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Sports Quote of the Day:
"Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know." ~ Charles Kingsley, Priest, Professor, Poet and Writer
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Kings 5, Blackhawks 4 (OT).
By Jerry Bonkowski, The Sports Xchange
After one of the best playoff series the NHL has seen in a long time, it all came down to one shot -- and a fluky shot at that.
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez's slap shot at 5:47 of overtime, from just inside the blue line, bounced off Chicago defenseman Nick Leddy's shoulder and into the net, giving the Kings a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in the deciding Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday at the United Center.
The Kings now advance to their second Stanley Cup finals in three seasons and will face the New York Rangers.
Los Angeles, which had opened a 3-1 lead in the series, finally stopped Chicago's two-game winning streak that had tied the series.
The Kings tied the game at 4 at 12:43 of the third period when Los Angeles right winger Marian Gaborik sank a backhander past Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford. It was Gaborik's team-high 12th goal of the playoffs.
The goal closed the scoring of an up-and-down regulation 60 minutes that saw the Blackhawks jump out to a 2-0 lead, then let the Kings equalize before going back up 3-2 just 12 seconds later. The Kings then battled to back to a 3-3 tie before the Blackhawks went up 4-3 heading into the third.
The game epitomized the up-and-down series between the past two Stanley Cup champions.
After a shaky first period where he allowed three goals on just seven shots, Los Angeles goalie Jonathan Quick stopped 37 of Chicago's 41 shots in the victory.
Crawford stopped 27 of the Kings 32 shots in the loss.
The Blackhawks' Brandon Saad opened the scoring just 5:06 into the game when center Andrew Shaw and right winger Patrick Kane got bottled up around Quick and found the left winger for a quick outlet. Saad stuffed the puck past Quick to score his sixth goal of the playoffs.
Just over six minutes later, Chicago made it 2-0 when defenseman Brent Seabrook put a pass through the crease that Kane reached behind his body to collect before backhanding it to team captain and center Jonathan Toews, who sank his ninth goal of the playoffs at 11:24.
Los Angeles scored at 16:31 of the first period when center Jeff Carter tallied his ninth goal of the playoffs, swatting a rebound out of the air past Crawford to make it 2-1.
The play was reviewed to make sure Carter's stick wasn't above the crossbar, but it was ruled a good goal.
The Kings tied the game at 17:22 of the first period on right winger Justin Williams' seventh goal of the playoffs.
But the Blackhawks came right back 12 seconds later on forward Patrick Sharp's fourth goal of the playoffs, putting Chicago back ahead 3-2.
It became a brand new game at 10:31 of the second period when Kings center Tyler Toffoli scored his seventh goal off a give-and-go from defenseman Matt Greene, tying it at 3-all.
Sharp then scored his second goal of the game at 18:25 of the second period on the power play, putting Chicago back ahead 4-3 heading into the deciding third period.
Game 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final are Wednesday and Saturday in Los Angeles before moving to New York for Game 3 on June 9 and Game 4 on June 11.
NOTES: Attendance was a season-high 22,315. ... Prior to scoring two goals Sunday, Chicago F Patrick Sharp has been a marked anomaly in the playoffs. He led the team in goal scoring in the regular season but had just three in the first 18 playoff games. Nonetheless, Sharp came into the game tied for sixth in team history for most playoff goals (35). He is now in fifth with 37. ... Chicago is now 9-3 in its last 12 games when facing elimination, dating back to 2011. ... Chicago's Joel Quenneville came into the game seeking his 100th career playoff win as an NHL head coach. He is still stuck at 99. ... The Kings are 6-11 all-time in the playoffs against Chicago, and 7-4 all-time in Game 7 playoff matches. They are the first team in NHL history to win three Game 7s on the road in one playoff year to advance to the Stanley Cup finals.
Cup finals preview: Kings-Rangers.
By Pierre LeBrun
The New York Rangers will write quite the story if they can capture their first Stanley Cup in 20 years.
Because unless you're been living under an Eastern rock this past year, you know that the Los Angeles Kings are favorites, surviving the journey in the much deeper Western Conference -- aka Big Boy hockey.
The Kings beat San Jose, Anaheim and Chicago to get here, three of the top seven teams in the NHL's overall standings this year.
This is not to disrespect the Rangers at all, they beat the teams they were handed, but those teams don't compare to the A-listers L.A. had to go through.
But where the Rangers may have an edge is that they've been sitting at home waiting for the Western Conference finals to end, getting an extra three days rest, as the Kings failed to close things out in Game 6 at home and had to travel to Chicago and pull out a thrilling Game overtime 7 win.
Where is L.A.'s energy level now? They've played the maximum seven games all three rounds to get here, all three series physically demanding.
New York played one less game, but the Rangers had a nice break before the Cup finals and haven't played as much of a physical brand of hockey.
The series features two of the game's top coaches in Alain Vigneault and Darryl Sutter, different in style but similar in their ultimate result: pushing the right buttons to get the maximum out of their lineups. And they share an important quality: They both have a great feeling for their benches and are excellent at in-game adjustments.
Sutter got the best of Vigneault in the opening round of the 2012 playoffs, the No. 8 seeded Kings beating Vigneault's No. 1 seeded Canucks in five games.
The NHL can only salivate at the marquee matchup it has here, New York and Los Angeles, two big-time markets putting hockey on center stage.
Now it's up to the Rangers to show they can hang with hockey's royalty, the Kings having played the most playoff games of any team in the NHL over the past three years, looking for their second Cup title in that span.
Spotlight On
Rangers: Ryan McDonagh
This is a chance for the Rangers star blueliner to prove he belongs in the same conversation as Kings stud Drew Doughty, the Conn Smythe favorite at this point of the playoffs. McDonagh was incredible in the Eastern Conference finals, putting up 10 points (two goals-eight assists) in six games versus Montreal and playing a key role in the lone goal by Dominic Moore in Game 6. McDonagh's closing speed on attackers is sensational. Now on the national stage, more people will realize what a special player this 24-year-old is.
Kings: Drew Doughty
For my money, there is no better defenseman in the world. He was the best player at the Sochi Olympics and is proving once again that he loves the big stage, playing the best hockey of any player in these Stanley Cup playoffs. Hockey fans in the East who don't get to see him play much are in for a treat. If the Rangers thought handling P.K. Subban was a challenge, get ready for a whole new level. Drew Doughty is the bomb. Plain and simple.
Hero In Waiting
Rangers: Rick Nash
Hard to believe Rangers fans were actually booing this guy during the second round just because he hadn't scored yet. The dude was getting a million shots on net. In any case, after scoring three goals in the Eastern Conference finals, those boos have turned to cheers. If the Rangers are going to pull off the upset, the two-time Olympic gold medalist will need to be front and center, his size and strength a needed ingredient against the league's heaviest and most physical team.
Kings: Marian Gaborik
Well you know he's going to love getting his pound of flesh from his former team, the Rangers, who traded him to Columbus before the Jackets traded him to the Kings. The Slovak star is trying to win his first Stanley Cup, so that's really all the motivation he needs, but rubbing it in to the Rangers is going to be even sweeter for him.
