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Spokesman: Goodell views new contract as his last
An NFL spokesman says Commissioner Roger Goodell views the agreement reached on an extension last week as his final contract overseeing the league.
Spokesman Joe Lockhart said at the owners meetings Wednesday that Goodell “has been clear that he views this as his last contract” and that it will allow him to “deal with some of the important issues that we know are on the horizon.”
Those issues include a labor deal, with the current collective bargaining agreement expiring in 2021, and TV contracts. Goodell’s contract runs through 2024.
Lockhart says Goodell’s contract was discussed at the meetings, but he didn’t know if particular owners had addressed the matter. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones initially threatened to sue over the contract before backing off.
Louisville meets with NCAA to appeal sanctions
Louisville officials are meeting with the NCAA’s Infractions Appeals Committee to appeal sanctions from a sex scandal that could include vacation of the 2013 men’s basketball championship.
University spokesman John Karman confirmed Wednesday’s hearing in Atlanta with the Appeals Committee, with a decision expected by February. The NCAA in June placed the school on four years’ probation and ordered vacation of up to 123 victories, including the 2013 title. Those penalties followed an investigation into an escort’s allegations that former Cardinals basketball staffer Andre McGee hired her and other dancers for sex parties with players and recruits.
Louisville said the penalties are “grossly excessive” in its October response to the infractions appeal committee.
Pitcher Anthony Swarzak reaches deal with Mets
A person familiar with the contract tells The Associated Press that freeagent reliever Anthony Swarzak has reached a deal with the New York Mets.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday at the winter meetings because Swarzak still needed to complete a physical. Swarzak is set to get $14 million over two years.
Swarzak was a combined 6-4 with two saves and a 2.33 ERA in 70 games last season for the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee. The 32-year-old righty has pitched for five teams in the last four years, including Minnesota, Cleveland and the Yankees.
Swarzak is 23-30 with a 4.22 ERA over eight seasons. He began his big league career in 2009 with the Twins and was a starter his first year, then began moving into a relief role.