Sports Quote of the Day:
“Pain is nothing compared to what it feels like to quit.” ~ Author Unknown
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks surge past Kings, take 3-1 series lead. Let's win the next home game and move on for the "Cup".
By
When Bryan Bickell's shot slipped out of Jonathan Quick's usually inescapable glove and trickled into the Los Angeles net early, the Chicago Blackhawks figured Game 4 might be their chance to snap the Kings' daunting streak of home dominance.
When Marian Hossa's shot eluded Quick for the go-ahead goal two periods later, the Blackhawks knew they had cracked their foe's star goalie and the formula for winning at Staples Center.
The Kings are teetering in the Western Conference finals - and Chicago needs just one more win to topple the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Hossa scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, and the Blackhawks moved to the brink of the Stanley Cup finals with a 3-2 victory Thursday night, ending Los Angeles' 15-game winning streak at home.
''They were playing so well at home, and to finally break that streak, we're happy about it,'' Hossa said. ''We knew about it. We talked about it before the game. We were hoping to break it, and we got it.''
Corey Crawford made 19 saves, and Patrick Kane tapped in the tying goal as Chicago rallied from a second-period deficit to beat the Kings. Los Angeles hadn't lost in its rink since March 23, including eight playoff games. Bickell had a goal and an assist for the top-seeded Blackhawks, who took a 3-1 series lead even without suspended defenseman Duncan Keith.
After losing Game 3 in listless fashion, the Blackhawks had a solution to every dilemma, from the Kings' two early leads to the absence of Chicago's ice-time leader and top defenseman.
''We knew our defense was going to step up, and they did,'' Bickell said. ''We had a good feeling coming in. We had a bitter taste from the last game. They had a big start, but we stuck with it and eventually got it back.''
Game 5 is Saturday night in Chicago.
Slava Voynov and Dustin Penner scored for the Kings, who had the NHL's longest home postseason winning run since 2009. The champs know they are in trouble after failing to hold on to a late lead in front of their Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goalie.
''It's an incredibly skilled team,'' Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi said of Chicago.
''We're not getting into something we didn't know. When you turn the puck over like that at the blue lines, with the skill they have, it's only a matter of time before they put one on the scoreboard. Hopefully we learned our lesson, and we've got to win the next one.''
The Blackhawks thrived without Keith, who served a one-game suspension for high-sticking Jeff Carter in the face during the second period of Game 3. Sheldon Brookbank filled in while Chicago played strong team defense in front of Crawford, allowing just two shots by the desperate Kings in the third period.
''Right from the first couple shifts, we were moving our feet, playing with speed,'' said defenseman Brent Seabrook, who led Chicago with 26:20 of ice time. ''We were getting in on the forecheck and making good plays. It was big for our group to come back with a good effort.''
Los Angeles hadn't lost a playoff game at home since Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals last season, winning nine straight overall. The Kings also had been outstanding when playing with a lead in front of Quick, who stopped 25 shots, but Los Angeles uncharacteristically surrendered that 2-1 lead late in the second period.
The high-scoring Kane ending his seven-game goal drought in a quiet postseason by charging into the crease to tap home the tying goal on a rebound of Niklas Hjalmarsson's shot and Bickell's deflection late in the second period. Hjalmarsson finished with two assists.
After Los Angeles killed a penalty to open the third period, Michal Handzus caught the Kings napping and set up a break with the speedy Hossa, who ripped a precise shot for his seventh goal of the postseason.
''That's one thing that (coach) Darryl (Sutter) has been hard on us for right now,'' Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said. ''We're making too many turnovers, in the neutral zone especially. That was a cause of two of the goals. We made turnovers and they came back down on odd-man rushes and scored. If we want to win, it's something we can't be doing.''
The Kings played their third straight game without center Mike Richards, who has an apparent concussion after a big hit from Chicago's Dave Bolland in the series opener.
Richards was the Kings' leading postseason scorer with 10 points when he got hurt.
Los Angeles' unbeaten stretch at home ended in unusual fashion with the blown lead, and the low-scoring Kings' title defense could be over in two days. The NHL hasn't had a repeat champion since the Detroit Red Wings in 1998, and Los Angeles has managed just eight goals in four games against the powerful Blackhawks.
''They didn't have many great scoring chances,'' Crawford said. ''We mostly kept them to the outside. It was great for us to shut them down.''
Chicago needs one win in three games to advance to its second Stanley Cup finals appearance since 1992. The Blackhawks have been mostly rolling since their 5-2 victory in the season opener at Los Angeles in January, ruining the Kings' banner-raising ceremony.
The Blackhawks hadn't won a playoff round in the past two seasons since their Stanley Cup triumph, replenishing their roster on the fly around their talented young core.
Just nine players remain from the championship team, but it's safe to say the rebuild is complete for a team that won its second Presidents' Trophy with a 36-7-5 regular season, followed by a gutsy rally from a 1-3 series deficit against Detroit to escape the second round.
The Kings opened Game 4 with the same urgency they showed two days earlier, forcing their way into Chicago's zone and preventing the Blackhawks' usual slick passing. Los Angeles' fourth line created the first goal just 3:28 in when Kyle Clifford passed from behind Chicago's net to Voynov, who skated in alone for a slap shot past Crawford.
The goal was Voynov's sixth of the postseason, extending his single-season playoff record for Kings defensemen.
Chicago responded, easily killing a penalty while holding Los Angeles without a shot for about 11 minutes. The Blackhawks evened it on an innocent-looking play by Bickell, whose wobbly shot somehow got out of Quick's glove for his eighth goal of the postseason.
Bickell is on a remarkable playoff run before unrestricted free agency this summer, scoring a goal in each of the past three games and five of seven overall.
The Kings went back ahead early in the second period on another strong shift by their newly assembled big line featuring Carter, Penner and rookie Tyler Toffoli, who has taken Richards' place in the lineup. They also victimized the Blackhawks' third defensive pairing: Carter drove the net while Chicago's Nick Leddy failed to knock him off the puck, and Penner swept home the rebound of Carter's backhand when Brookbank couldn't move him out of the crease.
