Club owner: Jones knew shooter

The co-owner of the strip club where three people were shot over the NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas says pro football player Adam “Pacman” Jones came and left with the shooter, an account that differs from that of Jones’ lawyer.

“He denied any knowledge of the shooter, but he was sitting right next to him,” club co-owner Robert Susnar told the Las Vegas Review-Journal for Wednesday’s edition. “Those guys came in together and left together.”

Jones’ lawyer, Worrick Robinson, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that Jones did not know anyone involved in the shooting and was interviewed by local authorities as a witness, not as a suspect. Police have not said Jones is a person of interest in the case.

Susnar said his recollection of the events was based upon his interviews with employees and club surveillance video. He said the trouble started after 4 a.m., when Jones and a half-dozen people returned to the club for the second time that evening.

Jones, who plays for the Tennessee Titans, tossed hundreds of $1 bills on the stripper stage, Susnar said, adding that when a dancer started grabbing the money without Jones’ permission, he got angry, grabbed her hair and slammed her head against the stage.

Security guard Aaron Cudworth, a mixed-martial artist with professional fighting experience, intervened and scuffled with Jones and members of his entourage, he said. Jones then threatened to kill the guard, Susnar said.

Order was eventually restored and everyone moved outside before the gunman opened fire toward the front door of the club, hitting Cudworth, security guard Tom Urbanski and a female customer, he said.

Robinson said Jones was attacked when he tried to get his own money back. “Mr. Jones didn’t assault anybody,” Robinson said.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman pleaded no contest to driving drunk last September and said he was undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee filed a lawsuit this week seeking to recoup more than $1 million that McGee said his former financial advisor funneled into unauthorized and possibly nonexistent investments. The suit, filed in Harris County District Court in Texas on Tuesday, accuses Craig Curry of stealing the money from McGee’s account and making two suspicious investments.

Jim Lampley was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of violating a restraining order. The 57-year-old sports announcer also was ordered to stay away from the woman who claimed he attacked her in her Encinitas apartment on New Year’s Eve.

PRO FOOTBALL

Ravens re-sign Billick

through 2010 season

Just over a month after announcing a contract extension for Brian Billick, the Baltimore Ravens confirmed that they have given their head coach a new four-year contract. Billick is now signed through the 2010 season.

The deal was first reported by WBAL Radio, which indicated that the Ravens will pay Billick “the going rate” for an NFL head coach, which is believed to be about $5 million a year.

Peyton Manning has agreed to restructure his contract with the Indianapolis Colts to save the team nearly $8 million in salary cap space. The Super Bowl MVP was to receive a $10 million roster bonus during the off-season but by converting the money into a regular signing bonus, the Colts can prorate that amount over the remaining four years of his deal.

Defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday has signed a $20 million, four-year contract to stay with the Miami Dolphins.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Manhattan Beach rejects

AVP’s admission charges

The city of Manhattan Beach has rejected a proposal to allow the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) to charge admission to all of its matches during its tour stop.

By a 5-0 vote, the city council agreed to allow the tour to charge for 90% of the seats in its center court stadium. All the outer courts will remain free. The AVP was hoping that a decision by the California Coastal Commission last week regarding its Hermosa Beach event would pave the way for it to charge admission for nearly all seats at its Southern California stops.

-- Peter Yoon

*

TENNIS

Henin, Hingis struggle

but advance in Dubai

Top-seeded Justine Henin advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women’s Dubai Open in the United Arab Emirates, beating 16-year-old qualifier Tamira Paszek, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.

Fourth-seeded Martina Hingis also struggled to advance, beating Anabel Medina Garrigues, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

In contrast, second-seeded Amelie Mauresmo romped past Vera Dushevina, 6-2, 6-2, setting up a quarterfinal with No. 8 Daniela Hantuchova, a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) winner over Maria Kirilenko.

Top-seeded Andy Roddick advanced to the second round of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Thomas Johansson.

Third-seeded Andy Murray, the San Jose winner, also advanced.

Three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten and Sam Querrey have been given wild cards into next month’s Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells.

SOCCER

Dynamo loses, United rolls in Champions Cup

Kurt Bernard scored in injury time and Puntarenas of Costa Rica beat the Houston Dynamo, 1-0, in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.... Christian Gomez scored twice and D.C. United defeated Honduras’ Olimpia, 4-1, in a first-leg quarterfinal in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

MISCELLANY

Former Iowa State star,

43, dies while exercising

Barry Stevens, the second-leading scorer in Iowa State basketball history, died while exercising in Gary, Ind., the school said. He was 43. The cause of death was not known. Stevens, who played at Iowa State from 1982 from 1985 and had a brief stint with the Golden State Warriors in 1993, scored 2,190 points and averaged 18.7 points for the Cyclones.