Newsmakers

Requested The National Hockey League has asked a bankruptcy judge to throw out Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie’s bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes based on the league’s overwhelming rejection of him as a potential owner. The 26-page motion, accompanied by declarations from Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs and Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold, says the owners have concluded that Balsillie would be untrustworthy and that the court has no right to overturn their July 29 vote. The owners say their opinion is based on Balsillie’s behavior in earlier attempts to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators.

Released The Cleveland Browns released veteran defensive lineman Shaun Smith. Smith was one of the Browns’ most vocal players – on and off the field. He played two seasons with Cleveland after signing as a free agent in 2007. He made nine starts last season and finished with 47 tackles in 11 games. But Smith’s biggest moment may have been an off-the-field confrontation with quarterback Brady Quinn. Smith reportedly punched Quinn in the face following an argument in the team’s weight room.

Injured Philadelphia Eagles rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram tore a ligament in his left knee Tuesday and is likely out for the season. The team said an MRI revealed the injury. The fifth-round pick missed his senior season at Florida after tearing the ACL in the same knee almost exactly a year ago.

•Dallas Cowboys cornerback Michael Jenkins hurt his right ankle in practice, possibly putting a crimp in the main position battle of training camp. Jenkins was covering a receiver in a full-squad drill when someone stepped on the inside of his foot.

Confirmed The Italian Cycling Federation says tests on Danilo Di Luca’s “B” sample have confirmed the former Giro d’Italia winner was positive for the banned blood-booster CERA at this year’s race.

Died Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque died of heart failure in the team hotel on the eve of the Spanish soccer team’s exhibition against Bologna at Florence, Italy. He was 26. Bologna said the central defender was found unconscious in his hotel room and was taken to a hospital, but “it was not possible to save his life.”