Sports in brief

Times wires
Monday, March 7, 2011

NFL

Negotiations resume, will continue today

WASHINGTON — The NFL and the players' union negotiated for four hours Monday, and league commissioner Roger Goodell, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith and members of the two negotiating teams are expected to reconvene before a federal mediator this morning.

The Washington Post reported the sides were close to $800 million per year apart on the central economic issue of how to divide the sport's annual revenue.

The collective bargaining agreement was to expire this past Thursday, but two extensions have pushed the cutoff to Friday. Progress has been made during 11 days at the offices of mediator George Cohen.

Reports said optimism sparked by last week's extensions resulted mainly because there was bargaining movement, but nothing particularly substantial.

The New York Times reported that owners might be open to the union's effort to get team finances data.

The previous CBA was agreed to in 2006, and owners exercised an opt-out clause in 2008, leading to this stalemate.

More NFL

High court won't take Spygate suit

The Supreme Court said it won't review a decision throwing out a lawsuit stemming from the Patriots' 2007 Spygate scandal, when New England taped Jets signals. Jets fan Carl Mayer filed a class-action lawsuit against the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick, claiming fans spent large sums to see games that were essentially rigged.

Steelers hire former db: Former Steelers defensive back Carnell Lake, 43, was named Pittsburgh's defensive backs coach. … Chuck Bresnahan, 50, hired last month as a Raiders assistant, was named defensive coordinator.

ET CETERA

Soccer: Frank Lampard scored twice and Chelsea won 3-1 at Blackpool to rejuvenate faint hopes of retaining the Premier League title. Fourth-place Chelsea (15-7-6) has 51 points, nine behind first-place Manchester United (17-9-3). The Blues are three points ahead of Tottenham (13-6-9) for the final Champions League berth. … The United States won its third straight game at the Algarve Cup, 4-0 over Finland. The United States plays Iceland on Wednesday in the final in Quarteira, Portugal.

Horses: Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 horse of the year, is in foal with an expected due date of Feb. 1. Two weeks ago, the 2009 Preakness winner was bred to two-time horse of the year winner and stablemate Curlin.

Running: The Boston Marathon added a third wave of runners for its 115th edition April 18, when it expects 27,000 entrants. The three starting groups will leave about 20 minutes apart.

Iditarod: Four-time defending champ Lance Mackey took the lead in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Mackey was first to the Rainy Pass checkpoint, about 190 miles into the 1,100-mile race that began in Willow, Alaska.

Times wires

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/sports-in-brief/1155889

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