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Hendry: Milton Bradley contract a mistake; BCS's Bill Hancock wants U.S. Senators off BCS's back; Senator Hatch's demand letter to Bill Hancock; StarCaps update

2010-03-11T04:01:00Z

March 11, 2010

This story may not be Sports Law, but here at SLT we will never forget Milton Bradley saying, "I'm not talking about that. What else you got?". So when Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry talks smack about Milton Bradley we take notice. Besides, the Cubs are paying for the three year $30 million contract they gave to Bradley and Hendry now says it was a mistake.

Head of BCS gets mad at United States Senators

Executive Director Bill Hancock thinks Congress, “has more important things to do” than look into the BCS.

Here's the letter that Senator Orrin G. Hatch sent to Bill Hancock requesting a response to two sets of questions.

Starcaps case update

Last week at SLT we had the pleasure of being able to interview Alison Fitzgerald, the compliance official at the Univerity of Illinois Springfield.To see the interview refer to the SLT blog of March 1. Over the course of the interview we learned a great deal about the Sports Law Program at Marquette University. If any readers would care to tell us about their Law School's Sports Law Program, this is your chance. Simply provide us with the pertinent information by e-mailing us at respond@sportslawtalk.com

MLS opens without CBA; Ron Prince; Sean Wieber; NASCAR substance abuse suspensions

2010-03-10T01:10:00Z

March 10, 2010

MLS soccer action will take place without a collective bargaining agreement in place. The MLS is a single entity league that negotiates all player contracts. Seems like we heard something about a single entity in everyone's favorite case - American Needle. How many readers remember the the NFL playing without a CBA from 1987 through 1993?

Outstanding attorney has record of achievement from Northwestern University's football team to the firm of Winston & Strawn

Sean Wieber was a player running in practice with Rashidi Ayodele Wheeler when Wheeler suffered cardiac arrest and died. This motivated Wieber to work on a shell bill in a legislative advocacy class at Chicago-Kent College of Law. His goal was to require that automated external defibrillators be available to enhance survival chances in situations such as the one in which his team-mate died. His efforts in class, then through the legislative process, were key in the bill becoming a state law in 2008.

Mr. Wieber has already received awards from the Illinois State Bar Association and his school, and at this point in a stellar career is a third year associate at Winston & Strawn.

Ron Prince Update

One of the more intriguing cases we have been following at SLT is that of ex-football coach Ron Prince and Kansas State. Kansas State, of course, is trying to claim that the so- called "secret contract" signed by Ron Prince and Kansas State''s former Athletic Director Bob Krause is really no contract at all. Now, Ron Prince has just been hired as the offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts. You can bet Ron Prince won't have any secret contracts with Colts owner Jim Irsay.

NASCAR suspensions

Jeremy Mayfield's former brother-in-law, William David Keith, was one of two crewman suspended for violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy. When deposed last year, Keith had stated that he witnessed Mayfield repeatedly using methamphetamines. Keith is a spotter for David Gilliland in the Sprint Cup Series. The other crewman suspended works for Daisy Ramirez Motorsports.

Joe Mauer-Twins negotiations; Bud Selig looking at HGH testing; Mike Leach deposition; StarCaps update

2010-03-09T04:01:00Z

March 9, 2010

With Spring Training well under way, the most interesting story in baseball relating to contracts has to be the Joe Mauer - Minnesota Twins negotiation.

Joe Mauer is a true baseball Super Star. Mauer plays for his hometown team, the Twins. Mauer is the franchise. The Twins, playing in a small market, have always found a way to compete in the American League Central with a limited budget. In fact, several years ago Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen labeled the Twins "the piranhas" for the way the team battled and found ways to win. Now, with Mauer in the last year of his contract, will the Twins and Mauer find a way to get this deal done by opening day? The bet here is that it will get done over the next month, and before opening day.

HGH testing is something MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is looking at, but it may not happen right away.

                                           Game on!

When we last left this case a judge had ordered the two sides to attempt to mediate the matter. Not much came of the mediation. So it's back to court. Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is set to be deposed by attorneys for Texas Tech. So it's GAME ON. This case promises to be around for quite sometime and we don't expect any settlement in the near future.

StarCaps trial has begun

Among the issues to be settled at trial:

    Who employs the players? The Vikes; the NFL? A Minnesota judge already found that if the NFL even partially employs the players, Minnesota labor law must be followed.

    Did the NFL violate Minnesota confidentiality law? The league denies leaking the test results to the press, making the Williams the last to know.

