The Minnesota Wild have fired general manager Paul Fenton just over one year into his tenure with the club, it was announced Tuesday.

"After giving much thought to this difficult decision, I informed Paul today that he was not the right fit for our organization going forward," owner Craig Leipold said in a statement. "I believe we have a good hockey team, a team that will compete for a playoff spot this year, and I look forward to hiring a general manager that will help us win a Stanley Cup. I would like to thank Paul for his time with the Wild and wish him and his family the best in the future."

Fenton's tenure was marked by the end of a six-year streak of making the playoffs and a disassembly of the once-promising core of forwards by trading Charlie Coyle, Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter prior to the deadline.

Assistant general manager Tom Kurvers will serve as the acting GM until the team finds a replacement for Fenton. The team said a search for that replacement would begin immediately.

Fenton, 59, was hired as the Wild's GM in May 2018 after spending the previous 12 seasons as an assistant general manager for the Nashville Predators under David Poile.

The Wild went 37-36-9 in their only season under Fenton, finishing last in the Central Division and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

In less than 15 months with the Wild, Fenton made plenty of waves.

Though his first foray in free agency was relatively quiet, Fenton re-signed defenseman Matt Dumba (five years, $30 million) and left wing Jason Zucker (five years, $27.5 million) to long-term contracts. Then he traded Niederreiter to Carolina for Victor Rask, Coyle to Boston for Ryan Donato and a fourth-round draft pick and Mikael Granlund to Nashville for Kevin Fiala.

Coyle and Niederreiter had productive debuts with their new clubs, which didn't help assuage any angst-filled fans frustrated that the 19-year-old franchise has not passed the second round of the playoffs since 2003.

Bruce Boudreau was brought back as head coach despite the drop in the standings. Then Fenton signed forward Mats Zuccarello to a five-year, $30 million deal with a full no-trade clause, as well as forward Ryan Hartman on a two-year, $3.8 million contract.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Manchester United have opened talks with Juventus over a potential swap deal involving Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku, sources have told ESPN FC.

United are still in discussion with Inter Milan over a deal for Lukaku but are growing frustrated with the San Siro outfit's failure to match the asking price, which has prompted negotiations with Juventus.

Talks are still at a very early stage and a deal is said to be a long way off but an agreement would see Lukaku, who wants to leave Old Trafford this summer, join Juventus with Dybala moving in the opposite direction. Inter have seen a £54 million bid for the Belgium international rejected by United, who are holding out for between £80 million and £90 million.

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Sources have told ESPN FC that Dybala has reservations about joining a club who are not in the Champions League next season but is open to discussions with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side if a deal can be agreed.

United flew to Oslo for a friendly with Kristiansund on Monday without Lukaku, who has stayed behind at Carrington to continue his recovery from an ankle injury.

The striker has made it clear to United he would like to leave this summer and, despite Juventus' interest, Inter remains his first choice. The 26-year-old wants to link up with manager Antonio Conte, who tried to sign him during his spell in charge of Chelsea.

Jill Ellis, the only coach to win two Women's World Cups, is stepping down as head coach of the U.S. women's national team.

U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday that Ellis will step down after the USWNT completes its victory tour in October. Ellis, 52, will remain with U.S. Soccer as an ambassador.

"When I accepted the head coaching position this was the timeframe I envisioned," Ellis said in a statement. "The timing is right to move on and the program is positioned to remain at the pinnacle of women's soccer. Change is something I have always embraced in my life and for me and my family this is the right moment."

Ellis told ESPN's Graham Hays that being USWNT coach calls for a "fresh perspective."

She said several elements led to her decision, most importantly the opportunity to make her daughter a priority as she enters high school. Ellis also believes the timing is right for a new coach to take over entering a major tournament year.

Ellis' contract was set to expire after the World Cup with a mutual option to extend it through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The U.S. defended its World Cup title earlier this month with a victory over the Netherlands in the championship game, completing a run in which the Americans defeated all seven of their opponents in France.

