Osborne opts to step aside
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Tom Osborne, who put together one of the most successful coaching runs in college football history before serving in Congress and taking the reins as Nebraska’s athletic director five years ago, is retiring.
The 75-year-old Osborne announced at a news conference Wednesday that he would step down Jan. 1, though he will stay for an additional six months to assist in the transition to a new athletic director.
“At some point, whether you’re able to function or not, just the perception that you’re getting old can get in the way,” Osborne said.
“I don’t want to be one of those guys everybody is walking around wringing their hands trying to figure out what are we going to do with him? That happens sometimes.”
• Arkansas A.D. backs Smith: Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long isn’t giving up on football coach John L. Smith or the season just yet.
Long said that he is committed to Smith for this season, despite the program’s difficult start, and to the rest of the coaching staff, which remained intact after former coach Bobby Petrino’s firing in April.
The Razorbacks (1-3) lost their third straight game last week. They were 21-5 the last two seasons under Petrino.
Canadian networks prepare for lockout
NHL: Canadian television networks stand to lose broadcasts that attract millions of viewers and generate millions of dollars in advertising revenue if the NHL lockout extends into the regular season.
This is the NHL’s fourth work stoppage in 20 years. In previous shutdowns, the networks aired more major junior and American Hockey League games. But the ratings and revenues do not justify the production costs, which are about on par with NHL telecasts.
Paul Graham, a TSN vice president and executive producer of live events, said his network is not worried about what will happen short term because it has plenty of programming tied to CFL, NBA, NASCAR and other events.
“At the end of the day, everyone wants hockey,” he said. “That’s the sport of our country, and that’s the sport that brings in the most consistent ratings on our network.”
Coaches fined for treatment of officials
NFL: The NFL fined New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick $50,000 and Washington Redskins assistant Kyle Shanahan, the son of head coach Mike Shanahan, $25,000 for their conduct toward replacement officials.
Belichick grabbed an official’s arm and Shanahan was cited by the league for “abuse of officials.”
Mercury win right to draft Griner
WNBA: The Phoenix Mercury won the WNBA draft lottery and earned the right to choose 6-foot-8 center Brittney Griner with the top pick next year.
Chicago will pick second and Tulsa third. Washington, which had the worst record in the league, will pick fourth. The Mystics (5-29) had a 44 percent chance to win the top pick.
Perjury charges upheld in PSU case
MISCELLANY: A judge has upheld perjury charges against two Penn State administrators accused of lying to a grand jury that investigated allegations ex-assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abused children.
Dauphin County Judge Todd Hoover ruled against motions by former vice president Gary Schultz and athletic director Tim Curley that would have thrown out the perjury count each faces. Schultz is retired after serving as vice president for business and finance. Curley in on leave as athletic director.
Trial is expected to begin in January.
• Contador wins in Italy: Alberto Contador won the revived Milano-Torino road race, his second title since returning from a doping ban.
Contador moved ahead of the peloton on the final climb to the Basilica di Superga and held on for his first victory in a one-day, 123-mile race. He returned from a doping ban in August, and won the Spanish Vuelta earlier this month.