49ers’ Young Might Become Free Agent

A little-known rules change could release San Francisco 49er quarterback Steve Young to free agency after the team declined to increase its salary offer, according to a published report.

But Carmen Policy, 49er president, told the Oakland Tribune that the chances of Young defecting are small, despite Tuesday’s decision not to meet a deadline for matching a new minimum salary offer.

The 49ers expect to sign him by the time training camp begins, Policy said.

The new free-agency rule adopted in May requires teams to upgrade minimum salary offers by June 15 to retain exclusive bargaining rights. The new minimum offer is the average of the top five players at the position in question, in this case quarterback.

The 49ers had offered Young $3.264 million, the average based on 1992 salaries. They needed to raise that offer to $4.254 million--the average as of May 6--by June 15.

Because they decided not to, Young can shop around for a new team for 30 days. The 49ers could stop him from leaving by matching offers.

The cost to potential bidders would be high. Under the new rules, they must give up two first-round picks.

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Lawrence Taylor finally signed his new contract with the New York Giants, two months after agreeing to a two-year deal worth $5.05 million.

The timing couldn’t have been better, what with Giant Coach Dan Reeves upset that the 10-time All-Pro linebacker failed to show at this week’s three-day minicamp.

Taylor, 34, recovering from surgery to his right Achilles’ tendon, did not work out Wednesday, but met with Reeves.

Taylor’s deal, which makes him the NFL’s second-highest paid linebacker behind Kansas City’s Derrick Thomas (four years, $12.25 million), calls for a $550,000 reporting bonus with yearly salaries of $2.25 million in 1993 and 1994. Taylor made $1.45 million last season.

Basketball

The Clippers, still in search of a replacement for Larry Brown, were denied permission to discuss the opening with New York Knick Coach Pat Riley and San Antonio Spur Coach John Lucas by their respective teams.

Spur center David Robinson underwent arthroscopic surgery on an injured right knee that bothered him all season.

Robinson is expected to be on crutches for two days before resuming normal activities and conditioning. He can resume basketball workouts later this summer.

Brian Mahoney, voted coach of the year in the Big East Conference in his first season as Lou Carnesecca’s replacement, was given a seven-year contract extension by St. John’s.

Mahoney coached St. John’s to a 19-11 record and second-place Big East finish in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year.

The United States registered its third consecutive victory, defeating Panama, 103-68, at Rosario, Argentina, and qualified for the second round of the Pan-American Tournament for players under 22 years of age.

The Denver Nuggets announced that Chris Jackson, voted the NBA’s most improved player last season, has reached agreement on a four-year contract.

Jackson also announced plans to legally change his name to Mahmoud Abdul Rauf.

Arad McCutchan, who coached the University of Evansville to 514 victories and five NCAA small college basketball championships in 31 seasons, died at 80.

Soccer

The United States, making its debut in the America Cup at Ambato, Ecuador, lost, 1-0, to Uruguay. Santiago Ostolaza scored on a header in the 50th minute.

The America Cup, the South American championship, includes the United States and Mexico as first-time entrants.

In a game in Machala, Colombia beat Mexico, 2-1, on Victor Aristizabal’s goal with two minutes left.

Ireland’s Steve Staunton took a free kick in the 38th minute to lead Ireland over Lithuania, 1-0, in World Cup Group Three qualifying match at Vilnius, Lithuania.

Names in the News

Crisanto Espana will defend his World Boxing Assn. welterweight title against Hector (Macho) Camacho at the Alamodome at San Antonio Sept. 10. . . . The San Jose Sharks named Kevin Constantine, 34, to lead the team, making him the NHL’s youngest coach. . . . The Edmonton Oilers sent forward Petr Klima to Tampa Bay for future considerations.