The New York Yankees made an addition to their front office on Tuesday, hiring Brian Sabean as executive advisor to senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman.
Sabean, who began his career in major league baseball with the Yankees nearly four decades ago, spent the last 30 years with the San Francisco Giants and was the architect of the franchise’s World Series championship dynasty over the last decade.
The 66-year-old Sabean served as the Giants’ GM from 1996 to 2014 before being promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations – a position he held until after the 2018 season, when he stepped down to serve as a scout.
During his 18 years of service as the Giants’ GM, the franchise won the 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series championships, four NL pennants and five division titles.
The Giants released a statement thanking him for his services.
“The San Francisco Giants would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Brian Sabean for his enormous contributions to our organisation and wish him the best of luck in his new position with the New York Yankees.”
Sabean’s first job in MLB was for the Yankees, working as a scout in 1985. The following year he was promoted to director of scouting and by 1990 he we named vice president of player and development.
He held that position through the 1992 season before being hired by the Giants as assistant to the GM and vice president of scouting/player personnel.
Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest during Monday's game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, which the NFL says will not resume this week.
Bills safety Hamlin collapsed on the field in the first quarter of Monday's game at the Paycor Stadium after making a tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.
The Bills subsequently announced Hamlin was in critical condition after being rushed to a nearby hospital, and an update issued on Tuesday confirmed he remained in intensive care.
A statement from the Bills read: "Damar Hamlin spent last night in the intensive care unit and remains there today in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
"We are grateful and thankful for the outpouring of support we have received thus far."
Meanwhile, the NFL has ruled the game – which was stopped with just under six minutes played – will not be resumed this week, confirming no decision regarding a possible rescheduling had been made.
"The NFL continues to be in regular contact with the medical team caring for Damar Hamlin, and also the Bills and Bengals organisations and the NFL Players Association," the league said.
"After speaking with both teams and NFLPA leadership, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell informed the clubs today that the Bills-Bengals game will not be resumed this week.
"The NFL has made no decision regarding the possible resumption of the game at a later date. The league has not made any changes to the Week 18 regular season schedule.
"We will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available."
Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown called for unity after Damar Hamlin's on-field cardiac arrest on Monday, while also praising the "extraordinary" emergency response.
Buffalo Bills safety Hamlin collapsed after tackling Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins in the first quarter of the game, slumping to the turf having momentarily made his way back to his feet.
CPR was administered to Hamlin on the field before he was taken away by ambulance, with a representative saying on Tuesday Hamlin was "fighting" to recover.
Hamlin has been described as being in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and Brown joined those giving their best wishes to the 24-year-old.
Brown said in a statement: "First and foremost, the Bengals continue to send thoughts and prayers to Damar Hamlin and his family.
"Our hearts are with everyone in this unprecedented time – what we can do is support one another.
"Last night was supposed to be a great night for the NFL and a great showcase for our hometown. Instead, the human side of our sport became paramount… and in that moment, humanity and love rose to the forefront.
"The Bengals are thankful for the love and compassion shown by all. Praying for Damar."
Brown also hailed the medical response to Hamlin's collapse, which led to the game being suspended with the Bengals 7-3 ahead.
He added: "As medical personnel undertook extraordinary measures, both teams demonstrated respect and compassion while fans in the stadium and people around the country bolstered the support for Damar and love for each other."
Journalist Marshall Kramsky described the "bone-chilling experience" of being in the stadium as Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest in Monday's game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Kramsky, who covers the Bengals, was reporting on the fixture at the Paycor Stadium.
The game was suspended after 24-year-old Hamlin, who as of Tuesday was in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital, collapsed on the field.
Hamlin received emergency treatment, including CPR, before he was transported from the stadium in an ambulance.
"I've never seen a stretcher come out so fast. I'm a former athlete myself and in my journalism career or in my sports career, I've never seen such quick action," Kramsky told Stats Perform.
"We heard the mics of the players, [Bengals running back] Joe Mixon screaming 'check him out, check him out!' after Damar Hamlin got up and collapsed.
"The players were immediately extremely emotional. I've never seen so many players crying, adult men hysterical. The ambulance comes out shortly after, CPR is going on for about 10 minutes, the AD defibrillator, that's being used. They're shocking his heart back to life.