Chicago tied it late in the period when Hjalmarsson launched a long shot through Bickell's screen and past Quick. Kane tapped it home for a much-needed boost for the prolific scorer who had managed just two goals in the playoffs after getting 23 in the regular season.
After Hossa scored his second goal of the series, Quick made an exceptional glove save on Kane later in the third period. But Quick and the Kings have yielded 10 goals in the series - the same number they gave up in six first-round games and seven second-round games.
''It's a loss. They're all the same,'' Quick said. ''We've just got to win one game. That's all we've got to do.''
NOTES: The Kings lost at home in regulation just four times in the regular season. ... Brookbank played only 6:50 and was a minus-2, but coach Joel Quenneville praised his work. ... Los Angeles captain Dustin Brown has one goal in the last nine games, none in the conference finals. Top scorer Anze Kopitar has one goal in 13 games, also none in this series. Brown and Kopitar tied for the NHL playoff scoring lead last season with 20 points apiece.
When Bryan Bickell's shot slipped out of Jonathan Quick's usually inescapable glove and trickled into the Los Angeles net early, the Chicago Blackhawks figured Game 4 might be their chance to snap the Kings' daunting streak of home dominance.
When Marian Hossa's shot eluded Quick for the go-ahead goal two periods later, the Blackhawks knew they had cracked their foe's star goalie and the formula for winning at Staples Center.
The Kings are teetering in the Western Conference finals - and Chicago needs just one more win to topple the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Hossa scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, and the Blackhawks moved to the brink of the Stanley Cup finals with a 3-2 victory Thursday night, ending Los Angeles' 15-game winning streak at home.
''They were playing so well at home, and to finally break that streak, we're happy about it,'' Hossa said. ''We knew about it. We talked about it before the game. We were hoping to break it, and we got it.''
Corey Crawford made 19 saves, and Patrick Kane tapped in the tying goal as Chicago rallied from a second-period deficit to beat the Kings. Los Angeles hadn't lost in its rink since March 23, including eight playoff games. Bickell had a goal and an assist for the top-seeded Blackhawks, who took a 3-1 series lead even without suspended defenseman Duncan Keith.
After losing Game 3 in listless fashion, the Blackhawks had a solution to every dilemma, from the Kings' two early leads to the absence of Chicago's ice-time leader and top defenseman.
''We knew our defense was going to step up, and they did,'' Bickell said. ''We had a good feeling coming in. We had a bitter taste from the last game. They had a big start, but we stuck with it and eventually got it back.''
Game 5 is Saturday night in Chicago.
Slava Voynov and Dustin Penner scored for the Kings, who had the NHL's longest home postseason winning run since 2009. The champs know they are in trouble after failing to hold on to a late lead in front of their Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goalie.
''It's an incredibly skilled team,'' Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi said of Chicago.
''We're not getting into something we didn't know. When you turn the puck over like that at the blue lines, with the skill they have, it's only a matter of time before they put one on the scoreboard. Hopefully we learned our lesson, and we've got to win the next one.''
The Blackhawks thrived without Keith, who served a one-game suspension for high-sticking Jeff Carter in the face during the second period of Game 3. Sheldon Brookbank filled in while Chicago played strong team defense in front of Crawford, allowing just two shots by the desperate Kings in the third period.
''Right from the first couple shifts, we were moving our feet, playing with speed,'' said defenseman Brent Seabrook, who led Chicago with 26:20 of ice time. ''We were getting in on the forecheck and making good plays. It was big for our group to come back with a good effort.''
Los Angeles hadn't lost a playoff game at home since Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals last season, winning nine straight overall. The Kings also had been outstanding when playing with a lead in front of Quick, who stopped 25 shots, but Los Angeles uncharacteristically surrendered that 2-1 lead late in the second period.
The high-scoring Kane ending his seven-game goal drought in a quiet postseason by charging into the crease to tap home the tying goal on a rebound of Niklas Hjalmarsson's shot and Bickell's deflection late in the second period. Hjalmarsson finished with two assists.
After Los Angeles killed a penalty to open the third period, Michal Handzus caught the Kings napping and set up a break with the speedy Hossa, who ripped a precise shot for his seventh goal of the postseason.
''That's one thing that (coach) Darryl (Sutter) has been hard on us for right now,'' Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said. ''We're making too many turnovers, in the neutral zone especially. That was a cause of two of the goals. We made turnovers and they came back down on odd-man rushes and scored. If we want to win, it's something we can't be doing.''
The Kings played their third straight game without center Mike Richards, who has an apparent concussion after a big hit from Chicago's Dave Bolland in the series opener.
Richards was the Kings' leading postseason scorer with 10 points when he got hurt.
Los Angeles' unbeaten stretch at home ended in unusual fashion with the blown lead, and the low-scoring Kings' title defense could be over in two days. The NHL hasn't had a repeat champion since the Detroit Red Wings in 1998, and Los Angeles has managed just eight goals in four games against the powerful Blackhawks.
''They didn't have many great scoring chances,'' Crawford said. ''We mostly kept them to the outside. It was great for us to shut them down.''
Chicago needs one win in three games to advance to its second Stanley Cup finals appearance since 1992. The Blackhawks have been mostly rolling since their 5-2 victory in the season opener at Los Angeles in January, ruining the Kings' banner-raising ceremony.
The Blackhawks hadn't won a playoff round in the past two seasons since their Stanley Cup triumph, replenishing their roster on the fly around their talented young core.
Just nine players remain from the championship team, but it's safe to say the rebuild is complete for a team that won its second Presidents' Trophy with a 36-7-5 regular season, followed by a gutsy rally from a 1-3 series deficit against Detroit to escape the second round.
The Kings opened Game 4 with the same urgency they showed two days earlier, forcing their way into Chicago's zone and preventing the Blackhawks' usual slick passing. Los Angeles' fourth line created the first goal just 3:28 in when Kyle Clifford passed from behind Chicago's net to Voynov, who skated in alone for a slap shot past Crawford.
The goal was Voynov's sixth of the postseason, extending his single-season playoff record for Kings defensemen.
