Burress agrees to deal with prison time
NEW YORK, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Plaxico Burress pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony that will send the former New York Giants star to prison for two years for shooting himself in a nightclub.
New York's WABC-TV reported the NFL player pleaded guilty in a Manhattan courtroom to a count of second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon for the November incident in which Burress, 32, accidentally shot himself in the thigh with a handgun when the weapon slipped down his pants at a nightclub.
Burress originally was indicted on two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of second-degree reckless endangerment.
If Burress had not reached a plea deal with the prosecution, he would have faced at least 3 1/2 years of prison time if convicted on a felony weapons charge.
Thursday's plea comes after a previous attempt at a plea deal was rejected by Burress and his defense team. Prosecutors had demanded the NFL wide receiver serve two years in jail for the 2008 shooting, while Burress was adamant he would not serve more than a year.
Report: Venus, Serena buying into Dolphins
MIAMI, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Tennis sisters Venus and Serena Williams plan to become limited owners of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, The Miami Herald said.
The sisters, natives of Compton, Calif., now live in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and would be the latest high-profile investors in the Dolphins, joining music stars Emilio and Gloria Estefan and Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony, all South Florida residents.
"There's always so many opportunities out there, and Venus and I are always trying to expand our brand and do the best that we can do," Serena told the newspaper. "There have been (preliminary) talks and hopefully it will work out."
Both women love fashion design, with each creating their own line of apparel or accessories.
Additionally, both made Forbes Magazine's Celebrity 100, a ranking of yearly earnings and media visibility.
They have earned nearly $49 million in prize money in their tennis careers.
Ex-NFL player facing child support charges
CINCINNATI, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Former NFL defensive end Roosevelt Theodore Nix was arrested in Hamilton County, Ohio, for not paying $214,245 in child support, authorities allege.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Thursday that Nix, 42, was arrested on a Hamilton County Juvenile Court warrant for an alleged lack of child support payments for his 16-year-old son, whose identity was not reported.
Nix, who reportedly also missed a 2006 child support hearing, is accused of not making any child support payments for the teen since 2000.
In addition to facing charges for the missing child support payments, Nix was charged with escape and contempt of court for his absence at the 2006 hearing.
After being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the eighth round of the 1992 NFL draft, Nix went on to play in 16 games for the Bengals. He later played two games with the Minnesota Vikings, amassing a career total of six tackles.
The Enquirer said Nix is one of more than 3,000 people facing child support-related warrants issued by Hamilton County courts.
McGinley, Orr share the KLM Open lead
ZANDVOORT, Netherlands, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Paul McGinley and Garry Orr shot 6-under-par 64 Thursday and share the lead after the first round at the KLM Open golf tournament at Zandvoort, Netherlands.
McGinley began with an eagle at the par-5 second hole followed by a birdie at the third.
Later, he bogeyed the eighth but had a string of birdies from 12-15.
Orr made an eagle at the par-5 12th and four birdies.
"My season's been flat," McGinley said. "I've not played well enough and I need to do better."
"I've been playing pretty well lately, just not making enough putts," Orr said.
McGinley was the runner-up in 2008, while Orr is seeking his first victory in nine seasons.
Defending champion Darren Clarke joined Peter Lawrie, Jorge Campillo and Matthew Millar in a tie for third at 5-under 65.
Clarke shot 66 in each of the final two rounds last year and won by four strokes.
