Appeals court favors NFL owners
MINNEAPOLIS, July 8 (UPI) -- A U.S. appeals court Friday ruled in favor of the National Football League, vacating a lower court's injunction against the lockout of players.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Minneapolis invalidated the April 25 lower court decision that the lockout should be lifted because players suffered irreparable harm.
In a joint statement the NFL owners and the NFL Players Association said, "While we respect the court's decision, today's ruling does not change our mutual recognition that this matter must be resolved through negotiation. We are committed to our current discussions and reaching a fair agreement that will benefit all parties for years to come, and allow for a full 2011 season."
The 2-1 decision said the lower court lacked jurisdiction to enter the injunction because the Norris-LaGuardia Act curtails the authority of the district court to issue injunctions in a labor dispute.
The majority opinion was skeptical about the union's strategy of decertifying a day before the collective bargaining agreement expired March 11.
Players and owners were engaged in collective bargaining for years, the majority opinion said.
Rangers ID fan killed in stadium fall
ARLINGTON, Texas, July 8 (UPI) -- The Texas Rangers Friday identified a man who fell to his death in Thursday's game as Shannon Stone, a Brownwood firefighter.
Stone fell around 7:30 p.m. during the second inning of the Rangers-Oakland A's game, KDAF-TV, Dallas/Fort Worth, reported.
Witnesses and the Arlington Fire Department said Stone, 39, lunged to catch a foul ball outfielder Josh Hamilton threw into the center field stands.
He fell 20 feet head first over the rail onto concrete. Another fan saw Stone leaning over the rail and grabbed his shirt but could not hold on to him.
Stone was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth but went into cardiac arrest on the way and was pronounced dead around 8:30 p.m.
Rangers President Nolan Ryan said: "We are deeply saddened to learn that the man who fell has passed away as a result of this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Mark Cavendish wins another Tour stage
CHATEAUROUX, France, July 8 (UPI) -- Mark Cavendish picked up his second stage win in three days with a final hard sprint Friday during Stage 7 of the Tour de France.
Cavendish, who won Stage 5 on Wednesday, was helped by his HTC teammates to get in a final position. Cavendish, Romain Feillu and Andre Greipel started their final push together with Alessandro Petacchi close by.
Cavendish was able to cross the line first in Chateauroux, with Petacchi second followed by Greipel and Feillu. It was his 17th career Tour de France stage victory.
He completed the 135.5-mile course from Le Mans to Chateauroux in 5 hours, 38 minutes, 53 seconds. Eighty riders, including overall leader Thor Hushovd, were given the same time. Hushovd was seventh Friday.
Hushovd retains his 1-second overall lead ahead of Cadel Evans with Frank Schleck 4 seconds off the pace and David Millar another 4 seconds back. Andreas Kloden is in fifth, 10 seconds behind Hushovd.
Stage 8, to be run Saturday, covers 117.4 miles from Aigurande to the Super-Besse resort on Puy de Sancy. The route includes two Category 4 climbs, had a Category 2 climb about 93 miles into the race and closed with a Category 3 climb.
Ohio State vacates 2010 football season
COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 8 (UPI) -- Ohio State officials blamed former football Coach Jim Tressel for violations of NCAA regulations, telling the organization Friday it has vacated its 2010 wins.
The university also said it has placed the football program on probation for two years, The Columbus Dispatch reported. Officials asked the National Collegiate Athletic Association not to impose additional punishment like being banned from bowl games or losing scholarships.
Tressel was the only employee with the football program who knew that players had violated NCAA rules by selling sports memorabilia to the owner of a tattoo parlor, officials said.
"The institution is embarrassed by the actions of Tressel," officials said.
Tressel resigned in May. At the time, the university said his departure was voluntary, but officials now say he was forced out.
The university also said it is taking steps to guard against similar violations in the future. Players must prove championship rings and watches are still in their possession and will not receive other awards until they have left the athletic program.
