News and notes while getting prepped for some football…

Chargers: Rivers doubtful (SignonSanDiego.com) Despite what sources are saying within the organization, Phillip Rivers is considered “doubtful” for the AFC Championship.  Rivers is said to have a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in addition to a sprained medial collateral ligament.

WVU faces new criticism, this one alleging hiring bias (ESPNU) College football writer Ivan Maisel unveils more details on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report that former West Virginia offensive coordinator Calvin Magee didn’t get a shot at the head coaching job because he was black.

Jones Jr. wins handily over Trinidad (AP/SI.com) Roy Jones, Jr. dominated opponent Felix Trinidad in a unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden.

Day 7: Henin, Sharapova cruise (AP/USATODAY.com) Justine Henin and Maria Sharapova rolled forward to the Australian Open quarterfinals after each closed out their opponents in less than 75 minutes.  Other notables: Roger Federer closed out his match roughly 4 1/2 hours; Lleyton Hewitt’s match began at 11:47 PM local time (he won nearly five hours later); Former No. 1 Ray Ferrero advanced, as did Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic.

Landon Donovan sets goal scoring mark (USSoccer.com) In a friendly with Sweden, Landon Donovan became the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Men’s National Team after scoring from the penalty spot in the second half to help defeat the Swedes, 2-0, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

…and finally….

Tom Brady shows us how it’s done (YouTube) Hard work. Jump roping. Reading defenses. Yeah, that about sums it up.

Golfweek replaces editor responsible for ‘noose’ imagery (AP/ESPN.com)

The editor who decided it’d be a good idea to put a noose on the cover of Golfweek magazine in reference to the Kelly Tilghman controversy, was canned.

“We apologize for creating this graphic cover that received extreme negative reaction from consumers, subscribers and advertisers across the country,” Turnstile Publishing Co. president William P. Kupper Jr. said. “We were trying to convey the controversial issues with a strong and provocative graphic image. It is now obvious that the overall reaction to our cover deeply offended many people. For that, we are deeply apologetic.

To recap: that’s how to lose a good gig in less than 24 hours.

Blues cancel ‘Tuesdays on Tap’ before it even starts (STLToday.com)

On Thursday, the St. Louis Blues of the NHL announced what they thought was a marketing home run in a beer drinking town: “Tuesdays on Tap” was supposed to be a catalyst for ticket sales on weeknight games that typically draw smaller crowds.

Good idea in theory; horrible idea in planning and execution.

You see, earlier in the day former NHL defenseman — and St. Louis Blue — Rob Ramage was sentenced to four years in prison for a drunken-driving crash in which a friend and fellow hockey player Keith Magnuson died.

The club’s CEO on the business operations side, Peter McLoughlin, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that they rescinded the plan shortly after sending out a mass email to subscribers touting the marketing effort.

At 4 p.m., Blues executive Peter McLoughlin told the Post-Dispatch, “This one is not happening.”

Asked why, he said that it was a “business decision.”

“We were discussing a lot of creative ideas,” said McLoughlin, CEO of the business side of the Blues franchise. “It’s unfortunate the e-mail went out.”

While nothing beats a free beer or two, we applaud McLoughlin and the club for realizing the error and rescinding the idea.

Now about that power-play…

News and notes while we spend most of the day away — and unfortunately, not for play…

Astros in holding pattern over Tejada (USATODAY.com) The Houston Astros haven’t determined if they will take action with Miguel Tejada being targeted for possibly lying to a congressional committee, writes the great Bob Nightengale of USATODAY.com.

Sale of the Cubs not imminent (MLB.com) Despite the new owner of the Tribune Cos. claims, MLB president Bob Dupuy said the notion of the club being sold by Opening Day is not likely.

Mayweather-De La Hoya II could be reality (ESPN.com) Via ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael,  Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer states that a Floyd Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya rematch could take place in September.

Knight notches career win No. 900 (AP/Y! Sports) With Texas Tech’s 68-53 victory over the tenth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies, coach Bob Knight collected his record-setting 900th win.