Ellis also coached the U.S. to the World Cup title in 2015. She has an overall record of 102-7-18.

"The opportunity to coach this team and work with these amazing women has been the honor of a lifetime," Ellis said in the statement. "I want to thank and praise them for their commitment and passion to not only win championships but also raise the profile of this sport globally while being an inspiration to those who will follow them. I want to sincerely thank the world class coaches and staff with whom I've had the privilege to work -- they are quintessential professionals and even better people. And finally, I want to thank the Federation for their support and investment in this program, as well as all the former players, coaches, and colleagues that have played an important role in this journey."

The timing of Ellis' departure and the cycle of international women's soccer means a new coach will face Olympic qualifying soon after taking over. The exact dates and location of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2020 Olympics have yet to be determined. Two teams from CONCACAF will qualify for Tokyo.

U.S. Soccer announced that it expects to name a general manager -- the first in USWNT history -- soon, before turning its attention to hiring a new coach.

Among the likely coaching candidates is Steve Swanson, an assistant on the World Cup staff and also the head coach at the University of Virginia. Swanson coached the U.S. to the 2012 FIFA Under-20 World Cup title with a roster that included several current senior national team mainstays. That was the only U20 title for the U.S. in the past five editions of the signature youth event.

Currently coach of Reign FC in the NWSL, Vlatko Andonovski led FC Kansas City to back-to-back NWSL championships before that franchise ceased operations. Andonovski's predecessor with the Reign and now coach of the Utah Royals, 39-year-old Laura Harvey, is also a well-regarded rising talent.

The BCCI has suspended Test opener Prithvi Shaw for taking a banned substance Terbutaline under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. The suspension is backdated from the day of the collection of the urine sample, from February 22 this year, and will expire on November 15. Let us look at how the BCCI arrived at the sanction and what are the various factors it took into account.

ALSO READ: Prithvi Shaw suspended until November 15 for doping violation

How did it start?

On February 22 this year, Shaw gave his urine sample as part of the BCCI's anti-doping rules (ADR) on the day of Mumbai's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match against Punjab in Indore. The sample was collected by IDTM, an independent service provider, contracted by the BCCI. The sample was then sent to the WADA-accredited National Dope Testing Laboratory in New Delhi, where Terbutaline was detected.

After an independent review board confirmed the finding, the BCCI provisionally suspended Shaw on July 16. According to final report prepared by Dr Abhijit Salvi, BCCI's anti-doping manager, two days later Shaw "waived his right" to have his B sample tested and accepted the charge.

How was the banned substance found in the urine sample?

In his reply to BCCI, Shaw said he had taken an "over-the-counter cough syrup" which contained Terbutaline. Shaw also explained what led to him taking the cough syrup. Having returned home from Australia due to an ankle injury he sustained in the warm-up match, Shaw was anxious to get back on the field.

He looked to return to action in the 20-over Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy that preceded the IPL. However, once he reached Indore, Shaw suffered from "common cough and cold". According to Salvi's report , Shaw "consulted" his father who "suggested that he visit a pharmacy to obtain a remedy for his symptoms." The pharmacist recommended the cough syrup, one that he said "would provide immediate relief."

In his submission to BCCI, Shaw said he did not "recall" the brand name of the cough syrup and didn't keep the bottle or the packaging. He used the medicine for "couple of days" before he played Mumbai's first match of the tournament on February 21, the day before the sample was taken by IDTM. In the form that was attached to the sample, Shaw wrote that he had taken "antibiotics" in the slot meant for if he had taken any medication in the previous week.

Did the BCCI accept Shaw's explanation?

The BCCI accepted Shaw's reasoning that "it did not dawn upon him" that the cough syrup would contain a prohibited substance. "Irrespective of what Mr Shaw should have been thinking in respect of his use of medication, the BCCI accepts his assertion that he took the cough syrup merely to alleviate his symptoms, and not with the intent to enhance (or with the effect of enhancing) his sports performance," Salvi said in his report.

What were the consequences of using a banned substance?

