Newsmakers
Arranged Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy likely will be shortened to four games by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after the two meet in New York today. The league plans to review Roethlisberger’s behavior since he was accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar on March 5. If Roethlisberger has since followed the league’s guidelines and stayed out of trouble, Goodell said he would consider cutting the suspension to four games. Revealed When the Portland Timbers join Major League Soccer next season, their jerseys will be sponsored by Alaska Airlines. The Timbers announced the new title sponsor for their MLS kits at Portland International Airport.
Extended Iowa says it is extending football coach Kirk Ferentz’s contract through 2020. Ferentz’s current deal runs through 2015 and pays him roughly $3 million per season. Ferentz’s new deal will total nearly $3.7 million a year. School officials expect the deal to be signed today.
Ineligible The NCAA declared Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus ineligible for two games for accepting improper benefits. The ruling also ordered Dareus to repay $1,787 dollars to a charity of his choice before regaining eligibility. Dareus was ruled ineligible for receiving preferential treatment and agent benefits, including airfare, lodging, meals and transportation during two trips to Miami.
Signed The San Jose Sharks signed the goalie who helped knock them out of the playoffs, agreeing to a one-year, $2 million deal with Antti Niemi. Niemi stopped 129 of 136 shots in the Western Conference final to help Chicago sweep the Sharks. The Blackhawks cut ties with the goalie because of salary cap concerns.
• The Colorado Avalanche signed forward Chris Stewart to a two-year deal. The 22-year-old Stewart led the team with 28 goals last season and finished with 64 points.
Resting Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek announced he won’t compete the rest of this year, meaning he will skip the Grand Prix season. But he still wants to skate, and hasn’t ruled out the U.S. championships in mid-January.