Aussie: Day 4 (AP/SI.com) Federer, Kuznetsova, Venus advance to third round on day four of the Australian Open.

…and finally…

NHL, NHLPA and IIHF talk player transfer deal in Wednesday meeting (CP/The Hockey News) Is that enough initials for you? Three entities trying to iron out an agreement that will allow for European — both Western and Eastern — to come to North America with little interference.

News and notes while Darren Rovell’s favorite female tennis player writes another blog entry for USATODAY.com…

Verducci: Mitchell Report officially a success (SI.com) Baseball writer Tom Verducci of SI.com writes that the Mitchell Report was a success, stating that “baseball’s self-examination left them [Congress] with little to complain about.”

Giants GM Sabean might be disciplined (Yahoo! Sports) After being confronted by Cong. Henry Waxman during Tuesday’s hearings, MLB commissioner Bud Selig stated that disciplining San Francisco Giants GM Brian Sabean is “under review.”

Rolen gets first taste of Toronto (MLB.com) Newly-acquired third baseman Scott Rolen is introduced to the Toronto media, minus any shots at his former manager in St. Louis, skipper Tony La Russa.

Top seed Henin rolls into third round at Aussie (AP/SI.com) Justine Henin’s 30-match win streak continues as she downed Russian Olga Poutchkova 6-1, 7-5 in the Australian Open’s second round.  Other notable winners include Venus Williams and Roger Federer.

Duke lax prosecutor files for bankruptcy as filings are due in lawsuit (AP/Y! Sports) Mike Nifong, America’s favorite former prosecuting attorney, filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, citing $180 million in liabilities. Nifong was the Durham, N.C. district attorney who claimed that three Duke lacrosse players raped a woman at a team party in March of ‘06.

…and finally…

Disgruntled Toronto fans weigh in on Maple Leafs’ losing ways (CP/TheHockeyNews.com) The passionate Toronto Maple Leaves Leafs are in a tizzy over the franchise’s losing ways.

Chicago Olympics to cost city an estimated $900 million (ChicagoTribune.com)

The Chicago Tribune’s Kathy Bergen writes that Chicago’s effort to lure the 2016 Olympic Games will be a mighty pricetag for the town.

$900 million.

With revenues for staging an event projected to generate roughly $2.5 billion will help cover the cost of putting the games on in “The Windy City.”  According to Bergman, Chicago’s bid team said the city can expect revenue from the International Olympic Committee, which sells TV rights to the Games.

Included in that price: a $385.9 million bill for building a mostly temporary facility in Washington Park.

News and notes while more details emerge over the Rolen-for-Glaus deal emerge…

Aussie round-up: Djokovic rolls in straight sets (AP/SI.com) Early winners in the Australian Open include Novak Djokovic, David Nalbandian and Marcos Baghdatis for the men and Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anna Chakvetadze and Daniela Hantuchova for the ladies.

Selig’s legacy in play in next round of Congressional hearings (ESPN.com) Investigative reporters for ESPN.com T.J. Quinn and Mark Fainaru-Wada take a deep look at how the Congressional hearing will help continue to shape MLB commissioner Bud Selig’s mark on the game.

Clemens deposition appears in flux (Chronicle.com) Speaking of PEDs — The Houston Chronicle’s Jose de Jesus Ortiz writes that the lawyer for Roger Clemens met with the staff of the House Oversight Committee investigating steroids use in baseball Monday in Washington, but it remains unclear if Clemens will have to give a full formal deposition under oath prior to his testimony before the committee next month.

LaRoche agrees to $5 million pact (MLB.com) Pittsburgh first sacker Adam LaRoche and the Pirates avoided arbitration after the two sides agreed to a one year deal that will pay the slugger $5 million in ‘08.

Leafs reportedly ask Fletcher about interim job (TSN.ca) “Toronto Front Office Watch ‘08″ rolls on: The Sports Network’s hockey insider Bob McKenzie reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs have asked former club GM Cliff Fletcher — and a number of others — if they’d be interested in the job now on an interim basis.

