Dodgers claim Fox 'interference' in sale
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers sued Fox Sports Wednesday, claiming the broadcaster is hindering the team's sale out of bankruptcy.
Documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware indicated the team wants Fox Sports to stop "interfering" with owner Frank McCourt's efforts to include the team's television rights in a possible sale, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The suit came after Fox -- which holds the team's broadcast rights through Nov. 30, 2012 -- sent a letter demanding the Dodgers "cease and desist" from claiming it could solicit bids for the rights regardless of the current Fox contract, the newspaper said.
The Dodgers have asked the court to declare the current contract unenforceable.
The latest suit comes on top of another filed with the bankruptcy court by Fox, which accuses the Dodgers of breach of contract.
"This is just the latest chapter in the current owner's ongoing scheme to avoid honoring his contractual obligations," a statement issued by Fox to the Times read. "The full truth of this unfortunate situation will soon become apparent to all."
NHL suspends Blues' Stewart for hit
NEW YORK, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The NHL said Wednesday it has suspended St. Louis Blues forward Chris Stewart for three games for his illegal hit on Detroit's Niklas Kronwall.
Brendan Shanahan, NHL senior vice president of player safety and hockey operations, said he issued the suspension because Stewart recklessly shoved the Red Wings defenseman into the boards from behind during the first period of a Tuesday game.
"The onus is on Stewart to avoid this hit completely or, at the very least, minimize it," Shanahan said.
The hit didn't result in any apparent injury to Kronwall, who returned to the game after the blow.
Ex-Bowl COO allegedly filed false returns
TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- An ex-Fiesta Bowl official was indicted for allegedly making campaign contributions in another's name and filing a false tax return, the U.S. officials said.
A federal grand jury returned a nine-count indictment against the bowl's former chief operating officer, Natalie Wisneski of Tempe, Ariz., the Justice Department said Wednesday in a release.
Wisneski, 47, is accused of making campaign donations in the name of another person, lying to the Federal Election Commission and filing a false tax return, as well as conspiring to commit the offenses.
The indictment alleged Wisneski, in her position as an officer and employee of the post-college football season Fiesta Bowl, solicited campaign contributions from Fiesta Bowl employees for federal, state and local candidates, and then arranged to reimburse the employees for their contributions with Fiesta Bowl money.
The indictment also alleged Wisneski filed false tax returns for the Fiesta Bowl when she denied in the tax returns that the Fiesta Bowl had any lobbying expenses or political expenditures.
Wisneski will be arraigned Nov. 30.
Coach Don Peters banned from gymnastics
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Don Peters, coach of the U.S. gymnastics team that made history at the 1984 Olympics, has been permanently banned, USA Gymnastics said Wednesday.
USA Gymnastics also removed Peters from the Hall of Fame, The Orange County (Calif.) Register reported. The newspaper said the governing body acted because of allegations that Peters molested young gymnasts in the 1980s.
"A USA Gymnastics' hearing panel has concluded the investigation regarding Don Peters and has ruled that Peters will be listed as 'permanently ineligible' for membership in USA Gymnastics, and that Peters' membership in the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame will be revoked, along with any rights and privileges connected to either," a USA Gymnastics statement said.
The group's action follows an investigative story by the Register. More than a dozen former gymnasts described being molested by coaches, including at least two who said Peters had sex with them.
Peters, who coaches at the SCATS gym in Huntington Beach, Calif., trained dozens of Olympic gymnasts. He was the coach of the 1984 team that won eight team and individual medals.
