Football

All-Pro center Mark Stepnoski of the Dallas Cowboys may be leaving the defending Super Bowl champions, the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reported.

The newspaper cited sources close to negotiations between Stepnoski’s agent and the San Francisco 49ers in reporting that the 49ers are preparing to offer Stepnoski a one-year deal worth $1.3 million.

Florida Coach Steve Spurrier said he has signed a two-year extension of his contract, which was to have expired in 1998.

A company plans to issue 1,000 trading cards signed by O.J. Simpson later this summer, after his agent said the Hall of Fame running back will abide by his contract.

Simpson signed a contract with Signature Rookies on June 3, a little more than a week before the June 12 slayings of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

Simpson has been charged with murder in the case. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Cotton Bowl Athletic Assn. voted unanimously to keep the traditional New Year’s Day game at the state fairgrounds rather than move it to Texas Stadium in suburban Irving.

Names in the News

Nearly six months after Nancy Kerrigan was assaulted, the U.S. Figure Skating Assn. will begin a disciplinary hearing today that could strip Tonya Harding of her national championship and ban her from membership for life.

Shortstop Ozzie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals leads all vote-getters in balloting for the National League All-Star team.