Mediation Begins Anew on Earnhardt Photos

Lawyers for Dale Earnhardt’s widow and the Orlando Sentinel were headed back to mediation Tuesday, four days after reaching an agreement over access to the racing star’s autopsy photos.

Thursday’s mediation will allow the newspaper to address its concerns about a Daytona International Speedway doctor having viewed the photos before they were sealed, Sentinel attorney David Bralow said Tuesday.

Steve Bohannon, a NASCAR medical expert, looked at the photos three days after Earnhardt’s fatal wreck at the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18. The next day, a judge temporarily sealed them from public viewing at the request of Teresa Earnhardt.

“Do you think we would have been as accommodating had we known that NASCAR had an opportunity for its own expert to review them?” Bralow said. “As far as I’m concerned, when something is private, it’s private.”

Football

Running back Lawrence Phillips has frustrated yet another employer. He signed with the Arena Football League’s Florida Bobcats on March 13, but left the team over the weekend without telling anyone he was going. . . . After a stormy three-year career with the San Diego Chargers, Ryan Leaf said he thinks the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the potential to become a Super Bowl contender, and he envisions himself benefiting from a role as backup quarterback to Brad Johnson. Leaf has agreed to a restructured contract that will pay him about $10 million over three years. . . . The New England Patriots signed guard Joe Panos. . . . The John Thompson Foundation Challenge Football Classic Aug. 23, featuring New Mexico State against Louisville at Louisville, Ky., will open the 2001 season.

Olympics

An announcement on the first eight to 12 players on the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team is scheduled for Saturday, following a resolution of differences in the drug-testing policies of the U.S. Olympic Committee, International Ice Hockey Federation, NHL and NHL Players Assn.

According to terms established last week, each team will announce its core players by Sunday in order to begin promotional efforts. However, those players will not be subject to random, no-advance-notice testing for performance-enhancing substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency until after the NHL playoffs. Each team will also submit a list of potential Olympians who will be subject to testing after the playoffs. Rosters will be completed by Dec. 22.

The Canadian Hockey Assn. plans to invite Eric Lindros to play in the World Championships next month only if the restricted free-agent center demonstrates a commitment to the team.

Key U.S. lawmakers will introduce a bipartisan resolution urging Olympic organizers to reject China’s bid to host the Games in 2008, citing concerns about Beijing’s human rights record.

Undeterred by two consecutive failed bids, Istanbul welcomed a delegation of Olympic officials who will assess the city’s longshot campaign for the 2008 Summer Games.

Jurisprudence

Former Miami Dolphin running back Cecil Collins’ trial for burglary continued in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., with testimony from Tina Nolte and Ronald Nolte, whose apartment Collins allegedly broke into.

JaRoy Davis, 19, and Dontrell Smith, 23, accused in the shooting death of Herbert Cleaves, older brother of Detroit Piston guard Mateen Cleaves, were ordered to stand trial on murder charges.

Miscellany

The Galaxy and Tampa Bay Mutiny played to a 2-2 overtime tie in a Major League Soccer Spring Training 2001 tournament match at Fort Lauderdale. . . . The U.S. defeated Trinidad and Tobago, 5-1, and advanced in soccer’s under-20 World Cup qualifying at Tunapuna, Trinidad.

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* T.J. Simers is on vacation