JOAQUIN CLOSER TO VALENCIA CF & REAL MADRID STILL LOOKING AT REYES

BETIS & Spanish International wingerJOAQUIN is closer to reaching hisdesire to play for VALENCIA CF thisseason.The clubs have an offer on the table, 18,000,000€ plus Valencia playerRegueiro. It is now up to Betispresident to say OK From the some paper - Marca -comes the story that REAL MADRIDare still interested in Arsenal´sSpanish forward ANTONIO REYES.It is said, Real will put a 15,000,000€

College Football Preview: Big 12

Last year, this conference was basically Texas and a whole bunch of average teams. This year? Well, not a whole lot better, but it does look like everyone else is catching up and some of those average teams improved. Let's take a look.

Player of the Year: Without question the most talented player in the conference is Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma. In his freshman year he ran for over 1800 yards, but that dropped off due to injury and an inconsistent pass game. Some of those same probelsm might still be there with the dismisall of Rhett Bomar, which will allow defenses to once again stack the line and gear up to stop Peterson. This should open the door for other candidates, namely Jamaal Charles of Texas. He was overshadowed last year by some guy named Vince Young and the fact that he was just a freshman. Still, he managed to run for 878 yards (on 7.4 YPC), and should keep improving that as he gets more touches. He's an explosive player and one of the big reasons Texas won't drop off much this year.

After that, there's a couple of QB candidates. One is Iowa St. QB Bret Meyer. He's a junior but already in his third year as the starter, and he's one of the most accurate and most athletic QBs in the conference. Plus, with great WR Todd Blythe in the mix, he has weapons. Another potential candidate is Nebraska QB Zac Taylor. He should now be fully entrenched in the offense Bill Callahan has put in, and with his top 2 WR returning, he should put up good numbers. Still, all of these guys pretty much only have a pipe dream if Adrian Peterson stays healthy. He is the best back in all of American and a big contender for the Heisman, and this is why he is my pick for Player of the Year.

Freshmen to Watch: The most important positional battle as far as the conference is concerned is the Texas QB position, which is between RS freshman Colt McCoy and true freshman Jevan Snead. Both will probably get playing time early, but they'll need one of them to grab the spot and flourish if they're going to make any noise this year. Word out of camp is that Snead is probably more talented, but McCoy is more polished. Should be one of the more fascinating battles to watch in all of the country. Another freshman to watch is RB Michael Goodson of Texas A&M. He might have been the best HS back out of Texas last year, and could be in the mix early for the Aggies.

Breakout Players: Nebraska has shifted emphasis from the running game to the passing game, but that doesn't mean they don't have a talented back in Marlon Lucky. With Cody Ross gone, Lucky should get more carries and has the talent to take advantage of them. In Texas Tech, they'll finally go into a year without a senior QB starting for the first time, and so it looks like sophomore Graham Harrell will be the starter there. With Mike Leach's offensive philsophy and the great WR trio fo Joel Filani, Jarrett Hicks, and Robert Johnson returning, Harrell should put up huge numbers. A final player is Stephen McGee of Texas A&M. Ryan McNeal has finally graduated, leaving the accurate McGee as the starter.

Other things to watch: Texas may have lost their all-world QB, but they're still returning a ton of talent, including their top 4 RB and starting WR. They'll obviously be extremely dangerous. Can the North ever catch up to the South in terms of team talent? Well, not this year. I'm also going to be very interested in watching Dan Hawkins, who has been so good at Boise St., and if he can turn around the Colorado program.

Best Games:
- Texas vs. Oklahoma - We all know about the tradition of this rivalry. Texas finally ended the drought and beat the Sooners last year, but can they make it 2 in a row? (October 7)
- Texas at Nebraska - Two very talented offensive teams meet up in Lincoln. (October 14)
- Texas Tech at Oklahoma - One of the best defenses in the nation for Oklahoma takes on the passing game of Texas Tech. It was a great game last year, and should be again. (November 22)

Projected Order of Finish

South:
1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Texas Tech
4. Texas A&M
5. Oklahoma St.
6. Baylor

North:
1. Nebraska
2. Iowa St.
3. Colorado
4. Missouri
5. Kansas
6. Kansas St.

