LOS ANGELES (AP) β A judge has cleared the way for the $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer by ruling against team owner Donald Sterling’s attempt to block the transaction. Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas sided with Sterling’s estranged wife Shelly Sterling, who burst into tears when the ruling was announced. Shelly Sterling negotiated the sale of the team after the 80-year-old billionaire was banned by the NBA for making offensive remarks about blacks.
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) β The Detroit Lions are postponing contract talks with All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (ehn-DAH’-muh-kahng soo) until after the season. Suh becomes a free agent after the season, and the Lions could still keep him by using their franchise tag on him. Suh has 27 1/2 sacks since being taken by the Lions with the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.β Broncos top receiver Demaryius (deh-MEHR’-ee-uhs) Thomas has returned from bereavement leave but missed Monday’s early practice because his flight from Georgia didn’t get back in time for him to participate in the workout. Thomas missed the first five days of training camp for the AFC champs following the death last week of his grandmother in Georgia. He participated in the team’s evening walkthrough in shorts.
UNDATED (AP) β Three of the majors’ six first-place teams were in action last night, and all three saw their respective leads trimmed a bit. Oakland tops the AL West by 1 Β½ games over the Angels after the Astros homered four times in a 7-3 win over the Athletics in Houston. Milwaukee’s 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay cuts the Brewers’ lead in the NL Central to 1 Β½ games over St. Louis, and Washington’s lead in the NL East is down to a half-game over Atlanta after the Nationals blew a 6-0 lead in a 7-6 loss at Miami.
UNDATED (AP) β The Cubs have shipped second baseman Darwin Barney and cash to the Dodgers for a player to be named. The move comes six days after he was designated for assignment by the Cubbies. And the Toronto Blue Jays have traded right-hander Liam Hendriks and catcher Erik Kratz to Kansas City for infielder Danny Valencia.
