Sports agents Norby Walters, 56, and Lloyd...

Sports agents Norby Walters, 56, and Lloyd Bloom, 29, pleaded not guilty in Chicago to charges of racketeering and extortion in their dealings with college athletes.

U.S. District Judge George Marovich scheduled their trial for Feb. 27.

Walters and Bloom are accused of using money, gifts and threats to get dozens of college players to sign agreements--in some cases postdated--allowing the agents to represent them in professional contract negotiations. Such arrangements are barred by the National Collegiate Athletic Assn.