AP source: NHL players closer to dissolving union AP source: NHL players closer to dissolving union ADVERTISING NEW YORK — NHL players are a step closer to dissolving their union. In a vote this week, union members overwhelmingly agreed to
AP source: NHL players closer to dissolving union
NEW YORK — NHL players are a step closer to dissolving their union.
In a vote this week, union members overwhelmingly agreed to give the players’ association’s executive board the power to file a “disclaimer of interest” until Jan. 2.
A person familiar with the outcome of the vote told The Associated Press on Friday that the measure was approved by a vote of 706-22 (97 percent), easily reaching the two-thirds majority that was necessary. However, the executive board hasn’t made plans yet to meet to discuss whether to file the disclaimer. If the Jan. 2 deadline passes, another authorization vote could be held to approve a later filing.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the results of the vote hadn’t been announced.
If the executive board files the disclaimer, the union would dissolve and become a trade association. That would allow players to file antitrust lawsuits against the NHL.
NCAA suspends Texas’ Kabongo 23 games
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has suspended Texas basketball player Myck Kabongo for 23 games for accepting impermissible benefits and providing false statements during an investigation into the infractions.
The Division I committee on student-athlete reinstatement announced the suspension Friday.
Kabongo also must repay $475 to a charity of his choice. The NCAA will count all 11 games that Kabongo has missed toward the suspension. Texas had self-imposed a 10-game penalty.
The NCAA said Kabongo accepted airfare and personal training instruction and then provided false and misleading information about the infractions during two interviews with university officials.
Yahoo Sports has reported that the NCAA was examining whether Rich Paul, the agent for LeBron James, was involved in a trip Kabongo took to Cleveland last spring that included at least one workout with professional trainer Jerry Powell.
Texas officials were notified of the decision last week, the NCAA said. An appeal was heard Thursday, and the NCAA decided to overturn the original decision to suspend Kabongo for the entire season.
Mariners sign Bonderman
to minor league deal
SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seattle Mariners have signed pitcher Jeremy Bonderman to a minor league contract, hoping the right-hander can make a comeback from Tommy John surgery.
The Mariners announced the deal Friday. They also invited the 30-year-old who was raised in the state of Washington to spring training.
Bonderman has not pitched in the majors since 2010, when he went 8-10 with a 5.53 ERA for Detroit. He pitched eight seasons for the Tigers and helped them reach the World Series in 2006, when he was 14-8 and led the AL with 34 starts.
Bonderman had surgery on his right elbow last April. A blood clot in his right shoulder slowed his career in 2008 after he had a winning record in three straight years.
Cubs agree to 1-year
deal with Schierholtz
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Nate Schierholtz.
The team announced the agreement Friday. The deal calls for Schierholtz to earn $2.25 million plus an additional $500,000 in performance bonuses.
Schierholtz was traded from San Francisco to Philadelphia last season in the deal that sent Hunter Pence to the Giants at the July 31 non-waiver deadline. He batted .257 with six homers in 114 games.
The Phillies declined to tender Schierholtz a 2013 contract offer, making him a free agent.
The Cubs also said Friday that left-handed pitcher Jeff Beliveau and righty Sandy Rosario were claimed off waivers by Texas and San Francisco, respectively. Left-hander Gerardo Concepcion cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Class A Kane County.
Brewers sign LHP
Tom Gorzelanny
MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers signed left-handed reliever Tom Gorzelanny to a two-year contract Friday.
The 30-year-old Gorzelanny went 4-2 with a 2.88 ERA and one save in 45 games with Washington last season, a stint that included one start. He posted a 1.33 ERA in 27 innings pitched out of the bullpen following the All-Star break.
Gorzelanny worked at least two innings in 19 of his 44 relief appearances last season, his first as a full-time reliever.
Overall, Gorzelanny is 44-45 with a 4.41 ERA and two saves in 193 games (111 starts) during eight seasons with Pittsburgh, the Cubs and Washington.
Terms were not released by the team.
Suzy Favor Hamilton says she has worked as escort
Three-time Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton says she coped with depression and a troubled marriage by turning to a life of prostitution.
In a series of posts to her Twitter account, Favor Hamilton acknowledged working as an escort following a report Thursday on The Smoking Gun website about her double life.
The Smoking Gun said the 44-year-old athlete has been working for the last year for a Las Vegas escort service that booked her for dates there, as well as in Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago. The website said she charged $600 an hour for her services.
One of the country’s best-ever middle-distance runners, Favor Hamilton competed for the U.S. at the Olympics in 1992, 1996 and 2000 but did not win a medal. She won seven U.S. national titles.
She lives in Madison, Wis., where, The Smoking Gun reported, she and her husband, Mark, live in a $600,000 home and appear to be in no financial distress based on the website’s review of court and municipal records.
By wire sources
