PRO FOOTBALL
NEW YORK (AP) - The NFL may be on the hook for more money than it expected if a federal judge can’t be convinced that its $765 million concussion settlement with more than 4,500 former players will be adequate to pay out benefits over the 65-year life of the agreement.
The deal hit a snag Tuesday when a federal judge asked both parties to back up their assertions that the agreement negotiated over several months is appropriate.
U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody denied a motion that was meant to serve as a preliminary approval for the settlement, seeking more information from the parties.
She wrote that she was “primarily concerned that not all retired NFL football players who ultimately receive a qualifying diagnosis or their (families) … will be paid,” and that the lawyers for both parties have not addressed those concerns.
Given the judge’s ruling, the two sides will need to offer more evidence the fund will be sufficient or possibly have the NFL add money to the pot. Otherwise, they may be left to start over.
DETROIT (AP) - The Lions hired Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell to replace fired coach Jim Schwartz, ending a search that included a phone conversation between Mayhew and Tony Dungy.
Caldwell helped the Indianapolis Colts reach the Super Bowl after his debut season in 2009, but was fired two years later after a 2-14 season while Manning was injured, dropping his three-year mark to 26-22.
The Lions reportedly turned to Caldwell after their first choice, Ken Whisenhunt, was hired by the Titans.
SAN DIEGO (AP) - The San Diego Chargers promoted quarterbacks coach Frank Reich to offensive coordinator.
He replaces Ken Whisenhunt, who was hired Monday as coach of the Tennessee Titans.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Green Bay Packers quarterback coach Ben McAdoo was hired as the New York Giants offensive coordinator.
McAdoo replaces Kevin Gilbride, who retired after a disappointing season where the offense underperformed. During his tenure as coordinator the Giants won two Super Bowls.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - The Denver Broncos signed free agent and former Patriot Marquice Cole to replace injured cornerback Chris Harris Jr. on their roster.
Cole was released by New England on Dec. 26.
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TENNIS
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Serena Williams wore a fitted pink blazer into her second-round match at the Australian Open, giving the impression she wasn’t feeling the heat.
And after her 6-1, 6-2 win over Vesna Dolonc on Wednesday, the second consecutive scorching day at the season’s first major, Williams said she could remember hotter matches.
By extending her winning stretch to 24 matches dating back to August, and improving her career mark to 60-8 at Melbourne Park, she also equaled Margaret Court’s record 60 match wins at the Australian Open in the Open era.
The heat topped 104 degrees during the 63-minute match, and later peaked at just under 108 degrees during Novak Djokovic’s 6-0, 6-4, 6-4 win over Leonardo Mayer. Second-seeded Djokovic, aiming to be the first man in the Open era to win four consecutive Australian Open titles, didn’t face a break point.
Other seeded included No. 4 Li Na and No. 9 Angelique Kerber in the women’s bracket and No. 3 David Ferrer, No. 7 Tomas Berdych and No. 9 Richard Gasquet in the men’s half of the draw.
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PRO BASKETBALL
NEW YORK (AP) - Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel clinched the Eastern Conference coaching spot for next month’s NBA All-Star game.
The Pacers improved to 30-7 with their 116-92 victory over Sacramento, guaranteeing they will have the best winning percentage in the East among eligible teams. Miami’s Erik Spoelstra is ineligible after coaching in last year’s game.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol returned to action against the Oklahoma City Thunder after spraining a left knee ligament less than eight weeks ago.
He played 24 minutes and finished with 12 points the Grizzlies’ 90-87 victory.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama congratulated the NBA champion Miami Heat for showing the “heart and determination” it takes to sit atop the league.
It was a return visit to the White House for the team in honor of its second straight title.
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PRO HOCKEY
MONTREAL (AP) - Jaromir Jagr passed Mark Messier to move into seventh place in career NHL goals in the New Jersey Devils’ 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
The 41-year-old Jagr got his 695th goal in his 1,438th career game. On Saturday, he passed former Pittsburgh Penguins’ teammate Mario Lemieux for seventh place in points with 1,724.
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BASEBALL
NEW YORK (AP) - Cy Young Award winners Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Max Scherzer of the Detroit Tigers headed 146 players who filed for salary arbitration.
Tampa Bay pitcher David Price, Pittsburgh third baseman Pedro Alvarez, Cincinnati pitcher Aroldis Chapman, Arizona outfielder Mark Trumbo, Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters and Washington pitcher Jordan Zimmermann also were among those who filed.
Players are set to swap proposed salaries with their clubs Friday, and hearings will be scheduled for next month in St. Petersburg, Fla.
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SKIING
FLACHAU, Austria (AP) - American teenager Mikaela Shiffrin held on to a comfortable first-run lead to win a women’s World Cup night slalom.
Shiffrin overcame two mistakes in her final run to finish in a combined time of 1 minute, 45.83 seconds and beat Frida Hansdotter of Sweden by 0.83.
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AUTO RACING
IQUIQUE, Chile (AP) - Eleven-time winner Stephane Peterhansel won the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally, edging him closer to the overall lead in cars with four stages remaining.
The Frenchman finished 2 minutes, 17 seconds, ahead of Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar and 11:36 clear of overall leader Nani Roma of Spain.
The stage took riders across the Atacama desert from Calama to Iquique.
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