NFL-BROWNS
GM fesses up
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The general manager of the Cleveland Browns has admitted to sending text messages to the sideline last season in violation of league rules. Ray Farmer says he acted alone and that nobody asked him to contact coaches. Team owner Jimmy Haslam recently expressed support for Farmer, who says he will accept whatever punishment the NFL sets.
MLB-CUBS
Cubs can move forward on Wrigley renovation
CHICAGO (AP) — Years ago the Chicago Cubs signed contracts with the owners of rooftops adjacent to Wrigley Field. Those deals allowed the rooftop owners to sell seats on their rooftops for fans to watch Cubs games. The National League team is in the midst of renovating Wrigley and parts of the improvements include the installation of some signs that may block the rooftop views.
Those rooftop owners have now been shot down by a federal judge in their attempt to temporarily halt installation of signs which they say will block their view and violate their contract with the team.
U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall has ruled that the “vague possibility” the rooftops could be injured wasn’t enough to grant a restraining order. The ruling means the Cubs will avoid a setback as they renovate the historic ballpark.
NBA-SCHEDULE
Back to work in the NBA
UNDATED (AP) — The long NBA All-Star break ends tonight with two games on the schedule. Defending league champion San Antonio starts the second half of the season with a game in Los Angeles against the Clippers while in Oklahoma City the Thunder are home to the Dallas Mavericks.
NBA-TRADE
Reports of NBA deals
DENVER (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press the Denver Nuggets have sent Arron Afflalo (uh-FLAH’-loh) and Alonzo Gee to the Portland Trail Blazers in a five-player deal. In return, the Nuggets receive Thomas Robinson, Victor Claver and Will Barton, along with first- and second-round draft picks. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
The Nuggets are shaking things up after a 20-33 start in coach Brian Shaw’s second season in charge. They traded center Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland last month for two first-round picks.
UNDATED (AP) — A person with knowledge of the deal says the Sacramento Kings have agreed to trade guard Ramon Sessions to the Washington Wizards for guard Andre Miller. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams have not announced the move. The trade reunites Miller with new Kings coach George Karl, who had a close relationship with Miller in Denver. And the Wizards receive a viable, veteran backup who has had a down season. Sessions is averaging 5.4 points and 2.7 assists in 17.8 minutes per game while Miller is averaging 3.6 points and 2.8 assists in 12.4 minutes.
T25-SCHEDULE
Bulldogs lead the way
UNDATED (AP) — Third-ranked Gonzaga (gahn-ZAG’-uh) is the highest-ranked school in action in men’s basketball tonight. The Bulldogs, who are 26-1, are on the road for a game at Pacific which is 10-16 on the season. Gonzaga enters the game with a 19-game winning streak, one short of the school record, which has been done twice. A win in the game would clinch at least a tie for the West Coast Conference championship for the Bulldogs, their 18th.
The best and the worst of the Pac-12 square off tonight in Tucson, Arizona, as first-place and seventh-ranked Arizona plays Southern Cal. The Wildcats enter the game with an overall record of 22-3 and 10-2 in conference play. The Trojans are in last place in the conference with just two wins in 13 games.
The remaining games tonight feature ninth-ranked Utah at Oregon State, 16th-ranked Maryland home to Nebraska and 21st-ranked SMU home to Temple.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Predators look for another win
UNDATED (AP) — The NHL-leading Nashville Predators are on a roll with wins in their last six games and in eight of their last nine. They top the West and the NHL with 84 points and tonight they face the Islanders in New York. The Isles have won five of their last six games to lead the Metropolitan Division with 77 points.
The banged-up Vancouver Canucks are in New York as well, as they have a game tonight with the Rangers. New York has been using Cam Talbot in goal for their last seven games as Henrik Lundqvist deals with an injured blood vessel in his neck.
Washington is coming off a 3-1-0 road trip for two straight home games. Tonight the Caps are playing host to Winnipeg with Alex Ovechkin (oh-VECH’-kin) leading the league in goals scored, 37, and power play goals, 17. Teammate Nicklas Backstrom tops the league with 44 assists.
The rest of the card has Buffalo skating at Philadelphia, the Penguins home to the Blue Jackets, Florida at Montreal and San Jose at Dallas.
DAYTONA 500
Qualifying tonight
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The pole may have been set last Sunday for this Sunday’s Daytona 500 but on tap this evening is the qualifying for the rest of the field. As usual the Sprint Cup stars are competing in two qualifying races tonight. Of note, Danica (DAN’-ih-kuh) Patrick will have to start her heat from the back of the field after being involved in a crash on Wednesday. Her car was not repairable so she has had to switch to a backup car. Denny Hamlin was involved in the wreck with Patrick but his car was repairable.
Patrick, who started from the pole three years ago, says it is very disappointing to have to use a backup car.
By the way, in case you missed it last Sunday, Jeff Gordon clinched the pole for what will be his final Daytona 500. He’s a three-time winner of the event with victories in 1997, 1999 and 2005. The other front row starter is Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson.
PGA-NORTHERN TRUST
Watson back to defend in LA
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The early season West Coast swing on the PGA Tour comes to an end this weekend with the Northern Trust at Riviera in Los Angeles. The first round is today with defending champion Bubba Watson leading the way. He finished two shots in front of Dustin Johnson last year.
LPGA-AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Opening round complete
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — South Korea’s Ilhee Lee took advantage of calm morning conditions to shoot a 5-under 68 and take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Women’s Australian Open. Lee had four back-nine birdies to stake a claim to the lead. New Zealander Lydia Ko, playing her second tournament as world No. 1, shot 70 and was tied for third with two other players. The 17-year old Ko’s round included an eagle on the par-5 14th, where her 25-foot putt dropped for a three.
