MINNEAPOLIS — Seeking more clout in their fight with the NFL, locked-out players asked a federal judge Thursday to make $4 billion in disputed broadcast revenue off limits to the league and to award them at least $707 million in damages.
U.S. District Judge David Doty took the request under advisement after a two-hour hearing that included arguments from attorneys for the league and the players.
The players have argued the league can make it through the work stoppage in part because it illegally secured that money by renegotiating TV contracts for 2011 that allows the NFL to get paid even if there are no games to televise.
On March 1, 10 days before the lockout began, Doty ruled the NFL failed to maximize revenues for the players, essentially leaving money on the table for the last two years to gain leverage in the labor fight. He described it as an “uncon- scionable advantage.”
• Former Dallas Cowboys running back Ron Springs, who spent the past four years in a coma after losing oxygen during a 2007 operation, died without ever regaining consciousness. He was 54.
• Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy said the team will retire Brett Favre‘s No. 4, but it likely would be a few years before the ceremony takes place.
Serena out of French Open
PARIS — Serena Williams, who hasn’t competed since early July because of two foot operations and blood clots in her lung, pulled out of the French Open.
Williams returned to practice last month and said she aims to be back on the tour this summer. Her older sister Venus is also in doubt for the clay-court event that starts May 22 because of a hip injury.
Alabama lineman Douglas dies
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama offensive lineman Aaron Douglas, a junior college transfer and one- time Tennessee starter, was found dead on the second-floor balcony of a home in Fernandina Beach, Fla., after attending a party, according to police. Douglas was 21.
The medical examiner’s office is investigating the cause of death.
Footnotes.
Former Kansas associate athletic director Ben Kirtland was sentenced to nearly five years in prison as federal prosecutors wrapped up their investigation into the “parasites and thieves” who stole more than $2 million in tickets in a case that embarrassed the school.
• The University of Oklahoma’s board of regents approved a seven-year, $16.6 million contract for new basketball coach Lon Kruger.
• Francisco Ventoso led a mass sprint to win the 134-mile sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia, while Pieter Weening retained the overall lead.
• Alexei Kaigorodov and Ilya Kovalchuk scored third-period goals as Russia eliminated Olympic champion Canada 2-1 to reach the semifinals of the ice hockey world championships in Bratislava, Slovakia. Russia will play Finland today.
• FC Dallas signed 21-year-old midfielder Brek Shea to a contract extension through the 2015 season.
• Madison and Keiffer Hubbell, siblings who won U.S. ice dance titles at the juvenile, intermediate and junior levels, are ending their partnership.
The Associated Press
