NFL Owners Pass OT Rules Modifications For Playoffs

The NFL owners voted to change an element in the overtime rule, giving the team that loses the coin toss at the start of overtime to get a possession if the coin-toss winning team scores a field goal with the first possession.

The proposal passed 28-4. As it is written, the rules change applies just for the postseason, but the owners also decided to discuss adopting the changes for the regular season at their next meeting, in May in Dallas.

The competition committee recommended the change in a vote of 6-2, and commissioner Roger Goodell supported the plan. He was able to secure enough votes to get the proposal passed on Tuesday, a day before the expected Wednesday vote.

The reason for the change was the increased accuracy of kickers since 1993. In 1994, the NFL moved kickoffs from the 35 to the 30, which created better field position for the teams that won the coin toss and received the kickoffs.

Statistics examined by the committee showed that since 1994, teams winning the coin toss win the game 59.8 percent of the time. The team that loses the toss wins the game 38.5 percent in that 15-year span.

"We've had this discussion for a number of years," competition committee co-chairman Rich McKay said. "We feel this year's proposal gave us the opportunity to [install] a pretty good rule. Statistically we felt it needed to be changed. It wasn't creating the fairest result as far as field goal accuracy, field goal distance and drive starts."

McKay said one of the selling points was it maintained the sudden death aspect of overtime.

This is not a one-year experiment. The vote is a permanent change to the overtime rule, which was established in 1974 to minimize the number of games ending in ties.

McKay didn't rule out the possibility of the change being implemented in time for the 2010 regular season, but he doubted discussion would result in such quick movement.

By Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Michael Jordan became a basketball star at North Carolina. Now he'll try to turn around the state's money-losing NBA team by becoming the first ex-player to be a majority owner in the league.

The NBA's Board of Governors on Wednesday unanimously approved Jordan's $275 million bid to buy the Charlotte Bobcats from Bob Johnson. Jordan will take over the team immediately after serving as a minority investor with the final say on basketball decisions since 2006.

"Purchasing the Bobcats is the culmination of my post-playing career goal of becoming the majority owner of an NBA franchise," Jordan said in a statement. "I am especially pleased to have the opportunity to build a winning team in my home state of North Carolina.

"I plan to make this franchise an organization that Charlotte can be proud of, and I am committed to doing all that I can to achieve this goal."

The six-time NBA champion and five-time league MVP will be charged with turning around the fortunes of the 6-year-old Bobcats, who are on pace to lose about $30 million this season because of sluggish ticket and sponsorship sales.

The 47-year-old Jordan, who will assume about $150 million in debt in the deal, becomes the second black majority owner of a major pro sports team. He replaces the first in Johnson, who paid $300 million for the expansion franchise, but lost tens of millions annually and saw the value of the team decline as Charlotte fans struggled to warm to the NBA again after the Hornets left for New Orleans in 2002.

"The best decision I made since acquiring the Bobcats was to convince my friend Michael to become an investor in the Bobcats and to appoint him as managing member of basketball operations," Johnson said in a statement. "As the new majority owner of the Bobcats, his dedication will be stronger now more than ever."

Commissioner David Stern predicted last week the deal would be approved easily by the league's owners. Stern said last week that background and financial checks on Jordan produced nothing that would stop the deal, and expressed optimism Jordan's iconic status in this area will boost the franchise.

Jordan grew up in Wilmington, N.C., and led North Carolina to an NCAA title with a last-second shot before starring with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan briefly ran the Wizards basketball operations and returned as a player with Washington before being fired from his management role in 2003.

"We are pleased that Michael Jordan's purchase of majority ownership of the Bobcats was approved by the NBA's Board of Governors and closed in such a smooth and expeditious fashion," Stern said. "We look forward to the continued growth of the Bobcats, on and off the court, under his leadership."

The Bobcats (34-32) entered Wednesday's home game against Oklahoma City in sixth place in the Eastern Conference as they eye their first playoff berth. Team officials hope a playoff appearance after Jordan took control would boost interest and ticket sales in the franchise, which plays in a 5-year-old downtown arena.

"While there is still plenty of work to do both on and off the floor, our attendance, television ratings, corporate support and on-court performance are headed in the right direction," Bobcats president Fred Whitfield said. "That trend will only continue as Michael transitions into all facets of our business."

Jordan, who has declined interview requests since striking a deal to buy the team on Feb. 26, is scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday night.

By Doug Ferguson, Associated Press Golf Writer

“The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect,” Woods said in a statement. “After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I’m ready to start my season at Augusta.”

The Masters begins April 8.

The Associated Press first reported his plans to return at Augusta National last Thursday.