..and finally…

Dude — Football! (YouTube) FOXSports’ Joe Buck appears in a  Bud Light commercial and, of course, comedy ensues!

Jacobs Field to become Progressive Field (BizofBaseball)

According to Maury Brown of the excellent site BizofBaseball — via Eric Fisher of The Sports Business Daily — the Cleveland Indians have entered into a sponsorship agreement with Progressive Insurance to re-name Jacobs Field to Progressive Field.

The deal is expected to be worth some $3.6 million annually.

Former team owner Richard E. Jacobs had held the ballpark’s naming rights, but his contract expired at the end of the 2006 season, and the club hired sports marketing firm IMG to find a new naming rights partner.

News and notes while Brian McNamee meets with the Feds…

Sources: Falcons, Carroll still talking (ESPN.com) Atlanta Falcons mouthpiece Len Pasquarelli  of ESPN.com reports that while the likelihood of USC’s Pete Carroll getting the gig are slim, both he and team owner Arthur Blank are continuing phone conversations regarding the position.

Titans’ defensive coordinator leading candidate in ‘Skins coaching derby? (NBC Sports) Kevin Curran of NBCSports.com writes that Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, is the frontrunner for the head coaching position that was left vacant by the retirement of Joe Gibbs.  Interesting note: former ESPN MNF analyst Joe Theismann is consulting on the job search.  Good to see he found something else to do besides whining about his dismissal — and Tony Kornheiser.

Yanks join Brewers in Cameron sweepstakes (FOXSports.com) Milwaukee…you’ve got company: Yankees have interest in free agent — and suspended — outfielder Mike Cameron.  In other words, unless the Brewers want to blow their budget, he’s likely going somewhere else.

Book: Marketer gave Bush $200K at USC (AP/Y! Sports) A San Diego sports marketer claims in a new book that he gave former Southern California running back Reggie Bush nearly $300,000 in cash while Bush was still in school.

Saint Louis sets record for futility in loss to GW (AP/CSTV.com) Saint Louis set a modern Division I record for fewest points in a game Thursday, falling 49-20 to George Washington in the Atlantic 10 opener for both teams. P-a-t-h-e-t-i-c.

…and finally…

Strahan: I’d date Simpson, too (AP/SI.com) New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan backs Dallas’ Tony Romo, says he’d date starlet Jessica Simpson.

Wild owner selling majority share to ex-Preds owner Leipold (AP/ESPN.com)

Updating a prior entry…

Wild owner Bob Naegele is selling a majority interest in the hockey club to former Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold.

The deal, according to the vice-chairman of the holding company that runs the organization, is expected to close in several months after the city of St. Paul and the NHL approve the sale.

The team said in a news release that the sale includes all of the partnership’s assets.

The Wild have sold every home game in their short history that dates back ten seasons.

News and notes on a seemingly slow news day…

Cubs trade for Orioles’ Brian Roberts likely (Chicago Tribune) Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune writes that the Cubs are on the verge of landing second baseman Brian Roberts from the Baltimore Orioles.  We won’t hold our breath since O’s owner Peter Angelos is a big fan of Roberts.

Report: Naegele sells Minnesota Wild (StarTribune.com) The Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota Wild owner Bob Naegele plans to sell his interest in the hockey club.  It’s been reported that Naegele has been negotiating with the former owner of the Nashville Predators, Craig Leipold.

NHL releases Campbell Western Conference roster (AP/USAToday.com) The rosters for the NHL’s Western Conference have been revealed.
Huskies booster offered $100K for coach’s firing (Seattle Times) The Seattle Times reports that a University of Washington booster pledged to offer a rather substantial amount of cash — $100K, to be exact — if the university fired head football coach Ty Willingham. (i-Five to TheBigLead.com)

Hawai’i football player dies after collapsing on winter break (AP/USAToday.com) Slotback Mitch Farney died in Arizona after collapsing while playing basketball.

Kerry snubs Edwards, endorses Obama (CNN) Former presidential candidate John Kerry endorses Barack Obama, snubbing former running make John Edwards.

