Goodell, Specter are set to meet

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) are to meet today to discuss the Spygate case involving the New England Patriots.

The NFL said Tuesday the afternoon meeting will take place in Specter’s office in Washington. Specter has asked Goodell to explain his decision to destroy the tapes and notes from the case, which date to 2002.

Patriots Coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 and the team was fined $250,000. The Patriots also forfeited a first-round draft pick.

Punter Jeff Feagles signed a two-year contract with the NFL champion New York Giants, a little more than a week after becoming the oldest player to play in a Super Bowl. Feagles turns 42 next month.

The NFL’s Pro Bowl drew its best ratings in eight years. Sunday’s game on Fox earned a 6.3 rating and a 12 share. That’s up 37% from last year’s 4.6.

TENNIS

Spectators are booted for betting from stands

Three spectators were kicked out of the Diamond Games tournament in Antwerp, Belgium, because they were betting on a match online from the stands.

They were seen betting on points in real time from their laptops during a first-round match Monday and asked to leave, organizers said Tuesday. No further action was taken.

Marat Safin withdrew from the upcoming SAP Open in San Jose because of a leg injury.

Andy Murray, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Marcos Baghdatis won in straight sets to reach the second round of the Open 13 at Marseille, France.

BASEBALL

Dodgers re-sign pinch-hitter Sweeney

Left-handed pinch-hitting specialist Mark Sweeney re-signed with the Dodgers, agreeing on a non-guaranteed contract with a base salary of $600,000. Sweeney, 38, could earn up to $300,000 in incentives, including $125,000 for making the opening-day roster.

If Sweeney is cut, he will receive a percentage of the base salary that will be determined by how long he was in camp.

Sweeney, whose 163 career pinch hits rank second all-time, was acquired by the Dodgers in August from the Giants.

Former Dodgers infielder Olmedo Saenz signed a minor-league contract with the New York Mets.

The Minnesota Twins and right-hander Livan Hernandez agreed to a $5-million, one-year contract that could earn the pitcher an added $2 million in performance bonuses.

MISCELLANY

Benoit investigation comes to a close

Investigators stand by the initial conclusion that pro wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife and 7-year-old son and then himself in their suburban Atlanta home last June.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said it has closed its investigation, adding there is no evidence “that indicates the presence of any other individual or individuals who contributed to the deaths of the three members of the Benoit family.”

Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik remained hospitalized in Buffalo, N.Y., where his condition was upgraded to good after suffering a gruesome neck injury Sunday. Doctors also took him out of intensive care.

U.S. officials have extended an invitation to the Iranian national soccer team to play an exhibition match in May in Los Angeles, Iran Football Federation Chairman Ali Kafashian said.

Five-time national champion Blaine Wilson earned a spot on the U.S. gymnastics team, and will receive funding for three months as he trains in an attempt to make his fourth Olympics.

Sprinter Dwain Chambers, banned two years for steroid use in 2003, was named to the Britain and Northern Ireland team for the World Indoor Championships.