Browns sign rookie LB Chris Kirksey

June 6, 2014 at 12:07a.m.

The Browns have agreed to contract terms with rookie inside linebacker Chris Kirksey.

The team selected Kirksey in the third round of last month’s NFL draft from Iowa. The 6-foot-2, 235-pounder is expected to compete with Craig Robertson for a starting spot alongside Karlos Dansby. Kirksey’s deal is worth $3.04 million and includes a $662,500 signing bonus.

The Browns were weak last season in covering running backs and tight ends on pass plays and the team believes Kirksey’s skill sets will help them improve in that area. Kirksey played both inside and outside linebacker for the Hawkeyes.

Game 1 was second-most watched opener

The Los Angeles Kings’ overtime victory over the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup finals averaged 4,777,000 viewers, making it NBC’s second-most watched Game 1, and the second-most watched opener overall since 1999.

NBC won Wednesday night’s prime time among viewers 18-to-49 with a 1.9 rating. The Kings’ 3-2 win peaked at 5.7 million viewers from 10:45-11:00 p.m. EDT. It drew a 3.0 households rating, including a 10.1 in New York and a 7.1 in Los Angeles.

The only Game 1 on NBC to surpass Wednesday night’s viewership was last year’s triple-overtime game between Boston and Chicago that averaged 6,358,000 viewers.

Calipari gets 7-year, $52.5 million extension

Kentucky has given coach John Calipari a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension that will pay a base package of $6.5 million next season and $8 million over each of the final three seasons.

Already one of college basketball’s highest-paid coaches, Calipari led the Wildcats to the 2012 NCAA championship and is coming off his third Final Four appearance, a 60-54 title-game loss to Connecticut in April.

Colts owner refuses tests; license suspended

A court has suspended Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay’s driver’s license for one year following his arrest for driving while intoxicated.

The Indianapolis Star reports that recently released documents in Hamilton County confirm the license suspension effective starting May 27. Police and prosecutors have declined to discuss the case.

Irsay refused a blood test after his March 16 arrest in Carmel, a suburb of Indianapolis. Indiana law requires a one-year license suspension for refusing such a test. Police later obtained a warrant ordering Irsay to submit to a blood draw.

Tight point races at Sharon Speedway

After two straight sunny and warm Saturdays, it appears Sharon Speedway is in store for another one this tomorrow night.

The Steel Valley Thunder week six program, as part of the 85th anniversary season, will include the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Barris Supply RUSH Late Models, Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds, Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, HTMA/Precise Racing Products Econo Mods, and Deforest Used Parts Mini Stocks.

Race time is 7 p.m. Kids bike races will be held at intermission. Kids 3-12 will be eligible to compete on the frontstretch. Helmets are required.

Saturday Night Live! at Mercer Raceway Park

With just two races to go before the mid-season championships, the point battles are tightening up at Mercer Raceway Park.

In two of the divisions that make up the Saturday Night Live! program, there is a two-point margin that separates first and second place. In two others, less than 25 points separate first and second. Expect the competition to be fierce for every position on the speedway this weekend.

After a month filled with specials for the Sprint Cars, Luxaire Heating & Cooling/McCrudden Heating & Supply Sprint Cars will be back in action on tomorrow.

Wire/Staff report