NEW ORLEANS – The NFL expects to hold hearings this week on appeals filed in connection with the investigation of the Saints’ bounty system, a league spokesman said.
Greg Aiello said Sunday in an email to The Associated Press that he could not confirm who has appealed, citing league policies. He also could not provide the particular days or times that hearings would be held, saying the league leaves announcements of such particulars to those who are filing the appeals.
Head coach Sean Payton is appealing his season-long suspension, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
General manager Mickey Loomis is appealing his eight-game suspension, assistant head coach Joe Vitt is appealing his six-game suspension and the club is appealing its $500,000 fine and loss of second-round draft picks in 2012 and 2013.
The appeals will be heard by Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York.
ESPN reported Sunday Payton and Loomis would meet with the commissioner Tuesday, but a Saints spokesman could not confirm that.
The NFL Players Association told players involved in the bounty case there’s a chance they could face criminal charges and it has hired outside counsel, two people familiar with the case told the AP. The NFLPA also suggested that players have a lawyer and union representative present when they’re interviewed by NFL investigators.
BASKETBALL
Kentucky star wins Naismith Trophy
Kentucky star Anthony Davis won the Naismith Trophy for men’s college player of the year. Davis is the first player from Kentucky to win the award. Michigan State’s Draymond Green, Creighton’s Doug McDermott and Kansas’ Thomas Robinson also were up for the honor.
Jordan says no plan to dump Bobcats
Michael Jordan said he’s 100 percent committed to the Charlotte Bobcats and has no intention of selling the struggling NBA franchise. The New York Daily News reported that Jordan has contemplated selling if the team doesn’t turn things around.
Mississippi St. hires ex-Boiler assistant
Mississippi State hired Clemson assistant Rick Ray to be its next men’s coach. Ray, 40, had been the top assistant at Clemson for the past two seasons. He also spent four years as an assistant at Purdue under Matt Painter and seven seasons as an assistant at Indiana State.
FOOTBALL
Muncie program honors Ex-NFL star
Family and friends of former NFL star Dave Duerson have begun a program to help Muncie high school and middle school athletes who suffer head injuries. The Dave Duerson Muncie Community Schools Athletic Safety Fund is designed to help them avoid chronic traumatic encephalopathy caused by repeated brain trauma. Duerson, who starred at Muncie’s Northside High School and Notre Dame, suffered from it before killing himself a year ago.
HORSE RACING
Long shot wins Louisiana Derby
Hero of Order, the longest shot in the field at 109-1, won the $1 million Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Hero of Order held off pre-race favorite Mark Valeski by about half-a-length, winning in a time of 1:50.13.
MISCELLANEOUS
Distance runner’s body found
Searchers found the body of renowned long-distance runner Micah True, who vanished four days ago after going for a run near New Mexico’s Gila National Forest. New Mexico State Police Lt. Robert McDonald said the 58-year-old True’s body was found in a remote area of the Gila Wilderness.
SOCCER
U.S. women play Japan to draw
Alex Morgan scored in the 72nd minute in Sendai, Japan, to give the United States a 1-1 draw with Japan, the team that beat them in the final of the Women’s world cup last year. Yukari Kinga beat goalkeeper Hope Solo to give Japan a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute of the exhibition tournament match.
Former Cosmos star dies at 65
Former New York Cosmos star Giorgio Chinaglia died of complications from a heart attack, his son said. Chinaglia, 65, died at his home in Naples, Fla. Chinaglia was the all-time leading scorer in the North American Soccer League after starring with the Italian club Lazio.
TENNIS
Top player wins 3rd Sony title
In Key Biscayne, Fla., top-ranked Novak Djokovic won his third Sony Ericsson Open title, holding every service game to beat Andy Murray 6-1, 7-6 (4). Djokovic also won in 2007 and last year.
