Isiah Thomas accused of sexual harassment
NEW YORK, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- A former New York Knicks vice president has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against team President Isiah Thomas.
Anucha Browne Sanders filed suit in New York Tuesday claiming Thomas displayed "abhorrent behavior" by calling her "bitch" and "ho" and regularly propositioning her for sex, the New York Post reported Wednesday.
Her suit also claims Thomas, a former Detroit Pistons star, plotted to lure Knicks opponents to strip clubs in an effort to throw off their games.
Sanders, a 43-year-old mother of three, says in her suit she was fired after complaining about Thomas' behavior.
The suit accuses Thomas of "repeatedly professing his love for (Sanders), making comments about her physical appearance and suggesting that they go 'offsite' together, a thinly veiled solicitation for sex."
The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages as well as Sanders' job back, The Post said.
An attorney for Thomas called the suit "a blatant and cynical attempt ... to get a large sum of money from Madison Square Garden by exploiting the celebrity status of our client."
New leases for Chiefs and Royals
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Jackson County, Mo., Wednesday reached new lease agreements with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs and baseball's Kansas City Royals.
The Chiefs play their home games at Arrowhead Stadium. The Royals play at adjacent Kauffman Stadium. The stadiums are located at the Truman Sports Complex.
The agreements run through the 2031 seasons, and include provisions for sufficient funds for both franchises to upgrade their stadiums. On April 4, residents will vote on a referendum for a rolling roof that will cover either stadium in the event of bad weather. It may also allow the Chiefs to host a Super Bowl after it is constructed.
"I think it is most appropriate that the two teams have committed to new 25-year leases, and that the public will at the same time have the parallel, but separate opportunity to vote to complete the original project design with the rolling roof," said Chiefs owner and founder Lamar Hunt on the team's Web site.
Oakland Athletics sign Frank Thomas
OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Former American League All-Star Frank Thomas Wednesday signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics.
Thomas, 37, has played his entire 16-year Major League career with the World Series champion Chicago White Sox. He was released after the end of the season.
Thomas played in only 108 games over the last two years while battling a series of stress fractures in his left ankle.
The 6-foot-5 inch, 260-pound slugger batted just .219 with 12 home runs and 26 RBI in 34 games in 2005. He is one of only 10 major league players ever with a .300 career batting average, 400 home runs, 1,000 RBI, 1,000 runs scored and 1,000 walks. The other nine are all in baseball's Hall of Fame.
Thomas holds several offensive records with the White Sox, including homers (448), RBIs (1,465) and runs scored (1,327).
Jay Gibbons gets new contract from Orioles
BALTIMORE, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Outfielder Jay Gibbons of Baltimore has agreed to a new four-year contract.
Gibbons, 29, was eligible to become a free agent after the 2006 season.
"It really wasn't a thought in my mind," Gibbons said on the Orioles' Web site. "I thought if I played well enough for this organization and just continued to work hard, this was where I was going to be for my whole career. I hope this will be my home. I never really thought about free agency, and I was just happy to hear they wanted me on board for another four (years)."
Gibbons is the third Oriole to hit 100 home runs in his first five years with the team. The others are Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken, Jr.
In 2005, he batted .277 with 26 home runs and 79 RBI. His batting average tied a career high. Gibbons has a career average of .261 with 102 homers and 331 RBI.