As per WADA rules, Terbutaline is classified as a "specified substance" and carries a two-year ban as a "starting point". But under the WADA rules, if it could be established that Shaw had not been "negligent" about and for "no significant fault" of his, consumed a medicine that contained a prohibited substance, the ban could be reduced on a sliding scale of 24 to 0 months.

How did BCCI decide the length of the ban?

According to Salvi, he had to figure which of the three categories of "fault" he could classify Shaw's "inadvertent" action: light (range of 0-8 months), normal (8-16 months) and considerable (16-24 months). This could be arrived after Salvi had established why and to what extent Shaw "departed from duty" of exercising "utmost caution" before he used the cough syrup.

Prima facie Salvi mentioned his report that Shaw failed to fulfil the obligation of ensuring the cough syrup did not contain any prohibited substance. However, Salvi then pointed out that there were a few factors that favoured Shaw. Firstly, the player did not take the substance to "enhance" his performance and it was used for "therapeutic" reason only. He also did not indulge in self-medication and relied on a medical professional's (pharmacist's) advice. Salvi also understood Shaw's anxiety of getting his "career back on track" after the injury in Australia which might have prompted him to "overlook" the responsibility before taking an over-the-counter medicine.

Coupled with his young age, 19, his limited anti-doping education and lack of experience, Salvi decided to classify Shaw under the normal category of fault and handed out an eight-month suspension.

Why is it backdated?

Under its anti-doping rules, the BCCI can utilise the "discretion" to adjust the sanction. Keeping in mind the fact that Shaw had not contested the charge at any point, the BCCI decided to backdate the ban from the date the urine sample was collected - February 22. However, the rules also dictate that Shaw needed to serve half the period of the ban, which is four months. The start date for that was set to July 16, when he was provisionally suspended. Consequently, Shaw is eligible to return to action from November 16 this year.

Jill Ellis, the only coach to win two Women's World Cups, is stepping down as head coach of the U.S. women's national team.

U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday that Ellis will step down after the USWNT completes its victory tour in October. Ellis, 52, will remain with U.S. Soccer as an ambassador.

"When I accepted the head coaching position this was the timeframe I envisioned," Ellis said in a statement. "The timing is right to move on and the program is positioned to remain at the pinnacle of women's soccer. Change is something I have always embraced in my life and for me and my family this is the right moment."

Ellis told ESPN's Graham Hays that being USWNT coach calls for a "fresh perspective."

She said several elements led to her decision, most importantly the opportunity to make her daughter a priority as she enters high school. Ellis also believes the timing is right for a new coach to take over entering a major tournament year.

Ellis' contract was set to expire after the World Cup with a mutual option to extend it through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The U.S. defended its World Cup title earlier this month with a victory over the Netherlands in the championship game, completing a run in which the Americans defeated all seven of their opponents in France.

Ellis also coached the U.S. to the World Cup title in 2015. She has an overall record of 102-7-18.

"The opportunity to coach this team and work with these amazing women has been the honor of a lifetime," Ellis said in the statement. "I want to thank and praise them for their commitment and passion to not only win championships but also raise the profile of this sport globally while being an inspiration to those who will follow them. I want to sincerely thank the world class coaches and staff with whom I've had the privilege to work -- they are quintessential professionals and even better people. And finally, I want to thank the Federation for their support and investment in this program, as well as all the former players, coaches, and colleagues that have played an important role in this journey."

The timing of Ellis' departure and the cycle of international women's soccer means a new coach will face Olympic qualifying soon after taking over. The exact dates and location of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2020 Olympics have yet to be determined. Two teams from CONCACAF will qualify for Tokyo.

U.S. Soccer announced that it expects to name a general manager -- the first in USWNT history -- soon, before turning its attention to hiring a new coach.

Among the likely coaching candidates is Steve Swanson, an assistant on the World Cup staff and also the head coach at the University of Virginia. Swanson coached the U.S. to the 2012 FIFA Under-20 World Cup title with a roster that included several current senior national team mainstays. That was the only U20 title for the U.S. in the past five editions of the signature youth event.

