SPORTS digest

MVRC breaks all-time record handle

AUSTINTOWN

A total of $1,658,918 was wagered over the course of nine races on Wednesday at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, setting a new record handle.

The previous record came the day before at $1,497,170. The handle was bolstered by mandatory payout in the MVRC’s Buckeye Pick 6, where betters wagered more than $243,000 into the Jackput carryover of $62,477.

Browns nix plan to move training camp

BEREA

The Browns have punted plans to move their training camp to Columbus.

After considering a move to Ohio’s state capital in 2018, the team announced Wednesday that it will continue to hold summer camp in Berea “for the immediate future.”

Earlier this month, the team said it was discussing the possibility of partnering with Franklin County and contributing $5 million toward a new recreation center and moving camp, a decision that didn’t sit well with many Browns fans in Northeast Ohio.

However, owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam have opted to keep the summer workouts at the team’s headquarters, which has hosted camp since 1992.

Bucs RB Martin suspended for PEDs

TAMPA, Fla.

Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances and said Wednesday he’s entering a treatment facility rather than appeal the ban.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection who was the league’s second-leading rusher in 2015 will miss Sunday’s regular-season finale against Carolina.

He also sat out last week’s 31-24 loss at New Orleans after being declared inactive against the Saints.

Martin said in a statement that he learned of the suspension last week and that his “initial instinct” was to “appeal the suspension and finish the season with my teammates.”

The fifth-year pro said he decided to enter a treatment facility “and receive the help I truly need” after discussing the matter with people close to him, including Bucs coach Dirk Koetter.

Martin rushed for 1,402 yards and eight touchdowns in 2015. He signed a five-year, $37.75 million contract in the offseason.

NFL to stream games in China

NEW YORK

NFL games are being streamed live in China, and will be through the Super Bowl.

The league announced Wednesday a partnership with Sina Weibo, one of the largest social media platforms in China.

Six regular-season games were streamed recently, and Sina Weibo will stream the Packers-Lions showdown for the NFC North title on Sunday night. It also will stream three playoff games and the Super Bowl.

Sina Weibo is one of the most popular websites in China with 132 million daily active users, 297 million monthly active users, and a market penetration similar to Twitter and YouTube in the United States.

Edsall returns as UConn football coach

UConn is bringing back Randy Edsall as coach, hoping to turn around the Huskies by rehiring the winningest coach in school history.

Athletic director David Benedict announced Edsall’s hiring on Wednesday, two days after firing Bob Diaco. Diaco went 11-26 in three seasons.

Edsall coached at UConn from 1999 through the 2010 season, going 74-70 and winning the Big East titles in 2007 and 2010. He left to become the coach at Maryland from 2011-2015 after he took UConn to the Fiesta Bowl in his final season with the Huskies.

His exit angered many UConn fans because he left immediately after the bowl to take the Maryland job without speaking to his team or flying home with them after losing the game to Oklahoma.

Staff/wire report