APEX Sports Newswires
Kansas ousted the Ohio State Buckeyes 64-62 to advance to Monday's NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament title game. The Jayhawks will face the No. 1 overall seed Kentucky Wildcats at the Superdome.
Sabtu, 31 Maret 2012
Kentucky Awaits Kansas / OSU Winner In Championship Game
APEX Sports Newswires
No. 1 overall seeded Kentucky Wildcats defeated Louisville 69-61 to earn a trip to Monday night's NCAA Championship Game. Kentucky will play the winner of the Kansas / Ohio State game.
Final Four Set To Go In New Orleans
The national semifinal games in the men's NCAA basketball tournament take place Saturday in New Orleans. The first of the Final Four games has Kentucky playing Louisville with Ohio State facing Kansas in the second contest.
Jumat, 30 Maret 2012
Kentucky's Anthony Davis Is Associated Press' Player Of The Year
Anthony Davis is The Associated Press' college basketball Player of the Year, the first Kentucky player and second freshman to win the award. Frank Haith capped his first season at Missouri by being selected AP's Coach of the Year.
Kamis, 29 Maret 2012
Trio Of North Carolina Players Entering '12 NBA Draft
APEX Sports Newswires
University of North Carolina forwards Harrison Barnes, John Henson and point guard Kendall Marshall announced Thursday that they will enter the 2012 NBA Draft.
Rabu, 28 Maret 2012
Dodgers sold to Magic Johnson's group
Current logo using "Dodgers" Script (Photo credit: Wikipedia)GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A deal has been struck between the Dodgers and legendary Laker Magic Johnson's bidding group for the Dodgers and Dodger Stadium for $2 billion, the club announced on Tuesday night. The purchase price is the highest amount ever paid for a North American sports franchise.
The sale officially is to Guggenheim Baseball Management LLC, which includes Mark R. Walter as its controlling partner, Johnson, Peter Guber, Stan Kasten, Bobby Patton and Todd Boehly. Current owner Frank McCourt and certain affiliates of the purchasers will also be forming a joint venture, which will acquire the Chavez Ravine property and parking lots for an additional $150 million.
"I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles," said Johnson. CONTINUE....
Selasa, 27 Maret 2012
Sean Payton To Meet With Bill Parcells
Facing a season-long suspension for his role in a bounties program, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters Tuesday he planned to meet with Bill Parcells and talk about who will coach the Saints in 2012.
New York Giants Set To Open Season Against The Dallas Cowboys
APEX Sports Newswires
The Super Bowl champion New York Giants will play host to the Dallas Cowboys in the 2012 season-opening NFL Kickoff game on Wednesday, September 5th. The game was moved up a day so it would not conflict with President Obama's speech to the Democratic National Convention Thursday, September 6th in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Red Wings Clinch 21st Consecutive Playoff Berth
APEX Sports Newswires
The Detroit Red Wings clinched a playoff berth Monday for the 21st consecutive season, the longest active streak in all of pro sports.
Senin, 26 Maret 2012
Tim Tebow Meets The New York Media
New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow told reporters at his introductory news conference Monday he's grateful and excited to be with the team. Tebow said he and Jets starting QB Mark Sanchez have a "great relationship."
Alabama Rewards Saban With 2-Year Contract Extension
APEX Sports Newswires
Alabama rewarded head football coach Nick Saban with a new 2-year extension. Saban will earn $5.87 million in 2018 and $5.97 million 2019. Alabama won the National Championship in January.
Bill Parcells May Coach Saints In 2012
APEX Sports Newswires
Sean Payton has approached former NFL head coach Bill Parcells about the possibly of him coaching the New Orleans Saints for the upcoming 2012 season. Payton has been suspended by the league for his role in a bounty program. His suspension is set to begin April 1st. Parcells is currently a NFL analyst on ESPN.
Tiger Woods Ends 30-month Winless Drought
Tiger Woods captured a PGA Tour event for the first time in 30-months with his five-shot win over Graeme McDowell at the the Bay Hill Invitational which he has now won seven times.
Kentucky, Kansas Head To Final Four
Kentucky and Kansas round out the Final Four field in New Orleans. Kentucky won the South Regional 82-70 over Baylor and Kansas pulled away from North Carolina 80-67.
Minggu, 25 Maret 2012
Tiger Woods A Winner On PGA Tour Again After 30 Months
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Tiger Woods finally brought the buzz back to the very thing that made him famous - winning.
Two weeks after another injury scare, Woods looked dominant as ever in that red shirt on Sunday to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
It was his first PGA Tour victory since a sex scandal at the end of 2009 led to one of the greatest downfalls in sports. And with the Masters only two weeks away, Woods looks more capable than ever of resuming his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus in the majors. MORE....
AP Golf Writer
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Tiger Woods finally brought the buzz back to the very thing that made him famous - winning.
Two weeks after another injury scare, Woods looked dominant as ever in that red shirt on Sunday to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
It was his first PGA Tour victory since a sex scandal at the end of 2009 led to one of the greatest downfalls in sports. And with the Masters only two weeks away, Woods looks more capable than ever of resuming his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus in the majors. MORE....
Sports Historian Bert Sugar Passes Away
APEX Sports Newswires
Hall of Fame boxing writer and sports historian Bert Sugar died Sunday of cardiac arrest at the age of 75.
