Raiders End Legal Fights

The Raiders and the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority announced a plan Wednesday to end nearly a decade of legal acrimony, by dropping existing lawsuits and ending an unsuccessful seat licensing plan.

The so-called personal seat licenses -- part of a deal the team and authority worked out 10 years ago to bring the Raiders back from Los Angeles -- became a focal point of the team’s fraud lawsuit against the authority that ended in 2003 with a $34.2 million jury award in the team’s favor.

The licenses were required to buy season tickets and cost between $250 and $4,000 depending on seat location. They will expire after this season.

Under the new agreement outlined at a news conference held by team owner Al Davis and City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente, the Raiders will be responsible for their own ticketing and marketing operations, previously handled by the Oakland Football Marketing Assn. Two weeks after the season, the OFMA will be dissolved at the expense of the authority.

Current license holders will receive first option to buy tickets for next season.

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Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sat out practice because of a right knee injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Packers in Green Bay, Wis.

Roethlisberger was injured on the first series Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens only three weeks after hyperextending his left knee against San Diego.

If Roethlisberger doesn’t play, Charlie Batch will make his first NFL start since 2001.

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Philadelphia Eagle quarterback Donovan McNabb (bruised rib) and receiver Terrell Owens (sprained right ankle) are questionable for Sunday’s game at Washington.

Owens’ injury, suffered in last Sunday’s loss at Denver, is considered more serious than McNabb’s

“He is hurting,” Coach Andy Reid said. “It’s going to be a fight to get him there for Sunday.”

McNabb bruised a rib last Sunday, but says he’ll play against the Redskins.

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Kurt Warner will replace Josh McCown as starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals Sunday against Seattle.

Coach Dennis Green declined to say why he was making the switch. McCown had started the last four games, including the Cardinals’ only two victories.

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Detroit Lion quarterback Joey Harrington, demoted Oct. 23 after 37 consecutive starts, practiced with the first team and could start at Minnesota if Jeff Garcia, who has a leg injury, doesn’t play.

Receiver Charles Rogers also returned to practice after a four-game drug suspension.

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The Packers waived cornerback Joey Thomas following his benching in a loss at Cincinnati after he fell down on a key third-down play.... St. Louis kicker Jeff Wilkins signed a four-year contract extension.... New England Patriot linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who had not played since having a mild stroke eight months ago, was voted AFC defensive player of the week for his 10-tackle effort in Sunday’s win over Buffalo.