return. He is awaiting sentencing.

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