Predators will stay in Nashville

Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold thinks he’s finally sold his NHL franchise, this time to a group of local businessmen and one California venture capitalist that wants to keep the team in Music City.

Leipold announced Wednesday he has signed a letter of intent to sell his team to the local group. The eight partners put down $10 million as a deposit toward the purchase price of $193 million.

The only partner from outside the Nashville area is William “Boots” Del Biaggio III, who will have to sell his minority share in the San Jose Sharks as this deal closes.

•The New Jersey Devils signed forward Zach Parise to a four-year, $12.5 million deal.

Parise, 23, was New Jersey’s second-leading scorer last season with 31 goals and 31 assists.

Football

Punter takes stand

A college football player attacked by a knife-wielding man broke down in sobs on the stand after re-enacting the assault.

Rafael Mendoza, a starting punter for Northern Colorado, was left with a 3- to 5-inch gash in his kicking leg in the attack last Sept. 11 but later returned to the team.

Police and prosecutors allege the then backup punter, Mitch Cozad, stabbed Mendoza in a bid to get the starter’s job.

Mendoza testified he had just left his car at his apartment when he heard footsteps behind him, was hit hard in the head and fell to the ground.

Mendoza said he saw a man swing at him with a knife, miss and then swing again, hitting him in the leg. The attacker was dressed all in black, wearing a sweatshirt with a hood cinched up so that only the eyes were visible.

•Brigham Young extended coach Bronco Mendenhall’s contract through the 2011 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Miscellany

Parker sprains ankle

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker sprained his left ankle during practice with the French national team this week and is returning to the U.S. to be examined.

•The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is siding with former Dallas Mavericks player Roy Tarpley in his legal fight for reinstatement by the NBA, which banned him in 1995 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

•The U.S. soccer team will play Mexico for the third time this year, a Sept. 9 exhibition game at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

•Michael Phelps won the 200-meter backstroke at the U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis, finishing more than two seconds ahead of a field that included world-record holder Ryan Lochte.

•Welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. will defend his title against Ricky Hatton on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas.

The site of the fight has not been determined, Golden Boy Promotions said. It’s a matchup of two undefeated fighters, who are a combined 81-0.