Tressel made $21.7 million at Ohio State
NCAA: Jim Tressel made $21.7 million as Ohio State football coach over his decade-long tenure before being ousted for breaking NCAA rules, records from the publicly funded school show.
Tressel earned more than $3.5 million in 2010, the year he covered up an improper benefits scandal that has led to Ohio State being forced to appear Friday before the NCAA’s committee on infractions.
The figures, released Tuesday to The Associated Press by Ohio State, show that almost a quarter of Tressel’s pay – $4.6 million – came from a restrictive deal under which Ohio State directed a portion of its exclusive agreement with apparel-maker Nike to the coach.
• NCAA calls for new scholarship rules at retreat: NCAA president Mark Emmert wants to cash in on the appetite for change that has been sweeping through major college athletics.
He believes scholarship funding should include more money for athletes and he expects universities to spend revenue more efficiently.
“There is a clear commitment on my part and on behalf of all of the presidents that we convert these conversations into action and we do so rapidly,” Emmert said after the first day of a two-day presidential retreat. “People are really in the mood to make changes, and I think that’s what you’re going to see.”
Wade says he’ll play somewhere for sure
NBA: Though he remains cautiously hopeful that a deal between owners and players can be struck to end the lockout and ultimately save the 2011-12 NBA season, Dwyane Wade told The Associated Press that he will be playing somewhere this winter – whether that’s with the Miami Heat, as he’d obviously prefer, or an international club.
“I’m going to play basketball this year,” Wade said. “I don’t know where, but I love the game so much that I will play it.”
• James opens clubhouse for kids in Ohio hometown: LeBron James cut the ribbon to officially open The LeBron James Clubhouse at an Akron, Ohio, Boys & Girls Club, a safe haven for area children that he paid to renovate with $240,000 donated through his family foundation.
“As a kid, this is one of the places we didn’t want to go. But to see the transformation from what this place used to be to what it is now is amazing,” James said.
Williams rolls to win at Rogers Cup
Tennis: Serena Williams earned a 6-0, 6-3 first-round victory against Ukraine’s Alona Bondarenko at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
Stephanie Dubois and Aleksandra Wozniak also advanced.
Charges dropped in kidnapping case
Miscellany: Los Angeles County prosecutors have dropped the case against seven gang members accused of kidnapping a music producer who claimed to have a sex tape of Shaquille O’Neal.
At the prosecution’s request, a judge dismissed kidnapping, assault and robbery charges.
Robert Ross testified that in 2008, following a business dispute, he falsely told O’Neal he had a sex tape. Ross claims that two weeks later he was attacked by gang members who mentioned O’Neal.
O’Neal denied involvement and wasn’t charged.
• England-Netherlands match off due to London riots: England called off a soccer exhibition scheduled for today against the Netherlands because of concerns about player safety amid a wave of rioting and looting across London, which also threatens the staging of Premier League matches this weekend.
The Wembley Stadium match was canceled by The Football Association after the Metropolitan Police struggled to contain a third night of lawlessness in the British capital on Monday.
• Manager: Probe shows Gatti didn’t take own life: The former manager of late boxing champ Arturo Gatti says new evidence will show his 2009 death wasn’t a suicide.
Gatti was found in July 2009 while he and his family vacationed in Brazil. Gatti’s wife was arrested for his murder but later released. Police concluded Gatti hanged himself.
UFL commissioner: 2011 season is a go
UFL: The United Football League will go ahead with its third season, despite losing more than $100 million in its first two years.
Commissioner Michael Huyghue wrote “we will play” in a text message to The Associated Press.