Chicago responded, easily killing a penalty while holding Los Angeles without a shot for about 11 minutes. The Blackhawks evened it on an innocent-looking play by Bickell, whose wobbly shot somehow got out of Quick's glove for his eighth goal of the postseason.
Bickell is on a remarkable playoff run before unrestricted free agency this summer, scoring a goal in each of the past three games and five of seven overall.
The Kings went back ahead early in the second period on another strong shift by their newly assembled big line featuring Carter, Penner and rookie Tyler Toffoli, who has taken Richards' place in the lineup. They also victimized the Blackhawks' third defensive pairing: Carter drove the net while Chicago's Nick Leddy failed to knock him off the puck, and Penner swept home the rebound of Carter's backhand when Brookbank couldn't move him out of the crease.
Chicago tied it late in the period when Hjalmarsson launched a long shot through Bickell's screen and past Quick. Kane tapped it home for a much-needed boost for the prolific scorer who had managed just two goals in the playoffs after getting 23 in the regular season.
After Hossa scored his second goal of the series, Quick made an exceptional glove save on Kane later in the third period. But Quick and the Kings have yielded 10 goals in the series - the same number they gave up in six first-round games and seven second-round games.
''It's a loss. They're all the same,'' Quick said. ''We've just got to win one game. That's all we've got to do.''
NOTES: The Kings lost at home in regulation just four times in the regular season. ... Brookbank played only 6:50 and was a minus-2, but coach Joel Quenneville praised his work. ... Los Angeles captain Dustin Brown has one goal in the last nine games, none in the conference finals. Top scorer Anze Kopitar has one goal in 13 games, also none in this series. Brown and Kopitar tied for the NHL playoff scoring lead last season with 20 points apiece.
Spurs stun LeBron, Heat in NBA Finals opener on strength of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan. That says it all!!!
By Marc J. Spears
LeBron James will enter the weekend still in search of his first NBA Finals victory against the San Antonio Spurs.
Tim Duncan shook off a shaky start to pace the Spurs with 20 points, and Tony Parker iced the Finals opener with an incredible runner off the window with 5.2 seconds – narrowly beating the 24-second shot clock – to lift San Antonio past the Miami Heat, 92-88, on Thursday night at American Airlines Arena.
Danny Green delivered a big blow, a 3-pointer with 2:13 left to give the Spurs an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Heat cut the deficit to a basket twice, the last on two James free throws with 31.3 seconds left.
That set up Parker's heroics in what appeared to be a doomed possession.
The Spurs, who trailed by as many as nine points in the game, finally got the lead back on a Kawhi Leonard lay-in with 6:58 remaining to go ahead 79-78. It was San Antonio's first lead since 19-18 with 3:02 in the first quarter. Following a Leonard steal of a James pass, Parker put the Spurs up 81-78 with a lay-in with six minutes left. The nervous Heat followed with a timeout. The Spurs entered Game 1 of the Finals coming off a week of rest after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals. Duncan immediately smiled at the mention of all the time off coming his way after Game 4. On the flip side, the Heat had only two days off between eliminating the Indiana Pacers in a deciding Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals and Thursday.
Was more rest or less better?
It didn't seem to make a difference either way in the first quarter as the Heat finished the frame ahead 24-23. The second quarter was also close as Miami went into halftime with a 52-49 lead after Duncan nailed a 20-foot jumper at the buzzer.
Wade and James had 13 and 10 points, respectively, in the first half for Miami. The Heat were also aided by six 3-pointers, including a pair from Ray Allen. After going scoreless on five missed shots in the first quarter, Duncan scored 12 points after making five of seven shots from the field and two free throws in the second. The Heat shot 50 percent in the first half while the Spurs went 42.9.
Horse racing-Post positions for 2013 Belmont Stakes.
Reuters; Compiled by Larry Fine
Post position for Saturday's 145th Belmont Stakes in New York after Wednesday's draw (listed as post position, HORSE, jockey, trainer, early odds):
1. FRAC DADDY, Alan Garcia, Ken McPeek, 30-1
2. FREEDOM CHILD, Luis Saez, Tom Albertrani, 8-1
3. OVERANALYZE, John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher, 12-1
4. GIANT FINISH, Edgar Prado, Tony Dutrow, 30-1
5. ORB, Joel Rosario, Shug McGaughey, 3-1
6. INCOGNITO, Irad Ortiz, Kiaran McLaughlin, 20-1
7. OXBOW, Gary Stevens, D. Wayne Lukas, 5-1
8. MIDNIGHT TABOO, Garrett Gomez, Todd Pletcher, 30-1
9. REVOLUTIONARY, Javier Castellano, Todd Pletcher, 9-2
10. WILL TAKE CHARGE, Jon Court, D. Wayne Lukas, 20-1
11. VYJACK, Julien Leparoux, Rudy Rodriguez, 20-1
12. PALACE MALICE, Mike Smith, Todd Pletcher, 15-1
13. UNLIMITED BUDGET, Rosie Napravnik, Todd Pletcher, 8-1
14. GOLDEN SOUL, Robby Albarado, Dallas Stewart, 10-1
Favorable draws for Belmont favorites Orb, Oxbow.
Reuters; By Larry Fine
Kentucky Derby winner Orb and Preakness Stakes champion Oxbow will line up in the middle of the pack two gates apart for their showdown in Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
Orb, the early 3-1 favorite in the 14-horse field, will start in the fifth position, with Oxbow, rated 5-1, starting from the seventh gate as determined by Wednesday's draw at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Two more places outside will be Revolutionary, who finished third in the Derby and was made the second choice for the Belmont ahead of Oxbow at 9-2.
The leading contenders in the third and final jewel of U.S. thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown series were all pleased with the draw.
"I like to get the middle and that's about as middle as you can get," said Orb trainer Shug McGaughey. "I'm a lot more satisfied there than I was at Pimlico."
Orb drew the first gate at the Preakness and trapped along the rail behind a slow pace that added up to a disappointing fourth-place finish.
"I just didn't want to get down on the inside where maybe we might get stuck around the first turn, like we sort of did in the Preakness."
