Sports in Brief: Bryant denies report he cleaned out locker

By: Associated Press - | Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:58 PM PDT ∞

EL SEGUNDO -- Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant sat out practice for the third straight day Tuesday, then denied a report that he had cleaned out his locker -- a story carried by several local news outlets.

Bryant spoke for less than two minutes in the parking lot of the team's practice facility. Previously, he had said very little to reporters since Jerry Buss stated last week in Honolulu that he "would certainly listen" to trade offers for the NBA's scoring leader.

"I don't know, talk to Mitch and Mr. Buss about that," Bryant replied when asked if he had played his final game for the Lakers, referring to general manager Mitch Kupchak and the team's owner. "I'm just getting ready. If I'm here, I'm ready to strap it up."

Court rules for fantasy baseball

ST. LOUIS -- A federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that lets a fantasy baseball company use players' names and statistics without paying a licensing fee.

In a 2-1 decision, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that CBC Distribution and Marketing Inc. doesn't have to pay the players, even though it profits by using their names and statistics.

The Major League Baseball Players Association had argued that companies like CBC are essentially stealing money from players, who charge big fees to endorse things like tennis shoes and soft drinks. The ruling could have a broad impact on the fantasy league industry, which generates more than $1.5 billion annually from millions of participants.

Hopkins will succeed Boeheim

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Jim Boeheim has known for a while who he wanted to succeed him as head coach of the Syracuse Orange when he decides to retire, and now it's official that assistant coach Mike Hopkins is the man.

Hopkins said that he had reached an agreement on a plan to succeed the Hall of Fame coach.

"Jim isn't going anywhere, but Mike is my next coach," athletic director Daryl Gross said, adding that it was premature to talk about the future because Boeheim has given no indication he plans to retire anytime soon.

Et cetera

Tennis

Roger Federer played his first match on tour in more than five weeks, beating Robby Ginepri 7-6 (2), 6-4 in the second round at the Madrid (Spain) Masters. ... Serena Williams retired with a sore right thigh while trailing Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 6-0, 3-0 in the first round of the Zurich (Switzerland) Open.

Lacrosse

The National Lacrosse League canceled its 2008 season after failing to reach a labor agreement with the union. The executive committee of the Professional Lacrosse Players' Association rejected the last collective bargaining agreement proposal, the NLL said.

Football

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Ron Springs is hospitalized in a coma, more than seven months after receiving a kidney donated by ex-teammate Everson Walls. The Washington Redskins said that cornerback Shawn Springs, son of the 50-year-old Springs, has flown to Dallas to be with his father. It wasn't immediately clear what caused Ron Springs, who suffered from diabetes, to lapse into a coma or when he was hospitalized. Calls to the family weren't returned. ... The Arena Football League will relocate the Las Vegas franchise to Cleveland, where former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar will run the team. The move was approved last week in Chicago, and team owner Jim Ferraro announced that Kosar will be the team's president. Home games will be played at Quicken Loans Arena, home of the NBA's Cavaliers.

Crime and courts

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy has forfeited $30,000 in restitution to the government under his plea deal in a basketball gambling scam. ... A federal judge approved the neutering of dozens of fighting dogs seized from Michael Vick's rural home and the appointment of an expert to decide the animals' future. U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson acted on a government motion requesting animal law expert Rebecca J. Huss serve as the guardian-special master to oversee the possible placement of the 48 dogs, or their euthanasia. ... Former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers is hoping for a full pardon 37 years after robbing a Lincoln gas station. The ex-Nebraska football star has thought about seeking a pardon for years, but he decided to move forward after considering limits on felons in business ventures, Rodgers' lawyer said. ... A son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid was ordered back to jail after missing a drug test. Garrett Reid, 24, didn't show up for a scheduled test on Monday, according to prosecutors and his attorney, Ross Weiss. He is required to submit to random tests while awaiting

sentencing on drug charges.

WNBA

The WNBA will announce today that it has awarded a franchise to Atlanta, a person familiar with the deal said . Atlanta real estate executive Ron Terwilliger will be the sole owner of the team.

Colleges

The NCAA put Ball State on probation for two years and cut three football scholarships because of misuse by athletes of a textbook loan program. The penalties announced by the Division I Committee on Infractions also included a reduction of money available for men's tennis scholarships and a restriction on the number of hours per week allowed for softball practice.

Soccer

David Beckham trained with the Los Angeles Galaxy for the fourth time in two weeks, but his status for this week's game against New York is uncertain. The midfielder performed drills, participated in a scrimmage and stayed afterward with eight teammates to practice shooting. ... A German under-21 international of Iranian descent who refused to travel to Israel for a soccer match will continue to play for the German national team.

Doping

Former French sports minister Jean-Francois Lamour withdrew as a candidate to succeed Dick Pound at the helm of the World Anti-Doping Agency, calling the group ineffective.