"And then, not a fan left the stadium. Everyone and every player was still on the field kneeling, praying or crying."
The NFL eventually elected to suspend the game, though Kramsky never had any doubt it would be called off.
"This game was over as soon as he went down, which is crazy because that doesn't happen in professional sports," he added.
"The NFL took a while to make their decision. But it wasn't like they really made it, it was never a decision. It was just a matter of getting through the appropriate rungs.
"They're seeing the players, Joe Burrow the Bengals quarterback went into the Bills locker room later on. I saw Josh Allen extremely teary-eyed going into the Bengals locker room. It was emotional. Nobody really processing it, because how do you?
"It was a bone-chilling experience in the stadium. Players were still there until past one o'clock in the morning. It was a crazy night."
Kramsky was at least able to take some solace in the fact that fans of both teams, and from across the sporting world, have united behind Hamlin.
Having been drafted by the Bills in 2021, Hamlin established the Chasing M Foundation Community Toy Drive, and the fund raiser had received over $3million in donations in the wake of the incident.
"Tragedy brings people together and sports brings people together," Kramsky said.
"Yes, incredible. Unfortunately, not surprising, because it takes tragedy for this to happen. And it has brought people together.
"If you look at his GoFundMe for his toy drive, it had for over two years less than $3,000 raised. There's over $3million raised now.
"So yeah, as soon as that stretcher came out football became secondary. No one cared, it was all about Damar Hamlin and his family. And people did come together.
"Bills fans and Bengals fans are coming with candles praying, standing outside the stadium, outside the hospital. It's been a nice experience in that regard."
Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest is an important reminder for sports organisations and leagues to "reinvigorate their protocols" in order to react as quickly as possible for "life-saving opportunities".
The 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety collapsed on the field during Monday's NFL clash against the Cincinnati Bengals, with the incident occurring during the first quarter at the Paycor Stadium.
Hamlin remained down for over 10 minutes as CPR was administered on the field, before he was loaded into a waiting ambulance and transferred to the University of Cincinnati medical facility. He has been described as being in a critical condition.
Speaking to Stats Perform, Dr Benjamin Abella MD, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director at the Center for Resuscitation Science, said the NFL and organisers for the 2026 men's football World Cup, of which the USA is a co-host. will be constantly working on ways to improve reactions to medical emergencies on the field.
"There are important lessons for professional sports in all of this. We can also mention Grant Wahl, the journalist who died in Qatar recently. Now his situation may have been more complicated," he added.
"But in all of these cases, the presence of CPR-trained individuals, and importantly, the rapid availability of automated external defibrillators is crucial.
"With the World Cup coming to the US in some time, they will have to think very carefully about emergency action plans and the availability of AEDs. I think the NFL continues to address this and think about this, and rightfully so.
"It's quite a challenge when you have a massive venue if a cardiac arrest occurs in the stands, if it occurs on the field, how do you rapidly get a defibrillator and rescue team to the victim? It's not a simple problem.
"But it's something that sports leagues and sports venues need to constantly train for and reinvigorate their protocols for because life-saving opportunities are there. It's all a matter of the logistics and the timing of it."
Dr Abella explained the general public can also be educated on how to swiftly provide assistance when cardiac arrest occurs.
"Cardiac arrest is one of the most time-sensitive diseases in all of medicine, it turns out that the chance of surviving cardiac arrest falls by 10 to 15 per cent for every minute without CPR.
"So, it's a very dramatic and unfortunate condition that requires immediate action. This is especially important for the public to be aware of because everyone can do something, if they see someone collapse in cardiac arrest, they can provide CPR.
"The other key action is the use of an automated external defibrillator AED, which is now present in so many places, gyms, airports, train stations, restaurants.
"Through CPR and the use of AED, survival from cardiac arrest is not guaranteed, but the chance of survival is much improved."
Dr Abella detailed the key steps that will be taken in Hamlin's treatment.
"After initial recovery from cardiac arrest, where his heart is now beating, and he's moving blood, it's still a very tenuous, dangerous time for him," he said.
"In the days following cardiac arrest, there's a race to save the brain and improve organ function. A number of things are done in the hospital, generally in the ICU, and there are really three main things that will be taking place over the next few days.