Woods has not competed since Nov. 15 when he won the Australian Masters for his 82nd victory worldwide. Twelve days later, he crashed his car into a tree outside his Florida home, setting off shocking revelations that he had been cheating on his wife.

“The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it’s been a while since I last played,” Woods said.

“I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy and I am continuing my treatment,” he said. “Although I’m returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life.”

There had been reports he would play the Tavistock Cup exhibition next week in Orlando, followed by the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, where he is the defending champion and a six-time winner.

“When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play,” Woods said.

Already the major with the highest TV ratings, this Masters could be the biggest yet. The first two rounds are televised on ESPN, with CBS Sports on the weekend.

“Obviously, the ratings will be off the chart,” Heath Slocum said. “It will be interesting to watch—not only the reaction from him, but from the fans, the media, the players. I would venture to say he might be nervous.”

Woods twice has come into a major after a long layoff without playing, with mixed results—he missed the cut at Winged Foot for the 2006 U.S. Open after his father died, and he won the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines while playing on a shattered left knee.

Woods is a four-time Masters champion, although he has not won at Augusta National since 2005, his longest drought there.

In some respects, the Masters makes sense for golf’s No. 1 player to return. Media credentials are limited regardless of who’s playing or what’s in the news, and Augusta National has more control of its tickets than any other golf tournament.

Those with season badges risk losing them if they violate policies, or are caught selling them.

Woods has been the biggest draw at the Masters ever since he became its youngest champion at 21 in 1997, when he broke the tournament scoring record with a 12-shot victory.

That likely won’t compare to this year.

Woods’ world came crashing down on Nov. 27 when he fled his house in the middle of the night and ran his Cadillac SUV over a fire hydrant and into a tree. About that time, allegations of womanizing began to emerge, and Woods’ silence was replaced by rumors of what happened that night and how, as the world’s most famous athlete, he could keep so many affairs a secret.

He eventually confessed to infidelity and said Dec. 11 he would take an “indefinite break” from golf. Woods spoke publicly for the first time on Feb. 19 at TPC Sawgrass, where he confessed to cheating on his wife, Elin.

“I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did,” Woods said that day.

He was in a Mississippi clinic from Dec. 31 until Feb. 11, then went to an Arizona clinic for a week of family counseling. He returned to practice when he got home to Isleworth, and swing coach Hank Haney joined him last week.

This will be the first time Woods won’t play Bay Hill, the only regular PGA Tour event he has never missed as a professional.

Meantime, the governing body of golf outside the United States said it hoped Woods would play at the British Open in July.

“We’re pleased to hear that Tiger is to return to golf. … Golf needs the world No. 1 to be playing,” Royal & Ancient spokesman Malcolm Booth said.

Woods has not yet entered to play at the British Open at St. Andrews, but has until May 27 to send in his entry form. Booth says it’s “normal that he hasn’t” entered yet.

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season, SI.com has learned.

Washington, 57, has been subject to increased drug testing since his failed test, which was administered by Major League Baseball last July, and he has passed all of his subsequent tests. In deciding to support Washington and retain him as manager, the Rangers accepted his apology as heartfelt and also his explanation that this was a one-time transgression.

"I did make a mistake and I regret that I did it," Washington told SI.com by phone from Surprise, Ariz., on Tuesday night. "I am really embarrassed and I am really sorry."

The Rangers called a team meeting for Wednesday morning at their spring training facility in Surprise, where Washington was to address the incident with the club.

Washington declined to discuss the specific circumstances surrounding his decision to use cocaine because he didn't want his family to hear about it in the media. "Any attempt to try to explain it is going to sound like excuses," he said. "There is no right way to explain something wrong, and I did wrong. Was it tension? Maybe. Anxiety?''

Cocaine generally clears the system in 3-5 days after limited use. (Heavy users could take 10-14 days.) After one-time use, a person usually tests positive for cocaine (or technically a metabolite of cocaine called benzoylecgonine) for only 2-3 days.

Washington took the unusual step of calling the commissioner's office shortly after he was tested following the 2009 All-Star break to warn it that he might fail the test. Washington told the commissioner's office and his Rangers bosses about his cocaine use before the test results were known, and the team decided not to fire him after the test did come back positive.

"It was the right thing to do,'' Washington said of his decision to come forward. "I couldn't deal with the result to come back positive and be a shock to those who've shown faith in me.''

The Rangers were alarmed at Washington's admission, but ultimately decided not to fire him if he followed the necessary steps and didn't slip up again. "Despite the disappointment, we felt that supporting Ron was the right thing to do," Texas general manager Jon Daniels told SI.com on Tuesday night. "We asked a lot of questions and worked through Major League Baseball's program, where Ron had appropriate consultation, support and testing. But for all the reasons we hired him in the first place, we felt and continued to feel that he's the right guy to lead the club. He made a significant mistake. He also admitted to it and took steps to ensure that it won't happen again."

