NEW YORK — In oral arguments Wednesday in Manhattan, NBA attorney Jeffrey Mishkin said the players association is using the possibility of an antitrust fight like “a loaded gun” on the negotiating table and urged U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe to reject the union’s request to toss the league’s lawsuit.
Mishkin said the NBA is seeking the court’s blessing for its actions so that the union stops threatening an antitrust fight to gain an upper hand in negotiations.
“They prefer the uncertainty,” Mishkin said of the union’s effort to get the lawsuit tossed out. “It’s like taking a loaded gun and laying it on the table.”
Gardephe brushed aside Mishkin’s argument, saying posturing is part of negotiations.
“If they’ve put the gun on the table, it’s not clear there are any bullets in it,” the judge said.
Progress has stalled since talks broke off last Friday over the revenue split. The union’s executive committee plans to meet today in New York.
Ex-NASCAR driver Mayfield arrested on drug charge
CATAWBA, N.C. — Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield, barred from the association since 2009 for a failed drug test, was arrested at his home and charged with possession of methamphetamine, and police said he might face more charges after detectives from neighboring Lincoln County said about $100,000 worth of items that belonged to businesses in that county also were found at Mayfield’s home.
• IndyCar driver Ed Carpenter is leaving Sarah Fisher Racing to start his own team and said he plans to run a full season in 2012.
Linebacker hits wrong chord with Toledo band
DEKALB, Ill. — Northern Illinois suspended freshman linebacker Jamaal Bass for bowling over a member of Toledo’s marching band when the Huskies took the field before their 63-60 road victory Tuesday night.
Game footage shows Bass leaping into a flute player, knocking him to the ground. Bass will miss the Huskies’ game next Tuesday against Bowling Green.
• Fourth-string Ohio State tailback Jaamal Berry has been charged with misdemeanor assault and dis- orderly conduct after police say he punched a man in the face Oct. 21 and then bragged about it. Berry has been suspended from the team.
• Failed drug tests administered last week were the reason Georgia’s leading rusher, Isaiah Crowell, and tailbacks Ken Malcome and Carlton Thomas were suspended for Saturday’s game against New Mexico State.
Footnotes.
Forward Sean Avery rejoined the New York Rangers for practice but was ruled out of tonight’s home game against the Anaheim Ducks because coach John Tortorella said he wants to play the same lineup that beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Monday night.
• Connecticut freshman guard Ryan Boatright is being held out of competition while the school and the NCAA investigate his eligibility. The Associated Press
