Veteran tight end Greg Olsen and the Carolina Panthers have mutually agreed to part ways after nine seasons, the team announced Thursday.

Olsen, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who has played 13 NFL seasons, said he's still interested in playing in the NFL.

"At this time I have not closed the door on any potential career options," Olsen wrote Thursday as part of a post on Twitter. "I still have the love of football in my heart and will explore all opportunities presented to me."

Olsen's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN's Adam Schefter that he "will be in communication with other teams after the Super Bowl."

The decision to part with the Panthers was made after the 34-year-old Olson talked with general manager Marty Hurney about his future with the organization.

"The team and I are both on the same page that it is best we go in different directions for now," Olsen said in a statement released by the team. "On the field, I will always cherish the nine seasons we shared together. The wins, the losses, standing at midfield holding the Halas Trophy as NFC champs. The reality of going to the Super Bowl was beyond words, as was the disappointment of falling short."

The Panthers have a first-year coach in Matt Rhule, while star middle linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement earlier this month.

Olson's cap number for the 2020 season was to be $11,675,000, after he ruled out an extension to lower that number.

After dabbling in broadcasting, Olsen returned to the field this past season to prove he still could be among the top tight ends in the league. From 2014-16, he became the first tight end in NFL history to have 1,000 yards receiving in three straight seasons.

"The best part of playing in the NFL are the relationships," Olsen wrote. "I have been surrounded by the best teammates I could have asked for. Lifelong friends that are truly my brothers. Through the wins and losses, we have formed a bond that will last the rest of our lives.

"... Thank you to the fans. Panther Nation was always great to me. I heard all the cheers. I saw all the 88 jerseys. Just know I appreciate you all and you made it fun to be a Panther."

The only thing that slowed Olsen since Hurney acquired him for a third-round pick in a 2011 trade with the Chicago Bears was a foot injury that forced him to miss 16 games in 2017 and '18.

Olsen, the 31st pick by the Bears in 2007, had 52 catches for 597 yards and two touchdowns this past season. He has 718 career catches for 8,444 yards and 78 touchdowns.

Olsen holds the franchise record for most receiving yards (1,104 in '15) and receptions (84 in 2014) in a season by a Carolina tight end.

"I have this team my all and in return you did too," Olsen wrote. "Regardless of what path we choose, I will always be a Carolina Panther."

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- With the week steeped in heavy emotions, Frank Vogel and the Los Angeles Lakers' coaching staff tried to lighten everyone's spirits before practice Thursday by taking the team across the street to an outdoor field for a light workout.

As the players enjoyed the sunshine keeping them warm on a late January day in Southern California, the Western Conference's No. 1 basketball team played pickup football for about 10 minutes. LeBron James even wore a pair of cleats designed for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., inspired by James' first signature Nike sneaker, on the field.

"One of the luxuries of living in Los Angeles," Vogel said. "It's a beautiful day out. There's always therapeutic benefits to sunshine and being outside in the fresh air."

As James ran post routes, the left leg of his shorts was rolled up, revealing a brand-new tattoo on his upper thigh as a tribute to former Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who died Sunday, along with eight others, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Tattoo artist Vanessa Aurelia shared video on Instagram stories Wednesday showing her work on James' left thigh and Anthony Davis' right thigh in what appears to be Black Mamba-inspired ink for the two Lakers stars.

James and Davis have yet to address Bryant's death beyond their Instagram accounts. Vogel has been the lone representative from the Lakers organization to speak to reporters this week.

As the shock of Sunday's helicopter crash starts to subside and the first game the Lakers will play in a world without Bryant draws closer, Vogel said the team is trying to find peace in its preparation.

"The last two days has really been about the work," Vogel said. "Our mindset has just been let's attack the work. This is what we get lost in. This is our mindset from Day 1 of training camp just to stay in the moment and focus on what we can accomplish today. They've had that mindset the last couple days and [it's] been great."

The Lakers will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday at Staples Center, a night that will serve as a chance for the city of Los Angeles to collectively grieve the loss of Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the seven others who were killed in the accident over the weekend, as much as it will be about playing a basketball game.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka issued a poignant statement Thursday, remembering Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the seven other victims of Sunday's helicopter crash.

"On Sunday, I lost my best friend and my sweet goddaughter. With that, there has been an amputation of part of my soul," Pelinka said in his first public comments since the Bryants' deaths. "Kobe was a force of nature, deep and obsessed with excellence. He was wise, determined, passionate. A visionary beyond measure. A dedicated and loving husband, and a 'girl-dad' like no other. When he walked into a room, the energy ignited. He was high voltage, with a motor that had no limits. His mind had an infinite capacity to learn. He was, simply put, the most inspirational athlete of our time. What the world may not know is that he was also the best friend anyone could ever imagine.

