MINNEAPOLIS — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith met again Thursday, with several players and owners rejoining the negotiations as the time dwindled for striking a labor deal that would avoid the disruption of the preseason.
The NFL had hoped to have at least an agreement in principle in place around the Fourth of July, but three people who have been briefed on the negotiations said that while a resolution remained possible within the next 10 days, it was more likely negotiations would drag on past that, with a better chance for a settlement coming the week of July 10. Owners and players are expected to continue talking today in Minneapolis.
Hancock explains BCS to DOJ
WASHINGTON — BCS executive director Bill Hancock met with 10 officials from the Department of Justice’s antitrust division to explain how major-college football crowns a champion.
“I went into the meeting very confident that the BCS does not break the law and I came out of it confident that we explained what we do and why the BCS doesn’t pose any antitrust concerns,” Hancock said.
The Justice Department initially raised its concerns with the NCAA about major college football’s postseason system, asking why there wasn’t a playoff.
• Running back Zach Brown said he will transfer from Wisconsin to Pitt, where he will be immediately eligible because he has already earned his bachelor’s degree and played only three seasons for the Badgers. Brown rushed for 1,152 yards and 11 touchdowns on 240 carries at Wisconsin.
• Former Missouri quarterback Tyler Gabbert, younger brother of former Tigers quarterback Blaine Gabbert, transferred to Louisville. He will be eligible in 2012 with three years of eligibility remaining.
• North Texas has dismissed leading receiver Darius Carey from the team for undisclosed violations.
Footnotes.
The Cleveland Cavaliers sent J.J. Hickson to the Sacramento Kings for Omri Casspi and a future first-round pick in a swap of forwards.
• The New Orleans Hornets made a qualifying offer to shooting guard Marco Belinelli, but allowed former Colorado State standout Jason Smith to become a free agent.
• Adam Scott made two long birdie putts and hit a 5-iron within 2 feet for birdie on the 14th hole on his way to a 4-under-par 66 and a share of the lead with Hunter Haas after the first round of the AT&T National in Newton Square, Pa.
• Organizers of the Bob Hope Classic said the tournament will be called the Humana Challenge after Louisville, Ky.-based Humana agreed to an eight-year deal as title sponsor. The tournament will change its format from five days to four, with the first three rounds played in a pro-am format.
• Former World Boxing Council light welterweight champion Billy Costello, winner of his first 30 professional fights until Denver native “Lightning” Lonnie Smith scored an eighth-round technical knockout in 1985, died Wednesday of lung cancer in Kingston, N.Y. Costello, who was 40-2 over a 20-year career that began in 1979, was 55.
Denver Post wire services