FC BARCELONA 1 - RCD ESPANYOL 0 - 1º LEG OF THE SPANISH SUPER CUP

FC BARCELONA won 0-1 RCD ESPANYOL tonight in the 1ºleg of the SPANISH SUPER CUP, which signals the start ofthe new Spanish Football season, set to start the 26th ofAugust.Last seasons "Liga" winners scored thanks to FrenchmenGUILY. The Spanish Cup winners , Espanyol, will now goto the Nou Camp in the 2º leg & attempt to eliminate the lead, a difficult task as they find themselves in Camp Barça.

NHL "Stealing" Russia's Star Hockey Players?

There's an interesting story released this week on NHL.com as well as in USA Today about hockey star Evgeni Malkin, who bolted from his Russian professional hockey league team, the Metallurg Magnitogorsk, last Saturday after it arrived for training camp in Helsinki, Finland. Malkin is widely considered the best in the world not currently playing in the NHL. Malkin's agents in the U.S. will not confirm where he is at the moment, though they believe he is "out of harm's way". This is good news for the Pittsburgh Penguins because, although Malkin is currently under contract with Metallurg, they own the rights to Malkin here in the States as he was their No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 draft. Now that he is out of Russia, Malkin is expected to sign with the Penguins, if he hasn't already done so, and report to their rookie camp. However, Metallurg general director Gennady Velichkin is threatening legal action against the Penguins: "We all are really shocked by his departure and we will take legal actions against the NHL club Penguins from Pittsburgh. Americans like to speak about democracy and teach the whole world how to live but engage in sport terrorism and simply steal people."

In the U.S., it is well established that if a player under an existing contract "jumps ship" and signs a contract with another team in a different league, the team that loses the player would generally have two claims. First, the team could sue the player for breach of contract and seek a court order by way of a "negative injunction" to prevent the player from playing for the new team. Second, the team could sue the new team on a tort claim for intentional interference with contractual relations if the new team signs (or attempts to sign) the player to a contract that overlaps with the player's term under his existing contract. However, the new team is not prohibited from negotiating a contract with the player for a term to commence after the expiration of the term under the player's existing contract because, from a policy standpoint, courts are sympathetic to the defendant's right to compete with the plaintiff for the personal services of others.

So this situation presents an interesting international sports law issue because the two teams are located in different countries, and each country has its own set of laws governing the issue. One major distinction between the two countries' laws is that Russian law apparently permits any employee under contract, even a professional athlete, to leave his or her job upon giving two weeks' written notice. Thus, unlike in the States, it appears that it might be difficult for Mettalurg to establish a claim against Malkin for breach of contract.

But what about a tortious interference claim against the Penguins? This is a complicated question. Mettalurg would most likely sue the Penguins in a Pennsylvania court and, assuming the court determines that jurisdiction is appropriate, the court would most likely apply Pennsylvania law. It then becomes a factual issue regarding the extent of interference committed by the Penguins. Mettalurg could argue that the Penguins were aware that Malkin was already under contract when they made Malkin their first round draft pick. However, that act alone probably wouldn't rise to the level of tortious interference on the part of the Penguins unless the Penguins also negotiated a contract with Malkin (or his agents) for a term to commence prior to the end of the Mettalurg contract term.

If the Penguins ultimately sign Malkin to a contract that overlaps with the Mettalurg contract term, it would make Mettalurg's case much stronger. On the other hand, even if the Penguins do sign Malkin, the Penguins could argue that the interference is not substantial (i.e that the Penguins didn't really do something that either prevents performance of the Mettalurg contract or makes performance substantially less likely) if Malkin could in fact terminate the Mettalurg contract by simply giving two weeks' notice. Mettalurg might have a good argument that the two week notice termination right simply allows the player to essentially opt out of the contract and not play, but such right does not permit a player to nullify an existing contract and sign with another team because that would make all multi-year terms in Russian professional sports contracts superfluous.