NFL suspends James Ferguson for PEDs; StarCaps case trial

2010-03-08T04:01:00Z

March 8, 2010

8 game suspension for James Ferguson for violating NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances

This is the second such violation that has seen Ferguson suspended. In 1999 he sat out 4 games for testing positive for steroids.

StarCaps case trial begins today

Minnesota Vikings Pat Williams and Kevin Williams have their day in state court. Also see SLT blogs of 2/22/10, 12/16/09, 11/4/09, 9/16/09, and 7/10/09.

New Orleans Saints Charles Grant and Will Smith, who were suspended for testing positive for a banned diuretic in 2008, will be affected by the outcome. Although not parties to the lawsuit, they are currently not under suspension due to a decision by the NFL to wait upon that action until the Vikings' case is decided.

NFL free agency begins today; Baylor's Brittney Griner throws punch and is suspended; Chargers decide to keep Sproles; 0-3 year players getting deals done

2010-03-05T04:01:00Z

March 5, 2010

NFL free agency begins today and ushers in a season without a salary cap. With the uncapped season come new rules; players need six years of service to be unrestricred free-agents, players with 4 and 5 years of service now become restricted free agents. Prior to this year, after four years of service a player was an unrestricted free agent, and three years of service allowed a player to be a restricted free agent.

Thus, the uncapped season begins. Will the NFL ever get the NFLPA to go back to a capped season? Will the owners regret that they cut short the CBA? Will we again see the bitter struggles between owners and players that occurred in the 1970's and 1980's? Will there be a lock-out in 2011? Stay tuned; these questions will be answered over the coming months.

Brittney Griner throws punch and lands suspension

For at least one game, Brittney Griner has been suspended for a "fighting act". The NCAA will decide upon what, if any, additional disciplinary action will be taken.

We didn't see this coming

The Chargers tendered Darren Sproles just before free agency. The offer is a $7,283,000.00 one year contract.

An illustration of 0-3 year players getting their deals done

14 Texas Rangers signed one-year contracts before the team’s first spring training game.

James Paxton leaves University of Kentucky baseball; Soccer's Collective Bargaining Agreement runs out; Where Are They Now?

2010-03-04T04:01:00Z

March 4, 2010

It was not that long ago that former Oklahoma State pitcher Andy Oliver and the NCAA reached a settlement that allowed the NCAA to maintain it's rules regarding agents and college baseball players. Now, another stand-out collegiate hurler, this time at the University of Kentucky, has left the baseball team at Kentucky. James Paxton was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays last summer. When it was reported that Scott Boras spoke to the Blue Jays on Paxton's behalf, and Paxton decided to go back to UK for his senior year, the trouble began. This link does a nice job of breaking down the situation and shedding light on the issues at hand.

Major League Soccer's CBA has run out. The MLS Players Union did not respond to the league's pledge that there would be no lockout with an offer not to strike.

MLS commissioner Don Garber commented, "We will not make any decisions just to avoid a work stoppage."

Where are they now?

Chris Zorich
Usually when we do a "Where are they now?" it has been about a high profile agent/attorney who has gotten out of the business or moved on to other endeavors.Today we feature a former stand-out college football player who had a seven year NFL career. He then received a law degree and practiced law for four years. He then returned to his alma mater, Notre Dame, to become the Manager of Student Welfare and Development. Zorich also serves on the Knight commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.

Since we took a look at Chris Zorich who serves on the Knight Commission, we would be remiss if we did not mention another college and professional standout, this time in basketball who also happens to be an attorney; Len Elmore . Len Elmore received his law degree from Harvard University, and has been an extraordinary sports lawyer.

Athletes Premier International (API) and Hendircks Sports Management settle out-of-court; Players who decide not to go on to pro football; Stephen Strasburg to minors?

2010-03-03T04:01:00Z

March 3, 2010

Poaching is a word synonymous with the agent business. Drew Rosenhaus gets his share of notoriety for his alleged tactics in luring players over to his agency. Over the past few months the Hendricks Brothers (Randy and Alan) have generated a lot of media coverage. Cuban pitching prospect Aroldis Chapman left the agency of Edwin Mejia for Hendricks SportsManagement and the fireworks began.

Shortly after Chapman went over to the Hendricks Brothers he signed a contract for somewhere in the area of $30 million dollars with the Cincinnati Reds. Edwin Mejia quickly moved to file suit against the Hendricks Brothers in Massachusetts state court. The lawsuit accused the Hendricks Brothers of tortuous interference and unjust enrichment.

With the news of the past week involving the possible embezzlement of $300,000.00 from Kendry Morales by an associate of Hendricks Sports Management, the reported out-of-court settlement is most timely.