Fatal Flaw
Rangers: The battle at center
Derek Stepan, Brad Richards, Derick Brassard and Dominic Moore go up against Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Jarret Stoll and Mike Richards. This is a seismic matchup issue for the Blueshirts.
Kings: Jonathan Quick?
I can't believe I'm even writing that but the truth must be said here: While Quick has stepped up in big games this spring, he has been lit up at times and his numbers show it. The reality is, the Rangers' biggest advantage entering the Stanley Cup playoffs is that King Henrik has had a more consistent and impressive postseason. Lundqvist leads all playoff goalies in save percentage and he's clearly New York's best shot at stealing this series.
Intangibles
Rangers: Martin St. Louis, acquired at the trade deadline, continues to play through his grief and his teammates continue to rally around their teammate, who lost his mother France St. Louis on May 8 but has played brilliantly through the emotional pain. There's just something about this Rangers team in terms of their close-knit dressing room. They're underdogs, they know it, but they will feed off that.
Kings: Down 3-0 to the Sharks in the opening round and 3-2 to the Ducks in the second round, then 2-0 in Game 7 to Chicago on Sunday night, the Kings still came back to win each time, adding to their reputation as clutch playoff warriors. This veteran group has played a lot of playoff hockey in the past three years and they have that hard-earned belief that no matter what happens, they're going to get the job done. It's the kind of confidence that only comes from winning big games. These guys truly believe they'll never lose a series. These guys don't know what pressure is. This is as strong a team mentally as we've seen in a long time.
Prediction
I would have predicted a five-game win for the Kings had they taken care of business in Game 6 at home against the Blackhawks. Instead, the Kings were taxed to the limit by Chicago, had to fly to Chicago and back, and poured every ounce they had in finishing off the Blackhawks. I feel better about New York making this a series because of it. Still ... West is best. Kings in 7.
NHL Stanley Cup Final schedule: Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers.
NHL.com
Game 1-- Rangers at Kings, Wednesday, 8 p.m. NBC
Game 2 -- Rangers at Kings, Saturday, 7 p.m., NBC
Game 3 -- Kings at Rangers, June 9, 8 p.m., NBC Sports Net
Game 4 -- Kings at Rangers, June 11, 8 p.m. NBC Sports Net
*Game 5 -- Rangers at Kings, June 13, 8 p.m., NBC
*Game 6 -- Kings at Rangers, June 16, 8 p.m., NBC
*Game 7 -- Rangers at Kings, June 18, 8 p.m., NBC
* If necessary
California Chrome revs up bid for Triple Crown.
AP
California Chrome revved up his bid to become the 12th Triple Crown champion with a fast run at Belmont Park on Saturday.
He ran the 5 furlongs in 59.93 seconds over a fast main track ahead of the Belmont Stakes.
"I couldn't ask for anything more. It was a perfect work," said Alan Sherman, the son of 77-year-old trainer Art Sherman and his top assistant. "He's ready."
The California-bred horse captured the attention of racing and non-racing fans alike in winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. California Chrome will attempt to end the longest drought in Triple Crown history next Saturday in the arduous 1 1-2 mile Belmont Stakes.
The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.
The horse appeared to relish the crisp morning, covering the ground easily for Victor Espinoza. He zipped through the opening 4 furlongs in 47.60 seconds. He galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:12.8 seconds.
The chestnut colt made his usual striking appearance with the four white socks on his feet and the white blaze on his face, markings known as "chrome." He boasts a six-race winning streak — all coming in stakes races — since Espinoza became his regular rider.
Chrome didn't appear to be breathing heavily when his last major workout for the Belmont was over. He didn't wear blinkers — which he'll wear for the race — because Sherman didn't want him to go too fast.
"I'm confident in this horse and always have been," Sherman said. "We've still got to run the race."
Sherman said Chrome will have Sunday off before resuming his regimen of daily morning gallops at a pace he chooses and exercise rider Willie Delgado obliges. The 3-year-old, known for stopping on his way to the track to observe his surroundings, tends to go at a leisurely pace for the opening mile before taking hold of the bit for another five-eighths of a mile or so. He is expected to stick to his routine by jogging the morning of the race.
Sherman said the team has done everything possible to have Chrome ready for the challenge of three races in five weeks.
"It's up to the horse. I think the horse is good enough," he said. "We will find out Saturday."
Sherman didn't appear concerned that the long-term forecast calls for rain.
"They all have to run on the same track," he said. "If it rains, it rains."
Chrome already has taken his owners to new heights. Owners Perry Martin and Steve Coburn purchased his dam, Love The Chase, for $8,000. She was bred to Lucky Pulpit for a $2,000 fee.
"We're just enjoying the ride," Sherman said.
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!! Team Report - Chicago Bears
The SportsXchange
INSIDE SLANT
Jennings works at unfamiliar spot: nickel back.
NOTES, QUOTES
NOTES, QUOTES
--Linebacker Shea McClellin quickly got into his switch from defensive end by playing two different spots. Now wearing jersey No. 50 after being 99 for two years, McClellin played strong-side linebacker and also the Mike spot. He was involved with the second team in the middle, and played second-team nickel coverage linebacker.
"It's different going from Sam to Mike but I enjoy linebacker, period, so whatever they want me to do," he said.
McClellin was also making the huddle calls when playing the Mike spot despite his lack of NFL experience at the spot.
McClellin was 258 pounds last year and isn't over the weight loss that has taken him down to 250. He said his ideal playing weight will be 245-250.
--Running back Matt Forte has usually left the field in short yardage since becoming a Bear in 2008, but the backs the Bears brought in to fill the short-yardage role have never really worked out: Marion Barber, Chester Taylor and Michael Bush. Now they have rookie Ka'Deem Carey and it's unclear if he's going to fill that specific short-yardage role or if they will turn to Forte there, too.
"That's part of the game that I can do," Forte said. "And if they don't want me to do it, then I won't do it."
Forte said it simply depends on the type of running play coaches use whether he's on the field in short yardage.
"Maybe somebody else is better at running a different type of play that calls for short yardage, an outside running play or an inside running play," he said.
--The first day of OTAs claimed a victim. Free-agent wide receiver acquisition Domenik Hixon tore his right anterior cruciate ligament for the third time. He announced the tear on his Facebook page and sounded ready to retire after the injury.
"I tore my ACL today for the 3rd time today! I'm disappointed that I won't be playing for a bears team that has the players and coaches to WIN the Super Bowl," he wrote. "I thank God for letting me live my dream of playing in the NFL for 8 years plus. It has truly been FUN! "blessed?" "love this game."
Hixon had signed for one year and $740,000 after a season with Carolina. He was expected to be a return man and possibly a fourth or fifth wide receiver. He won two Super Bowl rings with the Giants, has 109 career receptions for 1,460 yards and seven touchdowns.
Second-year receiver Marquess Wilson is likely to get first crack at the third receiver spot behind Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall. Other players hoping to land any receiver spot three through five are Josh Bellamy, Josh Morgan, Terrance Tolliver, Eric Weems and Chris Williams.
--Linebacker Lance Briggs made it clear that while some changes have occurred within the defense's structure -- particularly at strong-side linebacker with McClellin -- there has been little impact on him.
"I'll be a traditional Will," the weak-side linebacker said. "We're going to go see ball, and I'm going to go hit ball."
