The NHL is offering about $140 million to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes in U.S. Bankruptcy Court and would avoid a sticky issue still facing the case by accepting the existing lease to play in Glendale, Ariz.
The other bidder that would keep the team in Arizona, Ice Edge Holdings, didn't include a figure in its bid, but its CEO, Anthony LeBlanc, said the partnership will offer up to $150 million.
However, the Ice Edge bid is contingent on reaching a new lease agreement with Glendale -- something LeBlanc said must happen by the end of next week to keep the offer viable.
The NHL offer wouldn't assume the coaching contract of Wayne Gretzky, nor would it provide any money to Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes.
⢠New York Islanders center Mike Sillinger decided two hip operations were enough. The 38-year-old center who played for a record 12 teams during 17 seasons in the NHL is retiring because of an injured left hip.
⢠Philadelphia Flyers forward Simon Gagne has a mild groin strain, but he should be ready for training camp next month. Gagne injured his groin Monday night while practicing with Team Canada.
⢠Sidney Crosby has a new linemate at the Canadian Olympic orientation camp. Martin St. Louis was given a place on the Penguins star's line with Rick Nash on Wednesday, replacing Jarome Iginla for practice at the Pengrowth Saddledome.
Baseball
⢠Raul Rojas hit a two-run homer and got five outs on the mound to finish a one-hitter, helping Reynosa, Mexico, beat Chiba City, Japan, 6-0, to advance at the Little League World Series. Unbeaten Mexico will face Curacao or Taiwan in the international final Saturday, while Japan was eliminated.
Pro basketball
⢠Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn disputed a Spanish report that point guard Ricky Rubio, the fifth overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, will be staying in Spain for another two years. The Spanish Web site Marca.com reported earlier in the day that Regal Barcelona had reached a buyout agreement with Rubio's team, DKV Joventut, for $5.3 million. The report said Rubio would sign a six-year deal with the team that included an affordable buyout in 2011 that would allow him to come to the NBA.
⢠Indiana Pacers guard Mike Dunleavy says he could return from a severe knee injury in a few weeks. Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said he didn't expect Dunleavy, who had surgery in March to remove a bone spur from the patella tendon on his right knee, to be available until at least January 2010.
⢠Former Penn State players Jamelle Cornley and Stanley Pringle signed contracts to play professionally in Europe. Cornley will play with Club BC Dnipro in Dnepropetrosk, Ukraine, in the Ukraine-Superleague. Pringle will join the Passe-Partout Leuven Bears of the Belgium D1 League.
Cycling
⢠Team RadioShack, Lance Armstrong's new cycling team, will debut at the 2010 Tour Down Under on Jan. 17-24 in Australia.
Golf
⢠Mike Van Sickle of Wexford advanced to the round of 32 at the U.S. Amateur Championship at Southern Hills Country Club at Tulsa, Okla. Van Sickle defeated John Murphy of Wilton, Conn., 6 and 4, in first-round action. He will face Trent Whitekiller of Sallisaw, Okla., in today's second round. Nathan Smith of Pittsburgh lost to Zach Barlow of Percy, Ill., 2-up.
Horse racing
⢠Until this week, the Travers Stakes had the potential to bring together the three winners of the Triple Crown races. On Saturday, only Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird will be in the field of seven 3-year-olds. Two days after the announcement that Preakness winning filly Rachel Alexandra will race next in the Woodward Stakes on Sept. 5, Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird was withdrawn from the $1 million Travers.
Lacrosse
⢠Mt. Lebanon graduate and Duquesne freshman Kate Linkosky signed a letter of intent to join the Dukes' lacrosse team.
Tennis
⢠Rafael Nadal concedes he probably isn't in peak condition heading into the U.S. Open. The Spanish star returned to competition this month after taking off more than two months because of tendinitis in both knees.