D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of Oxbow, said he did not think the post positions would be critical in the Belmont, the longest of the Triple Crown races.
"I think we overanalyze (the draw) a lot," said Lukas.
"At a mile and a half with that long run and the sweeping turns, we have a tendency to overanalyze the post position draw. I'm more concerned about who is around me and what they're going to do than what gate we got."
Revolutionary, one of five horses trained by Todd Pletcher in the race, skipped the Preakness and could be fresher over the grueling Belmont that has been dubbed "The Test of Champions."
"I think (the distance) will suit (Revolutionary) well," said Pletcher. "He'll settle in the first part of the race. That's important if you're going to get the mile and a half."
Pletcher, whose other entries are filly Unlimited Budget, ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Overanalyze, Palace Malice and Midnight Taboo, was also pleased with some of his other draws.
Unlimited Budget, a 8-1 choice, was drawn for the 13th gate, while Palace Malice, a 15-1 pick, will start from the 12th spot.
"We were kind of hoping Unlimited Budget would draw toward the outside," said Pletcher. "Palace Malice, maybe, will show some speed, so we're happy to be outside of Freedom Child and Oxbow."
One disappointed trainer was Tom Albertrani, whose Freedom Child drew the second post position.
"We were hoping to get a little further toward the middle," said Albertrani, whose Freedom Child was an early 8-1 choice coming off a victory in the recent Peter Pan at Belmont.
"But we dealt with post one in the Peter Pan so we'll just deal with post two in the Belmont."
Two more places outside will be Revolutionary, who finished third in the Derby and was made the second choice for the Belmont ahead of Oxbow at 9-2.
The leading contenders in the third and final jewel of U.S. thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown series were all pleased with the draw.
"I like to get the middle and that's about as middle as you can get," said Orb trainer Shug McGaughey. "I'm a lot more satisfied there than I was at Pimlico."
Orb drew the first gate at the Preakness and trapped along the rail behind a slow pace that added up to a disappointing fourth-place finish.
"I just didn't want to get down on the inside where maybe we might get stuck around the first turn, like we sort of did in the Preakness."
D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of Oxbow, said he did not think the post positions would be critical in the Belmont, the longest of the Triple Crown races.
"I think we overanalyze (the draw) a lot," said Lukas.
"At a mile and a half with that long run and the sweeping turns, we have a tendency to overanalyze the post position draw. I'm more concerned about who is around me and what they're going to do than what gate we got."
Revolutionary, one of five horses trained by Todd Pletcher in the race, skipped the Preakness and could be fresher over the grueling Belmont that has been dubbed "The Test of Champions."
"I think (the distance) will suit (Revolutionary) well," said Pletcher. "He'll settle in the first part of the race. That's important if you're going to get the mile and a half."
Pletcher, whose other entries are filly Unlimited Budget, ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Overanalyze, Palace Malice and Midnight Taboo, was also pleased with some of his other draws.
Unlimited Budget, a 8-1 choice, was drawn for the 13th gate, while Palace Malice, a 15-1 pick, will start from the 12th spot.
"We were kind of hoping Unlimited Budget would draw toward the outside," said Pletcher. "Palace Malice, maybe, will show some speed, so we're happy to be outside of Freedom Child and Oxbow."
One disappointed trainer was Tom Albertrani, whose Freedom Child drew the second post position.
"We were hoping to get a little further toward the middle," said Albertrani, whose Freedom Child was an early 8-1 choice coming off a victory in the recent Peter Pan at Belmont.
"But we dealt with post one in the Peter Pan so we'll just deal with post two in the Belmont."
Meyer weighs in on paying college athletes... What's your take?
By Ben Axelrod
Urban Meyer believes that college athletes should be provided with a stipend.
At the Southeastern Conference's annual meetings in Destin, Fla. last week, the league's coaches agreed to support a proposal that would provide student-athletes with a $4,000 stipend.
While the SEC's proposal is merely that -- a proposal -- and still needs the support of other conferences and the NCAA to be enacted, the conference can count on backing from one of its former head coaches in Ohio State's Urban Meyer. Speaking at a community service event in Columbus last Thursday, Meyer -- who coached at Florida from 2005-2010 -- stated that he was unaware of his former league's proposal, but has been a longtime advocate of providing players with regulated compensation.
"I'm on record of saying I'm in favor of it. That's the first I've heard of the $4,000," Meyer said. "I don't think there's any person that would say they don't deserve that."
Another former Florida coach, Steve Spurrier, has been one of the SEC's more outspoken advocates of such stipend. The current head coach at South Carolina, Spurrier believes that given the amount revenue that college athletes provide for their respective schools, it's only right that they receive a share of profits.
"The amount of money they bring in is enormous, and they need to share in it," Spurrier said. "Hopefully, that will go through. The presidents and commissioners are supposed to be working on that."
Since 2011, the NCAA has been working to enact a proposal that would provide its athletes with a $2,000 stipend. However, due to concerns about the effect that such stipend would have on mid-lower echelon Division I schools and questions regarding gender equality -- most schools possess more male than female student athletes -- it never came to fruition.
Meyer, whose daughter, Gigi Meyer, plays volleyball at Florida Gulf Coast University, admitted that there are some complications that come along with compensating college athletes, especially those in sports that don't traditionally generate revenue.
"You've got the Title IX, it's not that easy. I think we found that out when it was pushed through a year ago," Meyer said, referring to the $2,000 stipend proposal. "My daughter's a volleyball player at Florida Gulf Coast, does she get $4,000? Not that I'm pushing for that, but I could see where lawsuits would come and all that.
"It's a slippery slope."
Alabama athletic director Bill Battle echoed Meyer's sentiments, stating that getting such legislation passed by the NCAA will be easier said than done.
"I don't see how you can pay some players on a team more than others," he said. "I am not saying that they shouldn't (be compensated), but what we have to recognize is that we have two, maybe three, sports in some places that make money.
"If you start to pay fair market value to those that the market is for then how do you pay them and not pay softball and rowing and swimming and diving and women's sports? If you go on market value, we are telling some people that they aren't worth much."