The agents among you know that every so often they'll recruit a player and then find out that the player really does not want to continue on to the next level. This is an infrequent occurrence in the NFL of today, with the chance to draw a huge salary so quickly. Nebraska's Jacob Hickman is a rare example of a player who knew he had enough of the grind that is football.

Stephen Strasburg, whose contract negotiation with the Washington Nationals went down to the wire last August, may not start the year on the National's roster. Manager Jim Riggleman feels it may be in Strasburg's best interest to get a feel for Double A or Triple A ball first. Also, by delaying his time in the big leagues, the Nationals potentially save money by delaying Strasburg's Major League service time, thus keeping him away from arbitration for another year.

Spring training contract renewal; NFL clubs' due diligence

2010-03-02T04:01:00Z

March 2, 2010

Ah yes, spring training in Arizona and Florida. Opening Day can't be that far away. Yes, it is that time of year. The time of year when Major League players with 0-3 years of service get their contracts renewed.

Between March 2 and March 11 clubs may renew the contracts of the younger players who do not have enough service time to go to arbitration. This is the time when the club has the control. If you go way back before the days of Marvin Miller this was the way it was for every player. Of course those day's are long gone.

Here's a link from last season looking at how the New York Yankees dealt with their 0-3 players.

As the article states most players accept their fate and sign. However, many agents
believe the player should refuse to sign, because they believe it builds a stronger case for the player when he becomes arbitration eligible.

Ryan Howard's record renewal in 2007 received plenty of mention in the media in 2007 when he was coming off an MVP season. This link takes us back to 2007.

It's that time a year again in football, when clubs must do their due diligence and decide if they are really getting the value they need to see from some players in order to tender them a contract offer. The San Diego Chargers have to come to the conclusion that both LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles are not worth the money.

Interview with Alison Fitzgerald, Compliance Director at the University of Illinois Springfield; Scott Boras now representing Kendry Morales; Rangers void Khalil Greene's contract

2010-03-02T00:22:00Z

March 1, 2010

Today Sportslawtalk welcomes assistant director of athletics for compliance at the University of Illinois Springfield, Alison Fitzgerald. Ms. Fitzgerald gives insights on what it’s like to be involved in a college athletic department as a compliance director. Alison graduated from the highly regarded Marquette Law School sports law program.

SLT - Marquette University's sports law program is well known throughout the country. Can you tell us what made you decide to go there, and particularly how the program prepared you for the sports law field after law school?

Alison Fitzgerald - While completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, I had a number of conversations with my advisor about law school. In researching law schools, the National Sports Law Institute (NSLI) and Sports Law Certificate program that was offered at Marquette University Law School (MULS) really jumped out to me as a way to combine many of my different interests into a career that I would enjoy. I owe all of my preparation to MULS and the Sports Law program. Not only were there many sports law classes offered, but I was also set up with different internships in the area.

Although the classes that I took at MULS ranged from general law classes to amateur sports law to professional sports law, my internships focused on college athletics. I had three internships during law school that greatly prepared me for my current role as a compliance director: first, as an intern for the compliance director at the Marquette University Athletic Department; second, as an intern for the NCAA Office of Government Relations; and third, as an intern for the compliance director at the University of Wisconsin, Parkside Athletic Department.

The NSLI held a number of career panels and special events with speakers from the sports law industry for us (students) as well.

SLT - You were able to get several internships before you began at Illinois Springfield. Would you share with our readers how you were able to get the internships?

AF - In order to graduate from MULS with a Sports Law Certificate, program members are required to complete at least one internship. The directors of the program work with students to find the best internship matches (through an interview process). The first internship that I was set up with was through the Athletic Department at Marquette University. I pursued the summer internship with the NCAA Office of Government Relations independent of the Sports Law program (although I did hear of the opportunity through a job posting at MULS). I was offered that summer internship after interviewing for the position. When I returned to MULS in the fall of my third year, I was interested in gaining more experience and was again set up with an internship, this time with the Athletic Department at UW-Parkside.

SLT- Is there a typical day for you in your position, and does your day vary by the time of year?

AF - The beginning of both Fall and Spring semesters are definitely the busiest time of the year because of academic eligibility certification. During those times, my focus is first on ensuring that all squad lists are accurate and that all student-athletes on those squad lists are academically eligible to compete. Outside of those times, I focus on monitoring playing and practice seasons, recruiting, transfer releases, official and unofficial visits, and full-time enrollment or any changes in academic status. I also serve as the advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and interact with student-athletes on a daily basis.

SLT- Illinois Springfield is making the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, how does this change your responsibilities and duties?

