NFL LOOKING AT WAYS TO SPEED UP GAME VIA OFFICIATING

new york» The NFL is making plans to speed up the pace of games, including changing how video replays are handled and using a time clock for extra points.

The league also is discussing with the TV networks how to make commercial breaks less intrusive.

For officiating replays, the referee no longer would go under a hood to watch a play. Instead, a tablet will be brought to him on the field and he will consult with league headquarters in New York. The final call will be made in New York.

Support by 75 percent of the 32 team owners would be needed at next week’s annual meetings for passage of the proposal.

Also, to improve the flow of games on the field and for television audiences, commercial breaks would be reduced from 21 per game to 16, although each would last 30 seconds longer.

“Pacman” has felony charges dropped B

cincinnati» Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones faces three misdemeanor charges, including assault, but no longer is charged with a felony.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced that a felony charge of harassment with a bodily substance was dismissed at the prosecuting attorney’s request.

Deters said the misdemeanors also include disorderly conduct and obstructing official business.

USA Hockey delays women’s training camp. USA Hockey has

postponed the start of the women’s national team’s world championship training camp amid an ongoing wage dispute.

USA Hockey said the camp originally scheduled to begin Wednesday in Traverse City, Mich., won’t happen. The organization “anticipates” a training camp in Plymouth, Mich., site of the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship.

The tournament begins March 31.

McGregor’s fine reduced

B las vegas» Nevada athletic officials have significantly reduced the penalty they imposed on UFC star Conor McGregor following a profanitylaced, bottle-throwing fracas with a rival during a pre-fight news conference in Las Vegas.

The Nevada Athletic Commission approved an agreement with McGregor that settled the disciplinary action with a $25,000 fine, 25 hours of community service and the state’s legal costs.

FAU and Kiffin faces lawsuit

B columbiana, ala.» Former Alabama receiver Antonio “A.C.” Carter has filed a fraud suit against Florida Atlantic, coach Lane Kiffin and the state of Florida.

The lawsuit accuses Kiffin and the school of offering him a job to get him to help sign a “coveted prospect,” and then going back on repeated assurances that the job was his.

The suit, filed Tuesday in Shelby County Court, says Carter believes Kiffin and other coaches knew that he and his family had a personal relationship with the prospect. It says he later was told that two “minor misdemeanor” charges disqualified him.

Footnotes.

A former Baylor football player was arrested after a grand jury indicted him on three second-degree felony sexual assault counts arising from a 2013 incident. The Waco Tribune-Herald reported that former tight end Tre’Von Armstead was arrested near Port Arthur, Texas. … NASCAR has suspended the crew chiefs for Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick for violations at Phoenix Raceway. Keselowski’s car failed post-race inspection on Sunday and NASCAR suspended crew chief Paul Wolfe three races. Wolfe was also fined $65,000 and Team Penske was docked 35 driver and owner points. … Pete Hamilton, winner of consecutive Daytona 500s, died. He was 74.