The end is near? Some discord emerged as NFL owners pored over a tentative deal to end the league’s labor dispute before an expected vote today. “I don’t see why we wouldn’t” vote on the proposed settlement, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said during a lunch break after more than three hours of discussions. “Like anything else, the morning gets a little ruined by not getting all the things you hoped to get when you hear the whole thing. I’m hopeful that eventually we can get a positive vote.” The league has said it hopes to have an agreement ready for ratification today. At least 24 of 32 owners would need to OK the deal. Players had been expected to vote Wednesday on a full proposal, but they didn’t. “We continue to talk. There are some issues that are outstanding left to resolve,” NFL Players Association head DeMaurice Smith said shortly after lunch.
Hornets star may also go back to school: Chris Paul, the New Orleans Hornets’ point guard, is set to play two exhibition games in the Philippines with other NBA stars. Paul will join peers such as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose for the games, which will benefit youth sports. Paul told The Times-Picayune he was open to doing all sorts of things if the pro basketball lockout persists, including playing overseas or going back to Wake Forest and resuming work on his degree. Paul left Wake Forest after his sophomore year in 2005 to enter the NBA Draft. Several NBA players, including Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets, have signed deals to play in Europe if the upcoming season doesn’t happen. There have been discussions about the financial risks players with big guaranteed contracts are taking in the case of injury sustained while playing overseas. But Paul, who is set to make nearly $16.4 million in his next NBA season, told The Times-Picayune that wasn’t a concern for him. “There’s ways to get insured and different things,” Paul told the newspaper. “Those are things I’d address with my agent and lawyers and different things like that. We’d make sure all that stuff was taken care of. All in all, it’s just about playing basketball and having fun.”
Tiger talk: LSU coach Les Miles and three Tigers are set to go before the press Friday morning at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala. Joining Miles will be three seniors: quarterback Jordan Jefferson, offensive lineman T-Bob Hebert and linebacker Ryan Baker. LSU will go before the media at 10:50 a.m., and the team is expected to talk to football beat writers and media members until 1:30 p.m. To follow the action, go to lsusports.net.