IndyCar To Race For 1st Time Since Dan Wheldon Crash
The 2012 IndyCar season begins Sunday in St. Petersburg and driver Oriol Servia says thoughts will be on Dan Wheldon, who was killed in a crash at last year's season-ending race in Las Vegas. St. Petersburg was Wheldon's adopted hometown.
Louisville Cardinals, Ohio State Buckeyes Reach Final Four
Louisville and Ohio State earned Final Four berths with victories in regional finals. The Cardinals beat Florida 72-68, while the Buckeyes topped Syracuse 77-70.
Jumat, 23 Maret 2012
Norfolk Admirals Of The American Hockey League Wins 19th Straight Game
APEX Sports Newswires
The Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League won their 19th game in a row. The Admirals beat Albany 2-1. The Admirals are an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Joe Torre Returns To Executive Post With Major League Baseball
APEX Sports Newswires
Joe Torre has rejoined Major League Baseball as an executive vice president of operations after his group dropped out of the bidding process to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Duke Guard Austin Rivers To Enter NBA Draft
APEX Sports Newswires
CBSSports.com is reporting that Duke freshman guard Austin Rivers will enter the upcoming NBA Draft. He also plans to sign with an agent. Austin is the son of former NBA player and current Boston Celtics head coach Glenn "Doc" Rivers.
Bobby Jenks Arrested For DUI
APEX Sports Newswires
Boston Red Sox right-hand pitcher Bobby Jenks posted bail early Friday morning following his arrest for driving under the influence (DUI), and leaving the scene of a crash.
Kamis, 22 Maret 2012
Chipper Jones Set To Retire From Baseball At Season's End
APEX Sports Newswires
Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones announced on Thursday that he will retire at the end of the 2012 season. Jones has a career batting average of .304 and has hit 454 home runs.
Rabu, 21 Maret 2012
NFL Announces Management Discipline In Saints' 'Bounty' Matter
By National Football League
Commissioner Roger Goodell notified the New Orleans Saints today of the discipline that will be imposed on team management for violations of the NFL's long-standing "bounty" rule that endangered player safety over a three-year period.
Discipline for individual players involved in the Saints' prohibited program continues to be under review with the NFL Players Association and will be addressed by Commissioner Goodell at a later date. The program included "bounty" payments for "knock-outs" and "cart-offs," plays on which an opposing player was forced to leave the game. At times, the bounties even targeted specific players by name.
The NFL's extensive investigation established the existence of an active bounty program on the Saints during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons in violation of league rules, a deliberate effort to conceal the program's existence from league investigators, and a clear determination to maintain the program despite express direction from Saints ownership that it stop as well as ongoing inquiries from the league office.
"We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game," Commissioner Goodell said. "We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised."
"A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious," Commissioner Goodell continued. "When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game."
Following the March 2 announcement of the NFL's initial findings, the league office conducted further investigation, including Commissioner Goodell meeting with many of the key individuals involved, sometimes on multiple occasions. The commissioner also discussed the matter with the leadership of the NFL Players Association and individual players.
Based on the record, Commissioner Goodell has imposed the following discipline on Saints management:
» The New Orleans Saints are fined $500,000. In addition, because the violation involves a competitive rule, the Saints will forfeit their selections in the second round of the 2012 and 2013 NFL drafts.
» Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is suspended without pay for the 2012 NFL season, effective April 1.
» Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games of the 2012 season.
» Former Saints (and current St. Louis Rams) defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely from the NFL, effective immediately. Commissioner Goodell will review Coach Williams' status at the conclusion of the 2012 season and consider whether to reinstate him, and, if so, on what terms. Commissioner Goodell said he will give close attention to the extent to which Coach Williams cooperates with the NFL in any further proceedings.
» Saints assistant Head Coach Joe Vitt is suspended without pay for the first six regular-season games of the 2012 season.
» The Saints and the individuals disciplined today are expected to participate in efforts led by the league office to develop programs that will instruct players and coaches at all levels of the game on the need for respect for the game and those who participate in it, on principles of fair play, safety and sportsmanship, and to ensure that bounties will not be part of football at any level.
Commissioner Goodell stated that the actions of the individuals disciplined today violated league rules and constituted conduct detrimental to the league and players. He said the existence of a pay-for-performance/bounty program undermined the integrity of the game. The violations were compounded by the failure of Coach Payton to supervise the players and coaches and his affirmative decision starting in 2010 (a) not to inquire into the facts concerning the pay-for-performance/bounty program even though he was aware of the league's inquiries both in 2010 and 2012; (b) to falsely deny that the program existed; (c) to encourage the false denials by instructing assistants to "make sure our ducks are in a row;" and (d) to ignore instructions from the league office and club ownership to ensure that no such program existed.
"Beyond the clear and continuing violations of league rules, and lying to investigators, the bounty program is squarely contrary to the league's most important initiatives - enhancing player health and safety and protecting the integrity of the game," Commissioner Goodell said. "Let me be clear. There is no place in the NFL for deliberately seeking to injure another player, let alone offering a reward for doing so. Any form of bounty is incompatible with our commitment to create a culture of sportsmanship, fairness, and safety. Programs of this kind have no place in our game and we are determined that bounties will no longer be a part of the NFL."
A 2007 amendment to the NFL Constitution and By-Laws obligated coaches and supervisory employees "to communicate openly and candidly with the principal owner and/or his designated representative; to ensure that club ownership is informed on a complete and timely basis of all matters affecting the club's operations; and to avoid actions that undermine or damage the club's reputation or operating success." The obligation to supervise the coaching staff and players is also expressly set forth in the employment agreement signed by Coach Payton.
