Newsmakers
Agreed The Molson family is poised to buy back the Montreal Canadiens. Team owner George Gillett and Geoff Molson issued a joint statement Saturday saying they have an agreement in principle for three Molson brothers to purchase the club. The deal needs approval from the National Hockey League’s board of governors, which they expect to occur by late August. A team spokesman said no time frame has been set for the announcement. The sides did not reveal the sale price or any other details.
Signed Searching for a center to play on their top two lines, the NHL’s Florida Panthers signed Steven Reinprecht to a three-year contract after acquiring his negotiating rights from Phoenix in exchange for prospect Stefan Meyer. Reinprecht, 33, would have become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He had 14 goals and 27 assists with the Coyotes last season.
Warned McLaren chief Martin Whitmarsh told Formula One’s governing body that any peace deal must be reached before the end of July to prevent the British team and seven others from forming a rival series next season. While FIA president Max Mosley remains confident of a resolution, Whitmarsh said that the point of no return with the Formula One Teams Association series is fast approaching.
Supported The son of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani has the backing of Duke lacrosse athletes in his lawsuit against the university. Andrew Giuliani sued Duke in July 2008, saying the school broke a contract with him when it dismissed him from the golf team. The News & Observer in Raleigh reported that members of Duke’s 2006 lacrosse team filed a friend-of-the-court brief on Giuliani’s behalf.
Charged Iowa offensive lineman Kyle Calloway has been charged with operating a mo-ped while intoxicated. Iowa City police say Calloway was arrested after officers stopped him while he was driving into a barricaded area.
Died A 48-year-old driver died after a single-car accident at a race. Thomas Thrash Jr., of Houston, was pronounced dead at a Sheboygan, Wis., hospital, the Sports Car Club of America said. He was participating in the SCCA-sanctioned Chicago Region June Sprints event at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.