AF - My duties and responsibilities haven't really changed during this transition period because my original duties and responsibilities were to help lead the transition. I have helped to implement and carry out all NCAA compliance systems, and now that those are in place, I continue to monitor compliance with NCAA rules.

SLT - Most sports law professionals at one time considered being an agent. Did you ever considering becoming an agent?

AF - Before I knew what other options were available to me, I considered becoming an agent but was never sold on the idea. My interests in athletics and law made me first think about a career as a sports agent. After doing some research on law schools, I came across the National Sports Law Institute at MULS and realized that there were many other career paths that I could take. Once I started the Sports Law Certificate program at MULS my focus quickly changed to a career in college athletics. College athletics is the better fit for my personality and interests.

SLT - What advice would you have for a youngster interested in the sports law field, and how they should pursue their goals?

AF - Be open-minded about the opportunities that are available to you, but at the same time, do not settle for something that will not benefit you either personally or professionally. You do not have to have your exact career path planned out, but knowing your strengths and interests will help you be more successful in whichever path you choose.

SLT - Thanks for the look inside the Marquette University Law School Sports Law Certificate program. Our readers will appreciate the look at your role as director of compliance at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Los Angeles Angel's Kendry Morales signs with Scott Boras

Morales fired agents Randy and Alan Hendricks in the move. The Coral Springs, Florida Police Department and the MLBPA are questioning Rodney Fernandez, a former employee of Hendricks Sports Management, in the matter of a missing $300,000. from Morales' bank account.

The Angels GM had this to say. "He (Morales) has representation, he has a union that will address these issues. That's between him and them."

Rangers void Khalil Greene's contract Greene suffers from social anxiety disorder. The illness, "is the most common anxiety disorder and the third most common mental disorder in the U.S. An estimated 19.2 million Americans have social anxiety disorder." according to Amal Chakraburtty, MD, on WebMD.com.

Dealings between the Rangers and Greene are amicable. According to Rangers GM Jon Daniels, "Khalil has made it very clear that he is not looking to profit from this situation. I've got a lot of respect for how he and his agent have handled this."

The illness did result in Greene's going on the disabled list in 2009.

NFLPA and NFL meet in Indy; Nike and Tiger; Eli Manning's problematic marketing deal with hospital

2010-02-26T01:20:00Z

February 26, 2010

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell were working on a new collective bargaining agreement Thursday, but apparently no particular progress was made.

Nike made it's mark by not being afraid to separate itself from the pack and taking gambles and is sticking by Tiger Woods. When Tiger makes his comeback, which he eventually will, Nike will be there with him.

The perils of entering into endorsement contracts .

Abby and Eli Manning

Not being able to forsee the future can be a problem; just ask Tiger Woods' former endoresement partners. Eli Manning has run into problems of his own with financially strapped St. Vincent's Hospital.

The public and the media apply a double standard for acceptance of PED's in football versus baseball; Scott Boras actually gets praised in the media

2010-02-25T04:01:00Z

February 25, 2010

Yesterday reports surfaced about testing for HGH in both baseball and football. The continuing media coverage of the issue of steroids reminds SLT about a Saturday Night Live skit dating back to the 2008 Democratic primary season. The skit focused on the debates between then-Senators Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama, and the favored treatment the media bestowed upon Obama. The highlight of the skit came when one of the moderators asked the actor playing Obama if he would like another pillow.

We get the feeling that the media and the public treat football in the same way the skit on SNL treated now-President Obama. Whereas baseball gets the tough questions and continuing scrutiny from the media, football gets off easy.

For the last decade baseball has faced a continuous barrage (and rightly so) from the media on the steroid issue, while football has not received anywhere near the scrutiny. We do admit that baseball was much later getting involved with a testing program. But why should football get close to a free pass?

Is there a public perception that some football players do use performance enhancing drugs and that is a part of the game? Maybe the best example of this double standard occurred in 2005. Luis Castillo, now of the San Diego Chargers, had just come off his senior year in college in 2004. He bravely played his final season with an elbow injury that would require Tommy John surgery. After the end of his season he decided against the surgery and started to prepare for the combine. He noticed that with the injured elbow he was making little progress in some areas of his combine preparation.Would he just go to the combine and watch his draft grade plummet because of his weakened condition? No. Part of his prepartion for the combine involved the use of PED's. Castillo went to the combine and had a lights out performance and reclaimed his first round grade. Remember that PED's allow one to recover quicker and in turn to be able to do more in the weight room.

