- Tuesday, September 20, 2011

PRO BASKETBALL

Two meetings scheduled for NBA labor negotiations

NEW YORK — Representatives for NBA owners and players will meet twice this week, perhaps only days before training camps would have to be postponed without a new labor deal.

Staffs from both sides will meet Wednesday without leadership from either side, a person with knowledge of the plans said Tuesday. Commissioner David Stern, Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, union executive director Billy Hunter, president Derek Fisher of the Lakers and other top negotiators would rejoin the talks for another meeting Thursday.

Without a breakthrough then, the NBA would likely be out of time before being forced to make changes to the calendar.

Camps have been expected to open Oct. 3. During the 1998 lockout that reduced the season to 50 games, camps that were scheduled to begin Oct. 5 were postponed Sept. 24.

The Nov. 1 start of the regular season could be in jeopardy with the sides still fighting over the salary cap.

HOCKEY

Jets’ Byfuglien charged with boating while intoxicated

MINNEAPOLIS — Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was charged Tuesday with boating while intoxicated three weeks ago on a lake in the suburbs west of Minneapolis.

According to a water patrol officer, Byfuglien’s speech was slurred, his eyes were bloodshot and watery, he was unsteady on his feet and he smelled of alcohol during the Aug. 31 incident. Three people were with him. Authorities also said Byfuglien admitted to taking a muscle relaxant but couldn’t remember the name.

BASEBALL

Harwell statue vandalized at Detroit’s ballpark

DETROIT — Glasses ripped off the white bronze statue of late Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell at Comerica Park in Detroit are expected to be replaced later this week.

It’s unclear exactly how - or when - the glasses were taken. The statue is inside the ballpark’s main gates.

FOOTBALL

Knee injury stalls comeback of former Heisman winner

OMAHA, NEB. — Eric Crouch can’t catch a break in professional football. The Omaha Nighthawks’ quarterback underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. The 2001 Heisman Trophy winner from Nebraska was injured last week in the United Football League opener against the Virginia Destroyers. Crouch said he hopes to play again before the regular season ends Oct. 28.

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