As the USA Today article indicates, Malkin isn't the only Russian player invoking the letter of resignation as a way to leave a team and play in the NHL. Draft picks Alexei Mikhnov (Edmonton Oilers) and Andrei Taratukhin (Calgary Flames) also sent such letters to their Russian teams this summer in order to join the NHL. It will be interesting to see if Mettalurg ultimately acts on its threat....

Sixth Circuit Rules Michigan High School Sports Seasons Discriminatory

In the latest opinion in a long-running dispute, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit yesterday upheld a district court opinion finding that the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) violated federal and state law in the scheduling of girls' sports season. A news article on the case can be found here, and the court's opinion can be downloaded here. While this case may head back to the Supreme Court (which remanded the issue on a technical point in 2005), the 6th Circuit's decision also makes it likely that major changes in the state's sports scheduling will take place in the 2007-2008 school year.

College Football Preview: Big 10

As far as overall quality of teams, the Big 10 is not the best conference in the country (that would be the SEC). However, as far as star power goes, there might not be anyone better than the Big 10. Let's take a look.

Player of the Year: At this point, with the way last year ended, Troy Smith of Ohio St. has to be the favorite. He's fast, accurate, and has a strong arm... basically the closest thing in college football to Vince Young (right down to the jersey number). Smith's a top 5 Heisman candidate, and definitely the favorite for the Conference POY. But don't count out his teammate Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn is one of the fastest player in the country, and if he can contribute on special teams as well, he may have a shot to overtake Smith. Also in the discussion are a couple of Michigan juniors - Chad Henne and Michael Hart. Both were superb as freshman, and both dropped off a little as sophomores. Henne was a little more inconsistent because he didn't have quite as good of a running game backing him up... because Michael Hart was injured, which was his problem. With both guys healthy, Michigan has a great shot at a conference title and these guys both have a shot to be the conference player of the year.

But the list of candidates doesn't stop there. You also have to take a look at Penn St.'s Paul Posluszny, probably the best defensive player in the nation. Then there's Drew Tate and Drew Stanton, two mature QBs looking to improve consistency as both of their teams will be in the top half of the conference. And finally, for a real darkhorse, take a look at Northwestern RB Tyrell Sutton. He's just a sophomore, and was excellent last year rushing for 1474 yards and 16 TD. He should be an even bigger part of their offense this year, which means even more big numbers. However, when it comes right down to it, I'd put my money on Troy Smith, who should make the Buckeye offense one of the best in all of college football.

Freshman to Watch: The best player entering the Big 10 this year is Ohio St. RB Chris Wells. From all reports, he's one of the best incoming freshman in America, in the mold of Eddie George, and should push Antonio Pittman immediately for playing time. Much like Kevin Grady last year for Michigan, he'll be behind a proven back, but should still get some solid playing time. Another guy to watch is Illinois QB Isiah Williams. He may not start the year as the starting QB, but I'd be willing to bet he ends the season as the starting QB.

Breakout Players: One guy to watch for here is Penn St. QB Anthony Morelli. He obviously never got the opportunity last year because he was behind Michael Robinson, but he has good physical tools as well as excellent talent around him to be very successful. Tony Hunt returns at RB, and WR Derrick Williams is one of the best all-around players in the conference. Another guy that's just getting his shot is Minnesota RB Amir Pinnix. With Gary Russell not eligible, Pinnix should rack up a lot of yards even though the Gophers O-Line isn't as strong as it has been in the past. A lot of people know about Mario Manningham already, but I'm guessing most college football fans will know about him by the end of this year. Jason Avant is gone, which moves Manningham into the starting lineup, and he looks like the next excellent Michigan receiver. And as the Penn St. game last year showed, he has a knack for the big play.

Other things to watch: It's going to be strange watching Wisconsin this year without Barry Alvarez manning the sideline as the head coach. Another interesting thing is that Michigan and Iowa went into last year with huge expectations and underperformed... this year they both look just as strong going in, but may be a little underrated.

