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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Stover wants to get rid of Upshaw

The Spokesman-Review

Matt Stover, the Baltimore Ravens’ veteran kicker, has begun a campaign to replace Gene Upshaw as executive director of the NFL Players Association by next March.

Stover’s action comes at a time when the union could be heading for critical negotiations with the league on the collective bargaining agreement.

“I feel that the board must begin to prepare for a change in leadership immediately,” Stover said in an e-mail to the union’s executive board and player representatives that was obtained Tuesday by ESPN.

Union president Kevin Mawae of Tennessee said that Stover’s opinion does not reflect the opinion of the players.

Upshaw, whose contract runs through 2010, has said he will not leave until the union gets through its latest negotiations with the owners, who are expected to opt out of their March 2006 agreement.

“Minnesota signed quarterback Gus Frerotte. The 14-year veteran in his second stint with the Vikings played for St. Louis the past two seasons.

“Suspended Penn State receiver Chris Bell was kicked off the team after university police charged him with threatening another player with a knife at a team dining facility in State College, Pa.

Basketball

Extension for Byrd

Belmont coach Rick Byrd agreed to a five-year contract extension to stay with the Nashville, Tenn., school he has led into three straight NCAA tournaments.

“Alabama junior point guard Ronald Steele, LSU freshman forward Anthony Randolph, Arizona sophomore forward Chase Budinger and Florida sophomore center Mareese Speights all declared themselves eligible for the NBA draft. None of the players has hired an agent.

“Former WNBA Most Valuable Player Yolanda Griffith, 38, signed with Seattle, giving the Storm three MVPs on their revamped roster.

NASCAR

Newman docked

Ryan Newman became the latest driver penalized by NASCAR, losing 25 points because his car failed inspection at Texas Motor Speedway.

Newman’s No. 12 Dodge was too high when NASCAR inspected it following its fourth-place run.

“Stewart Cooper was hired as crew chief for Kyle Petty, taking over the slumping No. 45 Dodge after it missed the past two races. Cooper replaces Billy Wilburn.

Miscellany

Trek sues LeMond

Best-selling bicycle maker Trek has sued to sever ties with three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, saying his outspokenness about doping weakened the brand.

“Six-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams will be sidelined indefinitely, although she did not say why she will be out of action.

“Defenseman Heidi Pelttari scored a power-play goal 3:42 into overtime as Finland defeated the United States 1-0 in the World Women’s Hockey Championship in Harbin, China.

“Two-time gymnastics world champion Diego Hypolito was released from a Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, hospital, a day after being diagnosed with dengue fever.

“France edged the United States 6-5 at the World Men’s Curling Championship in Grand Forks, N.D., handing the Americans their second loss of the day.