--New defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni has been a big hit with players.
"High energy guy, but old-school mentality of one of my mentors, Bob Carmello, who has passed away now," defensive end Jared Allen said. "I got to work with coach P at the Pro Bowl in 2009 and he was still (ticked) at me because we beat the crap out of him when he was in Dallas.
"I like a guy who expects excellence. We're not going to agree on everything, and that's how football is. But Coach P shows up to work and he expects excellence."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
A closer look at the Bears' picks:
Round 1/14 -- Kyle Fuller, CB, 6-0, 192, Virginia Tech
--Graded by the Bears as the top cornerback in the draft, he was tabbed as an eventual replacement for Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings while being an understudy this year as a nickel corner and special teams contributor. Fuller played "inverted safety" and nickel besides playing cornerback at Virginia Tech. The drafting of Fuller, who can line up as a slot defensive back, came after some close analysis of offenses the Bears face regularly in the NFC North.
"Look at our division, we've got to line up against three (wide receivers) so much during the season -- that's 11 personnel -- it's a lot of what we see," coach Marc Trestman said. "We've got some tremendous offensive players throughout this division.
"Certainly Kyle gives us the versatility because he can play inside and outside and cover so much of the types of players we're seeing; the big player, the long player, now the (Eric) Ebrons of the World and certainly the three-wide receiver sets we see throughout the division."
Round 2/51 -- Ego Ferguson, DT, 6-3, 315, Louisiana State
--Ferguson is considered a raw, talented player after leaving LSU a year early for the draft because of family concerns. His mother, who worked as a guard in a detention center, had been injured on the job and found it difficult to work. He had a bit of a checkered past after missing the final game of his college career in the Outback Bowl because of a team rule violation. Ferguson is a powerful player who was given the assignment of taking up blockers as a weak-side defensive end for LSU. He had 85 career tackles and one sack, including 58 tackles his final year.
"I went back to his game against Alabama, his game against Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Georgia and nobody could run the ball against him inside at all," GM Phil Emery said. "He is a very strong, very powerful young man. I wanted to see where he was at rush-wise and in each one of those games he had four or five power rushes where he disrupted the quarterback."
Round 3/82 -- Will Sutton, DT, 6-1, 303, Arizona State
--A natural under tackle who will be tried at that spot in the Bears defense, he went from 270 pounds to 309 pounds and now back to 290. As a bigger player, his assignment was occupying blockers. When his weight was down, he was attacking up the field. Sutton finished with 20.5 sacks and 45.5 tackles for loss. He was chosen the Pat Tillman Award winner as Pac-12 defensive player of the year as a junior, when at a lighter weight he made 13 sacks and 23 1/2 tackles for loss.
Round 4/117 -- Ka'Deem Carey, RB, 5-10, 207, Arizona
--A hard runner who lacks breakaway speed but was extremely durable and productive. Carey was Pac-12 offensive player of the year in 2013 with 1,885 rushing yards on 349 carries. He finished four years with 4,239 yards on 743 carries, averaging 5.7 yards. He'll fit in as Matt Forte's backup and possibly get short-yardage assignments. It's the role Michael Bush had last year before being cut for salary cap purposes.
Played every position in the secondary for the Golden Gophers and made 11 of his 13 starts as a senior at free safety. Figures to challenge for either starting free safety or strong safety. He impressed in pre-draft workouts and the combine, especially in the bench press. He had 25 repetitions in the bench at 225 pounds, most for any defensive back at the combine, but also had the second-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.47) and second-fastest shuttle time along safeties. His brother is Patriots running back Shane Vereen and his father, Henry, was a ninth-round draft pick by the Bucs in 1979.
Round 6/183 -- David Fales, QB, 6-2, 228, San Jose State
--He is expected to come in and compete with Jerrod Johnson for developmental quarterback behind backup Jordan Palmer. He led the NCAA in completion percentage as a junior (.725) after transferring from junior college. He'd originally committed to Nevada but left after his freshman year because an offense that greatly utilized the running of Colin Kaepernick did not fit his skills. A big arm hasn't been his calling card, but accuracy has, and he threw for 66 touchdowns in two seasons with San Jose State. He completed 68 percent in two seasons.
Round 6/191 -- Pat O'Donnell, P, 6-4, 220, Miami
--The Bears needed a punter after Adam Podlesh was dispatched. They had only Drew Butler and Tress Way on the roster. O'Donnell played his final year at Miami after he graduated from Cincinnati and still had one year of eligibility left. He is known as an athletic punter after running a 4.64 40-yard dash and did 23 reps with 225 pounds in the bench press -- almost twice as many as the team's first-round pick, Fuller. He caused a fumble with a hit last year, which reinforced his reputation. As a senior at Miami, his 47.1-yard average was a school record and almost 3 1/2 yards longer than his previous best. He also can kick off and hold for the placekicker.
Round 7/246 -- Charles Leno Jr., T, 6-4, 302, Boise State
--Started every game his final three seasons, the last two at left tackle. He is regarded by many personnel people as a guard candidate, not a tackle, but he does have the arm length of a tackle at 34 1/2 inches. He has decent speed out of his stance when pulling to block. The aim will be to develop him. Emery said he will be immediate competition for backup left tackle. Also, Jordan Mills struggled as a pass blocker at right tackle and frequently got help from extra tackle Eben Britton in a six-lineman formation. So if he learns quickly, it's not unreasonable for him to challenge for a starting spot. Leno also has guard experience.
PERSONNEL TRACKER
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
--LB James Anderson has drawn no interest from the team. The move of Shea McClellin to the strong side, with second-year linebacker Khaseem Greene already there, makes it a crowded spot. And the Bears are looking at Jonathan Bostic now as a future outside linebacker as opposed to a MIKE.
--DT Landon Cohen has had no interest. With Nate Collins and Jeremiah Ratliff returning, Cohen would only be added as camp competition. He struggled last year after signing on and being thrust into starting time due to injuries.
--LB Blake Costanzo appears to be done in Chicago, although other teams may find use for him as a special teams player. He didn't provide depth for the defense as a special teams player only.
--LS Patrick Mannelly's return to the Bears will depend on whether he wants to come back and whether general manager Emery believes he can continue to play on punt coverage without being a liability at age 39.
--T Jonathan Scott was inactive all last season and won't be back after the team found tackle help elsewhere.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGNETS: None.
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED:
--CB Kyle Fuller (1/14): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--DT Ego Ferguson (2/51): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--DT Will Sutton (3/82): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--RB Ka'Deem Carey (4/117): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--S Brock Vereen (4/131): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--QB David Fales (6/183): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--P Pat O'Donnell (6/191): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--T Charles Leno (7/246): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED:
--T/G Eben Britton: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--DT Nate Collins: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--QB Jay Cutler: Potential UFA; $126.7M/7 yrs, $54M guaranteed.
--C Robert Garza: Potential UFA; $1.5M/1 yr, $100,000 SB.
--K Robbie Gould: Potential UFA; $15M/4 yrs, $3M SB/$8.85M guaranteed.
--CB Kelvin Hayden: Potential UFA; $855,000/1 yr.
--CB Tim Jennings: Potential UFA; $22.4M/4 yrs, $3M SB/$11.8M guaranteed.
