Price, Time Inc. Reach Settlement

Texas El Paso Coach Mike Price and Time Inc. have reached a settlement in a lawsuit over a Sports Illustrated article recounting a night of drinking at a topless bar in Pensacola, Fla.

“I’m one happy man right now,” Price said Monday. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciated my wife, Joyce, and my family’s loyalty and love. Without their strength, encouragement and support I don’t know if I would have made it.”

Price sued the magazine for $20 million, claiming he was defamed and slandered by a story about the night he visited a topless bar in Pensacola in April 2003 while still coach at Alabama.

He acknowledged being heavily intoxicated but denied allegations of sex at his hotel that the magazine reported. Alabama fired Price a few days before the article was published.

Price said he couldn’t discuss details of the settlement reached Friday. In a statement, the publisher did not disclose terms but said the suit was “amicably resolved.”

The Time Inc. statement said Sports Illustrated continues to stand behind its story. Time Inc. owns Sports Illustrated.

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Bobby Wallace is stepping down as coach at Temple at the end of the season, when his contract expires. In eight seasons under Wallace, the Owls (0-6) have never won more than four games in a season. This year, they have been outscored, 297-63, and have lost five games by at least 25 points.

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Virginia offensive lineman Brad Butler was suspended by the school for Saturday’s game against Florida State for throwing a chop-block in the Cavaliers’ 28-17 loss to Boston College.