What, A Fantasy Investing League?
Dan Marino’s purchase of stock in a company owned by Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga may be a violation of the NFL’s salary cap rules.
The league is looking into Marino’s purchase of more than $390,000 worth of stock in Republic Waste Industries, a company Huizenga purchased in May, the Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale reported Tuesday.
Marino was among 150 associates of Huizenga who took advantage of an offer to purchase the stock. Huizenga offered the issues and stock warrants to those associates for $4.50 a share in advance of his May 22 purchase of Republic.
The stock since has quintupled in value and closed Monday at $22.25, making Marino’s stake worth nearly $2 million.
The more than $1.5 million gain on the Miami quarterback’s investment is the question league officials are studying as a possible salary cap violation, league spokesman Greg Aiello said.
Records show Dolphins coach Don Shula and general manager Eddie Jones also took advantage of Huizenga’s offer, but Aiello said that poses no conflict with league rules.
“What, are they going to tell me where I can invest my money?” Marino said.
Spikes’ wife reconsiders
Stacey Spikes, wife of Dolphins’ running back Irving Spikes, said she is reconsidering and might press charges against her husband, who was arrested Saturday night and charged with battery.
Spikes, 24, was arrested after a domestic dispute turned violent at the couple’s residence in Pembroke Pines. Spikes pleaded not guilty Sunday morning and was freed on $5,000 bond.
“Initially, I wasn’t going to press charges,” Stacey Spikes said. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of this. I care about Irving and don’t want to hurt his career. He pleaded ‘not guilty’ and he is guilty, point blank. Everything I read in the paper makes it sound like I just made all this up and that’s not right. I hope Irving gets help because he needs it.”
Spikes’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said his client will continue to have no comment.
Ross released
San Diego Chargers coach Bobby Ross was released from the hospital late Tuesday afternoon, five days before the opener at Oakland.
Ross underwent surgery Thursday night to remove scar tissue that was encircling his small intestine.
His status for Sunday is unknown.
Raiders audition kickers
With Jeff Jaeger out for the season opener and maybe longer because of a sprained right knee, the Oakland Raiders summoned four players for tryouts: Cary Blanchard, cut by New Orleans; Dirk Borgognone (Green Bay); Tony Zendejas (St. Louis) and Cole Ford (Pittsburgh).
The Raiders signed free-agent kicker Joe Nedney of San Jose State to a practice-squad contract Monday. White expects to announce his decision today.
Giants’ QB cleared
The results of a CAT scan on the head and neck of Giants quarterback Dave Brown were negative. Brown was cleared to start Monday night against Dallas.
Around the league
Down to two quarterbacks after the last training camp cut, Tampa Bay re-signed fifth-year pro Todd Philcox. … St. Louis sought help for its struggling running game by signing tight end Pat Carter. … Cleveland signed offensive lineman Eric Moore, a day after trading Gene Williams to Atlanta for a fifth-round draft pick in 1996. … While the Georgia Dome was pronounced safe after roof repairs, pumps will be manned for the Falcons’ opener Sunday if heavy rain threatens. … A circuit court judge reversed a decision against selling beer and wine at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, letting the taps flow at Carolina Panthers’ games this season.
xxxx Danelo returns to G-Prep Former NFL kicker Joe Danelo will return to Gonzaga Prep on Thursday to take part in a memorial ceremony for his father, Joe Sr., at halftime of a Bullpups scrimmage. New goal posts at Prep will go up in honor of Danelo Sr., one of the original members of the school’s booster club. During his career as a Prep kicker, Danelo set Greater Spokane League records for longest field goal and most fields goals in a game and season. He went on to kick at Washington State and for Green Bay and New York in the NFL.