Commissioner Goodell said he will separately address potential sanctions for players and others with documented involvement in the bounty program.
"While I will not address player conduct at this time, I am profoundly troubled by the fact that players - including leaders among the defensive players - embraced this program so enthusiastically and participated with what appears to have been a deliberate lack of concern for the well-being of their fellow players," Commissioner Goodell said. "While all club personnel are expected to play to win, they must not let the quest for victory so cloud their judgment that they willingly and willfully target their opponents and engage in unsafe and prohibited conduct intended to injure players."
While NFL staff has interviewed people in connection with public allegations of bounty programs at other clubs, no evidence was established showing that the programs at other clubs involved targeting opposing players or rewarding players for injuring an opponent. Commissioner Goodell emphasized that if additional information is brought to his attention that discloses bounties offered for injuring specific opposing players, he will revisit the matter to consider additional discipline.
The findings in the league's investigation, corroborated by multiple independent sources, conclusively established the following:
1. The Saints defensive team operated a pay-for-performance/bounty program, primarily funded by players, during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons. Under that program, players regularly made cash "donations" to a pool, and were "fined" for mental errors, loafing, penalties, and the like. At least one assistant coach (defensive coordinator Gregg Williams) also occasionally contributed to the pool. There is no evidence that any club money was contributed to the program.
2. Payments were made for plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries. All such payments are against league rules. Payments also were made for plays on which opposing players were injured. In addition, specific players were sometimes targeted. The investigation showed bounties being placed on four quarterbacks of opposing teams - Brett Favre, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Kurt Warner. Multiple sources have confirmed that several players pledged funds toward bounties on specific opposing players, with defensive captain Jonathan Vilma offering $10,000 to any player who knocked Brett Favre out of the NFC Championship Game in 2010.
3. Coach Williams acknowledged that he designed and implemented the program with the assistance of certain defensive players. He said that he did so after being told by Saints Head Coach Sean Payton that his assignment was to make the defense "nasty." Coach Williams described his role as overseeing record keeping, defining payout amounts, deciding on who received payouts, and distributing envelopes with cash to players who "earned" rewards.
4. In each of the 2009-2011 seasons, the Saints were one of the top five teams in the league in roughing the passer penalties. In 2009 and 2011, the Saints were also in the top five teams in unnecessary roughness penalties; in 2010, the Saints ranked sixth in the category. In the January 16, 2010 divisional playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saints defensive players were assessed $15,000 in fines for fouls committed against opposing players. The following week, in the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saints defensive players were assessed $30,000 in fines for four separate illegal hits, several of which were directed against quarterback Brett Favre.
5. Coach Williams now acknowledges that when he was first questioned about this matter in early 2010 he intentionally misled NFL investigators and made no effort to stop the program after he became aware of the league's investigation.
6. Coach Williams further confirmed that the program continued during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, and that he occasionally contributed funds to the pool in each of those seasons.
7. Assistant Head Coach/Defense Joe Vitt acknowledged that he was aware of the program in 2009-2011. He admitted that, when interviewed in 2010, he "fabricated the truth" to NFL investigators and denied that any pay-for-performance or bounty program existed at the Saints.
8. Coach Vitt said one of his primary roles was to monitor the activity of Coach Williams. This was based on the direction of Coach Payton, who apparently had less than full confidence in Coach Williams. Despite Coach Vitt's knowledge of the bounty program, his understanding of the terms "knock-out" and "cart-off," his witnessing Coach Williams handing out envelopes that he believed to contain cash, and his acknowledgement that the defensive meeting preceding the 2010 NFC Championship Game may have "got out of hand" with respect to Brett Favre, Coach Vitt claimed he never advised either Coach Payton or General Manager Mickey Loomis of the "pay-for-performance/bounty" program.
9. A summary prepared following a Saints preseason game included the statement, "1 Cart-off - Crank up the John Deer (sic) Tractor" in reference to a hit on an opposing player. Similar statements are reflected in prepared documents or slides in connection with other games in multiple seasons. A review of the game films confirms that opposing players were injured on the plays identified in the documents.
10. When interviewed in 2012, Sean Payton claimed to be entirely unaware of the program, a claim contradicted by others. Further, prior to the Saints' opening game in 2011, Coach Payton received an email from a close associate that stated in part, "PS Greg Williams put me down for $5000 on Rogers (sic)." When shown the email during the course of the investigation, Coach Payton stated that it referred to a "bounty" on Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
11. In early 2010, Mr. Loomis advised Coach Payton that the league office was investigating allegations concerning a bounty program. Coach Payton said that he met with his top two defensive assistants, Coach Williams and Coach Vitt, in advance of the interview with league investigators and told them, "Let's make sure our ducks are in a row." Remarkably, Coach Payton claimed that he never inquired of Coach Williams and Coach Vitt as to what happened in the interviews, never asked them if a "pay-for-performance" or bounty program was in fact in place, and never gave any instructions to discontinue such a program.
12. In January 2012, prior to the Saints' first playoff game of the 2011 season, Coach Payton was advised by Mr. Loomis that the league office had reopened the investigation. Coach Payton made a cursory inquiry but took no action to ensure that any bounty program was discontinued.
13. General Manager Mickey Loomis was not present at meetings of the Saints defense at which bounties were discussed and was not aware of bounties being placed on specific players. Mr. Loomis became aware of the allegations regarding a bounty program no later than February 2010 when he was notified of the investigation into the allegations during a meeting with NFL Executive Vice President-Football Operations Ray Anderson. He was directed to ensure that any such program ceased immediately. By his own admission, Mr. Loomis did not do enough to determine if a pay-for-performance/bounty program existed or to end any such program that did exist.