Group of Seattle women buy WNBA’s Force (AP/ESPN)

A local group in the Seattle-area has ponied up the cash to purchase the WNBA’s Seattle Storm for $10 million.

The local group includes ex-deputy mayor, two Microsoft execs, and an 1984 silver medalist.

The purchase of the Force from Seattle Sonics’ owner Clay Bennett assures that that club will stay in Washington state.

Bennett has made noise late last year that the Sonics would move to Oklahoma City after attempts to land a new arena to replace KeyArena have repeatedly failed.

News and notes while 49ers coach Mike Nolan names names in his OC search…

Sources: SMU offers job to June Jones (DMN.com) Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports that SMU has offered their vacant head coaching position to Hawaii’s June Jones.

Kansas gets by Virginia Tech in close duel (AP/USA Today) Kansas’ defense — not their vaunted offense — came up big with three interceptions to down Virginia Tech 24-21 in the FedEx Orange Bowl.

Sources: NHL told DiPietro to change pads (TSN.ca) Sources tell TSN.ca’s Darren Dreger that New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro was told to change his pads during the first intermission of Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers at Nassau Coliseum.

Warren Sapp tells Raiders, fans he’s done (AP/ESPN) Citing declining skills, the former All-Pro defensive tackle told the Oakland Raiders — and visitors to his website — that he’s done.

Bucs-Giants tickets still available (Tampa Bay Online) In this report on ticket sales for the upcoming wildcard tilt between the Giants and Buccaneers, the attorney general for the state of New York called Ticketmaster to raise cain over a new policy that would only allow ticket sales for residences of Florida to procure tickets.  Shortly thereafter, the rule was reversed.

…and finally…

Hall of Fame menu should include Goose (Y! Sports) National baseball writer for Yahoo! Sports Jeff Passan makes a compelling case for closer Rich “Goose” Gossage inclusion into the National Baseball Hall of Fame for 2008.

Nets push back planned move to Brooklyn (AP/SI.com)

The New Jersey Nets announced Thursday that they will play most of their home games in New Jersey during the 2009-2010 season.

Late in 2007, the team’s principal owner Bruce Ratner told the Associated Press that the new arena probably would not be ready by the start of the 2009-2010 season.

News and notes while Beyonce and Kanye West enjoy a rousing game of Connect Four…

Clemens tells ‘60 Minutes’: No injections from trainer (Bats/NY Times) In an interview set to air Sunday on the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes, accused steroid user Roger Clemens claims he was not injected with steroids by former personal trainer Brian McNamee.

Report: Steinbrenner says Yankees’ offer is tops (MLB.com) Hank Steinbrenner opened up his trap on the Johan Santana trade derby, stating that his club has the best offer on the table for the Minnesota ace.  Gee, we thought you were out of the talks, Hank…

Caldwell talking to Falcons, Ravens (SI.com) Jim Trotter of SI.com writes that Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell will interview for the vacant head coaching positions in both Baltimore and Atlanta this week.

North Dakota suspends Blues’ draftee Oshie after second arrest (AP/USA Today) T.J. Oshie, the heralded prospect of the St. Louis Blues, was arrested on disorderly conduct charges in Grand Folks, N.D. over the weekend.

Dan Patrick to be syndicated on XM (BizofBaseball) The Content Factory, a Chicago-based content distributor, announced Thursday that “The Dan Patrick Show” will be syndicated on XM Satellite Radio beginning January 21, according to The Biz of Baseball’s Maury Brown.

…and finally…

NFL wildcard weekend playoff picks (DanShanoff.com) Old friend-of-the-blog Dan Shanoff breaks down the NFL wildcard weekend match-ups and makes his picks — for entertainment purposes only, natch.

‘Winter Classic’ draws big TV rating for NHL (AP/SI.com)

The New Year’s Day ‘Winter Classic’ NHL contest pitting the Penguins against the Sabres helped the league generate it’s highest national television ratings since 1996.

The game, playing in wintry Buffalo, New York, drew a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5 share on NBC. Those were the best numbers since a six-game regional telecast on Fox drew a 3.0 overnight rating and a 7 share on Feb. 3, 1996.