"Gigi was pure joy. Her smile brought comfort to any and every occasion. She was brilliant, kind and warm. And, like her dad, when she stepped onto the basketball court, she took on an entirely different nature, and boy could she play. Her basketball destiny was apparent, and the world knew it. She was also an extraordinary, loyal and supportive sister, and a wonderful friend to my children. My son and daughter always left time with Gigi feeling better about life itself. Everything Gigi stood for, I am so proud of.

"Maya Angelou once wrote, 'When great trees fall ... lions hunker down in tall grasses.' What I am daily learning is that after the tragic loss of these nine souls, life on this side of eternity will never be the same. For any of us who knew them, there is an irreplaceable void left behind.

"But I am also finding that there is a hope. For now, each new step for me will be full of deep love and prayers, as a heavy sorrow for Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka and Capri, and all the families involved, is slowly redeemed into something healed and new. I am coming to realize that nothing can separate any of us from the love and inspiration we've received from Kobe and Gianna, nothing at all.

"Their lives have shown me that death has no victory. Last Sunday is not the end of the story. It's just a new beginning. Kobe and Gigi's legacies will live on -- and gain even more power and influence. All of us touched by them will now try to become torch carriers of their legacies. And, while we do that, we can be certain of this: Kobe and Gigi will continue on, forever, playing a joy-filled game of basketball in heaven above."

Pelinka, who turned 50 last month, had a relationship with Bryant for nearly half his life. Pelinka worked under agent Arn Tellem when Bryant signed with SFX management as an NBA rookie coming out of high school.

Later, when Pelinka left Tellem to found Landmark Sports, Bryant came with him as Pelinka's marquee client.

But Pelinka and Bryant had much more than an agent-athlete relationship. The two moved their families close to one another in Orange County, California, and Bryant was instrumental in Pelinka's appointment as Lakers GM in 2017.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel said Pelinka has been with the team at the practice facility the past several days after the initial shock of the accident subsided.

"We've just encouraged him to be with his family as much as he can, and to be away from here, and to be here as much as feels right for him," Vogel said. "To his credit, he's done just a great job of striking that balance, just making sure obviously that his priorities are in the right spot to be down in Newport [Beach].

"But he's been in the last two days, and we're concentrating on the work. There's therapy in the work. Our whole belief since I got here is we're just going to put our heads down, roll our sleeves up, and grind and do the job. That really hasn't been any different for him the past few days."

Vogel said that the entire Lakers organization has benefited from spending time with one another through the grieving process.

"I do believe that being around each other is good for all of us, and I think it applies to him as well," he said.

Also, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city has been in touch throughout the week with the Lakers and Vanessa Bryant and is planning a public memorial for Bryant and those killed in Sunday's crash. No date has been set, Garcetti told The Los Angeles Times.

We have the official selections for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. But how well do you know these dudes?

Let's see how you fare in our third edition of shot chart trivia: 15 multiple-choice questions featuring some All-Stars and some players with borderline cases to make the game.

Each chart features a player's shooting volume (more hexagons means more attempts) and efficiency (red is good, blue is bad) this season.

Match the correct player to the chart to win.

MORE: NBA All-Star debate -- big questions about the starters

Shot chart trivia: Who am I?

Research by ESPN's Matt Williams.

After being traded for each other this past summer, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook were both selected by the league's coaches to return to the All-Star Game next month in Chicago. They'll be joined by several players who'll be making their first All-Star appearance in what marks a bit of a changing of the guard for the All-Star Game.

Paul (10th All-Star selection) and Westbrook (ninth) are joined by Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (fifth) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (second) as the repeat selections from the Western Conference. Three players -- Utah Jazz teammates Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram -- earned their first All-Star selection.

The Eastern Conference reserves were led by Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, who will make his sixth All-Star appearance, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (fifth) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons and Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (twice) as repeat selections. They will be joined by three first-time selections: Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis.

"Definitely it is an honor," Tatum said in a statement. "I am extremely blessed and grateful. Third year to make the all-star team it is a surreal feeling. I'm just very excited and it is a dream come true."

The six first-time selections among the reserves join starters Luka Doncic, Trae Young and Pascal Siakam as nine players who'll be making their first trip to the All-Star Game. It is the first time since 2010 that nine players are making their first All-Star appearance in the same game, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Though the reserves were picked evenly from each conference, they'll be put into the draft pool from which captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will fill out their rosters next Thursday on TNT's Inside The NBA.