14. Saints owner Tom Benson notified Mr. Loomis in January 2012 prior to the team's participation in the playoffs that the league's investigation had been reopened. Mr. Benson reiterated his position that a bounty program was unacceptable and instructed Mr. Loomis to ensure that if a bounty program existed at the Saints it would stop immediately. By his own admission, Mr. Loomis responded to this direction by making only cursory inquiries of Coaches Payton and Williams. He never issued instructions to end the bounty program to either the coaching staff or the players.
15. There is no evidence that Saints ownership had any knowledge of the pay-for-performance or bounty program. There is no evidence that any club funds were used for the program. Ownership made clear that it disapproved of the program, gave prompt and clear direction that it stop, and gave full and immediate cooperation to league investigators.
Commissioner Roger Goodell notified the New Orleans Saints today of the discipline that will be imposed on team management for violations of the NFL's long-standing "bounty" rule that endangered player safety over a three-year period.
Discipline for individual players involved in the Saints' prohibited program continues to be under review with the NFL Players Association and will be addressed by Commissioner Goodell at a later date. The program included "bounty" payments for "knock-outs" and "cart-offs," plays on which an opposing player was forced to leave the game. At times, the bounties even targeted specific players by name.
The NFL's extensive investigation established the existence of an active bounty program on the Saints during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons in violation of league rules, a deliberate effort to conceal the program's existence from league investigators, and a clear determination to maintain the program despite express direction from Saints ownership that it stop as well as ongoing inquiries from the league office.
"We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game," Commissioner Goodell said. "We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised."
"A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious," Commissioner Goodell continued. "When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game."
Following the March 2 announcement of the NFL's initial findings, the league office conducted further investigation, including Commissioner Goodell meeting with many of the key individuals involved, sometimes on multiple occasions. The commissioner also discussed the matter with the leadership of the NFL Players Association and individual players.
Based on the record, Commissioner Goodell has imposed the following discipline on Saints management:
» The New Orleans Saints are fined $500,000. In addition, because the violation involves a competitive rule, the Saints will forfeit their selections in the second round of the 2012 and 2013 NFL drafts.
» Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is suspended without pay for the 2012 NFL season, effective April 1.
» Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is suspended without pay for the first eight regular-season games of the 2012 season.
» Former Saints (and current St. Louis Rams) defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely from the NFL, effective immediately. Commissioner Goodell will review Coach Williams' status at the conclusion of the 2012 season and consider whether to reinstate him, and, if so, on what terms. Commissioner Goodell said he will give close attention to the extent to which Coach Williams cooperates with the NFL in any further proceedings.
» Saints assistant Head Coach Joe Vitt is suspended without pay for the first six regular-season games of the 2012 season.
» The Saints and the individuals disciplined today are expected to participate in efforts led by the league office to develop programs that will instruct players and coaches at all levels of the game on the need for respect for the game and those who participate in it, on principles of fair play, safety and sportsmanship, and to ensure that bounties will not be part of football at any level.
Commissioner Goodell stated that the actions of the individuals disciplined today violated league rules and constituted conduct detrimental to the league and players. He said the existence of a pay-for-performance/bounty program undermined the integrity of the game. The violations were compounded by the failure of Coach Payton to supervise the players and coaches and his affirmative decision starting in 2010 (a) not to inquire into the facts concerning the pay-for-performance/bounty program even though he was aware of the league's inquiries both in 2010 and 2012; (b) to falsely deny that the program existed; (c) to encourage the false denials by instructing assistants to "make sure our ducks are in a row;" and (d) to ignore instructions from the league office and club ownership to ensure that no such program existed.
"Beyond the clear and continuing violations of league rules, and lying to investigators, the bounty program is squarely contrary to the league's most important initiatives - enhancing player health and safety and protecting the integrity of the game," Commissioner Goodell said. "Let me be clear. There is no place in the NFL for deliberately seeking to injure another player, let alone offering a reward for doing so. Any form of bounty is incompatible with our commitment to create a culture of sportsmanship, fairness, and safety. Programs of this kind have no place in our game and we are determined that bounties will no longer be a part of the NFL."
A 2007 amendment to the NFL Constitution and By-Laws obligated coaches and supervisory employees "to communicate openly and candidly with the principal owner and/or his designated representative; to ensure that club ownership is informed on a complete and timely basis of all matters affecting the club's operations; and to avoid actions that undermine or damage the club's reputation or operating success." The obligation to supervise the coaching staff and players is also expressly set forth in the employment agreement signed by Coach Payton.
Commissioner Goodell said he will separately address potential sanctions for players and others with documented involvement in the bounty program.
"While I will not address player conduct at this time, I am profoundly troubled by the fact that players - including leaders among the defensive players - embraced this program so enthusiastically and participated with what appears to have been a deliberate lack of concern for the well-being of their fellow players," Commissioner Goodell said. "While all club personnel are expected to play to win, they must not let the quest for victory so cloud their judgment that they willingly and willfully target their opponents and engage in unsafe and prohibited conduct intended to injure players."
While NFL staff has interviewed people in connection with public allegations of bounty programs at other clubs, no evidence was established showing that the programs at other clubs involved targeting opposing players or rewarding players for injuring an opponent. Commissioner Goodell emphasized that if additional information is brought to his attention that discloses bounties offered for injuring specific opposing players, he will revisit the matter to consider additional discipline.
