Judge OKs hedge fund loan to Dodgers
LOS ANGELES, June 28 (UPI) -- A U.S. bankruptcy judge Tuesday granted preliminary approval for the Los Angeles Dodgers to tap a high-interest loan from a hedge fund to make player payroll.
Judge Kevin Gross approved a move by embattled Dodgers owner Frank McCourt to accept a $150 million loan from a fund controlled by J.P. Morgan Bank to finance the team's operations through the remainder of the year.
Attorneys from Major League Baseball, however, objected, saying the league could offer cheaper financing than the 10 percent interest and $4.5 million fee attached to the hedge fund deal.
MLB attorneys also claimed in legal documents McCourt had filed for bankruptcy Monday without the permission of Commissioner Bud Selig or the monitors he put in place to oversee the Dodgers' business operations, MLB.com reported.
The league also asked Gross to determine whether McCourt should be able to retain control of the team during the Chapter 11 process.
Goodell, Smith resume lockout talks
MINNEAPOLIS, June 28 (UPI) -- Talks resumed Monday in Minneapolis to end the NFL player lockout and reach a new collective bargaining agreement, multiple reports indicated.
The sessions were expected to last four days and initially included only NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and their staffs, the NFL Network reported.
The talks were focusing on key issues that have prevented an end to the 4 1/2-month-long lockout and a new labor deal, most notably the split of revenues between the teams and players, the broadcaster said.
ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported it's possible others -- such as team owners who participated in four previous "secret" negotiating sessions -- could join the talks later in the week.
The latest negotiating round came as a decision from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the legality of the lockout was expected soon.
The three-judge panel is expected to issue on a decision on the NFL's appeal of a lower court ruling finding the lockout illegal under antitrust laws.
Thunder pick up options on Harden, Ibaka
OKLAHOMA CITY, June 28 (UPI) -- The Oklahoma Thunder said Tuesday they have exercised contract options on guard James Harden, forward Serge Ibaka and three other players.
Harden, who appeared in all 82 games for the Thunder last season, averaged 12.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Ibaka, like Harden, played in every contest last season. He averaged 9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks, third-most in the NBA.
Other Thunder players who whose options were picked up included guard Eric Maynor and centers Byron Mullens and Cole Aldrich.
Maynor posted averages of 4.2 points and 2.9 assists in 82 games while Mullens and Aldrich spent most of the season with the NBA Development League Tulsa 66ers.
Hurricanes sign Pitkanen, Dwyer
RALEIGH, N.C., June 28 (UPI) -- Impending free-agent defenseman Joni Pitkanen and forward Patrick Dwyer have signed multi-year contracts with the Carolina Hurricanes, the team said Tuesday.
Pitkanen, due to become an unrestricted free agent Friday, agreed to a three-year deal that will pay him $4.5 million each season, General Manager Jim Rutherford said.
The 27-year-old also made $4.5 million last season, when he was the Hurricanes' highest-paid defenseman, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Last season Pitkanen racked up 35 points with five goals and 30 assists, second in scoring among Carolina defensemen, while playing in 72 of the team's 82 games.
Dwyer, meanwhile, signed a two-year contract that will pay him at total of $1.25 million.
The 28-year-old compiled eight goals and 10 assists over 80 games last season, all career highs.