The biggest names left off this year's All-Star roster are LA Clippers forward Paul George, Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving and Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, who had combined for 14 previous All-Star selections. George and Irving have both missed a significant chunk of games with shoulder injuries, while Beal is playing on a Wizards team that is far out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

Other notable near misses are Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, who had been an All-Star each of the past two years.

This is the first time since 1997 that the San Antonio Spurs haven't had an All-Star -- snapping the longest such streak in the league. With Paul making it this year, that honor now shifts to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who now have had someone make the All-Star Game in 11 straight seasons.

Earlier Thursday, the league also announced sweeping changes to the structure of this year's All-Star Game, including a tribute to Kobe Bryant as part of an untimed fourth quarter in which the teams will play to a target score.

HOUSTON -- Before he begins his "last hurrah," Dusty Baker intends to talk to his new team. He hasn't decided exactly what he'll say to the scandal-riddled Houston Astros when spring training starts, but he's certain of the message.

"You got to go forward and make sure that it doesn't happen again," Baker said. "It certainly is not going to happen on my watch here, and I don't foresee it happening ever again because this has been an embarrassment for a lot of people."

Baker was introduced as Houston's manager on Thursday, bringing a wealth of experience to a club reeling from a sign-stealing scam that cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs.

Baker longed for another shot at an elusive title after falling short in his previous stops. But at 70 years old, he wasn't sure if it would come.

"I was happy, but I wasn't satisfied, where I was and what I was doing because something's missing,'' he said. "And I think the Lord gave me the best chance to accomplish what I need as a person, as a father, and as a man.''

Baker is the oldest manager in the big leagues. Hinch was fired Jan. 13 just an hour after he was suspended for the season by Major League Baseball for his role in Houston's illicit scheme.

"Dusty's a person of high integrity and he's a respected leader," team owner Jim Crane said. "He has great baseball experience, and he will earn the players' trust."

Hinch led the Astros to their second American League pennant in three seasons last year and had been scheduled to manage the AL team in the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium this summer.

Instead, Baker will be invited to manage the AL All-Stars, Major League Baseball said Thursday.

An All-Star outfielder while playing 19 years in the majors, Baker has 22 years of managerial experience, starting in 1993 with the San Francisco Giants.

A three-time National League Manager of the Year, Baker was let go by the Washington Nationals after a 97-65 season in 2017.

"Hiring Dusty Baker is one big step for us to move forward," Crane said. "And I believe Dusty is the right person at the right time."

Baker has served since 2018 as a special adviser to Giants CEO Larry Baer, working in both the baseball and business operations of the club. He regularly attended son Darren's college games at the University of California in Berkeley.

He was so excited about coming to Houston on Thursday that he woke up an hour before the alarm that was set at 2 a.m. was to go off.

"This is my last hurrah," he said. "And I thought my last hurrah was in Washington, actually, because I gave all my stuff away. I went to find my shoes, went up to the attic and I found the empty bag. ... So this is a new beginning for me."

With just about two weeks until the start of spring training, Baker said he would keep Hinch's staff intact instead of bringing in his own people.

"We're going to go with what we have because it's pretty good," he said.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred disciplined the Astros after he found the team broke rules by using electronics to steal signs during its run to the 2017 World Series championship and again in the 2018 season.

The Astros were fined $5 million, the maximum allowed under the Major League Constitution, and forfeited their next two first- and second-round amateur draft picks.

Baker and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts are the only two black managers in the majors, a fact that disappoints Baker.

"But I'm hoping that what we do will motivate other coaches and players to try to strive to get to where I am," Baker said. "And also hopefully this will incite other owners to say, 'Hey man, these guys are pretty good at what they do, these guys are the best.'''

Baker said he'll spend the next few days getting things in order at his home in California to prepare to be at spring training and then in Houston for the season.

Baker has compiled a 1,863-1,636 regular season record in a career during which he spent 10 years with the Giants, four years with the Chicago Cubs and six seasons with the Cincinnati Reds before his two-year stint with the Nationals.

While Crane has made his choice at manager, he continues to search for Luhnow's replacement. Former Giants general manager Bobby Evans has interviewed for the job, a person with direct knowledge of the meeting said. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the candidates have not been made public. The Astros are still in the middle of the interview process, the person said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Athletics venue to undergo a £72 million refurbishment ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Triple jumpers Nathan Douglas and Abazz Shayaam-Smith were among those to attend an event on Thursday celebrating Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games plans taking a large leap forward as Alexander Stadium revamp proposals were approved.

The Perry Barr venue, which is the home of UK Athletics, is set to undergo a £72 million refurbishment ahead of hosting athletics action as well as the opening and closing ceremonies at the Games, set to take place from July 27 to August 7, 2022.

