In brief: Stern acknowledges rule violations by referees
David Stern acknowledged Thursday that more than half of his 56 referees had violated NBA policies about casino gambling, but said none will be punished because he felt the rules were outdated.
Instead, Stern said he is altering the policies, leaning toward allowing referees to gamble in casinos during the off-season – except for betting in sports books.
The league’s strict gambling policies toward referees became public after the Tim Donaghy scandal. The NBA prevents its officials from entering the gaming area of a casino, or doing any betting at all except for going to race tracks during the off-season.
Football
MSU players charged
Michigan State football players SirDarean Adams, T.J. Williams and Jeremy Ware have been charged with unarmed robbery in the parking lot of a store.
They were arraigned Wednesday in District Court in Mason, Mich., on a felony robbery charge, according to court records.
“The Arena Football League will be the first professional football league to allow defenses to use on-field communication devices, under a rules change approved by the league Board of Directors.
Golf
Estes, Armour on top
Bob Estes birdied six straight holes in a 9-under-par 64 that left him tied for the lead with Tommy Armour III in the opening round of the Ginn sur Mer Classic at a soggy Tesoro Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
“Defending champion Jim Thorpe shot an 8-under 64 for a share of the first-round lead with Eduardo Romero in the Champions Tour’s season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Sonoma, Calif.
“Suzann Pettersen shot a 7-under 65 at steamy Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand, to take a two-stroke lead in the Honda LPGA Thailand.
Miscellany
Arkansas loses titles
Arkansas’ renowned track and field program lost two national championships when the NCAA imposed stiff sanctions for violations involving sprint star Tyson Gay and a former assistant coach. The Razorbacks also received three years’ probation. University Chancellor John White said the school plans to appeal.
“Florida State athletic director David Hart Jr. is leaving the school in Tallahassee, Fla., after a dozen years.
Florida State president T.K. Wetherell told Hart this summer that his contract would not be renewed after its January 2009 completion.
“The National Lacrosse League salvaged its 2008 season by agreeing to a new collective bargaining agreement with the union.
“Former All-Star relief pitcher Jeff Reardon was released from court supervision in West Palm Beach, Fla., a year after being found not guilty by reason of insanity for robbing a jewelry store.
“Tour de France organizers in Paris unveiled a new route and revamped rules for the 2008 race. Organizers said they never want to relive the lows of 2007 and promised to be vigorous in applying measures to weed out cheats.