The findings in the league's investigation, corroborated by multiple independent sources, conclusively established the following:
1. The Saints defensive team operated a pay-for-performance/bounty program, primarily funded by players, during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons. Under that program, players regularly made cash "donations" to a pool, and were "fined" for mental errors, loafing, penalties, and the like. At least one assistant coach (defensive coordinator Gregg Williams) also occasionally contributed to the pool. There is no evidence that any club money was contributed to the program.
2. Payments were made for plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries. All such payments are against league rules. Payments also were made for plays on which opposing players were injured. In addition, specific players were sometimes targeted. The investigation showed bounties being placed on four quarterbacks of opposing teams - Brett Favre, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Kurt Warner. Multiple sources have confirmed that several players pledged funds toward bounties on specific opposing players, with defensive captain Jonathan Vilma offering $10,000 to any player who knocked Brett Favre out of the NFC Championship Game in 2010.
3. Coach Williams acknowledged that he designed and implemented the program with the assistance of certain defensive players. He said that he did so after being told by Saints Head Coach Sean Payton that his assignment was to make the defense "nasty." Coach Williams described his role as overseeing record keeping, defining payout amounts, deciding on who received payouts, and distributing envelopes with cash to players who "earned" rewards.
4. In each of the 2009-2011 seasons, the Saints were one of the top five teams in the league in roughing the passer penalties. In 2009 and 2011, the Saints were also in the top five teams in unnecessary roughness penalties; in 2010, the Saints ranked sixth in the category. In the January 16, 2010 divisional playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saints defensive players were assessed $15,000 in fines for fouls committed against opposing players. The following week, in the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saints defensive players were assessed $30,000 in fines for four separate illegal hits, several of which were directed against quarterback Brett Favre.
5. Coach Williams now acknowledges that when he was first questioned about this matter in early 2010 he intentionally misled NFL investigators and made no effort to stop the program after he became aware of the league's investigation.
6. Coach Williams further confirmed that the program continued during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, and that he occasionally contributed funds to the pool in each of those seasons.
7. Assistant Head Coach/Defense Joe Vitt acknowledged that he was aware of the program in 2009-2011. He admitted that, when interviewed in 2010, he "fabricated the truth" to NFL investigators and denied that any pay-for-performance or bounty program existed at the Saints.
8. Coach Vitt said one of his primary roles was to monitor the activity of Coach Williams. This was based on the direction of Coach Payton, who apparently had less than full confidence in Coach Williams. Despite Coach Vitt's knowledge of the bounty program, his understanding of the terms "knock-out" and "cart-off," his witnessing Coach Williams handing out envelopes that he believed to contain cash, and his acknowledgement that the defensive meeting preceding the 2010 NFC Championship Game may have "got out of hand" with respect to Brett Favre, Coach Vitt claimed he never advised either Coach Payton or General Manager Mickey Loomis of the "pay-for-performance/bounty" program.
9. A summary prepared following a Saints preseason game included the statement, "1 Cart-off - Crank up the John Deer (sic) Tractor" in reference to a hit on an opposing player. Similar statements are reflected in prepared documents or slides in connection with other games in multiple seasons. A review of the game films confirms that opposing players were injured on the plays identified in the documents.
10. When interviewed in 2012, Sean Payton claimed to be entirely unaware of the program, a claim contradicted by others. Further, prior to the Saints' opening game in 2011, Coach Payton received an email from a close associate that stated in part, "PS Greg Williams put me down for $5000 on Rogers (sic)." When shown the email during the course of the investigation, Coach Payton stated that it referred to a "bounty" on Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
11. In early 2010, Mr. Loomis advised Coach Payton that the league office was investigating allegations concerning a bounty program. Coach Payton said that he met with his top two defensive assistants, Coach Williams and Coach Vitt, in advance of the interview with league investigators and told them, "Let's make sure our ducks are in a row." Remarkably, Coach Payton claimed that he never inquired of Coach Williams and Coach Vitt as to what happened in the interviews, never asked them if a "pay-for-performance" or bounty program was in fact in place, and never gave any instructions to discontinue such a program.
12. In January 2012, prior to the Saints' first playoff game of the 2011 season, Coach Payton was advised by Mr. Loomis that the league office had reopened the investigation. Coach Payton made a cursory inquiry but took no action to ensure that any bounty program was discontinued.
13. General Manager Mickey Loomis was not present at meetings of the Saints defense at which bounties were discussed and was not aware of bounties being placed on specific players. Mr. Loomis became aware of the allegations regarding a bounty program no later than February 2010 when he was notified of the investigation into the allegations during a meeting with NFL Executive Vice President-Football Operations Ray Anderson. He was directed to ensure that any such program ceased immediately. By his own admission, Mr. Loomis did not do enough to determine if a pay-for-performance/bounty program existed or to end any such program that did exist.
14. Saints owner Tom Benson notified Mr. Loomis in January 2012 prior to the team's participation in the playoffs that the league's investigation had been reopened. Mr. Benson reiterated his position that a bounty program was unacceptable and instructed Mr. Loomis to ensure that if a bounty program existed at the Saints it would stop immediately. By his own admission, Mr. Loomis responded to this direction by making only cursory inquiries of Coaches Payton and Williams. He never issued instructions to end the bounty program to either the coaching staff or the players.