Major league managers, coaches and other clubhouse personnel have been subject to drug testing since 2008, when MLB adopted the measure as one of George Mitchell's recommendations as part of his report regarding steroid and drug use in baseball. MLB mandates that any non-playing personnel who either fail a test or admit to drug use be subject to counseling and a substance-abuse program developed by a doctor approved by baseball. First-time offenders are generally not subject to punitive measures such as a suspension, pending the commissioner's discretion, and their names are not made public. (Tests are administered randomly once a year to all non-playing personnel who work around the clubhouse, which also includes trainers, clubhouse and equipment managers, massage therapists and traveling secretaries.) So by calling MLB headquarters even before his test results were known, Washington was subjecting himself to the substance-abuse program regardless of the results.

"I cannot comment on anyone in the program unless it's a performance-enhancing substance issue,'' MLB spokesman Pat Courtney wrote in an e-mail to SI.com on Tuesday.

Washington is well-liked throughout the Rangers organization, has expressed remorse and has never had any other off-field issues. His admission and test result came as a bombshell to the Rangers at a time when the team was enjoying surprising success. Washington's option for the 2010 season had been exercised only a month before his failed test.

Washington was treated as a first-time offender under MLB rules because he had not previously failed a test. He underwent extensive outpatient counseling over the last nine months, and was this spring cleared by doctors to have his tests reduced and go back into the regular pool of managers and coaches, who are all randomly tested once a year. But Washington said on Tuesday that he plans to continue more frequent testing on a voluntary basis to eliminate any possible questions about his drug use.

According to MLB rules, disciplinary measures are only mandatory in cases of performance-enhancing drugs. Those who test positive for recreational drugs such as cocaine, even multiple offenders, are subject to possible discipline at the commissioner's discretion.

The Rangers continued to play well throughout the 2009 season but were overtaken by the Angels in the AL West and finished second with 87 wins. They are considered to have as bright a future as just about any team in baseball, with a fine young nucleus that includes star outfielder Josh Hamilton, whose past drug troubles are well-known. Hamilton, 28, was suspended multiple times for drug use and has talked openly about his addiction to cocaine and other drugs, and how frequent therapy has helped him stay on the right course.

Considered one of the most talented players in baseball, Hamilton was banned from the game for one year after failing a drug test in 2004 but has managed to rebuild his career, first in Cincinnati and now with the Rangers, whom he credits for handling his situation with discretion and sensitivity.

No other major league manager or coach is known to have tested positive for cocaine or any other recreational drug, but that doesn't mean that no positive results have ever occurred, because first-time offenders aren't made public.

Major league managers and coaches are given drug tests by MLB that are much more extensive than the players'. Managers and coaches are not represented by the players' union, and are thus subject to testing for recreational drugs, such as cocaine. Major league players are not tested for cocaine and other recreational drugs, though minor league players are tested for these drugs.

Washington, a longtime infielder and coach before being hired by the Rangers to replace Buck Showalter in November 2006, is known as a baseball lifer and independent thinker who openly disagreed with some Moneyball principles even as he served for a decade as a coach for Billy Beane's Oakland A's. He has been beloved by his players, such as Eric Chavez, who presented Washington with one of the Gold Gloves he won, and he has helped develop infielders in the Mets, A's and Rangers organizations, including Texas' phenom at shortstop, Elvis Andrus. A New Orleans native, Washington is also known for involving himself in Katrina-related causes.

Washington was thought to be on the hot seat shortly after Texas legend Nolan Ryan took over as club president and the team started 7-16 in 2008. However, Washington was retained, and he responded by leading the young club to a 72-67 finish that year.

Washington's job status was considered uncertain heading into last season, as he entered the final year of his contract coming off two losing seasons, but with the team in first place in early June, his Rangers bosses picked up the 2010 option in his contract. He enters this season as a lame duck again.

Washington is 241-245 overall as Rangers manager. Four other men were interviewed for the job that went to Washington (Trey Hillman, Don Wakamatsu, John Russell and Manny Acta) and all four went on to become major league managers. Before going to Texas, Washington served as a coach for the A's from 1996 through 2005. He played from 1977 through '89 for the Dodgers, Twins, Orioles, Indians and Astros, batting .261, and worked in the minors for the Mets before being hired in Oakland.

Washington fears that his drug use will overshadow an otherwise exemplary 30-plus years in baseball. "I don't want this to be held over my head for the rest of my life and have this be the one thing that's associated with my name,'' he said. "I made a terrible mistake and all I can do is pray that I am forgiven for it and don't have to carry it for the rest of my life.''