Regardless of if the $4,000 stipend moves forward or is stalled like the $2,000 one was, the topic of providing payment for college athletes isn't going anywhere. Former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon is currently in the process of suing the NCAA, claiming that athletes deserve to receive a portion of the revenue generated off their "likeness." The much-publicized lawsuit is threatening to change the entire landscape and system of college athletics, and should it be certified at a June 20 hearing in Oakland, Calif., it would likely do just that.
That crucial date still remains more than two weeks away. But the suit could eventually grant Meyer and his former SEC colleagues their wish, and perhaps much more. We'd be interested to know what's your take, should college athletes be paid?
"I'm on record of saying I'm in favor of it. That's the first I've heard of the $4,000," Meyer said. "I don't think there's any person that would say they don't deserve that."
Another former Florida coach, Steve Spurrier, has been one of the SEC's more outspoken advocates of such stipend. The current head coach at South Carolina, Spurrier believes that given the amount revenue that college athletes provide for their respective schools, it's only right that they receive a share of profits.
"The amount of money they bring in is enormous, and they need to share in it," Spurrier said. "Hopefully, that will go through. The presidents and commissioners are supposed to be working on that."
Since 2011, the NCAA has been working to enact a proposal that would provide its athletes with a $2,000 stipend. However, due to concerns about the effect that such stipend would have on mid-lower echelon Division I schools and questions regarding gender equality -- most schools possess more male than female student athletes -- it never came to fruition.
Meyer, whose daughter, Gigi Meyer, plays volleyball at Florida Gulf Coast University, admitted that there are some complications that come along with compensating college athletes, especially those in sports that don't traditionally generate revenue.
"You've got the Title IX, it's not that easy. I think we found that out when it was pushed through a year ago," Meyer said, referring to the $2,000 stipend proposal. "My daughter's a volleyball player at Florida Gulf Coast, does she get $4,000? Not that I'm pushing for that, but I could see where lawsuits would come and all that.
"It's a slippery slope."
Alabama athletic director Bill Battle echoed Meyer's sentiments, stating that getting such legislation passed by the NCAA will be easier said than done.
"I don't see how you can pay some players on a team more than others," he said. "I am not saying that they shouldn't (be compensated), but what we have to recognize is that we have two, maybe three, sports in some places that make money.
"If you start to pay fair market value to those that the market is for then how do you pay them and not pay softball and rowing and swimming and diving and women's sports? If you go on market value, we are telling some people that they aren't worth much."
Regardless of if the $4,000 stipend moves forward or is stalled like the $2,000 one was, the topic of providing payment for college athletes isn't going anywhere. Former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon is currently in the process of suing the NCAA, claiming that athletes deserve to receive a portion of the revenue generated off their "likeness." The much-publicized lawsuit is threatening to change the entire landscape and system of college athletics, and should it be certified at a June 20 hearing in Oakland, Calif., it would likely do just that.
That crucial date still remains more than two weeks away. But the suit could eventually grant Meyer and his former SEC colleagues their wish, and perhaps much more. We'd be interested to know what's your take, should college athletes be paid?
2013-2014 NFL Calendar.
By Mike Wilkening
Getty Images
The following are dates for key NFL events scheduled from June 2013 through May 2014. All dates and descriptions are as furnished by the league on June 6:
2013
June 23-29 — Rookie Symposium, Aurora, Ohio.
July 11 — Supplemental Draft (if necessary).
July 15 — At 4:00 p.m. New York time, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multi-year contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2013 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.
Mid-July — Clubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies and first-year players no earlier than 22 days prior to the club’s first preseason game.
Veteran players (defined as a player with at least one pension-credited season) other than quarterbacks or “injured players” (as defined in CBA Article 21, Section 6) may report to a club’s preseason training camp no earlier than 15 days prior to the club’s first scheduled preseason game or July 15, whichever is later.
Veteran quarterbacks and injured players may be required to report to the club’s preseason training camp no earlier than five days immediately prior to the mandatory reporting date for all other veteran players, provided the club has already opened (or simultaneously opens) its official preseason training camp for all rookies and first-year players.
A three-day acclimation period will apply to players who are on a club’s roster up to and including the mandatory veteran reporting date. Players who join the roster after that date may practice (including wearing pads) and play immediately after passing a physical.
July 22* — Signing Period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents to whom a “June 1 Tender” was made by prior club. After this date and until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.
(* — or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later.)
August 3 — Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony, Canton, Ohio.
August 4 — Hall of Fame Game, Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins, Canton, Ohio.
August 6 — Deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs to earn an Accrued Season for free agency.
August 6 — If a drafted rookie has not signed with his club by this date, he cannot be traded to any other club in 2013, and may sign a player contract only with the drafting club until the day of the draft in the 2014 League Year.
August 8-11 — First Preseason Weekend.
August 15-19 — Second Preseason Weekend.
August 22-25 — Third Preseason Weekend.
August 27 — Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must reduce their rosters to a maximum of 75 players on the Active List.
August 28 — All tryouts on this date and for the remainder of the season must be reported to the League office.
August 29 — Final Preseason Games.
August 31 — Prior to 6:00 p.m. New York time, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List.
August 31 — Simultaneously with the cut-down to 53, clubs that have players in the categories of Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness must select one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; request waivers; terminate contract; trade contract; or continue to count the player on the Active List.
September 1 — Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at 12:00 p.m., New York time.
September 1 — Beginning at 12:00 p.m. New York time, clubs may establish a Practice Squad of eight players by signing free agents who do not have an Accrued Season of free agency credit or who were on the 46-player Active List for less than nine regular season games during each of any Accrued Seasons. A player cannot serve on the Practice Squad for more than three seasons.
September 1 — Final day of preseason training camp for all clubs, as defined in CBA Article 23, Section 9.
September 3 — After 4:00 p.m. New York time, a club is permitted to place a player on Reserve/Injured as “Designated for Return.”
September 4 — At 4:00 p.m. New York time, deadline for all NFL Player Contracts, Practice Player Contracts, tender offers, and miscellaneous amounts to fit within each Club’s 2013 Salary Cap, in anticipation of the midnight expiration of the Top 51 Rule.
