LONDON — Liverpool was sold to the owners of the Boston Red Sox, John Henry and Tom Werne, on Friday after a bitter trans-Atlantic court fight with the previous American owners over the storied Eng- lish soccer club.
The $476 million deal with New England Sports Ventures ends the turbulent three-year ownership by Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr.
The sale finally went through after Hicks and Gillett withdrew the temporary restraining order blocking the sale they had obtained in a Texas court. Hicks and Gillett said they were also dropping a lawsuit seeking $1.6 billion in damages.
Attorney Tom Melsheimer said Hicks and Gillett were dropping the claim to comply with an Eng- lish court order. He says “a different picture will be painted” when the English court “has a chance to hear all the facts,” suggesting the fight isn’t over.
“We are committed first and foremost to winning,” said Henry, the financier who heads NESV.
• The World Cup bidding contests became a lot clearer after the United States withdrew from the 2018 race to focus on earning hosting rights for 2022.
Mediate pads lead
SAN MARTIN, Calif. — Rocco Mediate fired a 6-under-par 65 on Friday to increase his lead to three strokes in the Open.
Mediate had a 13-under 129 total. Ryudi Imada (67) was second, and Dean Wilson (64) and David Duval (65) followed at 9-under.
• Gwladys Nocera and Beatriz Recari each shot 6-under 66s and were tied for the lead after the second round of the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge in Danville, Calif.
• Maarten Lafeber shot a 5-under 67 to lead by two after the second round of the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura.
UConn, Calhoun, NCAA meet
INDIANAPOLIS — The University of Connecticut’s hearing before the NCAA infractions committee to discuss men’s basketball violations concluded after more than 12 hours.
Connecticut has acknowledged the program committed major NCAA recruiting violations and has imposed its own sanctions, including two years’ probation and a loss of one scholarship for the next two seasons.
But the university has said the evidence does not support the NCAA’s allegation that coach Jim Calhoun failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance.
The committee could accept UConn’s decision or impose additional penalties.
Footnotes.
Federal prosecutors are gearing up for Barry Bonds‘ perjury trial in March, submitting an outline of their legal strategy and a list of witnesses.
Prosecutors said they plan to call Jason Giambi, who has played for the Rockies the past two seasons.
• The Seattle Mariners have reportedly picked former Cleveland Indians skipper Eric Wedge as their new manager.
• University of Nebraska regents approved a $9.25 million settlement to leave the Big 12 Conference.
• Former Boston Celtics star Larry Siegfried, who helped win five NBA titles, died Thursday in Columbus, Ohio. He was 71.
The Associated Press