By ESPN.com With Assist From the Associated Press

A 20-year-old woman told police Roethlisberger, who had been out barhopping with friends, assaulted her early March 5. Roethlisberger has not been charged. As previously reported by ESPN's Kelly Naqi, Roethlisberger talked to Milledgeville police the night of the alleged attack.

KDKA, the CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, reported Roethlisberger told police and others in his party he did not have sexual intercourse with the young woman.

Sources told KDKA Roethlisberger said he had contact with the woman that was not consummated and afterward she slipped and fell, injuring her head.

It was also reported Wednesday that two off-duty Pennsylvania law enforcement officers were with Roethlisberger at the Georgia nightclub.

Anthony Barravecchio, an officer on the force in the Pittsburgh suburb of Coraopolis, and Pennsylvania Trooper Ed Joyner were among about eight people with Roethlisberger celebrating his birthday at the club, attorney Michael Santicola said. Santicola said the men were there because they are friends of the two-time Super Bowl winner.

"They were not there in their official capacity," said Santicola, who represents Barravecchio but said Joyner is also a longtime friend.

Santicola, who's based in western Pennsylvania, said both of the law enforcement officers who were with Roethlisberger are cooperating fully with the investigation, but say they saw nothing inappropriate.

"They saw nothing inappropriate, no criminal activity and no inappropriate contact or behavior," Santicola said, adding that Barravecchio was "completely sober" during the evening.

Santicola also said the two do not remember meeting the woman who has accused Roethlisberger of assault.

"If they did meet the woman, they have no memory of it," Santicola said. "This was a crowded bar with people everywhere."

Ed Garland, an attorney for Roethlisberger, has said the quarterback is innocent of any crime and that no sexual assault occurred.

Two Atlanta-based attorneys for the woman who accused Roethlisberger have said that she did the right thing and asked for her family's privacy.

Milledgeville police have said they expect to interview Roethlisberger this week and are planning to take a DNA sample from him.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation special agent Tom Davis said his department hasn't interviewed Roethlisberger yet.

"We're here to do a thorough investigation and there is not a timetable [on when we will complete our investigation]," Davis said. "Our role is, we're fact gatherers. We are honestly looking to pursue the truth in this matter. You've got two people involved and both deserve a fair investigation. We're trying to do things as expeditiously as we can. We are not going to compromise the integrity of the investigation just to satisfy the media or to meet an expected deadline; it will be done when it's done."

Roethlisberger, who owns a home about 30 miles north of Milledgeville on Lake Oconee, is also being sued by a woman who claims he raped her in 2008 at a hotel-casino in Lake Tahoe hotel and casino, an allegation he strongly denies.

By ESPN.com With Assist From the Associated Press

Bryant's contract is worth $28 million, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton. With incentives, he could make as much as $29 million.

Cincinnati's addition of Bryant considerably lessens the possibility that the Bengals will sign unrestricted free agent Terrell Owens. A league source told Schefter that the Bengals never made Owens a contract offer.

Receiver Chad Ochocinco has been lobbying for the Bengals to sign Owens since the end of last season, when the Bengals' passing game lacked a deep threat.

"There's always been the speculation and perception out there [about coming to Cincinnati] and Chad kick-started it and lobbied to have me here as a teammate and I welcome it with open arms," Owens, who made a visit to the Bengals, told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Bryant had career highs with 83 catches for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008 with Tampa Bay. He needed surgery for torn cartilage in his left knee during training camp last year, and was bothered by pain in the knee all season. He finished with 39 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns.

Cincinnati needs at least one proven receiver after releasing Laveranues Coles, who lasted only one season with the Bengals. Receiver Matt Jones, who was out of the NFL last season after Jacksonville released him because of off-field issues, has signed a one-year deal with the Bengals.

The Bengals went 10-6 and won the AFC North last season by relying on their defense and running game. They lost to the New York Jets in their first playoff game since 2005, struggling to move the ball.

Owens, a six-time Pro Bowl receiver, had 69 catches for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns with Dallas in 2008, and dropped off to 55 catches for 829 yards with five touchdowns last season in Buffalo.

Cincinnati's passing offense finished 26th in the league last season even though quarterback Carson Palmer was back from an elbow injury. The Bengals didn't have a reliable third-down receiver -- T.J. Houshmandzadeh left as a free agent for Seattle before last season -- and Coles failed to blend into the offense.

The Bengals also lacked a deep threat after Chris Henry got hurt. Henry later died in a fall from a truck during a domestic dispute.

Getting a receiver and a tight end are among the team's top priorities in free agency and the draft.