Prior to the draft, news broke that Castillo had tested positive for PED's. Castillo and his management team then embarked on a campaign to say how sorry he was for the whole episode.The media embraced Castillo for his honesty. On draft day Castillo was a first round pick of the Chargers after all. Castillo had beaten the system. He was able to turn in a great combine performance because of the PED's, and then publicly apologize for it. What would his combine numbers have been if he had just let nature heal his injury? Would he still have been a first rounder?

The point is, Castillo was treated as more of a hero, and was able to reap the rewards of being a first rounder. If this had been a baseball player under similar circumstances, the outcry of the media would have been deafening.

Care to comment on SLT's observations? Email us at respond@sportslawtalk.com

Both Major League Baseball and the National Football League are going forward on the human growth hormone testing front.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Ap9XM73MP5S_UM0KN5KRQGsRvLYF?slug=ap-mlb-hghtesting&prov=ap&type=lgns

Kudos for Scott Boras in the media?

Yes: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AieWjY7oBlmXdm09XYnfFCQRvLYF?slug=sh-tigersrookies022310&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Hurled hot dog hits hard: fan sues KC Royals; NCAA finds Michigan failed to comply with practice time rules; Derek Dooley's contract with Tennessee

2010-02-24T04:01:00Z

February 24, 2010

Personal injury attorneys take note: Kansas City Royals mascot's hot dog toss may cost team medical specials with all the trimmings

A fan who was struck by a hot dog thrown by the team's mascot, Sluggerrr, has filed suit. In an attempt to be entertaining, the tube steak was one of several hurled into the stands, but the only one to hit a spectator in the left eye.

The complaint alleges that the mascot,"lost control of his throw, or was reckless with his throw, and threw the hotdog directly into plaintiff, who was sitting a few feet away.”
Link (pun intended): http://www.kansascity.com/2010/02/23/1768053/kansas-man-sues-royals-over-sluggerrrs.html

Sluggerrr was reportedly seen leaving the park in this car after the incident.

The NCAA has concluded that Michigan has failed to comply with practice time rules. See SLT blog of 8/31/09 for more background.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/NCAA-finds-Michigan-out-of-compliance-22310

Derek Dooley the new football coach at Tennessee who replaces Lane Kiffin will make $200,000. less than Kiffin did in his first (and only) year at Tennessee. He will earn $1.8 million in his first season of a six-year contract.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-tennessee-coaches&prov=ap

NFL Combine no longer shrouded in mystery; USC meets with NCAA committee on investigations

2010-02-23T04:01:00Z

February 23, 2010

The annual NFL combine begins this week in Indianapolis, Indiana. The combine has been held in Indianapolis every year since 1987. If you are an NFLPA certified contract advisor and reading this, you know what the combine is all about. Additionally, if you are a certified contract advisor you will likely attend on this Friday the annual seminar for agents.
If you are not a contract advisor SLT recommends you visit the following
link http://www.nflcombine.net/

A few weeks back SLT interviewed veteran agent Frank Murtha. Murtha remarked that twenty years ago the combine was "shrouded in mystery", but how times have changed. Years ago many of the activities and drills were almost the equivalent of secret fraternity rituals; access into the players' hotel was as tightly guarded as if the players were visiting heads of state. The combine was truly "shrouded in mystery".
Now the NFL Network brings live coverage of the players being timed and doing the drills into houses throughout the country. Twenty years ago many players had not finalized a selection of an agent by the time of the combine. Today it is highly unlikely that a single player will attend the combine without having made his selection of an agent weeks ago. Literally hundreds of media credentials will be issued, and for one week in late February and early March, Indianapolis will be the center of the NFL universe.

Take a look at the the combine website and remember that twenty years ago not only would information on the combine be scarce, but there would not not have been any internet access at all.

USC fighting a war on two fronts

USC is still feeling aftershocks from Reggie Bush and OJ Mayo and their dealings with agents.

Football:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news;_ylt=AtdFDPdCIc395.V.8Q7PMdQcvrYF?slug=jc-uscncaa021910&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Basketball:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=jc-uscncaa022010&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Starcaps case to trial March 8; Johnny Damon signs with Tigers; Cubs prevail in Ryan Theriot arbitration; Troy Vincent is NFL's new VP of Player Development; DePaul University recruiting violation

2010-02-22T04:01:00Z

February 21, 2010

The never-ending Starcaps case goes to trial on March 8 in Minnesota.