"One is the use of a treatment modality known as targeted temperature management or TTM, which is an approach of carefully and precisely maintaining certain body temperatures for therapeutic gain. Generally, patients are cooled, and their body temperature is lowered modestly, which has actually been shown to improve brain recovery after cardiac arrest.
"Another key thing that almost certainly is being done is very, very careful management of blood pressure. If the blood pressure falls in a patient after cardiac arrest, and it tends to do so, this can be dangerous, because we need to maintain blood flow to the brain.
"So critical care physicians will be working carefully to monitor and manage his blood pressure with medicines and other things.
"The third important thing is going to be neurologic assessment. This is, I think, the part that's going to be hardest for all of us to watch because it generally takes two, three, four or five days, it takes a while. And we do this through recording of brainwaves, and also through imaging of the brain."
Tom Brady said the trauma being experienced by Damar Hamlin and the Buffalo Bills puts NFL careers into perspective.
Bills safety Hamlin suffered an on-field cardiac arrest during Monday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was said by a representative on Tuesday to be "fighting" to recover.
Hamlin has been described as being in a critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, with team-mates and opponents calling for prayers for the 24-year-old's recovery.
The incident occurred when Hamlin made a tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in the first quarter, and after briefly returning to his feet, he slumped to the ground.
He was attended to on the field before being taken away by ambulance, with the game suspended while the Bengals were 7-3 ahead with 5:58 remaining in the first period.
Seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady, still playing as a 45-year-old with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said: "We're praying for Damar and his family this morning in Tampa. Moments like this put into perspective what it means to play this game we love."
The quarterback great added: "Thankful for our communities in Cincinnati and Buffalo for the overwhelming level of care and support I know they’ll continue to provide."
Jordon Rooney, a marketing representative for Hamlin, told Good Morning America on Tuesday: "I can't speak specifically on his medical condition. I will say that he's fighting, he's a fighter. The family is in good spirits. We're honestly just taking it minute by minute, hour by hour."
He later released a statement from Hamlin's family that said that they wanted "to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support showed to Damar during this challenging time".
"We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country," the family added.
The family statement praised the first responders and medics "who have provided exceptional care to Damar", adding: "We feel so blessed to be part of the Buffalo Bills organisation and to have their support. We also want to thank coach [Zac] Taylor and the Bengals for everything they've done.
"Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us. Please keep Damar in your prayers. We will release updates as soon as we have them."
The NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) has commended the rapid response of medical staff who treated Damar Hamlin, and fully backed the suspension of the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin collapsed on the field during Monday's game, with his team the Bills subsequently confirming the 24-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest.
He was given CPR on the field before being transported by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he is in a critical condition.
As stars from across the sporting world, particularly in the United States, offered their thoughts and prayers, the NFLRA lauded the swift action of the emergency responders at the Paycor Stadium.
"On behalf of the NFL officials working the Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals game last night we offer our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery for Damar Hamlin," a statement said.
"Additionally, we commend the emergency medical staff and doctors who quickly responded on the field to Damar's serious health issue."
The organisation also fully supported the decision to suspend the game.
"Like the players and coaches, our officials fully supported the suspension of this game as all attention needed to be focused on Damar's health," the statement concluded.
Johnny Sexton might face a race to be fit in time to feature in the Six Nations after it was confirmed he will undergo surgery on a facial injury.
The captain, who has played for his country 109 times, is set to retire after the World Cup in France later this year.
That means the upcoming Six Nations campaign, which Ireland start with a trip to face Wales on February 4, will be his last.
However, the 37-year-old fly-half's participation is in doubt after he suffered a cheekbone injury during Leinster's United Rugby Championship clash with Connacht on Sunday.
Leinster confirmed Sexton was due to have a procedure on Tuesday and will be assessed further following the operation.
Ireland are top of the world rankings and finished second in last year's Six Nations, four points behind champions France.
After facing Wales, they take on France in Dublin before travelling to Italy on February 25.
Andy Farrell's team play Scotland on March 12 and round off their Six Nations campaign against England six days later.
Wins for Hubert Hurkacz and Magda Linette saw Poland advance to the City Finals of the United Cup in Australia on Tuesday.
