In brief: Former co-MVP McNair retires from NFL
Quarterback Steve McNair announced his retirement Thursday in Ownings Mills, Md., ending a career in which he was selected co-MVP, led the Tennessee Titans to the Super Bowl and orchestrated the most successful regular season in the Ravens history.
The 35-year-old McNair guided the Ravens to a franchise-best 13-3 record in 2006, his first season in Baltimore.
McNair began his career in 1995 with the Houston Oilers, who eventually became the Tennessee Titans.
He led the team to four playoff appearances, including the Super Bowl after the 1999 season. He was chosen co-MVP of the league in 2003, sharing the award with Peyton Manning.
“The Green Bay Packers announced the team will retire Brett Favre’s No. 4 during the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8.
“Billionaire developer Edward P. Roski Jr. has committed to build an NFL stadium in Los Angeles. Now, he’s hoping one will commit to play there.
Roski, a part owner of the Kings and Lakers who has spent years trying to lure the NFL back to this area, unveiled plans for a 75,000-seat facility in the City of Industry he said could be finished in time for the 2011 season.
Golf
Ochoa opens with 68
Lorena Ochoa got off to a solid start in a bid for her fourth consecutive victory and fifth in six starts this year.
Ochoa shot a 4-under-par 68 in the first round of the Ginn Open at Reunion, Fla., to finish a stroke behind leaders Carin Koch and Teresa Lu.
Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., was 1 under at 71. Tracy Hanson of Rathdrum shot an even-par 72.
Basketball
Bulls fire interim coach
The Chicago Bulls fired interim coach Jim Boylan after the team finished 11th in the Eastern Conference one season after reaching the second round of the playoffs.
The Bulls won 49 games last season, but took a big step backward in 2007-08, finishing 33-49.
“A tax incentive package designed to help lure the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City was approved by the Oklahoma House and swiftly signed into law by Gov. Brad Henry – one day before NBA team owners are scheduled to vote on the Sonics’ relocation request.
Meanwhile, in a federal court filing, Clay Bennett’s ownership group for the Sonics says the city of Seattle has participated in “significant duplicity” by not revealing the full price of projected renovations for KeyArena, the team’s current home.
The document alleges the deception was designed to gain public and political support for an 11th-hour renovation plan valued at $300 million by a local group.
miscellany
BCS investigation asked
Three members of Congress want the Justice Department to investigate the college football’s Bowl Championship Series. A resolution has been introduced rejecting the bowl system as an illegal restriction on trade because only the largest universities compete in most of the major bowl games.
“Season points leader Helio Castroneves took the pole for Saturday’s Indy Japan 300 in Motegi when rain washed out qualifying.