--CB Sherrick McManis: UFA; $730,000/1 yr.
--QB Jordan Palmer: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--DT Jeremiah Ratliff: Potential UFA; $4M/2 yrs, $600,000 SB.
--TE Dante Rosario: FA; terms unknown.
--G Matt Slauson: Potential UFA; $12.8M/4 yrs, $1.67M SB/$4.9M guaranteed.
--S Craig Steltz: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--CB Charles Tillman: UFA; $3.25M/1 yr, $500,000 SB.
--LB D.J. Williams: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED:
--DE Jared Allen: UFA Vikings; $32M/4 yrs, $15.5M guaranteed.
--WR Josh Bellamy (waivers Redskins).
--C Brian de la Puente: UFA Saints; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--DE Lamarr Houston: UFA Raiders; $35M/5 yrs, $4.95M SB/$15M guaranteed.
--WR Domenik Hixon: UFA Panthers; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--DE Israel Idonije: UFA Lions; $955,000/1 yr.
--S M.D. Jennings: Not tendered as RFA by Packers; terms unknown.
--S Danny McCray: UFA Cowboys; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--TE Zach Miller: FA; $645,000/1 yr.
--WR Josh Morgan: UFA Redskins; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--TE Matthew Mulligan: UFA Patriots; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--S Ryan Mundy: UFA Giants; $3M/2 yrs, $650,000 SB.
--TE Fendi Onobun: FA; $1.23M/2 yrs.
--DE Trevor Scott: FA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--LB Jordan Senn: UFA Panthers; $795,000/1 yr.
--DE Willie Young: UFA Lions; $9M/3 yrs, $2M SB/$3.95M guaranteed.
PLAYERS LOST:
--WR Earl Bennett (released).
--CB Zack Bowman: UFA Giants; terms unknown.
--RB Michael Bush (released).
--KR Devin Hester: UFA Falcons; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--QB Josh McCown: UFA Buccaneers; $10M/2 yrs.
--DT Henry Melton: UFA Cowboys; $27.5M/4 yrs, $1.25M SB ($24M is in final three years).
--DE Julius Peppers (released).
--P Adam Podlesh (released).
--S Anthony Walters: Not tendered as ERFA/Cardinals; terms unknown.
--DE Corey Wootton: UFA Vikings; $1.5M/1 yr, $400,000 SB.
--S Major Wright: UFA Buccaneers; 1 yr, terms unknown.
Bears have chips on the shoulder from 2013 failures.
By John Mullin
Players are compelled to put bad plays immediately behind them, even get good or bad games behind them within 24 hours and get on to the next one.
But one advantage with a play or a game is that another one is coming along very soon. Getting over a season is something else entirely, however.
The Bears were within a single play of the 2013 playoffs, not once, but three times. Chris Conte carries the stigma of the final breakdown, but that was the third fourth-down conversion made by the Green Bay Packers on that final, season-defining drive, meaning that far more than just Conte failed to make plays when it mattered most.
“You’ve got to move forward,” linebacker Lance Briggs said. “There are a lot of things that we’re going to have to correct this year as far as last year. Tackling was really bad. I mean, everything we did was almost all atrocious. Everything we’re doing now is not just to correct that, but to be better and get ourselves back to a top-five defense.”
Add to that the fact that the Bears’ offense then had the ball at the Chicago 40-yard line with 38 seconds to play and advanced the ball just 15 yards, all on the first play from scrimmage.
With the 2014 season still more than three months distant, the Bears haven’t had a play or game to get beyond that failed playoff opportunity.
“I still haven't forgotten about [Green Bay] but I've kind of let it go a little bit,” said running back Matt Forte. “You know it's one of those things that you hate to lose at home, especially to a rival and then with everything that was on the line so I've already got my finger put on both of the games that we play with them this year so that you know.
“I'm just tired of being at home in a game that means so much and losing to the Green Bay Packers, it's about time we turned that around."
NFL owners keep close eye on sale of Los Angeles Clippers.
By NBC Sports
Just another Chicago Bulls Session… Capsule preview of the Spurs-Heat NBA Finals.Bears have chips on the shoulder from 2013 failures.
By John Mullin
Players are compelled to put bad plays immediately behind them, even get good or bad games behind them within 24 hours and get on to the next one.
But one advantage with a play or a game is that another one is coming along very soon. Getting over a season is something else entirely, however.
The Bears were within a single play of the 2013 playoffs, not once, but three times. Chris Conte carries the stigma of the final breakdown, but that was the third fourth-down conversion made by the Green Bay Packers on that final, season-defining drive, meaning that far more than just Conte failed to make plays when it mattered most.
“You’ve got to move forward,” linebacker Lance Briggs said. “There are a lot of things that we’re going to have to correct this year as far as last year. Tackling was really bad. I mean, everything we did was almost all atrocious. Everything we’re doing now is not just to correct that, but to be better and get ourselves back to a top-five defense.”
Add to that the fact that the Bears’ offense then had the ball at the Chicago 40-yard line with 38 seconds to play and advanced the ball just 15 yards, all on the first play from scrimmage.
With the 2014 season still more than three months distant, the Bears haven’t had a play or game to get beyond that failed playoff opportunity.
“I still haven't forgotten about [Green Bay] but I've kind of let it go a little bit,” said running back Matt Forte. “You know it's one of those things that you hate to lose at home, especially to a rival and then with everything that was on the line so I've already got my finger put on both of the games that we play with them this year so that you know.
“I'm just tired of being at home in a game that means so much and losing to the Green Bay Packers, it's about time we turned that around."
NFL owners keep close eye on sale of Los Angeles Clippers.
By NBC Sports
NFL owners have two billions reasons to be happy now that the Sterlings will reportedly sell the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. If the L.A.-based NBA franchise can be worth $2 billion, what could an NFL team go for?
The Buffalo Bills may be the first to find this out after the recent passing of owner Ralph Wilson and current ownership’s intent to sell the franchise. “Does this mean someone with a lot of money is deciding to buy the Bills,” Florio reasons. “Find a way to move them to Los Angeles and then sell them to someone and make a lot of money?”
By BRIAN MAHONEY (AP Basketball Writer)
A capsule look at the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, which begin Thursday night (with playoff stats):
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (62-20, 12-6) vs. MIAMI HEAT (54-28, 12-3).
Starters: Spurs - C Tim Duncan (16.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg), F Tiago Splitter (7.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg) or Matt Bonner (1.2 ppg, 0.6 rpg), F Kawhi Leonard (13.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg), G Danny Green (9.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg), G Tony Parker (17.2 ppg, 4.9 apg).
Heat - C Chris Bosh (15.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), F Rashard Lewis (4.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg), F LeBron James (27.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 5.0 apg), G Dwyane Wade (18.7 ppg, 4.3 apg), G Mario Chalmers (7.1 ppg, 3.9 apg).
Key reserves: Spurs - G Manu Ginobili (14.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg), F Boris Diaw (10.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg), G Patty Mills (6.5 ppg, 1.4 apg), G Marco Belinelli (5.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg), G Cory Joseph (3.3 ppg, 0.6 apg).