15. There is no evidence that Saints ownership had any knowledge of the pay-for-performance or bounty program. There is no evidence that any club funds were used for the program. Ownership made clear that it disapproved of the program, gave prompt and clear direction that it stop, and gave full and immediate cooperation to league investigators.
NFL Bans New Orleans Saints' Sean Payton A Year For 'Bounties'; Gregg Williams Out, Too
NFL.com Wire Reports
The NFL handed down sweeping and unprecedented punishment Wednesday for bounties paid out on big hits, suspending New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton without pay for next season and indefinitely banning the team's former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, who now works for the St. Louis Rams.
Payton is the first head coach suspended by the league for any reason. He is accused of trying to cover up a system of extra cash payouts that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called "particularly unusual and egregious" and "totally unacceptable." MORE....
The NFL handed down sweeping and unprecedented punishment Wednesday for bounties paid out on big hits, suspending New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton without pay for next season and indefinitely banning the team's former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, who now works for the St. Louis Rams.
Payton is the first head coach suspended by the league for any reason. He is accused of trying to cover up a system of extra cash payouts that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called "particularly unusual and egregious" and "totally unacceptable." MORE....
Selasa, 20 Maret 2012
Six-Race Suspension Of Chad Knaus Overturned
By Joe Menzer, NASCAR.COM
CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR chief appellate officer John Middlebrook overturned on Tuesday an earlier ruling by the governing body that had threatened to cripple the No. 48 team of driver Jimmie Johnson for the 2012 season.
In doing so, Middlebrook rescinded the loss of 25 Sprint Cup championship driver and car owner points assessed, and also rescinded six-week suspensions levied against crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec. The only penalty that remained in place was a $100,000 fine for Knaus -- while both he and Malec will remain on probation until May 9.
With the restoration of the 25 driver points to his total, Johnson made a jump Tuesday from 17th to 11th in the point standings heading into Sunday's race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. MORE....
CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR chief appellate officer John Middlebrook overturned on Tuesday an earlier ruling by the governing body that had threatened to cripple the No. 48 team of driver Jimmie Johnson for the 2012 season.
In doing so, Middlebrook rescinded the loss of 25 Sprint Cup championship driver and car owner points assessed, and also rescinded six-week suspensions levied against crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec. The only penalty that remained in place was a $100,000 fine for Knaus -- while both he and Malec will remain on probation until May 9.
With the restoration of the 25 driver points to his total, Johnson made a jump Tuesday from 17th to 11th in the point standings heading into Sunday's race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. MORE....
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos Agree To Five-Year, $96 Million Deal
NFL.com
Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos have agreed to terms on a five-year contract, a league source told NFL Network's Michael Lombardi on Tuesday.
Manning's contract is worth $96 million, a league source told NFL Network's Albert Breer, but NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reports Manning's contract essentially boils down to a series of one-year deals.
The deal includes $18 million guaranteed once it is signed, league sources told La Canfora, and there remains ongoing discussion about injury language in the contract, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. CONTINUE....
Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos have agreed to terms on a five-year contract, a league source told NFL Network's Michael Lombardi on Tuesday.
Manning's contract is worth $96 million, a league source told NFL Network's Albert Breer, but NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reports Manning's contract essentially boils down to a series of one-year deals.
The deal includes $18 million guaranteed once it is signed, league sources told La Canfora, and there remains ongoing discussion about injury language in the contract, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. CONTINUE....
Hines Ward Announces His Retirement
APEX Sports Newswires
Wide reciever Hines Ward the Pittsburgh Steelers' franchise leader with a 1,000 catches and 12,083 receiving yards announced on Tuesday that he plans to retire.
Thibodeau Fastest NBA Coach To 100 Wins
APEX Sports Newswires
Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau became the fastest coach in NBA history to reach 100 wins with theie victory Monday night over the Orlando Magic.
Senin, 19 Maret 2012
Peyton Manning To The Broncos
APEX Sports Newswires
Peyton Manning will sign with the Denver Broncos. Manning has told his agent to conclude negotiations with the team. The Broncos will trade or release last season's starting quarterback Tim Tebow.
Selasa, 13 Maret 2012
Unbeaten Baylor Gets Top Seed
The Associated Press
Brittney Griner and the Baylor Bears have one goal this season — a national championship.
Anything less would be a disappointment for the undefeated top-seeded Lady Bears, who are looking to become the seventh school to run through a season unbeaten.
Standing in the way could be the other No. 1 seeds — Stanford, Connecticut and Notre Dame, dominant all season long. The Huskies and Irish both lost competitive games at Baylor this season.
Griner and Baylor, who lost in the regional final last season, could be the first team to win 40 games in a year, but coach Kim Mulkey only cares about one thing — a second national title for the school. MORE....
Brittney Griner and the Baylor Bears have one goal this season — a national championship.
Anything less would be a disappointment for the undefeated top-seeded Lady Bears, who are looking to become the seventh school to run through a season unbeaten.
Standing in the way could be the other No. 1 seeds — Stanford, Connecticut and Notre Dame, dominant all season long. The Huskies and Irish both lost competitive games at Baylor this season.
Griner and Baylor, who lost in the regional final last season, could be the first team to win 40 games in a year, but coach Kim Mulkey only cares about one thing — a second national title for the school. MORE....
Senin, 12 Maret 2012
NCAA Men's Basketball Field Is Set
Kentucky, Syracuse, North Carolina and Michigan State lead the way as the top seeds in the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball tournament.
Minggu, 11 Maret 2012
Kentucky Snares No. 1 Overall Seed
The Associated Press
This time around, the madness began before the brackets even came out.