Hurkacz made it through a tough encounter against Stan Wawrinka 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 to give Poland a 2-1 lead in their Group B tie with Switzerland in Brisbane, before Linette came from behind to beat Jil Teichmann 5-7 6-4 6-1 to clinch it.
Poland will face Italy in the Brisbane final, whose 5-0 whitewash of Norway included Matteo Berrettini sealing victory with a 6-4 6-4 win over Casper Ruud.
In Perth, Croatia advanced to the City Finals after a dramatic day that saw Caroline Garcia get France on the board with a straight sets win against Petra Martic, before Adrian Mannarino came from a set down against Borna Gojo to serve for the match as he looked to bring his country level at 2-2.
However, Gojo broke back in a tense encounter before winning a deciding tie-break to send Croatia through to face Greece, who sealed a 4-1 win against Belgium.
Stefanos Sakellaridis recovered from going a set behind to beat Zizou Bergs, before Maria Sakkari overcame Elise Mertens 6-1 7-5, with Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas adding some gloss to the score with a mixed doubles success against Kirsten Flipkens and Michael Geerts.
Spain and Australia were unable to progress but the hosts at least had the consolation of securing a victory thanks to wins for Jason Kubler against Albert Ramos-Vinolas, and the mixed doubles duo of John Peers and Sam Stosur against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and David Vega Hernandez.
The USA had already secured their Finals berth against Great Britain in Sydney, but were ruthless as they finished off their tie against Germany to win 5-0.
After Jessica Pegula beat Laura Siegemund 6-3 6-2, Frances Tiafoe also defeated Oscar Otte in straight sets, before the American duo combined to beat Siegemund and Daniel Altmaier 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 10-7 to complete a clean sweep.
Boris Becker has swiftly found work after his release from prison, with the German tennis great signed up for television commentary during the Australian Open.
The six-time grand slam singles champion, who took the Australian title in 1991 and 1996, will be part of German Eurosport's team for the season's opening grand slam.
That was announced by the broadcaster on Tuesday, with Becker to co-commentate on big matches and present a 'Matchball Becker' analysis segment twice a day.
Becker, 55, has worked for Eurosport in previous years, as well as being a regular on the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon, a tournament he won three times.
He was released from jail in December, eight months into a two-and-a-half-year sentence handed down as punishment for hiding £2.5million worth of assets and loans to avoid paying debts when he was declared bankrupt in 2017.
Becker, a former coach of Novak Djokovic, reportedly spent the first few weeks of his sentence at Wandsworth Prison in London before being moved to the low-security Huntercombe prison in Oxfordshire in May.
In an interview with Sat.1 after his release, Becker spoke of his experience, saying: "When the cell door closes, the whole world collapses. This is the loneliest moment I've ever had.
"There is only you with your thoughts. There's a carousel in your head, of course. You try to breathe calmly. I was afraid, I didn't cry.
"I believe I rediscovered the human in me, the person I once was. I've learned a hard lesson. A very expensive one. A very painful one."
Dana White said there could be no excuses for his behaviour after video footage emerged of the UFC president and his wife slapping each other in a club on New Year's Eve.
The 53-year-old and wife Anne were reportedly celebrating in Cabo, Mexico, when a dispute seemingly broke out between the couple.
Anne White had her head in her hands before slapping her husband, who struck back with slaps of his own.
The video emerged via TMZ, and White apologised via the US news outlet after the incident.
White said: "You've heard me say over the years, 'There is never, ever an excuse for a guy to put his hands on a woman', and now here I am on TMZ talking about it.
"My wife and I have been married for almost 30 years. We've known each other since we were 12 years old. We've obviously been through some s*** together. We've got three kids.
"This is one of those situations that's horrible, I'm embarrassed – but it's also one of those situations that right now we're more concerned about our kids. We have three kids and obviously, since the video popped up, we've shown the kids the video and we're more focused on our family right now.
"I'm literally making no excuses for this thing at all. It's never happened before. It's the first time it's ever happened."
White is prepared for criticism and accepted he could have little comeback, saying he would have brought it upon himself.
He said: "People are going to say what they're going to say and it is what is. Whatever people say is deserved. I deserve it."