Best Games:
- Penn St. at Ohio St. - Huge game early in the year... Ohio St. takes on Texas two weeks before this game... could it possibly be 2 losses in September for the Buckeyes? (September 23rd)
- Minnesota at Wisconsin - I like the Gophers so maybe I'm a little biased, but if you saw this game last year, you know what this rivalry means. (October 14th)
- Iowa at Michigan - Two talented, veteran teams. Can Kirk Ferentz lead the Hawkeyes to a win in the Big House? (October 21st)
- Michigan at Ohio St. - National title and conference title implications... do I need to hype this up at all? Didn't think so. (November 18th)

Projected Order of Finish

1. Ohio St.
2. Michigan
3. Iowa
4. Penn St.
5. Michigan St.
6. Wisconsin
7. Purdue
8. Northwestern
9. Minnesota
10. Illinois
11. Indiana

Shoud Physicals Come Before Trades?

The recent failed Lee Suggs trade raises a curious aspect of the NFL regime for player trades. Two teams negotiate for the terms of a player’s reassignment, and once terms are “final,” the traded player reports to his new team. Only at that point does the new team conduct a medical examination of the traded player. The team gaining the player then faces a dichotomous choice: either declare the player has “failed” the physical, invalidating the trade, or declare that he has “passed,” such that the terms of the trade become finalized. Notably, the team conducting the physical does not have the option to renegotiate terms of the trade based on troubling, but not necessarily fatal medical discoveries. In addition, the team giving up the player has limited or no right to challenge the medical determination made by the acquiring team.

This is an odd way of trading, certainly foreign to most transactions in goods and services, and it may not represent the economically efficient arrangement. Consider the NFL trading regime as applied to, say, the sale of a used car. Let’s say I am selling a used car in which you are interested. As with a potential traded player in the NFL context, you have limited information about the vehicle in question; certainly, I, the seller of the vehicle, have more information. The NFL’s approach, applied to the auto context, would mean that you could look at film of other people driving the car (equivalent to watching film of an NFL player), but that you could neither test drive the car, nor take it to your friendly neighborhood mechanic, until after we had agreed to terms of the sale. Once we had inked the terms of the sale – and only then – you could take it and have someone more knowledgeable look under the vehicle’s hood, to see what it’s packing. At that point, the mechanic (presumably according to your instructions or specifications) could declare that the car either “passed” or “failed” its examination. If the car failed, you would be able to return it to me, along with a torn-up copy of our trade agreement. You would not be able to renegotiate a different price; nor would I have any power to challenge your assessment (or rather, your mechanic’s assessment) that the car was a lemon.

Can anyone imagine buying a used car this way? Yet that’s exactly how NFL trades seem to work. Wouldn’t more efficient trades be possible if the potential acquiring team could conduct a physical of the player before signing the terms of the deal? That way, the team would not face the “all-or-nothing” choice it does under the current regime. If the player were hobbled by some surprising injuries, the potential acquirer could negotiate for reductions in price (or, since trades aren’t for “cash” in American sports, other types of compensation).

To be sure, a proposal to allow pre-trade physicals might upset some players. After all, being physically examined would tip off the player that a trade was coming – something that a player under the current scheme might not find out until the deal is announced to the public. But at the same time, certainly players like Suggs would appreciate not being declared “physically unfit” to play the game – a moniker that can’t be good for a player’s next contract bottom line.

At a minimum, it seems that the NFL should clarify the standards under which teams are permitted to declare a player has “failed” his medical exam. That would reduce the likelihood of the kind of bad feeling expressed by the Cleveland Browns this week, according to the San Jose Mercury News:

The Browns released a statement that disputes the Jets' medical decision, with GM Phil Savage saying that Suggs will return to practice immediately.

"Medical opinions can vary from team to team, and obviously this is one team's opinion," Savage said.

Said Browns coach Romeo Crennel: "They've got a new regime down there, so maybe they're doing things a little differently. All I can say is the kid was practicing for us."