September 5 — At 12:00 a.m. New York time, the Top 51 Rule expires for all NFL Clubs.
September 5, 8-9 — Regular Season opens.
September 24 — Beginning on the Tuesday following the third weekend of regular season games, the claiming priority is based on the inverse order of the standing of clubs in the current season’s games.
September 29 — NFL International Series, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings, London, England.
October 7-9 — Fall League Meeting, Washington, D.C.
October 15 — Beginning the day after the conclusion of the sixth regular season weekend and continuing through the day after the conclusion of the 11th regular season weekend, clubs are permitted to begin practicing players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform and Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness for a period not to exceed 21 days. Players may be activated during the 21-day practice period or prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day after the conclusion of the 21-day period.
October 27 — NFL International Series, San Francisco 49ers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, London, England.
October 29 — All trading ends for 2013 at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
October 30 — Players with at least four previous pension-credited seasons are subject to the waiver system for the remainder of the regular season and postseason.
November 12 — At 4:00 p.m., New York time, signing period ends for Franchise Players who are eligible to receive Offer Sheets.
November 12 — Prior to 4:00 p.m. New York time, deadline for clubs to sign their unsigned Franchise and Transition Players, including Franchise Players who were eligible to receive Offer Sheets until this date. If still unsigned after this date, such players are prohibited from playing in the NFL in 2013.
November 12 — Prior to 4:00 p.m. New York time, deadline for clubs to sign their Unrestricted Free Agents to whom the “June 1 Tender” was made. If still unsigned after this date, such players are prohibited from playing in the NFL in 2013.
November 12 — Prior to 4:00 p.m. New York time, deadline for Clubs to sign their Restricted Free Agents, including those to whom the “June 1 Tender” was made. If such players remain unsigned after this date, they are prohibited from playing in the NFL in 2013.
November 12 — Prior to 4:00 p.m. New York time, deadline for Clubs to sign their drafted rookies. If such players remain unsigned after this date, they are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2013.
November 29 — Deadline at 4:00 p.m. New York time, for reinstatement of players in Reserve List categories of Retired, Did Not Report, and Exclusive Rights, and of players who were placed on Reserve/Left Squad in a previous season.
December 29 — 17th Week of Regular Season Games.
December 30 — Clubs may begin signing free agent players for the 2014 season.
December 30 — Earliest permissible date for clubs to renegotiate or extend the rookie contract of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Any permissible renegotiated or extended player contract will not be considered a rookie contract, and will not be subject to the rules that limit rookie contracts.
December 30 — Option exercise period begins for Fifth-Year Option for First-Round Selections from the 2011 College Draft. To exercise the option, the club must give written notice to the player on or after December 30, 2013 but prior to May 3, 2014.
2014
January 4-5 — Wild Card Playoff Games.
January 5 — Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that have byes in the Wild Card weekend may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of the Wild Card games.
January 11-12 — Divisional Playoff Games.
January 12 — Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that won their Wild Card games may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of Divisional Playoff games.
January 18 — East-West Shrine Game, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida.
January 19 — AFC and NFC Championship Games.
January 25 — Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.
January 26 — AFC-NFC Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii.
January 26 — An assistant coach, whose team is participating in the Super Bowl, who has previously interviewed for another club’s head coaching job may have a second interview with such club no later than the Sunday preceding the Super Bowl.
February 2 — Super Bowl XLVIII, MetLife Stadium, New York-New Jersey.
February 3 — Waiver system begins for 2014. A 24-hour claiming period will be in effect through the Friday prior to the last regular season game (waivers requests made on Friday and Saturday of each week will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the following Monday.) Players with at least four previous pension credited seasons whom a club desires to terminate are not subject to the waiver system until after the trading deadline.
February 17 — First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
February 19-25 — Combine Timing and Testing, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
March 3 — Prior to 4:00 p.m. New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 8-11 — Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2013 Player Contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 11. However, a contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 11.
March 11 — Prior to 4:00 p.m. New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2014 on all players who have option clauses in their 2013 contracts.
March 11 — Prior to 4:00 p.m. New York time, clubs must submit Qualifying Offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts and to whom they desire to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.
March 11 — Prior to 4:00 p.m. New York time, clubs must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2013 contracts and who have fewer than three Accrued Seasons of free agency credit.
March 11 — Top-51 Begins. All clubs must be under the 2014 Salary Cap prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time.
March 11 — All 2013 player contracts will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
March 11 — The 2014 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
The first day of the 2014 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 11. Clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 11.
March 11 — Trading period for 2014 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2013 contracts.
March 23-26 — Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida.
April 7 — Clubs that hired a new Head Coach after the end of the 2013 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 21 — Clubs with returning Head Coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
May 2 — Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign Offer Sheets.
May 7 — Deadline for Prior Club to exercise Right of First Refusal to Restricted Free Agents.
May 8-10 — 2014 NFL Draft, New York City, New York.
May 19-21 — NFL Spring League Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.
All dates subject to change, per the NFL.
For Alex Rodriguez, Biogenesis scandal is one mess he can't clean up alone.
By Jeff Passan
Alex Rodriguez hired a new publicist recently. This was no surprise. He goes through flacks like a fat guy in a wing-eating contest, gnawing them to the bone before dumping them in the nearest receptacle, where they gladly land. The toughest jobs in spin-doctoring include the NRA, Big Tobacco and a 37-year-old megalomaniac who doesn't make a troublesome product. He simply is one.
Again and again, A-Rod finds himself in this position: prone, vulnerable and in need of someone to clean up the messes he creates because those with whom he surrounds himself get paid more to rescue him from the muck than prevent him from wading into it. Time has proven he cannot help himself. Sometimes it's innocuous bits like talking about sleepovers with Derek Jeter or commissioning a painting of a centaur with his head or macking on Z-list models during a playoff game. And others it is a whopper, like the one threatening to swallow his career whole.
