Players reject NBA's offer, begin to disband union (AP)

NEW YORK – The NBA players rejected the league's latest offer Monday and have begun the process to disband the union.

The decision likely jeopardizes the season.

"We're prepared to file this antitrust action against the NBA," union executive director Billy Hunter said. "That's the best situation where players can get their due process."

He said players were not prepared to accept the NBA Commissioner David Stern's ultimatum, saying they thought it was "extremely unfair."

"This is the best decision for the players," union president Derek Fisher said. "I want to reiterate that point, that a lot of individual players have a lot of things personally at stake in terms of their careers and where they stand. And right now they feel it's important — we all feel it's important to all our players, not just the ones in this room, but our entire group — that we not only try to get a deal done for today but for the body of NBA players that will come into this league over the next decade and beyond."

Fisher, flanked at a press conference by dozens of players including Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony, said the decision was unanimous.

Stern had urged players to take the deal on the table, saying it's the best the NBA can offer and warned that decertification is not a winning strategy.

Over the weekend, he also said he would not cancel the season this week.

Regardless, damage has already been done, in many ways.

Financially, both sides have lost hundreds of millions because of the games missed and the countless more that will be wiped out before play resumes. Team employees are losing money, and in some cases, jobs. And both the NBA and NBPA eventually must regain the loyalty of an angered fan base that wonders how the league reached this low point after such a strong 2010-11 season.

The proposal rejected by the players called for a 50-50 division of basketball-related income and proposed a 72-game season beginning Dec. 15.

On Sunday, the league made a very public push on the positives of the deal — hosting a 90-minute twitter chat to answer questions from players and fans, posting a YouTube video to explain the key points and sending a memo from Stern to players urging them to "study our proposal carefully, and to accept it as a fair compromise of the issues between us."

In the memo, posted on the league's website, Stern highlighted points of the deal and asked players to focus on the compromises the league made during negotiations, such as dropping its demands for a hard salary cap, non-guaranteed contracts and salary rollbacks.

Union officials repeatedly have said the system issues are perhaps more important to them than the split of basketball-related income, but owners say they need fundamental changes in both to allow for a chance to profit and to ensure more competitive balance throughout the league.

The previous CBA expired at the end of the day June 30. Despite a series of meetings in June, there was never much hope of a deal before that deadline, with owners wanting significant changes after saying they lost $300 million last season and hundreds of millions more in each year of the old agreement, which was ratified in 2005.

Owners wanted to keep more of the league's nearly $4 billion in basketball revenues to themselves after guaranteeing 57 percent to the players under the old deal. And they sought a system where even the smallest-market clubs could compete, believing the current system would always favor the teams who could spend the most.

Monday marked the 137th day of the lockout; the NFL lockout lasted 136 days.

___

Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: twitter.com/Briancmahoney

View the original article here

NCAA: 8 Miami players must sit out games (AP)

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – For Miami coach Al Golden, there is relief.

And for the Hurricanes implicated in an extra-benefits scandal, there will be a return to the field this season.

The NCAA said Tuesday that quarterback Jacory Harris and 11 other Hurricanes who accepted benefits from former booster Nevin Shapiro may play with some conditions — the first sanctions in a scandal that overshadows the program.

Three players who accepted benefits as recruits were hit hardest, a six-game ban for Olivier Vernon and four-game penalties for Ray Ray Armstrong and Dyron Dye.

"I think it was probably fair," Golden told The Associated Press in response to the NCAA ruling. "Clearly, whatever transpired, it wasn't as over-the-top as everybody was initially reporting and all of those things. The NCAA and the university felt there was mistakes made ... and I've accepted that. And now we're moving forward."

In all, 12 players must pay restitution and eight will miss at least one game.

Miami opens its season at Maryland on Monday night.

The Hurricanes still might face many more penalties as the NCAA's investigation into Miami's compliance practices continues.

Miami is one of a growing list of schools with major football programs to be investigated by the NCAA for rule-breaking in the past 18 months, a club that includes Southern California, Ohio State, Auburn, Oregon, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and LSU.

"Our members have continually stressed that involvement of third parties during recruitment will not be tolerated," NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs Kevin Lennon said.

The scandal broke days after NCAA President Mark Emmert led a group of university presidents — including Miami's Donna Shalala — in drafting an outline for change in college sports. When the allegations against Miami became public, Emmert said if they were proven, they could further show that the system needs repair.

Around the ACC, a similar sentiment is being shared.

"The Miami thing, that's a great example," said Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, whose team had to vacate its 2009 ACC title because it used an ineligible player. "If there's kids there that did it ... they need to get punished. But if it goes back to 2002 and all those guys are gone, nothing is going to happen to them. What's going to happen is to the 80 percent of the kids who are there who didn't know anything about it or the coach who didn't know anything about it."