Kentucky, Syracuse and North Carolina all earned top seeding for the NCAA tournament Sunday despite weekend losses that brought even more intrigue to the three-week, 67-game tournament better known as March Madness.
Michigan State earned the other No. 1 seed and was the only one of the four top-billed teams to win its conference tournament. The Spartans defeated Ohio State 68-64 in the Big Ten title game — a contest widely viewed as the game for the last No. 1 seed, even if selection committee chairman Jeff Hathaway wouldn’t quite go there.
“As it turned out, this game put the No. 1 seed into the field,” he said.
While No. 2 seeds Kansas, Duke, Missouri and Ohio State wonder whether they could’ve been rated higher, teams such as Drexel, Seton Hall, Mississippi State and Pac-12 regular-season champion Washington think about what might have been. Those bubble teams were left out, and all will be wondering how Iona, California and South Florida made it.
In the moments immediately after the brackets came out, the Iona-Drexel debate was getting the most traction. MORE....
This time around, the madness began before the brackets even came out.
Kentucky, Syracuse and North Carolina all earned top seeding for the NCAA tournament Sunday despite weekend losses that brought even more intrigue to the three-week, 67-game tournament better known as March Madness.
Michigan State earned the other No. 1 seed and was the only one of the four top-billed teams to win its conference tournament. The Spartans defeated Ohio State 68-64 in the Big Ten title game — a contest widely viewed as the game for the last No. 1 seed, even if selection committee chairman Jeff Hathaway wouldn’t quite go there.
“As it turned out, this game put the No. 1 seed into the field,” he said.
While No. 2 seeds Kansas, Duke, Missouri and Ohio State wonder whether they could’ve been rated higher, teams such as Drexel, Seton Hall, Mississippi State and Pac-12 regular-season champion Washington think about what might have been. Those bubble teams were left out, and all will be wondering how Iona, California and South Florida made it.
In the moments immediately after the brackets came out, the Iona-Drexel debate was getting the most traction. MORE....
Messi Scores Goals 49,50 Of The Season
By Iain Rogers
MADRID (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's astonishing recent goal glut continued on Sunday when he struck twice in a 2-0 win for Barcelona at struggling Racing Santander that trimmed Real Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga back to 10 points.
The Argentine World Player of the Year took his tally to 13 goals in his last five games for Barca, including a record five in Wednesday's Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen. MORE....
MADRID (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's astonishing recent goal glut continued on Sunday when he struck twice in a 2-0 win for Barcelona at struggling Racing Santander that trimmed Real Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga back to 10 points.
The Argentine World Player of the Year took his tally to 13 goals in his last five games for Barca, including a record five in Wednesday's Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen. MORE....
Kamis, 08 Maret 2012
Sources: Auburn’s Varez Ward At Center Of Federal Point-Shaving Probe
By Charles Robinson - Yahoo! Sports
Suspended Auburn University point guard Varez Ward is under investigation by federal authorities in an ongoing point-shaving probe, Yahoo! Sports has learned.
Three sources with knowledge of the case said the FBI has been investigating Ward since late February after he and guard Chris Denson were suspended by the Tigers prior to a Feb. 25 home game against Arkansas. Two sources said Denson was also questioned as part of the point-shaving investigation, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing and returned to the team after sitting out the loss to the Razorbacks. The sources said additional players have been questioned in the case about whether Ward – who has not been with the team since being suspended – attempted to enlist them in a possible scheme. The sources said at least two games are under scrutiny: a 68-50 loss to Alabama on Feb. 7 and a 56-53 loss to Arkansas on Jan. 25. CONTINUE....
Suspended Auburn University point guard Varez Ward is under investigation by federal authorities in an ongoing point-shaving probe, Yahoo! Sports has learned.
Three sources with knowledge of the case said the FBI has been investigating Ward since late February after he and guard Chris Denson were suspended by the Tigers prior to a Feb. 25 home game against Arkansas. Two sources said Denson was also questioned as part of the point-shaving investigation, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing and returned to the team after sitting out the loss to the Razorbacks. The sources said additional players have been questioned in the case about whether Ward – who has not been with the team since being suspended – attempted to enlist them in a possible scheme. The sources said at least two games are under scrutiny: a 68-50 loss to Alabama on Feb. 7 and a 56-53 loss to Arkansas on Jan. 25. CONTINUE....
Rabu, 07 Maret 2012
U.S. Soccer Team No. 27 In Latest FIFA Rankings
APEX Sports Newswires
The United States Men's National Soccer Team rose 4 places to No. 27 in the latest FIFA rankings after a 1-0 upset of Italy last week in a friendly. The U.S. had never defeated Italy in soccer.
NFLPA Says It Will Do Own Bounty Investigation
By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Pro Football Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The NFL Players Association will do its own investigation of the New Orleans Saints' bounty system and asked the league to help set up interviews with the team's coaches and front-office staff.
In a statement released Wednesday, the union vowed to "vigorously protect the rights of all players." CONTINUE....
AP Pro Football Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The NFL Players Association will do its own investigation of the New Orleans Saints' bounty system and asked the league to help set up interviews with the team's coaches and front-office staff.
In a statement released Wednesday, the union vowed to "vigorously protect the rights of all players." CONTINUE....
Messi Hits Five For Barcelona
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeBARCELONA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi at his breathtaking best tore Bayer Leverkusen apart with a record five-goal Champions League haul on Wednesday as Barcelona swept into the quarter-finals 7-1 on the night and 10-2 on aggregate.