The plans would see the redeveloped stadium increase its permanent seating capacity from 12,700 to 18,000, allowing more than 30,000 during the Games through additional temporary seating.

As well as holding the Games, the revamped stadium is set to host a range of tenants including the Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club and Birmingham City University.

Birchfield Harriers’ Shayaam-Smith, who is a Team England scholarship recipient, said: “The first time I came here I was 13 years old. Today was the first day I have been to the track since they knocked down the main stand. It’s going to be really inspirational. I’ve seen the designs and it’s going to look really good.

“It’s really important, not just for athletes competing, but for how many people like me will get to come into this track and be inspired.

“To think of how many nations will come here in 2022 and compete on this track, it’s so exciting.”

Ian Reid, chief executive for Birmingham 2022, said: “The Alexander Stadium is a pivotal venue for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, as not only will it host the track and field events for athletics but it’s also where we will stage our official opening and closing ceremonies for the Games.

“Today’s news that planning approval has been granted is therefore a key moment for us as the organisers of the Games and one which we are pleased to be able to celebrate with our partners.

“Birmingham City Council will be delivering the new sections of the stadium and we look forward to watching progress over the next couple of years, ahead of us moving into the stadium when we deliver the Games in 2022.”

Key features of the revamped stadium include a new western stand replacing the Main, Knowles and Nelson stands plus new tiered seating to the north and south.

The competition track will be re-laid and a new six lane, 400m warm-up track will be built, while there will be new stadium lighting and a practice throwing field.

Construction of the new stand will commence this spring, with completion planned for late 2021. This will be followed by test events ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

DEARBORN, Mich. – Ford has been named the official vehicle of the King of The Hammers and ULTRA4 extreme off-road racing series.

“Working with ULTRA4 Racing and King of the Hammers is a natural for Ford based on our truck, SUV and off-road heritage,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “Our participation in King of the Hammers builds on our rich history of off-roading by continuing to deliver on Built Ford Tough in the most demanding conditions.”

Ford estimates sales of rugged trucks and utilities have been growing at twice the rate of the overall SUV segment. Rugged SUVs are estimated to account for about one-quarter of the overall SUV segment today – up from about 12 percent just 10 years ago.

Ford’s lineup of rugged off-road vehicles includes F-150 Raptor, the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup, the highly capable Super Duty Tremor, plus the all-new Bronco SUV set to debut this spring and an upcoming small SUV.

The signature race of ULTRA4, an international race organization developing vehicles for multiple motorsports disciplines including rock crawling, high-speed desert racing and short-course events, King of The Hammers attracts approximately 75,000 spectators with more than 1 million online viewers to its grueling annual race in the Johnson Valley of California.

This year’s event, Feb. 8, will see more than 450 teams from around the world – in both modified stock and extreme off-road vehicles – compete to be crowned king in one of the most grueling desert courses ever created combining high-speed racing with low-speed rock crawling.

“Our racers and spectators are as authentic and passionate as they come,” said Dave Cole, president, Hammerking Productions/ULTRA4 Racing. “Our dedicated staff, loyal fans and fearless racers have helped build this motorsport and lifestyle platform for more than a decade, and we couldn’t be more excited to get the 2020 racing season started with Ford as our official vehicle partner.”

STATESVILLE, N.C. – Our Motorsports has signed Brett Moffitt to pilot the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona Int’l Speedway on Feb. 15.

To aid in the team’s transition to the new series, Moffitt – the 2018 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series champion – will also drive in Xfinity Series races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Auto Club Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.

Sponsorship for Daytona, along with the three West Coast races, will be announced soon.

Moffitt has competed across all three of NASCAR’s top touring series, the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoor Truck Series.

He has 11 wins in just 59 career starts in the Truck Series. Currently, Moffitt competes full-time in the Truck Series for GMS Racing, driving the No. 23 Chevrolet Silverado.

“I am really excited about this opportunity with Our Motorsports to get back into the Xfinity Series,” said Moffitt, who has four starts at Daytona, but none in the Xfinity Series. “Chris (Our), Andy (Seuss) and Joe (Williams) have all been working really hard to get this team up and running for the 2020 season.

“With the support and blessing from Mike (Beam) and Maury (Gallagher) at GMS Racing, it’s going to be a lot of fun getting to race with Our Motorsports for the first four races this year.”

Earlier this week, Our Motorsports named Joe Williams as the crew chief of the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro.

Daytona will be the first race that Moffitt and Williams will be paired together.

“I am excited to have Brett Moffitt join Our Motorsports for our debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” said team manager Andy Seuss. “Brett is a championship-winning driver and has a great track record for performance on track. We’ve put together a great group of guys for the 2020 season, and I’m hopeful for a great run this year.”