Federal court rejects Delaware sports betting

A federal appeals court in Philadelphia ruled Monday that sports betting in Delaware would violate a 1992 federal ban on such wagering, essentially halting the state’s plans to start taking bets next month.

The plan was opposed by the professional sports leagues and the NCAA, which claimed it violated the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, would harm their reputations and expose young people to gambling.

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell had pushed for sports betting as a way to help resolve an unprecedented shortfall in state tax revenue and balance the state budget.

Markell told the Associated Press that his administration was reviewing its legal options but still preparing to offer betting on a limited basis.

Former Nebraska running back Thunder Collins was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges stemming from a September 2008 shooting in Omaha that left one man dead and another seriously wounded.

The Douglas County jury also found the former Cornhuskers player guilty of attempted second-degree murder, felony assault and two weapons counts.

Collins, 29, who grew up in Los Angeles and played for Manual Arts High and East Los Angeles College, faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison for the first-degree murder conviction. He faces up to 170 years on the other counts, said Deputy County Atty. John Alagaban. Sentencing is set for Nov. 12.

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BASEBALL

Rockies sign Giambi to deal

The Colorado Rockies have signed former American League most valuable player Jason Giambi to a minor league contract.

The 38-year-old Giambi will report to triple-A Colorado Springs, hoping for a September call-up to help the Rockies with their pennant push.

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TENNIS

Kuznetsova wins first-round match

Top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova needed three sets to overcome Zheng Jie, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-4, in the first round of the Pilot Pen tennis tournament at New Haven, Conn., the final tuneup before the U.S. Open.

Former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis lost his first-round match to qualifier Frederico Gil in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

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BASKETBALL

Sources: Beasley at rehab facility

Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley checked into a Houston rehabilitation facility for treatment last week, two people briefed on the situation told the AP.

Each spoke on condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns; one said part of Beasley’s treatment revolved around stress-related issues, and both declined to say whether Beasley was receiving drug or alcohol counseling.

The mother of Ames, Iowa, basketball star Harrison Barnes says he has narrowed his list of potential college choices to six schools.

Shirley Barnes says her son, considered by many the top player in the class of 2010, is considering UCLA, North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Oklahoma and Iowa State.

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ETC.

Bradley’s win now a no-contest

Promoters for both fighters say Timothy Bradley’s victory over Nate Campbell on Aug. 1 at Rancho Mirage will be changed to an official no-contest by the California State Athletic Commission.

The commission held a hearing to determine whether an accidental clash of heads led to a deep cut on Campbell’s face, stopping the fight after three rounds.

Bradley was awarded a technical knockout victory by referee David Mendoza, who said the cut came from a punch.

Lyoto Machida, the Ultimate Fighting Championship light-heavyweight champion, will defend his title against fellow Brazilian Mauricio Rua on Oct. 24 at Staples Center in UFC 104.

The Ducks extended their radio broadcast agreement with AM 830 with a one-year deal that includes preseason and postseason coverage. Steve Carroll will return for his 11th season as the Ducks’ radio play-by-play voice and will be joined by a new color analyst -- veteran hockey writer Dan Wood.

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PASSINGS

Williams, 93, was Reds owner

William J. Williams Sr., one of the owners of the Cincinnati Reds from their Big Red Machine days, died Sunday night at age 93. He was part of a small group that bought the team in 1966 and celebrated World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. His family sold controlling interest in the team in 1985.