Major League Baseball is going after Rodriguez, and now it's got a star witness. Tony Bosch, the mastermind behind the Biogenesis clinic that allegedly supplied A-Rod with copious performance-enhancing drugs, has indicated to MLB he will offer details of his operation in exchange for the league dropping its lawsuit against him. His testimony could place Rodriguez square in the league's sights, and that could mean up to a 100-game suspension, 50 for a non-analytical positive and 50 more for lying to the league in previous conversations about PEDs.
Compound that with Rodriguez's return from a second major hip surgery, and it leaves his future in doubt. Despite public declarations of support, the New York Yankees desperately hope the injury forces him into retirement and allows them to cash insurance policies on the $100 million-plus remaining of the most ill-fated contract in sports history, a 10-year, $275 million albatross.
The ensuing fight is bound to get ugly. Sources with knowledge of the insurance coverage told Yahoo! Sports that the Yankees don't own one policy but more than a dozen that combined could cover up to 80 percent of his remaining salary. Which means that not only would Rodriguez need to volunteer to step away from the game, the companies would look deep into his beaten-up body to determine whether the Yankees have a right to cash the policies.
Friends of Rodriguez's say despite his worries that his ailing hip could leave him unable to play ever again – a concern he himself admits privately – he has zero intentions whatsoever of stepping away from baseball or the Yankees, even with the threat of 100 games hanging over his head. He values the money enough to fight the suspension – Rodriguez doesn't cycle through high-paid public-relations people for nothing – and is too stubborn to let the Yankees shame him out of the Bronx.
The team has every right to be mad. Rodriguez is the highest-paid team-sport athlete on the continent. His contract is five years old and still hasn't been usurped. And within that time frame, the Yankees have found out Rodriguez not only used PEDs once, he allegedly dabbled in them again despite knowing full well what the consequences and blowback would look like.
It's ugly. When the most prominent team around pegs a player carcinogenic to the clubhouse, the stigma never leaves. Only a desperate team would stock up on enough Aleve to allay the headache Rodriguez's arrival would prompt. So if he's not wanted in New York, and he's too much of a hassle everywhere else, Rodriguez will end up in the game's no-man's land, a place unthinkable when A-Rod looked like the heir – the natural heir – to Barry Bonds' all-time home run title.
Instead, it is this – a referendum on PEDs, a fight brewing with the team that rues his contract more than any and another crisis in a career that produces them like widgets.
Rodriguez is the last person who needs such calamities, and his constant missteps are indicative that on the cusp of 40 he still does not have the faculties to limit his entourage to the sort of people with his best interests, and not his wallet, in mind.
When Rodriguez signed his original monster deal, the 10-year, $252 million barrier-breaker with the Texas Rangers, he started to change, veering away from the kid who, if not endearing, was at very least tolerable with the Seattle Mariners. He delved deep into the real-estate market, a place where he still wheels and deals as though he'd rather be on "Million Dollar Listing" than "Sunday Night Baseball."
That sort of hobby works for players who compartmentalize their lives. Rodriguez never has been able to do that, and those who have helped him do it best are among the legions of former employees whose company he misses dearly.
"He's not a bad guy," one Rodriguez confidante said. "He just doesn't know how to act normal."
Normalcy is a construct of one's action, and choice after reckless choice has left A-Rod's life anything but. For years he has tried to play the role of somebody in grand control of his fate. That is not so, not now. It's in the hands of a charlatan who's about to turn rat, the hands of a team that doesn't want him and a league that wouldn't miss him, the hands of his newest handler, who soon enough will meet the same fate as so many before him.
US Open field.
2012 TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD: Brandt Snedeker, Justin Rose, Luke Donald, Ryan Moore, Hunter Mahan, Robert Garrigus, Dustin Johnson, Bo Van Pelt, Sergio Garcia, Zach Johnson, Scott Piercy, Carl Pettersson, Steve Stricker, Rickie Fowler, Nick Watney, John Huh.
TOP 60 FROM WORLD RANKING ON MAY 27: Ian Poulter, Peter Hanson, Jason Day, Branden Grace, Bill Haas, Henrik Stenson, Thorbjorn Olesen, Kevin Streelman, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Francesco Molinari, Jamie Donaldson, Paul Lawrie, Nicolas Colsaerts, Tim Clark, D.A. Points, Thongchai Jaidee, Freddie Jacobson, Billy Horschel, George Coetzee, Boo Weekley, Martin Laird, Russell Henley, Marcel Siem, Marc Leishman.
TOP 60 FROM WORLD RANKING ON JUNE 10: To be determined.
SECTIONAL QUALIFYING (36 holes): Simon Khan, Paul Casey, Jaco Van Zyl, Marcus Fraser, Eddie Pepperell, Peter Hedlom, Morten Orum Madsen, Jose Maria Olazabal, David Howell, John Parry, Chris Doak, Estanislao Goya, Hideki Matsuyama, Jung-Gon Hwang, Yui Ueda, Yoshinobu Tsukada, Hiroyuki Fujita, Charley Hoffman, Nicholas Thompson, Robert Karlsson, Josh Teater, David Hearn, Brendan Steele, David Lingmerth, Doug LaBelle, Ted Potter Jr., Aaron Baddley, Justin Hicks, Sang Moon Bae, Rory Sabbatini, Luke Guthrie, Kevin Sutherland, Jerry Kelly, Shawn Stefani, Morgan Hoffmann, Joe Ogilvie, Scott Langley, Alistair Presnell, Andrew Svoboda, Russell Knox, Adam Hadwin, Mathew Goggin, Cliff Kresge, Matt Bettencourt, a-Michael Kim, Jim Herman, Brian Stuard, Cheng-Tsung Pan, Jay Don Blake, Matt Weibring, Jordan Spieth, Edward Loar, a-Kevin Phelan, Bio Kim, Steven Alker, a-Max Homa, Scott Stallings (alternate).
LOCAL (18 holes) AND SECTIONAL QUALIFYING: Brandt Jobe, Brandon Crick, Randall Hutchison, Ryan Sullivan, Matt Harmon, Ryan Nelson, a-Grayson Murray, Jesse Smith, Geoffrey Sisk, a-Gavin Hall, Brandon Brown, Wil Collins, Mackenzie Hughes, John Hahn, Roger Tambellini, a-Cory McElyea, Zack Fischer, John Nieporte.