Though the NFL denies that there is any evidence that it leaked drug test results to the press, whether or not the league violated state confidentiality rules will likely be a key consideration. Another determination will be whether or not state requirements are met or exceeded by NFL drug testing policy.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Akl6xfe6l68xVEekdlKh_H9DubYF?slug=ap-nflsuspensions&prov=ap&type=lgns

Though Johnny Damon would have preferred to be a Yankee, he will settle for an $8 million one year deal with the Detroit Tigers. As you may recall, the Yankees had offered Damon and his agent Scott Boras two years at $14 million, but the Yankees were not going to waste time negotiating with Damon. Thus, when the smoke cleared, Damon ended up in Detroit.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvXHA05satryKXUZw_hhHQERvLYF?slug=ti-damonsigns022010&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

The Chicago Cubs prevail in Ryan Theriot salary arbitration

The shortstop will be paid $2.6 million this season instead of his requested to $3.4 million. Only eight of 128 players who entered arbitration last month failed to settle before hearings. Five of these arbitrations ended in favor of the Owners, and three players prevailed.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/chicago-cubs-beat-ryan-theriot-in-arbitration-022010

Former standout cornerback and past President of the NFLPA Troy Vincent has accepted a position as Vice President of Player Development for active players with the NFL. Vincent, who had been in the running to take over for the late Gene Upshaw at the NFLPA, will now switch sides and work for the NFL.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/sns-ap-fbn-nfl-vincent,0,7409453.story

Blue Demons' AD recruiting violation may bring NCAA reprimand

DePaul University verbally offered a scholarship to 14 year-old Jahil Okator, who will be eligible to sign a letter of intent during the 2014-15 school year. Of course, neither the Blue Demons nor Jahil Okafor are under any obligation. This is all fine by the NCAA, but no public statements by a member of a university's athletic program about a recruit are allowed until a letter of intent has been signed, and DePaul athletics director Jean Lenti Ponsetto may have done just that. See http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/TheRecruitnik/tag/158579/college_basketball

Nets will play in Newark until new arena is built in Brooklyn; Jan Ullrich doping investigation dropped by Swiss; History of the NFL: Plan B free agency

2010-02-19T04:01:00Z

February 19, 2010

With the NFL's free agency period starting shortly, SLT thought it would take a look back in time to February,1989 when the NFL brass ushered in a different type of free agency. In 1989 the NFL told the NFLPA and its players that there would be free agency; however there was a catch. The catch was that each team could protect 37 players on their roster and keep those players off the market. Players who were not among the 37 protected players were then entitled to seek their market value from other teams. The problem was that teams would protect their starters, most valuable back-up players, and rising young players; letting only their injured players, aging veterans, and young unproven players have a look at free agency. This in turn created problems when a team would sign a Plan B free agent to a big contract. Protected players on the team that had just signed a Plan B
free agent would be upset since they were not getting the opportunity to have any leverage in their contract negotiations. Meanwhile, the Plan B players were reaping all the rewards.

With the strike of 1987 the NFL and NFLPA entered a period of labor war. The NFL players even voted to decertify the Union order to get their case in front of the courts. Plan B came about because of the NFL's fear that a court would rule in favor of the NFLPA if there wasn't some measure of player movement. Thus Plan B free agency was born in 1989. New York Jets running back Freeman McNeil was the lead plaintiff in the NFLPA's suit challenging the Plan B system.

Plan B free agency lasted until September of 1992, when a Minneapolis federal jury decided that the NFL's Plan B system violated antitrust laws.

See the first link below. It talks about the beginning of Plan B free agency:
http://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/30/sports/nfl-owners-set-on-free-agency.html

This second link, which is from 1992, discusses the end of Plan B:
http://tech.mit.edu/V112/N39/nfl.39w.html

Nets to play in Newark's Prudential Center next 2 years

The New Jersey Nets have a new, temporary, home. They will move regular-season games to Newark until their new arena in Brooklyn is ready. It will cost them a $4 million penalty over those 2 years to break their Izod Center lease. For earlier developments on their move, see SLT blogs of 11/25/09 and 12/24/09.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/New-Jersey-Nets-moving-to-Newark-until-Brooklyn-arena-is-ready-021810

Doping-related investigation of retired Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich ends

Because the Swiss Olympic doping statute applies beginning January 1 to retirees, the Swiss disciplinary committee finds that it has no jurisdiction. The World Anti-Doping Association and the International Cycling Union, however, may yet appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/swiss-drop-ullrich-doping-investigation

Market forces determine veteran players' value; Five Russian women XC skiers suspended for using banned substances; Dez Bryant puts suspension behind him; Cyclist Joe Papp pleads guilty of conspiracy to distribute EPO and HGH

