Newsmakers
Upheld An arbitrator upheld the NFL’s salary cap reductions on the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins for this season and next. Stephen Burbank ruled Tuesday in favor of the league and dismissed the grievances by both teams. The Redskins lost $36 million over two years. The Cowboys lost $10 million for overloading contracts during the uncapped 2010 season despite league warnings about such maneuvering.
Sentenced Iowa State wide receiver Albert Gary was sentenced to three years of probation for pleading guilty to first-degree theft. Gary also pleaded guilty to a charge of going armed with intent and was given a suspended sentence. Gary and others were charged with robbing a man on campus with a BB gun last June. Coach Paul Rhoads will address Gary’s status after the university’s judicial process is complete
Earned Penn State football coach Joe Paterno earned a state pension of $13.4 million for his 61-year coaching career. Paterno’s family said through a spokesman that Paterno’s widow, Sue Paterno, would receive an initial payment of $10.1 million by the end of May, with the rest to be paid out over the next two years. The calculations were made through the standard formula for anyone in the State Employees’ Retirement System, and Paterno received no special consideration. A spokesman said the family also planned to donate $1.5 million to Penn State-related or State College-area charities.
Retiring Tennis star Kim Clijsters says this year’s U.S. Open will be her last tournament before retiring. The Belgian star said Flushing Meadows “is where I enjoyed my greatest triumphs and it is a very special place for me.” She is a three-time champion.
Convicted Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain apologized for bringing bad publicity to the team following his recent conviction in Alabama for assault and other charges stemming from threatening to kill a man and firing a gun next to his head. McClain was sentenced to 180 days in jail. McClain is out on bail and rejoined the Raiders this week at the team’s offseason workouts. His attorney said he is appealing and will seek a jury trial.