Harris, Sean Spence, Travis Benjamin, Marcus Forston and Adewale Ojomo — all likely Miami starters — must sit out one game after it was determined they accepted benefits after enrolling at the school. Four other players must repay small amounts, all under $100, but will not miss any games.

"They understand that their actions demand consequences," Miami athletic director Shawn Eichorst said.

A 13th player, Marcus Robinson, was vindicated of wrongdoing, the university said.

The players who have to miss games may practice with the team during their suspensions.

"It's nice to have it out there now," Miami center Tyler Horn said. "There's no suspense in the air. We know what we have. We know what we're taking to Maryland."

Said Golden: "I'm relieved. I think that's a fair assessment."

The NCAA's ruling means Stephen Morris — who led Miami past the Terrapins last season — will be at quarterback for the Hurricanes to start the season. Harris, Spence, Benjamin, Forston and Ojomo all will be eligible to play when Miami hosts Ohio State on Sept. 17.

"They'll still be motivating us," left tackle Joel Figueroa said. "We're going to welcome them back with open arms, and we know they'll be ready to perform when the time comes."

The process of evaluating the eligibility of Miami student-athletes might not be over yet. Shalala revealed last week that university compliance personnel were investigating 15 student-athletes.

Of those, 13 were addressed by Tuesday's football decisions. A 14th is believed to be basketball player DeQuan Jones, who was also implicated by Shapiro's claims to Yahoo Sports. The identity of the 15th is unknown.

Also Tuesday, senior wide receiver Aldarius Johnson — who was also implicated by Shapiro, but not named in Tuesday's NCAA statement — was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.

"We clearly have identified what our travel team is now," Golden said. "Everybody's going to get their roles (Wednesday) and by 7 a.m. we're going to be back on the practice field. That's been kind of our sanctum anyway. That's been the safest place for us this whole time."

The NCAA said Vernon must repay more than $1,200 because as a recruit he accepted things such as access to Shapiro's suite at a Miami home game, drinks and cover charges at two different nightclubs. Vernon was one of 72 Miami players and recruits that Shapiro claimed he provided benefits to during an eight-year span, allegations he detailed in a Yahoo Sports story published Aug. 16.

Armstrong must repay $788, the believed worth of his extra benefits, while Dye will pay $738.

Forston, the NCAA said, received more than $400 in things such as "athletic equipment, meals, nightclub cover charges and entertainment at a gentleman's club." Spence received about $275 in benefits, Ojomo $240, Benjamin more than $150 and Harris more than $140.

Brandon McGee, JoJo Nicholas, Vaughn Telemaque and Micanor Regis all must pay less than $100 for taking various impermissible benefits. Regis was not one of the players Shapiro said accepted benefits. The sanctions of those four players were announced by the university, which is operating a joint investigation with the NCAA.

"I'm glad that chapter is closed," Golden said. "I'm proud of our guys. I think they were, from every report I've gotten, were honest and forthright. And now we get ready for the University of Maryland."

View the original article here

Arrest warrants issued for LSU players over fight (AP)

BATON ROUGE, La. – Police obtained arrest warrants Friday for LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and a teammate, Joshua Johns, on charges of second-degree battery for a bar fight that injured four people last week, and the players have been suspended indefinitely by the school.

Baton Rouge police Sgt. Don Stone said investigators have contacted the players' attorney, Nathan Fisher, and LSU coach Les Miles, and asked for the players to turn themselves in.

Jefferson and Johns, a linebacker, face felony charges for their alleged roles in a fight outside Shady's bar in Baton Rouge on Aug. 19.

"We will continue to cooperate with the authorities in an effort to find out exactly what took place during the incident," Miles said. "As sad as this incident is, it's important that we learn from this and that we take away a valuable lesson. This has weighed on all of us. It's time for us to come together as a team and focus on what we are here to do."

A police report says a 19-year-old woman named Victoria Long said she witnessed several LSU players beating one of the alleged victims and saw Jefferson kick that man in the face.

Four people were treated and released at a hospital in the hours after the fight, and police have said one person had three fractured vertebrae, injuries serious enough to warrant felony charges.

Two witnesses who work at the bar told The Associated Press that the players did not throw the first punch, but added that once the melee began, it was difficult to see who hit whom, and could not verify the extent to which Jefferson and Johns were involved.

Shady's door manager Jordan Neldare, who said he witnessed the fight, said he noticed that Jefferson removed himself from the brawl before it was over, and was standing alone near the bar's entrance, looking upset.

Police have identified Jefferson, Johns, offensive lineman Chris Davenport, and receiver Jarvis Landry as people of interest in the fight.

The four players, who each were interviewed by investigators Tuesday, have hired defense attorney Nathan Fisher, who did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment on the arrest warrants.

On Wednesday, police executed a search warrant of Jefferson's apartment and took 49 pairs of shoes, along with a DNA swab.