U.S. Senior Open champion Roger Chapman withdrew with injury.
Time to start thinking about golfing in Chicago; a true hidden gem of diverse courses.
Chicago Sports & Travel/AllsportsAmerica wants you. Golf season is upon us and for you diehard golfers that want to try something different, come golf in Chicago. Our group at CS&T/AA, Golf Options Illinois Forever, is ready to accommodate you with some of the most diverse golf courses in one location. Regardless of your golfing ability, we have a group of courses for you to play. We arrange your transportation, lodging, tee times and any miscellaneous request that you might have. There is so much to see and do when you’re not on the golf course. Chicago has wonderful architecture, excellent museums, very good ethnic food, a great night life, remarkable professional sports teams, a diverse population with unlimited potential that has earned it several nicknames such as, “The city that works”, The city of big shoulders”, “The windy city”, “The second city” and “A true world class city.” It all works for us and we want to share it with you. Come golf in Chicago. Email us at chicagosportsandtravel@yahoo.com and let us see what we can do for you. We guarantee you that all of our packages are very rare but priced super fair. Try us, we’re sure you’ll like us. We sincerely look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, “Have a great sports day!!!!!"
Chicago Sports & Travel/AllsportsAmerica wants you. Golf season is upon us and for you diehard golfers that want to try something different, come golf in Chicago. Our group at CS&T/AA, Golf Options Illinois Forever, is ready to accommodate you with some of the most diverse golf courses in one location. Regardless of your golfing ability, we have a group of courses for you to play. We arrange your transportation, lodging, tee times and any miscellaneous request that you might have. There is so much to see and do when you’re not on the golf course. Chicago has wonderful architecture, excellent museums, very good ethnic food, a great night life, remarkable professional sports teams, a diverse population with unlimited potential that has earned it several nicknames such as, “The city that works”, The city of big shoulders”, “The windy city”, “The second city” and “A true world class city.” It all works for us and we want to share it with you. Come golf in Chicago. Email us at chicagosportsandtravel@yahoo.com and let us see what we can do for you. We guarantee you that all of our packages are very rare but priced super fair. Try us, we’re sure you’ll like us. We sincerely look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, “Have a great sports day!!!!!"
Axalta signs three-year deal for Hendrick, Gordon.
By Kenny Bruce | NASCAR.com
Axalta signs three-year deal for Hendrick, Gordon
Axalta Coatings Systems doesn't debut as a primary sponsor for Jeff Gordon until this weekend's Party in the Poconos 400 at Pocono Raceway. But the company has already extended its relationship with the Hendrick Motorsports driver and team.
Officials announced a three-year contract extension with HMS, with primary sponsorship in 10 races annually through the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
Officials announced a three-year contract extension with HMS, with primary sponsorship in 10 races annually through the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
"I'm so excited that Axalta has decided to move forward with us beyond 2013," Gordon said. "They've been with me since the beginning and I look forward to a lot more racing, some more wins and hopefully another championship with them before it's all over."
Gordon's No. 24 Chevrolet has carried familiar DuPont branding since his Cup debut in 1992. Earlier this year, the Carlyle Group purchased DuPont Performance Coatings, LLC, and renamed the company Axalta.
The new company, Gordon said, "is still comprised of the same people I've been working with for more than two decades, and I can't imagine my career without them.
"They are truly like family to me, Rick Hendrick and this No. 24 team. I'm so excited that they're moving forward with us."
A four-time Cup champion, Gordon is the leading race winner among active drivers with 87 career victories. He is currently 11th in the points standings, and made his 700th career start earlier this year.
The DuPont/Axalta relationship with HMS is in its 21st year, and is the longest-running sponsorship in the series.
"This has truly been one of the most effective and iconic relationships in sports marketing," said Hendrick. "We celebrated 20 years together with a win at Homestead (in 2012), and all of us look forward to many more successes with Jeff and the No. 24 team.
"The people at Axalta are like family, and we're committed to bringing even more value to the partnership."
Axalta is scheduled to be the primary sponsor on the car for 14 races this season. AARP's Drive To End Hunger program, a primary sponsor since 2011, will continue its association with the No. 24 team for the majority of the events.
The success of the relationship made the decision to continue it beyond 2013 an easy one, according to Nigel Budden, North American business director for Axalta.
"We have built up so much equity in the No. 24 team over the years and Jeff Gordon is the best spokesperson any company could ask for," Budden said. "And like everything we do, the decision is customer driven. Our customers feel like a part of the No. 24 team after all these years."
Gordon's No. 24 Chevrolet has carried familiar DuPont branding since his Cup debut in 1992. Earlier this year, the Carlyle Group purchased DuPont Performance Coatings, LLC, and renamed the company Axalta.
The new company, Gordon said, "is still comprised of the same people I've been working with for more than two decades, and I can't imagine my career without them.
"They are truly like family to me, Rick Hendrick and this No. 24 team. I'm so excited that they're moving forward with us."
A four-time Cup champion, Gordon is the leading race winner among active drivers with 87 career victories. He is currently 11th in the points standings, and made his 700th career start earlier this year.
The DuPont/Axalta relationship with HMS is in its 21st year, and is the longest-running sponsorship in the series.
"This has truly been one of the most effective and iconic relationships in sports marketing," said Hendrick. "We celebrated 20 years together with a win at Homestead (in 2012), and all of us look forward to many more successes with Jeff and the No. 24 team.
"The people at Axalta are like family, and we're committed to bringing even more value to the partnership."
Axalta is scheduled to be the primary sponsor on the car for 14 races this season. AARP's Drive To End Hunger program, a primary sponsor since 2011, will continue its association with the No. 24 team for the majority of the events.
The success of the relationship made the decision to continue it beyond 2013 an easy one, according to Nigel Budden, North American business director for Axalta.
"We have built up so much equity in the No. 24 team over the years and Jeff Gordon is the best spokesperson any company could ask for," Budden said. "And like everything we do, the decision is customer driven. Our customers feel like a part of the No. 24 team after all these years."
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