CBS, Fox Want to Fill NBA Void

CBS and Fox, taking a direct shot at NBA Commissioner David Stern, are looking into televising exhibition games with NBA players--or maybe even launching a rival basketball league--during the lockout.

The two networks, angered last month when Stern expressed interest in a new football league being developed by NBC and Turner Sports, have had high-level talks with player agents to discuss the viability of such ventures.

“I’m not sure who’s talking to the networks, but if there was ever a perfect time to start a rival league, this is it,” said Mark Fleisher, an agent for several NBA players.

CBS President Mel Karmazin and Fox Television chairman Chase Carey have been involved in the talks, industry sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

If the players agreed, the games probably would not take place until September or October.

Players under contract for next season and beyond would probably stay away from exhibition games, fearing a breach of their contracts, but the 150 or so current free agents--including Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley and Dennis Rodman--would form a large talent pool.

Fox and CBS also would entertain the thought of starting a rival league if the lockout lasted so long that it forced the cancellation of the 1998-99 season.

NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said the league declined comment.

Also Wednesday, an exhibition scheduled for July 14 in Auburn Hills, Mich., between the U.S. world championship team and the Goodwill Games team was canceled. The world championship team has yet to be reassembled after 12 NBA players were dropped because of the lockout.

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Toronto Raptor forward Charles Oakley was cited for misdemeanor simple battery at Atlanta after a woman claimed he punched her in the face outside a restaurant, police said. Saronda Smith of Stone Mountain told police that Oakley was angry with her because she refused to have sex with him and his girlfriend, Atlanta police detective Rick Chambers said.

Oakley was scheduled to appear in Atlanta Municipal Court on July 9 for a preliminary hearing.

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Allan Houston of the New York Knicks had surgery at New York to remove loose cartilage from his left knee.

Hockey

Tough guy Gary Suter reached a $10-million, three-year contract agreement with the San Jose Sharks on the opening day of the NHL free-agent market.

The 34-year-old defenseman, a 13-year NHL veteran who played the last 4 1/2 years in Chicago, made $1.6 million last season.

Suter has been involved in controversy several times in his career. It was his cross-check to the face of Paul Kariya that caused a concussion and ended the season for the Mighty Ducks’ star left wing. Suter also knocked Wayne Gretzky out of the 1991 Canada Cup tournament with a hit from behind.

The Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Peter Popovic to the New York Rangers for Sylvain Blouin and a sixth-round pick in the 1999 entry draft.

Pro Football

Three known suitors and at least one whose identity has remained confidential officially entered the bidding for the Minnesota Vikings.

Glen Taylor, Roger Headrick and Red McCombs were among those submitting offers for the team, which is on the market for the second time this year. Team attorney John Mooty refused to say exactly how many bids had come in by the deadline, preferring to wait until the owners began studying the offers today.

Taylor, who owns the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves, widely is believed to be the leading candidate.

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed running back Fred Taylor, the team’s first choice in the April draft, to a contract.

Soccer

In his first game after returning from a disappointing World Cup performance, Preki scored the only goal to give the Kansas City Wizards (7-9) a 1-0 victory over the visiting New England Revolution (4-12) before 5,304.

Jerzy Podbrozny had a goal and two assists in leading the Chicago Fire (12-5) to their 10th straight victory, 4-1, over the visiting Dallas Burn (9-8) before 13,615.

Names in the News

Closing arguments continued for a third day at New York in the insurance fraud trial of boxing promoter Don King, with each side accusing the other of misinterpreting the evidence.

The slow pace of the arguments in U.S. District Court in Manhattan increased the likelihood that the jury would not receive the case until Monday.

Two Cuban athletes took their clothes, a few belongings and $100 from their coach’s wallet, then disappeared into the night while on a training trip in Puerto Rico, an official said.

Nubis Rosales and Daimara Munoz, both gold-medal winners in swimming in the 1993 Central American and Caribbean Games, disappeared from a Vega Baja home Tuesday night, said Jose Aviles, vice president of the Puerto Rican Swimming Federation.

Evander Holyfield has a $20-million offer to fight Lennox Lewis in a match to unify the heavyweight championship.

“The only reason this fight will not go ahead is if Evander Holyfield does not want it,” Seth Abraham, president of Time Warner Sports, operator of HBO cable television, said at London.

Race driver Billy Boat was listed in good condition and was walking on crutches, two days after surgery at Indianapolis’ Methodist Hospital for injuries he suffered in a crash during the New England 200.

Boat broke his left thigh and pelvis in the crash. Recovery could take up to eight weeks.