Under team orders, LSU players have not discussed the fight publicly since it happened.

Fourth-ranked LSU opens its season Sept. 3 against No. 3 Oregon in Dallas. Although Johns is a reserve, Jefferson was expected to start.

Now fellow senior Jarrett Lee is the likely starter, with sophomore Zach Mettenberger, a junior college transfer, next in line.

Jefferson, a senior, guided LSU to an 11-2 record last season. He is 20-7 as a starter, but the team ranked last in passing in the Southeastern Conference last season, with 155.6 yards per game.

Still, LSU has numerous key players returning and was expected to compete for Southeastern Conference and national championships this season.

The team's success now will ride on how the players are able to regroup from a series of setbacks this offseason, one of which occurred Thursday when LSU suspended starting wide receiver Russell Shepard for violating school and NCAA codes that pertain to discussing NCAA inquiries with teammates who are also scheduled to be interviewed on the same matter.

LSU plans to apply for Shepard's reinstatement, but it is unclear how long that will take. The receiver will miss at least the opener and possibly more games.

Shepard had been interviewed about the NCAA's ongoing investigation into the relationship that scouting services provider and purported street agent Willie Lyles has had with a number of college football programs, including both LSU and Oregon.

Earlier this summer, Steve Kragthorpe, who was hired after last season as the Tigers' new offensive coordinator, announced he had Parkinson's disease. He has remained on staff as quarterbacks coach, but relinquished offensive coordinator duties. Miles has since promoted offensive line coach Greg Studrawa to fill that void.

View the original article here

NFL players say they're not tied to deal deadline (AP)

By HOWARD FENDRICH and BARRY WILNER, AP Pro Football Writers Howard Fendrich And Barry Wilner, Ap Pro Football Writers – 1?hr?38?mins?ago

WASHINGTON – Cautioning not to assume the lockout will be over by the weekend, NFL Players Association president Kevin Mawae said his group is "not tied" to a deadline for getting a deal done in the next 24 hours.

"We want to go back to work," Mawae said Wednesday outside NFLPA headquarters, "but we will not agree to a deal unless it's the best deal for the players."

If the four-month lockout — the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987 — is going to end in time to keep the preseason completely intact, the players and owners almost certainly must ratify the deal by Thursday. The St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears are scheduled to open the preseason Aug. 7 in the Hall of Fame game.

The NFLPA's executive committee and representatives of all 32 teams were meeting in Washington, prepared to review and vote on a full agreement — if they received it later Wednesday. Members of the NFL's labor committee were meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, so they could decide whether to recommend a finalized proposal to all club owners.

The owners then would vote Thursday; at least 24 would need to OK the deal. If it's passed by both sides, team executives would be schooled Thursday and Friday in Atlanta in the guidelines and how to apply them; topics would include the 2011 NFL calendar, rookie salary system and new free agency rules.

"Our goal today is to see what is on the table and discuss outlying issues," Mawae said. "The players are not tied to a July 21 timeline. Our timeline is that which gives us the best deal for the players — today, tomorrow or whatever it might be."

Two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that players and owners were expected to review a potential agreement by midday Wednesday. Another person, however, said there still were issues to be resolved.

All three people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the process was supposed to remain confidential.

The NFLPA's executive committee reviewed only portions of a potential agreement Tuesday, with not enough information to warrant a vote yet.

There still were unresolved issues Tuesday, including what it would take to get the 10 plaintiffs — including quarterbacks Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson and Patriots guard Logan Mankins — to sign off on a settlement to their antitrust lawsuit against the NFL that is pending in federal court in Minnesota.

Late Tuesday, Jackson tweeted: "I have made no demands, I wanna play ball like the rest of my peers!"

"Obviously, there's the litigation with the named plaintiffs, and I am not familiar with the whole legal part of it. ... But at the end of the day," Mawae said, "the deal we are working on is the deal that's best for all the players in the NFL, and not just four guys."

Another pending dispute has been the TV networks case, in which players accused owners of setting up $4 billion in "lockout insurance."

The country's most popular professional sports league has been in limbo since the old collective bargaining agreement expired March 11. The lockout began hours later. The regular-season opener is scheduled for Sept. 8, when the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are to host the New Orleans Saints.

___

Follow Howard Fendrich at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

View the original article here

NBA players, owners meet as lockout looms (AP)

NEW YORK – Representatives for NBA players and owners have arrived for a meeting that could determine if there is a lockout.

The sides started their meeting about 12 hours before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.

They remain far apart on nearly every important issue, and owners could lock out the players if a deal is not reached by the end of the day. Or they could extend the deadline if progress has been made.

Both sides, however, indicated last week they may not have any more concessions to make, with players declining to offer a new proposal in the most recent session.

The league hasn't had a work stoppage since the 1998-99 season was reduced to 50 games.

View the original article here