Currently coach of Reign FC in the NWSL, Vlatko Andonovski led FC Kansas City to back-to-back NWSL championships before that franchise ceased operations. Andonovski's predecessor with the Reign and now coach of the Utah Royals, 39-year-old Laura Harvey, is also a well-regarded rising talent.

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has agreed to a three-year, $100 million contract extension, extending his current deal to five years and $157 million, his agent, Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports, told ESPN.

The new deal will start with the 2021-22 season.

McCollum became eligible for the extension on Saturday and joins All-NBA teammate Damian Lillard in landing summer deals that solidify the Blazers' backcourt into the mid-2020s.

Goldfeder and Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey completed the agreement on Tuesday.

McCollum, 27, has been one of the anchors of the Blazers' success in recent seasons, including two trips to the Western Conference semifinals and last season's berth in the conference finals.

McCollum was eligible to negotiate the extension beginning on July 27 -- the third anniversary of his signing a four-year, $106 million extension.

He averaged 21 points in each of the last two regular seasons and 25.3 and 24.7 points, respectively, in the playoffs. McCollum, the 10th overall pick in the 2013 draft, was voted the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2016.

The Blazers signed Lillard to a four-year, $196 million extension this summer, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season.

The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a trade for Toronto Blue Jays right-hander David Phelps, a source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

The source said Toronto will receive minor league pitcher Thomas Hatch in return.

Phelps, 32, has a 3.63 ERA with 18 strikeouts and seven walks in 17 1/3 innings over 17 appearances this season, his first in Toronto after signing a one-year deal in January that includes a club option.

Heptathletes will go head-to-head at Müller Grand Prix

Olympic, world and European heptathlon champion Nafissatou Thiam will face Commonwealth heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson in the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham long jump on August 18.

It will be the first time the pair have competed against each other since last summer’s European Championships in Berlin, where Johnson-Thompson secured silver behind Thiam.

The event, which takes place just six weeks before the start of the IAAF World Championships in Doha, will be the Belgian athlete’s first Diamond League meeting in the UK.

Thiam achieved a world-leading heptathlon performance of 6819 points, despite an elbow problem, on her return after injury in Talence at the end of June.

The 24-year-old cleared 2.02m for a world high jump best within a heptathlon, plus a Belgian long jump record of 6.67m, on her way to victory that day.

Johnson-Thompson’s long jump PB is 6.93m, which ranks her third on the UK all-time list.

Also announced for the field are world indoor champion Ivana Spanovic of Serbia and Britain’s world and European medallist Lorraine Ugen.

“I am really looking forward to competing at the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham; it will be my first ever Diamond League meeting in the UK so there is a real mixture of intrigue and excitement for me,” said Thiam.

“I remember how amazing the British crowd were when I won at the world championships in London, so it is hugely exciting to be heading back to the UK to compete.

“Competing against what I know will be a very strong field, including Katarina who I am obviously familiar with, will be great preparation for the world championships in Doha, where I am aiming to defend my title, and I’m sure it will be an exciting competition for the fans there in Birmingham.”

Johnson-Thompson won her second European indoor pentathlon title in Glasgow in March and followed that up by winning the heptathlon in Götzis with a personal best and then-world-leading score of 6813 points.

Heading into Birmingham with a long jump season’s best of 6.68m, set in Götzis, Johnson-Thompson said: “I’m really excited to be competing in the long jump at the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham. I’m hoping to produce a good, consistent series of jumps in front of my home crowd as part of my preparations towards the World Championships in Doha.

“The athletes that compete in the UK Diamond Leagues are always so strong across all the events and this will be no different. With the talent we have in British long jumping and the likes of Ivana Spanovic and Nafi Thiam also competing, it will be a great competition to be a part of. Hopefully our performances can match the British crowd who are always amazing.”

Tickets for the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham and Müller British Athletics Championships are on sale at theticketfactory.com/british-athletics