Heat - G Ray Allen (9.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F Chris Andersen (6.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg), G Norris Cole (5.1 ppg, 1.8 apg), F Shane Battier (3.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg), F Udonis Haslem (3.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg), G James Jones (3.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg).
Season series: Tied, 1-1. Each team won easily on its home floor, with the Spurs handing the Heat their worst loss of the season in a 111-87 victory March 6. Miami won 113-101 on Jan. 26, a game in which the Spurs played without Leonard, Green and Splitter because of injuries and trailed by as many as 29 points. San Antonio shot 50 percent in both games, though the Heat hit 58 percent of their shots in their victory.
Story line: The first NBA Finals rematch since 1998 features the Heat going for their third straight championship against a San Antonio team that rebounded from last year's heartbreak to get another shot at them. San Antonio blew a five-point lead in the final half-minute of regulation of Game 6 last year with a chance to clinch, then Miami pulled out Game 7.
Key matchup I: Leonard vs. James. James is the MVP of the last two NBA Finals and had 37 points and 12 rebounds last year in Game 7. Leonard was pretty good, too, with 19 points and 16 rebounds.
He's another year better and forced James into a 6-for-18 shooting night in the Spurs' regular-season rout, though James' bigger problem might have been the sleeved jersey he complained about afterward.
Key matchup II: Duncan vs. Bosh. Duncan shot 9 for 13 in each game against Miami this season, scoring 23 points in both. Bosh was just a little bit better, with a pair of 24-point performances, and went 9 for 10 in the Heat victory. The Heat may not need him to be that good, but probably must get something better than his scoreless outing they overcame to win Game 7.
X-factor: Parker's health. The All-Star point guard missed the second half of Game 6 of the Western Conference finals with left ankle soreness. The Spurs were good enough to beat Oklahoma City without him that night, but it would be tough to defeat Miami four times if Parker is too far from his normal form.
Prediction: Spurs in 7.
Sale dominant as White Sox top Padres.
By Meghan Montemurro, The Sports Xchange
Robin Ventura is very glad his job nowadays entails managing the Chicago White Sox and not having to bat against a modern-day Randy Johnson.
Left-hander Chris Sale continuously made hitters look bad Sunday against the San Diego Padres. From a devastating changeup to a 95 mph fastball, Sale kept the Padres guessing.
Sale threw a two-hit complete game gem and Paul Konerko drove in three runs to lead the White Sox to a 4-1 win over the Padres.
Sale (5-0) was unhittable most of the game, limiting the Padres to one run on two hits. The left-hander struck out nine without issuing a walk for his first complete game since Aug. 12, 2013 against the Detroit Tigers. Sale, who was given a Gatorade shower by two teammates on the field following the final out, threw a first-pitch strike to 19 of the 28 batters he faced.
From his frame, arm angle and filthy pitches, Ventura believes Sale is the closest comparable pitcher in the majors today to Johnson, who the manager faced often during his career.
"He was fantastic today, even with his stuff," Ventura said of Sale. "As strong as he was really attacking the strike zone as soon as he got in there he was getting guys to swing early because he was throwing strikes. This was as efficient as he has been ever from watching him."
Sale carried a perfect game into the fifth inning, but it quickly ended. San Diego third baseman Chase Headley led off the fifth by hitting a 2-1 fastball Sale left down the middle of the plate for a solo home run to left field that tied the game 1-1.
Sale said he was aware of the circumstances but did not want to get caught up in potentially throwing a perfect game or no hitter.
"It's tough, that's why it is so tough to do that," Sale said. "I've been pretty deep into a few games this year, but that's why you gotta respect those guys and appreciate when it does happen, perfect games, no hitters, stuff like that because it's next to impossible."
The Padres (26-31) struggled to get anything going with Sale on the mound. Left fielder Tommy Medica followed Headley's 431-foot homer with a single that got past Adam Dunn at first base. But that was all San Diego could muster against Sale, who has been on a dominant stretch. In his last three starts, including Sunday's, Sale has 33 strikeouts while allowing two runs in 25 innings (0.72 ERA).
"You can see why this guy's one of the best pitchers in the American League: deceptive delivery, good velocity, really good change, good breaking ball," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He had it working today."
In what is likely his last start for the foreseeable future with first baseman Jose Abreu expected to be activated on Monday, Konerko delivered much-needed offense for the White Sox (29-29). Konerko, the White Sox's designated hitter, hit a two-out solo home run in the second inning off Padres left-hander Eric Stults for a 1-0 Chicago lead.
"Just trying to chip in," Konerko said of his performance. "I'm here to have good days against left-handed pitching like that, and you try to do your best on the other days when you have to play like it's been."
After Headley homered to tie the game in the fifth, catcher Tyler Flowers answered in the bottom of the inning with his own solo homer to put the White Sox ahead 2-1. Konerko padded Chicago's lead with a two-out, two-run double in the sixth.
Stults (2-6) tried to keep the Padres in the game, but the White Sox tagged him for four runs on five hits in six innings.
"Disappointed with the results, but felt like the stuff is good," Stults said. "Just one of those days where you have good stuff, but the results just don't line up, I guess."
NOTES: White Sox 1B Jose Abreu (posterior tibia tendonitis in his left ankle) is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to Monday's game at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Abreu participated in a simulated hitting game before Sunday's game. Through a translator, Abreu said there are no limitations for his return and he is anxious to get back on the field. ... The White Sox optioned IF Marcus Semien to Triple-A Charlotte following Sunday's game to create a roster spot for Abreu on Monday. ... Padres manager Bud Black said RHP Tim Stauffer will start Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, his third start of the season. ... White Sox manager Robin Ventura said he will consider playing Adam Dunn in left field during their series at the Dodgers to keep his bat in the lineup.
Golf: Matsuyama wins Memorial in a playoff.
By DOUG FERGUSON (AP Golf Writer)
Hideki Matsuyama earned his first victory in America and validation as one of golf's young stars Sunday with birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff and a 10-foot par putt on the first extra to win the Memorial.
In a tournament that Masters champions Bubba Watson and Adam Scott threw away on a wild back nine, Matsuyama looked certain to join them.
He lost the lead by dropping three shots on two holes, and he didn't look like a winner when he pushed his drive toward the bunkers on the final hole. Lightly slamming his driver to the turf in disgust, the head broke off. Matsuyama followed with an approach to just outside 5 feet for birdie and a 3-under 69.
That forced a playoff with Kevin Na, who finished his round of 64 about two hours earlier.
Matsuyama chose not to replace his broken driver in the playoff, and his 3-wood went into the bunker. Na drove left into the creek and still had about 10 feet for bogey on the 18th hole in the playoff when Matsuyama made his par putt.
The 22-year-old from Japan pumped his fist as the ball was a few inches from dropping.
''I'm really, really happy,'' Matsuyama said through his interpreter. ''It's a dream come true to win at Mr. Nicklaus' course.''
Matsuyama won for the sixth time in his career, all of them on the Japan Golf Tour. He had a pair of top 10s in the majors last year.
Tournament host Jack Nicklaus greeted him behind the 18th green. Nicklaus spent much of the back nine in the broadcast booth, and it was a brand of golf that was unfamiliar to golf's greatest champion. The Memorial became only the latest event where proven players faltered badly.
