Armstrong met cycling doping panel
CYCLING: An attorney for Lance Armstrong says the banned-for-life cyclist met in May with the panel investigating cycling’s doping past.
Armstrong attorney Elliot Peters declined to reveal specifics of what was discussed in the seven-hour meeting on May 22 at a hotel outside Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., but says Armstrong set up the meeting.
The panel is expected to issue its report on doping to the International Cycling Union later this year.
• Tiernan-Locke axed for doping: British cyclist Jonathan Tiernan-Locke was suspended for two years and fired by Team Sky for doping. Tiernan-Locke was banned for discrepancies in his biological passport, which tracks a rider’s blood profile over time to look for evidence of doping, the International Cycling Union said.
Wizards sign Pierce
BASKETBALL: The Wizards have signed veteran forward Paul Pierce. The 10-time All-Star averaged a career-low 13.5 points last season in his first year with the Nets after 15 seasons with Boston.
• Russell okay after faint: Celtics officials say NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell is doing OK after collapsing during a speaking engagement near Lake Tahoe. Team spokesman Brian Olive says the 80-year-old Russell felt faint after the Thursday morning fall at the Hyatt Regency resort in Incline Village, but was planning on returning home that evening.
• Delle Donne out: The Chicago Sky’s Elena Delle Donne will miss the WNBA All-Star game while she’s treated for Lyme disease. Washington Mystics player Ivory Latta will replace Delle Donne for the Eastern Conference in Saturday’s game.
CBS states intentions
MISCELLANY: CBS won’t dictate to its announcers whether or not to use the nickname of Washington’s NFL franchise during televised games this season.
CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said he hasn’t told on-air talent what to say regarding the controversy surround the Redskins’ name.
• C-USA reaches broadcast deal: Conference USA has reached an agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group and its new American Sports Network initiative to produce and distribute 100 league events each of the next two years. The deal includes 30 C-USA football games this season.
• Ennis re-signs with Sabres: The Sabres re-signed center Tyler Ennis to a five-year contract worth about $23 million. Buffalo has now re-signed four of its five restricted free agents, with the exception of forward Luke Adam. Ennis is a speedy, playmaking forward who led the Sabres with a career-best 21 goals and added 22 assists last season.
• Diaz takes surprising lead: Laura Diaz, winless in the past 12 years on the LPGA Tour, shot a 9-under 62 for a four-stroke lead in the opening round of the Marathon Classic in Sylvannia, Ohio. It was a stunning score for Diaz, who has cut back on competitive golf to raise her two children. Sharing second were Austin Ernst and Lee-Ann Pace.