Press Box: NHL players union presents counter-proposal
The NHL Players Association presented a counter-proposal to the league after the two sides met in New York on Monday, TSN reported.
The NHL will review the union's offer, and NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr told TSN he expects the two sides to meet again on Tuesday.
"We made a comprehensive proposal that was (288) pages. They've come back with a comprehensive response. We need time to analyze it," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said, according to CSNChicago.com.. "We're going to do (review) tonight. The expectation is we'll contact them tomorrow morning and get together hopefully by midday."
An agreement would need to be in place no later than Jan. 11 for the season to begin on Jan. 19. Reportedly, that is as late as the season can start to accommodate a 48-game regular season and a postseason that would end in June.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
---Boise State announced it will stay in the Mountain West Conference instead of joining the Big East in 2013.
The Broncos planned to join the Big East in only football next year, but decided to stay in the MWC. The Mountain West includes Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State and Wyoming for 2013.
Boise State's decision to stay put will affect the MWC's television contract, reportedly increasing it to more than $25 million.Boise State still has to pay the Big East a $5 million exit fee. The Mountain West agreed to pay part of the fee.
--- Nevada running back Stefphon Jefferson, the nation's No. 2 rusher, and Rutgers cornerback Logan Ryan made it known on Monday that they intend to enter the 2013 and give up their remaining eligibility, but linebacker Kyle Van Noy said he plans to return to BYU next season.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
---Duke topped both major polls, which were released Monday, for the third straight week.
The Blue Devils (12-0) got 63 of 65 first place votes in the AP media poll while receiving 30 of 31 top votes in the USA Today coaches poll. No. 2 Michigan (13-0) received the remaining first place votes.
---Tennessee State forward Robert Covington, an NBA prospect, will miss four to six weeks after having knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, according to the Tennessean.
Covington is averaging 17.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
BASEBALL
---Outfielder Endy Chavez has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Kansas City Royals.
Chavez, 34, hit .301 in 83 games with the Texas Rangers in 2011, but he hit just .203 in 64 games for the Baltimore Orioles in 2012. He also hit just .147 in 15 games at Triple-A in 2012.