Watson, who started the final round with a one-shot lead, was still in control until a couple of wild tee shots - one into deep rough on the 14th that led to bogey, and one so far right on the par-5 15th that it went over the trees and into a neighborhood, far out-of-bounds. That led to double bogey and he never recovered. Watson closed with a 72 and finished one shot out of the playoff.
''It's tough,'' Watson said, who was going for his third win of the year. ''I made one bad decision. If I hit 4-wood off the tee instead of driver on the par 5, we make 5 and we win by one. But I made double, so we lost by one.''
Scott had a share of the lead after 11 holes and was poised for his second straight PGA Tour win. But he put his tee shot into the water on the par-3 12th for double bogey, took two shots to get out of a bunker on the 14th for bogey, and then dropped another shot at the 15th when his wedge hit the pin and caromed back into the fairway. He closed with a 71 and tied for fourth with Chris Kirk (68).
''It's the way it goes,'' Scott said. ''You get lucky breaks and you get bad ones.''
Na was in the clubhouse at Muirfield Village, leaning against two pillows watching this collection of errors, even joking that he might win by sitting on a couch. He finally headed out to the range, but one swing into the water was too much to overcome.
The only consolation for Na was that his runner-up finish moved him high enough in the world ranking that he will be exempt for the U.S. Open. He had planned on going through 36-hole qualifying Monday.
Matsuyama was able to replace his driver because the playoff is not part of the final round. Instead, he chose to take 3-wood. It looked as if it might cost him when the shot was well back and caught the bunker. Na helped by finding the water. Matsuyama's approach hit a fan left of the green, but he played a good chip and made the most important putt of his young career.
Matsuyama should rise to about No. 13 in the world ranking.
A two-time winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur - he made the cut both times at the Masters as an amateur - he took a different route than Ryo Ishikawa by waiting to turn pro until a year ago. Matsuyama won once as an amateur, and he won in his pro debut in Japan.
He graduated from college in Japan a few weeks before the Masters.
Matsuyama had experience at Muirfield Village. He played in the Presidents Cup in October, teaming with Scott in four of the matches.
John Daly says he gambled away around $55 million.
John Daly is a hyperbole machine and this sit-down interview with Graham Bensinger is no different.
Daly talks about a variety of things with Bensinger but chief among them is how much money he lost gambling.
"I thought it might have been $20-$25 (million) but I had no idea it was $55-$57 million," said Daly.
That is a lot of money. Wow!
I don't know how much Daly has made off the course (I imagine it's more than $55 million-$57 million) but he has only accumulated around $10 million on it so needless to say the gambling losses crippled him quite a bit financially.
Jimmie Johnson wins for ninth time at Dover.
NASCAR Staff report
Jimmie Johnson had yet another a strong performance at Dover International Speedway, and he held off Brad Keselowski on a late restart to win for a record ninth time at the track in Sunday's FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks.
It was a strong performance that came one week after Johnson earned his first win of the season at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The six-time series champion led 272 laps to win for the second straight week.
Polesitter Brad Keselowski struggled early but rallied during the middle portion of the race to earn a runner-up finish.Matt Kenseth used a third-place finish to take over the points lead from Jeff Gordon. Kenseth's 10 top-10 finishes are the most in the series this season. Clint Bowyer and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five.
Kyle Busch's tripleheader sweep hopes came to an end on Lap 125 when he hit the wall after some contact from Clint Bowyer. That contact sent Busch into the garage and ended his day. Busch had won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 200 on Friday and the NASCAR Nationwide Series Buckle Up 200 presented by Click It of Ticket on Saturday. Busch was strong early as he led 81 laps but came up short in his bid to match his tripleheader sweep at Bristol in the summer of 2010.
A red flag came up for a caution following a Lap 135 crash involving AJ Allmendinger, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Greg Biffle. The red flag was to clear the track of debris in the backstretch from the wreck and lasted 6 minutes and 39 seconds.
The second red flag came out at Lap 161 and lasted 22 minutes and 22 seconds, following a caution that came out at Lap 158 when Jamie McMurray got into the wall in Turn 2. Track officials came out because a sizable piece of the concrete track came loose and necessitated track repairs.
Kevin Harvick was leading at the time of second red flag and shortly after the race resumed, he had a flat tire that took him out of the lead and put him two laps down at the time.
Brian Vickers saw his car blow an engine to end his day 73 laps into the race.
The Sprint Cup Series will return to action next Sunday, June 8 at Pocono Raceway for the Pocono 400.
Kyle Busch's tripleheader sweep hopes came to an end on Lap 125 when he hit the wall after some contact from Clint Bowyer. That contact sent Busch into the garage and ended his day. Busch had won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 200 on Friday and the NASCAR Nationwide Series Buckle Up 200 presented by Click It of Ticket on Saturday. Busch was strong early as he led 81 laps but came up short in his bid to match his tripleheader sweep at Bristol in the summer of 2010.
A red flag came up for a caution following a Lap 135 crash involving AJ Allmendinger, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Greg Biffle. The red flag was to clear the track of debris in the backstretch from the wreck and lasted 6 minutes and 39 seconds.
The second red flag came out at Lap 161 and lasted 22 minutes and 22 seconds, following a caution that came out at Lap 158 when Jamie McMurray got into the wall in Turn 2. Track officials came out because a sizable piece of the concrete track came loose and necessitated track repairs.
Kevin Harvick was leading at the time of second red flag and shortly after the race resumed, he had a flat tire that took him out of the lead and put him two laps down at the time.
Brian Vickers saw his car blow an engine to end his day 73 laps into the race.
The Sprint Cup Series will return to action next Sunday, June 8 at Pocono Raceway for the Pocono 400.
U.S. beats Turkey 2-1 but plenty of questions still remain with World Cup approaching.
By Martin Rogers
After getting an up-close and personal look at the United States, Turkey coach Fatih Terim is confident that Jurgen Klinsmann's Americans have what it takes to make headway in this summer's World Cup.
"I believe that they can do a very good job," said Terim, one of international soccer's most experienced managers having guided Turkey to the semifinals of the 2008 European Championships and coached at AC Milan and Galatasaray. "They are a solid team with talented players. I have confidence in Klinsmann."
However, after an unspectacular and in some ways troubling 2-1 victory at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, fans of the Group of Death-bound U.S. men's national team may not share quite the same level of optimism.
Goals for Fabian Johnson and captain Clint Dempsey were enough to get the win as Turkey pulled a goal back late with a penalty kick from Selcuk Inan, but Klinsmann's troops were far from convincing. With just over two weeks left before its opening World Cup contest against Ghana, the U.S. still has question marks.
"We still have a lot of work ahead of us," Klinsmann said.
A second straight friendly win to follow last Tuesday's 2-0 triumph over Azerbaijan was nice, but some big scary monsters – otherwise known as Ghana, Portugal and Germany – lie in wait. The Group G opponents will provide a sterner test for an American side that experienced defensive jitters against Turkey and still has a handful of positions still up for grabs.
One spot that is locked down belongs to Fabian Johnson at right back. He struck the first goal after 26 minutes, exchanging passes with Michael Bradley – the midfielder's return ball was exquisite – to smack home a low, left-footed drive.
