Sports in brief: Point guard Rubio remains in Spain
Basketball: After saying all summer long that his preference was to play in the NBA, Ricky Rubio apparently got a case of cold feet at the last minute.
Less than 48 hours after the Timberwolves, Rubio’s agents and the Spanish team DKV Joventut agreed in principle on a deal to bring the 18-year-old point guard to Minnesota, Rubio changed his mind.
He told Timberwolves president David Kahn on Monday night that he wanted to stay in Spain for the next two years to better prepare for life in the NBA – a blow to a team that was hoping to have the popular passer on the court this fall.
The Timberwolves drafted Rubio fifth overall in June, even though he was still under contract with DKV Joventut in a deal that included an $8.1 million buyout clause. Kahn made three trips to Spain over the summer to try and help Rubio’s representatives negotiate that number down, a process that was hindered by NBA guidelines limiting the amount of money Minnesota could contribute to $500,000.
Niners part ways with ex-Husky Huard
Football: The San Francisco 49ers have released quarterback Damon Huard.
After the move, Nate Davis is in line to be the team’s No. 3 quarterback behind starter Shaun Hill and backup Alex Smith.
The 36-year-old Huard is a 13th-year pro from the University of Washington best known for his lengthy backup stints behind Miami’s Dan Marino and New England’s Tom Brady. He started 13 games over the past two seasons with Kansas City, but never firmly claimed the Chiefs’ starting job during five seasons with the club.
•Feds investigate union: The NFL Players Association confirmed it is the target of a federal investigation into whether union leaders attempted to collude with NFL officials by holding secret meetings to discuss labor talks.
NFLPA official George Atallah said the union has been cooperating with the Department of Labor probe, which came to light in a lawsuit filed against the union last week by NFLPA employee Mary Moran. Moran claims she was wrongfully removed from her job as director of human resources and placed on administrative leave with pay on Aug. 3 because of her role as a confidential informant in the investigation.
•Rams trade Hill to Atlanta: The St. Louis Rams cut ties to their top two picks from the 2006 draft, trading cornerback Tye Hill to the Atlanta Falcons for an undisclosed draft pick and releasing tight end Joe Klopfenstein.
Hill missed 20 games the past two seasons, including the last 12 game of 2008 with a knee injury.
•Jones looks to the north: Adam “Pacman” Jones is close to returning to pro football – north of the border.
The Canadian Press and SI.com reported that Jones would play for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but Jones’ attorney, Worrick Robinson, wouldn’t confirm with which team he’s negotiating.
Jones spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys after missing the previous year because of multiple violations of the NFL personal conduct policy.
•Also in the NFL: Rookie right tackle Andre Smith broke his left foot during practice, only two days after he ended his holdout with Cincinnati; Kansas City released Amani Toomer, ending the veteran receiver’s short-lived stint with the team; Ricky Williams signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him with Miami through 2010; Carolina addressed its biggest need by acquiring defensive tackle Louis Leonard from Cleveland for a 2010 late-round draft pick; veteran tight end Jeb Putzier was among four players released by Denver; and the two sons of Carolina owner Jerry Richardson resigned from high-ranking jobs in the organization, an unexpected shake-up in one of the NFL’s most stable and successful franchises.
Balsillie appears today in Phoenix
Hockey: The Phoenix Coyotes’ saga seems to be stumbling toward a conclusion, and the lead character in the twisted drama finally is scheduled to make an appearance.
After almost four months of legal wrangling and nearly 900 court filings, a hearing is scheduled in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix today to argue most of the sticky issues still facing Judge Redfield T. Baum.
For the first time, Canadian billionaire James Balsillie will be in the courtroom, according to a filing Tuesday by PSE, the company he formed to pursue the Coyotes.
Balsillie wants to buy the team and move it to Hamilton, Ontario, over the vehement objection of the NHL, which has made its bid to purchase the franchise.
•Lightning land Tanguay: Free-agent left wing Alex Tanguay has signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tanguay has 193 goals and 580 points in nine seasons. He was Colorado’s first-round draft pick in 1998.
•U.S. women rebound: Hilary Knight scored a pair of goals, and the U.S. women’s hockey team rebounded from a loss to Finland with a 7-0 rout of Sweden at the Hockey Canada Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia.