Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — College athletes who play spring sports have a lot of free time this weekend after conferences announced they were suspending or canceling competitions because of concern about the spread of the new coronavirus. That happened after the NCAA announced Thursday it was canceling all spring sports championships, along with remaining winter championships. Some good news came Friday when the NCAA Division I Council Coordination Committee informed schools spring athletes would be given another year of eligibility to make up for their lost season. That still doesn’t take away the sting for athletes who are sitting idle the rest of the spring.

The United Center ownership and the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks say they will pay day-of-game employees through the end of their scheduled seasons. The NBA and NHL seasons have been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement attributed to Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, the teams say their employees “are family, and we will navigate this unprecedented situation together.”

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins have placed the franchise tag on three-time Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff after the two sides were unable to reach a long-term deal. Scherff could have been among the NFL’s highest-paid guards had he got to free agency. The 28-year-old dealt with numerous injuries the past two seasons but has been a force for Washington when healthy. He was named to his third Pro Bowl in 2019 after starting 11 games. Scherff has started all 65 games he has played in since turning pro out of Iowa and being drafted fifth overall by the Redskins five years ago.