2010-02-18T04:01:00Z

February 18, 2010

It's spring training time again in Arizona and Florida. This year, just like every other year, there is a long list of veteran players still without a team. Many agents will cry collusion again this year, but in reality the market dictates which veteran players are forced into retirement and who signs for much less than he wanted. Johnny Damon turned down a two-year, approximately $14 million deal with the Yankees (the team he wanted to stay with) a few months back and now will probably be with a different team for less money and less of a shot at post-season glory.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Ap4Hqa6ds8.HcNCu3EcbzwoRvLYF?slug=sh-unemployedfreeagents021610&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

International Ski Federation names names

With the Winter Olympics in full swing, and the games already marred by tragedy, news on the drug testing front is always prevalent. The International Ski Federation has published the names of five Russian women cross country skiers who were suspended for using banned substances.
http://olympics.freedomblogging.com/2010/02/12/five-russians-who-failed-drug-tests-are-named/1901/

Former Oklahoma State football player and top NFL draft prospect Dez Bryant says that the NCAA was unfair in the way it went about handling his rules violation. Bryant also says that Deion Sanders did not act as a runner for attorney/agent Eugene Parker.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AqhlaAUXDwh054iDZd.k29ocvrYF?slug=ap-draft-bryant&prov=ap&type=lgns

Cyclist Joe Papp pleads guilty to conspiracy to distribute PEDs

Papp had testified in the 2007 suspension hearing of Floyd Landis (see SLT blog of 2/16/10), giving evidence that doping was common among professional cyclists. Papp offered that, “The matter for which I publicly acknowledged my guilt today in Pittsburgh had nothing to do with my appearance at the Landis hearing. I didn’t testify against Floyd Landis in that hearing. My testimony was about my own personal experiences with the drug testosterone and how it is generally perceived within the peloton. That was it. I told the story of how testosterone works and can help you as a cyclist by enhancing recovery.”

The guilty plea could result in a lifetime suspension from the sport, but Papp's cooperation with the United States Anti-Doping Agency may help with that. Specifically, Papp pleaded to a federal offense of conspiracy to sell EPO and Human Growth Hormone on the internet.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/02/news/usada-witness-joe-papp-admits-conspiracy-to-sell-epohgh_105463

Texas Longhorns highly successful recruiting; Janikowski's record deal with Raiders; Illinois commits violation by wearing ESPN GameDay shirts?; NFLPA says league violated CBA terms regarding supplemental revenue sharing

2010-02-17T04:01:00Z

February 17, 2010

As reported in yesterday's SLT blog, the Texas Longhorns feel that they have been singled out, to their disadvantage, under a new NCAA rule that places an assistant coach who has been "publicly designated" as head coach under the same recruiting restrictions as an assistant coach. Well, according to the link below, Texas is doing all right recruiting, just the same.
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/946229.html

Sebastian Janikowski has record deal with Raiders

With the richest deal for a kicker in NFL history, the Raiders have kept their own free agent. It took a $16 million, 4-year contract.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4918465

Did the Illinois men's basketball team commit a secondary violation of an NCAA rule by wearing "ESPN GameDay" t-shirts?
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2010/02/illinois-acknowledges-possible-violation-during-appearance-on-espns-college-gameday/1

NFLPA: NFL did not share as much supplemental revenue with lower-income teams as the CBA requires

The NFL Players Association's outside counsel, Jeffrey Kessler, said, "The NFLPA is filing this new proceeding because it has discovered that the NFL did not provide its lower-revenue clubs with all of the supplemental revenue sharing that was promised in the CBA for the years 2006-08. Such funds are important to insure that the lower-revenue teams can field competitive teams, offer competitive salaries and provide their fans with hope for success on the field each NFL season."
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-players-association-revenue-021610

Postnuptial contract key in Los Angeles Dodger's future ownership; Texas argues that new NCAA rule unfairly singles them out; Cyclist Floyd Landis sought by French court

2010-02-16T04:01:00Z

February 16, 2010

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, in the process of a divorce, basically says "no worries" about the club's present and future.

A five year old postnuptial contract specifies that Frank would keep the Dodgers as sole owner in the event of a divorce, and that his wife, Jamie, would keep their other properties. Community property is California law. A trial is set for May 24th to test the validity of that postnuptial contract. The ramifications of the decision could be profound for the future of the Dodgers if the contract is held to be invalid.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AtnIK2cqNMy5LAGt3u7lN4MRvLYF?slug=ti-mccourts021410&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

A recently adopted rule by the NCAA states that assistant coaches “publicly designated” to become a school's next head coach have to abide by the same recruiting rules as a current head coach. As a consequence, the Texas Longhorn's Will Muschamp is severely limited in his ability to conduct off-campus recruiting visits. Other assistant coaches can make multiple off-campus visits to prospects. Muschamp is restricted to only one visit with any prospect and no off-campus visits at all during the April 15- May 31 spring evaluations.

Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds looks to make their case, "We are exploring our options for legislative relief within the NCAA process, since we believe this places our program at a direct disadvantage. Will is our head coach-in-waiting but he is also our defensive coordinator, and this legislation restricts his ability to perform his current job duties.”
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-ncaa-texasrecruiting&prov=ap&type=lgns

U.S. cyclist Floyd Landis is subject of French court's arrest warrant

Landis had been stripped of a 2006 Tour de France win and banned for 2 years because of elevated testosterone levels. The lab that made those findings had its computers hacked, and a French judge wants to question Landis about it.

Landis, who said that he had not been served, denies allegations that he was involved in the hacking. The cyclist had argued against his suspension in a hearing in California. In losing that arbitration hearing he maintained that the lab mishandled and erased their computer files. With this history and the current warrant, Landis commented yesterday that, “It appears to be another case of fabricated evidence by a French lab who is still upset a United States citizen believed he should have the right to face his accusers and defend himself.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news;_ylt=Av2X0bXTBk.ADc0FUl4lKV85nYcB?slug=ap-doping-landis&prov=ap&type=lgns

New contract for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; MLB salary arbitrations; NBA claims $400 million losses demand big CBA changes

2010-02-15T04:01:00Z

February 15, 2010

A new 5-year contract for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

There is no change in annual compensation, and the Commissioner took a voluntary pay cut last year. The NFL has been cutting jobs, resulting in a 15% reduction last year. With bonuses and incentives, Goodell did report making nearly $10 million for the tax year ending 3/31/09.

The League has made statements to the effect that they looked for continuity in leadership as labor negotiations loom that may result in a 2011 work stoppage.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=An8PbcGRP8x_616Mw2flwFRDubYF?slug=ap-goodell-newcontract&prov=ap&type=lgns

Salary arbitration time

Chalk one up for Rays management as BJ Upton goes down. The team submitted a number of $3 million while Upton was looking for $3.3 million, so there wasn't a whole lot of difference between the the two proposals. After two hearings owners are tied with players 1-1. Corey Hart of the Brewers recently bested team management in his hearing.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvsqYj6XBvgZjPy_Mi9u7zwRvLYF?slug=ap-arbitration-rays-upton&prov=ap&type=lgns

Commissioner David Stern is showing losses of $400 million to the NBA Players Association to demonstrate why the CBA needs dramatic changes.

Cuts the league looks for include a sweeping range: reductions in the minimum salary; lowering maximum salary; sharp reductions in total years players can sign for; a diminishment of the players' share of basketball-related income.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ai2E6q5x9E_u.pO4tuDv55m8vLYF?slug=ap-all-star-stern&prov=ap&type=lgns

Tim Lincecum and Giants have $23 million two-year deal; Texas to Big Ten rumors

2010-02-12T04:01:00Z

February 12, 2010

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/San-Francisco-Giants-Tim-Lincecum-two-year-23-million-deal-021210

No need for speculation, we've crossed that out, below. it's a done deal. Tim Lincecum has come to terms with the Giants

Will the Giants' offer of a three year, $37 million package to Tim Lincecum be accepted before Friday's arbitartion in St. Peterburg, Florida? Probably not. If an arbitartion hearing goes as scheduled Lincecum plans to attend the hearing. Will Lincecum's attendance make it more difficult for the Giants? Yes, it probably will.

It's a $23 million two-year deal. An arbitration hearing had been set for today, and the two consecutive times Cy Young Award winner was going to ask there for $13 million for one year.

Some contract highlights: $500,000 for each Cy Young Award; $8 million in 2010, $13 million in 2011; a signing bonus of $2 million.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/San-Francisco-Giants-Tim-Lincecum-two-year-23-million-deal-021210

These are worth $500,000 apiece for "The Franchise" under his new contract

Now for some rumor, not fact

Today's rumor is Texas to join the Big Ten. Well hold on a minute, this scenario is unlikely. If it were to happen hold on to your hats and let the lawsuits begin. Just remember what happened when Boston College, Virgina Tech and Miami left the Big East for the ACC. It would be difficult to forsee Texas abandoning its natural rivals such as Oklahoma and Texas A&M to play Indiana and Purdue on a yearly basis.
http://www.collegenews.com/index.php?/article/texas_big_ten_rumors_swirl_around_the
_internet_02112010321852243/