Captain Clint Dempsey, returning from a groin issue that kept him out against Azerbaijan, added the second U.S. goal in the 52nd minute, tapping the ball into the net after the Turkish defense had struggled to cope with Timmy Chandler's hopeful cross.
Although it took until the final moments for Turkey to score, the U.S. defense looked perilously suspect for a significant stretch. And though what you see in friendly games must be taken with a grain of salt, the kind of flaws that would be acceptable are those of ring rust, not miscommunication.
The U.S. backline does not yet look like a cohesive unit and Chandler got smoked by Mustafa Pektemek down the left flank in the last minute, with the Turkish winger winning a penalty kick when his cross was handled by Geoff Cameron. Inan made no mistake from the spot, sneaking the ball inside the post even though halftime sub Brad Guzan guessed the right way.
With its only official remaining friendly coming against Nigeria in Jacksonville on Saturday, several positions could yet be switched out. That includes the competition between Chandler and DaMarcus Beasley at left back. Brad Davis, on the other hand, might have booked his spot in left midfield.
John Brooks perhaps played his way into contention for a starting central defensive role after coming on in the second half and looking impressive. Less than two weeks ago, Brooks looked like a long shot to make the final squad of 23. Now he has a real chance to be in the first XI against Ghana.
"We have to give everybody an opportunity to step in," Klinsmann said. "We see players that struggled a bit more with the workload a couple of weeks ago. They are getting fresher and fresher. It is all part of the process."
Klinsmann's tenure has been all about gradual progress. Ultimately, the judgment on him will have nothing to do with afternoons like this and everything to do with the outcome in the World Cup cauldrons of Natal, Manaus, Recife and, dare he believe it, maybe beyond.
Those judgment days are closing in. And the U.S. is not as close to being the finished product as it would like.
Klinsmann's job is to transform US football.
By RONALD BLUM (AP Sports Writer)
Jurgen Klinsmann was hired to transform American football.
Not just the national team, but the nation's entire coaching structure.
With a sunny disposition and an open, chatty manner, Klinsmann had been viewed as a future United States coach when he retired as a player in 1998 and moved to California with his American wife. After coaching Germany to the World Cup semifinals in 2006, flirting with the U.S. job later that year and lasting less than a season with Bayern Munich, he finally replaced Bob Bradley when the Americans struggled in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
''It also is vital I am involved in all the discussions with a lot of coaches out there, how we improve the grass-roots level,'' Klinsmann said. ''I'm fascinated by that approach.''
The 49-year-old Klinsmann scored 47 goals in 108 appearances for West Germany and Germany, winning the 1990 World Cup and 1996 European Championship. His club career included stretches at Stuttgart, Inter Milan, Monaco, Tottenham and Bayern Munich.
He speaks to players with the experience of playing at the highest level in Europe, and he embraces the types of statistical analysis, fitness techniques and advanced diet first employed by American coaches in other sports. He also made the controversial decision to drop career scoring leader Landon Donovan.
''He's different, but good different,'' United States defender DaMarcus Beasley said. ''He's always full of life. He's always laughing. He's always smiling. He's very energetic, even in meetings. You can tell that he's happy to be here, happy to be the coach of the national team. I just think his persona will kind of rub off on us and give us that fight and that passion, the same how he played when he was a player.''
''He's different, but good different,'' United States defender DaMarcus Beasley said. ''He's always full of life. He's always laughing. He's always smiling. He's very energetic, even in meetings. You can tell that he's happy to be here, happy to be the coach of the national team. I just think his persona will kind of rub off on us and give us that fight and that passion, the same how he played when he was a player.''
Klinsmann's temperament may be more suited to the United States than it is his native Germany. Former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness criticized Klinsmann for buying computers to prepare PowerPoint presentations of game plans for the club during the 2008-09 season.
Klinsmann already has committed to coach the United States through the 2018 World Cup. His message to his players often is simple. Despite all the high tech, the most important factor is effort.
Klinsmann already has committed to coach the United States through the 2018 World Cup. His message to his players often is simple. Despite all the high tech, the most important factor is effort.
''They dream about Champions League and they dream about playing for a big-name club and making a lot of money. It's all fine. But I'm telling them every time, you're not doing that by dreaming. You can only do it by working,'' Klinsmann said. ''So if you think that five, six sessions a week is enough to get there, it's not. So if you add two sessions a week on your own, it will show a certain improvement.''
NCAA Football: Talk of a Division IV? No matter what, current structure must change.
By Andy Staples
University of Florida president Bernie Machen is leaving office in December. As a result, the number of flips he is required to give when speaking publicly is rapidly approaching zero. His circumstances -- combined with a natural propensity to say what's on his mind -- mean he isn't required to spew the same platitudes as his counterparts regarding the wealthier schools' push to loosen the NCAA's governance structure. Machen explained on Friday why the five power conferences need more autonomy, why he's worried they won't get it and why things could get very messy if they don't. Then, minutes later, SEC commissioner Mike Slive fired a shot across the bow of the less wealthy schools by raising the specter of an NCAA "Division IV" made up exclusively of schools from the five wealthiest leagues.
Having sensed pushback from leagues outside the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC toward those conferences' effort to create rules for their particular income bracket, Machen spoke plainly about the wealthy athletic departments being "between a rock and a hard place" with lawsuits on one side and less wealthy athletic departments on the other. On the day the SEC announced a record annual revenue split ($309.6 million, up from $165.9 million in 2009 and $4.1 million in 1980), Machen warned that if the big schools don't get the flexibility they want to make more permissive rules regarding spending on athletes, pending litigation could decimate the business model of major college sports.
"We've got these lawsuits coming down the pipe at us," Machen said. "If we don't get it, I think there will be some real difficult times ahead for the NCAA and for the five conferences. What's interesting is the NCAA needs this to work as much as we do."
Let's get one thing straight right now: No one is being altruistic here. The wealthy conferences want to give athletes more scholarship money, long-term healthcare and better opportunities to return to finish degrees because those schools are being sued to the hilt in federal court. These schools want to protect their business model, and the people getting rich off this system want to keep as much of their money as possible while also remaining legally compliant. Former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon's lawsuit against the NCAA is set to go to trial on June 9 in Oakland, Calif. No matter the verdict, that case could be appealed to the Supreme Court. Its impact won't be immediate, but if the NCAA ultimately loses, it would essentially be illegal for a collegiate governing body to sell a television broadcast without directly compensating the athletes for the use of their names and likenesses. For a group of 14 university presidents who will become cable programmers when ESPN's SEC Network launches on Aug. 14, that's a daunting prospect. To collect, someone would have to directly sue the SEC -- or the Big Ten or Pac-12 -- to challenge that practice.
Well, someone already has. Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney who argued the case that led to NFL free agency, rounded up several players as plaintiffs and filed an antitrust suit against the NCAA and the five wealthiest conferences in March. Meanwhile, if the National Labor Relations Board upholds a regional director's ruling that Northwestern football players are employees, all schools -- not only the private institutions directly impacted by the ruling -- would face an entirely new business model.
The people in charge don't necessarily want to change, but they understand public opinion shifts with every new revenue distribution announcement and television rights deal. The public used to be squarely on the side of the schools. Now, favor has shifted toward the athletes. The wealthier schools want to make rules that allow them to satisfy that societal shift before things get even more expensive.
