Timing for memorabilia auction is 40th anniversary of Flood’s challenge

Curt Flood auction offers pieces of history

Federal appeals court backs judge who ruled against NFL in Vick $16M bonus case

Appeals court agrees Vick can keep $16M in bonuses

APNewsBreak: Goodell to seek change in labor law in response to blocked players’ suspensions

APNewsBreak: Goodell to seek change in labor law

NFL’s Roger Goodell denies link between head injuries and brain diseases before Congress

Goodell denies head injury-brain disease link

Before Congress, NFL’s Goodell won’t acknowledge link between head injuries, brain diseases

Goodell defends NFL’s handling of head injuries

Retired NFL players seeking to help college players in legal battle with Electronic Arts

SAN FRANCISCO — Two retired NFL players on Monday asked a judge to let them formally support a former college quarterback’s legal fight with video game maker Electronic Arts Inc.

Families of 17 sailors killed in USS Cole attack want more compensation from Sudan

NORFOLK, Va. — The families of 17 sailors killed in the 2000 attack on the USS Cole are asking to reopen their lawsuit against Sudan in an effort to seek more money.

Sharks deal defensemen Ehrhoff and Lukowich to Vancouver for 2 prospects

The San Jose Sharks traded veteran defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich to the Vancouver Canucks on Friday for two prospects in a move to create space under the salary cap.

Taming the market: UEFA prepares new rules to control Champions League clubs’ spending

MONACO — The mantra has been repeated for more than a year: Something must be done to stop the spiraling spending by European soccer clubs.

Russian hockey league refiles Jiri Hudler’s contract noting NHL attempts to sign KHL players

DETROIT — Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League completed a contract with Detroit Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler on Thursday.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Amid looming lockout threat, NFL players hope for victory on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON — Pro football players swept across Capitol Hill on Wednesday and asked lawmakers to take a tough look at owners’ profits as the two sides prepare to decide how to divide their big pot of TV money and other revenues.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: With threat of lockout looming, NFL players to lobby Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON — NFL players are blitzing Capitol Hill, meeting with about a dozen members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to build political support in a possible labor showdown with team owners.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: With threat of lockout looming, NFL players lobby Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON — NFL players swarmed Capitol Hill Wednesday, asking key lawmakers to take a tough look at team owners’ profits as delicate talks begin over how the two sides will divide millions in television revenue.

With threat of lockout looming, NFL players to make union’s case on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON — As NFL owners and players resume talks on a new collective bargaining agreement, the new union chief and 20 current and retired players plan to meet with members of Congress Wednesday in hopes of building political support to head off a lockout.

NASCAR backs drug-testing policy that banned driver Mayfield, while outside experts see flaws

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Although NASCAR contends it has the best anti-doping procedures in sports, some experts see flaws in the policy and question whether drivers are getting a fair shake in the lab or a safe ride on the track.

Rangers deal C Scott Gomez to Canadiens for Higgins and 2 others in 6-player deal.

NEW YORK — Scott Gomez’s brief New York tenure ended Tuesday when the star center was traded by the Rangers to the Montreal Canadiens as part of a six-player deal.

Donald Fehr to retire as head of baseball players’ union by March 31

NEW YORK — Donald Fehr’s time in charge of the players’ association will be remembered for a strike that canceled the World Series, explosive growth in salaries and eventually 14 years of labor peace.

$131M for Ronaldo? European soccer shows American sports counterparts how to wheel and deal

Another reason to love European football: Owners who really wheel and deal.

European soccer clubs show American sports counterparts how to wheel and deal

Another reason to love European football: Owners who really wheel and deal.

New NFL union head, Ravens’ player meet with lawmakers to build support for preventing lockout

WASHINGTON — The new head of the NFL players union and Baltimore Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth met with key players on another field Thursday — Congress — to build support on Capitol Hill for preventing an owners’ lockout.

Colorado Avalanche make sweeping changes, hire Greg Sherman as GM and fire coach Tony Granato

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche promoted Greg Sherman to general manager and fired coach Tony Granato and five others in a sweeping shakeup Wednesday.

Seat shopping: You can still catch baseball for mere bucks, and the game’s the same

BALTIMORE — The crowd at Oriole Park at Camden Yards was so sparse on a recent weeknight, its murmur so low, that you could hear clear across the field when a fan let out a disappointed wail at first pitch: “Where IS everybody?”

Miami’s Pat Riley hoping to get Dwyane Wade signed to extension this summer

MIAMI — Pat Riley’s plan to make the Miami Heat better in 2010 might start with signing Dwyane Wade in 2009.

NHL loans Coyotes cash for payroll, rent, other expenses

PHOENIX — The National Hockey League has loaned an unknown amount of money to the Phoenix Coyotes for payroll and rent payments.

Richest clubs have the biggest debt, so what’s going on in the English Premier League?

LONDON — The most successful clubs in soccer’s richest league have some of the biggest debts in the sport.

Seahawks move on after removing franchise tag from LB Leroy Hill; sign CB Lucas, FB Griffith

RENTON, Wash. — The Seahawks are prepared to move on without starting outside linebacker Leroy Hill.

Pittsburgh Steelers, seeking cap room, close to new $22 million deal with receiver Hines Ward

PITTSBURGH — Wide receiver Hines Ward apparently will get his wish to finish his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NFL DRAFT: Picks, trades and trends _ let the intrigue begin

NEW YORK — Let’s forget that Matthew Stafford will wind up in Detroit as the top pick in Saturday’s NFL draft. And what team will get star receiver Michael Crabtree. And where the six offensive tackles likely to go in the first round will land.

G Jahri Evans, WR Lance Moore formally accept their restricted free-agent offers from Saints

NEW ORLEANS — Offensive guard Jahri Evans and wide receiver Lance Moore, restricted free agents during the offseason, have signed one-year contracts with the Saints.

Colts restructure Pro Bowl receiver’s contract to save money

INDIANAPOLIS — Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne has agreed to a restructured contract, which will give the Colts more room under this year’s salary cap.