Anne White told TMZ it was "an understatement" to describe her husband's conduct as being out of character.
"Nothing like this has ever happened before," she said, blaming a heavy alcohol intake that caused events to become "out of control".
Both have apologised, she said.
Las Vegas-based White has been president of UFC – the highly successful mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship – since 2001, signing up to a seven-year extension in 2019.
Novak Djokovic took just an hour and 15 minutes to win his first singles match in Australia since 2021, beating Constant Lestienne 6-3 6-2 at the Adelaide International on Tuesday.
Djokovic – who saw a three-year visa ban lifted in November – played with Vasek Pospisil in the doubles on Monday, but this was his first singles outing in the country since his vaccine-related absence from last year's Australian Open.
"For the first match [of the season] I can't complain," Djokovic said. "I played very well. I thought the first six games were very competitive and I have never faced him before.
"But once I made that break at 3-2 in the first set I thought I stepped it up and played really good tennis for the rest of the match."
Elsewhere in Adelaide, third seed Daniil Medvedev advanced after Lorenzo Sonego retired hurt with the Russian leading by a set, while sixth seed Jannik Sinner eased past Kyle Edmund 6-3 6-2.
Seventh seed Denis Shapovalov is also through after coming from a set down to beat Rinky Hijikata, but fourth seed Andrey Rublev is out after losing to Roberto Bautista Agut in three sets.
The Spaniard will face Sebastian Korda next after he beat Andy Murray 7-6 (7-3) 6-3, while eighth seed Karen Khachanov advanced after beating Pedro Cachin 6-2 6-4.
At the Maharashtra Open in Pune, Aslan Karatsev had no problems seeing off Pablo Andujar 6-1 6-3, with the eighth seed set to face Tim van Rijthoven in the last 16 after the Dutchman beat Radu Albot 6-4 6-4.
There were also wins for Maximilian Marterer against Elias Ymer and Pedro Martinez against Ramkumar Ramanathan.
Motorsport legend Ken Block has died in a snowmobile accident at the age of 55.
The American had been a competitive rally driver since 2005 and competed in other action sports such as motocross, snowboarding and skateboarding.
Block competed in series such as Rally America and Global Rallycross, before earning further fame with his YouTube video series in which he performed daring stunts.
He also co-founded the skate-wear clothing brand DC Shoes in 1984, which he later sold in 2004.
Hoonigan Industries, another clothing company he owned, announced Block's death on their social media channels on Monday.
"It's with deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today," the statement read.
"Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed."
A statement from Wasatch County Sheriff's Office confirmed Block was riding a snowmobile up a steep slope when the vehicle upended and landed on top of him.
Block was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was among those to pay tribute to Block.
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Ken Block," Ben Sulayem said. "An inspiration for us all and a true gentleman of our sport."
Emma Raducanu and Coco Gauff both got off to winning starts at the ASB Classic in Auckland on Tuesday.
Raducanu had to come from a set down to beat Linda Fruhvirtova 4-6 6-4 6-2, while top seed Gauff had an easier time of it as she dismissed Tatjana Maria 6-4 6-1 on another day interrupted by the rain.
Second seed Sloane Stephens was only able to get through three games before play was suspended in her match against Rebeka Masarova, while fifth seed Wang Xiyu was 5-3 down in the first set against Karolina Muchova when the rain came.
Fourth seed Bernarda Pera is out after her match with Viktoria Kuzmova resumed having being washed out on Monday, and the American was unable to prevent a 6-4 6-4 defeat, with Kuzmova advancing to face Raducanu in the last 16.
The only two other matches completed on Tuesday saw Elena-Gabriela Ruse beat Erin Routliffe in three sets, and Anna Blinkova overcome Elisabetta Cocciaretto, also in three.
At the Adelaide International, Zheng Qinwen earned a hard-fought victory against number six seed Anett Kontaveit, eventually winning 6-1 4-6 7-6 (9-7).
Eighth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova also crashed out despite winning the first set against Marketa Vondrousova, going on to lose 4-6 6-3 6-2, though seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko is through after beating Karolina Pliskova 6-1 6-3.
