PRESS BOX: Attorney files suit against NCAA, conferences
Adding to the increasing attacks on college sports' largest governing body, labor attorney Jeffrey Kessler filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the NCAA in U.S. District court in New Jersey on Monday.
The suit challenges the NCAA's cap of compensation for student-athletes at the value of an athletic scholarship. If successful, the suit could allow players to be paid above their scholarship, with the open market determining their value.
The targets of the lawsuit are the NCAA and its five richest leagues: the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pacific 12 Conference and Southeastern Conference.
Only one of the listed plaintiffs, Clemson junior defensive back Martin Jenkins, has eligibility remaining. The other named plaintiffs are three seniors: Cal offensive lineman Bill Tyndall, UTEP tight end Kevin Perry and Rutgers basketball player J.J. Moore. Kessler plans to seek class-action status for the suit.
MLB
Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander will get the start when the team opens the season March 31 against the visiting Kansas City Royals. It will be Verlander's seventh straight Opening Day start.
The announcement is a bit surprising considering teammate Max Scherzer won the American League Cy Young Award last year and Verlander is coming off core muscle surgery.
---New York Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese has been cleared to resume throwing later this week after undergoing an MRI in New York. Niese has no structural damage in his left elbow. He received a cortisone injection and will rest for two to three days before he starts throwing.
---Oakland A's right-hander Jarrod Parker will miss the entire season because he needs Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar-collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. Parker, 25, was previously named the team's Opening Day starter.
It will be Parker's second Tommy Johnson surgery. He also had the operation in 2009 when he pitched in the minor leagues.
NBA
The Orlando Magic signed center Dewayne Dedmon for the remainder of the regular season. Dedmon originally signed the first of two 10-day contracts on Feb. 25.
---The Philadelphia 76ers signed forward James Nunnally to a 10-day contract. In 35 games for the Bakersfield Jam and the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League, Nunnally is averaging 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
NHL
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo and San Jose Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi were named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week.
CBK
Duke forward Jabari Parker was named the Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year. The 6-foot-8 Parker averaged 19.3 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 47.8 percent overall and 36.9 percent from 3-point range this season.
---Virginia Tech fired coach James Johnson. The Hokies finished the season 9-22 overall and 2-16 in the ACC under Johnson, who spent just two seasons as coach.