The Argentine World Player of the Year became the first player to score five in a Champions League match. Substitute Cristian Tello scored twice as the holders equalled the biggest victory margin in the knockout stages of the competition.
Messi, who did not appear to have a bead of sweat on him after the match at the Nou Camp, took his tally to 12 goals in seven Champions League appearances this term, equalling the record for a single season he shares with former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
All five strikes against a hapless Leverkusen, including brilliant dinked efforts with either foot, showcased the stunning skills honed in Barca's youth academy that have won him the World Player award for the past three years.
"The important thing is what the team did and that we qualified for the next round," a typically modest Messi said in a television interview.
"It's nice to score five but winning was the priority," added the 24-year-old, clutching the match ball and smiling shyly. READ ON....
Manning: 'I Have Truly Enjoyed Being Your QB'
Peyton Manning's record-breaking run as quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts ended Wednesday, when owner Jim Irsay announced the team would release its best player.
Source: Temple To Play Football In The Big East
Image via WikipediaTemple football will begin play in the Big East this upcoming season, a source confirmed Wednesday to ESPN's Joe Schad.
The Owls will join the conference in all other sports in 2013, another source said.
The Big East will hold a 5:30 p.m. ET news conference at the men's basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden, but did not specify what the topic would be.
The football program played in the Mid-American Conference from 2007 through last season, while all other Temple programs, including men's basketball, are in the Atlantic 10.
The MAC announced Wednesday afternoon its divorce with Temple. STORY....
NCAA Tournament Selection Chairman: Kentucky, Syracuse Have NCAA Edge
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeEven the chairman of the tight-lipped NCAA selection committee can't deny this simple fact: Heading into this week's conference tournaments, there's Kentucky and Syracuse, and then everybody else.
In a teleconference to preview Sunday's release of the NCAA tournament pairings, committee chairman Jeff Hathaway all but handed two of the four top seeds to the Wildcats and Orange, each of whom entered their conference tournaments with a record of 30-1.
"I think we all agree that if the season ended today, we know who the two best teams are," he said Wednesday. "If you're looking at 3 and 4 on the first line and the entire second line, we have the same handful of teams in mind but where they would be laced will be a tremendous debate."
Though Hathaway, the former athletic director at defending national champion Connecticut, did not get specific, among those lumped into consideration for the other top seeds are Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio State and Michigan State.
The brackets come out Sunday evening, with the tournament starting Tuesday. MORE....
Manning Era Comes To A Close In Indianapolis
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeDuring an emotional news conference in which both Peyton Manning and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay fought back tears, the team announced the conclusion of Manning's playing career with the only franchise he's known in his NFL career.
"For 14 wonderful years, the only pro football I've known is Colts football," Manning said during Wednesday's news conference.
"My team won a lot of games here, I played with so many great players here. ... Times change, circumstances change and that's the reality of playing in the NFL."
Manning added: "Our circumstances make it best for us to take this next step. It certainly has not been easy for me." CONTINUE....
Selasa, 06 Maret 2012
Colts Expected To Part Ways With Peyton Manning After 14 Seasons
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe ending that most anticipated between the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning will arrive on Wednesday, according to league sources, when the team is expected to release the four-time NFL MVP.
The team has made preliminary plans for the news conference Wednesday to officially announce the move.
The Colts are awaiting the final word from owner Jim Irsay, who has been out of town at meetings, but the expectation is they will go forward with the release and the press conference. Manning and Irsay will both travel from Florida to Indianapolis on Wednesday, possibly together, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer.
The move has been widely expected, as the rebuilding Colts owe Manning, the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, a $28 million bonus if he is on the team's roster at the start of the league year. Manning will become a free agent immediately. STORY....
Sidney Crosby Cleared For Contact, Return Date Not Set
Image via WikipediaPITTSBURGH -- Finally, the news the Pittsburgh Penguins waited three months to hear: Sidney Crosby is symptom-free and is expected to resume playing soon.
Crosby, sidelined for all but eight games this season due to concussion-like symptoms, was cleared for contact and practiced with the Penguins on Tuesday. He could return as early as Sunday, when the Penguins play the Boston Bruins, though Crosby is not pinpointing a specific return date.
"No sooner than Sunday, I would say, but I'm not going to sit here and put a date on it," said Crosby, who expects to take part in game-day morning skates Wednesday and Friday and full practices Thursday and Saturday. "It would be total guesswork. I just want to make sure I get through these days fine."
If all goes well the rest of the week, Crosby said, "That would be a great decision to make if I get to that point." READ ON....
The City Of Orlando Lives In Fear Of Being Abandoned By "Superman"
Image via Wikipedia(Reuters) - Dwight Howard is the face of the Orlando Magic franchise but the towering center and scoring leader's uncertain future in Florida following a trade request is taking its toll on team morale.
The Magic, one season on from a first-round loss in the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, are battling the Miami Heat for the Southeast division crown but Howard's future and how it may impact his team mates remains high on the agenda. CONTINUE....
Patrick Ewing Among 10 Chosen For College Basketball Hall Of Fame
Image via WikipediaAP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Joe B. Hall played under Adolph Rupp at Kentucky in the late-1940s. He spent seven years as an assistant to the Baron of the Bluegrass, too.
So when Rupp stepped down after winning nearly 900 games and four national championships, and Hall was appointed his successor, the size of the challenge never really occurred to him. FULL STORY....
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