"It used to be that the focus was on equity. The whole system of NCAA regulation is really just about making sure that every institution that competes in D-I has essentially the same equity situation," Machen said. "The switch now is toward welfare. There are a lot of people who think that we have taken care of our coaches, we have taken care of our facilities, but we have done nothing for our athletes in 20 years that they didn't have before."
The five wealthiest conferences can't do anything to settle these lawsuits without breaking existing NCAA rules. If they lost, they wouldn't have the structure in place to adjust. That's why they have to change. They don't want to leave the NCAA. They say they like the current Division I model and the current cash cow of a men's basketball tournament. The cynical among us might also mention they like being tax-exempt; an organization made up solely of those five conferences might not be. But no matter the reason, the wealthy schools have no choice but to seek flexibility any way they can. So, when an SEC school president reads something like the op-ed Boise State president Bob Kustra wrote recently, it might naturally ring some alarm bells.
Leaders of the five wealthiest conferences have worked for almost three years to change the NCAA's governance structure. They seemed to make some headway after vaguely threatening last July to take their lucrative basketball tournament and trickle-down college football postseason and go home. Every time negotiations for their autonomy plan hit a pivot point, they don't seem afraid to remind everyone to play by the Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules.
In December, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany sounded a lot like Machen and Slive did on Friday. "We need some regulation, but it's got to be sensible," Delany said six months ago. "It's got to be flexible, and it's got to acknowledge differences in resources. If we do that, I think we can stay together. ... If we can't do that I think we have to say we have not only external threats, we have internal threats. And the internal threats are that we can't find a way to use the NCAA as a town hall for us to solve our problems."
If the five power conferences don't get what they want with regard to autonomy, they're threatening the formation of new division within the NCAA. Why would any of the other schools vote to allow that? Because the other Division I schools still rely on the generosity of the five power conferences for not-insignificant portions of their athletic budgets, thanks to the football postseason (for the rest of the FBS) and the men's basketball tournament (for all of Division I). "If [the autonomy plan] doesn't pass, the next move would be to go to a Division IV," Slive said on Friday. "It's not something we want to do."
What exactly do the five power conferences want? Warning: Boring NCAA governance stuff ahead. The current proposal calls for a council of presidents and athletes to vote on rules that would apply to the five power leagues but could also be applicable to the rest of Division I if those schools chose to adopt them. Hypothetically, the five power conferences could vote to allow schools to offer a stipend of up to $5,000 more than the cost of tuition, room and board. It wouldn't be required, but it would be allowed. At issue are how many votes it would take to pass such a rule. The less wealthy schools want a significant supermajority -- as many as three-fourths of the votes and a majority in four of the five conferences in agreement -- to pass a rule. The SEC countered on Friday with a proposal that would allow a rule to pass with 60 percent of the vote and a majority in three of the five conferences.
"The bar ought to be high," said South Carolina president Harris Pastides, a member of the NCAA board of directors and a member of the steering committee working on the autonomy plan. "It shouldn't be 51 percent. It shouldn't be easy. Having said that, it can't be 95 percent."
The NCAA board is scheduled to vote on the autonomy plan in August. It must then be approved by the majority of Division I members at the NCAA convention in January.
Why would the rest of Division I approve such a move when it would almost certainly widen the gulf between the haves and have-nots? Because, Machen said, that gulf isn't going anywhere no matter how many rules the less wealthy schools propose. "Those are real concerns," Machen said. "But tell me how you get around them. I think Florida has a competitive advantage right now. We get to live in Florida. That's an advantage right away."
No matter how you might feel about 1,000-percent humidity or mosquitos the size of airplanes, Machen is fundamentally correct on that point. New Mexico will never have the fan base or revenue-generating power of Alabama or Ohio State. That's not a knock. It's a fact. Neither, for that matter, will Mississippi State or Minnesota, despite those schools' inclusion in the big-money club. Someone will always have more, and someone will always have less. The sooner schools figure that out when deciding NCAA issues, the better.
But if the less wealthy schools fighting the rich ones' power play have any better ideas, Machen is open to hearing them. "The whole thing could go up in smoke if the lawsuits come down, if the unionization ruling is upheld," he said. "The whole intercollegiate model is at risk. If they don't want to do this, it seems to me that it's incumbent upon them to come with something that will help us get out of this box."
And if no one comes up with a workable idea? "You tell me," Machen said. "It would look like a meltdown."
At such a point, Slive, Delany and power five counterparts John Swofford, Bob Bowlsby and Larry Scott would have to come up with a Plan B rather quickly. Slive said he would rather not, but he will if necessary. "If in August the board rejects the steering committee's recommendation," Slive said, "you should call me up."
EA Sports and CLC complete $40 million settlement with former NCAA players.
By Nick Bromberg
The NCAA is now on its own when the O'Bannon lawsuit heads to trial on June 9.
Former players finished a settlement with EA Sports and the Collegiate Licensing Company Friday night for $40 million, meaning that the NCAA will be the sole defendant in the trial.
As many as 100,000 players who were in the NCAA basketball and football games from EA Sports since 2003 could get up to $4,000.
"I'm thrilled that for the first time in the history of college sports, athletes will get compensated for their performance," Steve Berman the co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs told ESPN. "It's pretty groundbreaking."
EA and CLC had originally come to a settlement with the plaintiffs in September, but no agreement had been finalized. The initial settlement announcement in the fall came shortly after EA Sports announced that there would be no college football game in the fall of 2014.
Because there were multiple lawsuits by former players seeking compensation for the usage of their likenesses, the funds from the settlement will be divvied up as follows after lawyer fees. 77 percent will go to a group led by former Arizona State quarterback Sam Keller, 12 percent to the group represented by Ed O'Bannon and 10 percent to the litigants in the suit by former Rutgers player Ryan Hart and former West Virginia Player Shawne Alston.
The named plaintiffs above will receive anywhere from $2,500-$15,000. Judge Claudia Wilken, the presiding judge for the O'Bannon trial, still needs to approve the settlement. According to lawyers for the players, up to 200,000 players appeared in the football and basketball games since 2003, but not all are signed up as part of the suits.
The NCAA has tried multiple times to delay the start of the trial on June 9 to no avail. On Friday, Wilken denied a motion by the plaintiffs to add the ruling by the National Labor Relations Board that said Northwestern players were eligible to form a union as employees of the school into formal evidence for the trial.
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Monday, June 2, 2014.
MemoriesofHistory.com
1883 - The first baseball game under electric lights was played in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
1935 - George Herman "Babe" Ruth announced that he was retiring from baseball.
1941 - Lou Gehrig died in New York of the degenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
1948 - The NHL announced that the Art Ross Trophy would be awarded annually to the scoring leader. Elmer Lach (Montreal Canadiens) was the first winner with 61 points in 1947-48.
1959 - Ted Williams (Boston) got his 2,500th hit of his career.
1990 - Randy Johnson achieved the first no-hitter in Seattle Mariner history.
1995 - Hideo Nomo got his first major league victory.
1996 - Tim Belcher (Kansas City Royals) won his 100th career game.
2000 - Fred McGriff (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) became the 31st major league player to hit 400 career home runs.
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