Auburn receives federal subpoena in bribery scandal

AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn says it has received a federal grand jury subpoena in the bribery case against basketball associate head coach Chuck Person.

The university confirmed that in a statement Thursday in response to an open records request from The Associated Press. Auburn’s statement said it won’t yet release the documents because they are typically “sent with the understanding that they will be treated confidentially,” including on whether they were received in the first place. Oklahoma State provided AP and other media outlets with a copy of the subpoena it received in the widespread corruption case, prompting Auburn to acknowledge that it has also gotten one.

Person was suspended without pay after prosecutors said the former NBA player accepted about $91,500 in bribes to steer clients to a Pittsburgh-based financial adviser when they reached the NBA.

Source: WNBA’s Stars negotiating sale to Las Vegas buyer

The San Antonio Stars say they are in negotiations to be sold and relocated, and a person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that the buyer is based in Las Vegas.

It is unclear who the buyer is or if the WNBA franchise would move to Las Vegas. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because neither the team or league have disclosed information about the buyer.

The Stars are one of five pro teams owned and operated by Spurs Sports & Entertainment, including San Antonio’s NBA team. The Stars released a statement on Twitter announcing the negotiations and offering their “deepest gratitude” to team employees and fans.

WNBA spokesperson Dina Skokos confirmed in a statement that there are ongoing talks to sell the franchise but provided no details about the negotiations.

Any sale needs to be approved by the WNBA Board of Governors.

IndyCar returns to Oregon in change to 2018 schedule

INDIANAPOLIS - Portland International Raceway is back on the IndyCar Series schedule in 2018.

The Sept. 2 race on the 1.967-mile permanent road course will be IndyCar’s first trip to the Oregon track since races were held from 1984-2007 under CART and Champ Car sanction. The race will be operated by Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which also promotes the IndyCar events at St. Petersburg, Toronto and Mid-Ohio.

Portland replaces Watkins Glen, New York, on the schedule.

There were no other major changes on the 17-race schedule as IndyCar sought stability in assembling its 2018 calendar. The race at Phoenix is returning to the first weekend in April. The race had moved this year to avoid conflicting with the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four taking place in nearby Glendale, Arizona.

Ex-MLB baseball player Chad Curtis ordered to pay $1.8M

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - A federal judge has ordered former Major Leaguer Baseball player Chad Curtis to pay $1.8 million to a young woman who accused him of inappropriately touching her when he was a volunteer coach at a western Michigan high school.

U.S. District Judge Janet Neff said Thursday that Curtis “shattered” the trust the victim placed in Curtis.

The woman testified she lost all of her friends soon after she accused Curtis.

The Grand Rapids Press reports Curtis, who represented himself in the civil trial, appeared via video conference from Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian, where he’s serving a sentence for sexual assault.

Three other victims at Lakewood High in Barry County earlier settled cases against Curtis. Curtis said each accepted $10,000. Curtis played for six teams including the Detroit Tigers.

Heat forward Rodney McGruder needs surgery on leg

MIAMI - Rodney McGruder, who started at small forward for the Miami Heat last season and was a strong candidate to open this season in the same role, will have surgery next week to repair a stress fracture in his leg. McGruder played in a team-high 78 games last season for Miami, starting 65 of them. The injury will likely keep him sidelined at least three months, though the timetable for a return will be known until after surgery. McGruder averaged 6.4 points per game last season, narrowly missing getting voted onto the All-Rookie team.

With McGruder out, it could open a path for Josh Richardson or Justise Winslow to open as Miami’s starting small forward. McGruder’s injury situation was first reported by The Vertical.