In a contest that lasted over two-and-a-half hours despite only two sets being played, Victoria Azarenka beat Anhelina Kalinina 7-6 (11-9) 7-6 (7-5), and will face Zheng next, while Sorana Cirstea will go up against top seed Ons Jabeur in the last 16 after beating Viktorija Golubic in straight sets.
Chris Evert has backed her long-time rival and friend Martina Navratilova to win her latest cancer battle.
American tennis great Evert, who completed her own course of chemotherapy treatment in May after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, said Navratilova's "strength and resilience" would stand her in good stead.
Navratilova has been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer, she announced on Monday. The Czech-American successfully underwent treatment for breast cancer in 2010 and has said the condition is "serious but still fixable" this time.
Evert's battles with Navratilova in the 1970s and 1980s provided one of the all-time great tennis rivalries.
Both women ended their careers with 18 grand slam singles titles, with Navratilova triumphing a record nine times at Wimbledon. Only Steffi Graf (22) and Serena Williams (23) have won more singles majors among women in the Open Era.
Evert posted on Twitter: "Thinking of @Martina today and supporting her journey, like she did mine, with love and prayers. This is a woman who takes on challenges with strength and resilience…You got this, Martina."
Former US Open champion Tracy Austin sent "prayers and hugs", adding: "Don’t know too many stronger, I know you got this my friend."
Navratilova's long-time former doubles partner Pam Shriver added: "@Martina knows how to put together a winning team. While the news today is difficult, Martina understands how to compete, and take care of herself.
"Her loving family and many friends are ready to support her journey one day at a time. You have this partner!"
Ons Jabeur, who was runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open last season, said she was "sending my love and my support".
Siya Kolisi will be staying in France after the Rugby World Cup, with the South Africa captain clinching a move from the Sharks to Racing 92.
The Springboks' first black skipper, who led his team to 2019 global glory in Japan, will be targeting a repeat when France stages the 2023 World Cup in September and October.
It has now emerged Kolisi has agreed a long-term deal to switch to the Top 14, signing up until 2026 with Paris-based Racing in a deal that will take effect after the World Cup.
The 31-year-old flanker said: "I am very enthusiastic about the idea of joining Racing 92 after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a visionary club that I have always admired.
"I would like to thank all those involved in Racing 92 and the Cell C Sharks for allowing me to take up this new challenge. Racing 92 have great ambitions on the pitch but also very encouraging societal projects, which corresponds to my personal values and mission."
In a statement announcing the signing, Racing said they would also collaborate with the Sharks in the long term on an exchange of ideas in a "broader long-term" agreement between the teams.
Racing chairman Jacky Lorenzetti said of Kolisi: "His deep culture of victory and his natural leadership make him a very great player who doubles as a deeply humanist man. He will bring additional positive energy to Racing 92."
Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee said Kolisi had been "an instrumental and much-loved member" of the club since joining from the Stormers in February 2021.
"His well-documented and commendable leadership qualities extends far beyond the playing field," Coetzee said on the Sharks website. "His move to France is a new and exciting opportunity and we could not be happier for him."
Damar Hamlin had the American sporting community rooting for him after the Buffalo Bills safety suffered an on-field cardiac arrest, as team-mate Josh Allen pleaded: "Please pray for our brother."
Hamlin was in a critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, having collapsed during Monday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin made a tackle on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in the first quarter, and after briefly returning to his feet, he slumped to the ground.
He was administered CPR on the field, before being loaded into a waiting ambulance and rushed away.
Amid harrowing scenes, the game was suspended while the Bengals were leading 7-3 with 5:58 remaining in the first period.
Allen led the call for prayer for Hamlin, with well-wishers from across sport, entertainment and politics also sending thoughts and best wishes.
Former Chargers and Saints quarterback Drew Brees wrote on Twitter: "Damar Hamlin represents every one of us and every team-mate we've ever had.
"I've never met him, but I know him as a member of our brotherhood. My family and I pray for him and his family as he recovers. God be with him."
Michael Vick and Patrick Mahomes also said they were praying for Hamlin, the latter adding: "Please be okay man."
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill added: "Praying for Damar Hamlin, his family and everyone in Buffalo... no words for a situation like this."
The NFL said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Damar, his family and the Buffalo Bills."
Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt said: "The game is not important. Damar Hamlin’s life is important. Please be ok. Please."
From basketball, the NBA said: "The entire NBA family's thoughts and prayers are with Damar Hamlin, his family and the NFL community."
That was reflected in post-game comments from a number of leading stars after Monday's NBA action, with Lakers superstar LeBron James saying: "My thoughts and super prayers goes up to the skies above for that kid's family, for him, for that brotherhood of the NFL and everybody a part of the NFL family."
James said it was "definitely the right call" to abandon the game for the night.
He said of the incident: "It was a terrible thing to see and I wish nothing but the best for that kid, for the city of Buffalo, for the franchise of the Bills and like I said, for the rest of the NFL as well and also the Bengals that was there and playing in that game."
Klay Thompson, from the Golden State Warriors, added: "As athletes, sometimes the game can overshadow us as individuals or people.
"On behalf of the organisation, we wish him the best. We're keeping him in our prayers and hoping for the best possible outcome. He's a tremendous person and it's bigger than the sport."
Hollywood actor Ben Stiller, a big sports fan, wrote: "Sending good thoughts and prayers to Damar Hamlin and his family."
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani said: "Our prayers are with Damar Hamlin."
Amid the focus on Hamlin's plight, there was a surge in donations to a Christmas fundraiser the Bills star organised in 2020, to raise money to buy toys for children hit hard by the pandemic.
The fundraiser's target had been $2,500, but its running tally passed $3million by the early hours of Tuesday.
Klay Thompson recalled his lowest moments from an extended time on the sidelines after posting his best scoring performance of the season on Monday.
Thompson, who missed over two and a half years through injury before returning to the court last January, scored 54 points as the Golden State Warriors sealed an overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks.
The 32-year-old, who also had eight rebounds and three assists, made 21 of 39 field goal attempts and 10 of 21 from beyond the arc as the Warriors won 143-141 at Chase Center.
"It's better than good, [it's] amazing,'' Thompson said after his performance. "Those moments where you have the ball with the game on the line down the stretch and your team-mates trust you, those are what you really live for as a competitor, as a basketball player. It was hard to see those at times during the rehab process."
The defending NBA champions have struggled on the road this season, but their far more reliable home form saw them move to 20-18, with 17 of those wins coming at Chase Center.
Coach Steve Kerr was particularly pleased with the effort of Thompson, saying: "He just made shot after shot and play after play, he was incredible."
Kevon Looney scored the winning basket right at the final buzzer in second overtime, making up for a miss just prior, and laughed when asked if he had ever scored a game-winner before.
"Not a walkoff game-winner," Looney said. "I rushed the first one. I didn't think I had that much time, but I saw I had more time, so I took my time on the second one and I was able to make it."
LeBron James' ability to take care of himself allows the Los Angeles Lakers to still rely on the 38-year-old, says coach Darvin Ham.
Having managed 47 points in Friday's win at the Atlanta Hawks, James scored 43 in the Lakers' 121-115 victory against the Charlotte Hornets, becoming the first player beyond the age of 38 to score 40 or more in consecutive games since Michael Jordan.
James, who also recorded 11 rebounds and six assists at Spectrum Center in almost 40 minutes on court, turned 38 on Friday.
"I just want to ride him," Ham said after the win. "And he allows you to do that because he takes such great care of himself. So, it's a great luxury to have."
James has been in impressive form of late, averaging 34.5 points from his last 11 games. He insisted his consistency is unrelated to carrying more pressure following the recent injury to Anthony Davis, though his form also improved last season when Davis was sidelined.
"Last year is last year," James said when it was put to him. "Obviously, I found a good groove last year. But this year is this year, as well. I feel really good in every facet of my game."
Austin Reaves, who scored 15 points with six rebounds and seven assists in just over 22 minutes of action, also paid tribute to James' conditioning.
"It's incredible," Reaves said. "To see him at his age... the stuff that he does, the way that he moves, the contact that he endures in a full game and just the way that his body has held up this whole time, it's super impressive.
"But it's a testament to what he does on a daily basis. He's always the first one in the training room, the first one taking care of his body and also getting the work in as well. So, to say the least, I'm happy to be on his team."
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