Pitino files suit against Adidas
Former Louisville coach Rick Pitino is suing Adidas and said the sportswear maker “outrageously conspired” to funnel money to the family of a Cardinals recruit without his knowledge.
Pitino’s lawsuit filed yesterday comes a day after Louisville’s Athletic Association fired him for cause after acknowledging the program’s involvement in a national federal bribery investigation of college basketball. Ten people, including an Adidas executive, were arrested in the probe but Pitino is not named in the federal complaint.
Hours after his firing Monday, Adidas terminated its personal services agreement with Pitino.
The coach’s lawsuit states that Adidas’ activities made it appear he was aware of the practices and notes, “That could not be further from the truth.” Pitino’s suit seeks a jury trial along with compensatory and punitive damages.
Adidas said in an email to The Associated Press that Pitino’s suit “is clearly a reaction to his termination yesterday and is without merit.” . . .
UConn and Providence will play an exhibition game next Wednesday to benefit the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
The schools say the NCAA has granted a waiver to allow the extra exhibition game at Mohegan Sun provided the proceeds are donated to hurricane relief.
Man City adds to hot start
Manchester City scored twice in the first 13 minutes before holding off a spirited fightback from Napoli to win 2-1 in the Champions League, maintaining its 100 percent start to group play.
Napoli could have snatched a draw if it had converted both of its penalties at Etihad Stadium after City scored through Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus.
Dries Mertens had a penalty saved by Ederson Moraes in the first half and Amadou Diawara scored with his attempt in the 73rd . . . .
Liverpool rediscovered its potency by thrashing Maribor 7-0, matching the biggest away win in Champions League history and securing its first win in Group E.
Mohamed Salah scored twice to follow up goals from Roberto Firmino, in the fourth minute, and Philippe Coutinho as Liverpool took a 4-0 lead at halftime.
Firmino added a second goal before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain — his first for Liverpool — and Trent Alexander-Arnold completed the rout for Maribor’s heaviest loss in the competition . . . .
Cristiano Ronaldo got the best of Harry Kane in the duel between two of Europe’s most prolific forwards, but Kane’s Tottenham celebrated after taking a 1-1 draw from Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Ronaldo equalized for Madrid by converting a penalty kick just before halftime after Toni Kroos was fouled.
Sharapova loses in Moscow
Maria Sharapova was beaten by Magdalena Rybarikova 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the first round of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow, ending her bid for a second title in two weeks.
Sharapova, who won the Tianjin Open two days ago, brought her usual power but lacked accuracy with some wild swings on key points.